Christmas 2020, Centre Parcs, Ireland

 We made it to Centre Parcs, Ireland! With all the changes due to COVID in the weeks leading up to Christmas, we were very unsure as to whether we would be able to go but I remained hopeful. It took us awhile to unwind, to put COVID and restrictions to the back of our minds, if that is really possible...but it was lovely to be away, a change of scene and no jobs to be done. Centre Parcs is not quite the same without the swimming pool and activities but it is still a beautiful place to walk, ride our bikes and chill out.

Potato harvesting

 

MJ turns 13

MJ turned 13. He had a few friends round to play dnd and had a dnd themed cake, kindly made by Anna.

For his annual birthday outing, we took him to the Warhammer shop in Belfast followed by lunch.

Two little helpers for present opening and candle blowing.
 

Winning!

 Mike delighted to grow some mini melons which tasted great and Lj delighted to win ‘best girl’ at Every Girls Rally for yr 19/20. 

A new job!

 With all the unemployment caused by COVID 19 it seems a strange time to be starting a new job but when an advert appeared on Facebook in August for an interior stylist in a local interiors shop, I was excited and knew I had to apply. The timing actually worked well for us with Calvin starting play group, Mike working from home and my Mum and Aunt able to help with school pickups. The logistics are not quite as straight forward when you have 4 children at 4 different schools but we are working with that and making it all work as best we can.

My first job was to restyle some of our displays...it really didn’t feel like work!!!

New parks at Gosford Forest Park, N.Ireland

The new parks are open at Gosford. They are beautifully designed, made and in a beautiful setting. The diffused light through the trees also makes it a great place for photos. Maybe the kids group shot will grace our Christmas card this year.

 

A patchwork Quilt for our Master bedroom

Back to school 2020

 

MJ Yr 8, Lj P7 and Ezra P1.

Walking with little one, NT, Murlough Nature Reserve, Mournes, Co.Down, N.Ireland

This place, NT, Murlough Nature Reserve has been one of our great finds of 2020. It is about a 1hr drive from home. It is easy walking for all ages, it feels like you are in the middle of nowhere and it ends on the beach!

 

A week of beach days, Portstewart, N.Ireland

What a blessing! The sun shone for our week on the North Coast, Ireland. We stayed in a self catering house with my sister and her family, my Parents and Aunt. Our days were spent mainly at the beach, with the kids running in and out of the water for hours, digging holes in the sand and sliding down the dunes. 

Wednesday was overcast so we took a boat over to Donegal, to the Famine Village at Doagh. Even there, the kids ended up in the sea.

My Brother and sister in law have a holiday house in Portstewart so we were able to hang out with them and my younger brother and sister in law came to visit for an evening, bringing their new corgi, Diggy.

Portballintrae, N, Ireland.

Donegal, Ireland

Calvin surprised me with his love of the sea. He spent hours running in and out of the waves. I think this is the first year he has felt steady enough in the water.

NT Portstewart Strand, N.Ireland

Enjoying treats at Morelli’s ice cream cafe.

MJ wasn’t happy about having to come along and wanted to stay at home with M. Thankfully his love of the sea remains and he spent his time climbing the rocks and swimming too.