tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58557049123668034172024-02-07T19:05:00.365+00:00Little Luca & MeRandom ramblings on pretty much anything by me, Franki, mummy to Little Luca.Frankihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07313097506024740535noreply@blogger.comBlogger151125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5855704912366803417.post-20821068084722877842016-05-27T07:00:00.000+01:002016-05-27T07:00:15.930+01:00Things are falling into place.<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY0gDbMHGUB3cbuDxyfIxdDdoN9NiweXd7henZ10-ra3NInUsz5j4f78Ye9Re6iRIUiLEppWnw8HNuGAQjKOEEG8PdTtTFF2g952oPmoFKKV85ha1VIxeDZi3g_bMJR8D4q4rAt4F6o_c/s1600/falling.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY0gDbMHGUB3cbuDxyfIxdDdoN9NiweXd7henZ10-ra3NInUsz5j4f78Ye9Re6iRIUiLEppWnw8HNuGAQjKOEEG8PdTtTFF2g952oPmoFKKV85ha1VIxeDZi3g_bMJR8D4q4rAt4F6o_c/s640/falling.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At the end of 2014 </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I took the scary jump into self employment, and whilst it's been the best decision I have ever made and means I am now doing a job I love, it's also been very, very stressful and far from plain sailing.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I made the jump into self employment to work with a child who was extremely complicated and would be my biggest challenge to date. Despite being a physically and emotionally exhausting job I absolutely loved every minute of it. Unfortunately, due to circumstances out of our control as a team, this position ended after a few months. Luckily I was able to walk straight into some more jobs relatively quickly. Another two of these positions didn't quite go as smoothly as I had hoped, for a number of reasons, and I had to make the decision to let these go and move on. This was very scary as giving up these meant losing money, however working in these positions meant I was losing my confidence and self esteem. In fact I lost a lot of confidence in my ability to carry out my job and my performance in my role as well.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Despite this I picked myself up and dusted myself down once more and found more work. It's safe to say though that by this point my confidence had been knocked completely and I found myself questioning whether or not I was actually any good at my job at all and whether I had made the right decision in taking on more clients or should I have given up and gone back to a regular office job. </span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">One of the roles I took on was with twins, both with a diagnosis of autism. I started as the only tutor and got their programmes set up and running whilst the family found a consultant to oversee everything and found more tutors for the team. This was always going to be a short term position over the summer as they were starting school in September and I couldn't work the hours they needed around their school times. I enjoyed working with both the boys as they were so different and each day was really varied. When the consultant came on board she told me I had done a really good job of getting their programmes up and running which obviously gave me a much needed confidence boost. </span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At around the same time I also started working with another boy, also right at the beginning of his programme. A four year old with no speech or means of communication. Three months into this programme he began to talk. Another huge confidence boost and reminder of why I love my job and the life changing things we do in this line of work on a daily basis. This boy has absolutely flourished since we began working with him and I'm so proud of where he is at and the progress he has made in a year. </span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Both these programmes have helped me regain my confidence and since then it has grown and grown and grown. I know once again that this is 100% the right career for me. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I currently work with three boys, aged between 4-11, all completely different and at various stages of their programmes, in turn my job satisfaction is through the roof. Can you ask for anything more than earning money whilst doing a job you wholeheartedly love? </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Towards the end of 2015 I had another confidence boost in the shape of a promotion which means I now also have much more responsibility on my shoulders. This is a position I've been hunting down for a long, long time but really struggled to find any positions that would work around my working hours and family life, so I was over the moon when they asked if I would like to take it on. Not only has it boosted my confidence and helped me progress career wise, it has also meant I can drop a days work and in turn means I can pick Luca up from pre-school once a week. It's given me breathing space to get cleaning and shopping done but also allows me to do all my admin during the day too rather than having to do it on an evening and eat into my family time. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This promotion came at just the right time and has given me so much more than just a pay rise (although the </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">pay rise will help boost our savings and in turn mean we will hopefully have a house to call our own by the end of this year). </span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After a rocky start to my self employed career things finally feel like they are falling into place and I once again am loving my career. What a difference a year makes. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Since writing this post one of the families I work for has decided to end their programme. I am always sad to leave a programme after putting in so much time and energy and becoming attached to each kid I work with, it's literally impossible not to. Especially when the family as a whole are lovely. I wish them all the very best for their futures and hope to keep in touch so I can see how the little boy is doing. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">This does mean though that I'm now on the hunt for another family to fill my available hours but going back to all of the above I am now in a position where I know my worth and I won't be sacrificing myself or my family to fill my hours. These last two years have been tough for me as a self employed working mum but they have definitely taught me some very valuable lessons. </span></div>
</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">This article is </div>Frankihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07313097506024740535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5855704912366803417.post-3327050904870793412016-05-25T14:11:00.003+01:002016-05-25T14:19:25.883+01:00Best friends in the woods.<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Luca has really settled into pre-school now and has got himself a best friend, R. They are adorable together, if a little mischievous and to top it off nicely I get on well with his mum. This has meant w<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">e have had a few play dates outside of school together and they are always a little bit bonkers when we are all together, let's face it I do bonkers well on my own without any helping me.</span></span></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">One of our latest dates was to Newmillerdam, about a 15 minute drive from where we live. It's a big lake surrounded by woodland and a perfect place for two terrible three year olds to burn off some energy and explore.</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We headed straight into the woods which were scattered with bluebells and piles and piles of crunchy dead leaves. There were so many things to find like old tree stumps, massive fallen branches and feathers.</span><br>
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3_IPxfhj4-C4jlpd9YZ0TV7UOOXzv-XV8A4IhF4YUPYYXG5J2PBRQJ9HEgnwJwwdCFxIFSu5YCuJTFn_Egfe55hyphenhyphen38y1k1XooK_IeUf69n74C0-zo3iydGJg_A1pjsnzqafbAiQt-mZo/s1600/NMD3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3_IPxfhj4-C4jlpd9YZ0TV7UOOXzv-XV8A4IhF4YUPYYXG5J2PBRQJ9HEgnwJwwdCFxIFSu5YCuJTFn_Egfe55hyphenhyphen38y1k1XooK_IeUf69n74C0-zo3iydGJg_A1pjsnzqafbAiQt-mZo/s1600/NMD3.jpg"></a></div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEMgIWBqhN2Ps3Ccrkrx7IXqfLE-hBpS2UnznkkXZlzG1xrQoCJxjXpi_LNDuqKfjjiYbwqjtYFs2250I6fNzXVMmJoyJNV4Np1iywcRUEtOivCrP_YvHoGQMUNS3Clp_0xPrb5ve4fiQ/s1600/NMD4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEMgIWBqhN2Ps3Ccrkrx7IXqfLE-hBpS2UnznkkXZlzG1xrQoCJxjXpi_LNDuqKfjjiYbwqjtYFs2250I6fNzXVMmJoyJNV4Np1iywcRUEtOivCrP_YvHoGQMUNS3Clp_0xPrb5ve4fiQ/s1600/NMD4.jpg"></a></div>
<br>
