Sunday 21 December 2014

Oh Xmas tree


Some pics of our Xmas tree... a tree we very nearly didn't have, seeing as we've had a broken down car for the last few weeks and no way of going to pick one up. But we got one in the end, just one week before Xmas (which may be the perfect amount actually). Arlo had a LOT of initial interest in the baubles, which soon subsided after he realised they don't do much that's fun, and now he is very non-plussed by the tree. Which is fine with me because I am the opposite - I am VERY plussed by it. Pride of place is Arlo's hand-made tree decoration that he made on his last day with his childminder for the year (I suspect he may have had help). First of many homemade decs that will be added each year I hope.



Friday 12 December 2014

Friday I'm in love... with feeling impulsive


I've been feeling a little flighty lately. Like I want to do something different, try something new, break the routine. Not that we have much of one! A few ideas that have crossed my mind this week, fleetingly or otherwise, include:
  1. having pink hair. Because why not?
  2. getting a kitten. Because we've been doing a lot of sofa snuggling lately and a kitten would fit right in very nicely. And because Arlo has got a lot of kitten love to give.
  3. or maybe getting a whole box of kittens?
  4. painting our ceilings blue, like this dreamy bathroom I spotted.
  5. buying more fresh flowers. An under-rated joy in my opinion.
  6. painting again. Something for Arlo's bedroom wall like this lovely alphabet print.
Time will tell how many of these things actually happen, but for now it's nice to daydream. Mostly about pink hair.



Saturday 6 December 2014

Front room before and after


This afternoon we played Wuthering Heights really loudly on the record player, put up Xmas decorations and lit a fire. It was a pretty magical combination. I took a few snaps (taken while it was dark outside, so a little fuzzy round the edges!) and it made me think of how far this house has come since we've lived here. It's been just over a year since we bought it, and lots has changed.

Looking at these quick photographs of the front room reminded of what it was like the day we moved in. Not great. I managed to dig out a couple of pics I took at the time. The main wall was orange. The worst kind of orange. It was one of the first things we changed, and it took about four coats of brilliant white to get rid of it. then last weekend I fancied a change so we painted it soft grey, to match the rest of the walls in the front room. Only a few shades away from white, but TOTAL transformation, it's so much cosier now. The snaps below make for a little 'before, during, and after', so you can appreciate the horror of the orange that came before. And look out for teeny tiny Arlo in the bottom of the first pic, the day we moved in - only four months old! Does anything feel more homely than white fairy lights? I think not.





Wednesday 3 December 2014

Time off


I've just had a day off work. As I work part time, and it ran into a weekend, it actually ended up being more like the best part of a week off work all in all. It was nice. I tried to fill it with all the normal kind of fun things that I always would have done when I lived in London and had a day off - Xmas shopping, seeing friends, catching up on rubbish TV. Arlo and I spent a lot of time at home hunkering down because he had a cold and had teeth popping through and lost all sense of whether it was day or night and thought 2am was an acceptable time to get up and demand cartoons. So we spent some nights awake and some mornings snoozing on the sofa together and it all merged into one a bit.

So last night, the night before I went back to work after a bit of time off, I suppose usually I would've felt a bit glum, have a bit of the 'work blues' and wish for just one more day off to relax. And I suppose this morning as I settled in at my desk with a cuppa and the radio on, I would've felt refreshed after the break. I didn't feel either. I felt knackered. I felt happy to be back at my desk. I felt like today was my day off. 

I don't know if it's 'wrong' to admit this but I love being at work. It's what I've always done. It's for me. It's structured and it's a known entity that I have control over so I always know where I am with it. Being a parent is not really any of those things. I think I'm meant to want to devote every minute of every day and every ounce of my being to my child. But I don't really want to. I want to give my absolute everything to him when I'm with him, but I want sometimes not to be with him. I need the times without him to make the times I am as brilliant as they are. To appreciate every bit of them like I do. He's amazing and has changed me in many good ways and I miss him when he's not right next to me (that includes literally as soon as he falls asleep each night and I miss him so much I want to go into his room and wake him up just so we can play) but I really need the separate times too.  Is that Ok to say?





