Boutsiavaras Family Get Together

Just a small part of the international Boutsiavaras Family!

Eve was excited last week when I told her that some of our family were coming to see us in Bristol at the weekend. Daddy and I showed her where Australia, Brazil and Kent are on our spinning globe, which is where my cousin's were coming from.

My sister and I are half Greek, and our huge Greek family is spread out around the world. The majority of them we have unfortunately never met - but we are hoping to rectify this in the coming years.

The five cousins; Claire, George, Marianthi, Ilias and me

Ilias and his wife Dimitra are currently on a big trip; they started in London, then came to Bristol and Bath, and are now heading to various countries in Europe. My cousin Marianthi flew in from Sao Paulo, Brazil. I met her once in 2009, but it was the first time for me to meet cousin Ilias. My cousin George drove down from Kent with his family - the last time that we saw him and his wife Maxine was at our wedding five years ago, so it was a really incredible family get together. 

The gals; me, Maxine, Claire, Marianthi and Dimitra

It was a beautifully hot day in Bristol. We had lunch down at the harbour together; we talked about our family and caught up on life. It was quite an emotional experience. George and Maxine's daughters, Erin (9 years) and Ava (7 years) are lovely girls, very polite and well mannered. They were quite besotted with Eve and Jago. It was the most adorable thing watching them playing together. Erin was only 2 years old the last time that I saw her, and Ava wasn't born, so it was great getting to know them.

Ava, Jago, Eve and Erin playing in the water at Millenium Square

After lunch we wandered about Millenium Square, where Ilias set to work with his selfie stick - I must say this is the first time I have personally experienced one and it was great fun.

Daddy and Eve

When I first took Eve towards the water area she became very upset and told me that she didn't want to go in the water. After seeing her first and second cousins playing happily in the water she took Daddy's hand and enjoyed walking about in the water with him. Eve has had a fear of water since she was a baby, so we were both really proud of her, and I just adored watching them in the water together. Eve wore a cute pink dress which my mum, Granny T made, and she just loved it.

The men folk; George, Ilias and Sam

Ava, Eve and Erin

By late afternoon we were absolutely exhausted. Eve had been on full power the whole day and hadn't had a nap, she was tearful and tired so Sam and I headed home with her on the bus. 

Jody, Jago and Eve on the train to Bath Spa

The following morning we all took the train to Bath Spa together. It was a good thing that George and Ilias had suggested we set out early as Bath was really busy by the middle of the day.

After getting off the train the first thing we came across was an outdoor soft play area. The children absolutely loved it as you can imagine, and jumped about madly on big beanbags.

Ava and Eve

Jody, Claire, Daddy and turtle(!), me and Ilias 

Ava, Erin and Dimitra

We stopped at a cafe in Bath to Facetime cousin Deese in Australia, and also waved to Ilias' mum and dad which was really nice. After that we headed off on our separate ways for the rest of the afternoon...

Ilias, Dimitra, Maxine, Erin, Ava, Marianthi and George taking in the sights of the Royal Crescent

Marianthi, Dimita, Ilias, Claire, Jago and Jody at the ancient Roman Baths

Brilliant buskers in Bath

Sam and I headed back to Bristol early in the afternoon so that Eve could have a nap as the previous day was very full on for her and we didn't want her to be as tired. We arranged for Marianthi, Ilias and Dimitra to come over for dinner at our house that night before they set off on their travels. Eve helped me to hoover the lounge for the first time in the afternoon which was amusing. She got properly stuck in, and Sam said she was exactly the same as me, manically going back and forth ;-)

We had a lovely dinner that night together, it was nice to be able to have a full conversation. I felt in mid conversation most of the time whilst we were out and about, dashing around after Eve. I'm going to really miss them all now that they've gone, but the internet means that we are really not that far apart from each other at all.

I have recently handed in notice on my job of nine years so things that been a bit stressful lately. Seeing our family this weekend has really given me a much needed boost, I felt such joy in my heart when I went to bed on Sunday evening. Love is all you need!

Nourishingly Healthy

                                                 http://www.nourishinglyhealthy.com/

My sister Claire is a dedicated mum, and has been working hard setting up her new business Nourishingly Healthy, which has just launched in Southville, Bristol.

Nourishingly Healthy is about nourishing your body, skin and mind - with affordable, organic treatments. 

