WILDERNESS FESTIVAL WITH KIDS

You might have guessed that we're HUGE festival fans and every year we try to attend at least two with our boy in tow, in the hopes to create hazy summer magical memories that last a lifetime. A few weeks back we had the pleasure of attending Wilderness Festival as guests of Mamas & Papas as part of their #Shareoursummer campaign. We normally attend End of the Road and Just So Festival, so I was excited to see what Wilderness had in store for us.

We pitched up in the family camping area located away from standard camping, allowing us to be in a total kid friendly zone while still being very close to the main festival area and have easy access to our car – which is soooo handy when travelling with kids as you can leave spares of stuff in the boot rather than all in your tent. At night the campsite was quiet, perfect for little ones sleeping, and it was amazing to see how many families were there with tiny babies or young children running around making friends. Although no matter where we pitch I always seemed to loose our tent *note to self invest in a bell tent! The weather was so warm the whole weekend meaning I could wear my new gorgeous Esme Denim dress c/o Joules Clothing.

As with all festivals one of my favourite pastimes is the food and there was no shortage here! I've never seen such a variety in one place, from F's favourite Mac 'n' Cheese – let's take a minute to acknowledge his cuteness in the below pic –  to gluten free specialists, burritos, Bhangra vegan American school bus cafes, fresh lobster street food, multi-coloured candyfloss carts, grilled and smoked meats, breakfast clubs, organic ice lollies and that's just the food stalls. If you fancy something a little more upmarket you can book a meal at one of the many banqueting tents, where fine dining and candlelit suppers are available. The Laurent-Perrier Champagne bar was certainly a big hit with me and I would loved to have tried an evening enjoying food prepared by one of the many award winning chefs but with a wriggly four year old we stuck to lounging on hay bales to enjoy our bites.  

Situated on a larger site than we're normally used to it still felt quite small and not too busy and it was quite easy to navigate once you'd got your bearings. You can buy a guide when you arrive, which I would say is an absolute must as there is soooooo much to see and do and you can find all the timings and listing for everything over the weekend such as: music and live performances,  theatre, talks and debates, workshops, shops, bars, cinema, disco tents, the hilarious sports area and the best commentator in town, well being fields and holistic tents, food stalls and restaurants and so much more. 

We spent a lot of our time during the day at Family Fun area. A whole section dedicated to making your child giggle in delight, with mini big tops, cafe and kids pack lunch boxes, face painting, crafting, movement workshops, pirate shows and a whole load of bubbles. Each minute of the day is packed with fun activities to get involved with and my favourite evening was spent settling down with F to watch Labyrinth at the open air cinema with a bubble disco afterwards... apparently the goblin king is not so scary after all.

I loved all the market stalls and bizarre shops and oh my the GLITTER! What better way to hide those tired eyes and dark circles than glitter concealer, maybe this is the way forward. We also enjoyed lounging in the Canopy & Stars story tent where we filled bottles with dreams and lay on beds while stories unfolded around us in a theatrical performance.

 
 How cute does F look in his cosy limited edition knitted cardigan c/o Mamas & Papas

Apart from seeing Bjork headline, which was quite frankly brilliant, my other highlight of the festival was taking F wild swimming in the lake, last year that I wouldn't have dreamt of swimming amongst reeds, but as I push myself to be brave and try new things I found the experience completely thrilling and even though it was a little cold it was such an amazing memory.

We had such a fab time and it's such a great family friendly festival that I'm know we'll be back again next year with friends. I mean it's not often you get to see a giant performing puppet with an opera singer attached at a spectacular nght light show is it? This is where magical memories are made! 

Do you attend any festivals? I'd love to hear your favourite kid friendly weekend away.

A KID'S BEST FRIEND?

A bit like marmite, most people fall into one of two catergories when discussing pets, you're either a dog person or a cat person. In my 34 years I haven't really found a person that sits on a fence when it comes to this subject, and I am happy to say that I am a BIG dog person. I love dogs, as a kid I remember the years of begging my parents for a puppy, any sort really as long as it had four legs, wet nose and a tail I was in. After all a dog is a kid's best friend.

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STYLE IN YOUR CITY // ISLAND LIFE

It's that time again for another Style In Your City, which showcases your life and creates a community celebrating all the things you love about where you live. I think this is definitely my favourite image from Instagram from the last fortnight due to breathtaking views captured by Amanda. My post pick was by Marmalade Pie, I really loved hearing how this link up inspired Lizzie to pick up her camera and see her city through fresh eyes, even in the rain.