Sunday 30 November 2014

Things I'm thankful for - an honorary Thanksgiving list


So it was Thanksgiving this week, and although that's not something I celebrate, I love the sentiment. So instead of letting life rush by, I wanted to take a moment to be thankful for all kinds of good good things that I want to remember this week:

  • Hair. specifically Arlo's. Because he has grown his first little curl! It's right on the top of his head, and I know it to be very cute. After a year and a half of being a baldy, he's looking so grown up all of a sudden. (Exhibit A: this picture above that captures said curl. Bookshelf arrangement needs some work).
  • Sofas. New pink ones. After going on and on about new sofas (and specifically pink ones) for ages, we finally plumped for one. I never thought a new sofa could rock my world as much as this one has, but for the first time we can all three of us fit comfortably onto one sofa, which makes for for some very nice cuddle scenarios. Last Sunday we had a sofa marathon that included Wallace and Gromit, cheese on toast and comic reading, and it was the BEST. (Exhibit B: arm of said sofa peaking out in picture above).
  • The promise of the Xmas break. And not just for all the daytime boozing and pyjama wearing, but also for two weeks of all three of us off work and hanging out together, doing all kinds of family pursuits (i.e. daytime boozing and pyjama wearing). 
  • New music. Got this this week and we can't stop playing it. All kinds of nice play-while-you're-cooking type sounds.
  • Santa Claus. I had a realisation this week as I bought bits and bobs for Arlo's stocking: this year, I AM FATHER CHRISTMAS. It's our job to do the stocking thing now, and it's not a responsibility I'm taking lightly. I expect practice stocking 'stuffs' will need to be done to get the present order vs. lump ratio just right, because that stuff's important!
  • Lights. Seeing them pop up day by day in front gardens and rooftops as we get closer and closer to Xmas. God I love fairy lights. I love that they're decorations you put up for everyone else to enjoy, rather than yourself. Gives me the warm and fuzzies to see them twinkling away.



Friday 28 November 2014

Friday I'm in love... with kid-friendly Xmas trees


OK, I apologise in advance for another Xmas post, there might be a theme developing here...

I have been having an internal debate with my own mind for the last week or so about this year's Xmas tree. I'm torn between two options. Either the usual massive, sparkly tree full of the baubles I religiously buy from Liberty every year (the Liberty Xmas room is as close to god as I get), but that Arlo will no doubt try and manhandle every minute of every day, OR a small, reserved tree up high somewhere that will stay in tact because he won't be able to reach it, but ultimately I fear won't be big enough to be a true physical representation of quite how much I LOVE Xmas.

What to do? For inspiration, I've been looking at Xmas tree alternatives that will be more kid-friendly, and good old Pinterest has delivered - what did we do with our spare time before there was Pinterest?!? All these festive ideas, and more, can be found here.



Monday 24 November 2014

Busy doing nothing



   

Just lately I've been working a little bit more than usual. I'm not complaining - I love my job, it's good to be busy and the extra cash is VERY welcome four weeks (four weeks!!) before Xmas - but I've definitely noticed the difference. After a particularly long couple of days in London for work, a quiet day with Arlo and my mum was very welcome. We didn't do much in particular; a winter walk, park visit, trip across the river on the chain ferry for a spot of shopping... that's the best thing about busy work days - they make you really appreciate the quiet 'nothing' days.



Tuesday 18 November 2014

Raincoats and red cups




We headed out for a walk last weekend on what was a pretty grey and drizzly Sunday. Alex and I picked up coffees on the way for the journey, and Arlo insisted on carrying one of our red cups round with him the whole way (empty of course - that boy has enough energy as it is!) Halfway through, the rain came, which was the perfect chance for Arlo to test out his new raincoat. Arlo's favourite part of the walk? Making friends with the dozens of dogs we met along the way. My least favourite part? The similarity of the woods to the Walking Dead set - I was imagining zombies lurking round every corner. Might have to stop watching that show for a while!



Saturday 15 November 2014

The sound of silence


I am sitting in a quiet house, being quiet. I would call it a silent house, but I can hear the sound of the rain tap tapping on the window outside, which is an even better sound than the sound of silence if you ask me. This is a pretty rare occurrence, due to Alex going out for the evening, and Arlo sleeping soundly upstairs. Usually I'm one for noise - radio on in the background all day long, TV on to fall asleep to, favourite albums on repeat when I'm working from home - but this evening I'm just really savouring the quiet. It's unusual. It's calm. It's really nice actually.

The pic above I took today, and captures another calm moment - watching Arlo and Alex feed the ducks / watching Alex try to stop Arlo falling into the duck pond. We're having a quiet family weekend so far - the most fast-paced part of our day today was building a den in the kitchen out of chairs and sheets and I plan on doing nothing more vigorous than that tomorrow either. Quiet weekends are the best.



