Scotland 2012

Stopped enroute in Paisley to see my best friend...was just lovely to stay with them and see the kids with Martha. She adores being there.

Glasgow west end

Cafe at Luss which we love as we celebrated our engagement there.

Luss

The Islay ferry going past Ardpatrick

Yummy mussels at Skipness Seafood Cabin

Rainbow over Dunmore

Our favourite spot in the sun...

Ballet girl

The same week as nursery started Martha also started ballet classes which she loves!

Starting nursery...

This was a very special day, much anticipated! Martha ran all the way to nursery and was thrilled with her back pack and her packed lunch. I stayed half an hour and then left. On the Friday (two days later) I was told "I don't need you today Mummy" so I just dropped her. She is having a ball there and I am enjoying doing different jobs with my new free time!

All kinds of everything...

I was reminded of the Dana song when we went to the Butterfly Farm at Stratford upon Avon with my uncle. We had a fab visit there although it was school holidays so it was super-crowded which I always find off-putting. All last summer when Martha was 2 she stated that she "wanted to hold a butterfly in her hanny" (hand) so I was keen to go.

It was a lovely day out and I would like to go again when it is quieter. 

We're going to the zoo,zoo,zoo...

 My uncle and cousin came down from Scotland and so we had a couple of nice days out with the. It was baking hot, surprisingly, given the summer we have just had!! 

Making friends at Twycross Zoo

Time...

Don't get to see her enough but I had 2 separate days with my best friend, her husband and three kids...we got to hang out, eat, chat and my kid got to play with her kids. Just fabulous :)

Wagamama Love

I had a blissful lunch at Wagamama's with our cousin for her birthday - gorgeous decor, child-free relaxation and yummy sushi, just a perfect combination.

Fix Your Face

Now that I am a woman of a "certain age" I feel the need to find a suitable face cream. I think I have been in denial about this for a very l-o-n-g time and just hoped that water would be all that I needed but now I am inclined to look for a little boost to help things along. 

My first trial has been Neal's Yard Frankincense Cream which so far I like quite a lot. It's not greasy and it smells lovely, not too strong.

Next I have tried Dr Hauschka's range. My friend sent me this gift, beautifully packaged as she knew I wanted to try it out { how thoughtful } and so I am enjoying playing with all the little potions. So far my favourites are the facial toner and the moisturising day cream.

Over the years I have liked Estee Lauder's Daywear Cream which has been updated but I love the avocado scent...maybe I will end up reverting to that one but it's fun seeing what else is available. 

Annual August Holiday 2012

We had our annual holiday with Mike's family in Wales...lots of donkey rides, fairgrounds, walks and play on the beach, fabulous ice cream, train rides, shared meals and pottering. 

July 2012 zoomed past

Sunny smiles and stripes!

The coconut shy at our church outing

Severn Valley Railway for Mike's birthday weekend away 

Babyccino at Pizza Express

My friend gave me this fabulous framed photo of Venice !!

Cake and singing for Daddy :)

What happened to May?!

We had a busy month :: Martha was making sure she made the most of the last month of being 2!!

We delivered invitations to Martha's 3rd birthday party - an invite, a personalised ribbon and a sugar mouse!

We celebrated my brother-in-law's 40th birthday with all the family going out for a meal and then having Sunday dinner together along with plenty of cake & bubbly :)

I made a Gruffalo cake for Martha's actual birthday

We used a birthday ring for the first time

Martha had a playhouse for her present

We went to a farm day with a homeschool group - utter bliss, what a lovely day.

We played in the garden lots and hot-tubbed too.

Opening parcels

The essentials of a good birthday - balloons and cake

Martha had "pulled elbow" but still managed to help one-armed with gardening

Preparing the party bags

Lunch for little ones and lunch for mummies

More cake...

Toadstool cake - fun to make (Annie Rigg recipe)

More toadstools...

Hilarious pass-the-parcel

We made birthday crowns

We have had a lovely time celebrating - the weather was lovely & we did lots of great fun things and saw friends and family.