tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71835939928520706472019-06-19T10:29:44.437+01:00Bristol Parenting CafeHello, I'm C and I live in Bristol with J and our three children Z (8), E (7) and V (5). In our little blog cafe you'll find recipes, crafty stuff and info on child-friendly places and events in Bristol and beyond.Bristol Parenting Cafehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01472893404379054541noreply@blogger.comBlogger235125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7183593992852070647.post-80871626603622272162015-06-16T10:52:00.002+01:002015-06-16T10:52:54.655+01:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ud1PHTZYPl0/VX_wBPYQ1UI/AAAAAAAACMw/ieJ98xau_as/s1600/2015-05-23_1432386859.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ud1PHTZYPl0/VX_wBPYQ1UI/AAAAAAAACMw/ieJ98xau_as/s640/2015-05-23_1432386859.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />I've been hankering to own a tent for a few years - ideally an old-fashioned canvas one and although I spent a lot of time on tent websites summer passed with us borrowing from friends instead of having our own. I finally found a tent that ticked all my boxes last summer - canvas, big enought for five and tall enough for me to stand in (hurrah!). I kept my eye on it for months and eventually in December it popped up in a 50% sale and I made my purchase. Hurrah! <br /><br />It's spent winter in the attic but this half-term we took it for it's first outing and we all had the best time. <br /><br />We stayed with a bunch of friends on a campsite in Uffington - the sun shone, campfires were lit and trees were climbed. It was a much needed break for all of us and made me look forward to warmth and sun and all that summer brings. The campsite itself was lovely, very laid back and allowed just a short walk was the most stunning views - perfect kite-flying conditions! <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NUneSNWi1VI/VX_xC_8T10I/AAAAAAAACM8/PEolDvxaZM8/s1600/2015-05-23_1432402324.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NUneSNWi1VI/VX_xC_8T10I/AAAAAAAACM8/PEolDvxaZM8/s640/2015-05-23_1432402324.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">AX3FT96CS8UC</div>Bristol Parenting Cafehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01472893404379054541noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7183593992852070647.post-8942800517755985602015-01-26T15:47:00.002+00:002015-01-28T16:20:52.665+00:00Winter colour<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Txn2yxXl8fE/VMZdLL1rOyI/AAAAAAAACLo/1nkyef8UsAs/s1600/Bristol%2BParenting%2BCafe%2B-%2Bwaldorf%2Bwindow%2Bstars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Txn2yxXl8fE/VMZdLL1rOyI/AAAAAAAACLo/1nkyef8UsAs/s1600/Bristol%2BParenting%2BCafe%2B-%2Bwaldorf%2Bwindow%2Bstars.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />I think I may finally be getting used to January. It's a gloomy month for everyone, I know, but I'm gradually learning to like it. Having an open fire during the evening helps and having space in the (new) house makes staying in much easier. Cocooning rather than being cooped up is a nicer way of looking at things. I've also been using January to plan the year ahead. We've booked a cottage in Herefordshire for the first week of the Easter holidays and even have a few festivals lined up for the summer.<br /><br />To add colour to winter, I make these colourful stars each year. This year they are in the girls' bedroom which catches the sun first thing in the morning. I wrote about these and popped some instructions on how to make them <a href="http://bristolparentingcafe.blogspot.co.uk/2012/01/waldorf-window-stars.html" target="_blank">here.</a><div class="blogger-post-footer">AX3FT96CS8UC</div>Bristol Parenting Cafehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01472893404379054541noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7183593992852070647.post-29375840809331490342014-10-17T12:20:00.001+01:002014-10-17T12:20:54.131+01:00Autumn Crowns<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gpDzJfA_ByU/VED455ECwBI/AAAAAAAACK0/a91m1oJvclc/s1600/Eloise%2BCrown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gpDzJfA_ByU/VED455ECwBI/AAAAAAAACK0/a91m1oJvclc/s1600/Eloise%2BCrown.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div><br />It's been such a beautiful autumn this year - it really is the best time of year if the rain stays away! <br /><br />A few weeks ago we visited the autumn fair at our local Steiner Kindergarden (where V went when she was littler). The Steiner fairs are beautifully decorated and have lovely seasonal crafts for the children. We made autumnal crowns using hops, berries, hyrdangeas and honesty plant seeds. They are very simple using willow for the crown base and floral wire to attach the decorations. <br /><br />Here is E modelling her crown on the walk home.<br /><br />If you missed the autumn fair there is a Christmas fair on 22nd November at the main Steiner School on Redland Hill. <div class="blogger-post-footer">AX3FT96CS8UC</div>Bristol Parenting Cafehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01472893404379054541noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7183593992852070647.post-89421526018299206932014-09-09T17:36:00.003+01:002014-09-09T17:37:59.566+01:00Z turns 8<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CmwyLybRG-E/VA8kzkPAEwI/AAAAAAAACJg/CdP9fsxwotE/s1600/DSC_6655.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CmwyLybRG-E/VA8kzkPAEwI/AAAAAAAACJg/CdP9fsxwotE/s1600/DSC_6655.JPG" height="640" width="425" /></a></div><br />I have an 8 year old!<br /><br />Here Ziggy is with <a href="http://spybirthday.co.uk/" target="_blank">Secret Agent Black Fox 686</a>, who happened to fly into Bristol on the day of his party and initiate Z and his friends into the secret world of international espionage. I think I loved it as much as the children! Black Fox was amazing and held the children pretty much spell-bound for two hours using various spy and spy-detection gadgets. Amongst other things, they learnt Morse Code, how to use a metal detector, operate spy lasers and (my personal favourite) had Ziggy rigged up to a lie detector. This was amazingly accurate and I'd quite like to have one permanently in the house. Here Ziggy is not sure whether to tell the truth or not!