Owlfit of the Week

I love this sunny dress from Me&i.  Papa Owl actually chose this one, I wasn't sure at first but it is simply stunning on.  It just hangs so beautifully and doesn't need ironing either.  If you haven't come across Me&i, go check them out!  They are a Swedish company and their clothes can only be bought through one of their sales representatives either directly or at a party.  I recently hosted one of their parties and it was great fun.  I was a little bit worried that my friends would feel pressured to buy, but they assured me that they didn't feel that at all.  Their summer season has closed now, but their new winter range is due to be released on 13th August - I can't wait!

Little Owl's hat comes from H&M and her gorgeous sandals come from our favourite shoe shop Livie and Luca.

The Adventure Playground

We've just discovered the most wonderful place in the world!  No take that back, its like another world!  Little Owl and I have been looking for new groups to join, having grown out of our baby groups, we had yet to find a place we felt happy where Little Owl could play with kids her age and older.  We really wanted a place for Little Owl to play outside too, but thinking that was too much to ask for, I had even started to look at some local nurseries that offered regular outdoor adventures.

But then I discovered THE ADVENTURE PLAYGROUND!  The adventure playground is aimed at 8-13 year olds "to experience play opportunities that are often difficult to find elsewhere in the town.
Adventure and taking risks is an important part of growing up and it is through play that children learn about themselves and the world around them". 

When I first heard about the adventure playground, I thought Little Owl was far too young, but then I heard that they also ran toddler and pre-school sessions there too!  Its hard to describe, but I feel a bit like I've stepped into Biker Grove, while other parents have said it reminds them of Why Don't You?!

 

The playground is set in a valley, right by the railway line which all the kids love, stopping whatever they are doing to wave at passing trains.  There's a large industrial building and lots of outside space to explore.  I love the rough and ready appearance of the playground, and the wooden climbing frame.

We did a bit of exploring and found this secret garden that looks like its been forgotten for a while.

Tucked in the corner of the playground is a sandpit.  Its not the beautiful play sand that you find in modern playgrounds or sandpits, but, well, normal dirty sand!  Bits of grass growing in it, stones that have migrated that way.  But there's toys to play with and tyres to sit on - what more could you want?

  

A slide at the edge of the playground takes you down into the woods.  The slide is one of those steep metal ones that I remember from my childhood, but as it goes down the bank, you don't need to worry about toddlers climbing up steep ladders - Little Owl has fallen off the top of a slide so I am a little nervous.  In the wood, you can find swings and tree houses and Little Owl's favourite - a zip wire!  I was really surprised she was able to do it on her own, although she does need a hand to get on it!

 

Further into the woods and Little Owl finds her own little house, which she loves, but she never gets to stay for long as its usually snack time. All the kids get a drink of squash (or water) and there's a platter of chopped up fruit for them to help themselves to.  Meanwhile the mums get a big mug of tea!

Inside there is plenty to explore.  I didn't capture all of it (and was trying to keep other kids out of the photos).  There's a huge pile of dressing up clothes, a piece of gym equipment to climb onto and jump off onto crash mats, a piano to play, a table set up for painting (including covers for the children) and various toy kitchens and work benches dotted around the place.  There's probably loads I missed out on too.

Back outside the building to where we came in and there's a covered outside area which I can imagine is a blessing in the winter.  All sorts of different activities are put out here including my favourite - the muddy messy play!  Little Owl loved it too, and it was great to be somewhere where she really could just play and no one minded if she dropped mud on the floor.

Can you believe we packed all of this in to just two hours?!!  For only £2.50 too!  The adventure playground has fast become one of our favourite places to go, and with it open on 3 mornings including a Saturday, we can always fit it into our week somewhere!

Cross Monday Week 15

Slow progress this week.  My mind is being made mush by marking GCSE papers and with a huge lack of anything to watch on the telly there's not been a lot of stitching time.  Still, I'm pleased with how its looking, and I think leaving the thread attached is working too.  It would be less of a mess if I hadn't started in the middle, then restarted at the left though!  I'm hoping to get my marking done this week which means there won't be much progress next week either!

Silent Sunday

She Speaks!

I stopped counting the words Little Owl could say a long time ago, but her words and phrases were still limited.  The words she had were clear, but she wouldn't repeat words being said to her.

On of the cutest phrases Little Owl was saying just after she turned 2 was "yes please mummy!"

Would you like some milk?

Yes Please Mummy!

Shall we go to the swings

Yes Please Mummy!

Let me put your shoes on

Yes Please Mummy!

Can mummy have some of  your icecream?

Yes Please Mummy!

It was unbelievably cute, and she would happily say this in front of strangers making every one smile.

I didn't think it could get any better, but then about two weeks ago Little Owl learnt to say:

"Thank You Mummy"

This was even better as she was no longer saying this as a response to a question but totally of her own will, and each time my heart would melt a little bit more

I'm just going to empty your potty

Thank You Mummy

But this last week, all the words have been coming! Its not a new word every day, more like a new word every hour!

Most are clear, others need some effort to work out, "Tomber" is apparently cucumber!

And then come the songs...

For a while I have been encouraging Little Owl to finish the words on familiar songs, for example Twinkle Twinkle Little ____.

Then came

"Row Row Your boat"

No other words to that one but every now and then she will follow it for a scream for the crocodile!

In the back of the car on the way to Holland we heard "wash your face" repeatedly until it was suddenly finished with "all day long".

