Category: Family life
Charlie’s shoes..
You turn your back on Charlie, turn round again and something has changed in a way that invariably brings a smile..
With the fake summer he got a simple pair of sandals..but he’s invented a new way to wear them. And he’s now wearing all his lycra trainers with a cross too..
Now..where are those nail scissors??
Laters, Kate x
Kent, Part 3 x
Sunshine in the UK never lasts long – it’s the human reality inside any fantastical tale as was proven in the last part of our sojourn to Kent – the day after our seaside adventure the temperature dropped like a stone (a bit like today) from the low twenties..to low. It was still emotionally sun-kissed with blue in the sky and fluffy clouds but the wind was as raw as a saw blade and straight off the frozen Norwegian fjords.
We were at Sandwich (we’d cycled here with the kids previously in the week – I’m not sure they’ve forgiven us yet as we got lost and ended up cycling at least 18 miles…) which is an historic town full of old, quaint buildings and was once the major port in the area and a centre for weaving.
We were there to take a boat ride with the Harbour Master along the 2 miles of river to the coast to see seals..
The trip out is strange – you pass all sorts of industrial sites mixed with wild flowers and Oyster Catchers.
And it was absolutely freezing! Seriously cold enough to whip the balls off any brass monkeys stupid enough to be out. We raided our bags and pockets for anything that could keep us warm..a tissue anyone??
Charlie on look-out..
Spotted!
Coming to say hello..
And then it was time to head for home, hot drinks and a spell under a duvet to warm up (that was me)…the kids wanted to go swimming! it takes all sorts…
Laters, Kate x
Kent, Part 2
This is Warmer Castle, firmly re-named Windy Castle by the kids and you can see why. They get dragged here every time we’re in the area as it’s one of my favourite places ever.
There’s the faded elegance inside (it’s also where the Duke of Wellington died).
And the gardens are glorious – typically formal English – but manage to be so natural you’re convinced the plants just wanted to grow this way anyway. And the view..sigh..there’s an uninterrupted vista all the way down to the sea..
We found a large dead frog in the pond..true excitement! I didn’t take a picture..
It’s also really good for hide and seek..
Then we hit the hottest day of the year so far…time for a sandy beach..so to Camber Sands we went..
We weren’t the only people with this ingenious idea..
But this is a beach that soaks up people..the view the other side..
It also has one of the biggest tides I’ve ever seen..
You have to run..
And run!
But it’s worth it!
Then you have to run back again!
We found baby flat fish in the shallows..if you prodded them they spun away at great speed like disturbed underwater birds.
And a dead dog fish with impressive spines.
But just to show it’s not all happy families…this is Bella at the end of the day giving Charlie the evil eye for daring to enter her newly designed ferry without buying a ticket first..go on guys..just one smile for Mummy! Please?!
Laters, Kate x
Kent, Part 1 x
The biggest downer about the UK is the weather – it’s why we’re so obsessed with it. Head out for a holiday by the sea and rather than a cheery parasol, it’s highly likely you’ll be hiding under a large umbrella. So seeing the sun on our first day, we clapped our hands with merry glee!
And sank a large glass of cold white to celebrate the whole damn great joy of it..
Whilst watching the kids chase seagulls on the beach..
We weren’t far from Dover; So often a passing point, so rarely for stopping. But overlooking the harbour is Dover castle, an imposing building with a cornucopia of history dating back to the Romans.
But we were there to see the underground tunnels…
Originally dug out as a prison in the Napoleonic wars, they were resurrected in WW2 to provide a secret headquarters and a hospital.
This is where all the planning took place for Operation Dynamo and the evacuation of Dunkirk.
Over 30 metres down there’s something like 3.8 km of tunnels, including deep, deep down, a nuclear bunker called Dumpy.
During the War Dover was hit by over 2000 bombs, making it one of the worst hit towns in the UK. But none fell within the castle walls – apparently Hitler rather fancied the castle for himself and banned it from being bombed…if only he knew…
It’s a brilliant exhibition – real thought and atmosphere has gone into the presentation with clever projections onto the walls and newsreel footage. On the hospital tour, you follow the story of a wounded spitfire pilot accompanied by the sounds of a bombing raid and flickering lights. Not for the claustrophobic!
A spot of light relief was then needed..
Even a star fish still has fascination..
Until Daddy chases you with it..
My kids are such urbanites..
We looked for sea diamonds..
And pushed Daddy in..
Before heading back home to be ready for another day..
Laters, Kate x
Beach Hair, Don’t Care x
We”re away to the Kent coast for a week for walks along the sea, rock pools and cricket on the sand.
It’s going to be windswept hair all the way..
Laters, Kate x
The Results!..
So this is our attempt at Tree Change Dolls..we were lucky that it was a gorgeous day (summer is on the way!) and we had Bella’s lovely friend Maya to help us. These were the dolls as they started (Charlie doll was given a reprieve as we thought he was rather pretty!)(Thankfully, we had a spare doll..)
First job was to take their faces off, which we did with the nail varnish remover – you let it soak for a bit and then wipe.
It takes off a fair bit, but does leave smudges (and avoid getting the remover anywhere else on the dolls as it starts peeling away the plastic..as we learnt to our detriment..)
For the rest and the harder marks, we used eucalyptus oil..and lots of elbow grease..you just have to keep rubbing hard! But I’ve now learnt the power of eucalyptus oil..my bin has never smelt so fragrant..
And we managed it!
Then they all had a wash..
(Although certain members of the party became more interested in the bubbles..)