Friday 14 November 2014

Friday I'm love... with a wish list for Santa

By the way, it's nearly Christmas, in case you weren't aware? I usually get quite over-excited about the festive season anyway, but as this year will be Arlo's first where he *might* be able to get a bit excited about it too, I just can't wait. I've been looking for inspiration online this week to decide what to get him, and may have just bought one of the above things for him to find on Christmas morning. But I'm not going to say which, JUST in case he learns to read in the next five weeks...

one: I've been meaning to get Arlo a height chart for ages because he just seems to get taller and taller, and this one is really lovely

two: this is something Arlo needs probably more than wants, but the boy still doesn't have much hair and it's getting cold out there! These guys make the most amazing range of hats (and other knitwear) that I've just spent a good while pouring over. They're a) based in the US and b) pretty pricey as hats go, so it's fairly unlikely that Arlo will be discovering one of these under the tree, but really bloody gorgeous all the same

three: so sweet, and Arlo hasn't ever had a rocker before so I'm intrigued to see if he likes it

four: I love this Brio train set for incorporating so many of the things Arlo loves to do - stacking, pushing along little cars and trains, building with blocks

five: given the amount of time Arlo spends in our kitchen cupboards, taking things out and putting them back in again, I figure a little kitchen of his own would be a big hit

six: these bright blocks come in more unusual shapes than most, and are fair trade too so what's not to love?

seven: this is on the list for no other reason than it looks mega fun!



Sunday 9 November 2014

Guilty pleasures

My sentiments exactly Dave. Although probably a bit less sweary, because I'm not allowed to swear these days. (Picture in the background is from Halloween eve when we danced around the kitchen to Thriller)

I've been dropping Arlo off at the childminders for almost exactly a year now. For quite a while he'd have a little cry as I left, and that felt pretty horrible, even though I know it only lasted seconds and he'd soon be distracted by all kinds of different fun. Then for a while he wouldn't even look back at me because he was so excited to see his pals and try lots of new toys. That was obviously better, but still made me feel a bit glum as I set off for the day.

But on Friday this week something so lovely happened. Arlo understood I had to go, said "bye bye" with a wave, gave me two kisses, and gently closed the door behind me. I like to think he was letting me know he's cool with it, happy to be hanging out with his pals for the day, and knows I'll be coming back to collect him later. It felt good. I never ever feel guilty for being a working mum - it's  what the whole family needs and has been such a good thing for us all for many different reasons - but on that day I definitely had more of a spring in my step than usual when I set off for work. 

I try not to use the word 'guilt' too much in general. I try not to feel it much either. I don't want to make myself feel bad for spending some days at work instead of with Arlo, or for watching some trash tv at the end of a long day, or for having a delicious hot chocolate if I want one. I've never really understood the term 'guilty pleasure', because isn't that just something that's a pleasure? Pleasures are there to be enjoyed, not immediately regretted. I hear some mums talk about 'guilt', used in reference to everything from their working choices to not being able to get their kids to every birthday party they're invited to. We're all prone to it from time to time, but I think we could all be a bit easier on ourselves. We're all doing our best to navigate all this stuff and we should all be proud of that.

So rather than guilt, I'm trying to find pride on a daily basis. After all, I have to be doing something right. So now I try to be a bit less "I wonder if Arlo will be emotionally scarred for life because I'm not there with him every moment of every day?" and a bit more "My child has a clean face today - high five!" or "I finished my work to do list - big up!" or "We all managed to sleep through the whole night - pat on the back time!" (That last one is just an example. But I live in hope.) It's easy to focus on the bad things and beat yourself up about them, but if you look you'll find lots and lots more really good things to be proud of. So high fives to you too.



Monday 3 November 2014

Soft play day





Some pictures from a little trip we took across the water to visit my sis and her little boy Archie a few weeks ago. There were lots of things to entertain Arlo over the course of the day, from top to bottom:

1. A trip on the train where he sat on the little table, nose to the glass, and and watched everything whizzing by.
2. The chance to cuddle Archie in the ball bit (he's all about the cuddles).
3. The soft play 'disco room', full of all kinds of lights and shiny things - just look at his little intrigued face in the pic!

I had one very tired boy on the way home - a day well spent.



Saturday 1 November 2014

One year, six months


It's the first of November today, which is significant for a few reasons - it's officially Xmas NEXT MONTH (eee!), I don't have to set eyes on another pumpkin for another 12 months (phew), and it's also exactly one year since I went back to work after having Arlo. What started out as a six-month maternity leave has turned into much more than I ever thought - being a working mum has made me so happy, and that in turn makes for a happy Arlo, and happy Alex too. A year ago today I was a sleep-deprived, seriously forgetful new mum who was a worried she'd forgotten how to do a full day's work, and now... well, the first two haven't changed much but I definitely didn't forget.