</div></div><a href="http://littlelucaandme.blogspot.com/2016/05/best-friends-in-woods.html#more">Read more »</a><div class="blogger-post-footer">This article is </div>Frankihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07313097506024740535noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5855704912366803417.post-81867234182776931752016-05-17T21:56:00.000+01:002016-05-18T21:51:58.591+01:00Learning to Snowboard<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I've wanted to learn how to snowboard for years. Skiing has never held any appeal for me but snowboarding has always seemed like so much fun. I've been hoping to fulfill this dream of mine for years and it's been in my to-do list for 2014, 2015 and this year. </span></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I decided a month or so ago that enough was enough and I needed to put some wheels into motion. Once I'd mentioned it to a few friends, including my brother and my husband, they all wanted in too so we ended up with a group of 7 all heading to Xscape Castleford for our first lesson together. </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRGQ8umu05F-WUjthL71J59joGyFCrI7k1he9lwJDFsEz0JhBsT-1DPKffLFT1usdAfLEBI8HEJb1LwVC4nK_L5JvAwZVQo8RPbRK7q0bDbmfQ88305X1wGT5BmWRd1BalGEu84JIzlSY/s640/blogger-image-306834608.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRGQ8umu05F-WUjthL71J59joGyFCrI7k1he9lwJDFsEz0JhBsT-1DPKffLFT1usdAfLEBI8HEJb1LwVC4nK_L5JvAwZVQo8RPbRK7q0bDbmfQ88305X1wGT5BmWRd1BalGEu84JIzlSY/s640/blogger-image-306834608.jpg" /></span></a></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">One friend had to drop out early due to a previous knee injury but the rest of us pushed on for an hour and a half of wobbles, bumps and falls and by the end we had learnt (well 5 of the remaining 6 had) how to fall and also snowboard backwards down the slope, also known as boarding on the toe edge and to change direction whilst doing it. You can see a video on my Instagram if your interested. </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I ached like a bitch the next day and pretty sure I gave myself whiplash from a particularly hard and fast fall but was more than excited for lesson two in a few weeks.</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Lesson two came around so quickly and after a quick recap of the first lesson we started to learn how to board on the heel edge. I found this much harder than the first lesson and spent more time hurtling at speed down the slope praying I wasn't going to crash or fall. My horse riding days came in useful for keeping my balance I think. Again we learnt to go from side to side and also got more than our fair share of snow down our pants! Despite thinking I'd done absolutely rubbish we all passed.</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I feel extremely excited to progress even further and so proud of how quickly we have all picked up the skills so far. It's so much fun, if a little frustrating at times, and I know already that we will be boarding for the rest of our lives. We've all been discussing hitting the slopes together for a holiday and I've even been discussing with Ant about getting Luca skiing lessons once we've passed.</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This week we have our level 3+4 combined, that's three hours of snowboarding! Three hours!!!<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"> That one will be painful the day after and utterly exhausting but I can't wait for it to come around. </span></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Linking up to <a href="http://honestmum.com/brilliant-blog-posts-19th-may-2016/" target="_blank">Honest Mum's Brilliant Blog Posts</a></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">This article is </div>Frankihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07313097506024740535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5855704912366803417.post-49840769551602419622016-05-10T20:56:00.000+01:002016-05-10T20:56:00.251+01:00Tour De Yorkshire<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On the 30th April the Tour de Yorkshire came past where we live, well, close to where we live. We decided it would be lovely to go and watch it come past and so headed to my Dad's yard near Lotherton Hall to cheer them along. </span></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQQECsxfUj0ooddxnV7UgkeuNw_YadqXDGny9iPPo1FHmt03myMt-l4y0hS9_ZhlGfiDQk6aqrLPAq8poPcSDPCLPkUHGAUqDj_3Q5Wbb0668At_VjJ6vb8wRD1UQ0IXJYHa_gmNkjCtk/s640/blogger-image-299580568.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQQECsxfUj0ooddxnV7UgkeuNw_YadqXDGny9iPPo1FHmt03myMt-l4y0hS9_ZhlGfiDQk6aqrLPAq8poPcSDPCLPkUHGAUqDj_3Q5Wbb0668At_VjJ6vb8wRD1UQ0IXJYHa_gmNkjCtk/s640/blogger-image-299580568.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was quite exciting watching all the cars and ambulances go past and the motorbikes relaying to close the roads in preparation for the cyclists. It definitely built everyone's anticipation.</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWOWOQy5XJIlcBHTwib9Mliu3z3NbJX_sfyRyCPzRV020srYeV83GUVTNGVvDWzaqFKtHoX19qiYRPWnrPuDLJMq3587u6vv4s3Tlr5FdOFqwC0IcFUgz-Njjumk5vfIA9JytCrj_w2cM/s640/blogger-image--2107940874.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWOWOQy5XJIlcBHTwib9Mliu3z3NbJX_sfyRyCPzRV020srYeV83GUVTNGVvDWzaqFKtHoX19qiYRPWnrPuDLJMq3587u6vv4s3Tlr5FdOFqwC0IcFUgz-Njjumk5vfIA9JytCrj_w2cM/s640/blogger-image--2107940874.jpg" /></span></a></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It wasn't long before they appeared and then also disappeared in the blink of an eye. In truth it was a bit of an anticlimax, it was over so quickly but it was equally a great experience to watch and be a part of. It was nice to think that our little corner of the route was made a little easier by us cheering them along. </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3vTrPki69vLKaHywtdsYTkUULcyD5Q0g8kfMVXWax6_ZthRT9qbGep5itZxdoBHMcoJt_Q3PYI7-g3dx6Gu7wYFT-2Qs01ea8HPJR642_rXjbemRrbX2CmtZ-gNz_Q6pThjFBkn9kynk/s640/blogger-image-1046253509.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3vTrPki69vLKaHywtdsYTkUULcyD5Q0g8kfMVXWax6_ZthRT9qbGep5itZxdoBHMcoJt_Q3PYI7-g3dx6Gu7wYFT-2Qs01ea8HPJR642_rXjbemRrbX2CmtZ-gNz_Q6pThjFBkn9kynk/s640/blogger-image-1046253509.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With the cyclists gone we headed over the road to Lotherton Hall for the food & drink festival. The weather wasn't great, drizzling on and off all day so it wasn't very busy but this meant there were lots of places to shelter in tents and lots of places to sit. We didn't have to queue for any stalls and stands which meant Luca had a great time as he's three and hates waiting. </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our first stop was the ice cream van which was quickly followed by the prosecco bar. Luca then played on the tombola and visited the face painting stall for some glitter tattoos and a Spider-Man face. </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNIBdmLpSZXW-mU-66VHWMdjRIcjlPskEOwE9WaZP87VvApvZYhTIqr6AXL-8zQmoC4tAeOn8FWXahTk_dtTqOiCd31fA3ZFn1QOlHcpaIJ62YrrvfQz1aSEiBVsnYxGFJ1ey3SVggIjc/s640/blogger-image--1587163916.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNIBdmLpSZXW-mU-66VHWMdjRIcjlPskEOwE9WaZP87VvApvZYhTIqr6AXL-8zQmoC4tAeOn8FWXahTk_dtTqOiCd31fA3ZFn1QOlHcpaIJ62YrrvfQz1aSEiBVsnYxGFJ1ey3SVggIjc/s640/blogger-image--1587163916.jpg" /></span></a></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We then wandered between all the stalls looking at all the food and drink on offer. </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My mum bought cheese & my grandma bought gin (sums them both up perfectly). </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We then headed to the fun fair style area. We bought chips and toasties before playing on the hook a duck, which Luca was brilliant at. He rode on the merry-go-round thing and also on the bumper cars.</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhZoRoiJ_WNZb92NQ0N7aqkWGB2C4KdScaBNURB0sDQ9XHXv7cYiVs4TXnWi_-P2Z4nQdJSkhVnXKE0muXqj6QBoG7kwgqIAhGrIXaNz9-uGJzE3wDGnDGAzhlXX5IwcA65OyGVlAjgpo/s640/blogger-image-1810026838.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhZoRoiJ_WNZb92NQ0N7aqkWGB2C4KdScaBNURB0sDQ9XHXv7cYiVs4TXnWi_-P2Z4nQdJSkhVnXKE0muXqj6QBoG7kwgqIAhGrIXaNz9-uGJzE3wDGnDGAzhlXX5IwcA65OyGVlAjgpo/s640/blogger-image-1810026838.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Luca loved sitting in the beach style deck chairs whilst listening to the bands and eating his chips. I now think I want some when we get a garden. They are so retro and cool, I love them! </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4a12lYIqBZGL9smYeq43cuEmmZ_zMl6DwniDAgnxEXRJQQLuZfWYHQJs5HZX7fSwVMl4wlyfcNvH6BH2RSLvkb8hHpNJNQioJEWrVLBlS4WvhOeqhZ1F666yjV9UMqHUE-RTBFqBMH5s/s640/blogger-image--738721640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4a12lYIqBZGL9smYeq43cuEmmZ_zMl6DwniDAgnxEXRJQQLuZfWYHQJs5HZX7fSwVMl4wlyfcNvH6BH2RSLvkb8hHpNJNQioJEWrVLBlS4WvhOeqhZ1F666yjV9UMqHUE-RTBFqBMH5s/s640/blogger-image--738721640.jpg" /></span></a></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Luca also had a go at archery and was quite good to say he's only three, he'll be putting his Aunty Ash and Uncle Rob through their paces soon. </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0D2kmd8y5SZez4-DcjOudLhEkjAYgIFQP4P3ktZVIF0rbChMUnKjdg0clnkekRYXMD8FVmWuC3JvCzJ0bHKJDSNtBgLeDosAyf6bZmo9RIaIKgtg8zVhyphenhyphenV9Wwh1d7pqNNfnjhhlRqfYM/s640/blogger-image--1760250603.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0D2kmd8y5SZez4-DcjOudLhEkjAYgIFQP4P3ktZVIF0rbChMUnKjdg0clnkekRYXMD8FVmWuC3JvCzJ0bHKJDSNtBgLeDosAyf6bZmo9RIaIKgtg8zVhyphenhyphenV9Wwh1d7pqNNfnjhhlRqfYM/s640/blogger-image--1760250603.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We visit Lotherton Hall a lot, we love it here but it was really lovely to spend the day doing something a little bit different there. Hopefully they will run this event again next year as we'll definitely be back.</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">This article is </div>Frankihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07313097506024740535noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5855704912366803417.post-844608292685395372016-05-05T06:00:00.000+01:002016-05-05T06:00:28.332+01:00Room on the Broom ~ Anglers Country Park<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A few weeks ago Daddy had a few days off to spend some quality time with Luca whilst he was off school and I worked.</span></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One day I got home from work early so we decided to make the most of us all being home together and went for a walk. We chose to go to Anglers Country Park to follow the Room on the Broom trail. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We didn't arrive until just after 4pm so the visitor centre and cafe was closed which meant we couldn't grab a hot drink to walk with, boo!</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The evening sun was glorious and although it was cold we were all wrapped up and ready to go. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There were loads of puddles for Luca to splash in, one of his favourite pastimes, and because we all had our wellies on we did some family puddle jumping which he thought was brilliant. </span></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The trail takes you around a big beautiful lake full of ducks and geese. We even saw two swans and a heron as well as lots of other wildlife along the way. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There is a large area of grass around the lake too which looks like it would be perfect for picnics when the summer comes. </span></span><br>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As you wander around the lake there are wooden sculptures to find. The first one being the witch on her broom with her cat. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3PqL7XPJK6Xf3iiVnNUPb25LMKY8BOW38f13yrFCjLsfL7EQty2BwKfPyxi1oyqRZPoCF5QqPzOrsASB9RZLjj7PW6yrqA5sm4lrvXgotKYrcLY4UUr4qVCmD7u3z3tVAqQ6U8uLtlqQ/s1600/roomonthebroom1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3PqL7XPJK6Xf3iiVnNUPb25LMKY8BOW38f13yrFCjLsfL7EQty2BwKfPyxi1oyqRZPoCF5QqPzOrsASB9RZLjj7PW6yrqA5sm4lrvXgotKYrcLY4UUr4qVCmD7u3z3tVAqQ6U8uLtlqQ/s1600/roomonthebroom1.jpg"></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