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-slFtp7Vfv0w/VA8pntTzwGI/AAAAAAAACJs/v597xgg-AO8/s1600/DSC_6687.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-slFtp7Vfv0w/VA8pntTzwGI/AAAAAAAACJs/v597xgg-AO8/s1600/DSC_6687.JPG" height="425" width="640" /></a></div><br />I've never used a party outfit before as I've never been really taken by any of the themes but this was really unusual and the boys were thrilled with it. The company I used started out in London but have recently opened up in Bristol and you can read a bit more about them <a href="http://spybirthday.co.uk/" target="_blank">here</a>. <br /><br />That's all the children's birthday's out of the way now until next year (I always breathe a sigh of relief come the end of summer!) <br /><br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">AX3FT96CS8UC</div>Bristol Parenting Cafehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01472893404379054541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7183593992852070647.post-72881046916361794182014-06-03T22:53:00.000+01:002014-07-08T17:56:57.813+01:00My 40th Birthday Invitation<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k1PK9mzu3ik/U44_Ltdo8UI/AAAAAAAACDY/FjAvrXWJR2g/s1600/103.JPG" height="640" width="523" /></div><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">Jamie designed this lovely invitation to celebrate my 40th birthday. It's at one of my fave Bristol summer spots, the <a href="http://www.lidobristol.com/" target="_blank">Clifton Lido</a>. I originally designed diy temporary tattoos but although they looked great they didn't work well so it was back to the drawing board. </span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">The final invite used this gorgeous poolside photograph taken in Athens in the 1960's by American photographer Slim Aarrons who made a career from <span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">"photographing attractive people doing attractive things in attractive places" which makes me think how much more elegant celebrities and socialites were 50 years ago!</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">I'll post more from the party night itself but before then I have Violet's 4th birthday Friday so am busy planning a little celebration for her too. </span></span><div class="blogger-post-footer">AX3FT96CS8UC</div>Bristol Parenting Cafehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01472893404379054541noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7183593992852070647.post-78821968642080157442014-05-23T10:10:00.001+01:002014-05-23T10:10:54.998+01:00The arrival of summer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MfW4l2e00K0/U38P3jprGGI/AAAAAAAACCw/HBO1-LFXAHk/s1600/Saltwater+sandals.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MfW4l2e00K0/U38P3jprGGI/AAAAAAAACCw/HBO1-LFXAHk/s1600/Saltwater+sandals.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div><br />The littlest member of our family has been embracing our recent May sunshine in a new pair of navy Saltwaters. I know Saltwaters are 'having a moment' but they are great sandals. I first bought some last summer (Eloise in pink and mine in red) and being waterproof, they were brilliant for rock pooling on the beaches of Cornwall.<br /><div><br /></div><div>We bought ours from our fave and now nearest (yay!) shoe shop, <a href="http://www.oddsoxshoes.co.uk/" target="_blank">Oddsox</a>. It's a lovely independent children's shoe specialist that sell great shoes. One of the owners, Jo has children at the same school as Z and E and whilst we never manage to catch each other for more than five minutes at the school gates (she has 3 children too) I often see her whizzing by on her bicycle. </div><div><br /></div><div>Oddsox is very much my type of shoe shop (you'll never have to take a numbered ticket and wait 20 minutes to be called and the girls shoes don't just come in pink - hurrah!). They also sell Campers, Birkenstocks and Pom d'Api summer shoes too. They're the only Bristol Salt-Water stockists (size 3 - 8) but are selling out fast (I was too late for a navy pair so have gone for tan this year). Look out for them on my Instagram!</div><div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">AX3FT96CS8UC</div>Bristol Parenting Cafehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01472893404379054541noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7183593992852070647.post-1277146615021509822014-05-09T12:23:00.001+01:002014-07-08T17:57:53.544+01:00Magic returns to Leigh Woods<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w3fELYANN6g/U2y3UGaoDhI/AAAAAAAACCc/TKDL5RSQ6hk/s1600/secrets+of+the+fey+Leigh+Woods+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w3fELYANN6g/U2y3UGaoDhI/AAAAAAAACCc/TKDL5RSQ6hk/s1600/secrets+of+the+fey+Leigh+Woods+(1).jpg" height="640" width="449" /></a></div><br />Magic returns to Leigh Woods this weekend with our favourite <a href="http://www.whispering-wood-folk.co.uk/" target="_blank">Whispering Wood Folk</a> performing tonight and tomorrow. Their shows have become one of our regular family events (see <a href="http://bristolparentingcafe.blogspot.co.uk/2011/10/magic-in-woods-autumn.html" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="http://bristolparentingcafe.blogspot.co.uk/2011/06/faun-in-woods.html" target="_blank">here</a>) and are a mixture of story telling, acrobatics and live music. This year they have secured additional arts funding so it will be wonderful to see what they have created. We're heading there tomorrow so do come and join the fun - I pretty much guarantee you'll love it! <div class="blogger-post-footer">AX3FT96CS8UC</div>Bristol Parenting Cafehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01472893404379054541noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7183593992852070647.post-43126806438182681372014-04-25T10:34:00.004+01:002014-07-08T18:00:49.339+01:00Hide & Seek in the bluebell woods<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1802yYSeHZA/U1onQrxI22I/AAAAAAAACCM/eYEohbUhg2w/s1600/Bristol+Parenting+Cafe+-+Bluebell+woods.