Natural beauty

Hailing the better side of  the British weather, we've been making the most of the bank holiday weekend. Marred only by Husbands fudged efforts to adorn the lunch table with barbeque fayre, we steered clear of D.I.Y. and instead spent the days out in the fresh air being at one with nature. Temple Newsam was our dog walk of choice and Grace has had a blast exploring the woods and learning about bark, moss and other such greeneries. In the last few moments before my iphone 'did one' and went 'kaput' I managed to score this gem of a picture of Grace, chilling out on a bed of grass with the bluebells.

This was before I felt the need to pop a valium and sink a glass of the chilled white in the fridge after hearing that my partner in crime at the practice where I work has lost her waters and is waiting for labour to kick in. I had plans for this week - our last week together before she swans off on maternity leave for an eternity - doesn't she know I'm left feeling up the creak without a paddle? I NEEDED my last week with her. I'm feeling far from tranquil (and frankly neither will she be once labour does indeed start) so I suppose I'd better make the most of these last few hours in the sun before I walk into work tomorrow with what can only be described as heavier shoulders than the ones I left with on Friday. Happy days..... and exciting times..... *new baby alert* *new baby alert*

Silent Sunday

Taking a breather at Temple Newsam

Happy to be out with Uncle Frank in the woods

Silent Sunday

Late spring at Temple Newsam

Moments like these

With the excesses of Christmas already nagging at my waistline, I'm breathing in and soldiering on as every good Mother and Wife must. To purge we took advantage of a break in the bleak mid-winter gloom to get out for a breath of fresh air in the, erm, fresh air.

It was a glorious day, brilliant sunshine and lots of muddy puddles for Grace to splash up and down in. Cue long afternoon nap from a well worn out little toddler (and Husband)! In the moment in between I've been mulling over all the good things in our lives and how something as simple as a walk in the park can lift ones spirits.

It's been a fickle year. I've been made redundant, a process that left me shell shocked despite having the foresight to see it coming. I've been fortunate to find another job to start straight away but the adjustment is hard when I spent so long in my last. I'm sure I'm going through a mini-mourning for my old workmates and banter! I know the period of change has come as blow to Daisy-woof as well who had enjoyed playing with other dogs all day long for a living and now has to make do with a dog walker, albeit a very good one. And the Husband has lost the indulgence of sleeping in until 7am now that we have to exercise the dog before the work day so he's been out in all weathers jogging the dog the minute the alarm goes off at 5.50am, tiptoeing out of the house trying not to disturb a sleeping toddler.

Grace has breezed through the year, taking nursery in her stride and taking learnings from every waking day. She's accomplished a lot in 2012.... walking, talking, potty training.... singing ('the bingbong song', 'twinkle twinkle little star', 'baa baa black sheep' are on repeat)..... dancing (her firm favourite Gotye's hit 'somebody that I used to know' when it comes on the radio).... and books - reading lots of wonderful stories to fire her imagination. Drawing and painting has come top of her list of enjoyable passtimes and I can see now she's likely to be a leftie. Mummy's little artiste. She's coming on a treat.

So with all the happenings this year, it's nice to find the odd hour to go out as a family to enjoy something simple like walking the dog and splashing in puddles. It clears your mind.

Or at least it helps!

Spring has sprung

I know it's Spring when I see the first lambs of the season, and there's nowhere better to see them than at our local farm. Grace and her little friend Scarlett had a wonderful morning exploring the farm animals, with the chickens and the donkeys being firm favourites. For the time being, the cow shed is off limits for us as Grace appears to be terrified of the collective Moo as the sound bounces off the walls and makes a right racket. Most scary indeed!