Wild Castles, Babyccino blog and "du" – #Littleloves

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I managed to catch up with the boys’ baby books this week which was much needed. File birthday cards, store pictures and write down things they do and say. I love reading the journals my parents wrote for me, so I really want to be good at it. I’m child number five and they still managed to write a decent amount, and then helped me write my own. I also write an email update every few months detailing their personalities, things they do, their likes and dislikes, people they like and everything in between, so it was good to get caught up with that too. It makes me realise how different they are from each other.

I have very few pictures of me and the boys so we’ve had a few impromptu photo sessions which have been hilarious. Ru can’t bear not to cuddle any horizontal human, so he constantly tries to head butt your face and get super close. We’re definitely going to do it more often. They love it and so do I.

It turns out Instagram lets all your Facebook friends know you’ve joined. That stressed me out a tad.

Read

This week I’ve developed an obsession a ‘Mum crush’ on Courtney from Babbycino blog. I’m sure a lot of you know who she is already. The Babyccino blog is written by multiple contributors (Courtney is one of them) and champions classic, beautifully made clothing, gorgeously illustrated books, sustainable toys and quirky crafts. It also touches on parenting. It is Esther heaven, and celebrates everything wonderful about living in Europe. I love what Courtney wrote on electronics, games consolessibling rivalry, co-sleeping and sibling bed sharing. She has a really intuitive, relaxed and flexible approach to parenting whilst setting out strict boundaries which I love.

…I haven’t read much else because I’ve been swooning over her four gorgeous children, her home and her clothes! Awkward.

Watched

I am really enjoying The Great British Sewing Bee. My firm favourite is Neil. I think the contestants in this series are more evenly matched than previous series, so I’m loving it more than usual. If that’s even possible?

Every so often I watch a couple or three Panoroma episodes. Sometimes I feel a little out of touch with current affairs and these give me enough information to make me feel remotely ‘in the know’. This week I watched one on forced marriage. Do not watch the Ebola one when you are feeling emotional. It is completely heart wrenching.

Heard

I’ve had a very quiet week music wise, but Ru definitely has two words – both beginning with D. “Dada” (Daddy) and “du” (duck). He says “du” with such conviction and he loves spotting all the ducks in books. He knows it makes us all squeal. Obviously “Mama” doesn’t feature as a first word. Standard.

Made

I panicked when I saw the title ‘made’, but looking back on the last week we’ve made (or started to make) a number of things. Winst and I made a start on our clothesline play house, and it is has come together quite quickly. I bought a double sheet for the base, then Winst helped me choose all the fabrics and trims from my remnant pile. It’s laid out and ready to sew. We’re going to add some flowers and animals – I’m just not sure how!

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Winston wanted to make some binoculars for his pirate ship and to watch the birds. Then he decided to make a play dough family. Apparently I’m the one with the purple mouth.

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I had a go at making a Hemsley Hemsley chicken curry and it was so yummy.

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…and Winston has made an insurmountable number of ‘Wild Castles’.

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Wore

I’ve been a bit floral this week to try and persuade Spring to come early. Jared was ill on Saturday, so I sped to my local town to chance getting my nails and hair done. I was able to get appointments for both, so I came away with red nails and hair two inches shorter. I haven’t worn my hair down yet, as I haven’t had the chance to work out styling it properly.

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And lastly…

Both the hedgehog house and bird box cameras are set up. Our expectations have reduced, but some movement in either this Spring would be nice. Fingers crossed.

We saw lots and lots of snowdrops this week, which was a delight! and I just wanted to mention that I am so enjoying taking part in the #myhomestyle project that Emma and Becky are hosting. My clock was featured this week, so that was a nice surprise.

E xx

#LittleLoves is a chance to remember all the things that made up your week. Linking up with Morgana and Emma.

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28 Comments

  1. lifeatthelittlewood
    20th February 2015 / 9:00 am

    Oh Esther your crafty genius puts me to shame! The clothesline tent is amazing! I want one!! 🙂 I love that picture of you three at the beginning – such a photogenic family. And your blouse and nails are beautiful too. Show us the hair as well!! Have a great weekend chicky xx

    • 22nd February 2015 / 9:19 pm

      I will show the hair when I’ve worked out how to style it. I find short hair tricky to style but way easier to manage. It is so hard to remember to take pictures with the kids. Thank you – you are very kind! I hope you had a good one too! Thank you xx

  2. Emma Kershaw
    20th February 2015 / 9:47 am

    Love the red nails and your floral blouse, you have such a beautiful family 🙂 #littleloves