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1802yYSeHZA/U1onQrxI22I/AAAAAAAACCM/eYEohbUhg2w/s1600/Bristol+Parenting+Cafe+-+Bluebell+woods.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Amazing bluebell woods! This was taken near a sweet little orchard close to where my parents live. I went to see if the apple blossom was out, but it's way too early so instead we took a walk in the gorgeous bluebell woods that surround it.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">We have a few bluebells growing in the garden of our new house. I know NOTHING about gardening so I'm trying to learn the basics so we can transform out neglected outside space into a family garden. We've done quite a lot of work cleaning the site of all the junk that was left. Now we can start the exciting part like design and planting. I'll keep you posted on progress but if anyone has any tips for a novice gardener I'd love to hear them!</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">AX3FT96CS8UC</div>Bristol Parenting Cafehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01472893404379054541noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7183593992852070647.post-89714060169792026632014-04-18T22:40:00.003+01:002014-04-18T22:40:51.519+01:00Easter Holidays<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f6W8wazCo3Y/U1GQm3VoonI/AAAAAAAACAk/FOaBaH0bxzE/s1600/_DSC5344.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f6W8wazCo3Y/U1GQm3VoonI/AAAAAAAACAk/FOaBaH0bxzE/s1600/_DSC5344.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BzPVSc4DPzY/U1GZ-a1wn5I/AAAAAAAACB8/eSaiYdiFDEU/s1600/_DSC5216.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BzPVSc4DPzY/U1GZ-a1wn5I/AAAAAAAACB8/eSaiYdiFDEU/s1600/_DSC5216.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j6TD2F-s8-Y/U1GSu40zzmI/AAAAAAAACBc/ZdVmR9y59KY/s1600/_DSC5242.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j6TD2F-s8-Y/U1GSu40zzmI/AAAAAAAACBc/ZdVmR9y59KY/s1600/_DSC5242.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ySkImmaflRY/U1GRx_M3sgI/AAAAAAAACA8/uMHgt8mZaGM/s1600/_DSC5258.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ySkImmaflRY/U1GRx_M3sgI/AAAAAAAACA8/uMHgt8mZaGM/s1600/_DSC5258.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>A week in the Welsh countryside.<br /><br />Exploring caves.<br />Riding bikes.<br />Eating hard-boiled eggs with salt on our walk up Table Mountain.<br />Writing our names using fallen Magnolia leaves.<br />Flying a kite with the wind so strong the rope broke.<br /><br />The views.<br />Blue skies.<br />Sunshine.<br />Rest.<br /><br /><br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">AX3FT96CS8UC</div>Bristol Parenting Cafehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01472893404379054541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7183593992852070647.post-61574140410910121362014-02-21T19:01:00.002+00:002014-07-08T17:57:53.551+01:00Cotswolds views<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1D8KlEjTeAg/Uweg0fux7UI/AAAAAAAAB_s/kfWrx0eFbK0/s1600/bristol+parenting+Cafe+-+eloise+in+Cotswolds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1D8KlEjTeAg/Uweg0fux7UI/AAAAAAAAB_s/kfWrx0eFbK0/s1600/bristol+parenting+Cafe+-+eloise+in+Cotswolds.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div><br />I'm so glad the end of February is in sight! We spent a sunny (but utterly freezing) Sunday snowdrop hunting which is always an uplifting end-of-winter seasonal marker for me. <br /><br />We stumbled across an amazing view - it was late afternoon and the sun was low and beautifully golden. Despite the freezing wind there was an ice-cream van parked nearby and all of the children asked for ice-cream. They are ice-cream in any kind of weather children (they weren't allowed!).<div class="blogger-post-footer">AX3FT96CS8UC</div>Bristol Parenting Cafehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01472893404379054541noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7183593992852070647.post-79746668998484946002013-11-04T21:40:00.004+00:002014-07-08T18:06:27.357+01:00Cadbury Camp Autumn Walk<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PKAHsd2Ewt0/U7wk7tmlN6I/AAAAAAAACGM/-MUgqkBFbdo/s1600/DSC_4249.JPG" /></div><br />I loved the weather today - perfect blue skies, a crisp cold to the air and lovely autumn sunshine. We normally visit <a href="http://bristolparentingcafe.blogspot.co.uk/2012_10_01_archive.html" target="_blank">Westonbir</a>t for the amazing autumn colour but I was itching to go somewhere new and a friend recommended Cadbury Camp. It's a short car drive outside Bristol and has some stunning views across countryside. We had a fantastic time and it was great to add a new scenic walk to our local knowledge.<br /><br />Here's E looking particularly happy (can't believe how long her hair is!)<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_4_TIuZ4r0Q/UngDKLHSRPI/AAAAAAAAB_E/HHw9mdtnjFs/s640/DSC_4176.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></div><br />And V just pootled about with her stick....<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Qjhb9aYP9jE/UngC96-1vNI/AAAAAAAAB_A/seVTmb1F6Q0/s640/DSC_4127.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />If any local readers can recommend favourite walks I'd love to hear them.</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">AX3FT96CS8UC</div>Bristol Parenting Cafehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01472893404379054541noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7183593992852070647.post-61814189438075177072013-09-26T21:01:00.001+01:002013-09-26T21:02:41.694+01:00Farewell Summer 2013<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vEw2GH_BcMA/UkSNCziR1LI/AAAAAAAAB-M/HgNpS47xOgE/s1600/Bristol+Parenting+Cafe+-+summer+2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vEw2GH_BcMA/UkSNCziR1LI/AAAAAAAAB-M/HgNpS47xOgE/s640/Bristol+Parenting+Cafe+-+summer+2013.