Abbotsbury Gardens at Night

At long last term has finished! After two hours of walking to and fro everyday and endless rounds of lunch boxes and uniforms we now have a whole week stretching ahead of us to please ourselves! I love it. Rebecca was busy saying she doesn't like school today while Bethany gently reminded her that she doesn't actually go to school yet at the tender age of just 3! Now that school half term has started, the best way for it to begin is to bake cakes and have a picnic. We decided to have a picnic at Abbotsbury Gardens but with a twist. This time of year the gardens are open at night for two weeks and are lit by candle light.

These cakes are the ones that made it into the picnic as they were the first ones decorated and a lovely job the children did of them.

These are the second batch they did and they quickly realised that they may have gone mad with the decorations first time round!

The garden entrance

Torch art... ah!! the memories of John's stag weekend are flooding back!

Turn this picture 180' if you dare!

The night time picnic

I have been a little slack in blogging lately so here are some pictures from the last couple of weeks.

Saturday - 17th Oct

After feeding the squirrels at Nothe fort the best thing to do is relax.

Jacob going camera shy

Rebecca hacking into the US government..... who is going to save us!!!

Jacob dancing to Madonna's Vogue

Rebecca's camera shy moment.

Oliver climbing a tree in his school uniform... is this allowed?

10th Oct 2009

We purchased a bird bath as a token of remembrance for Great Granny

Birthday Tea Party

The day began with a Tornado hitting the bedroom, ripped wrapping paper was filling the room faster than Katharine and I could wake up. Some of you maybe aware that the occasion was Jacob and Rebecca's third birthday, the days itinerary :

19-Oct 2009

Too Early - Present Opening

07:00 Breakfast

08:00 School for Oliver & Bethany

09:00 Play

11:00 Children Nap time

13:00 Tea Party Lunch

14:30 Collect Oliver & Bethany from School

....Usual end of day routine

Dress your own girl bath toy

Jigsaw Puzzle with stickers.... cool!!!

Talking about confusing??? Christmas or Birthday?? should this not have been a stocking filler?

Musical flutes for the bath.... better than the usual musical notes we hear in the bath!

Katharine has trained Jacob in collecting the bits off the floor, and for his reward a mini Henry!

Tea Party guests.

Vanessa + Becky

Kate + Emily & Jackson

Joleyne + Louis

Leanne + Jasmine

Always a quicktime for a baby cuddle.

The cakes, football for Jacob and Rebecca was torn between teddybear or Ben10, we went for the girly option, but surprise!! this was the wrong choice.

Candle blowing

Today was rest & relaxation at the ranch

Abbotsbury Gardens

Saturday afternoon we visited Abbotsbury Sub Tropical gardens, so the children could run around like mad pheasants.

Bethany in the the halfway mark tea house

Jacob in serious thought over the flowers!

I think mummy is still getting over the jet lag!

The hills are alive with the sound of ........ Hammonds!!!

Bethany thought this sculpture was handsome...... as a dad, should I be worried?

Pet dog, I think?

On Katharine's return from Scotland, she has bought back the new love of my life... my Mac Pro... what can I say it is amazing, I just only hope I can do her justice ! First port of call was to make sure we could access the nonimmigrant blog, otherwise what is the point.

Weekend of Activity

After another week of school, all of our children were very tired so home activities were arranged, this consisted of gardening, sticking, drawing and general game play.


"Who's that coming over the hill ....is it a monster!" .. well just a little one!


It's true you can stick anything just ask Rebecca!



Bethany's master piece....can you see what it is yet!

Mummy with her two boys.. I think they are helping!

Meanwhile the girls are riding on the chariots

Sunday afternoon we visited Granny and Grandad at Colehill, and took to the school field race track.

Jacob with his engine ready!

Rebecca racing ahead!

Bethany posing for the pre race photo!

Oliver racing from behind