Snow days

We've had a fun few days lately as the snow came our way.

There's been snow, snow and more snow, meaning everything came to a close.  Transport came to a standstill and people only seemed to be venturing out if they really needed too.

Unless, like us they fancied some snow fun.......

Everywhere looks so picturesque and the snow seems to make everything have a magical feel about it.  Sometimes we take for granted how beautiful things are around us, but the snow seems to magnify that beauty.

Jubilee Celebrations – Building Community!

There have been a lot of festivities this year in this part of the world.  London are hosting the 2012 Olympics and the Queen has had lots of events on with her Diamond Jubilee.  Quite a reason to celebrate, having served the country for the past 60 years – some achievement!

 I can’t say I’m a Royalist but I can say I was very thankful for the extra day off work for the Jubilee weekend.  I also thought that it was an opportunity to make some special memories for those around me, especially Lutaaya, so that we could all look back in years to come and know where we had been and what we had done that day.  (Plus Lutaaya loves anything ‘Royal’, think it must be the little princess in her peeping through.)

Plus us girlies in this house, like any excuse for a get together! So I organised some activities, we baked lots of cakes and sent some last minute invites out to family, friends and neighbours.

And so our Jubilee afternoon tea was officially organised! Our decorations went up to show everyone where the party was at, the cakes were displayed and the fun and games began.

We had a house full and it really was a lovely afternoon. One website of resources, Hope, said that this Jubilee weekend was a time and opportunity for us to build communities.  I think we can hand on heart say we achieved that! 

I apologise, that there are no photos of our house full of people, I didn’t get round to taking photos while people were there as we were snowed under with making tea and entertaining the children.  

The children all enjoyed a treasure hunt around the house, watching glimpses of the TV coverage from London and playing silly games.  They all took away some memory pages for them to keep and look back on.  

So many giggles from young and old, filling our day with smiles and laughter.  The rain wasn’t going to dampen our day, that’s for sure.  So thank you if you were part of making our day a special memory. 

We’ll get on to thinking up the next idea of getting together – Olympics sports day in the garden maybe????

Summer Lovin'

If I can call it 'summer'! 

The weather hasn't been the best but in our two weeks off together, me and Lutaaya were blessed with some lovely weather to enjoy some magical days.

I decided to book the last two weeks of the summer holidays off.  Initially I made the decision in case her adoption papers were back and we could get her a passport!  Hmmmm...there's me trying to speed the whole adoption system up yet again!  I should have know it wasn't going to work like that! 

Still we wait!

We've had her new birth certificate so we're half way there, just waiting on the adoption certificate now and then we can send off for her passport.

So UK days out on the cards for us this holiday time!

And we made the most of it!

First stop - Weston beach!  Lutaaya had seen a beach before but had never had the chance to play int he sand or take a dip in our cold British sea.  So here goes......

Such a wonderful day.  Lutaaya and I loved it!  And it was the first of many other adventures during our two weeks off.

The following day had a bad weather forecast so we decided to play it safe and go somewhere that we could stay indoors.  So Techniquest science museum was the place to be!  And didn't my little scientist LOVE all the hands on learning!

Next we went to a butterfly zoo and got to play mini golf.  And yep.....Lutaaya won the golf!

Must admit, I didn't think I'd have such a close-up experience!

And Lutaaya's encounter was even closer!

We managed a full on family day to Monmouth show, where we were able to share the day with my Mum and Grandparents!  I remember being young and going to the show with my family, so it was a special day to share with my little girl!  Having farming roots in the family, even though they are no longer as visible as they used to be, means that agricultural shows have always been family days out.  Lutaaya fitted in so well and was amazed at all the livestock and the shows put on in the main ring.

Lutaaya and Gramp in awe of the biking show

They were pretty amazing!

And, if you're in the UK, you'll see parts of the show on TV on 11th September on Countryfile!  Take a look, you may see us in the background!

Bank holiday Monday meant that my Dad was home from work too.  Lutaaya desperately wanted to share a day on the beach with Grandad.  So off to Swansea we go for a full day sunning ourselves on the beach.  Grandad and Lutaaya simply loved the time together, busying themselves with sand castle making, hole digging, wave jumping!

The holidays also gave Lutaaya a chance to have a late night in the company of two of her Godfather's.  Having two firefighters as Godfathers can mean scheduling some God-daughter time can be a nightmare!  But thankfully on this occasion we managed to fit in a night together - bowling!

Go Lutaaya!

The late night led into a very quiet day with us slouching around the house the next day.  Lutaaya wandered around not really knowing what to do with herself, and asked if we could stay home as she was 'tired with all this going places.'  Bless her.  So a day resting and laying about was called for.

The rest didn't last too long and we were soon back on our travels again.  Cantref Adventure Farm was our last port of call on our two weeks holiday.

Lutaaya was very brave in trying feeding the goat as she really didn't wanna try initially!

Obstacle course.....

That's just right up her street!

Being even braver and feeding the shetland ponies

And a bigger goat!

The swamp boat ride was the best loved part of the day

Lutaaya made us go round twice!!!!!

Relaxing!

Whheeeeeeeeeeee!

So, I can say that, staying at home can have it's benefits.  I guess we are very fortunate to have such wondeful places to visit right on our doorstep!  We often take our homegrown places for granted and forget to notice the fun and beauty around us.

Back to work for me tomorrow and back to school for Lutaaya!  Year 6, here she comes!