Claire specialises in relieving tension and pain and is qualified in Holistic Massage Therapy, Facial Massage and Skincare, Deep Tissue Massage, and Ergonomics for work station assessments.

https://www.facebook.com/nourishinglyhealthy

I am lucky being her sister, because whilst she's been studying massage and treatment therapies over the years I have been on the receiving end. She has certainly found her calling in life - I may be biased, but I can easily say that the massages that she has given me have been the best that I've experienced. 

I can tell you straight off the bat, that I have felt the rewards from these therapies over the past few years. I have suffered from lower back pain for a long time, due to sitting at a desk 7 hours a day for my job for years on end. Claire came to my office and went through my keyboard, screen and chair positions. Some companies offer this as part of their health and safety, but I work for a small business and it had never been looked at or thought about. Claire's assessment along with exercises that I can do at home have genuinely helped me reduce the amount of daily pain and stress put on my body.

                                                    https://twitter.com/nourish_healthy

Since last week I have been suffering from severe toothache, (an on-going saga with a crown - oh, old age!) I took a day off work to spend with my sister on Friday. She gave me a one hour facial treatment. I expected it to relax me, but I didn't expect it to decrease the pain - by the evening I was able to eat a meal without pain and started to lower my intake of painkillers for the first time in a week. The girl worked wonders!

Balm Balm 100% organic skincare products

Claire uses organic Balm Balm products within her facials, which feel and smell amazing. She is knowledgeable in a variety of skincare products, and gives advice and tips on her website for your daily skincare routine. With her holistic therapies she will look at your whole lifestyle to be able to give you the best home-care advice to promote a healthy, happy and pain-free life.

Have a look at her website to see the list of treatments that she offers with, I might add, very reasonable prices: http://www.nourishinglyhealthy.com/treatments

The first three people to book a 30 minute Organic Facial will receive a free back, neck and shoulder massage! Don't delay lovely Bristol peeps, contact Claire to see how she can help you.

Bristol Harbour Fest and New Shoes

 Dad and Eve, cousin Jago and Jody

After feeling down in the dumps, suffering severe toothache all of last week, I felt happy to make it to Bristol Habour Festival for fun and games with friends and family on Saturday (plus lots of pain killers...)

I had mentioned to Eve mid week that we would be meeting cousin Jago for a picnic in the park and afterwards we would watch circus performers. As you can imagine, she was very excited about our trip with Daddy.

Picnic in Castle Park

It was cloudy but hot. I loaded up the pram with picnic supplies, suntan lotion and an umbrella (who knows what British summertime is doing lately?) Sam walked with Eve (number 1 priority) and I had the loaded pram. The bus was completely rammed full with families heading down to Castle Park. As a little old lady sitting next to me mentioned, 'I've never seen so many prams on the bus!' Thankfully a lady at the bus stop, and a nice chap inside the bus helped me with my heavy load, as I struggled to collapse the pram and drag everything on within bus-stop speed etiquette. As a mum you often find yourself in these kind of situations, and I always feel appreciative to those that care to help.

We reached a shady tree in Castle Park just as Eve told us that her tummy was rumbling. So we settled down on our picnic blanket to eat ham sandwiches, and cracked open a bottle of Pimms. Shortly afterwards cousin Jago arrived with his mum and dad, as did our friend Hugo with his little girl Violet (6 years old).

I hadn't seen Violet for a couple of years and really enjoyed chatting to her. She is bubbly and loved telling us about her trip to Glastonbury Festival - we were very impressed! Dave and his little girl Olivia arrived shortly afterwards. It was really nice watching the girls play together.

Me and Eve, Dave and Olivia, Violet and Hugo

Harbour Fest is one of my favourite weekends of the year, (the other is St. Pauls Carnival - when it's on), and we got fully involved watching the acrobats on the stage, however a little too much Pimms may have been consumed by mum and dad, ooops ;-)

Baby Eddie, Ocky and Sam

Whilst we were watching the acrobatics Dan, Ocky, Arthur and new baby Eddie arrived. It was really nice to catch up with them. They are total pros at parenting; out with tiny Eddie, just two weeks old.

I don't get out much, so chilling in the park with friends was just what I needed to recharge the old batteries.

Eve, Dan and Arthur

Whilst I played with Jago, Eve enjoyed making a puzzle with Arthur. We are so lucky to live in Bristol, it is a fantastic city, there were lots of family activities across the harbour area. The council and other bodies organise many free events throughout the summer. Bristol Harbour Festival draws in over a quarter of a million people, along with many different vessels, that sail their way up the River Avon into the city harbour.

