30 Days Wild June 2016

I've just signed up for this online today, as I thought it would be something fun to do with Eve that involves lots of outdoorsy, au naturale stuff.

No matter how small, there are lots of things that we can do each day to be a bit wild - even with our urban lifestyle. Get involved!

Sign up for free here:
http://action.wildlifetrusts.org/ea-action/action?ea.client.id=1823&ea.campaign.id=48499

They will email/post you a wall chart and activity pack.

Dandelion O'Clock

Clenching her fists, trying to blow with all her might!

The sun has been shining so we've been wandering around the area where we live this weekend. Eve is going through a brilliant eating phase at the moment - even eating omelettes, which is a real relief. I'm hoping that it might be due to the fact that bathroom situations are easier lately. Mama's raw super bars have been doing the world of good.

On Saturday morning my sister, Claire and her little boy Jago popped over for an hour. Jago is talking more now and is a funny little chap. Him and Eve had a great time charging about playing. 

One evening, when I arrived home from work last week, our front garden was completely covered in dandelion seed heads. I've never seen anything like it. There were huge bundles of it all over the place. It looked almost like frog spawn. As our upstairs windows were open, the seeds - or fairies - as I told Eve - had floated in as well.

When we walked into the cemetery after lunch we saw a large expanse of dandelions. Eve was absolutely delighted when Daddy showed her how to blow them to disperse the seeds. 

Daddy and Eve walking through Arnos Vale Cemetery

Lovely wild garlic out in full force

We walked through the woods to Arnos Vale playground. Lately Eve has become a bit cautious about going on playground equipment. I think the more knocks, bumps and bruises she gets she realises that it is possible to get hurt. But we stuck with her on the slide and by the time we left the playground she had conquered her fear and was obviously very happy.

When we got home we pulled out our camp chairs and put them in the back garden. Eve just loved sitting in them. We looked at magazines together which was fun.

Mummy and Eve chilling on camp chairs

We left Eve singing in bed when the babysitter arrived that evening. Eve had had a happy day so I was pretty sure that she would go to sleep ok, but was a tiny bit anxious.

We jumped in a cab and hot-footed it over to the Hippodrome. We arrived with the 5 minute curtain call, so we were lucky that we just made it.

We watched Derren Brown perform his 'Miracle' show. It was completely amazing, thought provoking and inspiring. I won't go into details, as he asked us not to mention it online, so that the outcome is not ruined for other theatre-goers. 

All I'll say is that the show was very moving and it made me cry. Sam and I got a bus home, had a quick drink in a nearby bar and then walked down the road to our house. Just as we approached the front door I saw a shooting star! A good omen for the future...

http://derrenbrown.co.uk/on-stage/

Music time in the garden

On Sunday we drew a hopscotch diagram in our back garden. We had fun drawing pictures with chalk and generally chilled out at home - we were feeling a bit worse for wear after Derren Brown, but still managed a relaxed stroll through the woods whilst Eve slept.

Daddy and Eve enjoying the camp chairs

Summer Vibes

The sun was shining brightly and it was hot, hot, hot on Sunday. We enjoyed our first BBQ of the season in our little back garden at midday, and then slumped about inside for the early afternoon as it was too warm for us to venture out.

Daddy BBQ flex

Eventually, I walked with Eve down to Perrett Park just before dinner time, as it had become slightly cooler. She was desperate to play hopscotch! I lathered her in sun lotion and we set off together. She enjoyed wearing her new jelly shoes - which just about fit, phew.

There were quite a lot of older kids in the park, so Eve found it a bit tricky getting on to the different apparatus, but she gave it a good go. 

As I didn't take the pram I ended up having to carry Eve most of the way home, but she did really well and walked all the way down the steep grassy hill in the park to the playground and half way back up again.

Determined climb up the hill

My feel good factor of the weekend was perfecting my super bars recipe, with the help of the Nutribullet.

I turned cashew, pecan nuts, goji berries and chia seeds into dust, then mixed them with pureed apricots that I had simmered on the hob. Whilst my mixture set in the fridge, I heated up cacao nibs with coconut oil and then added super green powder to my cool chocolate mix before spreading it over the top of the bars. 