I have had a few people ask me whether they can join in with this link up even if they don't live in a city, so to embrace the wild and prove that even nature has it's own amazing style I thought I would share a glimpse of Island life.  

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THE DREADED D WORD // LIFE LATELY

This wasn't the post I had planned for today, in fact things have been so crazy busy behind the scenes that I'm facing a mountain of work and feel like I'm wading through treacle. But I'm trying to stay positive and upbeat, ploughing ahead with the work/life balance – and failing slightly  – while trying to stay healthy and be all things to all people.

Except one person is needing me more than most at the moment, my kiddo. It's so easy to get wrapped up in all the busy *and roll on the mama guilt* that you forget to stop once and awhile and take stock of a situation, and there's been one slowly brewing which I didn't foresee. I'm talking about the D-word...yes, death.

F by nature is a sensitive boy, and quite emotionally mature and intune with the world around him. So I knew something has been off for the last few weeks as we've fluxuated between various axieties such as fearing he'll choke on his food, being worried about using the toilet, about missing either me or Paul when one of us is not with him and even some tears at pre-school. Finally last night it clicked into place.

Behind those big beautiful brown eyes, his mind has been going into overdrive and as I sat trying to get some work done I heard him call out for me. His little frantic voice shouting from his room. On rushing in I was met with his fear, "I don't want to die mummy, don't let me die". Oof there's something I wasn't expecting. As an adult we can rationalise these things, we understand the concept of death and the meaning of the word, all the while hoping for a long life. But to a small four year old boy, this realisation suddenly seems terrifying.

Don't put me under the grass. oof. Don't leave me on my own. oof. If I die will you have another baby and call it F and forget about me. oof. Each one is a blow to the stomach as I hold his little hands in mine and stroke his furrowed brow. Composing myself I try to answer all his questions calmy, each  considered and loaded with reassurance as he works himself into a frenzy. "Mummy please don't let me die and be gone forever, I dont want to go mummy please" tears are now falling rapidly, his little face looks so terrified and his hands are grasping me so tight that I dare not breathe incase it gives away my poker face.

I know these questions are part of growing up, his mind trying to understand the world, and that in a few hours/days/weeks all this will be forgotten, but right now in this moment I can see the world from his eyes, how big and daunting it must seem. Even though he had asked about death a while back the idea that it will happen to him has taken his mind to a whole new level. So I do what mamas do best, squeeze him with all my love, cover him in kisses and sing him to sleep, only to then frantically search online the best way to ride out this tiny storm.

If there was ever a need for a parenting manual, now would be great time to pass the book around.

MY SWEET OCTOBER BOY

Every time this month rolls around and the smell of autumn catches in the air, my heart swells and a lump forms in my throat at the bitter sweet notion of time passing. There is no greater measurer of seconds gone than your babe in arms, once so small that it took only my hands to fully embrace the length of my child, now I find endless limbs and deep belly laughs as I swing my arm to catch his embrace.

This month you will be four. A whole four years old and I shall kiss your button nose, and ruffle your lion mane and treasure your hand in mine, as you will age and these moments will fade, and I will be left with these memories of my sweet october boy.

CAPTURING MEMORIES WITH PHOTOWORLD

As you know I'm a bit obsessed when it comes to capturing the everyday moments with F and this small family of mine. It's rare for me to be without a camera in hand, snapping away, for these are the days that F will look back with – hopefully – a warm heart and the stories he will share as a grown man. I want to make sure I can preserve as many of these precious moments as possible.

Family: I love this photo, this is the boy who came along and made me a mama and us a family. No longer the two of us bumbling along, this little guy has given us focus and drive. He is the centre of my world and my family.

Friendship: I love watching the bonds he makes and the friendships he grows; hearing their conversations and seeing how they navigate life at such an early age is a beautiful thing to witness.

Travel: Oh how I long for sunlit beaches and warm seas to dip my toes in. Long days of nothingness and laughter.

Celebration: That time we went to The Ethicurean to celebrate my birthday and the food was oh so good. I love eating out and trying new places. Delicious.

