Heartlands Fun and Church Fates!

In Cornwall there is a new heritage site which is already attracting so many people it's brilliant. Little Miss and I decided to head off on Sunday to join in some of the fun! As it was Sunday I knew the buses were far and few between and besides, the main theme for this summer holiday is to be as cheap as possible as with most families, we just don't have the pennies to spare right now!

So, we headed off, the walk was probably a couple of miles but we arrived in good time. After a 5km walk for Race For Life it seems a little walk to Heartlands from home was nothing for Little Miss! It was bloody hot though!

We had a brilliant day paddling by the Red River Cafe, dipping our feet in pool, getting some face painting done and playing in the park (the highest priority) we even took part in a scavenger hunt and Little Miss did colouring for the RSPB and I learnt some interesting things from the lady running the stall.

The River by the cafe is great fun for children (and adults!)
to cool their toes!

In keeping with the 'Muddy Toes' event we jumped in the puddles

I love the cartoon butterfly- never had one like this!

What a snazzy bike!

Showing off some fab moves!

We stopped off at the fish shop on the way home to give
ourselves a break from the walk ahead!

 We also went to our local church fate at the weekend which was a lovely way to kick start the holidays. Little Miss won a couple of prizes, a small blue teddy (helped by the kind man on the 'stall') and a little pink pony (they let her swap! How kind!). Both of the children had fun on the bouncy castle which was all enclosed just in case the weather took a turn for the worst!

Thankfully it didn't rain at all. We toured the inside of the church which Little Miss loves doing. I explained for the hundredth time about how the wedding would take place and we allowed Little Man to walk about exploring everywhere! He loved hiding in the pews and quite enjoyed the large thrones!

It was a really lovely day, the sun shone the whole time and we had a brilliant family day out. Oh, and i even started the day with a rather scrummy cooked breakfast made just for me by The Man *big grin* 

Having fun in the bouncy castle! I didn't think he'd like it but
he loved it!

Very happy with her prize

This had me in stitches!

A very yummy breakfast indeed!

Birthday with Paradise Park Cornwall!

It was Little Mans' first birthday on 19th February so as a pre treat we went off on Saturday to Paradise Park located not too far from where we live. We chose to hop on the train myself, Little Miss, Other Half, Little Man and my sister all very excited.

Little Miss dressed up as a pirate for the Parks theme for the half term week. The staff really made an effort. There was a treasure hunt set up but because of the rain we decided to put a stop to the park tour and figured we'd come back at Easter for the Easter egg hunt they're putting on.

We saw some parrots and spent a while at the penguins. We got to see them fed and it was nice to see a number of toddlers being lifted over the wall to help feed the penguins their lunch. Little Miss was going to join in but the thought of putting her sandwich down to help some animal with their lunch was just a little too much to ask. Little Man enjoyed watching these wonderful creatures but you could see his brain ticking, trying to figure out exactly what these funny, waddling birds were.

That's when it started to rain. No actually-pour! We sat under a lovely wooden gazebo for a while eating our picnic (me being thrifty) before deciding to call it a day and head to the play barn. Lets face this is where it's at.

We had a great time and even though we left early it was no bad thing. Little Man had a couple of naps, we took lots of photos and had no tantrums. Result! I'll leave you with some photos of our day out. Please check out Paradise Park if you're ever down this way!

Cupcake Mumma

Pretty.Little.Things Favourite Winter Accessory

Last week I participated in this new meme from MummyDaddyandmemakesthree.. and Dear Beautiful Boy. Last week we saw lots of newborn outfits which was great. I love cooing over cute little newborns and as my niece is staying firmly in her mothers' womb for the 40th week I shall probably take another sneak peek at my son in his coming home outfit haha!

Anyway, on to this week. We are posting pictures this week of our favourite winter accessory be it a hat, scarves, wellies or a nice cosy snow suit. I've gone for hats this week as my 2 little ones love wearing their hats, they're so alike and of course, hats speak winter to me more than anything. I practically live in mine after all!

Why not link your photos up by clicking the lovely badge below and showing off your favourite winter accessory? It doesn't have to be your child's either, there could be something rather nice of yours!

Hannah

The Gallery

This week of The gallery is 'My Awesome Photo'. I have tonnes of awesome photos (in my opinion) of my lovely little family. My beautiful girl, my gowing boy and my wonderful fiance and I have a few photos we have taken together. But in all honesty I am happiest when I am capturing nature...Flowers, birds, animals simply anything that catches my eye in the place it belongs hence why this photo of a beautiful swan is my personal Awesome Picture. Swans are such lovely birds, they come so close to you in the park where I took this and they are so peaceful to watch. I really love this photo.

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!

Can't Wait To Try Out My New Recipe Book!

My Mother In Law To Be came up trumps today by turning up with this great Gluten Free cookbook, another great find from The Works store, I knew there was a reason I loved them so much! Now, if only they accepted Love 2 Shop Vouchers....

I'm pleased to say I have finally got back my baking bug! It scuttled off some while ago but since I started blogging and seeing all these fab meal plans, photos and how so many people are so adventurous with their cooking I finally feel like I want to cook and bake again. I find it very hard being on a restricted diet. Everyone has a nightmare remembering what you can and cannot eat, you have to always read the labels on your food which always makes uncomfortable in the store, not to mention  it's harder to get the knack of cooking without certain ingredients. I can't wait to get stuck in to this book and look forward to sharing the results!

Also today I managed some great finds in my local charity stores. I got a new fruit bowl, slightly smaller than my very 'out there' pink mixing bowl which will hold a nice big Christmas Truffle! Yummy. I picked up some baby vests as Little Man is growing fast and I hope to pick some more clothes up from a mum on my local Netmums site so another bargain there I would think. I got myself a light up door decoration for our Halloween party next week for 75p and a teddy for £1 which is in really good condition still with tags on so I plan to wrap this up for Little Man for Christmas- Never underestimate what people donate to charity, you can find some great items these days which are indeed perfect for an occasion of any kind. I have no care that people may find my 'odd' or 'stingy' they can go and buy the same or similar object for twice the amount if they so wish!

I also used some of my long awaited Love 2 Shop vouchers today that I had been saving up for since the beginning of the year with Park catalogue. I didn't like parting with them much but at least I can cross a fair few people off my list and I looked out for offers and bargains whilst trying not to compromise too much on quality for the person in mind!

Anyway, will upload my finds tomorrow, for now I look forward to planning my write up to Life Circle Part 3, Writing Workshop and also planning my post for The Gallery whilst struggling with The Scavenger Hunt!
Ta Ta!