#MeAndMine - A Family Portrait (September)

September has been an up and down month.

I haven't really got much to report so I fear this months Me & Mine is quite poor.

For those who don't know, I had a serious case of food poisoning which, in total, took me almost 2 weeks to recover from. This has meant that a lot of our plans for this month have been pushed back.  Matt was amazing whilst I was ill. He took good care of me and looked after the children whilst still working - which wouldn't have been possible without the help of my parents.

It was Matt's 37th birthday on the 12th but he was away with work so we planned on celebrating when he got back which, incidentally, was the day before I fell ill.  We had plans for fun filled weekends which had to be cancelled and then we found ourselves at the end of the month with very little to show for September.

Thankfully the weather was kind to us this weekend just gone (I'd totally missed the weekend previously which was warm and sunny being laid up in bed) and yesterday we headed out on a family adventure exploring the fields at the back of our new house. It was just nice for me to get out of the house as a family of 4 and be able to enjoy the fresh air for a while.

My Nikon camera seems to have stopped working (yes, I'm slightly angry but that's another story) so this was a capture on my iPhone whilst we were out exploring. You'll notice we have an extra family member this time. Del The Welsh Dragon. She was visiting us for the weekend from MC's school so we've had to take pictures of our weekend adventures and MC and I are going to sit and write and draw about the weekend in 'Del's Diary'.

This weekend was also TC's 18 month birthday. I can't believe how time is flying. It doesn't seem all that long ago since he turned 1 and now, here he is half way to being 2. I'm forever thankful for each day that he's here with me.

It's my birthday in less than 2 weeks and we also have a Day Out With Thomas planned in October so hopefully next month will be a good one.

Head over to Lucy's lovely blog and check out more Me & Mine posts...

Guest Post...Toddles And Tantrums - May Bank Holiday at Bowood House

Last, but by no means least, is Millie. 

Millie is actually the only one of my guest posters who've I met in person. I was only introduced to her online the night before we met but when we physically met we gave each other the biggest hug ever. We were both at the funeral of Jennie's beautiful daughter, Matilda Mae.

Millie is just an all-round lovely lady and I'll be forever thankful for the love and support she gave me that day. I think it was that day that made her decision to enter the world of blogging...and so, Toddles and Tantrums was born.

Here Millie shares her lovely May Bank Holiday with us...

May Bank Holiday – Bowood House

How was your bank holiday Monday? Ours was pretty special. We spent the day with Craigs twin, Uncle Daz and his wife & family at the stunning Bowood House & Gardens, in Wiltshire. Home of the Marquis and Marchioness of Landsdowne – it’s a great way to spend a lazy sunny day. 

Adventure Playground

The site has a choice of fantastic adventure playgrounds which are set in 100 acres of parkland, designed by Capability Brown. It also has a lake, arboretum, pinetum and cascade.  The house itself is a treasure trove of fascinating items. Bowood is no ordinary country house, this is the ancestral home of a proper aristocratic family in the heart of beautiful rolling countryside. It’s absolutely breathtaking.

Death Slide

The Adventure Playground at Bowood was first opened in 1978. Designed and constructed by Cornish boat builder Alistair Guy, using timbers from the Estate, it has become one of Bowood's most famous features and has delighted hundreds of thousands of children ever since.

What I loved especially about this area is that it is restricted to children under twelve, it is without doubt one of the finest adventure playgrounds in the country. The playground has a full size pirate galleon called the 'Centaur', complete with rigging and a crow's nest. There are also several a very large slide, as well as high level walkways accessed by a huge scramble net. Most famous and popular of all is the 'death slide'! This vertical drop slide is a modern version of a Victorian invention and starts with a shocking 19- foot vertical drop which then levels out for an exciting, fast and slippery slide.

For Evan, and children of his age, the park had swing boats, trampolines, a Wendy House, a ball pool, see-saws, swings and a sand pit. The children in our party aged from 2 – 12 were kept happy here for a couple of hours playing in the sunshine. The park has lots of areas for you to camp out and have a family picnic. It also had many trees for you to hide under away from the sun. After camping out, playing & relaxing we decided to have a little wander around the estate. We stumbled across the house & had a look inside at its impressive chapel and antique treasures. We stayed inside for a well deserved cream tea which was scrumptious!

Bowood House

Evan and his cousins outside the house

We then ventured off across the lawns to the hidden cave, which led us out to a very impressive waterfall. The boys in particular were impressed with this and quickly undressed to enjoy the cool water. Evan had a little paddle in the stream too which cooled him down. Suddenly it was 5 o’clock and time to go home, but not before a photo to remember our lovely day.

Cascade Waterfall

Arboretum

I highly recommend this place if you are in the area, it’s lovely & relaxing & there’s plenty to do for everyone.

   

Evan, his cousins and their friends the Scudamores

You can find Millie here:
http://toddlesandtantrums.blogspot.co.uk
https://twitter.com/MillieBooLewis