</div><a href="http://littlelucaandme.blogspot.com/2016/05/room-on-broom-anglers-country-park.html#more">Read more »</a><div class="blogger-post-footer">This article is </div>Frankihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07313097506024740535noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5855704912366803417.post-88105462325538468682016-04-28T06:00:00.000+01:002016-04-28T06:00:13.409+01:00Harewood House<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At the end of March, Harewood House opened it's gates for the first day of the season. With Daddy off work it seemed like the perfect day to go and visit. We set off fairly early to try get the most out of the day and the lovely weather that we were lucky to have.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguAfCmg3u99cvEBaoZibag8yWH46wmHunckSMmndGPhKAEllHfIYotjlxyykWJBvPoJ-b_AoksuFpB9xHGvmtAZ6Fya1rwwDlLriqfAFkBTwO_1uMEtEg8V28S8WVuiYa7CkUDgtFkH1I/s1600/Harewood1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguAfCmg3u99cvEBaoZibag8yWH46wmHunckSMmndGPhKAEllHfIYotjlxyykWJBvPoJ-b_AoksuFpB9xHGvmtAZ6Fya1rwwDlLriqfAFkBTwO_1uMEtEg8V28S8WVuiYa7CkUDgtFkH1I/s1600/Harewood1.jpg"></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When we arrived Luca made a beeline for the huge adventure playground. The have two, a smaller one for little people and then a big one for older children. Luca spent ages on the smaller climbing frame, sliding down the two different slides, climbing across the bridges and generally enjoying himself. He then spotted the larger one with cargo nets, tunnels, slides and much more and managed to persuade his Daddy to take him on it. Poor Ant is 6"4 so scrambling through some of the sections was a challenge for him but had me hugely entertained.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With the promise of an ice cream we managed to get Luca to come for a walk and discover what else was on offer.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With ice cream in hand we headed to the newly opened farm corner, where it was feeding time for the animals. They have a rabbit corner, some pigs, alpacas and goats and we watched the pigs having their breakfast and listened to a little talk all about them.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Once Luca has looked at all the animals we headed to the start of the Easter Egg trail. Hidden around the grounds were big eggs with letters on them that made a word. Once you had them all you handed the sheet in and got a little chocolate prize.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Luca was really enjoying listening to the clues and hunting for the eggs before shouting out the letters he found. Fun & learning combined. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqN7VCxBJrc2891p6pZgngVKG0p9T2s0kKbDtuxY48GrnIXE1nO0m1GKGbIQ6XANhOvZoCmFUVPiF8Aa3v6nVSK44CCaclCHMS0psJkMssR3cQDDIHnnGiU3qc0RX86dQU3VQ_deIqFAI/s1600/Harewood2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqN7VCxBJrc2891p6pZgngVKG0p9T2s0kKbDtuxY48GrnIXE1nO0m1GKGbIQ6XANhOvZoCmFUVPiF8Aa3v6nVSK44CCaclCHMS0psJkMssR3cQDDIHnnGiU3qc0RX86dQU3VQ_deIqFAI/s1600/Harewood2.jpg"></span></a></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<a href="http://littlelucaandme.blogspot.com/2016/04/harewood-house.html#more">Read more »</a><div class="blogger-post-footer">This article is </div>Frankihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07313097506024740535noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5855704912366803417.post-63363599487810739152016-04-26T10:06:00.000+01:002016-04-26T10:11:45.829+01:00To Do List 2016 ~ Quarterly Update<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">March has been and gone (and lets be honest so has April but I'm miles behind on posts still) which means we are a quarter of the way through 2016! Let's just think about that for a minute, a quarter of the way, already! What?!? </span></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Anyway it felt like a good time to reflect on my <a href="http://littlelucaandme.blogspot.co.uk/2016/01/to-do-list-2016.html" target="_blank">to do list</a> and see what I've managed to achieve in these last three months. </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Firstly, and most excitingly, I have recently booked my first snow boarding lesson at our local ski slope. What started out as myself and a friend has now become a group of 7 friends so we have managed to book a group lesson so we can all learn together. Apparently there is one other person who will be joining our group too, I just hope they know what they are letting themselves in for with my bonkers friends and family. </span></li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In March we made a start on having our regular date nights. We started well and managed to to do 4 consecutive weeks but then I got the flu, Ant worked a week of lates and then it was half term so we haven't managed to squeeze in any more. Once Luca is back at school and we have a bit more of a routine going on again I'm sure we will restart them up again as we have both really enjoyed the challenge of it being weekly and taking it in turns to think of things to do together. My favourite one so far has been our at home spa night. </span></li></ul></div><a href="http://littlelucaandme.blogspot.com/2016/04/to-do-list-2016-quarterly-update-1.html#more">Read more »</a><div class="blogger-post-footer">This article is </div>Frankihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07313097506024740535noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5855704912366803417.post-54403594500833411482016-04-26T09:34:00.000+01:002016-04-26T09:34:19.097+01:00Me & Mine ~ March 2016<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This months photo was taken in Sandsend on Mother's Day just as the sun was starting to set on what had been one of the best days ever. You can read all about our time in Sandsend in my <a href="http://littlelucaandme.blogspot.co.uk/2016/03/mothers-day-in-sandsend.html" target="_blank">Mother's Day post</a> but I think this photo sums up the day brilliantly. It was cold, it rained, snowed and hail stoned but we spent hours on the beach digging, throwing stones, collecting shells and pieces of quartz, splashing in the river that runs into the sea and watching the ducks. We laughed a lot and I was surrounded by the most important people in my life. It was absolute perfection and I know it will be one of my favourite days ever for a really long time.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxjC2e8pbAQIYlQppxK78lvXmrzd0sf0Gnd4fitAIOm6R3__SP8fxEx37qqFexIYPwRkhIUN1hHt0FNagt8dqDYfqehB3fdlanbcjXSPKVDez5GQ2Je351eteQ0EAmNI72HgHcXdHs1Po/s1600/Me%2526Mine+March+16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxjC2e8pbAQIYlQppxK78lvXmrzd0sf0Gnd4fitAIOm6R3__SP8fxEx37qqFexIYPwRkhIUN1hHt0FNagt8dqDYfqehB3fdlanbcjXSPKVDez5GQ2Je351eteQ0EAmNI72HgHcXdHs1Po/s1600/Me%2526Mine+March+16.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<a href="http://www.dearbeautifulboy.com/p/me-and-mine-family-portrait-project.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="The Me and Mine Project"><img alt="The Me and Mine Project" src="http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll320/looby_boo/memineprojectbadge_zpsi9mzsfmv.jpg" style="border: none;" /></a></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">This article is </div>Frankihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07313097506024740535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5855704912366803417.post-84051830591071567562016-04-18T11:50:00.002+01:002016-04-18T11:50:43.395+01:00In a nutshell ~ March 2016<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I feel so lucky that most of our months seem to be spent doing lovely things and making brilliant memories. Writing these nutshell posts reminds me of how fabulous each month has been and I think this is something easily forgotten otherwise. </span></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">March has seen us really embrace our time as a family and has given me the best Mother's Day so far, a day I know I will cherish for a very long time. So without further ado, here was how March looked for us.</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">First up was a day crafting Mother's Day cards and making bookmarks with Luca for all his grandma's and great grandma's. He is very lucky to have two grandma's and three great grandma's.</span></li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We had some snow this month too, which was lovely if a little cold. I love snow though, I find it really magical and it makes everything look so pretty. </span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Weekly date nights kicked off in this house and I started the proceedings with a </span><a href="http://littlelucaandme.blogspot.co.uk/2016/03/date-night-1-wife-choice.html" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">night of board games</a><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">, not the most exciting of nights but we still had fun followed by a </span><a href="http://littlelucaandme.blogspot.co.uk/2016/03/date-night-2-husbands-choice.html" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">cards night</a><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">. </span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Although we came home on the Sunday when we went to Sandsend, my parents stayed for the week so after a tiny bit of persuasion I drove back over there on Thursday night with Luca to spend another 2 nights by the sea. It wasn't quite how I had imagined it to be as Luca was struck down with a tummy bug but we did get to spend some more time on the beach, feed the ducks and I went off to take some photos with my camera for my homework for a photography course I'm currently on. Again you can see more pictures on my Mother's Day post.