Having started nursery when she was a year old, by three POD was pretty much deciding what she wanted to wear. Granted she didn’t always get her way but she’d certainly developed her own sense of style way before she started school. These days her clothes tend to fall into two categories – beautiful dresses and cool casuals. Saltrock certainly falls into the latter with POD insisting on wearing their clothes regardless of whether she’s at the beach or in the forest.
We received another fabulous craft box from Bostik this month. With a mini beasts/garden theme, POD decided she wanted to combine the two and make a mini beast garden she could also plant flower seeds in. Having found a suitable planter and a great spot, on the kitchen window sill outside, we set about making our beasties.
When I was a child we existed in a largely technology free world and spent much of our time outdoors. Whether it was playing games, skipping or attempting cartwheels, we were always active. Much has changed since the days of flares, big hair and sounds of the disco but a recent study has revealed some shocking statistics.
We recently spent some time in the wonderful city of Ghent in Belgium. You’ll be able to read more about it on POD Travels soon but it the meantime I thought I’d share a few photographs from the Great Butcher’s Hall. Located in Groentenmarkt 7, it dates back to the 15th century when meat halls were indoor market places so the freshness and quality of meat could be monitored. The building is amazing and has an open wooden truss roof with Ghent’s special Garda Hams hanging from the ceiling.
Something amazing happened last summer. POD swam on her own for the very first time. She was wearing armbands but that didn’t matter because it meant she finally believed she would stay afloat. On holiday two months earlier, she’d insisted we purchase not just armbands but a rubber ring as well because she was convinced she was going to sink. Neither were particularly suitable as they restricted her movement but she refused to go in the pool without them. Thankfully we managed to ‘lose’ the rubber ring fairly swiftly and in the days that followed POD built up her water confidence.
It doesn’t matter whether it’s drawing, colouring or sticking, POD thoroughly enjoys creating. She loves modelling too although she does get a little frustrated if it hardens! Thankfully Plasticine has launched a Softeez range which is super easy to mould and doesn’t go hard.
We have a pet! Alright it’s not an actual pet but Lil’ Mouse Crumbs could just as easily be. From the Character Little Live Pets range, he arrived with this rather superb Mouse Play Trail. POD is already besotted with him and he’s perfect for the kitchen table too as there’s no mess. It’s also a lot of fun to watch him scoot round the trail making sounds like a real mouse as he goes.
We’ve had a few days in Belgium this week so I thought I’d share a couple of photos from the medieval city of Ghent. Viewed by Lonely Planet as Europe’s best kept secret, this cultural hub is situated an hour’s drive from the capital with many medieval landmarks lining its largely traffic free streets.
The Doves have always been huge tennis fans. A highlight was certainly being at Centre Court for that epic game between Andy Murray and Richard Gasquet way back in 2008. Murray not only came back from being two sets down, he went on to the win the match and secure a place in the quarters. As well as continuing to watch at home, we used to play tennis regularly too. Before POD came along in 2010, we’d be on court several times a week all year round. We even took two Mark Warner Holidays so we could improve our game and play tennis most of the day. POD’s arrival, and a rather spectacular wrist break, saw a six year hiatus but 2015 was the year we finally got to dust down our rackets. Picking up the game we love was a superb feeling but even better was seeing a four year old POD on court for the very first time.
