Visiting Duchy College Open Farm Day!

Last Sunday I had the urge to go out and do something. I wasn't 100% sure what but I needed to get the little ones out of the house for a change of scenery (not just them either!) I was browsing my social media during my morning social media catch up (we all do it right?) and came across Duchy Colleges open day. Rosewarne Duchy college is a local college a 15 minute walk from our house. I knew that the Mini Cupcakes would love the dog shows, the birds, horses and the different games that would be there. 

  We arrived (dog in tow) and set off exploring the flowers and stopping every few moments to allow Little A to pet the many dogs going through to the dog show. We found diggers and tractors which Midge loved and Little A spotted a mini steam train so hopped on that for a ride before posing with a Massey Ferguson tractor.

Midge played a couple of games on the picnic lawn with A before we headed to the first field and watched a bit of the dog show, said a quick hello to some school friends and having a tasty ice cream. We then explored some of the farm. We only saw turkeys (I'll never eat another one, they are rather beautiful creatures!) because all the cows, sheep and donkeys were out in another field. 

We ventured down to a large field where we met Peanut the rescue pony and got to see several beautiful horses galloping up and down the field with their riders dressed up and showing off their horseback archery. You can actually go to St. Ives and visit the Old Mill Stables horse riding school to learn to do horseback archery. I adored the horses and wished there were more horses to look at. There were several more with carriages but sadly we missed that event.

We all had a really good day out at Duchy college. I do like being slightly spontaneous and really enjoyed the horses.

  As usual I asked the little ones what they thought was the best part of the day:

Midge: "I really loved the horses, Peanut was my favourite because he was a pony. I liked the games because i had fun and won two times. The ice cream was really good too!"

Little A: "I LOVED the horse bow and arrow shooting, I want to do that!" 

Cupcake Mumma

A Small bit of Countryside Fun

Last Thursday we unexpectedly had our youngest niece stay for the day so we decided to get up to something a bit more fun than just watching toy story and playing with the ever growing toys in the dining room.

We pulled on our wellies (mine complete with several holes!) and headed to the nearest patch of countryside I can get to on foot, just down the road and away from traffic. Here there a 3 or 4 fields, it isn't quiet because you can hear the busy road straight in front of you and the builders are putting up houses across the way but it's off the usual route, no cars can get in your way and well, it's the closest I'm going to get to the countryside for a long time.

We started jumping in some rather small puddles, looking up at the birds and pylons.

Then we came across some friendly (but shy) horses who allowed me to take a quick photo and I even got to give one a stroke which I haven't done in ages! So sad!

We climbed up a rather muddy hill to get to a small patch of 'forest' it's a small area shaded by trees, left to itself to grow its plants and what not and relatively free from rubbish. This is where the bridge and busy overhead road is though so we didn't stay long! We all took a slip down the slope on the way back down!

We decided to take one of the alley ways as a little change to the short and boring road way home (it's literally 5 minutes) here we found the big puddles!

It was so good to get fresh air and have fun together. We'll take Midge at the weekend because she misses out due to school. Have you been puddle jumping lately? Goodness knows there's been enough rain to get those boots on and jump in!

Cupcake Mumma

Accompanying Year 1 to Trevaskis Farm

Last Friday I put myself forward as a parent helper on the schools trip to a local farm. Despite living here nearly 12 years I have never been to Trevasiks Farm but I can't wait to go back again because it was so much fun. If it was that good for the children when most crops are out of season then I can't wait to see what it's like in the spring and summer.

We started off our trip by having a talk from two farm employees who showed the children a small selection of vegetables. I was really impressed by the children on their veggie knowledge and even when they had to hazard a guess (I did several times: Gourds anyone?) they weren't really silly guesses (some children think potatoes are tomatoes for example) so I was really proud to be a part of the school on this trip!

The classes split up and first up for our group was a guided tour of the farm. We started by keeping the children from going too nuts with the mud and helping those who had fallen victim to a few puddles thanks to their rather deceptive depth! Once that was over we started with the chickens and ducks:

Then we moved on to the poly tunnels holding grapes, strawberries, apples, aubergines,peppers, potatoes and so much more:

Then we explored the apple orchard which got a massive thumbs up from the children:

  

We saw some sheep, pigs and their piglets and a beautiful pony:

Once we returned it was our turn to line up and wash our hands thoroughly before having a tour of the farm shop and fish counter. The farms' fish monger did a great job showing the children a selection of fish and explaining whereabouts they lived in the sea. He also showed off a lot of sharp teeth and funny eyes (the fishes of course) The children couldn't get enough of it and were disappointed that the talk didn't go on to the butchers section!

We left the farm after having a snack, arriving back at school just in time for lunch. I headed in the opposite direction however, to grab a hot chocolate and a biscuit in the comfort of my own home! I had such a fantastic day with year 1 and all the staff and other helpers who were there too. What a great way to end Autumn term!