It's so easy for me to click away, filling up memory cards and my iPhone crammed with photos, but I want to make sure I can preserve as many of these precious moments as possible, and leaving these images to sit on my computer is not quite the way forward. There's something so wonderful about having your moments printed out and bound. I remember as a child pouring through our family photo albums and I certainly have a lot of Photography art books at home.

So when Photoworld launched their #weprintmemories competition, I couldn't wait to share my favourite moments. To enter, all you have to do is tweet a photo memory to @cewephotoworld with the hashtag #weprintmemories following the theme of the week for a chance to win one of these fantastic prizes:

• 1st prize - the new 16GB First Generation Lytro Camera, £250 worth of John Lewis vouchers and £250 CEWE Photoworld vouchers

• 2nd prize - £100 CEWE Photoworld vouchers

• 3rd prize - £50 CEWE Photoworld vouchers

You can find more details on the competition here. 

*This post is in collaboration with Photoworld

END OF THE ROAD FESTIVAL 2014

Oh End of the Road! Once again you did us proud, the music, the colour, the wonderfully weird and wacky, the fairy lights, the rum, the dancing, oh the dancing! Not to mention the endless activities and entertainment for the kiddos.We've been making our way to this fun festival for seven years now and have watched it grow from fledgling roots, settled deep in the beautiful Lamer Tree Gardens, into the excitement it is today. After arriving onsite and a small amount of tent rage due to high winds, we pitched up next to our friends and headed straight to the food stalls to feed our rumbling tummies. With the finest selection of festival cuisine from: Indian street food, pulled pork and homemade slaw sandwiches, amazing burritos, sweet waffles, perfect pizza, pie and so much more, it was easy to get our fill and sit by the fire warming ourselves as night fell and brightly coloured string bulbs illuminated our way. Click to read more.

SEE YOU ON THE OTHER SIDE

It's Thursday and the weekends starting early as we load up the car and head off to another festival. Oh and did I mention I am SO excited? Even though it may rain and I may be coming down with a cold, I have every intention to drink rum, laugh with friends and dance like no ones watching at End of the Road. I'll be back blogging on Tuesday after having fun and hopefully staying dry, until then you can follow our adventures on my Instagram feed or read last years adventures here. 

On my return I can't wait to share with you my thoughts on home, our yummy lunch date at Zizzi's, joining in with Styling the Season, my 52 photo, our festival fun and style trends and our a new good book.

Until then have a beautiful fun filled weekend and see you on the other side. x

You can buy awesome this print here

THE BOY IS GROWING UP

As August slips away my thoughts turn to this growing boy and the absence of his laughter filling the flat as he returns to preschool in September. For most this might not seem significant, but F has only been in someone else's care a few hours a week until now. This will be the first time that actual school day routines will be set, with early morning drop offs and lunch away from home before I wait at the school gate for his face to appear and my heart to swell.

It's a double edged sword, for all those moments I wished for time alone, the reality is I will miss his belly laugh and alter ego, Tigerman, rushing around my heels. In preparation for the start of school we booked an in-store fitting appointment at Clarks to beat the rush and checked out their school range. He seemed thrilled by the modern approach of measuring feet with the help of an iPad and his chosen character, happy to comply as nostalgic memories of my school days bubbled up and F wiggled his toes into various shoes, proclaiming he'll take them all – a kid after my own heart.

We picked a pair of sturdy black velcro shoes, ready to take on the challenges of the playground while  promoting independence and some super bright green sports trainers, as I can't resist colour on the boy, before boxing them up and heading home. Clutching the complementary 'Let's Start School memory book' under his arm he seems so grown up all of a sudden. When I asked him what he might like to be when he's older – apart from saying a human which is a good start right – the answers such as painter, music player, dinosaur hunter and architect followed, and I look at this small boy who will one day be a man and a lump catches in my throat.

I'm sure next year there will be tears as he starts 'big boy' school, and most likely they will all be mine.

Clarks are offering you the chance to win a lifetime's supply of school shoes - For a chance to win, share a photo of your child on their first day at school in their very first pair of Clarks School Shoes with the hashtag #FirstSchoolShoes 

*We received vouchers c/o Clarks for this post. All words and opinions are my own.