Eve loved eating them with me and it's nice to know that she's getting some serious goodness inside. (I am constantly worrying that she doesn't get enough vegetables and fruit...)

Eve loves helping me water the garden

Girl's Day at Windmill Hill City Farm

                                    Beautiful forget-me-nots.                                  

After what seemed like a very long winter, summer has finally arrived in Bristol with lots of hot sunshine, and thunderous showers. Jilly and I had planned to take the girls to Windmill Hill City Farm, but when we woke up to prepare for the day, it was cloudy and grey yet warm. 

Regardless of the grey skies, I donned my bikini top and sandals, adamant that the weather would get brighter. I made a packed lunch and got our picnic blanket out of the cupboard. Jilly and Lamorna arrived and we were ready to go.

By the time that we arrived at the farm, the sun was coming out and we liberally applied sun lotion to the girls' skin. (I still use Organic Children by Green People - it's great stuff!)

www.greenpeople.co.uk/shop/by-collection/organic-baby-and-child-products/organic-baby-sun-cream-products

Eve and Lamorna

The farm was nicely busy; a good buzz, but calm and peaceful. The girls played on the wooden tractor, then we walked through the allotments and around the animal enclosures. It was lovely watching Eve and Lamorna interacting. Lamorna is 16 months and is talking now. It was nice to see them speaking to each other and sharing things - sometimes ;-)

Eve, Jilly and Lamorna

Interested in the different salad crops

Fun at the monster pond

We ate our picnic lunch outside, and Eve enjoyed washing her hands at the little outdoor sink afterwards. She was a very good girl and happily played with the trucks in the gravel with an older child.

 http://www.windmillhillcityfarm.org.uk/

Lamorna and Eve

Once we were fed and watered, we wandered over to Asda to exchange a pair of sandals for Eve, and then headed backwards to Victoria Park. By the time we arrived Eve was fast asleep, but Lamorna was having too much fun to sleep and rolled about on a blanket with us. We sat under a shady tree and enjoyed the cool breeze. The view of the colourful houses, the mosque and Eve's nursery in the distance was lovely. 

Victoria Park, looking towards Totterdown

Jilly and Lamorna

We stopped off at the playground on the way home so that Eve could go on the swings whilst Lamorna had a sleep. We just made it back to our house as a light thunderstorm hit. It was great to catch up with my good friend Jilly. The day made us both feel relaxed and happy.

By the way - whilst we were doing all this, it was Daddies day off - both Joe and Sam were out having fun together elsewhere!

Trips and Adventures

Last weekend in the park, before I went to Italy

This past week I've spent five nights away from Eve; the longest time that we've been apart so far. I think I was worrying about it more before I left, but found it much easier once I had actually gone. This was mainly due to the knowledge that she was in good hands, being looked after by Daddy and Granny T.

                                                 Il Gatto Negro, Cernobbio, Como, Italy

My trip to Cernobbio on the edge of Lake Como was tiring but very fun; a few too many late nights - but hey, I rarely get to venture outside in the evening these days. I had a great time catching up with various people from the industry, and went out for some lovely meals, as well partying in a club in Como.

It was, however, the coldest weather I've experienced there over the past 7 years. It's usually about 20-25 degrees during this week of the year, but this time it was really cold with an icy wind for the majority of the week. The sun began shining on the last day, so we managed to catch some rays whilst eating lunch at Harry's Bar on the edge of the lake, before flying back to Britain.

Moody Lake Como

Whilst I was away I spoke to Sam, Granny T and Eve on Facetime each morning. Sam told me that Eve was doing brilliantly and wasn't causing a fuss at all. It was lovely to see them to say good morning each day - we are so lucky with communications these days.

We had a bit of a bumpy descent and landing at Heathrow that evening, and the whole time that I was scared I was envisioning myself waking up the next morning to hear Eve singing in bed. When I woke up in my own bed the next day, with this as my reality I felt overjoyed. I went into Eve's room and she looked up at me and said, 'My mummy is home, hooray!' 

