turning four

Apparently Ethan had a birthday.

About four and a half months ago.

We made sure the day was all about him.

We let him choose which way to walk.

Jump in all the puddles he wanted.

He ran, stomped, was loud and free.

We threw him around till his blood was all his head.

Andy and I smiled at each other as we watched our children run and laugh.

And I was secretly (and not so secretly) thrilled that my newly four-year-old boy still wanted to hold my hand.

We then returned home to present our boy with cake...

and a cousin... (Ethan plays with older and younger children without discrimination. All will get buckets on their heads.)

and more than a few...

aunties, 

and uncles...

grandparents...

and a parent or two.

This boy. He absolutely slays me. His enthusiasm, determination and kindness are all qualities I'd love to have in as much abundance as he does. 

summer part one

I suck at consistency.

So, we had a baby.

And school is out for summer.

We're currently working our way through our summer bucket list.

Making plaster casts...

toy car wash...

bird watching (which is apparently clothing optional)...

making rain clouds, which turned into a foam fight...

bubble pictures...

potato printing...

snail collecting...

diving into your art work...

or wrestling it, depending on which child you are...

Izzy and Ethan have also discovered card games.

Oh, and there's been a lot of this:

And please excuse the unedited and often rushed photos, because seriously?!

I'm more than a little distracted.

'splorin'

One thing our family agrees on is 'spolrin', floaty skirts optional.

There is something about being outside, away from technology and out in the open, that seems to be good for our souls. 

As parents we now recognise when it's been too long since we've been out exploring. The kids get cross more easily and we feel a little trapped even in our home. 

I firmly believe that people are not designed to be indoors as much as we are, despite what English weather would have us think.

We all need a good 'splorin' session every so often. A chance to breathe more deeply and question the really important things - "like what lives in this hole?!"

And it helps me as a parent to see my children's perspective more easily. What makes them stop. Which route do they choose? What stick is best for beating down ferns.

And even when I get a bit distracted from the kids. It's only because I have this gorgeous hunk with me. 

And although my motherly instincts would love to walk first and check for holes, nettles and mud...it is so good for them to be the ones to analyse and make the decisions. And really good for me to get used to that.