Wow, are the Christmas holidays over already?!
What a break!
Where to begin with what we got up to?!
Firstly, RELAXATION was the name of the day, every single day, amigos.
Oh the wonderful weekend, where did it go? It feels so long ago now and it's only Tuesday, and I'm missing running through russet fields at the Yorkshire Sculpture Park and breathing in that crisp autumnal air, squinting at sunlight filtering through the trees.
This summer has been glorious- a slower way of life for us all, al fresco dining when the weather allowed, a week in Spain, good times in the garden growing our own produce (hello runner beans and strawberries galore), inventing games, painting (in the garage with newspaper on the floor of course-I've not gone totally insane)...just being happy, b
The weekend just gone saw this family head to our happy place of the Yorkshire Coast to spend some quality down time in the breathtaking Broom House on Egton Bridge as part of the Dorset Cereals Dorset B&B Awards campaign.
I want to start by writing how incredibly grateful I am that this blog means wonderful travel opportunities for my family and I which allows us to see and experience parts of the world we've not visited before, both near and far.
It was my Dad, George's birthday on Friday so I wanted to arrange something a little bit special for the big man this weekend, and Gorgeous Cottages were just the company to call.
Now summer is nearing it's hopefully gloriously hot head, I'm plotting picnics in the sunshine, ice lollies in the paddling pool, football in the park, barbecues and alfresco summer parties : super fun times for my little family, retracing my own happy steps as a child in Yorkshire.
For those following my blog or even just my Facebook and Instagram accounts, you'll know my deep love of Yorkshire.
Born in Leeds, I moved to London for uni then stayed for 11 years, before returning back up North 4 years ago with husband and first child in tow.
It's already Friday again with a new and long weekend upon us with the bank holiday in the UK (yay) so I thought I better share last weekend with you all, and quick!
I love reflecting on our weekends together, our precious family time, where we switch off from the week before, simply hang out, enjoy delicious food, at home, or out, and take in the lush Yorkshire countryside we live in and relax.
So 'passportgate' was rather stressful but it sort of all ended up for the best with each of our sons getting undivided attention and time from my husband and I respectively.
I enjoyed Marbella with my toddler and folks and Oliver and Daddy had a truly wonderful week in the UK with sunny adventures in Yorkshire where we live, and mini breaks in Liverpool, Southport and Anglesey in Wales, fishing, catching crabs, playing in fields, visiting castles and having lots of father-son bonding time.
Those who follow my blog know that settling my youngest son, Alexander, now 2 1/2 into nursery has not been easy for either of us.
Having spent most of the first 2 years of his life with either myself or my Mum, initially starting nursery at 2, felt totally foreign to him.
The weekend was one relaxing affair, we stayed at my folks' house, the home I grew up in on Saturday night so Peter and I could enjoy a rare date night, and all woke up to buttery warm bagels and the best babysitters in town. Bliss.
After a month of illness in this family, we finally all felt better and were in much need of a retreat, a break from the norm, not far from home to simply rest, relax and feel rejuvenated once more.
The universe must have been listening, as the wonderful Gorgeous Cottages got in touch to see if we wanted to break in a luxury holiday home, The Coach House in Yorkshire.
As you get older and perhaps a little wiser (or in my Dad's case, sillier, much, much sillier-it can go both ways) you start to realise what really matters in life.
I think having kids can do that to you, that whirlwind of new love for the kid you made merged with the mammoth overwhelming weight of responsibility (no more spontaneity in life is pretty sobering) and puts everything that came before, and after it, into sharp perspective.
You don't need to have a kid for this I should add. Yay for being wiser without having to actually use your cervix! Life experience, travel, pets, nurturing plants, charity work, whatever it is that takes you out of yourself, can be enlightening,
It got me thinking about all the tiny touching moments that make up the bigger picture, the intricately woven happy-making little things I reflect on right before I go to sleep or if I'm away from my kids, missing them madly, or my zone out to more joyous times when I find the children fighting over toys/films/my affection and I need a happy place pronto.
I do love kids' winter style so as soon as the temperatures start to drop I love getting the boys layered up in jumpers and toasty warm coats, to see us through the freezing weather in Yorkshire.
