Car rides, caravans, stars and family time… Blissfully exhausting

This weekend 10 of us bundled into 2 cars, and headed out of town from  London to Lincolnshire.  I’d not seen my God-mother for over 11 years (at my wedding), so her husband’s 60th birthday party was the perfect reason to chuck the kids in the car (well not ours as we don’t drive) and spend time with my parents, baby brother and sister and my lot.  On the drive up you really start to realise that in London it is never really dark.  Looking up at the sky, more and more stars started to become visible.  Stars have always fascinated me, to the point that I could stare at a starry sky all night. In fact I snuck out at 3am to lay on the driveway and take some photos 🙂

 

When we got there we were greeted with huge hugs and kisses.  The last time I’d visited their home I was a child, and it warmed my heart that little had changed.  We were shown around our caravan (*squeeeeeeee*) where the 5 of us would be sleeping. I was transported back to my childhood once again.  I BLOODY LOVE CARAVANS! It was Jonathan and the kids first time in one and they were pleasantly impressed.  I was prepared for moaning about lack of space, or being under each others feet, but it was the opposite.

‘Sleeping’ with a 10 1/2 month old was ok on the first night, but Penny is a right wriggle bum in her sleep these days and it usually involves headbutting daddy, or kicking him in the back. Co-sleeping at home is pretty simple, but it was lovely having all my 3 children in one room. Although we all live together, sometimes a teenagers bedroom might aswell be in a different postcode for the amount you see them.

Saturday morning we were greeted with my sister  shouting ‘Hello Campers’ and I was instantly reminded of my childhood.  Growing up we spent most weekends on camp sites.  There were always loads of us and it was always fun just bunking down and spending time together.  If we could drive then it is something I would definitely do with my children. Tea in the morning on a grassy field just can’t be compared to anything else.

All in all the break was lovely. Spending time with family, and close friends.  I love that my children got to spend a weekend away from the city this summer and that they got to spend time with their grandparents and aunt and uncles.  Seeing them with my sister in particular is always a pleasure.  She’s like a second mum to them and always has been.

Penny had so much fun playing in the garden and having the freedom to potter around with so many grown up eyes watching her.  She was definitely the focus for many this weekend (she sort of demands it with her cheeky smile).  It was like having my old Penny back after a week of angry tantrum type mood swings at bed times and grumps due to a cold.  Although still full of cold, she was truly a pleasure to watch interacting with other little people, as well as interacting happily with my God-mother and her family whom she had never met before. Seeing her so relaxed was wonderful and definitely encourages me to visit more and spend more time outside of the busy city.

Coming home is always a mixed bag of emotions.  Who likes returning from holiday right? Coming home to our third floor flat in East London, with the busy roads, and lack of stars is somewhat of a downer, but having your own home comforts is always a blessing.  I miss that little caravan already, Jonathan is back to work on nights and the kids are already hiding out in their rooms again but it encourages me to start looking into where we can go next.