Auntie Juniper and Jago

I would have loved to stay out and about for longer, but Daddy is always right and said that we should head home. Eve woke up from her nap during the return bus journey, and we all turned up at our house exhausted but happy.

I had promised Eve that she could paint a little plastic bear that was on the front of a CBeebies magazine, so we found the paints and sat her down with a cute activity whilst we lay in the lounge trying to overcome the effects of the Pimms.

Eve painting a plastic bear from a CBeebies magazine

Eve has been complaining that her feet hurt for the past few days. So we took her for a quick trip to Cabot Circus on Sunday afternoon to have her feet measured for new shoes. She measured 5.5F.

Clarks IVA Pip Anthracite shoes

The only pair they had in her size that fit were Clarks IVA Pip Anthracite. This is the first pair of 'grown up/ little girl' shoes that she has worn (that are not 'soft' toddler shoes). We were all pretty excited about it. Eve hopped about the shoe shop like a bunny and was very well behaved during the fitting.

It's really nice moving on to the next style of shoe. The toddler version has done her well, and we could tell that she felt proud moving up to 'little girl' style shoes.

Clarks Little Pip Anthracite shoes (which Eve has just grown out of).

Hillcrest Summer Fete

After Sam's travels of the past couple of weeks we planned a quiet one at home this weekend. Hillcrest primary school, which is across the road from our house, had their Summer Fete on Saturday afternoon. The theme was the Circus...

As we headed outside after lunch, the grey clouds lifted and the sun shone through. Eve had been excited about going to visit the school all week, especially as we had said that she could have a cake.

We held hands and walked across the road to the entrance. It's a lovely school and we are hoping that Eve will be accepted to go there when she is 5. We're in the catchment area, so fingers massively crossed. We walk past it every day on our way to nursery, Eve likes to tell me each time that she will go there one day.

Growing up in a village, I used to go to summer fete's all the time, but probably haven't been to one for almost 20 years. We were pleasantly surprised. It was really well organised, cheap and there were lots of activities. They even had a Pimms bar, along with various food stalls, a popcorn stand, mini big-top tents with bean bags and the cafeteria with tea and cakes.

After winning a bottle of wine on the raffle (hurrah!), we walked down to the playground where Eve enjoyed playing on the obstacle course. A police riot van was parked in the playground, with children trying on police hats and turning on the siren. Eve was interested but didn't want to go and see it, I think she was a bit frightened of it.

The school have worked hard at growing vegetables and flowers, and there was even a little planted section by the under five's. The teachers have been very creative, recycling many objects as planters. I was really impressed. However, Homer Simpson the scarecrow freaked me out a bit ;-)

Dad and I drank a glass of Pimms whilst we wandered about after Eve. She had a go at most things, all of which cost 50p. She loved trying to hook a duck, and throwing bean bags at a clown's face. The teachers who were supervising were all really nice and cheerful. We felt completely at ease in the surrounding's of the school.

Eve had a re-moveable tattoo put on her arm at a friend's party in February, which was small but that she really enjoyed. So, when she saw the face-painting table she looked at it eagerly.

The lady told her the different insects and animals that she could be. Eve thought about it, and then asked if she could be a tiger instead. We loved how she fully propelled herself into the moment, she sat very still and let the lady paint the design. For a little girl who doesn't like getting her face or hair wet she did really well, and we were both proud of her.

Before we left the fete we went and ate fairy cakes in the cafeteria together. Eve was so happy with her tiger face and little pink cake, but became tired after hardcore playtime activities. It was a bit tricky to prise her away from the delights of the circus, but she fell asleep in the pram after reaching the shadowy coolness of the woods.

It's so good having wholesome things like this on our doorstep. We adore living in Knowle. It's such a friendly place and has a great sense of community.

Colourful Hillcrest Primary School

Old Friends and Pea Podders

Eve, Jake, Sarah and new baby Ben

Sam arrived home from Germany to a very happy daughter on Friday evening, and just made it for Eve's bed time. He brought her back a present, which she was very pleased with, and me even more so; her first Playmobil! It was the Rabbit hutch with pen - we helped her to put some of the little pieces together and told her the names of some of the items. She loves the tiny rabbits and took them all to bed with her inside the hutch.

