Up up and away

We have very sweet kind and generous neighbours who thoughtfully brought us some paper lanterns for The Princess to celebrate her first day of school.

We waited until Saturday night to release them so she could stay up a little later than normal so it was dark enough to see their flame pass above the rooftops.

I intended to take a photo but someone* had switched my phone to video and I caught this moment (literally a moment so don't blink) just after take off.

We watched it float across the sky, in the direction of her school and we decided we would look for it on the playing field today certain that it would have come down there. We didn't find it.  So she decided it had landed at her old nursery by mistake.

*the Big One

Joining in with Mobile Monday over at CakesPhotoLife

365Project Week 36

A week of firsts and lasts.

Last day on the beach
First school shoes
Last kick about before an early bedtime
First day at school, nursery and in Key Stage 2
Last rays of sunlight streaming through the bathroom window
First pedicure
Last days of summer in a bodge-it-and-hope-it-stays-up teepee

What did you do for the first time this week? And anything for the last time?


Joining in with The Boy and Me.

If you would like to see any of this weeks photos in more detail, head over to my 365project.

Silent Sunday

Saturday is Caption Day

Oh I do like to be beside the seaside
Oh I do like to be beside the sea

You get my drift right?

Today's caption opportunity comes to you courtesy of the Sheringham art trail.

Caption at will!
And then go here -> Mammasaurus
And caption some more.

Capture the Norfolk Colour

We spent the last week of the school holidays in Norfolk, land of big skies, Cromer crabs and some of the countries loveliest beaches. In the same week I was tagged by BavarianSojourn to join in with 'Capture the Colour', with the colours being red, green, white, yellow and blue. This was originally a competition held by TravelSupermarket.com which is now closed (!) but you can still go and see the stunning travel photography of the winners.

I love that little bundle of red huddled up against the unseasonal chilly wind.

Why the variations in colour and texture of seaweed surprise me I do not know but this lime green variety caught my eye on Cromer beach.

After a hard days crabbing there is nothing like a glass of chilled white sauvignon blanc to help you unwind.

I am astonished at how many months of child benefit I would have to save to be able to afford a beach hut so in the meantime I will aspire to a bright yellow one, just like this.

And given Norfolk is the land of big skies I had to include one of the sky. I was very lucky to see a big blue sky, and how fortunate that The Wee One was wearing blue on that day too.

I'm certain that you have got some colourful shots from the summer holidays, so why not join in and stretch out your summer holidays with photo memories.

Back to School

Today has been a day of transitions; The Big One started key stage 2 and if he thought homework was an unnecessary evil before, I can only speculate on how he will adjust to the next level; The Princess started school today, going into reception class with at least a dozen of her friends from pre-school and siblings in the playground; The Wee One had his first taste of nursery, going in, not just to collect The Princess, but to be a big boy by himself.

Not a tear was shed.

The Big One brushed us off at the school gate, independent and seemingly too big for a goodbye kiss now.
The Princess once settled at a table with some pens and paper, confidently said bye bye and didn't glance over once as I left the room.
The Wee One happily played for an hour with me, then ventrured outside with the other children. On seeing me through the door, he authoritatively told me to "Go away."

I am no longer needed.*


*except perhaps at home time, when they are hungry, when they fall and hurt themselves, when they have a bad dream, when they just need a cuddle.


Joining in with The Gallery at Sticky Fingers.

365project Week 35

We packed this last week of the school holidays full, topping up the holiday memories to overflowing, by visiting a local car fair and fantasizing about which car we would like, by pretending they were locked behind huge iron gates (okay, that was my fantasy), catching up on some movie watching (my favourite characters from Toy Story are the aliens) and heading to Norfolk for a few days break.

Beaches, crabbing, beaches, pub lunches, beaches, walking, ice creams, beaches. As much time outdoors as we could possibly fit into 5 days, despite some gloomy weather. They love the beach and will inevitably get soaked, by rain or sea. It was a much needed break to a place we love, where we can instantly relax and recharge. Of course I left with a fantasy about packing up and living there, imagining a career near the sea, the children spending all summer on the beach, and the dog permanently wet from chasing balls into the sea.

I think I found a little bit of me in Norfolk that I have been missing. I'm working on the theory that if I keep going back I'll find even more of me again.


Joining in with The Boy and Me.

If you would like to see any of this weeks photos in more detail, head over to my 365project.