Zachary turns one (post over a month late)!

So on the 6th May our little baby boy turned one!

One already! How can that be?

He really isn't so little anymore either, he's a tall and stocky lad, just like his Dad and oldest brother.

I know it's cliche but this past year has flown by and is all a bit of a blur!

Zachary is such a happy soul, you know if he's crying that there is a problem.

So content with the simplest of things.

His favourite toys are balls, and cars. He's often found with a ball in his hand or chasing one!

He's been so good with feeding, taking to solids probably much earlier than he was supposed to really, but it worked for him. I fed him up to around 7 months too which is the longest I have breast fed any of the boys, after that we transitioned him to his own bed rather than his next to me crib. It took a while for me to get evenings back due to him clinging to me most evenings and waking most times we tried him in his cot. Now though he is brilliant, he loves his sleep so much that he will have around a 3 hour nap in the day which the other two boys rarely did, some mornings we might be lucky enough to get a lie in off him-shame the other two don't though.

He adores his older brothers and loves following them around the place, the biggest smiles are always saved for when we pick them up from school, it melts my heart every time.

He is saying a few words now too, mama being his first, followed by dada, Alex (Ala), Sam (lala), hiya, and his first word to an object being Alexa haha. Since his birthday he has least 'ba' which is either ball, book, back, or balloon, and has perfected 'more, more' whenever there is a sniff of food or rustle of a packet!

He's been steady on his feet for ages, standing alone for quite some time, but only started proper steps around 12 months, since his birthday he has got more and more confident. He now walks unaided (with a few little falls on his bum) and if he falls he is straight up again!

For his birthday we kept it pretty simple, the weather was gorgeous, and as we were having walls knocked down at our place we couldn't have people over. So we opted for heading to the local Zoo for the day. My parents and brothers joined us too, we had a picnic and the all important birthday cake before introducing Zac to Cotswold wildlife park, somewhere we have enjoyed visiting for many years (even as kids ourselves).

I made a big vanilla sponge and filled it with jam and buttercream, I've always wanted to make a hungry caterpillar cake for a 1st birthday so this was my theme.

The cake was delicious if I say so myself. 

It was so lovely to enjoy a summery birthday, with the rest of us 4 having birthday's in Nov and Dec it was a real novelty.

We went to my parents for a BBQ and more cake afterwards, and it was the end of a perfect first birthday.

Just can't believe that is the last of the baby days, and last of  the baby firsts! *sob*

Mother's Day 2016

I had such a wonderful Mother's day last week. I think it was the first one where I REALLY felt spoilt. 

Where I REALLY didn't have to lift a finger at all really. So well done to James for finally getting it right after 6 years ;)

The boy's popped to the shop with James to get some breakfast and they came back with a lovely bunch of daffodils which are still sat proudly on the windowsill so they have lasted well.

 The boy's actually had no patience with their cards and had given them to me on Friday after preschool and Alex on the Saturday morning after panicking it was still at school! So it was a nice surprise to receive another big Mother's day card off them too, our secret written in too-the only thing I'll ever have of it's existence.

We went to the local zoo, Cotswold Wildlife park, it's somewhere we can gone to before on Mother's day and it's somewhere we will visit a lot this year as we bought a season pass. 

We were joined by my parents and one of my brother's, and later also by James's parents, Nan and some of his brothers and sister and fiancée, so it was a right family affair!

It was very cold but we were well wrapped up, the boys have behaved the best I think they ever had, which made the day so much more enjoyable for us all-definitely the best Mother's day treat. 

We got around to most of the animals, and the boys loved it, there is a really fun park there which was fun for both the boys and the big kids! Although I don't think Sam liked his first trip down the tube slide as he sort of turned over whilst in there and came out the wrong way-my little trouper didn't let it deter him though as he went straight back on it!

I think it is honestly the happiest day I have had in a long time, no arguments, no whining kids and lots of fun. I am so glad that this past weeks events didn't happen sooner, as it was nice to be so happy that Mother's day and so unaware of what would happen this week. 

I needed that day, and now I can look back on it and smile, at least I had one Mother's day with all my babies. 

Family Time

This day in age it's so easy to just get caught up with it all, the days, weeks and months just roll into each other...before we knew it was Mother's day!