THE MAGIC OF JUST SO FESTIVAL 2014

The reality of home is sinking in as we look back at the magical weekend spent at Just So Festival, three days of pure wonderment are now over but the memories created are etched in our minds and will last a lifetime. F can't stop talking about the fun he had romping in the woods, watching beautiful and curious performances, digging for gold and darting through the mirror maze dressed as a fox. It's so hard to sum up the fantastic work that Rowan and Sarah have put into making this festival so amazing, and I can only hope these photos can offer you a tiny glimpse of how fab it actually was.

This post is pic heavy so click to read more

BROCCOLI AND OTHER BITS

A quick update is due as I realise that F is three and a half! Oh time how you fly by as we edge our way closer to another birthday. Four seems to be a big deal for F, with him constantly talking about it and what it means he can do. So here a few things we want to remember about you before you are oh so grown up.

"Mammy when I'm four I'll be really big and have really long legs like daddy won't I?"

"When you're four you can go out on your own and you don't need a grown up or anything"

"I like broccoli because that's what dinosaurs eat." – I'm not arguing this one.

While flapping a napkin in my face "Look I've made a Pterosaur!" You're imagination is amazing, you can take the most uninspiring object and transform it into something fun.

"Who would win in a fight between a Polar Bear and a Tiger?" You're always asking questions, wanting to know how everything works. I hope this never stops.

Every morning you shout for daddy to come into your room as you know he's your best bet for early morning train play.

You're totally into super heros. You love Spiderman, Superman and Captain America and one of them has to accompany us pretty much everywhere.

"When I'm older I might be an Architect or just go and do work things like daddy."

Oh and when those little arms squeeze my neck as you snuggle your head into my shoulder, there is no feeling better. The next six months will fly by, you will be that little bit older and I'll wonder how I'm became a mama to a four year old, so for now let's just enjoy this.

OH MY BABY DAYS

Image by Sam Gibson Photography

Normally I don't do #flashbackfriday, but as January draws to a close I am feeling nostalgic for those baby days. This weekend I am managing a stall at a nearly new sale – for those who don't know, it's a stall to sell off your baby goods to new expectant mamas – so in preparation we spent a good few hours going through all the things we've kept over the last few years, and boy what a lot of stuff. I didn't quite realise how much I'd been hoarding, partly incase we'd had a another child and partly because I didn't want to let go of F's baby days.

But a baby he is not. In fact I'm struggling to call him a toddler as he bounds so quickly into boyhood. Those moments where I catch his thoughtful expressions or taking it upon himself to set the table are the ones that cause a lump in my throat. So small, yet oh so big. I can see him growing before my eyes, ever changing, for these are glimpses of the man he will become and it makes me ache for this small boy. So let me cherish his embraces, as I know they'll not be so freely given in years to come.

OUR URBAN PLAYGROUND

Earlier this week we stepped outside into the first real frost I've seen this winter. We were met by neighbours dutifully scraping their windshields, condensation rapidly evaporating with each breath, beautiful and blinding winter sun shining down as we cautiously shuffled forward, slippery underfoot.

After being cooped up in the house for most of last week due to F being ill, I was determined to get a little fresh air and stretch my legs, even if it was only for a venture round the block. After a few moments of toddler stubbornness and F refusing to get up off the step, we left our street and took a stroll. I love taking walks, normally I love strolling through the woods, surrounded by the rich green trees or wandering shoeless along the shore, toes wriggling down into sand with every step, but there is something to be said about an urban walk.

For me it isn't just tree lined streets with fancy houses, set back with their beautifully presented gardens that grabs my attention. Often it is the gritty, unloved areas that are most interesting. Where plants push their way through paving cracks and spill onto the streets unnoticed,  small graffiti marks tucked away in shy places, left for someone as a secret. The strong contrasts of cement, tarmac, brick and cobbles wash together to create a landscape waiting to be discovered. Normally in these places we tend to overlook our surroundings, these bricks, the same as yesterday hold no importance when running for a bus or popping out to get milk. So to take a slow walk – toddler speed – and breathe it all in is refreshing. I am an observant person by nature and visually take a lot in: shapes, colour, light, but to visit it through a child's eyes in the morning sun was as lovely as the cool blue sea.

The trick to seeing all this beauty, the mix of green nature versus mankind's grey, is one word. SLOW. Who am I to rush this boy when he wants to peer into puddled water, green algae, decomposing leaves, painted hearts, tangled weeds, faded numbers? If I can not stop to appreciate the small things then how will I ever realise when the big things are standing right in front of me?

This is our urban playground.