our easter bunny day

I wasn't sure that our Easter was going to be very exciting this year. Rich got called away to work in Germany for the Saturday and also the Sunday morning (so yes, the two days slap bang in the middle of the long weekend). I decided that keeping it quiet was probably our best bet, so we stayed home and hunkered down between the rainstorms. But it was our littlest lady's first ever Easter, so it did need to be at least a little bit special. And actually it ended up being a really lovely Easter Sunday (or Easter Bunny Day as my children renamed it), and Rich got home far earlier than we expected which is a bonus; it was simple and lazy and full of family and chocolate... which is what matters most.

So I made a little video of our day. It's more of a day in the life type video, documenting one day from start to finish... I used to do those all the time back when I first started filming things, and I realised it had been far too long since I've done one. It was nice to get back in the habit of capturing all the little details of our day.

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a birth story

I will write her birth story. Any one expecting a lengthy multiple part story like I did for our beautiful boy's birth story and again for our beautiful girl will possibly be disappointed. Because this littlest lady of ours didn't hang around making her entrance.

But there is a version of the story that I want to share...

I said to Rich when we first got pregnant with our little Flump, that I really wanted to commit to memory every second of this pregnancy. I know all to well how hazy the memories can get with time, and while I remember how I felt at the birth of my babies, the intensity of those emotions feel as fresh as if it was yesterday, but the details grow a little blurred as the years pass by.

I talked about wanting a birth photographer, or at least teaching Rich to use my camera properly so that he could capture some more photos in the hospital. In all honesty though, he isn't the biggest fan of taking photos, but over the past year he has grown more confident using my camera to video. So I had simply said to him to capture bits and pieces of what happened as and when it seemed like a good moment; not with any particular intentions of making a little video out of it, but just so that we had it for the future. No pressure, just whatever he fancied doing. I didn't want him to be detached from the moment, but at the same time I know that at the previous two births he felt a bit lost at times and didn't know what to do with himself and I thought capturing it might give him a sense of purpose.

When I uploaded what was on the camera I cried.

Because he more than did me proud.

As he worried about whether he'd got it all in focus enough for me, I just felt speechless at the snapshots of time that he had caught that I didn't know about. The moments and emotions that are captured so that I won't ever forget them. Simple shots of me and my baby girl. And some of the earliest daddy and daughter moments that I grabbed too. All the details of how rapidly our beautiful little newborn changed in the hours from when she was very first born to the time we took her home. Those precious moments when she met her older siblings (and her fluffy siblings too).

I'm not sure I'll ever be able to thank him enough for the memories, or for the beautiful family we've made together.

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catching up {flump}

Okay, so we all know now that our Flump bump made her arrival earlier this week. But because I was preparing myself for an overdue one this time around and thinking I'd have another week or so at least to wait, I still have a couple of bump related things to share; two bump related videos to be exact.

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flump is a...

So what did you guess?

Were you right?

x

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{little christmas moments} the big festive build up

Christmas is a magical time, I don't think anyone would argue that point (at least not in my ear shot) but it isn't just about the one day on December 25th. The magic of it builds throughout December, as the world becomes seemingly overrun with festivities, and the calendar fills up with Christmas activities and days out.

This year the build up to Christmas was completely amazing for us. With a son who totally 'got it' this year, and a daughter who was happy to go along with the excitement, we were always going to be set for a good one. But it surpassed my expectations in every way. It was complete and utter magic. For them... and for us. As we got the pleasure of witnessing it all and seeing it through their eyes, and as we helped to create the best Christmas ever, both for the children and for us too.

We had so many lovely moments during December; from the first nativity to a magical time travelling bus tour, from making peppermint bark to enjoying hot chocolates by the tree. And we had a beautiful evening at Somerset House and a fun-filled festive day at Hyde Park's Winter Wonderland too.

I spent December recording all the tiny moments which make the build up to Christmas so special, to store up all the memories of the magic of Christmas with little ones. And it seemed a shame not to put them all together and share our Christmas build up with you too.

And if you pop back later in the week then you'll get the second part of the video, because I stopped short on this one just as it was getting to the good part, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

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fun with friends

Holidays aren't always that much of an actual break when you have small children.

You can't switch off, even for a second, 

because that tends to the second that they find trouble to get themselves into.

But from having a few holidays with our friends now,

it's definitely a good way of spreading the load a bit;

the children have built in entertainment,

and there are more adults too which means you can get precious moments off every now and then.

We've been on a few holidays with our friends the Ellisons now,

and when we are together, something just clicks.

We all get along swimmingly,

there is always a lot of laughter and fun.

And I know we all feel lucky to have found each other,

and to have another family that we can share these memories with.