But that's not the only mini anniversary happening today - the 1st Nov also marks exactly six months since I started this little blog, with this here Very First Post. Just look at little mini Arlo! The pic above I took today - what a difference six month makes. It's really nice to look back at the pictures from this day back in May, when we were all excited for the start of summer, and think that it might have been forgotten about if I hadn't made a little post about it here. This blog has helped me capture lots of lovely moments over the last six months, and along the way I've had some really nice notes from people who actually read and and say nice things about it, which is a total bonus and always makes me smile, so fanks pals :)



Friday 31 October 2014

Friday I'm in love... with progress


No, not the Take That album, the concept. Sometimes things feel like they're stalling around here. We are busy with things that make it easy to let other little things slip by the wayside. Keeping in touch with friends. Reading that book I got for Xmas. Taking up the curtains that still drag on the floor every time I open them. It's easy to forget the little things when life takes over, and even easier to put them off in favour of crashing on the sofa back to back episodes of The Walking Dead after a very long day.

But slow progress IS progress. That's what progress is. You have to start somewhere. Just start.

This week we've had our spare room in complete disarray, with walls torn down, holes in walls and floors and dust. Dust everywhere. We've both been working, we've had an Arlo who doesn't want to sleep through the night, and had family visiting. So we probably could have been excused for leaving the DIY for a while until things get a little less manic. And believe me sanding and cleaning and painting are not my favourite things to do, but we've forced ourselves to get on with decorating and we're getting there. Yeah we're about one tenth of the way there, but that's got to be better than nowhere, right? I've made a promise to the family (because we all need the room to be functional and not covered in dust, after all) that I'm going to do something every day. Even if it's painting one floorboard. Or another quick hoover to get the day's fresh layer of dust. Just anything to feel like we're moving in the right direction. Because all those little bits of time will eventually add up to a room we can actually use.

And this new ethos (also known as 'just bloody get on with it') does not only apply to floorboards. It applies to everything - work, hobbies, housework, LIFE. It's a new thing I'm trying, instead of trying to do everything at once and feel bad for not keeping on top of it all. Because slow progress is still progress after all.




Wednesday 29 October 2014

Walking this weekend #2





We had family staying this weekend from London and we couldn't think of a better way to spend a Sunday than a classic country walk and Sunday pub lunch combo. It was wintry and blustery as we walked along the coast, with Arlo holding his Grandma's hand along the way, and asking to be swung by whoever else was close by enough to hold his other hand. I love the last picture above where everyone is turned to face Arlo, as that's what it was like all weekend really - he had lots of attention and adoration from his Grandma and Aunty all weekend and he loved it.


Sunday 26 October 2014

Proud to be an introvert


Source: 10 comics every introvert will understand

Breakfast conversation this morning turned to someone who was described as 'shy'. I read somewhere this week that 40% of the population are 'shy', (I would link to the piece if I could only remember where I saw that stat - who knows if it's actually true!) because 40% of us are apparently introverts. Cue me trying to explain over eggy bread what it means and feels like to be introverted, and why that's different to just being 'shy'.

I feel like the term 'introvert' used to be a dirty word. Something to be embarrassed to admit to being. I can remember feeling very offended when someone described me as introverted years and years ago when I started uni because I thought of it as a by-word for socially awkward, shy or boring. Until I learned more about how the introverted mind works, I suppose I just thought I was someone who was quite shy around new people and enjoyed my own company. Then I saw things like this that were so spot on that I they felt like they'd been drawn just for me. Next time I get myself in a muddle trying to explain what it feels like, I'm just going to show them that.

Having a little look online about the term 'introvert' and the way introverts are represented has made me a bit miffed actually - it's lazy to just say that introverts are quiet, or like to be alone, without understanding why that is and that it's only half of the story. I love socialising, spending time with friends and meeting new people, but I genuinely find being social tiring. That's why I was always the person happy to leave the party in time for the last tube home (most of the time anyway) and leave everyone else to take the party on elsewhere.

So of course I wouldn't describe myself as 'shy', I'd say quiet. I wouldn't describe introverts as antisocial, I'd say we enjoy our own company. For me, quietness and space is the loveliest.

