Autumn Adventures
With Eva starting school this September and Megan at pre school for fifteen hours a week, as much as I knew I would miss having the girls with me each day, I was curious as to what life would be like for Harry and I. From the moment he was born he had a one year old Megan, a two year old Eva and a ten year old Lewis to share me with, all needing my attention in their own different ways, and there has never been a time when it was just the two of us.
I had no idea what to expect from our time together, having spent the last two years feeling poorly, stressed out and exhausted, and yet I can honestly say that these last six weeks have been some of the best we have ever had. Despite the rush of mornings, the palaver of getting four kids ready and out the door, the scramble to school with one, two, or even three of them kicking and screaming down the school path, afterwards, when it’s just Harry and I, our days have been so lovely and relaxed.
For the first time in a long while I can leave the house with just one little hand to hold, without the three of them shooting off in opposite directions, without me screaming like a banshee and making fake phone calls to report back to Daddy. I can go out in the car without the constant back seat bickering, singing along to “Now that’s what I call Disney!” without Megan screeching at me to be quiet, and cruise along the motorway without refereeing another melt down because one of my children looked at the other in the wrong way. I can go out, to busy places, without the fear of losing a child because I dared to take my eyes off them for a split second, leisurely strolling along without being a human coat hanger, weighed down by coats and bags and the assortment of toys, dolls or teddies the children insist on taking along with them every time we leave the house. Just me, Harry, his precious “Pack Pack”, and every single day a new adventure.
It helps that the weather has been so kind to us this Autumn and we have been able to spend all of our time outdoors burning off the kind of energy that only a two year old can produce. We have visited places that I would never have dreamed of going with all three of the little ones, places I would never have managed to manoeuvre the pram along muddy paths, and yet the thought of trying to control all three of them running free would be out of the question, places where it would cost a small fortune just to pay the entry fee for the three of them (I wonder how long I can get away with Harry being ‘not quite two’?), places that would just be too stressful, too messy, too hectic, too much like hard work.
So with just the two of us to please, we have spent our days in the park, exploring in the woods, hunting for conkers, for ladybirds, ducks and spiders. We have climbed trees, jumped in puddles, eaten home made cake from quaint little cafes. We have jumped on the train, wandered around museums and adventure play parks, and we have enjoyed every single moment of this beautiful Autumn sun.
And at two years and four months, the same age as Lewis when we lost Joseph, and already older than Eva when she became a big sister of two, I feel as though I have been given another chance to really make the most of this time. Because although Lewis had me to himself for eight long years, our time together at the same age was very much clouded by grief and, by the time that Eva and Megan reached their second birthdays, our life, although lovely in so many ways, could only be described as chaotic! And part of me feels guilty about that, the fact that the girls missed out on that quality one-on-one time with me, and I guess there lies the benefit of a larger age gap, and yet the other part of me knows that for every moment of that time they missed out on, they were doubly blessed to have each other. They have always more than happy to play together in the garden, to go to the park and play on the swings, to curl up on the couch and watch a movie, to battle it out over Hungry Hippos or, if we were having a really bad day, grind me down until I gave in and brought out the Play-doh!
But now, this time for just Harry and I, it’s almost like the calm after the storm. It feels as though I have finally taken my foot off the gas a little, taken the time to breathe in the beauty of each day, to really enjoy every moment rather than just going through the motions, on autopilot, doing whatever it takes to stay sane, counting down the minutes until bedtime. I feel as though I have finally found my feet again, after merely hanging on for dear life through the rollercoaster of three under three, and I feel different some how, less anxious, a little less tired, a lot more relaxed.
I find myself looking at Harry and feeling nothing but grateful that I get the chance to experience these moments, just one last time. I watch him as he plays, when he walks beside me holding my hand, or reaches upwards for a hug, and I could not love him any more if I tried. When I look into those soulful brown eyes, as he plants another slobbery kiss on my lips, I am all too aware of how fast the time is passing and I hold him that little bit closer, make our days that little bit more fun, for fear that all too soon he will join the girls at school and our days will be very different.
Life with children takes so many twists and turns, every stage so very different, and yet this one, with my little explorer by my side, is one that I wish could last forever.