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />We'll be into October next week and whilst we still have a hint of warm sun in the air I wanted to write a little bit about what we did this summer. I didn't manage to post at all during July and August and we did so many fab things, I didn't want this summer to be missing. So, our adventures included:<br /><ul><li>So many camping weekends (six consecutive weekends), including two 40th birthday weekends, a mini-festival at my friend's parents' farm and a camping weekend at my Uncle's house.</li><li>Giffords Circus with Ziggy's lovely Godmother Jessie</li><li>Ziggy learning to swim solo, after Z & E having two weeks of daily lessons.</li><li>A week's holiday in Cornwall including sailing, rock pooling, watching the red arrows and oohing and ahhhing over Granny and Poppa's seven Labrador puppies.</li><li>Visiting a beautiful lavender farm in Somerset.</li><li>Holding a 'celebration of nothing in particular but everything in general' party in a beautiful outdoor location for our Bristol friends.</li></ul>AND<br /><br />Our main summer headline - MOVING HOUSE. This was the year we finally sold our small flat and moved into a proper family house. No shared front door and our own garden. An end to our student home and a lovely house to fix and paint and make our own. <div class="blogger-post-footer">AX3FT96CS8UC</div>Bristol Parenting Cafehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01472893404379054541noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7183593992852070647.post-59031375474893593472013-09-22T00:29:00.000+01:002013-09-22T00:29:52.251+01:00Apple Picking<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nVNWgC_xPPM/Uj4lWWqJ6cI/AAAAAAAAB70/KYH0dSc5_3Q/s1600/Bristol+Parenting+Cafe+apple+orchards+Somerset.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nVNWgC_xPPM/Uj4lWWqJ6cI/AAAAAAAAB70/KYH0dSc5_3Q/s640/Bristol+Parenting+Cafe+apple+orchards+Somerset.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />Hello, I'm back! It's been over three months since my last post but I've missed my blog and it's very nice to be back. We finally moved house last month and it's wonderful - we have a garden, four bedrooms and a long list of house repairs, including a new roof, electrics and heating, gulp! I'll pop some pictures up when I've sorted out a few more boxes and made it a little more homely.<br /><br />Today we spent the morning at our favourite orchard picking apples and pears. Along with the start of the term, returning home with a basket full of fruit is a reminder that summer is over and autumn is on it's way, no matter how warm the weather. <br /><br />There is something utterly beautiful about being surrounded by fruit-laden trees on a crisp September morning. Our day always ends with us racing up and down with the children taking it in turns to sit in the wheelbarrow, absolutely beside them selves with excitement. Here are Z, V and E in action.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PpSvlhI2LPM/Uj4k28zhtmI/AAAAAAAAB7o/T9OkshSaIls/s1600/Bristol+Parenting+Cafe+-+pear+orchard.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PpSvlhI2LPM/Uj4k28zhtmI/AAAAAAAAB7o/T9OkshSaIls/s640/Bristol+Parenting+Cafe+-+pear+orchard.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y52SzX897O8/Uj4mXth3uDI/AAAAAAAAB78/30XXJrHOrgI/s1600/Bristol+Parenting+Cafe+apple+picking+england.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y52SzX897O8/Uj4mXth3uDI/AAAAAAAAB78/30XXJrHOrgI/s640/Bristol+Parenting+Cafe+apple+picking+england.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3cBh7GngJvA/Uj4m3SAtKqI/AAAAAAAAB8M/CoRKXbxEUHU/s1600/DSC_3884.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3cBh7GngJvA/Uj4m3SAtKqI/AAAAAAAAB8M/CoRKXbxEUHU/s640/DSC_3884.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">AX3FT96CS8UC</div>Bristol Parenting Cafehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01472893404379054541noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7183593992852070647.post-47264626614676526982013-06-18T13:53:00.000+01:002013-06-18T13:53:15.803+01:00Party in the woods<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JdN6eoDK0Qc/UcBMdFJzvrI/AAAAAAAAB6k/urbnQ_PMqHI/s1600/_DSC2247.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JdN6eoDK0Qc/UcBMdFJzvrI/AAAAAAAAB6k/urbnQ_PMqHI/s640/_DSC2247.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />We celebrated V's birthday with a party in the woods on a day filled with glorious sunshine. This is V with all her party friends. She's in the white dress with striped leggings underneath (she <i>insisted</i> on wearing the leggings!)<br /><br />Our woodland base was a beautiful oak framed barn which we strung up with colourful honeycomb decorations.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GgqbYBQtFtI/UcBVtEOOTKI/AAAAAAAAB68/y0e8szxdTKM/s1600/_DSC2136.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="410" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GgqbYBQtFtI/UcBVtEOOTKI/AAAAAAAAB68/y0e8szxdTKM/s640/_DSC2136.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>We built dens, ate cake, played chase and ended up coming home at tea-time having spent the whole day out. <br /><br />I made felt feather crowns for the children. There were jewels sewn on the front with hearts for the girls and squares for the boys. Violet was running around so much I realised when I got home that I didn't have a picture of her on her own, but here are some of her gang. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8_6CQDOiK9U/UcBMXgyJPhI/AAAAAAAAB6g/QW7GBNVEj-M/s1600/_DSC2228.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8_6CQDOiK9U/UcBMXgyJPhI/AAAAAAAAB6g/QW7GBNVEj-M/s640/_DSC2228.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5D7BpXDUG70/UcBMkoOt38I/AAAAAAAAB6w/UZz82N2eyAs/s1600/_DSC2290.