This Week

 Improvements in the garden. Growing broad beans, strawberries getting big and finally some colour.

 A super duper shopping trip instigated by Dan!

 Quiet country drives exploring our neighbouring villages.

An after school National Trust trip to Stoneywell. 

 Our first meal from our garden.

Calke Abbey Tracker Pack

Yesterday we visited Calke Abbey on a whim, we were in the area and Louie suggested we visit one of our favourite places. Upon arrival, a kind lady gave us a 'traker pack'. These rucksacks filled with things to do are available from most National Trust properties and provide your little ones with something to keep them occupied and focused on their visit.

Louie was thrilled to be given a back pack with so many fun things inside. After our picnic lunch, we consulted the treasure map (even though we both know the whole of the property like the back of our hands) and set off on our travels.

Our first game was the busy bee board game. A game to teach children about bees, honey and pollination. We made do on the lumpy bumpy grass and Louie adored the little bees. He is just old enough to have the concentration to play these kinds of games now and the hidden learning is beneficial for Louie starting school shortly.

 Next was the 'Seasons Eatings' game. Trying to figure out which veggies were ready in which month was a little tricky, even for me, but it was good practice! Guessing the season wasn't a problem though, thankfully!

Then came Louie's favourite bit, the basket of soft fruit and veggies. Louie carried the basket around the kitchen garden looking for which plant would produce which fruit or vegetable. This was easy peasy for Louie, but we went around and around the garden anyway, identifying all of the different varieties grown inside the garden.

First up was the orangery, I wonder what was grown in there?

After completing all of the activities in the pack, Louie decided to play with some logs left by a path. He had a go at making a little teepee type den even though there weren't nearly enough skinny logs. He decided to make a see saw instead but had lots of fun in the process.

Lastly we paid an overdue visit to the house. Louie was given an i-spy sheet with a list of things to find, something in each room. Being the only child to visit all day (apparently), each room guide made such a fuss of him. He always learns something new talking to the Calke room guides, he is such a lucky boy.

So maybe next time you visit a National Trust property, ask for a tracker pack for your children and I am sure you will have a superb visit with a difference!

Harvest Festival

Today was a beautiful day to spend celebrating the harvest and the first day of autumn. The sun shone and the shorts and summer dresses made what is probably their last appearance.
We took Papa Bee to one of our favourite places, Canons Ashby for their victorian harvest festival for an afternoon of picnicking and wandering around the beautiful grounds. 

Shopping Spree

 Duplicates of Teddy's nose, Starbucks for a late morning coffee, painting the ceiling with Grandad, birthday flowers for Mother Hen, baking with The Smiths, playing with the dolls house and chalk board at the restaurant and spending an hour making meringue for the birthday cake.

All of the above in the photograph came to £5.40. What a bargain. Peaches, Bananas, Clementines, two punnets of Strawberries,  a large dish full to the brim with cherry tomatoes, more grapes than would fit  sensibly in any vessel and two melons.

Goodies for me and the bee. Two new jackets, a new tweed and a navy blazer. Getting ready for autumn and looking smart in the process. A pair of smart trousers for photo work, desperately needed these! A cute outfit for the boy. All courtesy of Zara kids, the only good thing about being too petite for normal clothes. And some CDs I have been meaning to pick up for ages, The Smiths and Radiohead. Nostalgia night waiting for Papa Bee to come home.

New Favourite

Leek and Potato Bake... mmm!