Five minutes of Christmas Eve .....

I'm grabbing 5 mins to sit and write a post......

Before I start many wishes and joy to you all. 

So, here we are or rather here I am!!! In the kitchen.....radio 4 on......goose sizzling away in the aga (big thank you to my sis-in-law for Jamie Oliver's day before goose recipe), oranges sliced, cinnamon and herbs crushed and then the distant background noise of the children giggling and dancing to Christmas tunes whilst Mr Loveliness lounges feeling the need to rest.

I have another companion here with me in the form of a Giant African Land Snail.....an early christmas gift! he is munching through the banana and cucumber the girls gave him and seems in good festive spirit, I wonder what he thinks of all the sounds and aromas that fill the room.

The children have made some creative festive treasures and I thought I'd share this one and hope you've all been especially good this year and he visits you later tonight....merry Christmas xx

happY aDvent sUnDay

1st December or as mini1 shouted out "it's December once today, yippeeeeeeee". I recall posting this day last year and I cannot believe how the year has flown by (yes I'm sounding old-er) we've enjoyed happy adventures, changes, developments, moments that have made us stop and think and here we are all a year older and our three mini1's have a different understanding about Christmas and his time of year.

As always though excitement flows through the house as we celebrate the first day of this month, this year we have no traditional advent calendars I decided on making each day a game of sorts and today's game is to hunt the parcel. The girls had their clue and off they went to return shortly with the parcel number one!

Here is the findings.......

mY LiTTle sUnShinE

With less than a week to go until our little sunny bear turns one, I got thinking today about cake, decorations and what he would like? Honestly he is not bothered one jot, all he ever needs as every child is a loving family and big cuddles which he has an endless supply of. I did think though that he is always smiling he makes you feel warm, happy and his big beam and giggles are generous and get passed on and in return everyone smiles with him. So all that in mind i think something bright and sunny will play a part in the cake and decorations, i now just need to get my little sunshine to keep still for more than five minutes so I can get a making!

Holiday memories

Well we are back to the daily routine or as much of a routine as we have but we had a lovely summer and have new adventures ahead of us. Our family time together was super and the children just loved it, mini1 holds family so very close to her as some of her picture postcards show. These pictures will always be special as I recall her in her own world drawing away, we posted them on but I couldn't help take an image ...... thought you'd like to see, a child's drawing always a favourite of mine...

Little phrases and precious moments....

I love overhearing the girls chat and be a fly on the wall and watch them play.

They have their squabbles but on the whole they are happy best friend sisters and very kind and thoughtful to baby brother too.

Putting them to bed in a shared room the other night I stood under the window only to hear their conversation about us, momma and dad.....

Mini1 "but I love mommy too"

Minimini1 "noooooo, I love momma mostest"

Mini1 "noooooo we can both love mommy the same, and dad too because dad he is sooooo funny"

Tonight mini1 said to minimini1 after a lovely play session together "goodnight my little pastry dove"

I haven't idea where this came from but I thought it was so very sweet and didn't want to forget it.

Mini1 is also into the whole entertaining of friends and family and pre dinner aperitifs and nibbles and tonight being a quiet Monday evening I found a smile on my face when she turned around and said "nibbles and a crisp tonight?"

I like many many others cherish these moments and will miss them immensely when they grow, of course a new development of chat and conversation will start but the innocence and charm will move on and be different and I hold onto these moments with great affection and warmth.

Here is mommy and I love her too....

stOry stiCkS & tWiggY taLes

Our French retreat is in 'the sticks' just outside of Faucon near Vaison la Romaine.

The pool provides entertainment, the woodland adventure and the wildlife great excitement.

Yesterday we gathered sticks and twigs and made up our stories and tales through pictures. The girls found it great fun sitting in the shade of the olive trees retelling the pictures into story form.

The favourite one was about a butterfly who lived in a magnificent castle but when she ventured out she discovered the outside natural world of flowers and more butterflies even more beautiful!