We had a lovely family day, the boy's bought in their handmade cards, it was lovely as Alex made such a beautiful one at school. Still no flowers, chocs, or cake or anything else though-James can't have got the hint...again!

We spent he day with my parents and headed out to Bristol Zoo, it was a really cold day so a lot of the animals were hiding but it was a really great outing. I'd not been there since primary school-I had images of it being bigger, but in fact it's quite a small zoo and it's funny seeing all the houses around it too.

We were extremely lucky to see one lion, he even walked right in front of us, I don't think her of them made an appearance the rest of that day!

The gorilla enclosure was really brilliant, although I always feel a bit odd watching the gorillas as it feels like you are staring at humans in some ways with all our similarities. We watched the talk & feed which was really interesting and was a great opportunity to see them all.

The boy's enjoyed the penguin and seal area-especially when the seals were play fighting! The both loved walking under the water too.

As it was cold the reptile house etc was perfect to warm up!

We also all had a bit of a race to see how fast we could run (it was meant to be for kids but me and mum also had a go), I was just pleased I won and that it warmed me up a little too! 

Sam loved the monkeys, and Alex found a drill that was less than impressed when Alex waved to her-but the boy's found it hilarious when she would hit the window each time he did it.

We popped into Ikea afterwards as I needed some more frames for my business, and then headed back for a perfect family roast.

Last weekend it was nice to take some more time out. We went to the Isle of Wight after Alex finished school-one advantage of him finishing early on a Friday! We went with James' family and shared a lodge with his sister and her boyfriend at Woodside coastal retreat.

We turned up to the lodges when it was dark so didn't really know exactly where we were as such, so it was a fabulous surprise on the Saturday morning opening the lounge curtains to find a sea view and blue skies too!

The lodges were really lovely, decorated fantastically and kept nice and clean with everything you need- I would definitely recommend.

We took it easy each morning but packed a lot in, in the 2 days there, We had planned on going on the steam train on the Saturday but it was only open Sunday's (Sam was so upset about this bless him and nearly cried, he kept asking to go on the train the rest of the day!), instead we took a trip to Amazon Zoo.

A small zoo but nice enough for a few hours, there is a good park on site too, and if you are staying for longer you can have a free return pass valid for a week too. The lemur enclosure was great, they were jumping up on a few of us and also there was a tiny 6 week old baby jumping  around too! Everyone found the talking parrot great too; I'm not sure if we timed it right but all the animals seemed really active, I for one have never seen a red panda wandering about as they are usually asleep!

We quickly popped to the Garlic Farm too, and tried a few samples, their makes are delicious, I think I would like to actually eat here one day for lunch-it smelt amazing.

We then had an early dinner at the White Mouse Inn, perfect for families as there is a decent sized play area-with a view of the sea too.

After dinner we popped quickly to the beach to watch the sun set, and wow the temperature dropped when it did!

The Sunday us 4 and James' sister and boyfriend popped to the beach which was less than a 2 minute walk from the beach, the boy's had great fun throwing the stones in the water whilst I had fun collected a bucket-load of shells, I say bucket-load but we had no bucket we had to use Alex's coat hood (he never wears his coat as doesn't feel the cold).

Then much to Sam's happiness we went to the steam railway, he was in his element with his wooden train whistle too, I think he thought he'd made the sound once when in actual fact in was the train's which was quite amusing.

They had some falcons and owls there when we visited, and Alex was brave enough to hold one (certainly helps having his young uncles to copy sometimes I think), I was really surprised he did it, i think he was proud about it too, he chose to hold Elsa the barn owl.

We then had lunch with everyone at James' parent's lodge and enjoyed another hour on the beach before the ferry. It certainly made the journey go quicker when a cruise liner went past and the boats played horn wars with the boat horns, the boy's (James included) loved this.

It was so nice having a couple of weekends to forget about the housework, school home work, and the 'to do' list, it was definitely needed-even if it does build up for afterwards!

Siblings in May

You may have seen this photo in a previous post about our day at Westonbirt Arboretum, but I couldn't help but use it for this months siblings post. 

I'll be honest it melted my heart a little, Sam was lagging behind and instead of Alex running ahead as usual, he ran back and took Sam's hand, and off they trotted down the path. Alex is really taking his big brother role very well-he loves to help Sam, (as long as he's in the right move) they are becoming the best of friends. 

