Sunday 3 May 2009

two wheeled wonder..............

Can somebody explain to me why our (or is it all?) children become hysterically giddy at bath time each and every night. Or why wearing a pair of green pants on your head whilst chasing your older brother round the bed is ever a good idea..............it always ends in tears! Phew, kidlets are now safely tucked up, the cider has been poured and peace and quiet has descended upon us.

So, how are you all? Enjoying the long weekend? Ours has been stretched out by a couple of days, Ian took two days off last week and we managed a trip to Malvern without children........bliss! We had a civilised lunch, wandered around the bookshops and antique shops without the need for eyes in the back of our heads, and enjoyed a leisurely coffee. Forgot the camera of course, but Malvern is a lovely place, views to die for and fantastic people, well worth a visit.

The rest of the weekend so far has been a quiet one. A trip to Burford for lunch yesterday, where I met the lovely Rachel from Rubyred. It's always so strange when you first meet a fellow blogger, almost as if you belong to a secret society, but within seconds we were chatting about blogland and everyone within it.

Today will be marked down in our family life as a momentous one. Kitty took the plunge and this happened...................


............a cautious start


..................a helping hand from Daddy


.................and she's off!


.................one very happy little girl and two ridiculously happy and proud parents.

Meanwhile big brother whizzed around the park, darting amongst the trees and working up an appetite for ice-cream.



Living here for a while means that we take this park for granted a little. Sometimes familiarity means that you don't notice just how beautiful a place is. Today whilst I waited under this tree, guarding Ian's bike and cameras whilst he chased Kit round the lawns I realised again why we love living here. This particular park is within five minutes walk from our front door and it really is a lovely place. Huge trees, two wonderful lakes, a few animals to feed and a pretty tea room make it near perfect really............



I had to finish with these pics of our own Gok Wan, confident of her own style and becoming more stubborn about it each day. This girl knows what she wants to wear, and she doesn't want any of it to match................


What's a mother to do?? And look at those little stripey legs finished off perfectly with gold shoes and an Ikea shoe horn used as a walking stick. Love her to bits!

28 comments:

Attic24 said...

Ahhhhhhhhhh We did the exact same bike thing last wkend, and after a minor wobble, Rosie also managed it alone. I was chuffed cos she was still 4yrs old at the time (albeit 4 days before her 5th bday)...doesn't it make you feel ridiculously proud indeed?!
Enjoy the rest of your wkend Julia...
Love to you
Lucexxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Claire said...

I always say to Steve my hubby that children are like scatty cats at tea time and bed time, now we have a kitten I can confirm it :)
I was in Burford on Thurs, visited Bicester village first then stopped off at Burford Garden Company, oh my goodness, even Steve got excited about the size of it and the gorgeous plants and everything else they sell, spent so long in there we didnt make into Burforfd itself!! Will definatly go back there!
A huge well done to Kit and I love her style including the medal and shoe horn!
Enjoy the bank holiday!!
Claire x

Tanya Willis Anderson said...

Ah, those training wheels days - I remember them well. LOL Great pictures and lovely blog you have - I enjoy my visit everytime.

Tanya

Bobo Bun said...

I think putting them to bed without tea would work. Completely exhausted and then you feed them and sugar levels soar so they zoom around again until bath and bed. Yes we all have lunatics in our homes when we're dreaming of peace and G & T's.

Great park by the looks of it.

Lisa x

prettyshabby said...

Kitty looks like she's pulling an amazing wheelie in the third picture! I love her fashion style, My Harry used to put together some amazing clothing combinations when he was that age too.I had to remember to keep a straight face sometimes as he would get most upset if I questioned any of it!! oooh we had some strange outfits!Glad you had a nice stroll around Malvern,it's not bad really, is it.I've spotted all your gorgeous makeovers below..ooh how I love your new bedside table..LOVE IT. x

Frances said...

Love that little new-cycling style setter. Her rosy stripes on stripes on pattern on pattern ... fantastic.

Since I am also so lucky to live near a fabulous park, I completely understand how wonderful it is to know just how close you are to that Fabulous Place.

Enjoy the holiday. xo

Lulu said...

what a beautiful place to go biking..

Anonymous said...

Aww, God bless your little Gok Wan! May she forever keep her individuality, and more importantly, the self confidence to maintain it. Set for life!

Anonymous said...

