Summer Fair (Clarendon Park Road)...

Yesterday we visited a summer fair held on one of our local shopping streets. The sky was heavy with grey cloud but the day was warm with pockets of sunlight found here and there as we walked by the craft stalls and fairground rides. Little D experienced his first time on the teacups and big wheel! He spent most of the time absorbing everything that was going on - looking unsure but comfortable - and cried when he had to come off. I really enjoy all of his 'firsts' and want to treasure them and reminisce in future years insha'Allah. I always try to take a few photos and videos but its sometimes hard to enjoy the moment when your trying to capture it with a camera. Sometimes its much better to put all your energy and focus on what's happening right there in front of your eyes and keep the memory in your mind instead.

Today i took him to the country park and wild flower meadow again, we found the tiniest caterpillar, a butterfly who loved thistles, masses of ox-eye daisies, and had fun in the sand pit. Il be here to share my photos tomorrow insha'Allah, x

Summer Fair (Clarendon Park Road)...

Yesterday we visited a summer fair held on one of our local shopping streets. The sky was heavy with grey cloud but the day was warm with pockets of sunlight found here and there as we walked by the craft stalls and fairground rides. Little D experienced his first time on the teacups and big wheel! He spent most of the time absorbing everything that was going on - looking unsure but comfortable - and cried when he had to come off. I really enjoy all of his 'firsts' and want to treasure them and reminisce in future years insha'Allah. I always try to take a few photos and videos but its sometimes hard to enjoy the moment when your trying to capture it with a camera. Sometimes its much better to put all your energy and focus on what's happening right there in front of your eyes and keep the memory in your mind instead.

Today i took him to the country park and wild flower meadow again, we found the tiniest caterpillar, a butterfly who loved thistles, masses of ox-eye daisies, and had fun in the sand pit. Il be here to share my photos tomorrow insha'Allah, x

Riverside Festival

One thing which i look forward to now that im a mother is having a companion for days out. I'm used to either missing out because friends prefer not to go, dragging my husband around (who would rather stay at home but doesn't like to let me down) or going to places alone. Now that i have Little D who shares my enthusiasm for parks, countryside, museums, and festivals it feels like i can go anywhere. Its very liberating and i enjoy the sense of freedom and excitement it brings us both!

Yesterday i took Little D to a River side festival which takes place every year next to my old University. Fortunately my (best!) friend wanted to come so she joined us with her children. It was a lovely day out - the kids enjoyed seeing owls and hawks at the falconry stand (Little D held one!), huge bubbles being blown into the sky, bouncing on the bouncy castle, eating ice creams, and crafting with glue and glitter. We adults enjoyed seeing the barges on the river, the stalls selling hand crafted items, and being in the fresh air surrounded by community and smiley faces.

Its a great time of year for things like this isn't it? People go to so much effort to organise events for us that it frustrates me when people complain about having nothing to do, being board, or that there is nothing to keep kids entertained. There is so much on our doorstep that we don't take advantage of, it means that we miss out on experiences, learning, and spending quality enjoyable time together as a family. It feels good sometimes to step out of the comfort zone and try something new, we have the whole world to explore and many blessings to seek out and appreciate. x

Riverside Festival

One thing which i look forward to now that im a mother is having a companion for days out. I'm used to either missing out because friends prefer not to go, dragging my husband around (who would rather stay at home but doesn't like to let me down) or going to places alone. Now that i have Little D who shares my enthusiasm for parks, countryside, museums, and festivals it feels like i can go anywhere. Its very liberating and i enjoy the sense of freedom and excitement it brings us both!

Yesterday i took Little D to a River side festival which takes place every year next to my old University. Fortunately my (best!) friend wanted to come so she joined us with her children. It was a lovely day out - the kids enjoyed seeing owls and hawks at the falconry stand (Little D held one!), huge bubbles being blown into the sky, bouncing on the bouncy castle, eating ice creams, and crafting with glue and glitter. We adults enjoyed seeing the barges on the river, the stalls selling hand crafted items, and being in the fresh air surrounded by community and smiley faces.

Its a great time of year for things like this isn't it? People go to so much effort to organise events for us that it frustrates me when people complain about having nothing to do, being board, or that there is nothing to keep kids entertained. There is so much on our doorstep that we don't take advantage of, it means that we miss out on experiences, learning, and spending quality enjoyable time together as a family. It feels good sometimes to step out of the comfort zone and try something new, we have the whole world to explore and many blessings to seek out and appreciate. x

Walking in Meadows (Lucas Marsh Nature Reserve)...

The busyness of life took me away from this space for longer than anticipated. All of our time and energy has been used up with a house renovation (not the house we live in unfortunately) and tiring garden work involving bricks, slabs and sand. But life has now resumed on its slower pace and i have time for memory keeping and photo sharing.

Today we spent the morning at a meadow which is just 10 minutes up the road from us. It was so beautiful that it almost took my breath away. I could have lain in the wild flowers and daydreamed for hours about times when life was much quieter. But instead i taught Little D the names of the flowers (buttercups, daisies, clover, cow parsley) and we explored and enjoyed.

I bought home a little bunch of wild flowers to remind me of our morning and a feather which we found in one of the fields. This little morning out has really brightened my week and imprinted itself on my mind, it was so pleasant, alhamdulillah.

The Meadow was situated at Lucas Marsh Nature Reserve which is next to Brocks Hill Country Park which i have blogged about before here.