Westonbirt Arboretum

During the Easter holidays we enjoyed a day my with Mum and her school colleagues with their children at Westernbirt Arboretum.

We had a wonderful day, full of children's imaginative play.

With a largish group and 3, 18 month olds we didn't venture too far but where we did go we enjoyed very, very much.

Alex would have spent all day in this area given half the chance. He was absolutely in his element! Not sure if it's something in his genes with his Grandad being a builder and James an electrician but he loved being a builder and really took great care and thought into what he was making and how to slot and balance the wooden beams and planks.

There are a few frames for the children to build from, and then spare lengths of wood to slot into place, the only thing I would say they could do with improving is a few more planks as if there are a lot of people they can be a bit sparse.

Sam loved the crunching bed of leaves beneath his feet, picking them up, and laughing as he threw them to the ground again. Bending down and rustling them with his hands, too often I had to pick him up and lead him off down the woody path so we didn't loose everyone else!

Sam was happy to chase his football around. Whereas Alex found balancing beams a fun challenge. 

After a play in the wooded area it was time for some lunch, we walked to an opening within the trees and sat in the sun for a good hour or two whilst all the children happily played and run around together. Sam found it amusing to find a seat in the bottom of his pushchair!

After this we headed to the play park-I haven't many photos of this as they all have lots of young faces in the photos of children that aren't mine so don't want to post them for that reason. But it really is a brilliant park, all made from wood, slides, climbing frames, tunnels, a teepee and rowing boat. The kids had a great time. 

After all that running around, it was time for a delicious ice cream before heading off back home. We will definitely be making a trip back in the future!

Mother's Day 2014

Yesterday was a lovely Mother's day.

I may not have got the lie in I was hoping for (in fact Sam made an appearance into our bed in the early hours), but the boys were brilliant.

Playing in the morning, making me laugh, making me cherish those little smiles.

The smiles and laughter that makes everything seem perfect-the boys at the moment really are very cheeky with each other and are making up new ways to make each other chuckle most days!

They really are very silly together <3

I love how the sun shone through the windows in the morning, so even after the clocks moving forwards we had the motivation to get up for a family breakfast.

The boys got me a beautiful pink and purple bunch of flowers, and Alex had written out the card which was wonderfully written still very proud of how well he can write with help from us.

I'd had his preschool card and pot of mud (which I hope I manage to grow the seeds and not kill them like I usually do!) early on in the week, so that has been proudly on display. Something so heart warming receiving a handmade card from your child.

We made the most of the nice weather and packed a picnic.

We arranged to meet my parents at Savernake forest which is a short car journey away.

We haven't been for at least 2 years but I think possibly more-which is bad really; it seems to take a special, meaningful day for us to go out somewhere slightly further out than normal!

The boys loved the picnic, and were helping themselves to my parent's also-they really do have big appetites.

They burnt all that energy off though, chasing after their footballs whilst we sat and watched or joined in.

Then we packed up and went for a leisurely stroll in the forest, the warmth from the sun on our backs-perfect!

Sam in particular loved climbing the large logs from the trees probably fallen in the storms of winter.

Alex as ever was cautious with climbing-something we need to work on is his confidence in many situations.

We even came across a rope swing-my Mum being first to have a go, next up was Dad, Alex refused but Sam loved it, thankfully there is no photo evidence of me on there to show ;)

He was actually loving this and kept saying "woah" and giggling!

Apart from me standing in dogs do it was a great outing, my Dad even spoilt the boys to an ice cream at the end-which worked well as a bribe once Alex starting getting tired!

We quickly popped to see James' Mum to drop her bits off and wish her well, then headed back to my parents for a delicious roast with my brother's too, the first time we have all been there for a meal for a while!

Now maybe next year I can get the chocolate cake that Alex said he was going to make me ;)

I wish we could have more weekends like this-so nice to be out in the open, with space for the boys to run and be free.

It was so relaxing, and much needed after a bit of a manic day beforehand (and a late evening baking cookies for our Mum's and making their cards)!

I hope you all had a lovely Mother's Day, I hope it was gentle to all those who perhaps don't have a Mum around any more or a child missing from you xx

Lotmead Farm-Strawberry Picking

I can't believe in my 23 and a half years I have never been fruit picking, and never been to a local farm which is free that has been on the doorstep for many years.

