Family snaps...and mishaps...

Hello my lovelies! So, the days are getting longer and brighter, nature is draped in lush shades of green and pops of happy colours,  and the early mornings are a recital of birdsong and tweets! I love this transition from cold, grey, dreary days into blossoming sunshine and the promise of ice cream laced summers in the park. Our family loves picnics. We cannot wait for that first, half decent day where you can get down to the river for an evening meal in the last lazy rays of the day!

For a while I've been meaning to take some family photos, as life gets in the way of documenting the children growing up. You know what it's like...When your first born comes along, you're a trigger happy (in the camera sense!), paparazzi crazed parent who cannot get enough of taking snaps of 'the precious bundle of joy'! Then another one comes along, and you still take some snaps, but they come along more infrequently than with the first. By the time you've popped out the third, you barely have the time  to chew your food before you swallow it, you don't know what a warm cup of coffee is as yours is always a cold shade of grey, covered in a milky film, let alone have time to embark on leisurely 'say cheese' moments! Life takes over...Well, it has in this house, so I needed to make time to take photos, nice ones. Not blurry, grumpy, half a bottom in your face ones! So, we had a picnic...

Now, like many parents out there I could pay someone to take professional snaps, ones that are worthy of gold gilded frames and a gallery wall. But, I am a skinflint. Professional photography can cost an arm and a leg, and I much prefer my limbs attached where they are! So, I decided to take the family down to the river for a picnic, to throw in a few props with a vintage feel, and to bribe the kidlets with lovely treats to play along for the lens! It went really well...for about ten minutes! They were much more interested in the juicy strawberries, iced cakes and chicken sandwiches!

Nevertheless, we came away with a few happy memories in the can!

It did, once again, re-affirm that one should never work with animals, or children, or in this case, hungry husbands or children! 

Lesson number two...Pick a less windy day...For it huffed, and puffed, and blew my vase of flowers from the tea chest where it was neatly perched, onto my precious Roberts radio, bathing it in water and daisies! It is currently still sitting in a bowl of uncooked rice, hoping that it will soak up all the moisture and breathe new life into it's digital awesomeness. Harrumph...I live in hope..

So, when all is said and done, here is lesson number three...

Next time, I might just pay the professionals to do the job. Even at the cost of an arm and a leg, it will probably still be cheaper in the end...and easier!

Say cheese!

Till next time!

Tania ♥

Easter Sunday...

Good morning my lovelies! Easter Sunday is here...I love this day. It's real meaning is what gives meaning to my life. Salvation is mine! And, when you have young children like we do, it is very easy to shift that focus onto the Easter bunny, choccy eggs and fun, fun, fun! I cannot help but think that the world around me is constantly trying to over commercialise yet another faith holiday! So, in order for us as a family  to stay grounded in the truth, we aim to guide and communicate to our children the love and ultimate sacrifice that was paid for us, and celebrated at this time. Now, it does not mean that we don't have the chocolate eggs and Easter bunny visit! Oh no sirree! We participate in all the frivolous fun, but use these tools to explore the meaning of Jesus' death and resurrection.

This morning we woke up to an Easter Bunny 'droppings' trail, leading from the children's bedrooms, all the way downstairs to the living room, where a note, and the first clue to an egg hunt awaited them! Oh, the excitement that followed was a joy to witness!

Once the kids discovered each clue, and sat down with the loot from a successful search, we talked about the confusion, discovery and excitement that happened the day it was discovered that Jesus was no longer in the grave, but that He was alive! We discussed our own excitement whilst searching for Easter treats, and how it compared to the excitement of the disciples on that very special, first Easter Sunday. And the children get it! They understand the importance of God's sacrifice, and how it is the biggest gift we could ever receive!

I do hope that you have experienced that love that surpasses all understanding, a love that holds no condemnation, a love that forgives all things, and a love that guides you to a life filled with the knowledge that you are free. I wish you all a very happy, blessed Easter Sunday!
Blessings,

A handmade Easter...

Hello my lovelies! First of all, I'd like to wish you a very happy, blessed Easter! Last year this time we were fortunate enough to spend it in South Africa with our family. How time flies...I cannot believe the clock has ticked a whole twelve months on! This year we are spending it at home, indulging in a little comfort food, a few (okay...maybe more than a few!) sweet treats, whilst reflecting on the wondrous gift of salvation that we have received from above! I have been a very busy Easter bunny, and have crafted a few surprises for the kidlets to discover and enjoy over the weekend. So, before we continue, a word of warning...This is a picture heavy post! Brace yourselves!

'Made-over' egg boxes, ready to be filled with some Easter treats...I used paper, pretty cut outs, and even did a little needle felting to make these. A first for me!

One for my girlie...

And some for the boys...

Now, tradition in our house on Easter morning, is that the children wake up to a trail of bunny droppings (mini eggs,left by the Easter bunny of course!), leading from their bedrooms, down the stairs to a lovely stash in the living room. This year I've made new little baskets from peat pots, so they can collect the 'droppings' on their way downstairs. They were super cheap to make, only 80p for twelve, and I only needed three! A bit of paper and string, and the Easter bunny pots come to life!

Budget bunny baskets!

I have also made them each an Easter basket, using, hanging baskets from a discount shop, and at just £1 each, it was another bargain basket craft! I had some spray paint which I used on the outside, and tissue paper to line the inside. I shredded some brown paper for 'straw' to nest inside, and then filled them with all the lovely chocolate goodies!

I added some cheeky silhouettes...

All ready for Easter Sunday! 

This morning we enjoyed a lovely 'Good Friday' breakfast...Bunny pancakes...(Thank you Pinterest!)

It was a lovely way to start the day, with delicate posies in egg shells...

And togetherness around the breakfast table...

I look forward to the rest of this weekend, and I hope that you all have something nice planned too! 

Blessings, Tania x