I was a bit worried about her having the tiny bits in bed so I nipped up to remove the hutch and rabbits once she had fallen asleep. When she woke on Saturday morning, she asked me where it was. I told her that I had put it downstairs where it was safe. She looked at me in disdain and shock and told me to go and get it ;-)

She then happily played with it in bed whilst I went back to sleep for an hour - hurrah.

Daddy had a lie in whilst I prepped our stuff for Granny Lop's house that morning. Sam was booked to DJ for a friend's wedding on Saturday night, and Granny had said that we could stay at her house whilst she was away on a trip.

Eve was disappointed that Granny, Truby and the dogs weren't there, but she had a lovely time looking at the fish in the pond, and playing with Granny's Playmobil motorbike that she spied.

Eve's first Kinder Egg

After lunch at Granny's we set out to Drayton to visit our friends who had just moved house - they are total pro's at parenting - Sarah gave birth to their new baby in the car outside of the hospital last Friday, and three days later moved house, wowsers. I loved hearing of the quick birth - fills me with hope for the future...

We stopped at a supermarket to get some provisions for dinner. Eve was very good and held Daddy's hand as we walked around the shop. Of course she saw a pink Kinder Egg and was very keen to have one. We thought it was ok for a treat and gave it to her in the car - Eve and the car seat were covered in melted chocolate by the time we arrived at Sarah and Cherry's house, but oh, ce la vie, eh.

Daddy, Eve, baby Ben, Sarah and Jake

Jake and Eve are only two months apart and have been buddies since they were born. Even though they hadn't seen each other for almost a year they played beautifully together, along with Arthur (who starts school in September). It was the highlight of my weekend seeing their happy faces as they ran about the garden excitedly kicking footballs. They all adored playing with the Thomas the Tank Engine train set in the playroom too.

Vicky and Arthur

Arthur, Jake and Eve playing in the conservatory playroom

Another first - Eve's first ice pop

I really enjoyed catching up with our old friends. Chilling out in Sarah and Cherry's garden was amazing, I felt so relaxed. Having a good chin-wag with Sarah and Vicky was great - I don't see girlfriends much these days, and really appreciate it when I get the chance. I wish that we lived closer to them, so that we could hang out like that more often. Now that Eve is getting older I think this kind of thing is getting easier to manage.

After dinner at Granny's house, Sam and I took Eve upstairs and told her that we were going to make a camp bed together. She enjoyed making a bed on the floor but refused to have a bath, which I didn't mind as I had it instead. It took her a while to settle down to go to sleep, and I lay with her on the camp bed for a while thinking that may help. But she had a sore tummy - the product of the sugar overload from the afternoon no doubt. But once she had used the potty she felt much better and fell asleep. No more Kinder Eggs and ice pops for a while I think...

Whilst Sam was out DJing I indulged in one of my guilty pleasures and watched the Kardashians on Granny Lop's tv (we only have a basic tv package at home) with a glass of wine.

Sunday was spent at home. Sam was exhausted from his travels so he played with Eve whilst I pottered about. It was warm and sunny so we took Eve into the front garden to harvest the first of the peas. Last year we grew tomatoes, which was fun, but really labour intensive with watering. So I decided against them this year and grew peas instead. I had a vision of Eve podding them and couldn't resist. Podding and eating fresh peas is such a wonderful thing. It's also a great way for kids to learn about food, how it grows and where it comes from; a base that leads to many aspects of life.

The pea podders

We had great fun podding the peas at the kitchen table. As Eve tried to pod the peas they were popping off all over the place, which she found hilarious!

After the podding I picked some sweet peas from the pot in the garden, and also harvested the lavender. I grow everything in pots as we have a small front and back garden, both of which are concrete and pebbles. The flowers made the kitchen smell delightful. Small Mama pleasures.

Dressed up for the Alice in Wonderland party

Today, nursery is holding 'Alice in Wonderland' day. Other little girls had proper Alice outfits on, but this outfit was the best I could do. I didn't want to buy something that would only be worn once. This dress is super cute and was given to Eve by my sister. She hadn't worn it before, so I thought that this party was an ideal occasion. The blue Alice band was given to Eve from Granny Lops and was the perfect item to transform her into Alice.

Eve was completely thrilled at getting dressed up for the party at nursery and sat eagerly on my lap this morning as I dressed her. She even let me do her hair without any fuss. I can't wait to collect her this evening and see how she enjoyed the day.