So then I got to thinking (not a Carrie Bradshaw reference) about parenting and what it means if you're introverted and like your own space and quiet time and not always being around others, because guess what? Being a mum is basically the opposite of all those things. And it changes you all of a sudden and very quickly. Maybe that's why I found it so hard in the first place, having no time to myself whatsoever. I think I'm getting the hang of it now, but it took some getting used to. And I tell you what, having a few mins to myself to write something like this with a cuppa is the kind of thing that keeps me sane. That and nap time.

I haven't done a very eloquent job of explaining the benefits of being an introvert (there are lots, I promise!) but this beautiful animation does a very good job, have a little look see.





Friday 24 October 2014

Friday I'm in love... with sofa searching


Clockwise from top left: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4

The main event in the Lewis-Wild household this week has been all kinds of demolition happening upstairs. We've ripped down a partition wall that's turned one weird bendy beige-carpeted corridor and one weird tiny room with no window into one big empty room with tonnes of natural light and freshly sanded wooden floorboards. The floorboards are going to be grey, with white walls everywhere (have I mentioned that I love white walls?!)

As well as office space for me when I work from home, we've now got space for a proper spare-room set up with a sofa bed for guests when they stay that can also be a second living room type set up. Which means new things must be bought and much pinterest-ing must happen along the way- we need a sofa, art for the walls, a lovely colourful rug...

...actually, maybe I need to look no further - I just need everything below. The pink sofa. The black and white cushions. My intense love for coffee made official via the use of enormous metal lettering. And the dog. OK mostly just the dog.







Sunday 19 October 2014

Discovering puddles






Because I'm in the middle of a couple of a busy work weeks, and Alex was demolishing certain parts of the house all day on Saturday (walls have come down! Before and after pics will follow, I promise), our family weekend this week has boiled down to one day: today. But what a today it's been. The weather has been ace and we drove across the Island to Bembridge, which although only being about half an hour away, is the furthest you can drive on the Island without hitting water, which for the average Islander might as well be the other side of the world. My mum called while we were over there and exclaimed "Bembridge! That's a VERY long way to go for a walk" as if we were on a different continent or something.

Two thing happened in Bembridge: we ventured out along a long thin bridge that lead out to a building on stilts where they keep the local lifeboat, which Arlo LOVED, and then we went for a wander which is when Arlo discovered the joys of puddles.

Wellies went on. Steps started off gingerly at the edge of shallow puddles, dipping in a toe first to literally test the water, but soon enough he was racing through them, wellies full of water, falling over all over the place, mud on hands, mud on face, mud in mouth... it was brilliant for ages and then it really quickly was terrible in a way things quite often are for toddlers. There were tears and a park bench for a quick change of outfit before heading out for lunch at our favourite place. A whole weekend squeezed into one brilliant day.


Sunday 12 October 2014

Oh HAI autumn





Should seasons have a capital letter? Is it Autumn, or autumn? I'm never sure. Either way, it's here. Arlo and I made the most of a short dry spell in what was otherwise a dreary grey rainy day this week to head out to the park for a run around and explore. It's so nice to have lots of space just around the corner - I've never appreciated space as much as I do now that he likes to run around everywhere!



Friday 10 October 2014

Friday I'm in love... with hibernation


So it's definitely autumn. There were a number of clues this past weekend: It rained almost continuously. The heating was put on for the first time. We made a big pot of vegetable soup. I started to feel Christmassy.

I'm really pleased to welcome autumn. We had a weekend of hibernation last week - no plans and lots of time to spend together. We changed things around in Arlo's bedroom so it's all cosy and warm for him. Here's some of the things I want to make happen over the next few weeks: cosy reading nooks / blankets books and and tea / collecting for Xmas / fires in the wood burner.


Sunday 5 October 2014

The thing about weddings.

Image found here, via Pinterest, where else?

We went to a wedding last weekend. Spirits were high, everyone wore their prettiest dresses and shiniest shoes, the bride and groom were a happy and handsome couple, and Alex and I even got to have a baby free night of dancing and prosecco drinking as we had a babysitter. It was the best day.

Except. I lost count of the times someone asked me "so when are you getting married?" a close runner-up was "so when are you having another baby?" as if either of those things are a fait accompli. Because of course they aren't.

We share a mortgage. And a CHILD. A whole human being is reliant on the two of us looking after him to make sure he is able to stay alive and grow and be happy. Rest assured that's not something we chose to do lightly. We can't live without each other and have no intention of doing so for the rest of our lives. But somehow, I feel like people don't think we're "proper" if we're not married.