CupcakeMumma

Sunday Stroll

I know it's two days late but I've come down with a stomach bug and have two bickering children trying their best to ruin this summer holiday! Still, they're starting to get used to each other which is a good thing and all I can do is hope we can get out and about again soon!

Last Sunday we rather spontaneously stepped out the house for some fresh air and a treat for breakfast. We went to Wetherspoons for a large English breakfast before deciding to explore our town a bit. There is a slightly hidden path beside the local park that we'd never bothered with before but hubby thought it would be a nice idea if we took a stroll and find out where we end up.

Well, I'm so glad he suggested it because it was really lovely. I felt like I was going through a bit of the country again with the loose stone path, the over grown bushes and the fresh air.

We ended up in such a pretty little village called Penponds. It really is beautiful, one of those quiet, quaint villages. We found a pink painted house!

We also found a house which looked so pretty and had huge fields attached to it complete with a stable for two horses. This horse was so big and handsome, Midge and Little A were a little taken a back by how big she was!

We walked under Pebponds bridge where shortly after we saw two trains zoom over us. Little A was so excited, every train is Thomas to him you see. We then walked up a little more and came to the villages local church. Such a lovely little church.

We spent a lovely afternoon just the four of us out and about getting some fresh air and discovering new places. I wish I could live in that village! It was a bit rubbish though coming back to my home on the bus station road and right around the corner from town. Ill never be a town kind of girl. Ill always dream of my lovely little house in a quiet and quaint village.

CupcakeMumma

Our Cambridge Holiday

Now I've had a couple of days sleep, I thought I'd share some of the highlights from our family holiday to Cambridge. For the most part we had wonderful sunshine but sadly did get caught in one rather heavy rain storm when we adventured into Cambridge. This happened to be one of the best days for me though because I got to meet my pen pal and social media buddy of six years Kerrie! It was ace and the children all got on too which was lovely. 



For 2 days we enjoyed a small music festival listening and dancing to local bands to the small hours. We camped in a caravan, had outdoor camp stove dinners and breakfast with the birds early in the morning. In the photo above you can see one of the very cool camper vans that turned up for the weekend. Hubby and I always get jealous when we see these! Midge playing with one of lawn games. My cousin selling her homemade items and supper of cereals in a mug: yum.

One of the acts was a Samba Band local to Cambridge. They were my favourite act and had everyone dancing.

When almost everyone had gone we took over a second caravan and joined in coffee mornings outside and visiting more family who have recently moved near by. Midge and Little A went exploring and we all had fun going on some countryside walks. We were pretty sad to leave but had a wonderful time.
I took some photos as we arrived at the train station in London and the view from the Taxi. I'm such a tourist, I love it! Midge fell asleep on the way to London on Daddy and the only photo of me on holiday was this one of Little A and I on the way to Kings Cross!

I want to thank my Aunt and Uncle for once again opening their home to us all. We had a lovely time and miss them very much already. Ice House 2015 here we come!

Cupcake Mumma

Back From Holiday and Cheerful!

Hello! I am back from our 5 day break to Cambridge with family and feeling very good indeed! I'm missing the countryside a little but am grateful for the town today as I have had some success with my charity shop scavenger hunting. There is such a thing as being too far out in the sticks after all!

I thought I'd ease myself back into blogging with a lovely Reasons To Be Cheerful post. You can check out the rest of this weeks happy blogging community, by heading over to Mummy From The Heart.

1) We had a fabulous holiday, so it seems fitting to have this as my number one reason to be cheerful this week. We got back in the early evening of Wednesday and have been all go today. It was so wonderful to see my family,who I miss so very much already. I loved being surrounded by green, green and more green! There were birds to listen to in the morning, owls to hear at night. The caravan was comfy after day 3 (when my parents vacated the larger one!) and the children had an absolute wonder of a time!

The bottom field where the 'Beyond The IceHouse' music festival was held

2) We have a new addition to the Cupcake House! Meet Missy, our lovely kitten. She's very playful and
always up to no good so her original name 'Petal' was quickly thrown out in favour of a more fitting name for her! I am in love already...she doesn't know her jabs are due next week and that she's on the list to be 'done' as soon as she's ready and I'm sure once she finds out she won't be loving me so much for a while!

3) My Little A is talking more and more since he has come back from holiday and Midge has gained confidence with animals since being surrounded by them for days on end. She used to be really frightened of dogs, but since the holiday she has been a lot calmer around them and so have I come to think of it.

So, short but sweet (I like to think!) I've come back wanting to get started on my garden, to sort the children's bedroom so it is finally a perfect place for them to relax and rest. I also have plans to freshen up the rest of the house, start some homemade gifts to maybe sell in the future and get started on at least 2 Holistic Therapy courses. Phew!

Hope you all have a wonderful Friday.

