Family walks

As of the last few weeks we have made it a point to go out for a walk on a sunday before dinner. The children just have so much energy to burn that it makes sense to take them out for a couple of hours, and it's about the only time that we get to spend any real quality time together as a family. Luckily the weather has held out and apart from a little light drizlle, it stayed dry. The we decided to try a walk that Nick had heard of in a nearby village called Standlake. We're not sure if we found the walk that was meant, but we did find a long bridle path through some fields that was quite nice. There were definately lots of lovely, deep, muddy puddles which delighted Ben and Jas. They insisted on splashing through all but the deepest which we warned them not to go in. The highlight of our walks though is the part where we find a nice cosy little pub and stop for a drink. Me and the kids had yummy hot chocolates which came with a small biscuit and mint chocolate. Then we walked though the village back to the car. It was really nice to walk through the door and be greeted by the yummy smells coming from the kitchen, and none of us realised just quite how hungry all that walking had made us - ahhh, the country air! After dinner we all also realised just how tired we were and it didn't take much persuading to get the children bathed and into their pyjamas.

Aaahhh!

muddy puddles, yay!

Jasmine enjoying her hot chocolate in the Black Horse pub, Standlake

It's amazing how simple it really is to enjoy life. I feel at my most content and happy when we've all been out and spent the day together walking and enjoying the outdoors and eachother. When it comes down to it, that's all that really matters.

Two very tired children...