It's just so easy to have fun when we are together,

and I know this won't be the last of our holidays together.

This our second trip to Center Parcs together

and it's really just reaffirmed our love for the place.

It's the perfect spot for an exciting family holiday,

especially when you have water babies like we do.

Nobody was ready to come home,

and I think that the sign of a truly brilliant holiday.

You can see my video from last year's trip here
it's scary how much the children have grown in that time.

Go and check out Katie's blog because she's posting about our holiday today too,

there's another little video to be enjoyed there too.

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life is better at the beach

There is a quote that goes something like:

"Memories made at the beach last a lifetime".

I know for a fact that some of my best memories are from seasidy days.

And I can say with my hand on my heart

that I won't ever forget this perfect day at the beach.

At one point I watched my beautiful children and my lovely husband,

as the sea lapped around my ankles,

with the warm sun on my skin

and a sea breeze ruffling my hair,

while the sand crept up between my toes,

and I thought to myself

"Never forget this moment, this day,

and how you feel right this second"

because I genuinely could not have been happier anywhere else in the entire world.

I stood and breathed it all in,

and I've locked it up tight in my memory,

never to be forgotten.

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free range fun

Holidays are all about adventures and relaxing,

being together and making new memories.

That's what I go on holiday wanting,

and that is what our holiday at Bluestone gave us in abundance.

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blue sky and sandy toes

music credit: Next To Me by Sleeping At Last

I've said it before,

but I just love the seaside.

My husband and I met and fell in love at the seaside,

and something about being near the sea just feels so right somehow.

So a sunny day

and our first quiet weekend in a month,

and the coast was calling us,

with it's promise of feeling warm sand between our toes,

getting to paddle in the sea,

and maybe a sneaky ice cream too.

We had a lovely time,

it was just beautiful.

The beautiful boy told us repeatedly that he had had a lovely time,

and asked at bedtime if he could go again tomorrow.

And the hubby and I spent the drive home 

talking and dreaming about a home looking out at the sea.

The beautiful girl isn't keen on paddling in the sea as it turns out,

so we've found a water that this water baby isn't a fan of.

She loved playing in the sand,

although not quite as much as she loved the ice creams.

But her brother more than made up for her water hesitance,

by diving head first, fully clothed into a wave.

(And at a moment when Mummy didn't have the camera rolling

which we think was rather inconsiderate of him!)

Who needs fancy foreign holidays,

when you have these beautiful spots in your very own county?

We've got a list of lovely summer days out the list of our arms

and we're starting early with ticking them off.

But after such a beautiful blue sky beachy day,

I think we'll be adding a few more seaside trips to that list.

…Well we need to convince this little girly of ours that the sea is fun!

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adventures in water

music credit: Radioactive by Kings of Leon

A few weeks back my little water babies and I were delighted to announce 

that we had been chosen as Swimologists, 

meaning that we would be ambassadors for Konfidence.

As part of that role we all got to enjoy a weekend at Alton Towers,

in order to give their swim aids a good test.

Well test them we did,

and we are so so SO impressed with all the items they sent.

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a whole lot of fun

music credit: On Our Way by The Royal Concept

A couple of weekends back

we got to visit Alton Tower's Splash Landings Resort.

We had an AMAZING time.

We swam, 

we laughed, 

we scared ourselves silly, 

we splashed,

we bounced, 

we rode rollercoasters,

we smiled… a lot!

We crammed a lot of fun into one weekend,

and we are so so SO grateful to Konfidence for sending us.

The trip was part of our role as Swimologists for the brand

and we gave their swim aids a thorough test while we were there

and we were really, really impressed

(check back later this week for the full low down on what we thought).

You have a chance to win of £50 prize package 

containing some of the Konfidence goodies you can see in our video.

Pop across to this post to enter.

You can also check out our previous videos on our movies page
or on YouTube.

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may day and storytelling

music credit: Stardust by Lena

We are so lucky to live in a beautiful little village,

and every May on of our absolute highlights

in the May Day Fayre. 

We love that we can stroll across the bridge from our home

and be right in the thick of the fun.

It's such a lovely, fun

and quintessentially English event

and it always feels like the beginning of our summer.

This year I filmed our day

so that we could share it.

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our welsh adventure

music credit: Wake Me Up by Avicii

One of our highlights of spring time 

is a trip to 'the farm'.

Ever since my husband and I got together

a trip to his aunt and uncle's farm in Wales

has been a feature of Easter time,

and we absolutely love it there.

Last year we didn't manage a visit,

because sharing a bedroom with a six month old who didn't sleep

and a light sleeping two year old seemed like a recipe for disaster.

