The Open Home

Beatrix Potter Tea Party

May 8, 2017May 7, 2017theopenhome4 Comments

Beatrix Potter Party | The Open Home

Over the past year Blossom and I have worked our way through The Complete Tales of Beatrix Potter, so for her 4th birthday celebration I tried to bring the world of Peter Rabbit to life a little. Mr McGregor’s garden was my inspiration and my favourite touch was the carrots in the floral arrangements!

I do love a good theme, but according to Blossom all parties should have 3 key things: Balloons, fresh flowers and of course, chocolate cake!

My chocolate cake wasn’t quite as perfect as a recovering perfectionist would hope, but Blossom told me at bedtime that the chocolate cake was her favourite part of the party. (Cue swooning Mama!)

What was the last party you went to?

Blossom Turns Four!

May 3, 2017theopenhome1 Comment

I love singing, pretend play, dressing up with my sister, hide and seek with Daddy, plane spotting, vintage cars, nature walks, bird watching, Candie Gardens, picnics, tea parties, chocolate cake, going to the library, visits to Nan’s farm, collecting the post, writing, drawing, painting, play school, daughter dates, giving big smooches, washing dishes and story time with Mummy.

My favourite toys are my bunny Boo, my cuddly Pooh Bear, my dolls, toy animals, play kitchen and wooden train set.

My favourite books are The Complete Tales of Beatrix Potter, The Complete Collection of Winnie the Pooh, Alfie books, The Babar Collection and The Children of God’s Story Book Bible.

My favourite foods are bananas, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, cheesy pasta, chips, Granny’s Yorkshire puddings, welsh cakes, chocolate lollies and of course, chocolate cake!

When I grow up I want to be a Granny.

——

For more birthday posts about our sweet Blossom, click {HERE}.

Happy Birthday Sweetheart! Mama loves you.

{April Gratitudes}

April 30, 2017April 30, 2017theopenhomeLeave a comment

The Open Home 743 — For sunshine dates and ginormous cakes.

April Gratitudes | The Open Home — For sweet smelling bunnies that add some whimsy to my washing line.

April Gratitudes 2017 | The Open Home — For adventures with Daddy and lessons from nature.

What have you been thankful for lately?

{Daughter Diaries} #38

April 27, 2017April 27, 2017theopenhomeLeave a comment

Daughter Diaries 38 | The Open Home

Dear Blossom, I love how you embrace your role as the big sister and helper of the home, always fetching and serving and playing mother hen. You may be older and wiser than your wee sister but she still knows how to lead you astray! Dear Bubbles, your cheeky antics both warm my heart and drive me crazy! You always know how to make us smile but just don’t seem to know when it’s time to stop. The toddler years make for some of the best memories and yet the hardest of days. Dearest Daughters, thank you for being quick to smile and quick to forgive.

What cheeky things do your children get up to?

{Ten on Ten} April 2017

April 12, 2017April 12, 2017theopenhome1 Comment

Autumn has always been my favourite season, closely followed by Spring so I always find it such a shame when people treat these two seasons simply as transitions to Christmas and Summer.

There is so much beauty to be found in the Spring that I see no need to rush into Summer. Spring is best enjoyed slowly when you have the time to stop, listen, savour, and enjoy. I’m especially loving slow days like these with my girls.

Linking up again with Rebekah Gough here are my ten shots trying to capture the beauty in the ordinary.

Ten on Ten April 2017 | The Open Home — My puzzle loving girl.

What beauty did you find in the ordinary today?

March Gratitudes

March 31, 2017theopenhome1 Comment

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

What have you been thankful for this month?

{Daughter Diaries} #37

March 24, 2017March 24, 2017theopenhome3 Comments

Daughter Diaries 37 | The Open Home

Dear Blossom, you really appreciate the beauty of life and I have a feeling that Spring may become your favourite season. You stop to listen to birdsong, collect fallen petals to pass on as gifts and find delight in each and every new bud. Your enthusiasm for life and nature is contagious! Dear Bubbles, I love that you can find your way round our secret garden without any direction, throw twigs in the pond for the fish to eat and take your shoes off in every cafe we visit. Your sweet ways warm my heart. Dearest Daughters, may you always find time to stop and smell the roses.