Third week of summer holiday 2020

 3rd - 9th August 2020

Rather late than never! Here is last week.

We had one section of our fence replaced, which runs all along the right side of our property. It was desperate to be replaced for a very long time. We used Noah's Tree and Landscaping Service and they did an amazing job. It took all week, Monday to Friday. Looking so much better now. Before and afters at the end.

When anyone opens the fridge, Tabby is there to inspect its contents! Not that he ever gets any food out the fridge so not sure why he is so interested in the fridge.

Andre had his birthday last week.

Isabella asked to have a day out in town, so she and I walked around the shops a bit. It's been a long time since we've done this.

It was pretty hot and Tabby enjoyed his garden time.

Isabella had a super wobbly tooth which really bothered her last week. 

And over the weekend we discovered a new open water swimming and SUP lake. We don't have many places like this to go swimming at outdoors, and not had any close by. This is 25 minutes drive for us so a nice treat actually. It's brand new, apparently just opened this month now and looks like there is still lots of developing happening. Hopefully they'll make a bigger kids swimming beach as it got busy there the hotter the days got! They've done it up really nicely with seating and music making for a fun atmosphere. Andre and Isabella went paddle boarding here on Saturday and Sunday.

And here are the before and afters of the fence.

Second week of summer holiday 2020

27th July - 2nd August 2020

Weather: Hot and sunny

Last week in pictures:

Isabella had her ears pierced! She's asked to have earrings since before she started school and I remember we said she could have it once she's in school. She's been in school for two years now so it was about time we kept our promise! She was super excited. We went to a lovely little salon. She sat perfectly still, but said it did hurt. They're healing very well though and no issues, so far!

On Wednesday afternoon Isabella and I went to Dinton Pastures for a play in the park and had ice cream next to the lake.

The gladioli are currently flowering in our garden. The sunflowers are also looking bright and sunny.

Did I mention before about the succulents we were gifted from a friend to propagate? Growing cute little baby plants already.

Tabby watched the big cats in The Lion King with us.

So so hot, Isabella swinging through the sprinkler.

Isabella chose new bedding.

And we now have a pop-up pub on the recreational ground behind our house every weekend during August. We all had a great time after work on Friday, drinks for the grown-ups while the kids ran around.

Sunday paddle on the river. Andre and Isabella at the back, right on the red board.

One of Tabby's favourite spots has been Isabella's high chair. She's stopped using it a while ago already and we finally sold it on Sunday. Sorry Tabby!

First week of summer holiday 2020

20 - 26 July 2020
Weather: A typical bit of everything.

A few days late, but here is last week which was also the first week of the summer holiday. Nothing too exciting, we've gotten so used to just being at home!

Tabby decided to move in with the Sylvanian Family.

The Barbies had a much needed post-lockdown visit to the hair salon. See this before and after below! Isabella also made a video on how she did this, but mummy still needs to check it for Barbie nudity before it can go to YouTube... We might need to do a second salon day with Barbies wearing swimming costumes next time!

Isabella made another video with her squishies. Awaiting editing from mummy... Isabella is going to start having her own YouTube channel which we will hopefully get set up this week, then she can upload her videos there and daddy can upload his videos on his channel since they're totally unrelated content!

We tried out some cat grass seeds for Tabby. They grew super fast! And he is enjoying nibbling on it when he needs to.

We received some succulent leaves from a friend to propagate. These two little ones are doing really well as well as another larger type of leaf which has some strong roots already. Isabella looks after them in her room.

Play parks have opened up again! We've only been once or twice, just so used to staying home now.

And Isabella is doing really well on Andre's One Wheel!

We've moved on from all the Barbie playing to now playing with the 'Our Generation' dolls.

On Sunday we met friends at the river to go paddle boarding. It was typical British weather with gorgeous sunshine and serious rain too!

We have learnt that Isabella is just not an animal person. Below she is trying to get away from the cutest cygnets.

Isabella asked to have Andre's photo equipment out when we got home. She had a long line of dolls and soft toy animals who wanted to have their pictures taken, including one real soft animal!

And that was it. Today is Tuesday of the second week and I'm thinking I need to plan a little something to get us out of the house tomorrow. Hopefully I'll get to blog on time this Sunday and we'll see then if I did get us out and doing something more exciting during the week!

Fourth and final week of school

13th - 19th July 2020
Weather: A bit of everything.

Tabby enjoys joining in with games. We were playing "duck-duck-goose". 

Isabella had her last day of year one on Thursday. Summer holiday started on Friday!

 

Last day of Year One!

Neighbourhood watch

 We started the holiday with holiday hair! Hair cut is booked for next month too. And then Isabella baked and decorated a cake. She made a video too which mummy still needs to edit.

The weekend:

We spent Saturday on the beach with a borrowed SUP. It was slightly more windy than the previous weekend but still a great day out. We left even earlier in the morning this time, which means we get good parking and beach spots and get home earlier in the day too. Works well.

It happened to be Madiba Day (Nelson Mandela Day) in South Africa on Saturday!

Isabella played Barbies on her own for a bit.

And we got to enjoy chatting and just sitting together uninterrupted for a bit!

We're now nearing the end of a lazy Sunday at home. It was a bit rainy this morning and a bit grey the rest of the day with bits of sunshine. The way it's been most of this week! Andre washed his car, Isabella played Barbies, Playmobil, pets and Sylvanian Families all mixed together! And we ended with a late afternoon cycle.

The Barbies living their best life!