</span></li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0RjBa3cTos5VbSmrnQyQNSrXBl1RtTRYIQcXJZ6YgjDNNuDiUqaWbrOZdeq16rjHE2lmz74LAvvawHaNrwdb3hfWNr6lbFxvpC8hT10yKBNrFz7pTJzXVHikCjhux580BiJpVcw2a10U/s1600/sandsend14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0RjBa3cTos5VbSmrnQyQNSrXBl1RtTRYIQcXJZ6YgjDNNuDiUqaWbrOZdeq16rjHE2lmz74LAvvawHaNrwdb3hfWNr6lbFxvpC8hT10yKBNrFz7pTJzXVHikCjhux580BiJpVcw2a10U/s1600/sandsend14.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfbavUzqpO7Fg27OLYWkxfjHCHFmU0NyJkY2rA4BnUvd9imx-Y_RC3DGaWTur4o2ACpedg98CuQWp75tpoi6Y7FqixOne7owmFiIi0cHmRne5b3g07_4lRfA_QB8RujWTSv7TmBd3q3Gk/s1600/sandsend10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfbavUzqpO7Fg27OLYWkxfjHCHFmU0NyJkY2rA4BnUvd9imx-Y_RC3DGaWTur4o2ACpedg98CuQWp75tpoi6Y7FqixOne7owmFiIi0cHmRne5b3g07_4lRfA_QB8RujWTSv7TmBd3q3Gk/s1600/sandsend10.jpg" /></a></div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The next weekend I took the opportunity to go into Leeds shopping and update my wardrobe a little. I refused to buy clothes for work despite desperately needing some and treated myself to clothes I just loved. My wardrobe was well overdue an update and although I could still do with some more pieces it feels really nice to have new items to wear instead of the same old stuff.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We had a family day out at Harewood House this month too. We haven't been here since before Luca was born so it was really nice to explore it with him. We went on the first day of the season and the weather was absolutely glorious. We did the Easter egg trial and played on the park and generally spent some quality time outdoors as a family. We definitely recommend a visit if your around that area for the playground alone. It's huge and great for kids of all ages.</span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMS_Vmfk7O08di6tnvdGDRyFjXKhzgx7jb2JEktxgQ4Kfdkb656F6BvgnaigOde4FiPVO0bXQehdiBvm5lv9uR3sotu5c2uTLNEN-2-G2rICVA5TrbdwMZflU3_1br2l7W6RKhc6Puu7M/s1600/HarewoodHouse+LL%2526M.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMS_Vmfk7O08di6tnvdGDRyFjXKhzgx7jb2JEktxgQ4Kfdkb656F6BvgnaigOde4FiPVO0bXQehdiBvm5lv9uR3sotu5c2uTLNEN-2-G2rICVA5TrbdwMZflU3_1br2l7W6RKhc6Puu7M/s1600/HarewoodHouse+LL%2526M.jpg" /></a></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Easter was early this year and Luca received a mountain of eggs (which I'm still helping him eat) and the Pie Face game. Hilarious! If you haven't played this game you must. There are a few videos on my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/littlelucaandme/?hl=en" target="_blank">Instagram</a> if you fancy a peek, there is one of my 80yr old Grandma being splatted in the face and even the dog had a go. </span></li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Luca went to his first party from nursery with his new best friend. These two are double trouble to say the least bit are great for each other. Luca has always been a bit of a pushover but since developing this new friendship he appears to be learning to stand up for himself a bit. Luca got a Spiderman glitter tattoo which he loved. </span></li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl4zebcHjJmZLupV16fpMQvnfLPL20Ed-A4EW6qeyTG5L3dzax0Qs_F1rcA5inIFpn3NLYn618Pg61LCcSx67VFyQc6kJl6Be_cLiN_sgpd_WlsjHt_b5RjMdRjFtuFbF9fPxOfhTXIjU/s1600/spiderman+tattoo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl4zebcHjJmZLupV16fpMQvnfLPL20Ed-A4EW6qeyTG5L3dzax0Qs_F1rcA5inIFpn3NLYn618Pg61LCcSx67VFyQc6kJl6Be_cLiN_sgpd_WlsjHt_b5RjMdRjFtuFbF9fPxOfhTXIjU/s1600/spiderman+tattoo.jpg" /></a></div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I finished the month with flu which wasn't exactly how I'd planned. Flu is an absolute bitch, I've never felt so ill in all my life and it's completely wiped me out. Despite feeling better now my muscles were ravaged during my illness and are still catching up on their recovery. I feel like I've run a marathon by bed time each day at the moment.</span></li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Apart from the flu March was a really good month and I've looked back on it very fondly whilst writing this post. I feel so lucky to have the family and life I do and will always endeavour to cherish every minute spent enjoying it and remembering it. These years with Luca are absolutely flying and I want to hold them closer and slow it down just a little. </span></div>
</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">This article is </div>Frankihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07313097506024740535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5855704912366803417.post-44790883261421394152016-03-17T07:00:00.000+00:002016-03-17T07:00:15.041+00:00Mother's Day in Sandsend<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On Saturday my parents, along with my aunt and my grandparents were going to Sandsend for a week. Whilst I was at my mums giving her our presents and cards for everyone for Mother's Day my dad called to say he wouldn't be finished at work in time to set off with them. To cut a long story short my dad very kindly offered to pay for us a B&B on Saturday night in Sandsend in exchange for a lift there that night. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After a quick phone call to Ant it was agreed that we would absolutely love to go for the night and off I trotted home to pack for our impromptu trip. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We packed our overnight bag, bathed Luca and popped him into his pj's before setting off to pick up my Dad at about 7:30pm. It took just less than two hours to get to Sandsend from where we live so by the time we arrived Luca had fallen asleep and it was pitch black outside.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We found where my parents were staying and dropped my dad. My mum then loaded us up with food, a big bowl of pasta, chunks of fresh bread covered in butter, a small cake, some ginger biscuits, a small carton of milk (for a cup of tea) and a bottle of beer for Ant. Seriously, she's a feeder. </span><br>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We then drove 2 minutes around the corner to our B&B for the night, checked in and got Luca all snuggled back into bed before sharing the food my mum sent us and settling down for the night ourselves. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We knew our room overlooked the sea as the owners had informed us of this at check in, and we could hear the waves crashing all night through the old sash windows (not a bad thing, it was quite relaxing) but we had no idea what it would actually look like in the morning as neither of us have ever visited Sandsend before and it was absolutely pitch black when we arrived.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We weren't to be disappointed. When Luca dived out of bed the next morning and threw back the curtains this was the site that greeted us, it was a perfect start to Mother's Day right there. </span><br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQxrl3nAwn7jEiRgvupmIra3AtgH9tv2KsA5x_hszWzCs-lzZy6pk7Lg4yGvm2DxYhX4tix-8GKzjqgGZyCLpLrannK7q7sMU12KlCWpRRqxyj2MnRGc1qN6hapC4S5OPuDRgoya4lYj0/s1600/sandsend2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQxrl3nAwn7jEiRgvupmIra3AtgH9tv2KsA5x_hszWzCs-lzZy6pk7Lg4yGvm2DxYhX4tix-8GKzjqgGZyCLpLrannK7q7sMU12KlCWpRRqxyj2MnRGc1qN6hapC4S5OPuDRgoya4lYj0/s1600/sandsend2.jpg"></a></div>
<br>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For once Luca was more than willing to get dressed that morning, he couldn't wait to get outside and play on the beach. </span><br>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzmkKpx7okC5BS9HcV_e2BoYZW0juizubh0AqMgRJyKlw8rokuKXCMyeYqhdcGb81f5XoMkNV4JolZhePtmOlPOx42g2G4BbsFo8fPPsZ3gYYdBMKAJQQIO_cIjbB0Horkwf_kwxTqkSw/s1600/sandsend1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzmkKpx7okC5BS9HcV_e2BoYZW0juizubh0AqMgRJyKlw8rokuKXCMyeYqhdcGb81f5XoMkNV4JolZhePtmOlPOx42g2G4BbsFo8fPPsZ3gYYdBMKAJQQIO_cIjbB0Horkwf_kwxTqkSw/s1600/sandsend1.jpg"></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">After a huge breakfast, again with views over looking the sea, we checked out and set off walking back to my parents cottage they were renting for the week. My dad had taken our car back around to their cottage as there wasn't any parking where we were staying. It was only a five minute walk though and the sights that greeted us along the way were just beautiful. Sandsend really is a picture perfect seaside village. </span><br>
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglDDbhyBFgPl4hjKgKxeMOA2NBRunUUKUdt8urgQ34TFBkKkz4SQBxnGhSehOAqPN94wt1X4eQhNcH7SOFHhO_MzNGsXpPeUUEFb9o9Lg-itXwapa3lRbaBTRRvE0aZImgkt4rCnbnwP0/s1600/sandsend21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglDDbhyBFgPl4hjKgKxeMOA2NBRunUUKUdt8urgQ34TFBkKkz4SQBxnGhSehOAqPN94wt1X4eQhNcH7SOFHhO_MzNGsXpPeUUEFb9o9Lg-itXwapa3lRbaBTRRvE0aZImgkt4rCnbnwP0/s1600/sandsend21.jpg"></a></div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP08_xvq7o7qY7lNpLqqNwTKktX7CNrEr522lcdCG4INH3Y-idnmEE_tN78HDd4zjTW64Fb_l_pvCBsLtZf6PQyyZr3rbRsvu25cXvEVtBVu-HWdNq23W8-uwOrd4xJYa7-HSyX9XQElY/s1600/sandsend16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP08_xvq7o7qY7lNpLqqNwTKktX7CNrEr522lcdCG4INH3Y-idnmEE_tN78HDd4zjTW64Fb_l_pvCBsLtZf6PQyyZr3rbRsvu25cXvEVtBVu-HWdNq23W8-uwOrd4xJYa7-HSyX9XQElY/s1600/sandsend16.jpg"></a></div>
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br>