I'm really enjoying this stage of development, seeing a little of what thoughts are going through Little Owl's head, her imagination coming out.

Owlfit of the Week

 

 Little Owl does like a hat... or two!

Just before we put the winter hats away for the summer, Little Owl had a play!

 

 

Her liking for hats is bordering on an obsession!  It is rare for Little Owl to be seen out without one.  It has been suggested on more than one occasion that she may become a milliner in later life! Now you might say that age 2 is too young to make predictions like that, but if she does, she would be following in the footsteps of her Great-Great-Grandmother who was a milliner with a shop in Lambeth.

Little Owl would love this hat!

Cross Mondays Week #14

I'm really pleased with the amount of stitching I have managed this week!  Not only does the world cup continue (apparently England being out just means we are embracing our Dutch heritage), but I have started exam marking for the GCSEs, which I'm having to fit round Papa Owl being home from work.

However, I did have to go to London for an appointment on Tuesday, and Little Owl stayed at home with her Grandparents, giving me an hour and a half stitching time each way!

I am trying out something new in this section too... when I have finished with a thread, if I am going to need it again soon, I am leaving it attached ready to pick up.  I usually either count the stitches on to continue with the thread or tie it off and start again when I need it.  This may save me loads of time... or it may result in a complete confusing tangled mess... tune in next week to see where I'm at!

In 5 years time...

We've just committed to a 5 year deal on our mortgage.

5 years

It doesn't seem that long...

And yet...

In 5 years time we'll be nearly a third of our way through paying off our mortgage! We've owned our house now for 3 years, and I must admit at the time 25 years on a mortgage felt like forever, but those 3 years have gone quick as I'm sure the next 5 will too. Paying off a third will certainly feel less pressured.

In 5 years time we'll have made lots of progress with out house, hopefully.  A new roof is planned for late summer.  The dining room and green room are current work-in-progress.  I'd really hope that we will have a new bathroom by then too.

In 5 years time, I might have a proper job!  Or not.  I've enjoyed the flexibility of doing supply, but I've been lucky all year of having long term placements.  But this month I have started doing day to day supply, and that's a little more stressful, getting up and ready for work in the morning but not actually knowing you have any.

In 5 years time, Little Owl will be at school.  Wearing a little uniform, going every day.  So many decision to make about going to school...

In 5 years time we might have another small owl in our nest or possibly two?! Who knows, but by then we'll have an idea of how big a family we are to become.

How exciting!

Silent Sunday

Little Owl 2nd Birthday Quiz

I spotted the birthday quiz on Dancing with Dirty Feet and thought it was great.  The idea being that each year on their birthday, you ask your children the same set of questions, while your children grow and change, the questions remain the same.

As Little Owl is, well, little, I have helped her out with some of the questions.

How old are you? 2

What is your favourite colour?  Mummy: no idea!

What is your favourite animal? Bubby Cats!

What is your favourite book? One Mole Digging a Hole

What is your favourites t.v. show? Mummy: anything on CBeebies really.  Favourites include Raa Raa, Granny Murray, Pingu and of course Mr Tumble!

What is your favourite movie? Mummy: we tried a movie once, she didn't have the staying power.  I think it was Nemo, I'll leave it a few months and try again.

What is your favourite song? Anything with actions that Mummy and Daddy join in on!

What is your favourite food? Peas!  Mummy: meat, fruit and most veg are popular too!

What is your favourite drink? Milk!

What is your favourite breakfast food? Hagelslag Mummy: we do try to encourage this to be on toast.  Little Owl has also made up her own sign for hagelslag too which is very similar to the sign for sand.

What is your favourite snack?  Biscuits!

What is your favourite outfit? Mummy: Little Owl has many lovely outfits but her Frugi skirt is perhaps one of my favourites.

What is your favourite game? Anything that makes people laugh

Who is your best friend?  Woo Mummy: Little Owl loves her cousin Woowoo who is 4.

What is your favourite thing to do? Mummy: sing, play with people, forward rolls

What is your favourite thing to do outside? Mummy: go on the slide

What was your favourite holiday? Mummy: Has to be India right?

What do you take to bed with you at night? Milk.  Sometimes a toy, maybe Kitty or Zed bunny.

Where is your favourite place to go? Grandma and Grandmadad's house

What is your favourite restaurant? Mummy: Eat@ThePark, Eat@TheStade and the De La Warr are places we frequent during the day.  Eatos, and all you can eat Chinese is good for the evenings as Little Owl can pick at what she wants.

Where would you like to go on holidays?  Mummy: I have a VERY long list, but I don't think Little Owl minds as long as she is with Daddy and I
What clubs or activities do you go to? Swimming! Mummy: Little Owl swims every Monday morning and I get to sit on the side.  We've just stopped baby signing because, well, Little Owl isn't a baby any more and has a pretty good grasp of words.  We're on the look out for Toddler groups.

What makes you happy? Attention

What makes you sad? Not getting attention

What do you want to be when you grow up? Mummy: I still haven't figured this one out!

What did you do on your birthday? Mummy:The day before Little Owl's birthday, she had a day out at the model railway with her Grandparents and cousin.  Her actual birthday was quite a gentle one spent with her Grandparents again as I was at work.  The day after her birthday was a Saturday so Papa Owl and I took her to the zoo.

I hope you have enjoyed reading this.  Next year Little Owl will be able to answer most of this herself I guess which is a strange feeling!