A Laid Back Day

This is what I love about school holidays. No rushing around first thing in the morning (a HUGE plus), being able to be outside together during the best part of the day - mid-morning, and being able to (this is youngest's best thing) wear what the heck you like!! And she works it!!

I've decided to omit the photo of me in my fairy costume....oh, okay - hands up, I don't really have one. But if I did...!

No crafting and stitching for me today, I suspect. Woodcutter man is wending his way to Somerset to supply poles for and erect a tipi, so the three of us are going to indulge ourselves with a quiet cosy day, filled with making bead pictures, lots of drawing, catching butterflies (although eldest usually ends up catching her sister's head), maybe a film, and plenty of reading...punctuated, naturally, by the yells and tears of the many arguments these two continue to have. My kitchen cupboards are very poorly stocked, and we have decided to 'make do and mend' for the day, ie: no-one wants to partake of a trip to the shops, so we'll make do with whatever we can retrieve from the depths of the cupboards! That'll be onion soup with a jar of peanut butter then! The challenge is on...

(The lower photograph was edited using flickr toys)

There's a Fairy In My Garden...honest!

See?!

Slightly dodgy photo due to poor lighting, but cute!

Yet another busy day today. A very early start for us (for a Saturday) to deliver a batch of tipi poles to Herefordshire. The bonus? I was dropped off in the city with my eldest for a weeny spot of retail therapy...and the discovery of a lovely little cafe in the centre. Eggy bread with maple syrup and bacon, anyone? Actually, we decided to bypass that for a whopping piece of chocolate brownie and scrumptious hot chocolate - and we were very good. We shared the brownie!

Eldest went to a fab birthday party at an equestrian centre in Newnham-on-Severn this afternoon. Talk about excited! She admitted she was a little nervous, but she lapped up the experience. They all participated in mini races, despite many party-goers being complete novices..and even ended the event with a trot. Delightful. There has, surprisingly,been no mention of having a pony installed in our back garden.... thus far!

I also added to my etsy shop today, with a bronze multi-string beaded necklace.

Did I mention hot chocolate, earlier? Chocolate, yes...I'm thinking of some new jewellery in rich chocolate tones, perhaps some velvet, perhaps even some lace of some description - maybe mocha shades? Have found some lovely motifs in Hopsack and Linen ebay store. Something to think about!

Feel The Spin..

I thought I'd pop this on here because the feel of spinning motion curdles my brain - but my girls can't get enough of it! Yuk.

Non-uniform went swimmingly, thank goodness. Not a single prima donna moment had by anyone. Phew.

The day started beautifully, with a school assembly by the Reception class and Year Two. My youngest is coming to the end of her year in Reception, so I didn't want to miss this. Beautiful and charming. They informed us all about Hawaii, and their use of canoes (on show and actually being performed in was a class-created coffin - sorry! - canoe! with cardboard paddles), but the glory moment came when the majority of the class performed a Hawaiian dance - including their teacher, resplendent in a plastic grass skirt. Just to die for. All of the children were enchanting - mine? Not unlike the others...three beats in time behind, but absolutely living in the moment, joyously over-performing, out of time but as cute as could be. They all were. Delicious.

The rest of the day was spent .. you guessed it, stripping poles!! There must be something else we can do with these poles - surely not just for tipis? Answers, or suggestions, on a postcard, please!

The day ended as nicely as it began, with a curry and a play in the garden at dusk. Perfect.





*mental note - second reminder: must get sewing!

Tidy Child!

Just thought you might like to see how tidy my smallest twirlie (sorry, habit - my daughters don't recognise themselves as 'girlies' - they do, however, answer to 'twirlies'!) can be...well, she thinks she's tidy!
Beautifully arranged yet discarded outdoor clogs, sitting on our box hedging, simply screaming out their vibrant colours. Nice still-life, sweetheart!

Little Poppies, Big Trees

Gosh, Tuesday already.

I waved the children off to school and stepped outside to soak up the fresh, quiet morning. Mmm. These sweet little sunshine yellow poppies have swept their way here and there through our garden, popping their heads up through all manner of heathers and bushes ready to greet the warmth of the day.

I'm not really a fan of yellow, but these little darlings boost your spirits when the day is just beginning, and the sun has almost - but not quite - risen up over those huge trees.