</div><a href="http://littlelucaandme.blogspot.com/2016/03/mothers-day-in-sandsend.html#more">Read more »</a><div class="blogger-post-footer">This article is </div>Frankihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07313097506024740535noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5855704912366803417.post-53939369944542627222016-03-14T22:12:00.000+00:002016-04-09T09:28:40.698+01:00In a Nutshell - February '16<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I cannot believe we are already into March. Despite the snow and really cold weather recently I can definitely feel Spring is just around the corner. I'm willing it in by decorating my house with ceramic rabbits, and filling vases with tulips and daffodils galore. </span><br><br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7o19QOYGh4DI0dp1UyF7joYTLdoqcqRkI6ztBvophgM6UTKardi-GwNEF9M8Hfb3jATQ95b3wcOyJK3jVvhyphenhyphenVJNzgAysbirsAPWfjK9aI_46usEd2IejelUVCv04rj5xYS0tLtxLU0PA/s1600/tulips.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7o19QOYGh4DI0dp1UyF7joYTLdoqcqRkI6ztBvophgM6UTKardi-GwNEF9M8Hfb3jATQ95b3wcOyJK3jVvhyphenhyphenVJNzgAysbirsAPWfjK9aI_46usEd2IejelUVCv04rj5xYS0tLtxLU0PA/s320/tulips.jpg" width="256"></a></div>
<br>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">February was a jam packed month. We had so much fun and squeezed every last minute out of it, so here is what we got up to. </span><br>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">One Friday we decided to go visit the local park we recently discovered. It's literally around the corner from Luca's school and it a really good little find. Luca loved exploring all the things it had to offer, like the see-saw, climbing wall, rope wall, swings and slide. As well as the little telescope mounted onto the climbing frame. </span><br>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgahk8Q1alxlHRNu_rFXHKbMpCXB_cxFF-TdlaIlFWVe-l-1-qbNfjJeNZrbCXXQPOBSu-dTpPfUVe2tHNIJndimv9I7zZKXShq1GguL1Z7eYLxo-vsgQaZVLIAXsNUesK_zqhIQowwzrQ/s1600/feb1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgahk8Q1alxlHRNu_rFXHKbMpCXB_cxFF-TdlaIlFWVe-l-1-qbNfjJeNZrbCXXQPOBSu-dTpPfUVe2tHNIJndimv9I7zZKXShq1GguL1Z7eYLxo-vsgQaZVLIAXsNUesK_zqhIQowwzrQ/s320/feb1.jpg" width="320"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQZh6s4DbjzsR4gZcy9Yl0kpHO3mh-CzT1UdMl5j5w7O9DX3Hip0yBObyaTLtpEE6XVEuTDlqwSxdJQ1B1V-Clo3Wek2Ne5LyK7glY_fCOW7hNL6oyOnSkuC3g4ibhmHv8k1fgPhQdyWA/s1600/feb2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQZh6s4DbjzsR4gZcy9Yl0kpHO3mh-CzT1UdMl5j5w7O9DX3Hip0yBObyaTLtpEE6XVEuTDlqwSxdJQ1B1V-Clo3Wek2Ne5LyK7glY_fCOW7hNL6oyOnSkuC3g4ibhmHv8k1fgPhQdyWA/s1600/feb2.jpg"></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On Valentine's weekend my childhood best friend gave me a card with a little message inside asking me to be her bridesmaid. I'm so excited. I've only ever been a bridesmaid once before and that was for my Grandma when I was about 10. I'm really looking forward to celebrating her wedding and feel very honoured that she has asked me. </span><br>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">One Monday, when I got home from work early, we took a last minute trip to Anglers Country Park to follow the Room on the Broom trail. It was absolutely brilliant, Luca loved discovering all the hidden sculptures and the letters dotted around the lake and I really enjoyed playing with my camera before the dark set in.</span><br>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We had our first few weekly date nights as well this month. They have both been really good and I'm enjoying spending time with Ant each week and giving each other our undivided attention.</span><br>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I found out our local cinema do a Sunday morning junior showing for a really cheap rate. It cost £7 for four of us to go see The Good Dinosaur. I'm definitely going to be making use of this more often. We all cried at this film, it's such a good film but a real tear jerker. Luca says he doesn't want us to buy it though as it made him cry too much. He literally sobbed at the end and had to have a big cuddle. </span><br>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The last weekend of February was so much fun. My friend Ashleigh, was supposed to be going on a spa break with her Mum but unfortunately her Mum was too poorly to go. So like the good friend I am I stepped in. We spent all day Saturday at the Titanic Spa, making use of all the facilities, eating delicious food and covering ourselves in mud (all in the name of beauty). We then drank a few too many cocktails in the evening and got a little bit tipsy. It was so much fun to spend some real quality time with my best friend though, we laughed and talked for hours and it was just what we both needed after a few stressful weeks at work. </span><br>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhv3BNiTx3BHhUuzvYanwvldJYJIJdWsiRxkxY1C2pPGp1wcy70L9Bfwq7GDfK3P8zVvt-F-cLcSQEG8l6QDmAYJKvqYkb5NszzfGTOaY5CCFXq2jmLBTtt2T-Q0hrUfyD0NvXCaZ8l9o/s1600/feb3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhv3BNiTx3BHhUuzvYanwvldJYJIJdWsiRxkxY1C2pPGp1wcy70L9Bfwq7GDfK3P8zVvt-F-cLcSQEG8l6QDmAYJKvqYkb5NszzfGTOaY5CCFXq2jmLBTtt2T-Q0hrUfyD0NvXCaZ8l9o/s400/feb3.jpg" width="400"></a></div>
<br>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The day after we grabbed a Costa whilst we waited for her fiance to come and pick her up before I went to collect Luca from my mums. When I got there the glorious spring sunshine was out and we spent a few hours playing in her garden. Luca was in his element as he loves being outside and we don't have a garden where we live. He was riding his bike and his electric motorbike and we played on the swings too making the most of the fresh air and blue skies. </span><br>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br>February turned out to be an absolutely wonderful month even though we had no plans to begin. <br></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">This article is </div>Frankihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07313097506024740535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5855704912366803417.post-36490720969678496892016-03-08T07:00:00.000+00:002016-03-08T07:00:06.648+00:00Crafty Owls Pottery Painting<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">With the weather being so rubbish lately we haven't had many outside adventures. I don't mind rain or cold weather but when it's so windy I really don't enjoy being outside. Having said that I still want to get out of the house. </span></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A few weeks ago it was blustery, cold and rainy and we had my niece over to celebrate her birthday. With all this in mind it seemed like the perfect weekend to go pottery painting as suggested by my cousin Ella. We initially booked into Jack Rabbits in Leeds, I phoned during the week to book our place as they get busy at the weekend. When we arrived we were told our table had been given away to someone else as we were late and so they had no space for us. Furious (I had told them we would be late when we booked), we headed back to the car and consulted good old Google to try find somewhere else. </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We found somewhere only 15 minutes from our house, in Ossett called <a href="http://www.craftyowlspottery.com/">Crafty Owls</a>, if only we had known before. After a quick call to see if they could squeeze us in (they could) we set off to find them. </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When we arrived we were greeted by the very friendly owner, Kirstin, who showed us to a table, told us to get comfy and pointed us in the direction of the pottery shelves to choose what we wanted to paint. She then informed us to take a seat and her husband, Julien, would be over to explain the rest of the process. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Rhianna chose a princess to paint, Luca chose an octopus and Ella, chose a really cute owl shaped tea light holder. </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
</div><a href="http://littlelucaandme.blogspot.com/2016/03/crafty-owls-pottery-painting.html#more">Read more »</a><div class="blogger-post-footer">This article is </div>Frankihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07313097506024740535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5855704912366803417.post-78336566961784379162016-03-07T11:30:00.001+00:002016-03-07T11:35:39.808+00:00Going au naturel<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Not long after Luca was born I realised he had sensitive skin and eczema. I tried everything that I was advised to try on babies with eczema and nothing seemed to be making any difference at all. As he got older he began to scratch himself to the point where he would bleed. As a new mum seeing him tear his delicate little skin open through itching so much broke my heart. By this point I had tried all the things that were prescribed to him such as E45 and Oilatum, yet absolutely nothing worked. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">One day we were contacted and asked if we would like to review some baby skin products by Weleda and I thought why not. I mean what did we have to loose right? I couldn't be happier that I made that choice and we haven't looked back since. <a href="http://littlelucaandme.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Weleda" target="_blank">Weleda saved my precious babies skin</a> and I will be eternally grateful to them for that.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Since that miracle week (yes it only took a week) when Luca healed I really started to think. When I looked at the ingredients on the products prescribed to help his skin they were just loaded full of chemical after chemical, no wonder it never helped. I remember my Grandma telling me years ago that you should never put anything onto your skin that we wouldn't put into your mouth and suddenly it all added up. Everything we put on our skin is absorbed into our body, so of course it makes sense to be careful about the things we do use. Nowadays I really think about the things I use on Luca's skin and for a long time now he has only been using products that are 100% natural. In fact, he has only been using Weleda.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_WXJNCyEbxLyUpx0E9emfsgRSVe3uNz8hxV_sPmQs5Dq2fCnFUl7Bj9eFgaoOf5T5-KfuNOoGkNi1LeftV7j6cud00c1-L4y2lujxYbjDMXnNlCXbAf2ocfFk3Zq4Ft07UpTYcmz85lM/s1600/Weleda+bath.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_WXJNCyEbxLyUpx0E9emfsgRSVe3uNz8hxV_sPmQs5Dq2fCnFUl7Bj9eFgaoOf5T5-KfuNOoGkNi1LeftV7j6cud00c1-L4y2lujxYbjDMXnNlCXbAf2ocfFk3Zq4Ft07UpTYcmz85lM/s1600/Weleda+bath.jpg"></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
