Day 6....30 Days Wild

I wasn't sure I'd have anything to put for our Day 6 of 30 days wild as Mondays are always hectic and then I snapped this...

Magpies have got a bit of a bad rep but they are quite stunning (as long as they stay a respectable distance away!)

Days 4 and 5...30 Days Wild

This weekend, as usual for us has been action packed. There is usually an opportunity to be outdoors and get a bit wild and this weekend was no exception!









We had a lovely trip up to Yorkshire to celebrate a special birthday. We met at a great pub called the Strafford Arms near Wentworth Castle and had some delicious grub.

We also got the chance to play outside and take in the stunning views of the surrounding Yorkshire countryside.


















Today we had a family picnic celebrating another birthday in Matlock. Again beautiful views (helped by the gorgeous weather of course) and lots of playing outside.

All in all a pretty wild weekend.

Day 3...30 Days Wild

Today we have been looking at birds on our garden. Magpies have got a bad rep really haven't they but they really are quite beautiful. We saw this one devouring a homemade bird treat Samuel made at Beavers and decided to buy a proper bird feeder...

 

 

Day 2...30 Days Wild

 

Do you believe in fairies?

Today we have been looking for fairies in trees!

 



And throwing helicopters as high up in the air as possible!

Day 1....30 Days Wild

I'm not sure how much our half-term trip out today falls within the category of this months challenge but this is about random acts of wildness and I think the random is very important. Do whatever you want to do! 

 

 

 

 

This morning we visited our local working  Greens Windmill and got to stand inside the windmill near the top as the sails soared past. The noise from the sails and the millstones was exciting enough but then the person who looked very much like he was in charge explained how he starts the sails going and how he was changing the type of grain being used to make flour  and let us watch. The boys and their friends also got the chance to make delicious cookies at the centre using flour from the mill.

 

 

 Our not so little anymore little one has made a book to record 30 Days Wild and today he wrote a poem about nature, this is what he wrote:

 

Oh trees so big and tall

I love to hear your call

Oh rivers you are high and low

But I do see you overflow

Oh sky so big and wide

Clouds make you hide.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

30 Days Wild!

 

 

 

So we've signed up for 30 Days Wild which starts today.

 From trying to spot a ladybird in the garden to trips to exciting outdoor places brimming with wildlife, June is all about trying to do something wild (no matter how small) every day.

 

 

Since having the boys I have definitely spent more time than ever outdoors, we've explored new places, seen lots of wildlife and I've found that strangely enough my favourite places happen to be those with a great café or even better a pub nearby. Lets be honest, I'm no Bear Grylls. If it buzzes, that's me done. If it has wings, see you later. If it does both watch out because I will abandon those in my care and run for the hills.

 
 
 
30 days wild is a bit of a challenge for me but as long as it doesn't involve a butterfly house or an aviary I should be fine and whole heartedly intend on embracing nature and enjoying it.

 

Feeling wild? Sign up at http://action.wildlifetrusts.org/ea-action/action?ea.client.id=1823&ea.campaign.id=48499

I've got one nerve left...

A friend recently said to me that she had never understood what people meant when they said that their nerves had gone...until her sons came into her life.

Our boys are very good boys and we couldn't be prouder but what is it about that hour before the school run? I'm hoping I am not the only parent experiencing this 'before the chaos of the school run chaos.'

The morning goes something like this.....

1. Insist (with some noise) that the boys get out of their beds. Why they take no encouragement with getting out of bed at stupidly early o'clock at the weekends is a matter greatly discussed between my husband and I.

2.Get breakfast. Fairly simple you would expect but not really. The boys like different things for their breakfasts and have at least three courses each so we find ourselves bowing and nodding "will that be all Sir? Would Sir care to know the flavours of Frubes left in the fridge before Sir makes his final decision?" More fool us, I hear you.

3. They sit, eat and argue over what to watch on tv.

4. Then comes the dreaded moment after Dad's gone to work thinking, "ahh what lovely calm children I have." They are bored of tv, they have filled their faces for half an hour there is only one thing left to do according to them....play.

5. Playing might sound fair enough, but it's not people, don't be fooled. I get all of their clothes set out ready, toothpaste on the toothbrushes etc. and all looks organised. I then explain that mummy needs to apply her face and do something with the hair which is still under the towel from the shower. "Yes mother dearest, that is super. We shall get ourselves dressed and then proceed to play a calm, educational game."  Well they don't talk like that but I am lured into a false sense of security anyway.

The next stage is never the same. Last week on one occasion I came downstairs to find Darth Vader and Spiderman having a lightsaber battle in a den they had made out of wet towels from the bathroom. On another occasion the entire Lego box had been emptied on the floor which then made it impossible to manoeuvre around and get them ready without the excruciating pain of stepping on a piece of lego with bare feet.

This morning I had enough and explained with some expression to the boys that it wasn't fair that Mummy felt like she had done a full shift by 9am. I gave the look of disappointment and proceeded to apply concealer under the eyes.

I then came down to this....

 

Oh O...mother guilt!