My activities with the girls in the last week have been a bit fragmented as they’ve been in and out of clubs. After much nagging (from the girls) I agreed to toast marshmallows over tealights. It started on a still, sunny night in the garden and had to be moved inside because of the sudden gusts of wind 🙂 I love sitting on the ground looking up at a sky filled with blue and white after days of constant rain 🙂 We used the skewers my friend put in our s’mores kit she made us and digestives. The girls skipped the s’mores bit and just ate loads of marshmallows 🙂
I got some postcards and oil pastels from the pound shop to make some art cards for people. The girls joined me and decided to make their own designs 🙂
On Friday, we went to the farm. I don’t feel like we’ve used our summer pass enough, but I sometimes forget that everything is open again! The girls always want to go to the play village first, so they played shops and with the tool kit and got dressed up. I think they would happily stay there all day and miss everything else if it was up to them 🙂
They went on the barrel rides and got a photo at the selfie spot. We went for a walk to see the goats, sheep and alpacas. I tried to get a photo of the sheep looking at us but no matter what angle I took it from, its eyes weren’t visible. We had a snack picnic in the burger barn and then went to feed turnip to the rabbits and guinea pigs. I love the miniature shetland pony and wish I could have one as a pet. I don’t know where it would roam though, so I’ll have to content myself with visiting one instead. The pygmy goats are funny too and came up close to us to get a picture. We had lunch at the picnic table area with the zipwire. Then, we went for a walk by the stream and ran away from the wasps 🙂 We called in to see the chicks before we left and got an ice-cream on the way out. The girls always say that’s their favourite part and I wonder if we should have just gone to an ice-cream shop instead 🙂
On Saturday, I took the girls to McDonald’s for lunch and then we went to the Cave Hill. They got distracted building cardboard Minions and took a while to eat, but it was nice and quiet compared to the ones near our house 🙂 We went to the adventure playground at the Cave Hill and the girls made some friends as usual and played on the castle. I love the feel of the place but I always struggle to capture it properly on camera. It feels like everything is green, apart from sudden bursts of floral colour. We went to the little coffee van and I got coffee and the girls got a mixed berry frozen lemonade. It is so good I’m tempted to have it instead of coffee next time (and that never happens to me :)) We sat on the hill and looked at the view while we had our drinks. Then the girls did races around the trees and gymnastics shows for me on the grass. We befriended a dog sitting at the next bench and had a chat with its owner. I like having random conversations with strangers that brighten up your day in small ways.
On Sunday, we went to my mum’s and had a slow day in the house. My daughter found some of my sister’s hats and the girls loved trying them on. There are always plenty of exciting dressing up materials at my mum’s house 🙂 The girls usually have makeovers and steal her jewellery too. We started a jigsaw and got really addicted to it. I can’t wait to return to finish it now and I’m thinking of getting some for the house too 🙂 I liked the fact my mum was dressed like a lady sitting in a summer garden, completing a garden jigsaw so I had to get a picture 🙂
When I got home, I made some bagels. I hadn’t made any for ages and I find the process of making bread soothing when my kids are asleep 🙂 I like the fact you can fit other things around it while it rises too and kneading is definitely cathartic. I started working on a book where you draw little ink designs too and it is so calming 🙂 I just need to direct my energy into finishing the current book I’m writing and then I’ll be satisfied 🙂
The Funky Thrifter 