</div><a href="http://littlelucaandme.blogspot.com/2016/03/going-au-naturel.html#more">Read more »</a><div class="blogger-post-footer">This article is </div>Frankihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07313097506024740535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5855704912366803417.post-64888936526752844542016-03-07T09:38:00.000+00:002016-03-07T09:38:03.569+00:00Me & Mine - February 2016<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span id="goog_2146346112"></span><span id="goog_2146346113"></span>After promising myself I would try harder this year to take more photos of us as a family I only managed to take one of us this month, a grainy iPhone snap, shot at dusk as well. I'm going to blame it on being the shortest month so the end crept up on me before I had realised. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Anyway, it's a photo I took of us on a lovely family walk around Anglers Country Park where we were having the best time discovering the Room on the Broom trail.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'm windswept and not wearing any makeup and you can only just see Luca but it is what it is and it captures a day I will cherish for a long time. Sometimes the rubbish, grainy iPhone captures are the best, despite the poor quality it was us doing what we do best as a family, goofing around and laughing whilst splashing in puddles and squelching through mud.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So here we are, me and mine as we were in February. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV3lsKqlk2zwQCco6sxFQdcX3RLDvjbpz7crgoQTbKDT74AvvFE7fmPkVKq3QdzZBNwufptggrHWTHOmbaUfAUCiRci8aQo6Rne-4LSvPpRrfNy3QkBL2PdXdqZH4_NxG_Hud-_tQWIik/s1600/IMG_0713.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV3lsKqlk2zwQCco6sxFQdcX3RLDvjbpz7crgoQTbKDT74AvvFE7fmPkVKq3QdzZBNwufptggrHWTHOmbaUfAUCiRci8aQo6Rne-4LSvPpRrfNy3QkBL2PdXdqZH4_NxG_Hud-_tQWIik/s400/IMG_0713.JPG" width="318" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center">
<a href="http://www.dearbeautifulboy.com/p/me-and-mine-family-portrait-project.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="The Me and Mine Project"><img alt="The Me and Mine Project" src="http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll320/looby_boo/memineprojectbadge_zpsi9mzsfmv.jpg" style="border: none;" /></a></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">This article is </div>Frankihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07313097506024740535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5855704912366803417.post-83804497160491763832016-02-14T00:01:00.000+00:002016-04-26T12:02:20.834+01:00My Husband, My Valentine<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's Valentines Day so it only seems right to share this post with you all. I wrote it a few weeks ago but thought I would save it for the day we are supposed to declare our love to the special people in our lives. As a couple we don't celebrate Valentines Day, we might just have a special date night but no soppy presents will be exchanged as <strike>Ant tends to spoil me</strike> we tend to spoil each other all year round so instead this seems the perfect way to celebrate Ant and my love for him. </span><br>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We've been married for two and a half years now. I am someone's wife. I'm not even a grown up yet sure I'm not sure how this all happened, but happen it did. </span><br>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3hpBEKlT6TdiG6qg4fDWmhLyl7IN1dOo_KAaVNpSCK6GNA9IBUtvuUq-b3Biges5e3lhFCf-AyYrNaQkXWV87-Ya-_QsELH9LJPF1jRSgpFIiVcikjfR4U5HnZhPNMYmwDBX7WMAhRnc/s1600/wedding1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3hpBEKlT6TdiG6qg4fDWmhLyl7IN1dOo_KAaVNpSCK6GNA9IBUtvuUq-b3Biges5e3lhFCf-AyYrNaQkXWV87-Ya-_QsELH9LJPF1jRSgpFIiVcikjfR4U5HnZhPNMYmwDBX7WMAhRnc/s1600/wedding1.jpg"></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">They say the first year of marriage is the hardest and for us our first year of being newly weds threw all sorts of shit at us and was definitely a challenge to say the least. Then life threw even more at us for the year and a half after that right up until present day when we seem to be still wading through it. Seriously our life feels a little bit surreal at the moment with everything that is happening. </span><br>
<br>
</div><a href="http://littlelucaandme.blogspot.com/2016/02/my-husband-my-valentine.html#more">Read more »</a><div class="blogger-post-footer">This article is </div>Frankihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07313097506024740535noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5855704912366803417.post-89029101252803333942016-02-12T07:44:00.000+00:002016-02-12T13:56:27.296+00:00Weekly Date Nights<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Regular date nights made it onto my <a href="http://littlelucaandme.blogspot.co.uk/2016/01/to-do-list-2016.html?m=1" target="_blank">annual to-do list </a>again this year. It has been on there before and we got quite good at making nights for us to spend together as a couple but then it slowly fizzled out again. I decided to put it back on so that I remember it's important and I remember to make the time.</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I know we shouldn't need reminding but our lives are hectic and so a little reminder is better than no reminder and no time spent together.i</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Previously we took it in turns to plan a surprise date night once a month and had some belters throughout the year. Ant took me to see Dirty Dancing and I returned the favour with tickets to an under the radar acoustic gig by The Pigeon Detectives. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_wPPI-sUs4oArxRF5QOPL6aOHPJx8zQZZNJk5NytL_uiP3pcGN5HuYOcvLb6r07KFs-YLfv5GnRLpKAOaTjDeUCRraotJVIO-dOVcoL0pdziyW8S5SdVqLYmZlkDEmac_q_0VdSou58g/s640/blogger-image--902344832.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_wPPI-sUs4oArxRF5QOPL6aOHPJx8zQZZNJk5NytL_uiP3pcGN5HuYOcvLb6r07KFs-YLfv5GnRLpKAOaTjDeUCRraotJVIO-dOVcoL0pdziyW8S5SdVqLYmZlkDEmac_q_0VdSou58g/s640/blogger-image--902344832.jpg" /></a></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This year we have agreed to a date night once a week, again taking it in turns to plan what we will do and they can be date nights at home or date nights out. Whatever we fancy. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'm going to kick of precedings, and with Valentines Day coming up I think it will be the perfect start, and I suppose I should do the first one with it being my idea and all, so I need to get my thinking cap on. I'm going to record all our date nights right here so you can take inspiration of things to do if your stuck in a bit of a rut. Let's face it we've all been there and there are only so many times a romantic film snuggled on the sofa can count as a date night. Mainly though I'm going to record them for posterity and to look back on, and also I'm hoping it will give me, and Ant, the kick up the butt to get creative and really pull some great nights out of the bag. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Let me know if you have any ideas. </span></div>
<a href="http://honestmum.com/category/brilliant-blog-posts/"><img alt="Brilliant blog posts on HonestMum.com" src="http://i.imgur.com/fJzNWoE.jpg" height="189" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="301" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer">This article is </div>Frankihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07313097506024740535noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5855704912366803417.post-40754947979820280972016-02-04T16:37:00.001+00:002016-02-12T07:45:48.751+00:00January '16 in a Nutshell<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After such a busy month as December it was nice to slow down a bit in January.</span><br>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We started off the year with a few days of fun together as a family. We went to <a href="http://sneakyexperience.co.uk/" target="_blank">Sneaky Experiences</a> Tales of Grimm Wood beneath the Leeds Town Hall followed by lunch in the Art Gallery. </span><br>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTrz2N1X0cvg6_lq4rdoK8SsDLd0wmI5dEShyq9D_qc3pxaRsiBdVO8YOG5Jib3ARux8dVE1EVktaCwnG5LSCaovDwtEIAnTbOQPrkzRDg2oWSKZbVoZequ1StrJpF-IJA9sH6aKJfZRQ/s1600/TaleofGrimmWood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTrz2N1X0cvg6_lq4rdoK8SsDLd0wmI5dEShyq9D_qc3pxaRsiBdVO8YOG5Jib3ARux8dVE1EVktaCwnG5LSCaovDwtEIAnTbOQPrkzRDg2oWSKZbVoZequ1StrJpF-IJA9sH6aKJfZRQ/s1600/TaleofGrimmWood.jpg"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidkCW0lT3W5khR0PAc753av6PiPJYbbo4F7zmliepC7GBYBG0kjGeqcqdW7XOvqzUtCuKM9ZT4z-Lf_plQf7MOa00CFN10kCQ4_EQvQMPzBVvSUBwgLQWk__8DwtH4cYV9mTZAXVbiisg/s1600/lunchdate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidkCW0lT3W5khR0PAc753av6PiPJYbbo4F7zmliepC7GBYBG0kjGeqcqdW7XOvqzUtCuKM9ZT4z-Lf_plQf7MOa00CFN10kCQ4_EQvQMPzBVvSUBwgLQWk__8DwtH4cYV9mTZAXVbiisg/s1600/lunchdate.jpg"></a></div>
<br>
<a href="http://littlelucaandme.blogspot.com/2016/02/january-16-in-nutshell.html#more">Read more »</a><div class="blogger-post-footer">This article is </div>Frankihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07313097506024740535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5855704912366803417.post-8129683417587324352016-02-04T15:37:00.000+00:002016-02-12T07:45:15.041+00:00December '15 in a Nutshell<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">December is always a busy month for us as a family. It's packed full of birthdays and anniversaries, not to mention to Christmas and New Year. December always flys by without me so much as scratching my arse over the 31 days of it. </span></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Despite it being such a busy month, it was an absolutely lovely month and so I thought I'd share what December looked like for us. </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The 1st of December is my best friends birthday and so this year we celebrated with a meal at one of our regular haunts, Franco's. It was so nice to spend time with three ladies who mean an awful lot to me and have a good old girly chin wag over wine and food to celebrate Ashleigh's birthday and generally just let my hair down for a few hours. She's the best friend I could wish for and helps out so much with Luca for me. She's a complete star and has been by my side through lots of shit over the last two and a half years and taken her fair share of ear bashing when I've needed to rant to someone. I love her dearly. </span><br>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> After this came my parents wedding anniversary. Happily married for 28 years they are my idols and are the most fabulous parents in the world. </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A few days later it was Auntie's birthday and then time to put up the Christmas decorations. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span>
