Oxford walks – Holywell and Botanic Gardens

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Oxford walks - Bubbablue and me

It’s not often I get the chance (and excuse) to go out with my camera and just roam without having an agenda.  But when my car is in for service, it’s a perfect excuse as N never wants to come with me. Unfortunately I hadn’t realised that my day in Oxford coincided with the global instawalk, otherwise I’d have tagged along with the Oxford instawalk gang. Being lazy I decided against taking my mirrorless camera.  A slight mistake as it… Continue Reading “Oxford walks – Holywell and Botanic Gardens”

Queens Hotel in Southsea – a great location

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Edwardian charm at Queens hotel in southsea - Bubbablue and me

I hate the pressure of booking a good hotel.  Generally because I’ve had 2 experiences in the past where we’ve arrived to find the hotel hasn’t received our booking or has ignored it. But also because when you go away you want it to be hassle free and however much you plan you can’t always get everything right.  I also mostly book last minute when it’s just N and myself going away.  Our latest break was to Portsmouth where we… Continue Reading “Queens Hotel in Southsea – a great location”

Living Arrows 2017 week 38 – focused play

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Living Arrows 2017 week 38 - looking down

We’re rapidly nearing the end of 2017 already. Week 38 of Living Arrows, and into autumn meaning less outdoor time and more indoor photography. I’ve not taken many photos at all this week, and an even lower proportion of photos of N. Now he’s back at school and me at work, then evenings he quite often goes over to the farm or out with his dad, it means there’s not many chances to take them. When out and about generally… Continue Reading “Living Arrows 2017 week 38 – focused play”

School Days – swimming and story writing

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watching tv

Week 2 of the school term is done and things are still going pretty well.  Ok, so it’s still hard to get N to do his reading (we now have a sheep deal, but he already missed one day!), but the last bit of reading he did with me was so much better and back to how he was reading in the summer. So I’m pleased with that. Swimming N has never been a fan of swimming lessons and he… Continue Reading “School Days – swimming and story writing”

Project 365 2017 week 36 and 37

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pretty pink flowers in the sun

Yay, my blog is finally migrated to its new server and hopefully it’s a faster experience now.  So it’s a double whammy for Project 365 this week, with week 36 and 37. With the miserable rainy weather at the moment it’s noticeable that my photos aren’t so great and have moved inside a lot more. Week 36 On Sunday N stayed in the house with me most of the day. He might be 6 now, but he still likes playing… Continue Reading “Project 365 2017 week 36 and 37”

Child development myths – my child is different

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busting child development myths - Bubbablue and me

Whenever I hear parents at the start and end of school term worried about how tired and grouchy their children are, I think I’m relieved and pleased that so far N doesn’t show these traits.  I’ve certainly lucked out with him, especially now he’s no longer waking at 5am every day, and mostly stays in his own bed.  I just want to show that kids don’t always follow the usual expectations that we always hear, and that if your child… Continue Reading “Child development myths – my child is different”

Blue reef aquarium Southsea

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blue reef aquarium Portsmouth - Bubbablue and me

I often check there’s an aquarium nearby when I’m planning places to visit. They’re good for rainy day activities, although obviously then get busy.  Near where we were staying in Southsea, right on the sea front, was Blue Reef Aquarium and I’d picked out the coupons I’d found in case N wanted to go.  I didn’t expect him to ask to go on the first day we were exploring Southsea seafront. Blue Reef Aquarium is looking a little tired especially… Continue Reading “Blue reef aquarium Southsea”

Negotiating with kids – for sheep

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Negotiating with kids - Bubbablue and me

Parenting advice seems to say to avoid negotiating with kids. I’m not sure I agree. We have a lot of negotiations in our house.  Ever since N has grasped the fact that he might be able to get something following a discussion, there’s not much he asks for where he doesn’t back it up.  He doesn’t always get his own way, but teaching children to negotiate and argue their cause is a pretty valuable skill for them to learn.  I… Continue Reading “Negotiating with kids – for sheep”

Exploring Southsea and Clarence Pier for seaside fun

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Exploring southsea and clarence pier - Bubbablue and me

When we go on holiday, just N and I, it’s usually a last minute booking and decision on where we’re going. I tend to look for places near the coast because we’re so central, it’s the only chance we get when going away for a few days.  Thankfully N is used to our visiting lots of places in a short time.  Both of us whizz round and we rarely spend all day in one place.  But we have started chilling… Continue Reading “Exploring Southsea and Clarence Pier for seaside fun”