Spring is in the Air // Frugi

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We got soaked by the rain today, totally out the blue but still I see the signs of Spring everywhere.  The sky is turning a brighter shade of blue on those days the clouds part to show it,  the daffodils are blooming in the park, standing bright and tall, letting us know the ground is about to bloom into colour and there have been the odd days over half term when we could play without a coat (still wrapped up in layers of course, just one less).

On one of those days I popped to the park with the little two dressed in some organic clothes that Frugi had sent us from the latest collection. Cora absolutely adores this cardigan and has shown it to everyone since it arrived and her dress is perfect for spinning in.  Finn loves all the rainbow bits and his trousers zip away to become shorts when it gets even warmer - brilliant multipurpose attire for a child who has to wear school uniform now so we need to make sure we get plenty of wear out of his home bits!

Of course Cora brought a baby with her (Azabelle) as well as her 'Mingo' bag, both of which were quickly discarded so she could run around with her brother.  They love the wildness of this nature garden, the long grass, the small pond and all the dog statues that are dotted around.  We caught snatches of afternoon sun which made everything brighter and we had a picnic of biscuits whilst we watched the birds flying over head.

I know how quickly the weather can still change in February.  Every year we seem to get these glimpses of warmer weather before it disappers as quickly as it came, but even if there is another cold spell, the promise of Spring is hanging in the air, and those Daffodils are planted solidly in the ground around us, not afraid of anything,

 Sizing - Cora is a petite 3 years 7 months and wearing 3-4, Finn is an average size and 5 next week wearing 5-6

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A Spring Weekend

There is something so beautiful about each season and I made the decision when I had children to stop having a favourite, and to appreciate the little things each time the weather changes.  The excitement of snow and frost has gone, Christmas feels like a distant memory and it has all been replaced by blooming flowers popping up everywhere we look, the grass turning a healthier shade of green and that familiar warmth that promises summer is on the way.

I am an outdoor person whatever the weather, but with four small ones some things are just a bit much in the winter.  In the spring it all seems a bit easier, there are so many options, so much to explore and it becomes easier to go out earlier and stay out that little bit later.  

Last weekend in the absense of any plans, we revisited a beautiful local gardens with a museum attached.  We are lucky enough to have lots of local parks, but this one is so clean, dog free and full of things to explore.  I took my camera along to capture some pictures of the bigger boys in their new shoes as Bobux kindly sent us some of their new Kid+ range (they now go up to 7 years!) and I love the images I took.  They capture spring in all it's beautiful glory and the adventures we will be having for the next few months.

The boys love their Bobux shoes because the barefoot soles mean they can really flex their feet as they run and climb.  There are some low hanging branches and trees that are perfect for little adventurers and they kept them entertained for ages.

Inside there is a museum full of animals and artifacts that they love looking at.  The highlight is the interactive room though full of instruments to play and stations to draw at complete with mircrosopes and fancy lights. (If you live locally this is Quex gardens and Museum).  It was a great place to calm down before heading home and there was something for everyone. 

The weather still seems to vary so much daily and there is still plenty of rain but this is what our Spring weekends will look like I hope - full of colour, sunshine and fresh air.  

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The End of Winter

Somehow Winter always seems like the longest season.  I know that just like Spring, Summer and Autumn it lasts for three months, but when those months are cold, wet and usually full of snot, it can seem to drag.  Spring is on the horizon and the temperature seems to be picking up already so we have been busy enjoying it.

The beach is my favourite place to go, I love the space, the smell, the freedom, how it soothes my soul.  At this time of year it is pretty much deserted, but it still holds so much beauty, it still captures my children's attention for hours and we still come home with that sand in our socks, glow on our cheeks feeling that makes me think of the summer.  

There are things I love about each season and as Spring begins, I am looking forward to being outdoors more, rediscovering our favourite places, not coming home until dinner time because it is still light, shedding our coats and some of those layers and moving more freely, the beautiful yellows and greens that are suddenly appearing in the parks, bringing my Saltwater sandals back out and painting my toenails pretty colours.  

Winter is ending and I will miss the warmth of walking into a heated house after an outdoor stroll, the excuse to drink hot chocolate with cream and marshmallows every night, snuggling under blankets on the sofa and watching the frost settling on the windows. 