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5D7BpXDUG70/UcBMkoOt38I/AAAAAAAAB6w/UZz82N2eyAs/s640/_DSC2290.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E-JD-fo-8A8/UcBMLacfsYI/AAAAAAAAB6Q/G2YZFYU2mdg/s1600/_DSC2277.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E-JD-fo-8A8/UcBMLacfsYI/AAAAAAAAB6Q/G2YZFYU2mdg/s640/_DSC2277.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />I'll be doing a post on making the feather crowns a little later as they were very simple and beautiful and I'm a little proud of them!<div class="blogger-post-footer">AX3FT96CS8UC</div>Bristol Parenting Cafehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01472893404379054541noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7183593992852070647.post-8528279842125618722013-06-13T21:08:00.000+01:002013-06-13T22:00:35.991+01:00Vintage Party Invitations {Violet is 3}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u6ABdb2MyZs/Uboi0Mm38DI/AAAAAAAAB58/wWW9lQf2Z9g/s1600/Bristol+Parenting+Cafe+-+birthday+invitation+design+gold+foil+gold+leaf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="410" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u6ABdb2MyZs/Uboi0Mm38DI/AAAAAAAAB58/wWW9lQf2Z9g/s640/Bristol+Parenting+Cafe+-+birthday+invitation+design+gold+foil+gold+leaf.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />I've been meaning to write about Violet's party invitations since we made them two weeks ago. It was her birthday on the 6th and we've had her party already - I'll write about what we got up to in a later post - today's about the invitations which regular readers will know I love making. <br /><br />These are about the size of an average postcard and because we were celebrating by having a picnic in the woods I wanted to create something that reflected nature and outdoors. I spent a evening on e-bay looking at vintage postcards and found the two pictures above which I couldn't choose between so I used them both. I printed them on watercolour paper to give them a nice thickness and added gold foil print to highlight Violet's big event (I had to get this done by a proper printer-person). I was a little nervous about having 15 children outdoors given the English weather but we had the most glorious day of sunshine. I can't quite believe how lucky we were given that I'm writing this with rain and storm clouds outside. <div class="blogger-post-footer">AX3FT96CS8UC</div>Bristol Parenting Cafehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01472893404379054541noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7183593992852070647.post-81896780564415986272013-05-16T23:23:00.000+01:002013-05-16T23:24:09.092+01:00Bluebells - we're in love<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OeVrCqIsQ4Q/UZVa_M3oJ0I/AAAAAAAAB5s/edfSxYDqXNQ/s1600/Bristol+Parenting+Cafe+-+Bluebell+wood+Worcestershire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OeVrCqIsQ4Q/UZVa_M3oJ0I/AAAAAAAAB5s/edfSxYDqXNQ/s640/Bristol+Parenting+Cafe+-+Bluebell+wood+Worcestershire.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br />The bluebells are finally out, hooray! <br /><br />This year we headed to Pershore to follow their famous blossom trail but instead stumbled upon the beautiful Tyddesley woodland which was absolutely <i>covered</i> in bluebells. We also spotted violets and primroses and lots of wild garlic. It was just heavenly. <br /><br />If you'd like to find your local bluebell spectacle the <a href="http://visitwoods.org.uk/en/visit-woods/Pages/get-involved.aspx#.UZVcArWkpgs" target="_blank">Woodland Trus</a>t has lots of information.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xgOxfCQYOrE/UZVa9ZoTCvI/AAAAAAAAB5k/c5YXBPlJJOo/s1600/Bristol+Parenting+Cafe+-+bluebell+wood+Tyddesley+Pershore.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xgOxfCQYOrE/UZVa9ZoTCvI/AAAAAAAAB5k/c5YXBPlJJOo/s640/Bristol+Parenting+Cafe+-+bluebell+wood+Tyddesley+Pershore.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">AX3FT96CS8UC</div>Bristol Parenting Cafehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01472893404379054541noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7183593992852070647.post-20426812971849575612013-05-02T22:47:00.000+01:002013-05-02T22:47:00.057+01:00Magic sunny days<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OOLQ2viRgu0/UYLXPcv4OWI/AAAAAAAAB5M/lRSz9TjmxEc/s1600/Bristol+Parenting+Cafe+-+Playing+in+the+woods.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OOLQ2viRgu0/UYLXPcv4OWI/AAAAAAAAB5M/lRSz9TjmxEc/s640/Bristol+Parenting+Cafe+-+Playing+in+the+woods.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />I think E looks like a fairy hiding in the woods in this picture. It's a lovely piece of forever taken from today, which was as close to perfect as could be. School was closed so we had all three children at home and the sun shone and shone and shone. <br /><br />In the morning we made flower crown and danced round a Maypole. After, we prepared a picnic and headed to the woods. We made up a story which re-cast Z and E as forest creatures named Willow and Holly, who lived in the woods and helped us find our way to a hidden stream. After lunch, the children pottered around in the water, slightly out of sight but still in earshot of J and I who were basking in the glorious sunshine. When we went to find the children, they were all paddling naked in the sun-dappled shallow water where I took this picture before being spotted. <br /><br />In the late afternoon we went to see our new house (fingers crossed) to talk through the electrical and plumbing work that needs to be done before we move in. It's the first time I've visited the house and let myself get carried away with what it would be like living there. It's more than 3 times the floor size of our current flat and needs lots of work but is full of period features - fireplaces, cornicing, wooden floors, big sash-windows. We'll be able to have friends round for long lazy Sunday lunches, picnics in the garden and sleep-overs for the children. It's not <i>quite</i> ours yet (we have still to negotiate on the price following the survey) but I can't help but get excited. So very, very excited!