Spontaneity

We woke this morning and Dan decided that he fancied going to RAF Cosford to see the planes for the day. After picking up some goodies for tea from our local Farmers Market, we made the 65 mile trip to the museum near Telford. 

Our tummies were telling us that it was nearly lunch time. Dan wanted to eat up and head home, but I suggested getting lunch on the way home, via a National Trust property, so that our day wasn't wasted. We drove up some beautiful, yet very narrow country lanes to Moseley Old Hall, a beautiful 16th century farmhouse which was used to hide King Charles II when he fled Oliver Cromwell after the Battle of Worcester.

We enjoyed a sweet little picnic in the orchard surrounded by lavender, bumble bees and butterflies. It was such a peaceful way to spend the afternoon. We walked around the beautiful gardens and woodland and learned so much inside the house. The kitchen was fully stocked as they had just provided a banquet in full 17th Century style for its historians who were in full get up for the day. We chatted with a magistrate and a gentleman about coins and books for a good while.

Louie and I had a go in the stocks! 

And to end a perfect day, Louie won a competition in the shop, being the first to find a miniature Charles II in his little house, and I was treated to this beautiful book!
Yet another, perfect day.

24

 This weekend has marked my 24th birthday. Spent with family, we have eaten out far too often, gotten frozen to the bone on more than one occasion. I was spoiled with some more lovely gifts (all opened by Mr Bee!) and recieved countless cards.
For the day, we visited Upton House, a beautiful estate encapsulated in 1930s glamour. Decidedly less colourful than our last visit, we walked the gardens, playing in the snow. Nana and Grandad were very taken with the house, enjoying the paintings and relatively mod cons!

  

We hurried home, ready for my big surprise (as outlined in the crossword!). Dinner for two, at seven, followed by a good nights sleep and breakfast at our favourite haunt, Mai Yango (which you may remember from our anniversary last year).
Compliments to the chef for the most fantastic meal we have ever tasted, followed by a bottle of bubbly and a film back in our huge bed.
A perfect birthday.

Be ready for 9 o'clock and don't eat breakfast

This morning we were up bright and early with no clue as to what our day had ahead. Anna arrived at about 9, we were ferried off into town to meet Becka at an undisclosed destination.
Greeted with a large star balloon and starry confetti all over the table, we had a lovely breakfast and then headed back home.

In my balloon!

 My lovely bridesmaids arranged a lovely craft afternoon, decoupaging wedding memory boxes! What a great idea from my wonderful friends :) I loved the story of the hat box having its own seat on the train back to Leicester....!

 I was treated like a princess with an amazing hamper from Anna, special coffee, cheese, delicious crisps, chocolates and biscuits, my word, I can not WAIT to tuck in!! And a gorgeous top from Becka (who has amazing taste...!) and a copy of the Velveteen Rabbit, these girls know me so well.

Stars, food, collared blouses and childrens books. Perfection

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 Not to mention the homemade chocolate cake which we devoured so fast that I didn't even get a photograph but guess what... it was a star. Isaac devoured two slices and even licked the plate clean, I think it had the seal of approval!

Thank you so much to my favourite ladies for spoiling me today! It was just what the doctor ordered :D

Three!

 Today my darling boy turned three. Three whole years since we welcomed our little bundle into the big wide world. He celebrated with his friends at playschool this morning before Mama took the afternoon off work to come and do some serious celebrating. Presents waited until after lunch and each one was opened with such anticipation.

 Big favourites were his Mr Bean DVDs (what can I say, the kid has a great sense of humour!) and also his big boy watch. Pappy waited until we were all finished and unveiled the big surprise, a Thomas Hornby train set which he has been itching to buy since Louie was a little bee!

 We had an afternoon at the bowling alley and Mr Bee got his fair share of strikes and half strikes, before getting a little sleepy and hungry. So we headed off to our favourite restaurant (chosen by the birthday boy) for the traditional birthday pizza.

 

  

And if that didn't tire him out enough, we came home to play with just about every new toy in turn.

What a busy day that was so much fun. Louie is so grateful for all of his gifts but he can not wait for his birthday party on Sunday! Thank you for all of the lovely well wishes from everyone :)

Roll on the weekend, spent with family and friends with LOTS of fun things on the agenda!

Christmas Hampers

 Merry Christmas everyone, this is a scheduled post, but I hope everyone had a truly wonderful day yesterday!

This year, Dan and I decided to hand make the gifts going to most of our friends and adult family members. We made a list of things that we could make with Louie that we could give, and ordered lots of everything and got cracking!

You can see how we got on here, here and here.

They may not have been quite as amazing as Becka's amazing hamper, but I hope the recipients appreciate all the love, care and time that we all have put into these little token gifts :)

Christmas Day

 Oh what a wonderful day! So many gifts for everyone, including extra special surprises! A day of playing, cooking, eating and laughing!

 So much for Mr Bee!

 And so much for me! And that isn't even all of it! Mother Hen bought Papa and I a huge box and filled it to the brim with kitchen essentials. Whisks, sieves, saucepans and spatulas, it had everything you would need!

 Then came the extra special gift. A belated engagement present from Mother Hen, a Kitchen Aid mixer of our very own. You can't understand how overwhelmed I was, I cried for a little while! Such an extravagant gift, but very, very welcomed!

Then a huge meal, cooked by Papa and I for everyone. It was just perfect! Everything from scratch and utterly beautiful! We can't wait to do it all again next year!

I hope you have had a wonderful festive day too :)
Merry Christmas!