Louie in 2013

January

Playing with our Christmas gifts and baking cakes, I will never forget that little face, baking first thing in the morning.

February

 We will never let you forget the time you flung your armbands off and jumped in the pool with Becka and I at the other end... twice!

March

Showing off your new coat. You ate half of the bread for the ducks!

April

That day we did three museums in one day. 

May

We blew dandelions and did so much colouring that warm day at the meadow.

June

Strawberry picking. You won the record for biggest strawberry, for about 10 minutes!

July

Graduating with honours. Could I be any more proud of you three beauties?

August

One of the many days at Calke with our closest friends. You pair stole all of the bricks for your construction site. We had the loveliest ice cream too.

September

The nicest day of our Cornwall holiday. It was 'sort of' warm and we played in the water for hours.

October

I won't forget one of the highlights of 2013, our trip to Anglesea Abbey. The day I didn't get lost despite a road closure and traveling through several counties, just you and me. You were miserable all day but we had a lovely time regardless. 

November

One of our new favourite places, Packwood House. I love your newest hobby of photography. 

December

I love when your hair grows long. You look like our little Lion. 

The Three Fishes

It has become a tradition that between Christmas and New Year, we visit the Three Fishes, Mitton (Lancs) for lunch. It is a beautiful pub/restaurant that we stumbled over about 4 years ago on a little drive.
The food is just out of this world. We started with the bread selection and Dan had salt and pepper Squid and I had a posh Scotch Egg, an egg encased in a Christmassy stuffing. For our main, Dan had the most delicious Rib Eye steak, seasoned and cooked perfectly. I had my favourite cut of beef, blade, with spicy red cabbage and mash. They honestly get better each time.
We love that they use only local ingredients, serving local cheeses and ales and also that they are so child friendly. We would both highly recommend if you are in the area, you won't be disappointed.

In His Element

Our little bee was very, very lucky to receive two Playmobil sets for Christmas from two sets of Grandparents. He has been utterly absorbed in the Playmobil he already has (from last Christmas) so he was so pleased with his new additions. The Gold Mine will go so nicely with the Western set he already has and the Pirate ship, well we can't wait to get the motor so that we can pop it in the bath for him!

Towneley Hall

A wintery excursion to the local stately home for a kick about with Papa's school friend and his little boy :)

Christmas 2013

It was a hectic Christmas this year! My camera has been rooted in my bag with far too much going on to take any photographs! We woke early eating the homemade chocolate and clementine brioche for breakfast before tucking into our mountain of gifts. Then it was a swift journey up to Burnley for some more gifts and Christmas Dinner. Mr Bee received some beautiful gifts, he has been a very lucky boy and we are all incredibly thankful :)

Play Time

With Christmas fast approaching and my terrible legs being all sore, I do apologise that my posts have been few and far between.

I have been off work all week and we have still been busy busy busy. This past week we have had afternoon baths, played with the playmobile for hours and hours and hours on end, Louie had his first Christmas play (in which he refused to participate...). Dan and I had a trip to Nottingham for his work Christmas Party, we had a fantastic evening and a lovely stay followed by a morning shopping. And then of course, Anna, Isaac and Alistair spent the day with us and we made biscuits that turned out horribly! But now we are about ready for Christmas Day to arrive.

A festive brioche loaf is proving, soup is bubbling away on the stove and the boys are playing in the loft with all of the old toys.

Merry Christmas dear readers :)

This Week

It has been a funny old week. Last week of work before the holidays (just one day to go!), baking bread, enjoying hearty soup and making christmassy treats, even though the Christmas spirit is just not sinking in this year.
Friday I finally had my first physio appointment which has crippled me for the weekend! Today we had a hobble around Calke Abbey for a visit to Father Christmas. Mr Bee was stricken by shyness and wouldn't look at Santa, let alone talk to him :(, aside from that, he has been a little angel all weekend.

The Lion

Louie The Lion
I mean, just look at that hair!

Playing with Pappy

The Limeyards

Today Pappy had the day off so we had a very rare, mid week family outing. A trip to Calke Abbey to explore the Lime Yards, a brand new walk for us to do. It was a stunning, brisk walk, with the grass still crisp and dewy.