Ahh Burford...so pretty - my hubby was from Witney so we lived near there before coming to Oz :)
Sounds like a wonderful few days away, hope you came home refreshed.
Loved Kit's outfit...always think people who experiment look lovely when they have the confidence to carry it off - good on her (to coin popular Aussie expression !!)wish I was brave enough!
Take care,
Kate in Tassiexx

mollycupcakes said...

Awww Kitty you go girl, having your own fabulous style might even start a trend lol
But then i guess you'd have to wear something else to stand out in the crowd.
I love hearing that our little Daisy has someone else just like her in the fashion world hehe!
eat you heart out Kate Moss here comes Kitty & Daisy.

Very well doneon riding the bike with just two wheels sweetie, how wonderful to watch that happen.

Glad your having a lovely bank holiday J
Hope to see you soon.

Big hugs,
Catherine, Ben and the cupcakes

Lesley (Notesfrommydays) said...

cant explain the giddy bath time but just rest assured you are not alone !!! Mia has only just done the bike thing at age 7! bad parents but still felt very proud once it was mastered :-)
enjoy the bank holiday xxxxxxx

Anonymous said...

Your jar of flowers look's fabulous. xxx

Beki said...

What great style Kitty has and well done to her on riding her bike.
My little man is only 15 months and already trying to get on the big bikes, i'm dreading the day when he does it for real as he seems to have absolutely no fear.
Hugs
Beki xxx

Floss said...

Your description of bathtime madness rings a lot of bells chez nous - and mine are 10 and 11, so the craziness and liklehood of major injury just seems to have increased! I try to keep them separate with one doing piano practice and the other one in the bath, but they usually see through that strategy... Lovely photos - I hope you've had a great bank holiday.

Laura @ EdenRose said...

Kitty is like my L, who has just discovered at the age of 5 that she can go to her room and change her outfit at least 6 times a day, (non school days of course). Nothing ever maches, everything is layered and colourful and she is having the best time ever. I love how kids are so creative naturally, bless them. My washing pile is bigger then ever though :(

abeachcottage said...

oh those training days, before you know it they'll be falling off Rip Sticks...

Sarah

Rubyred said...

Lovin Kitty'S style,she's got it all going on, at once!.So lovely to meet you at the weekend,could've chatted for hours!
You have a lovely family too!
See you at the vintage and Handmade fair!
Rachel x

Things Hand Made said...

I love that park We got married there.

tracey said...

wow i have just looked through you whole blog and it is wonderful i will look in often . thank you for shareing x

Anonymous said...

At our house, the madness is in the morning, attempting to get my little one out of her pajamas & into her day time clothes. Also while trying to get myself ready for work, of course!

Bobo Bun said...

It is Gap Julia. Sorry didn't mean to tempt you, but it is lovely. I normally hate yellow clothes, but this makes me feel just right and completely me - if you know what I mean.

Hope your're having a good week.

Lisa x

Anonymous said...

Hi there, I am hosting a book swap over on my blog. It is a permanent feature, which will always be on my blog, it is not a one off, like the rose theme swap I'm hosting. I have listed a load of my books which I am willing to swap, take a look, there may be some you fancy. If you would like to list books which you no longer want, and are willing to swap, just contact me at rosehyacinth@hotmail.co.uk, or leave a comment on my blog, with your name, the name of your blog and the books you wish to swap, and I will type them up and post them on the swap page, so the more and more people who participate, the wider the range of books there will be to choose from, and remember, it will always be there on my blog.
Take Care
Love Melanie xxx

Anonymous said...

What lovely photographs! Congratulations to your little bike rider :0)

Dotty said...

just lovely, what a great weekend, it also sounds special that you big guys (grownups) got some special time together. I adore the bike and Daddy pics, so sweet. Loving that girls style....Super cool....Can you get stripes like that us oldies?

Dotty said...

just read the comments and you have one of my best pa in Tassie, how cool is that?

Knitty, Vintage and Rosy said...

Hi Julia:

I just wanted to tell you I started a flickr group for Cornishware and would love for you to post pictures if you have any.

Here is the link:

http://www.flickr.com/groups/1074168@N24/

Lisa

Thimbleina said...

Found your blog via Emma Bradshaw's. I also have a 5 year old daughter just like that with clothes, her leggings have to meet her socks although the legging are mid calf and it looks a bit funny but she thinks it is sooo stylish

Conversation Pieces said...

Hi there. Just discovered your blog... brilliant finds... especially the first aid box... never knew I needed such a thing! ;)