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRxvMWi1mUQtMYDb_edlNmP1G53Rqnr8hKxe6bpeOIX7OP95j4HmyUJRBayYMXk2qlGx7iuRqFIWlTYfVid2R9H1D2M5e8JnJhGdnVGYCbf_4xECr4NnKxw9gaJ4PK7AK7OszaRZaLBKg/s1600/xmastree1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRxvMWi1mUQtMYDb_edlNmP1G53Rqnr8hKxe6bpeOIX7OP95j4HmyUJRBayYMXk2qlGx7iuRqFIWlTYfVid2R9H1D2M5e8JnJhGdnVGYCbf_4xECr4NnKxw9gaJ4PK7AK7OszaRZaLBKg/s1600/xmastree1.jpg"></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ou2lJySFQXG8Dp_iRAHdVi2oeLiNMFFTV_oNGFMaXWnFTapXCvrLtLkzVurNBNmbweAuWI1N1XzVNHQJB06MNzxtwXonBzC-MtxpiV3PBPK8ILJurPJUrQJQD4OvBIL5vqAbXJ1GSGI/s1600/xmastree2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ou2lJySFQXG8Dp_iRAHdVi2oeLiNMFFTV_oNGFMaXWnFTapXCvrLtLkzVurNBNmbweAuWI1N1XzVNHQJB06MNzxtwXonBzC-MtxpiV3PBPK8ILJurPJUrQJQD4OvBIL5vqAbXJ1GSGI/s1600/xmastree2.jpg"></span></a></div>
<br>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A few days later we went to Nursery to see Luca in his first school Christmas performance. He spent the whole time looking really shy, but did come out of his shell a little when Santa turned up with presents. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></span>
<br>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br>
</div></div><a href="http://littlelucaandme.blogspot.com/2016/02/december-15-in-nutshell.html#more">Read more »</a><div class="blogger-post-footer">This article is </div>Frankihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07313097506024740535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5855704912366803417.post-75554864972299677122016-01-31T17:28:00.001+00:002016-01-31T17:28:13.245+00:00Me & Mine January 2016 & Catch Up<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Me & Mine is one of my favourite linkys. I love that it made me realise we didn't have many photos of us all together as a family and made me start to take photos of us all rather than just one of us with Luca. </span><br>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In December 2014 I did a catch up post after missing a few months. Then I realised that after that catch up post I never actually posted any more despite trying to take photos of us as a family every month. </span><br>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So here are those family photos that I did manage to take in 2015 that I never actually shared as well as a new commitment to posting a family photo once a month again for 2016. </span><br>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span>
<br>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><u>January 2015</u></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHHqzJauoK1e7p4rFSEoGQTiUzHr3Ajj9UYsTtkNVkc99oLdNZrDpK_xtQA1SDGd4rSjhwYRe6uj8GcS1Fb4R-3y4lKyNOHgw0I6cCbGNHV4_cuufB_iocldXIouxC9Z2CdvdmIvKLJUg/s1600/Me%2526MineJan15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHHqzJauoK1e7p4rFSEoGQTiUzHr3Ajj9UYsTtkNVkc99oLdNZrDpK_xtQA1SDGd4rSjhwYRe6uj8GcS1Fb4R-3y4lKyNOHgw0I6cCbGNHV4_cuufB_iocldXIouxC9Z2CdvdmIvKLJUg/s1600/Me%2526MineJan15.jpg"></a></div>
<br>
<a href="http://littlelucaandme.blogspot.com/2016/01/me-mine-january-2016-catch-up.html#more">Read more »</a><div class="blogger-post-footer">This article is </div>Frankihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07313097506024740535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5855704912366803417.post-33823702855142766442016-01-24T20:42:00.006+00:002016-02-12T07:44:09.244+00:00My Wild One #2 - A Snowy Sunday<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Last weekend we got snow. It started slowly on Saturday evening but by bedtime it was coming down thick and fast and we had a decent covering on the ground. </span><br>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As we were closing Luca's blinds for bed he spotted the snow and asked if we could go out and play in it. </span><br>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I said yes! </span><br>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I chucked some mismatched, warm clothes on us both and out we went. Luca ran out into the snow and was absolutely in his element, making snow angels, throwing snowballs and catching flakes on his tongue for about an hour and a half before I dragged him back in to go to bed. These are some photos from that evening that I took on my iPhone. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">By Sunday morning and there was a decent amount of snow just waiting for us to go out and play in some more. Ant wasn't working so we had breakfast and then went out to play. We walked around our little estate, taking in the beauty of our snow covered surroundings and greeting all the other families we saw doing the same. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXAnC5piJIwziW1m5qDvMSAt8NhKos80t2T5K0nM0BofGdiGId4vvF2zFC5ENDrMGhEB_iCFwILzui5WVAyXpn52OVaPITkFzullYckCcvD9pi0DzeouT4yLcaN25rGGRQFu_ug-fSqps/s1600/snowysunday1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXAnC5piJIwziW1m5qDvMSAt8NhKos80t2T5K0nM0BofGdiGId4vvF2zFC5ENDrMGhEB_iCFwILzui5WVAyXpn52OVaPITkFzullYckCcvD9pi0DzeouT4yLcaN25rGGRQFu_ug-fSqps/s1600/snowysunday1.jpg"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUwTgyepef0Y0Z5sBuNXDMYOLAAbfgoyWgWXOtJyrmZznSR_k2V8POEMp0slL1zWW1mVfPMNKOlt9T83zVgtHKsOzdpblZo5S-Lh4jNCU2C8M97SVx8otF6sfX3HQXlYqyX6-9xddQcQE/s1600/snowysunday2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUwTgyepef0Y0Z5sBuNXDMYOLAAbfgoyWgWXOtJyrmZznSR_k2V8POEMp0slL1zWW1mVfPMNKOlt9T83zVgtHKsOzdpblZo5S-Lh4jNCU2C8M97SVx8otF6sfX3HQXlYqyX6-9xddQcQE/s1600/snowysunday2.jpg"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
</div><a href="http://littlelucaandme.blogspot.com/2016/01/a-snowy-sunday.html#more">Read more »</a><div class="blogger-post-footer">This article is </div>Frankihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07313097506024740535noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5855704912366803417.post-26816465849565923772016-01-16T22:34:00.001+00:002016-01-21T17:41:30.833+00:00My Wild One #1 - A trip to Lotherton Hall<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Having a husband who works most weekends absolutely sucks for so many reasons. But, I'm a huge believer in optimism and finding the good in everyday. In this situation the good is having quality time with Luca, just me and him. Mother and son. I love it, I really do. I love exploring with him, creating memories, having fun and laughing together. I'm the mum jumping in puddles when we go on muddy walks. I'm the mum racing him on the zip wire or throwing leaves around. I'm the mum who doesn't care how dirty my new jeans get as long as we are having fun together. I love being that mum. </span><br>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So as I've vowed that I'm going to blog more, I've decided I should share more of these snippets of our life. The ordinary days, visiting places we've been on numerous occasions and where nothing spectacular may happen, but the days where we are together. They seem even more special now he's at pre-school too and I feel like I don't get as much time with him and like I now have to share him with the big world. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On these days we aren't always alone, sometimes a friend may join us like they did this week when we ventured out to Lotherton Hall. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Now I don't know if you've heard, but it's been pretty rainy up here in Yorkshire recently. On Friday we got a break in the rain and the sun even came out to cast its glorious wintry shine on everything. So we jumped in the car, picked up my friend Steph and headed out into the cold. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Lotherton Hall is a regular haunt for us. It's got so much to keep you entertained for a good few hours. We began on the playground to burn off a bit of the crazy that creeps in when you've been housebound for a while. After that we headed into the wooded walk to find the hidden bits and pieces to play on and for me to start taking some photos for my latest photography challenge, #AYearWithMyCamera. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There are lots of play equipment hidden in the trees and Luca loves the challenge that they all present, like the wobbly bridge and the bouncy circles. He also loved balancing on a big, moss covered log we found and had Steph and myself helping him walk backwards and forwards on it for ages. </span><br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz7AKp5jqLQ6t2UlwjIFZylOjxxubTlzFv6YaMF5cywvp8WZMSHr6f7C2RnFgj8CxRpEbR1nqoXohh1nk705bHIAbpDnYq5kYi87ZbdBmbkiaA0EBSxfOOeOJSE5GP5AJcmE2ZVPglyFY/s1600/wobblybridge2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz7AKp5jqLQ6t2UlwjIFZylOjxxubTlzFv6YaMF5cywvp8WZMSHr6f7C2RnFgj8CxRpEbR1nqoXohh1nk705bHIAbpDnYq5kYi87ZbdBmbkiaA0EBSxfOOeOJSE5GP5AJcmE2ZVPglyFY/s1600/wobblybridge2.jpg"></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn-DNIoiVwRz7Dg3CViZVgWLbIseN21AqUOgSbKJJSXZG6zMPjO6J8YOp5xz0DvhPfuKGlXFqKgYqN-U-4X6-pCtwu8vwEqPB0_rzb_1XdSJ_vl9Zd6BUhFlqkapc_9hcmjl03x2EUxuI/s1600/mossylog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn-DNIoiVwRz7Dg3CViZVgWLbIseN21AqUOgSbKJJSXZG6zMPjO6J8YOp5xz0DvhPfuKGlXFqKgYqN-U-4X6-pCtwu8vwEqPB0_rzb_1XdSJ_vl9Zd6BUhFlqkapc_9hcmjl03x2EUxuI/s1600/mossylog.jpg"></a></div>
<br>
