Thursday, 31 May 2018

Me and Mine in May

I have had so many opportunities to get a family photo this month, but it took until about 6pm today to actually get us all in front of the camera for a last minute snap and I think you can see how tired we all are! May has been a month of sunshine (mostly) and showers, beach trips and shorts, sunglasses and pimms.  It feels like we waited forever for this half term at the very end of the week and now we are just impatient for that long six week break we know is coming.

May has been quietly busy and whilst we haven't been anywhere special, we have been out a lot, spending most of the month outside at parks, beaches and woods.  The children have spent all their spare time in the garden which is slowly getting to how we want it and there have been more muddy knees and grass stains than I can count.

This was the month we decided to give potty training a go for not one child, but two.  Both Finn and Cora are now wearing pants and most days it is going really well, although it is definitely a slower process than with their big brothers.

So here is our family photo for May and a little update on us all


This month I have loved a bit of childfree times, watching 'Life of the Party' at the cinema, seeing how well my babies are doing at potty training and being barefoot at the beach.

Ed has loved seeing his friends at a wedding, choosing a reusable coffee cup (a bigger deal than you can imagine!), bbq weather and gardening with the children,

Dylan has loved hatching baby chicks at school, ice cream at the beach, making fruity (bear) yoyos from scratch and reading Horrid Henry's bodies book.

Archie has loved digging up mud in the garden, playdates with his friends after school, lots of outdoors play and pork pies.

Finn has loved going on the big slide at swimming, choosing his big boy pants every morning, the roundabout on the beach and having tea at nursery.

Cora has loved outdoor baths in the garden, playing with her little cousin Oscar, playing chase with her brothers/friends/anyone that will get involved and taking her babies for walks.

We are all hoping the sunshine returns for June!
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Tuesday, 29 May 2018

What the Kids Wore // Nununu

Ed and I met at a rock music festival and we seem to have passed on the love of music, metal and dancing to the children.  Archie asks for heavy metal as soon as we get in the car and Finn and Cora will dance to just about anything.  I love Nununu clothing as it reminds me of Ed and I when we first met.  Their summer range is fun, playful, minimalist and perfect to rock out in.

I took these photos on the way to the beach earlier in the week and they make me think of what is to come in the teenage years.  Cora's potential boyfriends or girlfriends will have three big brothers to convince and I think they are going to be pretty protective of her!  They already call her their princess (A term I really don't like and never use) and this black dress is the perfect princess dress for this little fierce girl of mine.  The inside is soft and comfortable and the netting makes it super fun and girly.

Nununu summer, black clothing for kids, punk rock princess, themummyadventure.com

Archie is a big fan of having his letter on a t-shirt and this vest is perfect for the summer and with a big A on the front, you can't go wrong! The shorts are comfy and cool and will be perfect for protecting his knees if he learns to skateboard this summer (He is desperate to learn)

Nununu summer, black clothing for kids, punk rock princess, themummyadventure.com

And Finn's long shorts remind me so much of the boys in my teenage years.  They have a slightly distressed look and I think he looks awesome in them! I tried to convince the boys to stand the other way round in the photos so it read A to Z but these children know their own mind and were having none of it! I love the way they came out though, these determined little individuals, full of character and rocking their Nununu clothes.

Nununu summer, black clothing for kids, punk rock princess, themummyadventure.com

Nununu summer, black clothing for kids, punk rock princess, themummyadventure.com

Nununu summer, black clothing for kids, punk rock princess, themummyadventure.com

Finn Wears 3-4 (his normal size), Archie is in 4-5 (he is usually in 5-6) and Cora is in 12-18 months (her usual size) and we find this dress quite slim fitting.  I find their sizing pretty true and their clothes are really hardwearing. We already have a lot of Nununu in their wardrobes and love how well it wears and how versatile it is.

Nununu summer, black clothing for kids, punk rock princess, themummyadventure.com

Nununu summer, black clothing for kids, punk rock princess, themummyadventure.com

You can see more on the Nununu website.  These clothes were gifted to us in exchange for this blog post but all thoughts and opinions are completely my own.

Nununu summer, black clothing for kids, punk rock princess, themummyadventure.com

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Monday, 28 May 2018

An Ordinary Day at the Beach

These four, they are a team.  They are a little gang of small people, the leader often changes as do the dynamics and my gosh do they like to squabble but underneath it all is a friendship that nothing will break.  They have their own personalities, strong opinions and unique perspectives but together they are strong and I love watching the way they react to each other.