This was the Winter that Cora learned to sit, that she tried her first taste of food.  It was the winter Finn started sleeping better and putting more words together.  It was the Winter that Archie turned 4 and grew tall enough to press the buzzer at preschool.  It was the Winter that Dylan got his confidence in the water and wrote all his own Christmas cards.  I am excited to see what Spring will bring.

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What the Boys Wore - Tootsa MacGinty SS16

For two weeks now, I have had all three of my babies at home, and it has been amazing seeing them all together.  There always seems to be something going on at the weekends and we all needed time to just take things at our pace, enjoy each other's company and have our own adventures.

These three boys are the best of friends (although they can fight like only brothers do), they love to be together, but they all have such different personalities too.  I always loved the idea of dressing them matching, but as Dylan is growing up and Finn still feels so little, I don't find much that seems to span their ages and come in all the right sizes too.   

Tootsa MacGinty's Spring/Summer collection features beautiful brights ready for the sunshine and as soon as I saw these raglan sleeved tops, I knew they would be perfect for my boys.  Each one is unique, but they slot together so perfectly, they compliment each other, much as these three little personalities do.  

Dylan loves the colour blue, he wants something a bit 'cool' (his word not mine) and this lolly tee was a huge hit.  Archie suits yellow, despite or maybe because of his beautiful hair and this is my favourite style of top on him.  I love Finn in real brights and the watermelon is seriously cute (and I love how fruit is all over clothes this season). 

The bold colours look great as the seasons change and the 3/4 sleeves help transcend spring and summer too.  Finn was also sent some leggings and I chose the 'Tour de France', partly because dogs riding bicycles is pretty fun and partly because the two cuffs are different colours, one the exact yellow of Archie's sleeves and the other the blue of Dylan's.  I love that little touch and we already know how fantastic their leggings are.

The fit on the tops is on the smaller side, depending on how you like to wear them.  Finn is a pretty average 13 month old and is wearing 1-2, Archie has just turned 3 and is in 3-4 and Dylan is a big 4 year old in 6-7.  The leggings are quite generous, Finn has the cuffs rolled on these and they will easily last him beyond his second birthday (they are age 1-2).  He has some in 6-12 months that still comfortably fit, but the style of these means you can wear them a little looser and they still look great.

Every item here is completely unisex which is perfect for us with a baby girl on the way.  Tootsa is designed to last and be passed down and I have hopes that the blue lolly top will be worn by all four of my babies at some point.  I love how their clothes are designed for children, with movement and comfort in mind.

We are back to just weekends where we are all together now, although hopefully the brighter evenings and warmer weather means we can make the most of after school time.   I love watching their relationships change and develop and it is going to be even more hectic and exciting when we add baby no.4 into the mix!  For now I get to spend a little extra time with this baby of mine, whilst he is still the baby.

Thank you to Tootsa MacGinty for sending us these pieces, we really love them all

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An Easter Outing

This year the Easter weekend has seemed even more special than usual.  I have two children old enough to know what is going on, a little one who can have his very first taste of chocolate and the promise of two weeks with no school run and my biggest little boy at home,  Over the long weekend we managed to fit in some spring cleaning, catching up with friends, quiet time in the house, family time and an Easter outing too.  The winds blew, the sun shone, the chocolate disappeared pretty fast and three little boys were already asleep as their heads hit the sheets each night.

Easter Monday was the day we had planned a day out and despite the fact the wind had howled all night (and blown over our fence panels), the sun was still shining and we needed a day of fresh air.  We headed to our local Wildlife centre as it has something for everyone and had such a lovely day that we all came home smiling.

I love seeing the big cats but we seem to spend the longest time in the reptile house as the big two are fascinated by lizards, snakes, crocodiles and rodents.  It works out well if you manage to time it so that you are in there whilst it rains and enjoy the nicer parts of the day outside though.

We love this park as it has a playground inside that has so much to do and we spend just as long climbing and sliding as we do looking at the animals (and there is a soft play inside so that Finn can get out the buggy or sling and explore too).  There are also ride on electric trucks that they have to have a go on each time we visit.

I can't wait to spend two whole weeks with my favourite small people now, especially considering that when the new term starts Archie will be doing more hours at nursery and our time together will be even more precious. 

How was your Easter Weekend?

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