Show and tell...,

Tomorrow is mini beasts and bugs lesson and mini1 will be taking in her homemade banana and honey loaf with the honey from our very own honey bees. 

Photos of the process and a few props; honey!, frames, honeycombs are ready to be passed around as is the loaf. 

We also thought a little simplified doodle of the processes would be fun too.

Boris is 389 and....

is wearing very nice purple trousers ("this purple" minimini1 says pointing to a purple felt pen), has blue hair, no top on but lots of hearts allover his body and pretty falers (flowers) for his shoes. We then doodle this imaginary friend and think helots very good for his years and funny too!
At a similar age mini1 had a friend like this except hers was called PeeHee and only wore yellow!
Love their imaginations, encourage and enjoy together.

tents & tiaras

Friday was a teacher training day, Monday was a bank holiday, birthday weekend in between so today is the official first day of the half term holidays ......it's raining!!!
That's ok as we have lets make an indoor tent and lets make our own tiaras to the rescue.
It's worked a treat and princess picnic lunch and afternoon snacks have been happily consumed under the canopy tent too.

If you are stuck for a rainy day indoor activity I recommend them as im sure you will have a happy time with your little ones doing one or both.

A birthday .....

Minimini1 celebrated her 3rd birthday today and before the house came to life with all three mini1's i reflected on that very special day at 6am 3 years ago, abd it was lovely doing so.

Thankfully I can look back with great pleasure and fondness and feel very lucky to have had a perfectly healthy baby, a fast, successful home-birth followed by the cheery meeting and greeting from big sister whilst I enjoyed tea and toast in my own bed.

Today was similar and different...

the sun shone just like it had 3 years ago,

we as a family were altogether, happy and well, we laughed, blew bubbles, ate cake and played with the additional little brother, rolled down grassy banks and had a wonderful day. 

I look forward to the years ahead and cherish those that are whizzing by. All three of our children are wonderful in so many and such different ways but the happiness they give us and enjoyment they bring makes me feel incredibly lucky and fortunate and I will have this and more for years ahead. 

The circus cake....

Okay so it's done! and on the first day of the holidays with all three wanting my attention I'd say its not bad and I deserve that glass at the end if the day!!

So visually it's not exactly to plan but as a designer by heart and profession I have the ability to go with what I have! The frill was not planned but it hides what I wish no one to see beneath!

Bunting, my performing elephant topper and sprinkles as imagined and happy I did these last night whilst the mini's were sleeping. Mini marshmallows I recommend should be in every families cupboard along with other store cupboard essentials than i'll talk about another day!

All in all I'm happy, my 3 year old baby (no more) will be grinning and that is what we only wish for....happy mini1's. 

Here is how it went....

Say hello to our performing elephant ...

The podium mould I made yesterday was a success and the plaster has now dried so tonight I had a podium to decorate ....

and an ellie in need of a neck ruffle!

I think when the duo takes it's place in top if the cake the ellie may be positioned on its back legs but this gives you an idea of minimini1's cake topper.....

In the absence of pen and paper .....

You can't beat pens, crayons, paint and paper however there are times when both me and the mini1's have fun doodling via a few of our favourite apps, these were created using KidSlate and Drawing Carl....

I rather it be me.....

poor baby is streaming, coughing, sticky eyes but still smiling.
This easter has been rather eventful with coughs, colds, croup, head-lice (last day of term!) and successful potty training!, oh yes and me losing my voice, not great timing! Then just as the holidays draw to the last few days and I think we are free down comes baby with his cold.
Despite his snuffles and awful night cough (thankfully not croup) he has no fever and is his usually cheery self. Greenbaby snuffle rub has been applied to soles of feet and chest, breast milk in eyes for what I hope does not develop into full on conjunctivitis, I have iPad and baby has his Dr Seuss cat in the hat rattle book.
As a parent you would do anything for your children and if I could take on all the bugs and snuffles I would, as I can't take away his i will give plenty of hugs, feeds, rattle entertainment when required and do as we have many times with mini1,minimini1 and now miniminimini1!

