The Big Garden Camp Out

Where a drop of rain turns into a torrential downpour….where a little gust of wind turns into a tornado threatening to blow you away and where a rustling in the bushes turns into Shere Khan approaching……Those are the imaginative thoughts of a very excited 10 and 7 year old about to camp out…

My other half arrived home with a tent the other day which he had borrowed from a work colleague. The boys had never camped outside in a tent and he decided that now was the time to change that…..

Each year since the boys were little we have always had an annual holiday in a caravan or static mobile home at a camping village. Even though we have done this the boys have never actually camped outside in a tent. I wasn’t aware of this but it had obviously been going through my other halfs head and this is what resulted in him returning home from the office with a two-man tent under his arm and a grin on his face!

When I asked my other half what he was thinking, he said  that he was honoured to introduce the boys to the excitement of back garden camping!
I could almost hear the beating of fists on chest as he said it!

The scene at my house – fact!

The boys were beside themselves with excitement and it was one of those moments you want to bottle so that you never forget the scent of those great family moments. They kinda help when you have those days when you’re left pulling your hair out and exhausted when it hasn’t all gone as planned!

The preparations are underway for the big night.


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Big M looks happy with the result!

So off they went into the garden around 9pm and I didn’t see them until Big M came into my room in the morning around 8am buzzing about the night outside, he was so chuffed. It was wonderful! The night went without a hitch. I’m amazed that they slept at all considering the ground is beaten down to hard earth where the boys play football, there’s hardly a blade of grass to be seen.

The next night it was pouring with rain so Little G couldn’t go and do the same but had to contain his excitement for a further 24hrs which isn’t particularly easy for him, but he managed brilliantly. The night came round for him to make his leap into camping firsts and just before he goes outside….his wobbly tooth comes out – talk about timing!! We decided to put the tooth under his pillow in his room as we agreed that the tooth fairy might get confused if it wasn’t there and not know where he was!

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Little G ready for the challenge!!

Once again off they trotted and this time I was more concerned that he might want to come back in or that at some point the dark might spook him. There was nothing to worry about, the boys are growing up and my other half is guiding them in ways that are helping them to become rounded individuals. Little G, like his brother, came running into me in the morning, bouncing on the bed raving about his night out.

The biggest excitement was being allowed to wee in a bucket in the middle of the night…even though the house is only 20 steps away!! Men!! I can’t wait until that little gem comes out in the middle of the supermarket!

 

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Little G’s Olympic runner…..

…runner bean that is!

Little G has been in the garden again to have a good look at how his runner beans have come along. We’ve managed to do this while watching as much of the olympics as we can see, it’s such an exciting time!

He also wanted to get a good look inside to see what the seeds looked like close up and to harvest them for next year. Our little greenhouse and packets of seeds have produced lots of plants and we have enjoyed our evenings looking at how they have come on.

Little G is inquisitive and loves to get to the bottom of things so wanted to get a good look at what was inside the little green pockets. You can see him in his latest ‘vlog for his mummy’s blog’ below, covered in black AstroTurf from his day at football school. Boys will be boys!

I think his little friend managed a speedy getaway to the finish line of the edge of the lawn while we were looking at the video playback….lucky for him!

Have you any little plants sprouting and of course, have you been enjoying the olympics?

You can also see Little G’s first vlog here to see the start of his green fingered career!

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Behind The Scenes Blogging Tag

I love a chance to get to know my fellow bloggers better and have been thinking about how to offer some insights into my own blogging journey. When I saw the lovely frenchiemummy post, I put myself forward and was tagged into the ‘Behind the Scenes Blogging Tag’.  This is a great tag to be able to share some of those little known facts about ourselves.

So here goes, a little soul bearing from me…..Mainy x

Where do you blog?

I do the majority of my writing sat on my sofa in the conservatory if I get any time during the day, or in my lovely comfy cosy bed once the kids are asleep.

Where do you find inspiration for your blog posts?

Alot of my posts have come from my experiences throughout a normal day and have just poured from me at the time. The best example of this was ode to him which was written on scrap of paper from my bag while being scared stiff on a plane.

How long does it take you to write your blog posts?

It depends if it’s a post like the one mentioned above or it’s a research based post such a my seahorse one which took a couple of weeks. It’s the editing which gets me. I tend to overthink it once it’s finished and I am working on myself to lighten up a bit and press ‘publish’ a bit easier!

Do you plan your blog posts? How?

I plan the structure of my posts as much as possible and I try to post once a week. More than that is normally just too much for me to co-ordinate and still remain able to see to everything else.

What kind of camera do you use?  What editing programme?

I only use the camera on my iphone. I haven’t got a specific photo editing programme…maybe I should!

Do you use a notebook to track your ideas?

When I first started I did but now I put thoughts straight down in a draft post page through my phone as I’ve usually got that with me. Sometimes they sit in the draft section for a while but it’s lovely to have the seeds of posts there waiting for the right time to develop them a bit more.

How do you take your pictures?

Point, shoot and take about 3 times as many photos of a single thing that I actually need. I’m like most normal mums, I have a million pictures of my kids and a few selfies on my phone.

What’s your favourite type of blog post to write?

The ones I don’t have to think about too much because the words are spilling out of me. I never thought that I would be able to say that or that it even happened to people. It’s a pretty good feeling.

Who knows about your blog?

I love this question because the more I immerse myself in the blogging world, the more I realise that there are alot of people like me who don’t publicise the fact they have a blog with people in some areas of their life. I have told my immediate family and close friends but have kept it back from all areas of my work and business. I see blogging as a relaxation part of me, the last thing I would want to see within my space is anything that takes me into work mode.

Are you an organised or messy blogger?

When I post a piece, then at that moment I’m organised and focused. I know how, when or if I want to publicise it……then I see the twitter messages of all the great linkies that I love and I go into scatty mode – reacting to all the great opportunities out there to have people see what I’ve written. It’s crazy, fun and exhilarating…I love it!

Biggest blogging pet peeve?

I can honestly say that at the moment I don’t have one. I have only been blogging a relatively short time – since feb 2016 – and as I’m learning so much and virtually meeting so many great people, the shine hasn’t worn off and things which may annoy me in a years time haven’t presented themselves as yet:)

I hope you’ve enjoyed the little insight, it was great to share.

If you would like to be part of this tag then please just tag in. If you would like to tweet me or comment and I’ll tag you in then that works too, whatever suits you, it’s an open tag.

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Keep Calm and Carry On Linking Sunday