House building

Sam often says to me when Bella has gone for her nap, "mummy, I think I want to do something with you" and often I'm not prepared for any creative activities. Except a couple of days ago when I had the bright idea of making a house from a large cardboard box. Thankfully, we found the box which Bella's pram arrived in and we set to work transforming it into a house. After 5 minutes of painting, Sam declared fatigue and retreated to inside the house whilst I continued to paint. He wasn't too tired to shout orders though of which colour I should paint where. I think he'll make a great project manager one day!

Park season

Playground season has started. We actually saw some other children at one of the parks - usually they are so quiet. Sam ran off to play and ended up being pushed on the roundabout by 4 girls. That's my boy :) He can be very sociable.  Sam's favourite park activity is sitting in the wooden den playing shopkeeper - local currency, stones!

So I nip to the supermarket....

...and Bella decides to walk the full length of the dining room! Assisted with her activity table she was pushing, so  not 'walking' strictly speaking, but such a momentous occasion as she does not like to even try normally. Typical! This was witnessed by Sam, Scott's mum and Scott. She wouldn't show me either. When I ask her to walk, she does this position and laughs. Yes, very funny!

My Creative Space

This last week I've been busy continuing knitting the jumper for Sam. Now my mother-in-law is here to advise me on how to pick up stitches and other technical help for a novice, I feel confident to try and get it done.

Sewing, I find much easier and have managed to make a simple drawstring top for Bella, a headscarf (with elastic to help it stay on!) and a bag for moi from my Cath Kidston  book.

More creative spaces here :)

In blossom

So much in blossom and flower at the moment. Some flowers will not last very long as Bella is de-heading flowers as she spots them. She does try to stick them back on with good intentions though.

There is a carpet of chestnut blossom petals over the driveway and most of the them with wisteria petals make their way into the house. As long as it doesn't rain it looks pretty.

Pyjama play

We're in the second week of the easter holidays and it's nice without the rush of the school each morning. Yesterday (and most mornings) the children stayed in their pj's until about 10am and lounged about on the sofa with a little play fighting involved. Bella can climb onto the sofa now and I bet most can guess who is the worst off after a play fighting session.

Holidays

Scott pointing out 2 snakes in the grass!

We had a lovely week of sun whilst Auntie Saranne and Uncle Rob visited. Sam had fun playing with Auntie 'See-ranne' and Uncle Rob and Saranne actually managed to tame Bella who doesn't normally let anyone else carry her. Bella has also developed a taste for black olives along with pasta....her Spanish root? And it wouldn't be the same without a family paella and a board game where someone can't help cheating.

Easter weekend

The easter bunny paid a visit to our house this year and placed yellow chicks in the garden. 10 chicks in fact. Sam had fun finding them and later placed them back in the garden so he could find them again. The easter bonnet came in the form of a kit from Auntie Saranne and Uncle Rob which Sam put together on the lawn. 

I have a feeling Easter goodies are not over yet. There are the many homemade chocolate eggs in fridge waiting to be eaten from the plastic moulds nana brought with her and I'm sure my parents will be visiting with some surprises too. 

Market day

It was market day yesterday. Always nice to visit the market even if we don't buy anything. We were treated to lunch at the Creperie by my sister-in-law Saranne and her husband, Rob. Couldn't resist buying some yummy macarons :)

T-shirt designs and other creations

Using building blocks and masking tapes to make a seed tray.

Making little men out of lego and lego cars

I've stopped nagging Sam to draw and paint. He doesn't ever seem too interested - only occasionally. I casually leave pens and paper around the house and sometimes he surprises me. He seems naturally drawn towards inventing things using materials around the house. However, the fabric pens which arrived the other day, were an instant hit!