  3. Not A Frumpy Mum
    20th February 2015 / 2:33 pm

    Love the floral blouse, gorgeous and perfect for spring. You are totally putting me to shame with all your crafty bits, I’m useless! xx

    • 22nd February 2015 / 9:15 pm

      Thank you – it is very uplifting to wear. I can never think of anything else to do so we end up making all sorts. I’m sure he’ll get sick of it one day! xx

  4. Louisa
    20th February 2015 / 3:04 pm

    I’m loving the Sewing Bee too. I think it’s great that the men are equal competitors and not just token males (it doesn’t hurt that I have a little crush on Matt either). I made a similar playhouse for our dining table some years ago. I appliquéd a fat black cat to sit by the front door and it looked super. Your nails are so shiny and lush. I’m inspired to paint mine now. Have a lovely week xx

    • 22nd February 2015 / 9:14 pm

      I know exactly what you mean about token males…this time around they are all fantastic. I’m a fan of Matt’s eyebrows – lol. I always notice eyebrows! Ooo thanks for the cat tip. We are definitely going to put an animal by the door. I’ll ask Winston what he thinks. They’re only shiny because they’re Shellac xx

  5. 20th February 2015 / 3:23 pm

    Ooh I love your shirt. You can’t beat red nails either. So beautiful. That curry looks delicious. And it is making me very hungry!

    • 22nd February 2015 / 9:12 pm

      Thank you! I am a huge fan of red nails, anything else feels a little too crazy now! I was surprised how nice it was actually! x

  6. 20th February 2015 / 7:43 pm

    Wow, what a creative bunch you are. The binoculars are so cute!! I love the colour of your nails. I haven’t read that blog before so I’m away to check it out. Have a lovely weekend xx

  7. 20th February 2015 / 7:54 pm

    Love your blouse Esther- it’s gorgeous. I love Courtney’s blog too! Well her instagram photos mainly. x

  8. Mummy Hearts You
    21st February 2015 / 9:04 am

    Oh I am loving The Great British Sewing Bee! I have not decided on a favourite just yet, I think they are all pretty good at what they do though! Looks like you have been very crafty this week! Popped over from #littlelove

    • 22nd February 2015 / 9:09 pm

      I completely agree. They are all really good at what they do and I love seeing the fabulous creations they come up with! xx

  9. A Little Londoner
    21st February 2015 / 11:30 am

    So creative….the house tent is so fab! Love the colour of your nails and the blouse….really pretty! I have not watched that show- must have a look, I want to join a sewing class in Sept! Hope you have a great weekend xxx

    • 22nd February 2015 / 9:07 pm

      Oh you must join a sewing class. I did one a few years ago and it gave me the confidence to go away and make so many different things. Not too late to catch up with The Sewing Bee either 😉 xx

  10. 21st February 2015 / 12:21 pm

    Wow you are so creative in the made department and crafty. I need to do more crafts with the kids now that MM is older. I love the pillow pile up I get this on a daily basis with my two kids. lol Gorgeous nails. Lovely #littleloves

    • 22nd February 2015 / 9:06 pm

      I can never think of anything else to do so we always end up making random things. It’s messy but so much fun! I am loving the pillow pile ups at the mo, although I often end up sitting on a bare sofa! Thank you! xx

  11. 22nd February 2015 / 1:14 pm

    OMG I feel your love for Courtney. I’ve just discovered her through you and fear I may be developing a new blog obsession. Ekkkkk! I blame you! #littleloves

    • 22nd February 2015 / 9:05 pm

      Oh Jude – don’t get me started. It is all right up my street. Block off an evening and indulge yourself in it. So so good! ENJOY! I’m taking no responsibility 😉 xx

  12. Karen
    23rd February 2015 / 8:17 am

    Love the nails. That curry looks epic, I’m just off to read your post on clean eating that I just saw pop up, may have to invest in some of those books.

    • 26th February 2015 / 10:41 pm

      Thank you and thank you. I hope you like some of the books and haven’t put you off others! It’s such a personal thing eating, isn’t it? xx

  13. butwhymummywhy
    26th February 2015 / 1:22 pm

    Gorgeous little loves Esther. You put me to shame with your baby book recording, both my girls have half filled in books! Loving the red nails 😉

    • 26th February 2015 / 10:38 pm

      …Let’s just say I had a few months worth of catching up to do! Feels so good once it’s done! Thank you! The red nails are still going strong! xx

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