…
Looks like you two are enjoying your time together. Made me giggle when you mentioned making “fake phone calls to daddy”. I’ve never tried that with T, I wonder if it will work? 🙂 Lovely photos btw. xx
Dean of Little Steps recently posted…A Country Kid’s Post: Rugby Fun
Haha the fake phone calls to Daddy are an integral part of our days!! Now with Christmas around the corner I start with the fake phone calls to santa!xx
It sounds as though the two of you are having a great time enjoying each others company x
Rachel recently posted…Egyptian Magic Multi Use Skin Cream
Thank you Rachel, we really are. xx
Oh what a lovely post Laura!
We love nothing more than random days out exploring. It is so very true that they grow up oh so quickly!
I too make every moment count and I often wish I could hold on to moments like that forever.
Lovely captures of your gorgeous little boy 🙂 x
Jayne @ Sticky Mud and Belly Laughs recently posted…DIY Paper Bonfire Crafts For Kids
Thank you. Days out with all three of the little ones was HARD WORK to say the least and so we had to adapt to what we did in the week and save our adventures for weekend when Gaz could join us. It’s been lovely being able to get out and about without worrying about losing one of them, although I do look forward to the weekends when the other three can join us. xx
The is a beautiful post, we have a new born (also Harry!) and allthough pnly has one brother time alone with him is precious. Thankyou for writing #thatfridaylinky
Ahh congratulations!! Harry is a great choice of names, I hope that you have some wonderful adventures together. xx
Gorgeous piccies. I have to say I loved spending time with Fin alone and I’m gutted now that all three are a t school all day. It makes the weekends all the more precious (although these seem to be filled with birthday parties at the moment). Sarah #FabFridayPost
Sarah Stockley recently posted…#ExplorerKids – Round-up #29
That’s what I keep thinking about, with him being our last I know that after he starts school our lives will be very different! Weekends are so precious when they are in school but yes, birthday parties and football matches here! xx
Fab post. He is a cutie. Looks like you guys have been very busy.
Thank you, we’ve had a lovely few weeks! xx
Harry is just so gorgeous and I’m so glad you have this one on one time with him. It must be like taking a deep breath and just relaxing. I’m enjoying my days with just the newborn with the grem is at nursery. You need that time without feeling guilty that another little one needs you! Enjoy it and beautiful photos xx #thatfridaylinky
Absolutely. With them being SO close in age I felt as though I was permanently tearing myself in three and it was just exhausting! Although I feel guilty now that we are having so much fun without the girls, we make sure that we save some of our adventures for the weekend! xx
Sounds like a great Autumn adventure. Its our favourite time of the year and we love going pumpkin hunting and looking at the fallen ‘fire’ leaves. Beautiful photography!
Thank you! We went on a pumpkin hunt last week which was lovely! Our first time at the pumpkin patch, I was snap happy! xx
Ahhh, just such a lovely post and lovely words and photos as always. It’s lovely that you now have this time together and can relax a bit and go with the flow. No more fake phonecalls to Daddy. I too have been guilty of that one! #ThatFridayLinky
Haha Gaz hates me doing that as he says why do I always have to be the bad guy, but sometimes I’ve ran out of ideas! At least with Christmas on the way I can go back to the fake phone calls to santa! xx
This was such a sweet post to read. Harry looks like such a happy little boy!
Thank you, he is an absolute joy! xx
What beautiful pictures!
I’m just the same, my youngest is the only one at home now and he’s so adventurous its lovely getting out and about with him!
#FabFridayPost
I think boys are naturally more adventurous aren’t they? The girls would rather stay home and bake or do something crafty where as Harry just wants to be outside and RUN!! It’s lovely to get out though, the weather has been beautiful! xx
I love this Laura! I am so pleased that you are able to have this time with Harry, who is sooooo adorable. I feel like this with the time I am now having with Holly. Alice was two when Holly was born and life was crazy back then. But, with Holly I too feel like you, that this is our time. And I am definitely feeling less anxious and more relaxed about life. My rollercoaster hasn’t been quite as crazy as yours, but I feel like the brakes are on for a bit. x #picknmix
Laura – dear bear and beany recently posted…Surviving Two Years With Two Children…
Ahh thank you. I felt guilty at first, like all of a sudden we were doing loads of fun things every day where as before we had days when we didn’t even get dressed…I think that’s the beauty of just having one!! Now I’m just enjoying every moment as from November Harry will have two mornings at playgroup and I will have five hours a week…CHILD FREE!!! xx
I bet it’s lovely for him to have some one on one time with you too – I know I relish it with Sebby 🙂
Kara recently posted…How to Report an Imposter Account and Stolen Photo on Facebook
It really is, and it’s lovely that he still has Meggy for two and a half days each week too. Our weekends have become all the more precious with two of the children in school, it’s just a huge change! xx
I thought I was the only one that made fake calls to Daddy. It doesn’t work anymore with us though as my one year old just grabs it and makes his own “calls”. Its so nice to get one on one time isn’t it? I always find I’m so much more relaxed too and actually enjoy it and we even manage to have conversations about what my boy did at school!