After that it was time for the paint..the most exciting, but also the most nerve wracking bit. We used acrylic paints and Derwent watercolour pencils. What I would recommend is finding some really good, tiny paint brushes. Ours were kiddies ones which we then trimmed down with scissors..but it is precise work and the better your paint brush, the better the result. At this point, I will confess..we lost the majority of the children..they went off to play..
Not that it mattered..the mummies were more than happy to lose themselves over eyeballs! It was engrossing work..highly therapeutic we decided!
Big brother Alex was also game..so lovely to see..he just saw it as an Art project and was more than happy to get stuck in.
The finer details were done with the pencils – you dip them in water and then they work well on the plastic.
Bella with Bella..
This is Sophie’s doll (Maya’s mummy)
Who was then dressed at home!
I made a little dress for Bella..but we still have the feet to go..it all takes time!
Just doing it all for the first time was a learning curve. Time whizzes by..which is always a good sign. The painting is tough and particularly hard for the kids – but it was a great project to all do together. We intend to do another creative day soon to make the feet and more clothes. All in all, to be highly recommended! If you want to try yourself, there are loads of really good tutorials on Youtube..good luck!
Laters, Kate x
Meet..
Bella with Bratz doll Bella..
And Charlie with his doll Charlie, all ready for the tree-change experience we’re attempting today (I have one too!). Results tomorrow..but I have a feeling it’s not as easy as it looks!!
Laters, Kate x
The Sky’s the Limit..
The meeting with the builder went well..looks like we could have a start date at the end of July. It means the month of August will be frantic, but if I’m going to be without my kitchen I’d prefer it to be in the summer months when salads are picnics are staple requirements – hopefully it will be a glorious sunshine and we can spend the days outside..at least there won’t be the horrors of the morning clash, trying to sort builders and attempting to get kids out the door for school. Shame about any lie-ins…
We’re also renovating our cellar at the same time…the intention was just to add more electrics, some clever storage, a TV and a sofa to turn it into a den. But the builder took one look and suggested we dropped the floor by 20 centimetres…it would make all the difference, but hits all my fear points – our cellar is bone dry and I’d hate to mess with that..but he seems to think it’ll be easy..so I’m going to see what the damage is in terms of cost. I know there won’t be any natural light, so for decor it’s dark and moody all the way..like an exclusive gentleman’s club..
Looking for inspiration I came across this picture and was struck by the ceiling..how nice to have that flash of blue, space and air..
I started looking at wallpapers..but the problem is the repeat..clouds become to regular when the beauty is they aren’t.
There’s this option..Nuvole by Cole &Son..but at quite a cost! And like beans, it still repeats..
Better is the option of wall murals from places like Surface View – this one is a reproduction of Constable’s clouds..you can order them to any size you want. Again, not a cheap option..
Then I found Pixersize which has one of the biggest ranges I have ever seen and very good value. Their sky range is enormous..the skycapes dramatic..
(But I secretly preferred the softness of the painted skies..)
Not to worry..they had that too..
(All pictures pinterest)
With so many options I think it’ll take me till August to decide which one…(but I think the last one has my heart…)…Wallpapering the ceiling..who would’ve thought..
Laters, Kate x
Happy Easter!
As a child, Volker Kraft saw a beautiful paschal tree in his home town…and he wanted one.
In 1965 his dream came true – his own tree with 300 odd eggs on it. Since then it has grown every year..
2015 will be the last year of the Saalfeld Easter tree..and the total is now 10,000 decorated eggs. One man’s madness, one man’s passion..one man’s joy. I doff my flamboyant Easter bonnet to you sir…
Laters, Kate x
Day Out x
I had that typical middle-class adult dilemma this week – is it kitsch that my kids favourite activity is shopping? As soon as I mention it, I see the bright gleam in their eyes, the excitement..the quickening heartbeat and I know it has them in it’s tight, materialistic jaw..
We had to step into the lion’s lair this week to re-stock on socks and pants for school. But I went attempting a new regime..
I told them exactly what I was going to buy. Then anything over had to come out of their pocket money/christmas money/birthday money which they had to have in cash..no loans. Anything big and desirable went on birthday (not long till Charlie’s) or Christmas list.
The hardest thing is that I have to stick to the plan too – there’s lots of stuff I’d love to buy them. But what message does that give? I limited the extra’s to looking for a top for Charlie and a dress for Bella, both for Easter Sunday when we’re seeing relatives.
I know that if I think back through the mists of time, I can still remember that feeling of stepping into the equivalent of a sweetie shop – the seduction of it. And too often, when dealing with kids, you look at a situation through the knowing eyes of an adult, forgetting the journey it took to get there. It can’t be skipped just because you know the answer.
However, both my children have a fair amount to learn..money burns a hole in their pockets and the magpie tendencies are strong..
Though Charlie did boost his cash reserve by eating a clam. Bella refused. But it was their choice.
Naturally, they blew everything they had – Bella on stationary, Charlie on a puzzle toy and a hat..
We found him a brilliant top in Next for Easter – £14.99 and it looks like something by Ralph Lauren, and is beautifully lined in grey marl. He wanted to wear it straight away..the resulting mash-up amply demonstrates the preppy look his mother would love him to embrace..and the secret clubber within..
Bella bought a dress from Marks and Spencer that fluttered her mother’s heart..black with a peter pan collar. I’ll take a picture on Sunday.
Of course now, for the lesson to be fully learnt, having blown all their money, I have to take them shopping again so they can know what it’s like to want something and not be able to buy it. That big gulf between need and want. That special emotion that can be one of the world’s best motivators…you want it, you earn it..you save for it. You spend it on what you really want, not the fluff inbetween..learn the difference between the diamonds and the fools gold…you want more? Find a way..work hard..make it happen.
Laters, Kate x
Maison Bentley Style 