<div class="blogger-post-footer">AX3FT96CS8UC</div>Bristol Parenting Cafehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01472893404379054541noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7183593992852070647.post-51427877612031444162013-04-22T18:56:00.001+01:002013-04-22T19:58:39.908+01:00Spring Woodland<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Hn0MKBYKHHk/UXV0kuFvPPI/AAAAAAAAB4w/iiMB21WVxMM/s1600/Bristol+Parenting+Cafe+-+pretty+picnic+bags+hand+paintede+picnic+bags.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Hn0MKBYKHHk/UXV0kuFvPPI/AAAAAAAAB4w/iiMB21WVxMM/s640/Bristol+Parenting+Cafe+-+pretty+picnic+bags+hand+paintede+picnic+bags.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />We had a break in the cold weather on Saturday and were treated to morning of full sunshine and warmth . So we headed to our local woodland for a picnic and Spring walk. J made sandwiches for everybody and I love the way he labelled the bags. We sat by a stream, made dens, watched butterflies and drank hot coffee from a Thermos in the sun. It made me realise how much I've been waiting, longing, for Spring. <br /><br />There's something about this picture of E I really like, even though she doesn't quite look herself.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DxCAf4IgpeU/UXV4Jbl5IpI/AAAAAAAAB44/-UtIFKucU9U/s1600/Bristol+Parenting+Cafe+-+E+by+the+river.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DxCAf4IgpeU/UXV4Jbl5IpI/AAAAAAAAB44/-UtIFKucU9U/s640/Bristol+Parenting+Cafe+-+E+by+the+river.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />The winter has been so long this year there were no bluebells yet, but lots of wild garlic and primroses.<div class="blogger-post-footer">AX3FT96CS8UC</div>Bristol Parenting Cafehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01472893404379054541noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7183593992852070647.post-84085512279885693882013-04-12T21:43:00.002+01:002013-04-12T21:43:55.807+01:00Personalised bunting<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JqYe6x6jrQg/UWP-HDWdfjI/AAAAAAAAB4g/4ROFBg58MZc/s1600/Bristol+Parenting+Cafe+-+bunting+personalised+tutorial+freezer+paper+stencil.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JqYe6x6jrQg/UWP-HDWdfjI/AAAAAAAAB4g/4ROFBg58MZc/s640/Bristol+Parenting+Cafe+-+bunting+personalised+tutorial+freezer+paper+stencil.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">For E's 5th birthday I made personalised bunting for each guest and this is Eloise's, above. I was super pleased with the result.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Instead of sewing the flags together I created a a seam at the top of each flag so that a ribbon could be threaded through. At the beginning of the party everyone was given their first initial. Then, as a prize after each game, they were given an additional personalised flag so eventually by the end of the party everyone had their full name. Each child then chose a length of coloured velvet ribbon and we strung the letters together for them to take home. I stencilled gold star flags for the children that had only 3 or 4 letters in their name so everyone had at least 5 flags.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This was a really easy project and not expensive. I used plain calico which is about £4pm and then freezer paper to make the letter stencils. The biggest cost was fabric paint but the colours were amazing and the letters came out really bright. The nicest thing was how pleased the children were with their gift and later earn being told how they have put them on their bedroom doors or above their beds. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Thank you all so much for your comments on my flat - you were all so lovely and kind. I'm hoping I'll be able to post about the new house soon too. </div><div class="blogger-post-footer">AX3FT96CS8UC</div>Bristol Parenting Cafehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01472893404379054541noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7183593992852070647.post-18209548859805016912013-04-07T09:56:00.001+01:002013-04-07T09:56:14.356+01:00Moving on....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EdZBAzZbcr4/UWExPPcOmhI/AAAAAAAAB34/P8X6C1wieOU/s1600/sitting+room.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EdZBAzZbcr4/UWExPPcOmhI/AAAAAAAAB34/P8X6C1wieOU/s640/sitting+room.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="color: orange; font-size: xx-small;"><i>Our sitting room</i></span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />After almost twenty years we are moving house.<br /><br />This is the flat in which Jamie and I met many years ago. It was a party house during our 20's with decks in the corner, massive speakers and a lot of socialising. It's very central so it was a good flat to go back to once the bars and clubs were closed! We met, split up, got back together again, made 3 children, grew up, redecorated, stopped partying all with this flat as the backdrop. <br /><br />It's lovely - high ceiling, big sunshine windows but it's too small. All the children are in one bedroom as you can see and the room above is the only reception area. Z is at the age where he'd like sleepovers and all the children need more space for hide and seek!<br /><br />We have put in an offer on a new house and if that goes through I'll be posting about that too - I just want to make sure it doesn't fall through before getting too excited. I know that in many years time we'll look back fondly at this flat so I wanted to post some pictures of it before we go. <br /><br />It has been the happiest of spaces for me and I'm quite sentimental about leaving it. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ElEjMMZxnNU/UWExRERpLZI/AAAAAAAAB4I/L20YpvXQFPw/s1600/Children's+room.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ElEjMMZxnNU/UWExRERpLZI/AAAAAAAAB4I/L20YpvXQFPw/s640/Children's+room.