Night night and lets dream of sunny snuffle free days x

gliTTer eGGs

Happy Easter all, bonnet making and parade during the week, family Easter egg hunt tomorrow and today more crafts to add to the Easter tree....
1. Start off with your local free range eggs
2. Wash, blow and save (smoked salmon and scrambled eggs for lunch!)
3. Pick your decorating props, today we have paint and glitter
4. Go go go and enjoy !

For more ideas come back later or have a go with felts, stickers, tape, glue, beads and well you get the idea anything goes x

Home Delivery

Well I'm glued! Are you?
Home delivery tonight on itv is one hour dedicated to home births.
Six months ago we experienced our third home delivery and had two amazing independent midwives with us all the way. We were asked to be part if the programme but declined, as mini#3 came 5 weeks early and hubby dipped out to put a dog on a drip it was probably for the best but I promise to share my wonderful experience in full one day with you. Happy viewing xx

LovE yOu My VaLentiNe

Mini1 is very excited; a week of pancakes and hearts!!! Two of her favourite things.
Well we did make and flip pancakes which was both funny and yummy but my favourite was the little ones getting arty with their hearts for valentine. Mini1 wishes for us to be the Love-Heart family, Oo they make you smile.
Much love to you all for a lovely day x

Love-Heart family copyright Journey of loveliness 2013

Advent 14 and 1 year on....

A different doodle today not exactly a festive one but one to mark the date that exactly a year ago today mr loveliness opened the doors to all animals in which he provides outstanding care and quality of service to everyone's best friends.
A year on the practice is doing great, we miss dadda/hubby due to his long days and only two days off in all that time but are so proud of his exceptional hard work dedication and amazing practice.
We love you x

Copyright 2012 journey of loveliness

Poke

Minimini1 is forever finding a hole and poking something into, be it a tiny hole in the garden wall, a key hole or her nose!
We usually discover her poking activities as we are about to lock up and the key won't turn or as on Friday when she turned around and pointed to her right nostril and said "baby pom-pom...gone!" At first I wasn't too sure what she was talking about as she had just finished having a medical examination by our Doctor friend (partly due to the fact that the hospital did not check her out during the early hours of the morning....another story) So as our dear friend had called to put my mind at rest it was perfect that we had a Doctor. The penny then dropped and it suddenly clicked as to what happened.... Minimini1 had poked a teeny tiny 'baby' pom-pom up her nose!, we managed to tilt her back, have a look with a torch/magnifying gadget. I ran for tweezers and thankfully the extraction took place!

eventful morning followed by farewell and hello makeries...

What a morning........
Post office visit for all the order that have piled in over the last 48 hours (smiley face)
Followed by what felt like supermarket sweep, why?
2 year old decided to kick, scream and have a major tantrum when I got her out of the car seat, continued to do so as i wrestled her into the trolley (with 4 year old hanging on the side) and screamed 'stuck...out' all the way around. I decided to approach this with an 'it's not happening' attitude as there really was not much I could do apart from give in to her and go home, frankly this was not an option.
The little one was one thing piercing me but more so was the interference, comments and raised brows of the grandparent generation, the raised eyebrows were further raised when they looked at the 4 year old (who was being very well behaved) in her full fancy dress attire and also the 'bump'.
Well all returned to calm once we got back in the disco, radio 6 on and homeward bound :)
On arrival home, minimini1 had a run round the garden with the hound before popping her up for a nap whilst mini1 and I designed and made farewell gifts ready for her last afternoon at day nursery which is fast approaching....photos to follow
We also had a little makery session with a mini family mobile-esque creation for baby, photos of this one also to follow....
Mr loveliness just arrived so off to prep lunch, be back later with pics x