After years of saying "we must go there soon" we eventually did today. 

We had a great few hours out. 

A picnic on the benches. 

A play in the park.

And lots of strawberry picking!

I must admit Alex wasn't as interested as I'd hoped for, he did join in, but preferred eating them to picking! Then when we said he could eat one that he had squashed he took that as his cue to squash as he picked so he had an excuse to eat more-this one is cleverer than he sometimes lets on!

Sam sat and watched in his pushchair, happy as larry as long as we gave him a few little strawberries on the way!

After filling our basket and paying for the strawberries we had a quick wander to the animals, there's only a small amount but enough to keep little ones interested. Alex was tired at this point and Sam was asleep and in the heat of the afternoon we didn't stay long and headed back to the park area. 

Alex loved the big green slide-in fact I think that was probably his favourite part of the day!

We will definitely be back-the strawberries are delicious. We would have picked more fruit like the rhubarb but didn't have the money this time around. 

£10 worth of strawberries-delicious!

  

A trip to Adam Henson's Cotswold Farm Park-we had an amazing day!

Today we enjoyed a fun filled day at Adam Henson's Cotswold Farm Park, it was Alex's first trip with preschool and we all went along.

I will admit I am not the biggest farm fan, but this one was so nice, it was well maintained, clean, tidy and very child friendly.

We split into 3 groups and rotated between different activities, first we had a chat and demonstration about milking a goat, then enjoyed a chat about chicks, rabbits and guinea pigs-which was very interactive for the children, they each got to hold a chick, and stroke the rabbits and guinea pigs. Alex also fed the goats and lambs some milk-Sam watched on jealously as he was starting to get hungry but the quails kept him entertained. After a quick lunch break it was time for the tractor ride!

Feeding, stroking, watching and holding the animals.

Tractors played a big part of our day (usually resulting in some tantrums from Alex as he didn't want to come off of them)! The tractor ride circles around the farm and is very informative, it was also a great time to sit and relax (as much as you can on a bumpy tractor ride) after lunch and it got Sam to sleep somehow too!

After the tractor ride there is a very popular motorised tractor track for the kids (although I did see some Mum's using it too)! I was so surprised at how good Alex was at staying between the track lines-his driving skills have obviously come from Daddy too as he kept overtaking!

They also have quite a lot of pedal tractors and smaller push along tractors for smaller legs too in one of the park areas.

Tractors

Another great and unique part of the day were the 'jumpy pillows' which were basically two giant bouncy castle/trampoline type areas for kids (and adults) to enjoy and burn off lots of energy. What is great is that they have made one for under 6's and one for over 6's so they little ones don't get bounced off the edges by bigger ones!

Jumpy Pillows

As we drove instead of getting the coach like a lot of the class we were able to stay there longer than the 3 hours they had which was fab as it meant we got to have a walk through the small woodland area, which had a small obstacle course, bee hive viewers, a wormery and small pond. They had dens made out of twigs, and log seating area with canopy with a (unused) camp fire in the middle-I think this may probably be used for older school groups. We used our new camera to try and get some family shots-which took much longer than anticipated-I personally like our silly shot!

Woodland area

We actually stayed an extra 2 hours which shows how much fun we were having-and Alex of course wanted another go on the tractors!

If you live anywhere near here I would certainly recommend, it really was the nicest farm I have ever visited, everything was spotlessly clean, the animals all looked healthy and well looked after, the staff were all really friendly, helpful and knowledgeable. Even the toilets were spotless-which is very unusual compared to any other farm I have visited in recent years!

There were plenty of park benches, covered eating areas great for taking a picnic, there is also a small cafe (which sells some lovely rocky road if you ever visit) it is fairly pricey but these sort of places usually are. The eating areas also have plenty of high chairs for little ones too.

Aside from the animals there is also plenty of play areas for the kids, different swings, a dinosaur dig (which we didn't get around to doing), parks, and a sandy digging area too with lots of building hats for the children-Alex loved this area and we had to coax him out!

Play areas

For us to spend 5 hours at a farm speaks volumes that it is a great place to visit-particularly for younger children.

And this is always a sign of a good day out...

Fast asleep within a few minutes