Summer holiday fun in the sun
We’ve almost finished our second week of the Summer holidays and after the initial panic of nine weeks stretching ahead of us (ok, so that was clearly just me) we’re finally relaxing into a less structured routine. The kids are sleeping a bit later, the sun is shining and we’re getting out and about to make the most of the weather without the usual stress of clock-watching. So what if we don’t leave the house until 10.30? It’s all good.
On Tuesday we spent the morning at a local playground and with time to step back and watch my two playing in the sunshine it hit me suddenly how much they’ve grown up. Curly Girl is brave and strong and I held my breath as she tackled some of the higher climbing frame obstacles, exploring her own abilities.
She showed her nurturing side when another little girl joined us, encouraging her and showing her where to put her hands and feet while I stood beaming with pride on the sidelines.
Little Man follows his big Sister wherever she goes and they explored the tractor frame for ages, playing imaginary ‘driving’ games and squabbling about who could sit where.
Little Man had nursery school for a couple of hours in the afternoon so Curly Girl and I hung out together at home, something we never seem to get the chance to do. She loved spending the time alone with me and didn’t want to do much more than cuddle on the sofa watching a movie. It was blissful.
After a quick round trip to pick her brother up it was home again for Little Man’s first meal out of the highchair in his fab Concord Lima. This was his weaning chair and every morning we’d sit facing each other on the kitchen floor while he explored the taste sensation that is rice porridge mixed with fruit puree. How time flies. (P.S. I’ve written about the Condord Lima before here.)
Frankly it’s been easier to use our old faithful Ikea high chair while he’s been learning to feed himself (you can practically hose it down if you need to) but now the Lima’s having a renaissance. I don’t know whether it’s the Montessouri method they use at his nursery school, his personality, the dedication of the teachers or a combination of all three (I suspect the latter) but he’s really quite an independent little chap and I’m keen to encourage this by introducing him more grown-up situations like putting on his own shoes and sitting up at the table with his sister and his own knife, fork and spoon where he can help himself to food.
So far so good. And don’t they look cute sitting there together? (You can see our holiday calendar in the background. It’s a great way to see our plans at a glance and I’ve added a box that Curly Girl can tick which she does her holiday homework each day. She loves it. Fancy making your own holiday calendar? Here’s a free Bod for tea download you can customise.)
Yesterday it was blisteringly hot and sunny so we headed out to the Discovery Centre at Great Notley for a couple of hours and the kids had lots of fun splashing about in the water area, playing in the sand pit and generally letting off steam.
How gorgeous is this blue sky? No filter folks, just pure unadulterated British Summer at it’s best.
And we’re loving every minute of it.
Linking up with Vicki’s #brillblogposts and Fiona’s #CountryKids
We’ve really been making the most of the glorious weather here – my two are so much happier when they’ve had a chance to let off some steam outside! Thanks for visiting Merlinda *waves*
Stunning pictures (so glad commenting is working for me too-was my issue clearly)-gorgeous post and I’m astounded how quickly my two are growing up-seeing their confidence build and how fearless my little one, especially is becoming is amazing! Their ability on the climbing frame is a great parameter! Thanks for linking up to #brilliantblogposts x
Thanks lovely! Isn’t it amazing how quickly time flies. I’m really trying to let both of mine off the leash a bit as they’re both pretty fearless now – a balancing act between giving them the independence to try out their own abilities and keeping them safe x
Looks like you’re having a fab holiday so far
We’ve got 3 more days of school to go and then it’s holiday time for us too – bring it on I say, now I see from your blog post that I will survive it 😉
At the beginning we were a bit frazzled but we’ve settles into the holiday spirit now – let the countdown begin! X
England is so great if the sun’s out isn’t it. Looks like you’ve been having fun #CountryKids
Isn’t it just? It’s been just a little TOO hot the past couple of days to be out for very long but I love to see the littles running around. Much better than being stuck in front of the TV (although there’s a fair amount of that too!). Thanks for visiting
And hey – congrats on moving self-hosted!!!
So much fun in the sun x
We’ve been having lots of time outdoors which I think has helped them both to sleep despite the heat down here! X
It was a lovely morning, some bickering of course with two little ones running in opposite directions and wanting me there right by their side, but beautiful weather and a lovely playground x
Oh I’m so jealous that your holidays have started already! Ours are just one hour away!!! Beautiful photos, especially love the one of curly girl on the climbing frame x x x x
Ooo not long now then! I love that photo too, although it scared me to watch her! X
I love that photo too – although my heart was in my mouth while she was up there! I’m really trying to let her explore her own capabilities but it’s a bit scary for this mama *gulp* x
So glad you’re having such a wonderful time. That blue sky does look amazing!
It was SO blue it’s hard to believe I didn’t edit it at all! Hope you’re well lovely.
It was the bluest, most perfect sky I think I’ve ever managed to capture on camera!
Licky you being two weeks in, we don’t break up till middle of next week so I’m hoping the lovely weathter holds on
Apparently is going to get hotter here! We’re going out most days but making sure that we spend time indoors too to cool off – after all that’s what ice lollies are for! Will join this up with your Country Kids link on Saturday x
Looks like it’s here with us for a while but I bet there’s a lovely sea breeze where you are that I wish we had here! x
Glad the children are enjoying themselves so much. The weather really helps, though
Thanks Glenda, yep we’re enjoying the Summer sun but it could be a little bit cooler for us! *wipes brow*