Home time!

Unfortunately Tim still did not have a good nights sleep so was now incredibly grumpy not like the other Parker's who had all slept fine. He was so grumpy he started to take the tent down whilst we were all still alseep. I woke up to help (I had no choice) and he literally took the whole tent down other than the inner Daisy was sleeping in and she was quite surprised when she woke up to see half of the tent gone!













After slowly packing up we left the Perkins still enjoying the campsite and headed home. Now the weather had not been great the past few days but it had been dry and as we drove home with our car packed tightly with all our camping gear the heavens opened and the rain came - what great timing. The rest of the afternoon was spent putting the camping stuff away, napping and relaxing.

OK we Tim didnt sleep for nearly 3 nights but we had a great time. Wo Wo Campsite is fantastic and we were truly spoilt by the surroundings. The little people had a fantastic time and are already asking when we can go back. Daddy I am not so sure is a happy camper - but the things you do for your children!

Happy Birthday Daisy Pop's

We woke up this morning with a 7 year old - it is the little lady's birthday! After another crap nights sleep for Tim and a good one for me as I was so tired I could have slept in a river we all had a cooked breakfast cooked by me, quite challanging on one ring and a bbq but we did it - sausges, bacon, mushrooms, beans and fried eggs!

After breakfast it was present opening time, Daisy sat on the birthday bench and opened her presents from Mummy and Daddy - a lovely camera and she even scored money from our fellow campers - luck little lady.

We chilled after breakfast and then walked down to Bluebell Railway for a ride on the steam train as the Perkins family had never been before, of course Samuel was very excited being on his beloved steam trains! We then walked back to the camp site for a quick refreshment before our trek through the woods for a celebrtory pub lunch for Daisy's birthday. Upon returning to the campsite it was cake time before even more roasting of marshmellows over the camp fire. I think Daisy had a truly wonderful birthday, all the children have loved the freedom of being able to play in the woods and explore nature, having their food cooked over a fire and falling into bed dirty and exchasted.

First full day!

After the worst night sleep for the big people we were up and out of our tent at 6.30am for a nice open air breakfast. Unfortunately Tim did not sleep very well and kept me awake by getting out of the tent about 10 million times in the night plus I had the need for the loo about every ten minutes during the night??? Of course the little people slept perfectly.

After breakfast the little people went off to explore with their friends and Tim and I chilled out waiting for John and Elaine and there crew to arrive. Daisy went on a Bush Tucker Course for the morning with her two new best friends and had a fantastic time learning how to build fires, etc.

The Perkin's family arrived and set up camp in their posh Yurt where everything was supplied. We then had a feast of hot dogs off the BBQ before heading off to explore. We didnt see the little people unless they needed feeding or their wellies emptied of water - they were having a true adventure.

The adults fancied a cuppa and a slice of cake so we decided to walk to a local cafe that was meant to be a 10minute walk but was actually 30minutes down a really fast road without a pavement - this was an adventure in itself!

Early evening the camp hosted a soup and song time, where we gobbles delicious homemade soup from the veg they grow on the camp and home made bread which was delicious, even much better the children eat theres and then found another area to explore leaving the adults to chill. It was then back to our patch to light a fire for our evening marshmellows and as night feel and it was getting dark the little people went to sleep whilst the adults drank and chatted around the camp fire - such a great day it was just the sleeping situation looming that was not appealing!

Parker's first camping trip

Today was a big day in the Parker household as it was the first day of our first camping trip! Now Tim and I like our luxuries so the idea of spending 3 nights in a tent was not exactly thrilling but we were going to be with friends and the little people were going to love it.

After much organisation in the morning, who knew it could take so long to get everything ready, we picked the little people up from school. We popped home to pick up some final bits and lucky Aunty Jo and Uncle Murphy were there as we couldnt fit everything in the car. After the car was packed to the rim and nothing more would fit we set off for Wo Wo Campsite in East Sussex.

We were given out pitch in a lovely secluded area by a stream with rope swings and set about pitching our tent by the Yurt (that John and Elaine had hired... honestly we are not jealous). I saw we set about pitching our tent but actually Uncle Murphy did and what a grand job he had done until Aunty Jo decided to add her pennies worth and tell him there was a gap at the back, a few pegs were removed, the zips then couldnt be done up, lots of swearing and the tent came down! Tim and I were feeling quite guilty at this point as it was our tent that we were not putting up and the two people that had come to help were having a row over our tent. Thankfully over tea and biscuits the tent was put back up and everyone was friends again.

We decided to explore the site, beautiful scenery with loads for the children to explore - very famous five. After Jo and Murphy left, Tim built a fire and Daisy and Samuel and their new friends roasted marshmellows over the fire. After lots of exploring, swinging on rope swings, loads of fresh air and dinner it was time to climb into our tent for our first night's sleep in the great outdoors.

Lists:

Usually I blog about what we have been up too and how manic our weeks can be, sometimes I do lists of what we have done or to do and today due to these last 10 days being extremely manic I thought I would list the things that I havent done.

There does not seem to be enough hours in the day. I run my corporate freelance event business and http://www.teacupsandtiaras.co.uk/ around the children's school times so as not to distribute them or their activities and sometimes it is hard when the businesses are busy. Tea Cups being a new business has been ticking along and we have hit a really busy patch (I am not complaining) but it does make juggling life a little harder.

Also it is the first Parker Family camping trip this bank holiday weekend, so there has been lots of researching/purchasing of equipment which has taken time. Not sure what we will do with a blow up mattress and head touches if we dont like it!

To lighten the load I do think about getting a cleaner, but would they do it as well? When I think of the monthly bill - I can do it? Still not sure on this one! Anyway although I have crammed in alot this week I still havent:

1. Cleaned the house


2. Got the lawn mover fixed


3. Tided up the back garden


4. Spent time with my Mum


5. Sorted out the cobbles in the front garden


6. Done my husbands expenses


7. House admin


8. Relax in a bath


9. I could actually keep going and going but life is too short... one day I will catch up... maybe when the children have left home ;)

Sports day

Today was Daisy's sports day and they competed in their house teams, Daisy's team won two races so we have a very proud mummy and daddy tonight. Well Done Daisy Pop's. xxx

Getting ready for a visit

Samuel called me up to his room last night to show me what he had done for when his Grandad comes over. He had displayed the Bluebell Railway magazines that they both love to read, some train books and musical instruments as they also love playing instruments together. It's moments like this with Samuel that makes my heart melt. He is a very high energy child and lives his life in a whirl wind dashing from one thing to the next (wonder where he gets that from) leaving his mummy and daddy exchausted - but he has a heart of gold, is very loving and gives the best cuddles ever (just like his sister and daddy).