There is something special about a lido on a hot summer’s day. The kitsch decor, swimming in the open air, sunbathing on the steps and a picnic lunch, glorious fun.
My Sunday Photo #13
This photo shows the app I’ve been avidly using this week, Google maps. My weekly driving miles are around 30, 20 of which are used on our weekly swimming lesson trip so it’s been a bit of a surprise to have driven over 300 miles this week! It was just one of those odd weeks when everything came together and was a mix of work and family miles. I have been all over our county and surrounding areas and Google maps has been amazing at route planning. I’ve enjoyed the driving, buzzing around with music blaring and the sun shining brightly. I live in a beautiful part of the country and the scenery has been stunning.
Being the mum who decided to go for it!
Last week, I found myself doing some quite different things; within 6 days I had been to a roller disco, done every slide at least once at a water park and had my first kayak lesson. Looking back on the week, I wondered if I was going through a mid life crisis trying to prove that I had the fitness, stamina and spirit to do these activities. Perhaps this is true, I was 37 when I finally became a mum after years of fertility treatment and the adoption process, much older than I had hoped. I always wanted to be one of those mums who did things with her children, who was present not simply physically but experiencing the moment too. I also feel that its up to me to be that sporty active parent as Mr S suffered significant injuries in an accident when he was younger so cannot do all I can.
The activities I did last week were all with or for the children, we went to the roller disco and water park together and I am taking kayak lessons so I can be confident to go out with them on the water. I want them to be active and adventurous and its up to me to be that example. This may sound all very noble, but the main reason I do these activities is for fun, to live in the moment and enjoy time with my children. We only have 18 summers with our children, I missed 2 for Little Miss and 1 for Little Man when they were in care so my 18 is reduced, we’re now half way through our childhood summers and there is still so much I want to share with my children. We have many more adventures to plan and experience and I intend to be the mum who says yes and goes for it, life is too short to live on the side lines.
My Sunday Photo #12
Well on a week in which I did so much there is a real lack of photos to accompany the experiences. Understandably no cameras are allowed at the water park and I was too busy staying afloat and holding onto my paddle to take photos at my kayak lesson. It’s been a funny week, an Inset day for the children, 2 extra days of holiday for me and Little Miss on a residential but it’s back to our normal routine next week.
This week’s photo was taken in our garden where Little Miss and Mr S have been very carefully growing vegetables in our raised beds. Our pea pods started to appear this week and we’re all now looking forward to the harvest.
Dear Little Miss ..
Dear Little Miss
This is now the longest time we’ve ever been apart since we became a family eight years ago. I’m missing you; your cuddles, kisses and companionship. The house seems so much quieter and emptier without you. Its not the first time you’ve been away from home, as you have done a Brownie sleepover but this school residential feels different. It is an adventure and you are trying new and exciting activities without me there to encourage and cheer you on. You are now old enough to be creating special memories with your friends as well as your family and I’m sure the PGL trip of Year 5 will become a much treasured trip for you all.
Thanks to digital technology, Daddy and I have been able to see you throughout the trip on the school feed, we’ve admired the photos of you abseiling, raft building, fencing, whizzing down the longest zip wire I’ve ever seen and just playing with your friends. It all looks so much fun and there you are smiling, confident and looking so grown up. I’ve heard it was you that started the singing on the coach and I’ve seen the video of the raft and you leaping into the water with so much zest and squealing in delight as you splash down. You were so excited about PGL and now you’re there you seem to be relishing every moment and I couldn’t be prouder. This is what life is about its trying new things and embracing every opportunity, please never lose your energy, enthusiasm and passion for life, it makes you the very special young lady you are.
I am so looking forward to seeing you tomorrow and although I’ve missed you, this trip has been amazing for you. I can’t wait to hear of all your adventures and to start planning new ones too.
Lots of love
Mummy xx
My Sunday Photo #11
In a half term week where we were out and about lots, this picture has just stood out of being one of my favourites. It was a quick snap as I liked the contrast of the blue sky and white Ferris wheel and the sun streaming onto the image just adds to the effect.
#18for2018 Go to a roller disco
Its been a while since I posted a #18for2018 update however I haven’t forgotten about my project its just that many items are works in progress. For example, I’ve read 20 books this year of which 3 have been 5 star reads according to my Good Reads account where I have been writing a review for each book. I’ve been playing some summer sports; cricket and rounders have been ticked off but I want to include more. I’m running to a schedule and have a kayak lesson booked for next week, so am feeling confident to meet these although the distance may need to be changed. The ones on wearing a pretty pair of heeled shoes and to look after my feet are a little more difficult since my diagnosis of arthritis in my right foot but I’m looking to be creative here too, I have a new pair of sparkly flip flops, which along with pumps are the only shoes I can wear in comfort at present! I am still confident that I will complete my list this year.
