For the eagle eyed of you, you'll notice there wasn't a post last week. No reason really, I just, sort of... forgot my camera! And then we happened to be child-free all weekend and I just haven't got the hang of photographing us when we don't have our two in tow!
This week we went to visit our local National Trust property Hardwick Hall. I'm a little bit in love with National Trust properties, especially now we've got kids. I trick myself into thinking it's 'free' because we're members and if you pack yourself up something delicious, it's a really good value day out. (Caveat: I find it *extremely* hard to resist the food in the cafes, even though it's on the pricey side).
Places that provide little brain breaks for kids in the form of an epic swing or balance trails or rope ladders over fallen trees are, in my opinion, the best places to visit. You'll see that the kids agreed - there's barely a picture of Eden's face, she was off exploring as soon as we got out of the car.
The other thing I love about the National Trust is the work they are doing to try and educate children on nature and conservation, but also just generally aiming to provide lots of outdoor learning activities. Many of their properties hold talks and workshops, which I fully intend to be using in the future for the girls! We did the spring trail at Hardwick where we had to find the letters in the woods - Eden loved this!
Ok, ok, you get it - I love the National Trust. I'll stop now! Here was our day this week.
Picked the girls up from a sleepover at Grandma's and Grandad's (a weekly favourite). Grandma and Thea enjoy a little dance to the Greatest Showman once in a while.
This girl. Does everything in her own time. I.e. refuses to participate at all until one day she can just do it. Like writing her name. She showed no interest for such a long time and then woke up this week doing it by herself.
The 'can we go out now mama' puppy dogs.
Seriously, she was ahead the whole time. The beautiful trails of Hardwick keeping her entertained.
Secret fairy doors for the win.
I found the first few. I'm sure it'll be a blanket there this weekend.
Eden would have loved to build a den 'like the big girls' and started to get the idea. I meanwhile was running around after the 20-month-old trying to stop her from destroying everyone's hard work.
Thea and the Hardwick owl. A love story.
Had to be the one to sit next to him.
Took as much interest as me in the plants after a week of gardening.
Looking for ice creams...
....and found.
If this isn't shopping with two kids at half three in a picture, I don't know what is.
She was on the phone to daddy.
Little ritual of washing the veg before it all gets put away. We welcome it to our home, Marie Kondo style.
Just a princess surveying her kingdom.
Bun goals.
Ran in from outside as soon as she heard me vacuuming and insisted on helping.
Still going.
Hope everyone has a wonderful Easter weekend!
Rachel x