Ehsen, Eve and Bob the Builder

It's been absolute bliss being with Eve each day for the long bank holiday weekend. On Saturday we went to Playspace in St. Phillips for her friend, Ehsen's second birthday party. Her other goods friends from nursery were also there; Taro and Daniel. It was great watching them play together. When we collect her from nursery the kids are all winding down from the day's events, so seeing them interacting together was most amusing.

Eve and Taro - Sometimes the only thing that gets Eve in the pram each morning

 to go to nursery is the thought of playing with Taro and his cars...

I tried to take Eve on the big slide but she was too scared, though she loved this little one. We ventured into the older children's areas a couple of times but it generally ended in tears. I'm glad that she likes to have a go at everything, but being one of the lads is sometimes a bit too much for her.

After serious playtime mania we headed upstairs for the children's party lunch. It was really nice to chat to the parents of the other kids. 

For the first time we saw Eve thoroughly enjoy an ice cream. On previous attempts she burst into tears because it was too cold. She was also ridiculously thrilled with a pink balloon that she brought home.

After the party Eve fell asleep as soon as we put her in the car. She was absolutely exhausted but was obviously very happy.

Happy days - a mini milk and a balloon is all you need.

On Sunday morning Eve came downstairs with the pink balloon, which she had kept in her room all night. Suddenly she started to catch it as she played with Daddy. We've been throwing balls and balloons to her for sometime but it seems that the penny finally dropped. Not sure if she had dreamt about catching the balloon that night, but the effects seemed quite immediate.

Andy's Dinosaur Adventures - Cbeebies

After breakfast we caught the bus into town. Daddy and I had already told Eve that we were going on a 'dinosaur adventure,' so she was excited about our trip, especially as we were going to meet cousin Jago there. However, when we tried to get her dressed for the trip she told us that she was scared of the 'magic clock,' and asked if Daddy would look after her?

The magic clock takes you back in time to when dinosaurs ruled the earth.

We reassured her that we wouldn't see any 'real' dinosaurs and that really we were going to the museum, where she would see lots of interesting things. Eve is a big fan of Andy's Dinosaur Adventures on Cbeebies, so we thought it would be fun. I used to take Eve to Bristol City Museum quite a bit when she was a baby - I used to push her round the various exhibits for hours, as she wouldn't sleep in the cot at home.

Looking in a magnifying glass in the kids area of Bristol City Museum.

Eve and Jago drawing dinosaurs.

We had a wonderful time wandering about the museum, looking at various artefacts. At one point Daddy pointed out this Plateosaurus skeleton to Eve and she literally jumped in shock. This made us both laugh :-)

Bristol City Museum

Eve loved playing on the steps with Daddy. It must be very liberating being able to do the actions that it takes them a while to learn.

Sam and I were both very proud of her, as she was so well behaved in the museum.

En route to the taxidermy section I shouted to Daddy and Eve that I had found the magic clock. Eve looked very uncertain about it, but Daddy said that we should take a photo.

I was pleased that Eve conquered her fear, even though she looked so worried. Later on she happily told us that, 'the magic clock's not scary,' it's so great to get past these blocks in life.

Bristol City Museum's own magic clock

The weather was holding out, so after a good stint round the museum we headed down to College Green to check out the start of Bristol Food Connections.

Claire and Jago, me, Sam and Eve at Bristol Food Connections on College Green.

We had a picnic whilst listening to a samba band which was great fun. Both Eve and Jago got their groove on. Then we headed to Bordeaux Quay on the harbour for a well deserved espresso martini whilst the children slept. We hadn't been there for ages - it used to be one of our old haunts, the bread and olives there are in my top 5 in Briz.

http://www.bristolfoodconnections.com/

http://www.bordeaux-quay.co.uk/

My g&t was the size of dear Jago's head.

Last night it took us a while to get Eve to go to sleep. I finally realised that she was worried that I was going to go away again. I reassured her that my trip was done and then she began to settle down. Spending time with my girl this weekend has been amazing. She fills my heart with joy and I feel truly thankful that we are back together.

Mummy and Eve exhausted on Bank Holiday Monday after the weekend shenanigans.