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: orange; font-size: xx-small;"><i>The childrens room</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: orange; font-size: xx-small;"><i><br /></i></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WlyQWWl1B-Q/UWExouzfoOI/AAAAAAAAB4U/h1fU8T9tato/s1600/main.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WlyQWWl1B-Q/UWExouzfoOI/AAAAAAAAB4U/h1fU8T9tato/s640/main.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: orange; font-size: xx-small;">Our bedroom</span></i></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">AX3FT96CS8UC</div>Bristol Parenting Cafehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01472893404379054541noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7183593992852070647.post-27525245326018722482013-04-04T12:35:00.001+01:002013-04-04T12:35:48.782+01:00Holiday Highlights {Brecon Beacons}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EQhvgn1S6WU/UV1eigdV04I/AAAAAAAAB24/prGlIRGLgRc/s1600/DSC_0771.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EQhvgn1S6WU/UV1eigdV04I/AAAAAAAAB24/prGlIRGLgRc/s640/DSC_0771.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>We've just spent a blissful week's holiday in the Brecon Beacons. When I booked last November, I imagined Spring walks and hiking in the Black Mountains in the early warmth of spring. Instead we arrived under heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures - I couldn't believe it! I'd packed some cookery books so we baked cakes and spent evenings by the roaring fire in the living room.</div><div><br /></div>We managed to explore the stunning scenery on our doorstep in spite of the snow. Highlights were discovering frozen waterfalls, going on a steam train through the snowy hills and just being outside amongst the stunning landscapes. <br /><div><br /></div><div>We tend to holiday in the UK these days - it's so much easier with a young family. One of the drawbacks can be the quality/standard of accommodation. I don't want to spend a week sleeping under thin Ikea duvets and looking at Athena-eque prints on the walls. This year we booked <a href="http://www.cottage-holiday-wales.co.uk/fro-crickhowell-cottage.shtml" target="_blank">The Fro</a> through <a href="http://www.cottage-holiday-wales.co.uk/" target="_blank">Blaentrothy Cottages</a> (thank you Claire for the tip!) and it was amazing. Huge fireplaces, massive garden and beautifully decorated - just lovely. Definitely one to add to your list if you holiday in the UK (we're going to rebook the same place for next year). </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VYPeyvKUb90/UV1ek6oAvZI/AAAAAAAAB3E/XPfIeC9hgI0/s1600/DSC_0841.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VYPeyvKUb90/UV1ek6oAvZI/AAAAAAAAB3E/XPfIeC9hgI0/s640/DSC_0841.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Oy8zCfwt5zo/UV1k9t5KNSI/AAAAAAAAB3Q/5jpne2GEKvQ/s1600/DSC_0753.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Oy8zCfwt5zo/UV1k9t5KNSI/AAAAAAAAB3Q/5jpne2GEKvQ/s640/DSC_0753.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">AX3FT96CS8UC</div>Bristol Parenting Cafehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01472893404379054541noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7183593992852070647.post-85405099320538039272013-03-03T18:59:00.000+00:002013-03-03T19:36:06.750+00:00Eloise's Birthday Invitation {5 years old}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J7I070eb4kk/UTNvuQMu9KI/AAAAAAAAB2A/DoQTYZ52-6g/s1600/Bristol+Parenting+Cafe+-+Homemade+5th+party+bunting+invitation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J7I070eb4kk/UTNvuQMu9KI/AAAAAAAAB2A/DoQTYZ52-6g/s640/Bristol+Parenting+Cafe+-+Homemade+5th+party+bunting+invitation.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />It's the start of birthday season.<br />The first is E's in March, then V's in June then finally Z's in August. After Z's birthday I breathe a huge sigh of relief and get six months off before starting to plan things again in February.<br />I always design invitations and do the parties myself. I think this is because when I was a child the trend for hiring party entertainers wasn't around and also because I really enjoy putting a party together myself. The other reason is because with three children they do so much day-to-day sharing I really like to be able to give them something special on their birthdays.<br />For E's invitation I scanned different Liberty fabrics and used this to design a bunting card. I printed it onto thick A5 card and used a corner cutter to round off the edges. As it's E's 5th birthday I added glitter to 5 of the flags and put each invitation into glassine bags with 5 gold stars (and some hole-punch confetti). <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--es4_pzDr8c/UTOYqQSrVGI/AAAAAAAAB2Y/pp6spkAMeVE/s1600/Bristol+Parenting+Cafe+glitter+bunting+invitation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--es4_pzDr8c/UTOYqQSrVGI/AAAAAAAAB2Y/pp6spkAMeVE/s1600/Bristol+Parenting+Cafe+glitter+bunting+invitation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--es4_pzDr8c/UTOYqQSrVGI/AAAAAAAAB2Y/pp6spkAMeVE/s640/Bristol+Parenting+Cafe+glitter+bunting+invitation.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WLjr4GEFPtA/UTOmFgcp-WI/AAAAAAAAB2o/QipkAtxspu8/s1600/Bristol+Parenting+Cafe+-+bunting+glassine+bag+confetti+invitation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WLjr4GEFPtA/UTOmFgcp-WI/AAAAAAAAB2o/QipkAtxspu8/s640/Bristol+Parenting+Cafe+-+bunting+glassine+bag+confetti+invitation.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />For the actual party I'm planning on making personalised bunting for each child, and am just working out the quickest, cheapest, easiest but also most beautiful way of making it. I'll keep you posted but I sense a few late nights ahead!