This was just an ordinary half term day but we had no plans and the sun was shining so the beach seemed like the obvious choice.  Ed was working and so it was just this gang and I which always prompts comments every few metres as we walk to the coast about 'having my hands full' (I totally do!).  We had the wagon packed with buckets and spades, water and swimwear and we had nowhere else to be.  

I think the freedom of the beach always puts them in a good mood.  The sea and sky seem endless, there is nobody showing them how to play or what to do, they are just given tools and left to create their own games.  I think their favourite at the moment has to be throwing rocks into the sea.  I will never understand how it can create so much enjoyment and entertain them for so long, but they can't resist the temptation of throwing and watching their rocks splash in the cold British sea.  They run in and out of the waves, kick the water in the air and splash with their fingers and they smile and laugh as they do it.

The day wasn't all perfect, but this moment was and looking back, that is what I want to remember.  The way the big two competed, both thinking they had won, the way they encouraged their younger siblings, showing how to throw underarm, and the way they praised them for trying.  The way they giggled as they did it, Archie doing a silly dance in between each throw.  The way Cora counted rocks 'three, three, three', the way Dylan checked them all thoroughly to find the best ones and the way Finn picked only the biggest ones, telling me he was so strong every time he lifted one.

As much as I love recording the big moments and the milestones, I wanted to make more of an effort to write down the little ones too and I hope one day the children can look back on the memories we made and remember the fun of their childhood.
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Sunday, 20 May 2018

What the Kids Wore // Angel and Rocket

  It feels like we have been waiting forever for this sunshine and I am desperate to make the most of every minute as the memory of the long winter is still so fresh in my mind.  We have our favourite hangouts with climbing trees, woodland walks and dens to explore and the boys wore their new t-shirts and shorts from Angel and Rocket on our recent trip.

The big two have spent all week in school and they love the freedom of roaming free.  They are natural explorers and Archie especially loves to climb.  Our favourite park to explore is a private one that we have a membership for.  There are no dogs, the park is so clean and they have named the different areas.  There is the climbing tree (obvious), triceratops trunk (a huge fallen knobbly trunk), the secret garden, the drop slide tree (still not sure about this one) and the rolly hills.  I took my camera along on a recent trip and got a few pictures of them playing in their new clothes.

I don't tend to do full on matching, but matching t-shirts make head counts a lot easier! These cactus ones suit all three boys and they love the soft green and bold front and the print on the back.  The biggest two are wearing Angel and Rocket shorts too which look super comfy.  The boys are wearing age 4 (Finn aged 3) ,6 (Archie aged 5) and 8 (Dylan aged 6 but very tall) and I find the fit is more 'up to' ie size 4 fits as 3-4. The quality is fantastic and everything is washing really well despite my children's love of mud.

angel and rocket, boys fashion, themummyadventure,com

angel and rocket, boys fashion, themummyadventure,com

angel and rocket, boys fashion, themummyadventure,com

angel and rocket, boys fashion, themummyadventure,com

angel and rocket, boys fashion, themummyadventure,com

angel and rocket, boys fashion, themummyadventure,com

angel and rocket, boys fashion, themummyadventure,com

angel and rocket, boys fashion, themummyadventure,com

angel and rocket, boys fashion, themummyadventure,com

angel and rocket, boys fashion, themummyadventure,com

We were sent a few other items, including another set of matching t-shirts that again are perfect for all three.  I don't find it easy finding clothes to suit a three year old toddler and a nearly seven year old but these tops are great! 

angel and rocket, boys fashion, themummyadventure,com

angel and rocket, boys fashion, themummyadventure,com

angel and rocket, boys fashion, themummyadventure,com

angel and rocket, boys fashion, themummyadventure,com

Angel and Rocket have a gorgeous collection of childrenswear for boys and girls from ages 3 to 12 years. You can see more on the Angel and Rocket website


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Thursday, 17 May 2018

What the Kids Wore // JJMB Elmer Collection

Elmer is one of those classic characters that people of all generations will recognise.  The multicoloured elephant is iconic and fun and the star of Jojo Maman Bebe's new range.  They sent us some of the items including the beautiful striped dress that Cora is wearing and the reversible hoody on Finn.  They also sell a variety of Elmer toys and books including the building blocks featured.  

We love the quality of JJMB clothing and these Elmer items are amazing.  Finn has loved showing everyone his Elmer hoody and Cora has been pointing out their matching elephants constantly! The bright colours work so well with the classic stripes too.

The new range also includes a summer romper, leggings, t-shirts and pjyjamas for 0-6 year olds.  We find the sizing quite true (Cora is wearing 12-18 months which is her normal size and Finn is in 3-4 as an average sized 3 year old). 