However today I have one of my #18for 2018 to tick off and report on #12 Go to a roller disco. When I created my list for 2018, it was about doing something fun, something different or simply getting out of my comfort zone. I chose the roller disco because I’ve grown up watching the American movies where they go to such discos and they look fun. I often go to the Christmas ice rinks which pop up in December and can skate my way around the rink with a quiet confidence so I decided that I wanted to try a roller disco, different skates but a similar style I predicted. I was wrong! As soon I laced up my boots and stood up, I wobbled, you can walk fairly easily balanced on the blade of an ice skate, the four wheels of a skate don’t allow you to do this! It was at this point, I realised that it was probably 30 years since I had last worn roller skates. For the first few circuits Little Man and I clung to the side but we did grew more confident, daring and determined as we progressed, Little Miss was superb from her first steps! It was so good to see how Little Man started frustrated and angry and was dabbing and dancing by the end, one of my happiest memories of the trip will be to us dancing (upper body only as we were never perfected twists and turns on the skates) to Upton Funk, it was one of those in the moment occasions, a shared joy.
#Littleloves the May edition …
It was a joy to welcome May this year, after the long, hard winter May delighted us all with long, hot, sunny days and the promise of a beautiful summer. A seaside town starts to come alive in the summer and this month saw a big boost to the town’s economy with two amazing bank holidays and the town bursting with visitors. We’ve had some stunning days on the beach this month and the best of all, our first trip of the year to the beach after school, there is something special about running down to the beach and splashing away the school day. Summer sports have started in earnest this month and we’ve spent many an hour at the cricket club. May also saw me dancing around a May pole, playing the first rounders’ game of the summer, exploring local history and finishing with a few family days in Devon at half term, its been a busy month. There have been so many lovely moments in May and here are just some of my little loves from this month …
I’ve noticed my reading time has reduced this month, no more cosy nights snuggled on the sofa. However I have read two books and am working my way quickly through my third. One book was a work related title so whilst fascinating took a little more time and effort, especially as I was highlighting and scribbling so many notes at the side. The book is Dana Boyd’s Its Complicated which explores teenagers’ use of social media, there is so much to say about this book and to anyone with teenagers I would strongly recommend reading it. Its hard to summarise such enlightening content but after reading it I feel reassured and trusting of our young people online and perhaps there are a few questions we need to ask ourselves!
The second book was The New Mrs Clifton by Elizabeth Buchan, which starts in the 1970s and the discovery of a body buried for 30 years ago. The book focuses on who the body could be and why through a brilliant plot. I didn’t guess the identity of the victim and thought it was a very clever and stylish story.
So its cricket season and I have watched a lot of practices and matches. Little Man’s team is undefeated so far and his happy place in life is at the crease waiting to bat. I tend to watch the matches quite intently as I do score some matches and every ball needs to be recorded accurately.
Due to the clash with a cricket match, I wasn’t able to see the Royal wedding live but I did catch up so I could see the dresses, flowers etc.. I like the detail of a wedding, royal or not. I loved the style of the royal wedding, the flowers were so simple and beautiful and Meghan was stunning. There also seemed to be lots of little details from the couple which helped make it their own celebration rather than a traditional royal wedding.
Its been a while since I made an effort to follow a series but I am loving A Very English Scandal with Hugh Grant as Jeremy Thorpe. Its an unbelievable true story and is highly entertaining, its definitely not a dry, political drama.
And finally, I also got to watch my children enjoy time with their cousin. At 20, she is revered by my daughter for her style, coolness and general niceness, so to have her accompany us on a day out at Crealy and go on all the rides with the children was a treat for all of us. I didn’t let her have all the fun and enjoyed the water rides too.
I don’t know if its the sun but the fresh seasonal food at the moment is delicious. I’ve enjoyed cooking recipes with the ingredients such as asparagus risotto, broad bean and mint soup, rhubarb crumble (straight from my father-in-law’s garden) There’s also the simple but perfect taste of fresh Jersey royals with butter and seasoning, sometimes simplicity is perfection.
This is a frustrating category this month, as after being in a lot of pain, I finally went to see my doctor and after having an x-ray on my foot, it appears that I may have arthritis. I have worn Converse pumps and flip flops all month as it is all I can wear without pain. I do love my Converse but I think if its all I can wear I’m going to have to invest in a few new colours.
I haven’t really been making a conscious decision what to listen to this month on Spotify and I’ve been relying on playlists and old favourites when I’m doing my gym work. However I have heard lots of good news, an all clear from cancer, the birth of a healthy baby boy and an upcoming family wedding, hooray for happy news.
So, if I thought May was busy it has nothing on the next two months. I am being very organised at present with lots of lists to tick off as I want to enjoy every little thing in the coming months, summer we’re coming for you ….
I am writing this post with Morgana’s inspiration
My Sunday Photo #10
This week’s photo was taken this afternoon on a sunny, warm Sunday family walk. We walked to our local country park where we paused for some shade in the hide and enjoyed a spot of bird watching.
My Sunday Photo #9
I do like to decorate our home for special occasions and yesterday used my trusted leopard print Union Jack 🇬🇧 Accessorise scarf for the royal wedding. It’s a little frayed after a month hanging out of a window for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games but the wear and tear just adds to its charm. I’ve never been a flag waving citizen but it’s fun to use on special occasions.
Seaside Sparkles 