<div class="blogger-post-footer">AX3FT96CS8UC</div>Bristol Parenting Cafehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01472893404379054541noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7183593992852070647.post-22295655064009104432013-02-18T20:27:00.002+00:002013-02-18T20:27:43.596+00:00Snowdrop {Benington Gardens}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PzZ8TFmWpFQ/USDGZBxfu3I/AAAAAAAAB0s/2hOmPrJtrc4/s1600/Bristol+Parenting+Cafe+-+snow+drop+walk+Benington+snow+gardens.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PzZ8TFmWpFQ/USDGZBxfu3I/AAAAAAAAB0s/2hOmPrJtrc4/s640/Bristol+Parenting+Cafe+-+snow+drop+walk+Benington+snow+gardens.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Qi8LJ25lT9U/USDGdhxS5II/AAAAAAAAB00/HQ6VQEhlXUs/s1600/Bristol+Parenting+Cafe+-+snow+drop+walk+Benington+snow+gardens+spring.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Qi8LJ25lT9U/USDGdhxS5II/AAAAAAAAB00/HQ6VQEhlXUs/s640/Bristol+Parenting+Cafe+-+snow+drop+walk+Benington+snow+gardens+spring.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Snow drops, snow drops,<br />Little drops of snow.<br />What do you do when the cold winds blow?<br />Hide your little heads and say,<br />Cold wind! Cold wind! Go away!<br /><br />Snow drops, snow drops,<br />Dressed in green and white.<br />What do you do when the sun shines bright?<br />Ring a little bell and say,<br />'Ding-a-ling-a-ling<br />Ding-a-ling-a-ling<br />Here comes spring'.<div class="blogger-post-footer">AX3FT96CS8UC</div>Bristol Parenting Cafehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01472893404379054541noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7183593992852070647.post-22972495838221215982013-02-17T11:37:00.001+00:002013-02-17T11:37:33.070+00:00The first day of Spring <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dQBW76d2flk/USDAjqqGyoI/AAAAAAAAByI/CJ_d8_Noar4/s1600/Bristol+Parenting+Cafe+-+Wildabout+Bristol+Zoo+canopy+woods.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dQBW76d2flk/USDAjqqGyoI/AAAAAAAAByI/CJ_d8_Noar4/s640/Bristol+Parenting+Cafe+-+Wildabout+Bristol+Zoo+canopy+woods.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Our half-term highlight was spending a whole day in the woods, making dens, cooking round a campfire and exploring. It was such a beautiful sunny day, it felt as though we were celebrating the end of winter and the arrival of spring - hooray!<br /><br />Our camp was a huge canopy made from parchute fabric under which we made a fire, cooked bread, baked toffee apples* and even made popcorn. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A0GGTHr_lbA/USDAsDg9lXI/AAAAAAAAByQ/g-wsuZceKFU/s1600/Bristol+Parnting+Cafe+WildAbout+Bristol+Zoo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A0GGTHr_lbA/USDAsDg9lXI/AAAAAAAAByQ/g-wsuZceKFU/s640/Bristol+Parnting+Cafe+WildAbout+Bristol+Zoo.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>The day was organised by <a href="http://www.bristolzoo.org.uk/wildabout" target="_blank">Wildabout</a>, a new project by Bristol Zoo who own over 100 acres of woodland and meadows a few miles outside Bristol. They organise Forest School sessions, den building birthday parties and summer camps. E's school have just started Forest School afternoons, so I'm really hoping that this site will provide more children with fantastic memories of sun-lit days in the woods. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SnHcb1JAzac/USDAwyewkII/AAAAAAAABzY/O4aaNxP9Q7s/s1600/Bristol+Parenting+Cafe+WildAbout+Bristol+Zoo+woods.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SnHcb1JAzac/USDAwyewkII/AAAAAAAABzY/O4aaNxP9Q7s/s640/Bristol+Parenting+Cafe+WildAbout+Bristol+Zoo+woods.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />* to make camp-fire toffee apples: spear the apple on the end a a stick and cook in the fire until soft. Remove the skin, roll in cinammon sugar and then heat until the sugar is caramalised. Delicous - E ate 3!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wblXnP5caiU/USDA3FDOajI/AAAAAAAABzg/86aYgHjG99E/s1600/Bristol+Parenting+Cafe+-+Wildabout+Bristol.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wblXnP5caiU/USDA3FDOajI/AAAAAAAABzg/86aYgHjG99E/s640/Bristol+Parenting+Cafe+-+Wildabout+Bristol.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">AX3FT96CS8UC</div>Bristol Parenting Cafehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01472893404379054541noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7183593992852070647.post-67894247803301899712013-02-11T12:45:00.000+00:002013-02-11T12:45:24.161+00:00Indoor Den Building<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GoujT1cR1Js/URjhn5otF9I/AAAAAAAABr4/SpI94ukZjm4/s1600/Bristol+Parenting+Cafe+-+den+making+indoors+-+with+text.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GoujT1cR1Js/URjhn5otF9I/AAAAAAAABr4/SpI94ukZjm4/s640/Bristol+Parenting+Cafe+-+den+making+indoors+-+with+text.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />We've had so much fun over the years creating indoor dens and they've rescued may a cold rainy indoor afternoon. Like <a href="http://bristolparentingcafe.blogspot.co.uk/2012/02/lets-make-dens.html" target="_blank">last year</a>, I've teamed up with Emma from <a href="http://emmabradshaw.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/indoor-den-building-week.html?showComment=1360357665250" target="_blank">Bradshaw & Sons</a> for a fortnight of indoor den celebrations.<br /><br />I love the simplicity of a handful of blankets, broomstick handles and bed knobs being transformed into cosy nooks and secret hideaways. With February being wet and cold here it's the perfect time to snuggle up with a book in a cosy house made of blankets and have fun if you're stuck indoors. <br /><br />If you'd like to get involved, we'd love to see your pictures on our <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/1913851@N21/" target="_blank">Indoor Den</a> Flickr group or just drop us a line on Instagram (@bristolparentingcafe or @ _emmabradshaw) and I'll post some of our creations over the next fortnight too. <br /><br />Happy Den Making!<div class="blogger-post-footer">AX3FT96CS8UC</div>Bristol Parenting Cafehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01472893404379054541noreply@blogger.com11