</div><a href="http://littlelucaandme.blogspot.com/2016/01/my-wild-one-1.html#more">Read more »</a><div class="blogger-post-footer">This article is </div>Frankihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07313097506024740535noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5855704912366803417.post-44606581515981314502016-01-15T10:12:00.001+00:002016-01-21T17:42:48.219+00:00To-Do List 2016<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's January which means it's a new year and a new to-do list. </span><br>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Last years list didn't quite go as I'd hoped, you can see what I managed to cross off <a href="http://littlelucaandme.blogspot.co.uk/2016/01/to-do-list-2015-review.html" target="_blank">here</a>, so I'm hoping to get a few more finished this year. </span><br>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After a fair bit of deliberation I've managed to set myself 10 things to do this year. Here they are;</span><br>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u><b>1. Go on the Harry Potter Studio tour</b></u>.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We nearly made it last year but alas it was not to be. This year it's staying on the list as I'm determined this HP nerd will make it there. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>2. Learn to snowboard</u></b>.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This has been a lifelong ambition that has just never come into fruition so again, this will be staying on my to do list until it is done. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>3. Have regular date nights with my husband. </u></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This was on the list a few years ago and although we didn't quite make every all of our planned date nights we made a lot of them. However this has fizzled out again as life gets in the way, so this year it's back. The plan is to spend one evening together a week. Either at home or out somewhere. We are going to alternate responsibility for them so I will kick off week one and then Ant will plan what we do the week after and so on. I'm really looking forward to the challenge of planning fun things to do together at home that don't involve a romantic meal or a film. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br>
</div><a href="http://littlelucaandme.blogspot.com/2016/01/to-do-list-2016.html#more">Read more »</a><div class="blogger-post-footer">This article is </div>Frankihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07313097506024740535noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5855704912366803417.post-34298540694371239752016-01-03T21:43:00.002+00:002016-01-15T10:06:15.090+00:00To-Do List 2015 - Review<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For the last two years I've written myself a to do list at the start of each year. I don't make resolutions as I never stick to them and the I just feel like I've failed within a month or so. Having said that, I do like the idea of having a fresh start and having aims and goals for the year ahead. In 2015 I made a <a href="http://littlelucaandme.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/to-do-list-2015.html" target="_blank">list of 10 things to-do</a>, these were;</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br></span>
</div></div><a href="http://littlelucaandme.blogspot.com/2016/01/to-do-list-2015-review.html#more">Read more »</a><div class="blogger-post-footer">This article is </div>Frankihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07313097506024740535noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5855704912366803417.post-5693352594467422442015-12-22T08:37:00.000+00:002015-12-22T08:37:57.151+00:00Point & Shoot - 22nd December 2015<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's nearly Christmas! Last week we took Luca to see Santa and our excitement level went up a notch. Luca loved it and the Santa we saw was extremely realistic, an old man with his own white beard, he even had me questioning if it was him. Before the elves took us into see him Luca was given a magic coin that was then sprinkled in magic elf dust. As I'm sure you can imagine Luca was beside himself with excitement and anticipation. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip1_CwcJQCcN0Wy23Ky_ZZeXLCUloQzdWqcrDcPzP9k6KWYtbfPbzhc-zgI-Un3XoDSdXROaAXMxJOyKhFTLkSJCbNUoMkqxzTMlQe9UT23nqRpH4m7xFZY1jDNFuECf60fEFwR4l-B3Y/s640/blogger-image--158602063.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip1_CwcJQCcN0Wy23Ky_ZZeXLCUloQzdWqcrDcPzP9k6KWYtbfPbzhc-zgI-Un3XoDSdXROaAXMxJOyKhFTLkSJCbNUoMkqxzTMlQe9UT23nqRpH4m7xFZY1jDNFuECf60fEFwR4l-B3Y/s640/blogger-image--158602063.jpg"></span></a></div>
<br>
<br>
<div align="center">
<a href="http://www.youbabymemummy.com/" title="You Baby Me Mummy"><img alt="You Baby Me Mummy" src="http://youbabymemummy.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Point-Shoot.jpg" style="border: none;"></a></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">This article is </div>Frankihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07313097506024740535noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5855704912366803417.post-62869537181330208742015-11-17T10:36:00.000+00:002015-11-17T10:36:07.481+00:00Photography walk with Sarah Mason<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sarah has taken lots of photos of us over the years. She did our<a href="http://littlelucaandme.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/from-bump-to-baby-in-flash.html" target="_blank"> bump and baby shoot,</a> pre-wedding and then our <a href="http://littlelucaandme.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/mr-mrs-our-day-in-pictures.html" target="_blank">wedding</a> too. I love Sarah's style of photography and every photo she has taken of us I utterly adore. </span></div>
<br>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I often find myself scrolling through her <a href="https://www.facebook.com/sarahmphoto?ref=ts&fref=ts" target="_blank">Facebook</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/sarahnmasonphoto/" target="_blank">Instagram</a> feed (seriously check her Instagram feed out, it's beautiful) admiring her </span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">latest captures and not too long ago whilst scouring Facebook </span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">I noticed she was </span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">organising a photography walk. I instantly signed myself up along with my friend, Steph. The aim of the walk was to bring together people interested in photography, no matter their experience or equipment and share hints and tips. A chance to spend some time with a </span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">professional photographer willing to share her knowledge and advice and help other create beautiful photos of their own. This in itself I think is truly wonderful, there are too many people in the world who aren't willing to share their expertise in a bid to keep them a secret. Sarah is the complete opposite and is the type of person who restores your faith in humanity. Therefore this</span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"> wasn't an </span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">opportunity I was willing to pass up. </span></div>
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">So last Saturday, in the pouting rain, we set off to Hebden Bridge to meet Sarah, Suzy and </span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">the others who had signed up for the walk too.</span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
</span><br>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP6m_a5fAXuH4Njni3eg7KVWmB4qDv5kVbzAQmT5yksYr67omD6nZSKn8EnHftP11Jw_pg4o9LKNgKgJ5Mk8UpoOzcl1AjckqgRgzIdVk9Hlnt3tO2NbR3hmeM6evR4MtbpdXUkd4LiNI/s1600/12191349_10153766595806289_8914552278402725745_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP6m_a5fAXuH4Njni3eg7KVWmB4qDv5kVbzAQmT5yksYr67omD6nZSKn8EnHftP11Jw_pg4o9LKNgKgJ5Mk8UpoOzcl1AjckqgRgzIdVk9Hlnt3tO2NbR3hmeM6evR4MtbpdXUkd4LiNI/s640/12191349_10153766595806289_8914552278402725745_o.jpg" width="640"></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photo courtesy of Sarah Mason</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Luckily the rain passed pretty quickly, well they do say that the sun shines on the righteous don't they? </span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We wandered down to the canal and Sarah instructed us all to put our cameras onto manual mode. My camera hasn't been in manual since we first bought it. All</span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"> my photos have been taken on auto in a vain attempt to grab some nice shots of Luca as a wriggly baby, through to a crazy</span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"> toddler and now my little pre-schooler who </span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">careers around like a whirlwind wherever we are. T</span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">urning it onto manual was a bit daunting to say the least but also very exciting. </span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sarah then took the time to chat to us about ISO and aperture and how to use them. These are all things that I have read about and things I know in theory but have never really practised or put into use. Plus having someone there to help you when it doesn't exactly go as you'd planned also helps. We wandered down the canal taking shots and experimenting with changing the aperture and ISO settings and seeing the difference in the shots we got. This below is my favourite shot from the day. </span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJVBtTqhSG4JnK5hx-ilpFMYCkdfRR_xHUnqelByDCNbKWhai2mpCwoOIHBD3eiwDniGZK_8cQ29CXmn9lQbajVpcy4i2zKNr3r2ir9yDQzG9sdKUCZbxHBJ-36mnUtkAEyGSgHZee0hk/s1600/Photowalk1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJVBtTqhSG4JnK5hx-ilpFMYCkdfRR_xHUnqelByDCNbKWhai2mpCwoOIHBD3eiwDniGZK_8cQ29CXmn9lQbajVpcy4i2zKNr3r2ir9yDQzG9sdKUCZbxHBJ-36mnUtkAEyGSgHZee0hk/s1600/Photowalk1.jpg"></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div>
</div><a href="http://littlelucaandme.blogspot.com/2015/11/photography-walk-with-sarah-mason.html#more">Read more »</a><div class="blogger-post-footer">This article is </div>Frankihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07313097506024740535noreply@blogger.com5