The Open Home

{Ten on Ten} July 2018

July 10, 2018July 10, 2018JessicaLeave a comment

The Open Home 1036 — Taking in the view.

Ten on Ten July 2018 | The Open HomeTen on Ten July 2018 | The Open Home — Little monkeys.

It’s been a while since I did a Ten on Ten on here and I’ve missed it, and this month I found I really needed it. The heat has been getting to us a little over this past week and between us there have been some short tempers and grumpy attitudes that highlighted to me that I really needed to intentionally work on seeking the beauty and goodness of life.

Well today was a good day to be a beauty seeker. Sunshine, friends, flowers and frogs, followed by some free play, rest time and a even more fresh air.

What beauty did you find in the ordinary today?

{June Gratitudes}

June 29, 2018June 29, 2018JessicaLeave a comment

Gratitudes June 2018 | The Open — For the wind in your hair and the sand at your feet.

Gratitudes June 2018 | The Open Home — For the intrigue of nature and the wonder of the early years.

These are the inserts from our gratitude journal during June, reminding us that God is good and we are blessed.

What have you been thankful for lately?

Snapshots of Saint Malo

June 27, 2018June 27, 2018Jessica1 Comment

Snapshots of Saint Malo | The Open Home

The Open Home 1009

This trip to Saint Malo was our first family holiday since our visit to Edinburgh and the Scottish Highlands in summer 2014 and the first time off island for little Bubbles.

We found a fabulous airbnb just a short walk from the harbour and walled city and there was even a supermarket and park within a few minutes walk, it really was the perfect base.

We only had 3 full days in France, but in that time managed to explore the walled city of Saint Malo, spot sharks at the Grand Aquarium and stroke giant tortoises at Alligator Bay near Mont Saint Michel.

We also ate lots of croissants, madeleines, galettes and crepes and even squeezed in some ice-cream too.

It was a really chilled family holiday and a great introduction to France for us, we’ll most definitely be returning.

What’s your favourite city in France?

Spring Nature Study

June 20, 2018June 19, 2018Jessica2 Comments

Spring Nature Study 2018 | The Open Home

“Why be indoors when you can rightly be without.” – Charlotte Mason

Although autumn is my absolute favourite season, spring has proved to be one of my favourite seasons for nature study.

This term we’ve done lots of walking and climbing and stepping out of our comfort zones to get up close with nature. We took a closer look at snails and caterpillars, watched nesting birds, identified wild flowers along the cliffs of Guernsey, learnt about plant life cycles and the differences between frogs and toads.

And without even realising it we’ve now added in a weekly mother-daughter nature journaling session to our homeschool week. Its something we both enjoy doing together and I love that Blossom gets to see me learning right alongside her.

Here are some of the snap shots:

Spring Nature Study 2018 | The Open Home — April showers and petal gathering at our regular nature spot.

What do you enjoy most about nature in the Spring?

{Dear Daddy}

June 17, 2018June 16, 2018JessicaLeave a comment

Dear Daddy 2018 | The Open Home

Dear Daddy Man, what’s your bestest thing to do with me? My favourite thing to do with you is rock climbing and rock-pooling. Or maybe it’s swimming or playing trains? Daughter dates with you are also pretty special so I think perhaps that may be my bestest thing, but then I also love the impromptu dance sessions in the kitchen and playing hide and seek will never get old. There are just too many fun things to choose from! Quality time with you is just my bestest thing to do because you really are the most wonderful Daddy in the whole wide blooming world. True story. Lots of love and sweet smooches from Blossom xx

Dearest Daddy, you make me feel so big and brave! So brave in fact that I can whizz down ginormous slides, face giant octopuses and laugh in the face of fierce alligators. When I grow up I really will walk round the whole island with you because I’m going to be tough and strong and determined just like you. Here’s hoping you can put up with my cheeky antics and constant jibber jabber for 12+ hours, but then you put up with Uncle Chi Chi for that amount of time, so why not me!? Lots of love and fairy kisses from your travel buddy, Bubbles xx

Dear Husby, how blessed we both are to be raising these girls together and how blessed we girls are to have you in our lives. You love us and nurture us, protect and provide for us and we love you for it. Thank you for taking care of the big things and being there for the little things. All of my heart, Wifey xx

Happy Father’s Day!

{Daughter Diaries} #48

June 13, 2018June 9, 2018JessicaLeave a comment

Daughter Diaries 48 | The Open Home

Dear Blossom, quality time with you is just the sweetest thing because you really do know how to enjoy the simple things in life. Trips to the library, strolls through town, sipping milkshakes and sitting on random green stools – all are enough to fill up your love tank when done together, it sure fills up mine too. Dear Bubbles, your big smooches actually bruise my cheeks you love me that much! Beneath your loud, raucous toddler exterior there is a tender heart and affectionate soul. Thank you for stopping randomly in the day to tell me you love me and calling me back into your room at night just to make sure I know. Dearest Daughters, thank you for loving me so fiercely and sp faithfully, your love for your mama gives me wings.