CupcakeMumma

A Change of Scenery

You know when you stay in the same place for just too much time you start getting a bit fed up? That's how I felt on Friday so I called Mum and said instead if coming to mine, how about I come to you with the children? So a plan is a plan and myself, Midge and Little Man set off about 11ish on Saturday morning to Mum's and Dad's place leaving the Husband behind to play his football match.

It was so good to be somewhere more peaceful. To be able to pop to the local charity store with my sister and be able to leave the house open because no one comes around and it's much safer. I live in the town so there are obvious reasons I don't do this! Mum and Dad live just up the road from a harbour in a lovely village. Although I couldn't live in their house (it's too small for me, I find it 'pokey' in some places) it's such a lovely place to escape to for a bit.
Here is my purchase of the day although sadly missing the final doll it brings back a bit of my childhood and it's lovely to watch Midge play with them.

I managed to use my Dad's computer to upload my wedding photos which I am really pleased with so now I can send them off for printing. There are some lovely photos which will make nice Christmas gifts too which will come in very handy! I made some lunch for everyone, a very new dish chucked together consisting of mushrooms, cream and pasta. Dad grows a lovely herb garden so he suggested I use some of the fresh Rosemary instead of the dry bought stuff I use at home. It really topped it off!

A lovely wedding snap

I sat outside with the children watching them play. Midge was digging in the garden a bit, Little Man was on the rocking horse which is now nearly 23 years old but due to lack of space lives in the green house in his old age. He's still going strong!

It was really good to spend a bit of time with my sister because in roughly 3 weeks she'll be off to university and not back until December so it'll be weird but I'm sure it won't be that hard to get used to. We're all signing up to Skype now which is great. Mum and I are sorting out a little something to give her before she leaves which hopefully she will love but I can't tell you any more as she has recently followed my blog!

I had a lovely day and the change of scenery did a lot of good, not to mention the fresh air. When I arrived home the children were so tired they didn't fight bedtime which meant Husband and I got some quality time together. We looked through our wedding photos, had a late dinner (I was naughty and went for my pasta and mushroom dish again!) Husband had an even naughtier pizza. We watched some TV, had a nice chat and I gave him a good massage to soothe his poor pulled muscles! I got a back tickle in return so it's not all bad! Oh and had a rather yummy toffee apple- I must  get some of these in for Halloween!

I hope you all had a good weekend what ever you got up to. Have a lovely, relaxing Sunday and while I'm saying goodbye, how about popping over and signing up to my Mug Swap? It's always lovely to receive a gift in the mail!

CupcakeMumma

Missing...

If I close my eyes during a peaceful moment I can instantly transport myself to my happy place. A place where I felt safe, happy, free and at peace with myself. I'm taken back to the wonderful, untouched beauty of the country side where I used to live.
I have always lived where there are trees that look as if they touch the sky, or where there are so many snuggled closely together sharing their branches, leaves and flowers. There were long, long winding roads, or sometimes straight ones that seemed to go on forever before you reached where you wanted to go. Sea in the distance, fresh crisp air, bugs and rabbits, foxes and birds were great photography opportunities whether they were crossing what must seem like a never ending path, perched on top a snowy gate or quickly hopping across a empty field briefly pausing to see the goings on before diving back to the sweet little young waiting down below the earth.
Yes I miss the county side.
I'm missing taking my daughter out to the local beach, hoping on the bikes where Other Half would pop her into a seat placed on to the back of his bike. We'd all take off either direction as we lived near two beaches: one with sand and one with pebbles! Both equally as fun! 
I miss leaving the house to walk the quiet lanes, or down to the woods where I could sit on the little wooden bridge thinking hard about my problems, my fears,my hopes. Solving things which caused me distress, day dreaming of the future with my family, or simply letting off steam after a row. I always came back fresh with new ideas, apologies or re newed energy...
Now I live in the town. I really dislike it.
I'm so very grateful for the house I live in, how I am so much closer to everything I need from essentials like school and food to the little extras like the local library or a nice children's play ground.
For me though, the country side WAS my play ground. Every single day! You can run so far, be so free, climb tress, hide behind masses of flowers,tall grass,see all kinds of different creatures. Nature really is the best play ground.
Some people will disagree with me, but boy racers, drunks,police tapping on your door asking if you 'saw anything between the hours of such and such', people blasting music from their car stereos gets more than a little annoying when you simply are not used to anymore than the noise your baby and toddler produces!
I also miss my sweet natured daughter. She changed the day we moved from all the fresh aired freedom. She doesn't get to just open the door and bolt into a big, bright green garden in the nude anymore! There simply aren't any fascinating bugs and creepy crawlies to spot crossing one side to the other. The best you get out here is a wasp or a bee, and even then you're lucky! 
Well, that's just how I feel and boy, does it feel good to get it out! Maybe now I can concentrate on finding little ways to bring the country side back to the girl!