Thursday 24 February 2022

Tomorrow You are Seven

You started counting down to this birthday as soon as Christmas was out the way, asking Alexa each morning how many days until February 25th.  I hope that tomorrow is everything you hope for.  It is your first birthday spent at school, something you are really happy about, and we have a friend coming back for a sleepover after wards so excitement levels are through the roof.

Six has been a long year - it feels like a lifetime ago that we were celebrating the end of you being five, just the six of us in our house as we were in full lockdown.  This year your world has opened back up and we are free to see friends and family.  As a six year old you welcomed your new baby brother with love and affection and became the 'middlest of the middles', with two younger and two older siblings.  


When I look back at what I wrote last year, so much of it I just want to repeat because you are that same boy, just taller, smarter and louder.  You are so intelligent, so capable and so desperate to learn, but only on your terms.  You still love music and feel it in your whole body, and you are currently planning for a career as a ninja.  You are determined, focused and I have no doubt you will get where you want to be, one way or another.  You are head strong, stubborn and know what you want.  You aren't always (ever) easy to parent, you push me to my limits, but loving you is so rewarding and I am forever grateful to be your Mummy.


Every year on this day I like to look back at pictures of how small and poorly you were, to think over what the doctors told us as we sat in special care and to remember the journey we have been on together.


Finn, you are a force of nature.  You are vibrant, confident, overflowing with personality and the world needs to be ready for you.  You frustrate me regularly but you make me proud just as often.  I hope you never stop being so unreservedly yourself.  You have come so far, you have proved everyone wrong and I will take a moment tomorrow to really remember what an amazing little person you are.

Happy Birthday baby boy, Happy Birthday Finn.  You are loved more than I ever knew you could be

Wednesday 16 February 2022

Before You Turn Nine

I feel like turning Nine has crept up on us, probably because of the strange year we have had.  I just re-read the post I wrote this time last year and I am so grateful that things have changed in the past year.  Whilst we are still in a pandemic, the world has opened back up and you have reclaimed your childhood from it.  Unlike last year where we weren't allowed to see anyone outside our house, we have spent today trampolining and eating out with a big group of friends and you have a party planned with both your friends and with your family.




As an eight year old you have been certain, loving, outraged at every injustice done to you, full of love and quietly contemplative.  You became a big brother again and you refused to look at his photo when he was born, wanting to wait instead to see him in real life.  You adore your brother, you are wonderful with him and I am eternally proud of how you handle it all. I love watching you interact with him, desperate to teach him, trying to copy the way I talk to him.  You are the easiest child in some ways, not desperate to be the centre of attention, not as talkative as the others, not as big or bold or needy and I hope you never feel like you get less attention because of this because my love for you could not be bigger or bolder or louder.

As an eight year old you still love black, blankets, computer games and cuddles but you have recently started loving books more too (as long as you have someone to read to) and your favourite place ever is the arcades. You don't always want to talk, but you love company and you are still quicker to tell me what you don't like instead of what you do.  

I want to remember how kind and loyal you are, how deeply you love, how you are so big and so small all at the same time,  the way you talk, those features that are starting to change and give me an idea of how you will look as a teenager.  I want to remember eight year old Archie before you change again.  

Before you turn nine, as I kiss you for the last time as an eight year old, I want you to know how truly loved you are.

Thursday 3 February 2022

Days out in Kent // Walmer Castle

We have had English Heritage passes before, but until recently we have never visited Walmer Castle.  Situated along the Deal Coast, Walmer Castle is a smaller castle with beautiful grounds and a fantastic place to visit with young children.

There is parking on site, although it was closed the day of our visit, and there is a car park opposite the entrance and free parking on nearby streets.  You enter through the castle and have a choice whether to explore indoors first or head outside.

Walmer Castle, Days out in Kent


The castle was built during Tudor times to help protect the country from perceived threats coming from France and Spain.  It's history involves stories about William Pitt, The Duke of Wellington, Winston Churchill and other Lord Warden's of the Cinque Ports, and was visited every year by Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother in her later years.  The interior of the castle was fascinating to explore (more for older children and adults than younger ones) and there were plenty of staff on hand to share knowledge with us.  Upstairs in the castle we could go out and see the cannons as well as looking out to see the coast of France.

Walmer Castle, Days out in Kent

Walmer Castle, Days out in Kent


The children's favourite part of our visit was the woodland walk. The natural play trail means you don't have to walk far before finding something new to climb on, swing from or play.  The beautifully designed areas kept the children entertained and we loved the information about birds along the way too, written in a way that younger children can easily take in and helping us to spot and listen out for them.  

Walmer Castle, Days out in Kent

Walmer Castle, Days out in Kent

Walmer Castle, Days out in Kent


The castle's grounds also include an incredible cloud yew hedge, shaped in the most interesting way, a kitchen garden where food for the café is grown and the QEQM garden.  Even on an overcast day, it is a beautiful area to walk around and there were plenty of picnic areas and large open spaces to enjoy over the summer too.

Walmer Castle, Days out in Kent

Walmer Castle, Days out in Kent

We visited the café which served sandwiches, sausage rolls, soups and cakes alongside hot and cold drinks. I was impressed with the options including vegan sandwiches and sausage rolls. 

Walmer Castle, Days out in Kent


Walmer Castle is a lovely afternoon out and situated close to the town of Deal, opposite a pebble beach and walking trails and a short walk or cycle to Sandown Castle.  Our children enjoyed exploring and have all requested we head back to the nature trail again soon.

Walmer Castle, Days out in Kent