But this year, with older children

who are very used to sharing a bedroom,

we were really looking forward to going

and seeing all the animals,

and some of the family too of course.

It didn't disappoint.

Our little man has asked repeatedly ever since we got home

whether we can go back to the farm soon to see his friend Auntie Ann.

And he likes talking about Doris the pig to anyone who asks how his trip away was.

Our little miss spent the entire time with her eyes wide with excitement

as she well and truly charmed everyone she met.

With lots of animals,

a good dose of sunshine, 

plenty of doting family members,

and stunning scenery

you can't go wrong really.

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seasidy days

music credit: Dog Days Are Over by Florence and the Machine

I've always loved being at the coast,

there is something about the air,

the fact the sky always seems so big,

the sound of water,

and the feel of sand;

it's just good for the soul.

Especially on spring days,

when a very blustery day by the water,

can quite literally blow the cobwebs away

and leave you with muddy clothes,

windswept hair

and a really big smile.


If you would like to see more of our videos
you can see them all on our movie page.

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brothers and sisters

music credit: Somewhere Only We Know by Keane

I am so so happy that my children get to experience the brother-sister bond,

I think they will learn so much about people and relationships

by growing up with someone of the opposite sex.

It gives them such easy access to different sorts of toys and different sorts of play.

And growing up with a brother myself

I kind of have a soft spot for a brother-sister combo.

My kiddos struck lucky with the uncle jackpot in my baby bro.

He's so great with them;

firm when he needs to be,

very kind and fair,

and so much fun.

They both absolutely adore him.

When he was visiting us

we couldn't pass up an opportunity for a brothers and sisters day out,

and we had such a lovely one.

Matt and I fall into our old roles when my parents are around

with a fair amount of teasing and joking at the parentals' expense,

but when it's just him and me, 

we really are such good friends.

And he's one of my favourite people to waste a day with;

especially days involving sunshine adventures,

and lots of laughter,

and singing really loud in the car.

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winter wonderland

The run up to Christmas is always a buzz of excitement

with parties and days outs

as well as shopping and preparations to do.

But I think it's nice in all the excitement to have special festive days,

where you can really allow yourself to just embrace the craziness of the season.

And we did that at Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park.

We had a great day;

riding the underground,

browsing the stalls full of artisan gifts,

meeting Father Christmas in the loveliest grotto ever,

seeing amazing ice sculptures in genuinely frosty conditions,

admiring twinkly lights,

eating pretzels

and generally getting excited about Christmas.

music credit: Brand New Day by Kodaline

4

the most wonderful time of the year

music credit: Little Things Mean A Lot by Little Shoes Big Voice

Last year was definitely the year I fell in love with video.

And I had a permanent smile glued to my face

as I edited this together.

Video captured special moments that would be so easily forgotten;

the minute details of Christmas Day for my little family.

We had a lovely Christmas.

A simple Christmas.

We were all very lucky to find lovely gifts under the tree,

but then,

we are all pretty lucky, presents or not.

So many unforgettable moments from our 2013 Christmas;

the wonder on the children's faces,

the pride at my husband's first Christmas dinner,

the beautiful boy saying "wow, what did you do?" when he saw the presents,

the beautiful girl soaking up the excitement and dancing throughout the day;

the magic of it all.

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christmas wishes

Christmas always makes me so nostalgic

as I think back to where we were and what we were doing at this time in the years gone by.

And it's also a time full of hopes and dreams and wishes I find,

probably because the end of another year makes me really reflect on what that year has given us

and look forward to what the next one might bring.

At some point over the festive period 

I take a little time to myself to think about what I wish for for the coming year.

My Christmas wishes have come true the last few years

so I'm going to think really hard and make a good one this year.

21

autumn adventures

music credit: Hoppipolla by Sigur Ros

Damp days don't bother my children.

Add a cosy coat and a pair of wellies

and damp autumnal days are perfect.

It just means oozy mud to play in
and puddles to splash through.

And when you have Mummy and Daddy to entertain you

and your Nanny and Pops as well,

well then it's just a recipe for adventures in the woods.

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so much fun

music credit: Pompeii by Bastille and It's Time by Imagine Dragons

Summer has gone,
but we decided to bid it farewell in style.
We had a long weekend break at Center Parcs
with our good friends Katie, Mr E, Mads and LL
better known as the family behind Mummy Daddy Me.

Blogging has opened up a world of possibilities to me,
all of which I'm extremely grateful for.
And while friendship was something I hoped for,
I genuinely never expected to find the kind of friendship that our families have.
We just click together
and have the best time.

Our holiday back in July
was like a test run for our September holiday,
fortunately a test we all passed.
And our recent holiday together was brilliant,
so many smiles,
so many laughs,
so many great memories...

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