Elmer Jojo Maman Bebe, Elmer kids clothing, themummyadventure.com

Elmer Jojo Maman Bebe, Elmer kids clothing, themummyadventure.com

Elmer Jojo Maman Bebe, Elmer kids clothing, themummyadventure.com

Elmer Jojo Maman Bebe, Elmer kids clothing, themummyadventure.com

Elmer Jojo Maman Bebe, Elmer kids clothing, themummyadventure.com

Elmer Jojo Maman Bebe, Elmer kids clothing, themummyadventure.com

Elmer Jojo Maman Bebe, Elmer kids clothing, themummyadventure.com

Elmer Jojo Maman Bebe, Elmer kids clothing, themummyadventure.com

Elmer Jojo Maman Bebe, Elmer kids clothing, themummyadventure.com

Elmer Jojo Maman Bebe, Elmer kids clothing, themummyadventure.com

Elmer Jojo Maman Bebe, Elmer kids clothing, themummyadventure.com

Elmer Jojo Maman Bebe, Elmer kids clothing, themummyadventure.com

After the children had finished playing with the toys, they climbed on to my desk chair and asked to be spun around it was the perfect match to their clothing! 

Elmer Jojo Maman Bebe, Elmer kids clothing, themummyadventure.com

Elmer Jojo Maman Bebe, Elmer kids clothing, themummyadventure.com

Elmer Jojo Maman Bebe, Elmer kids clothing, themummyadventure.com

Elmer Jojo Maman Bebe, Elmer kids clothing, themummyadventure.com

Elmer Jojo Maman Bebe, Elmer kids clothing, themummyadventure.com
PIN ME!

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Thursday, 10 May 2018

Blackgang Chine on the Isle of Wight

We first visited the Isle of Wight twice as a family and both times we took a trip to one of the island's most famous attractions - Blackgang Chine.  Blackgang Chine is a unique place, built along a crumbling cliff top, set firmly in the past and combining lots of different and unrelated zones, I have spent a lot of time wondering who came up with some of the ideas! The moment you walk in you feel like you have gone back in time, but it is a fun day out for all the family and if we visit the island again we will definitely go back!

Blackgang Chine, isle of wight

It cost us £80 to enter as a family of four (under 4s are free so we didn't have to pay for the little two ) and we spent a whole day there (11am-4:30pm) and got to see the whole park.  

Our favourite 'zone' is the Cowboy area which is set up as a mini street with different shops and buildings to play in as well as things to climb on, sit in and a cafe.  All four loved running around and exploring and the nachos were delicious.  There is a bin that talks to you when you put rubbish in, coffins to 'try out for size' and lots of little quirky things to discover.

In the centre of the park is a play area that consists of two pirate ships, both with guns that shoot water across at each other.  They are connected by a walkway and there are some swings on the side.  The boys loved battling with the water guns and Cora loved exploring.

Blackgang Chine, isle of wight

Since our last visit about two years ago, they have added an underwater kingdom which was fun to walk through with a singing crab, coloured lights and a giant whale at the exit.  We also visited Rumpus' mansion (a mansion that has been taken over by naughty gremlins), the crooked house, a fairy castle, land of the Dodo's and a dinosaur walkway.

We got lost in a maze and all four children were spun around many times on the pirate barrells ride.  The day we visited was overcast and chilly but dry and the park was really empty so they could go on as many times as they wanted.  There was a bouncy walkway which I thought was really entertaining and the park is set with a backdrop of beautiful sea.  

Blackgang Chine, isle of wight

Blackgang Chine is the UKs oldest theme park which first opened in 1843 but the attractions have been moved several times as more of the coastline (including the original chine) has fallen into the sea.  Some of the attractions remain unchanged since as early as the 1960s and it all adds to Blackgang's eccentric charm.  If you visit, make sure you explore fully.  We almost missed some of the strangest sights like the little pet shop next to the pirate ships which was entertaining for us all and the talking bins never fail to raise a laugh.  Make sure you sit on the bench with gnomes at both ends and listen to their conversations too!

We loved our visit and seeing the new attraction, even though the Weather Wizard from our last visit is no longer there .  I think we will definitely return because really, there is no place quite like it!  Unfortunately my camera battery died very early on in the day so I have very few photos but there are plenty more on my post about our last visit to Blackgang Chine 

Blackgang Chine, isle of wight

Blackgang Chine, isle of wight

Blackgang Chine, isle of wight

Blackgang Chine, isle of wight

Blackgang Chine, isle of wight

Blackgang Chine, isle of wight

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