Sunny Sunday Afternoon in Whitstable

We have been lucky to have some great weather these last few days. And where better to spend a sunny Sunday than the seaside?! So we decided to make a spur of the moment trip down to the coast and visit one of our favs, Whitstable.

Whitstable is a little seaside town not too far from Canterbury, so you could do both in one day if you are looking for a full day out in Kent! Whitstable is known for its fresh sea food (as any seaside city would be), but particularly for their locally harvested oysters. Apparently, there has been evidence that oysters were harvested here way back in Roman times too!

Ightham Mote

Oh my goodness! Spring is finally here! I can't wait until all these beautiful English gardens start bursting with flowers and color! Some of them have already started, since we have had a few sunny/warmer spells here and there.

So in search of some of these springs flowers, the boys and I ventured out to a National Trust site a couple days ago, Ightham Mote...just a heads up, it's pronounced "Item Moat"...weird, I know!!!

Ightham Mote is a 14th century moated manor house. I don't think there has been anyone that lived that is a massive historical figure (like one that you would have heard about in a history class), but it's pretty crazy that a house that old has survived so long! You can find a bit more information about the different people who lived at Ightham Mote and its history here.

From a quick search, there isn't much know about the owner who originally built the house, and all of the other owners were members of parliament, courtiers, sheriffs, to give some examples. It's also supposedly the "the most complete small medieval manor house in the county"! So if you like your history, it is definitely a cool place to check out if you are roaming the Kent countryside!

It's also great if you have kids with you, because amongst the grounds, there is a good sized nature inspired kids play area! Henry played around on it a little bit, but because it is the school holidays, there were quite a few older kids playing, which I think kind of scared him off.

We didn't venture into the house (strollers can't go in and I had both boys...wasn't going to attempt that on my own!), but that just gives me a reason to go back!

5 MONTHS WITH ARTHUR

How did we get here already?! Not only is it 2019, but I can't believe it has been 5 months since little Arthur Bear impatiently rushed into our little family! We have really loved watching his little personality develop - he is patient (with Henry and this tired Mama who sometimes has to take care of big brother first), very observant, loves to smile (but doesn't give them away willy-nilly - mostly saved for Henry and Daddy), wants to party alllll night and apparently loves some good pillow talk, and he is definitely a snacker - not a big eater.

Also, this kid doesn't have a sweet tooth (you sure he's mine?!). Since he isn't overly interested in his bottles, we've been trying to introduce some purees to see if that helps his appetite. Where Henry definitely takes after me and loves sweet foods like mango, bananas and coconut, and apples, Arthur 100% is taking after his Daddy - all about the veggies. His current favorites are Carrots, Parsnips, Butternut Squash, and Sweet Potatoes - guess we have a root vegetable fan!

Arthur also is taking after his Daddy in a different way...I'm going to have to admit it sometime. We have another Ginger in the family! Arthur's hair definitely has a little red tinge to it, so I guess that means when we have a beach vacation as a family (whenever that may be!), Daddy and Arthur will have to sit in the shade so that Henry and I can run around in the sun!

We love you little boy!

LONDON DAY WITH ARTHUR

Just a quick "Hello"! Arthur and I decided (well, let's be honest, Arthur didn't decide anything...) to go up to London and visit Jake for lunch! After we ate, we went for a little stroll trough Covent Garden. I know we have about a month until Christmas and that it's still November, but I loved seeing some of the decorations that are already up around London. Its making me excited to get decorating! Jake's birthday is in the beginning of December, so he says we can't decorate until after his birthday...but I may just get all the decorations out while he's at work. What's he going to do, put them all away once they're out??! ;)

My Grandpa was a BIG fan of Christmas and his house was always decorated end to end in lights, and growing up it made it such a magical time of year. That is one thing that I hope I can do for and pass on to my kids as they get older!

FAMILY WEDDING & WOLSEY

I can't believe that November has already come and gone! The last half of the year is just flying by! Maybe it's because Arthur is making getting a good nights rest difficult and the days are all just blurring together! #momlife

Since I last posted we made the drive up to Swindon, where my in-laws live to celebrate my youngest bro-in-law getting married! It was so fun to see the whole family together. I don't think we have had all the cousins together since last Christmas! So it was definitely overdue!

It was a bit of a crazy morning, as the wedding started at 9am...and trying to get two little ones ready in a new place was a bit crazy...but we just barely managed to pull it off. It was a lovely day and it was fun watching Henry get to run around with his cousins, since last time we saw them he wasn't even crawling!

Unfortunately, I don't have very many pictures from the wedding itself, as I was a bit distracted throughout the day. That was the same morning that the Wolsey Fire was tearing through my home town. It was so hard to be this far away from the ones you love and all the places you love, having very little information about what was going on and if everyone was ok. While my family all had to evacuate home for a few days, we were all very lucky that our homes were ok. Sadly, I know a few families that I grew up with who lost their homes and everything that they owned. Luckily no one was hurt, but still so incredibly heartbreaking!