Jessica standing in front of a tree looking out over a big branch - "Country Kids"

Country Kids 02/01/21

Happy new year and welcome back to Country Kids. I hope that you are all keeping well and had a good Christmas. While I’m sure many of us are glad…

A picture of a blue dragonfly on a reed with the text "#366daysofgratitude 2020"

#366daysofgratitude 2020 – Week 51 and 52

Happy New Year! 2020 was my fifth year taking part in a daily gratitude challenge. Finding one little thing to be thankful for each day has now become part of…

Me, hubby, Sophie (holding Jessica's Christmas stocking) and Thomas (holding a picture of Jessica) at Jessica's forever bed on Christmas Day

Me and Mine – December 2020

I’d hoped at the start of this month that our family photo for December would be taken at Coombe Mill on Christmas Day. Sadly, the rise in coronavirus cases and…

Thomas and Sophie wading through a big puddle in the middle of some heathland

Taking on the 1000 hours outside challenge

I love getting outside with my children and the importance of having plenty of outdoor time is something that I feel quite strongly about. At the start of the year,…

Sophie and Thomas dressed as shepherds with Sophie's toy goat and Jessica dressed as an angel against a starry sky background

Merry Christmas

I’ll be stepping away from the blog from now until the end of December. Wishing all my readers a peaceful and gentle Christmas. Hope that you all stay safe and…

A picture of a blue dragonfly on a reed with the text "#366daysofgratitude 2020"

#366daysofgratitude 2020 – Week 50

At the start of 2016, inspired by a friend, I started a daily gratitude challenge – posting one thing that I was thankful for each day on Instagram. I enjoyed…

The word 'overstretched'

Friday Focus 18/12/20 – Overstretched

I’m currently at that point in the festive season where the to-do list looks overwhelming, there don’t appear to be quite enough hours available in the day and I’m feeling…

Crafting with kids: Tissue paper ‘stained-glass’ Nativity scene

Small squares of tissue paper stuck on to sticky-back plastic is a great way of creating ‘stained-glass’ decorations to go on windows. We still have the Christmas tree and star…

Sophie and Thomas dressed as shepherds with Sophie's toy goat and Jessica dressed as an angel against a starry sky background

Siblings – December 2020

Our festive siblings shot for our Christmas card photos has become a tradition over the years. This year was a little harder to try and come up with an idea…

A picture of a blue dragonfly on a reed with the text "#366daysofgratitude 2020"

#366daysofgratitude 2020 – Week 49

At the start of 2016, inspired by a friend, I started a daily gratitude challenge – posting one thing that I was thankful for each day on Instagram. I enjoyed…