A response I got from one party-goer when I said we had no plans to was "How modern!" as if we were doing something really cutting edge. In truth, getting married just doesn't come very far up the list of priorities for either of us right now; we're not religious, we're busy, we're happy, and things don't really need to change in any way.

And it's not that I particularly mind being asked, but it's just... isn't it a bit rude to assume? "Do you think you'll ever get married?" is a lot different to "so when are you getting married?". People seem surprised when we say that we aren't even thinking about having another baby any time soon. Would everyone be so open about personal questions in other situations? Would it be OK to ask a single person at a wedding "aren't you ever getting married" or "so, do you not want to have kids?" Isn't this kind of stuff ultimately just up to us to decide? As Alex said the day after, it's like people assume that if you choose not to have a second child, it's because you're not that keen on the first one. How about we are basically taking each day as it comes because we're still figuring out this parenting stuff and we have enough to keep us busy right now?

What I've learnt: not to assume everyone wants to follow the same path. There's lots of different ways  to get through life, and agreeing to an (arguably) antiquated, Christian tradition where a woman has to promise to 'obey' her man (ok, ok, I know not all vows are like this these days, but the ones that are - I can't bear it!) for the sake of it, is not the only one.

Tell you what though, there is one true incentive to get hitched - the excuse to throw a massive party with all your favourite people in the world all in the same room just for you. That's a once in a lifetime experience, and every time I go to a wedding I feel so high on all the love that's flying around, it really is ace. So maybe we'll pretend we're getting married just so we can get all our mates over for a big party? Who knows. For now, it 'aint broke so nothing needs changing. Thanks for asking.


Friday 3 October 2014

Friday I'm in love... with new walls please


As I've said before, I have a thing for white walls. They're clean and crisp, make a space feel lighter and brighter, they make your furniture pop and are very low maintenance. But lately I've been really hankering for some walls with a bit more going on, and I've been losing myself (and lots of time) on Pinterest looking at pictures of lovely wallpaper. I don't even think number five is technically wallpaper, I think they've just stuck lots of colourful tissue circles to their white wall. It's like constant confetti, how lovely is that?

You can find all of the above wonderful walls (and many more) here




Wednesday 1 October 2014

Things I'm thankful for - the London edition


It's 2 o'clock in the afternoon and Arlo is sleeping. As I said in this post, he's not always the best sleeper, so a napping Arlo is definitely something to be thankful for. We're back from a trip to London and trying to get things back to normal, from sleep patterns to washing to food shopping and all those other boring things.

We had such a lovely trip and there's been so many things happening that I want to make sure I don't forget them before I move on to the next thing, so here's Things I'm Thankful for - the London edition:

  • Weddings. God I love a good wedding. It's the best, happiest excuse for a party and it was wonderful to be at Alex's bro's wedding this weekend. AND I'm helping my sis plan hers, to much excitement.
  • Confetti. How can you not be happy when there's confetti around?!
  • Babysitters. Aex and I have had a night of manic dancing, dinner with friends, and a trip to the cinema all in the past week, because lovely people have looked after Arlo for us. 
  • Being mega busy at work. Because it makes you truly appreciate the weekend, welcoming it like an old friend with open arms.
  • Alex and Arlo's relationship. It's been getting stronger and stronger and it's so lovely to see them hanging out. Arlo doesn't need me all the time any more, and it's part and parcel of him getting bigger. That's both scary and amazing, and it's taking a bit of getting used to.
  • TV. The good kind. I've always loved TV, but lately it's been so rubbish (apart from GBBO, obvs) and I've been hankering for something new. But now we've discovered True Detective - it's one of those series that's so good you text each other in the middle of the day just to say "I CAN'T WAIT FOR TONIGHT SO WE CAN WATCH TRUE DETECTIVE" (and yes you write it in caps because it's THAT good).
  • Plus a miscellaneous list of other things that I have been thankful for this week: dim sum, wedding cake, Radio 6, disposable cameras, prosecco, picnics, friends, family.




Sunday 28 September 2014

Indian Summer









The first day of Autumn has officially been and gone, but it's still summer here on the Island. And we are determined to make the most of it. Arlo and his friend Isla had a play date on the beach last week, running round, playing with stones and exploring the beach huts (which included an attempted break-in, see picture four). They each took it in turns to follow the other around for a bit, with the one in front always looking back to check they were being followed. These two have been friends for (almost!) their whole lives and they play in the sweetest way.

Dear Summer, please stay around for a while so we can have more days like this one. Fondest, Poppy & Arlo xxx