Notmyyearoff recently posted…The start of a new chapter
Haha mine are nowhere near as bothered as they used to be! They do care when I say its Santa though, so I’ll be milking that until Christmas! It’s lovely to be able to go out and it not feel so manic and hard work, as much as I love having a larger family I definitely enjoy these moments!! xx
Lovely sentiment and pictures! We should all try to find special time to spend with our children individually. Soak up all of those slobbery kisses and keep documenting this journey as well as you are! You and your children will cherish this later.
Carolina Twin Mom / Mary Peterson recently posted…Why I Love Being “The Second Wife”
Thank you, that’s what I love the most about my blog, that we are capturing all of these memories to look back on. Those slobbery kisses are so special, I know that they wont last forever! xx
How fun!! I can’t wait for it to be Autumn again in Australia so I can go on adventures with my son! #KCACOLS
Ahh I forget it isn’t autumn there too! Enjoy it when it comes! xx
Just popping back from #KCACOLS I can’t believe your will have 5 hours childfree time soon! Thats amazing, I can’t wait for Holly time to come! x
Laura – dear bear and beany recently posted…My Girls…October
Thank you! Five precious hours to lie on the couch and watch Jeremy Kyle….I mean blog, and clean…!!! xxx
I can do relate to lots of this the melt downs in the car the screaming and kicking into school and I love the fake phone calls to daddy. I love my time with twins something I never got chance to do with the other two so I cherish everyday with them. Such a great post
Ahh it’s lovely spending time with the youngest isn’t it? Twins must be a whole different ball game but how lovely to have that time together. Enjoy!! xx
Haha I regularly threaten phone calls to daddy if Leo is playing up. This is beautiful post with some gorgeous photos, glad you are enjoying your alone time with your little man xx #picknmix
wendy recently posted…A letter to my first born
Haha glad it’s not just me then!! Gaz hates that he is threatened as the bad guy but I feel like some days there’s no other threats left! xx
Now that’s what I call Disney! Is such a good album…. the first time. The only part of my eldest starting school I’m looking forward to is getting some quality one on one time with my youngest. It looks like you have both had some lovely adventures.
#fortheloveofBLOG
Kirsty – winnettes recently posted…The Cake & Bake Show
Haha it’s fab isn’t it! Megan talked me into buying it the other month and yet when I try and sing along she goes crazy! Harry doesn’t mind, he loves my singing!! xx
Hi Laura, I love your photos of Harry, especially the one where he is smelling the flower in the field . He looks like a proper cheeky chappy.
I am glad that you are enjoying your time with him, they do grow up too fast. Exploring woods, jumping in puddles and eating homemade cake sounds like the perfect way t enjoy your time together.
xx
Debbie recently posted…A Letter To All Those Ba****ds
Thank you Debs, he really is a cheeky little boy but so happy and his manners are impeccable. I’m enjoying this time, just the two of us, I waited a long time for another little boy to hold and I plan on making the most of every moment. xxx
What I love most about this is the honest description of the day with ALL the kids- the banshee screaming, the car fights, the exhaustion. I have four under nine and can relate. Now I wil never sail in your boat as the two youngest are twins- but I look forward to having them in the stage where we can do things without having to tuck them under my arms and run!
#justanotherlinky
kristin mccarthy recently posted…The TW- IMpossible…Things One Should Not Attempt With Twin Toddlers…
Oh gosh yes, twins are a different matter!! Still, with just Harry and Meggy for two and a half days a week I can do way more than I could with all three little ones. One in each hand is a little more manageable isn’t it? And less children means less arguing, when it’s just me and Harry I feel as though I can finally breathe again! We make up for it on the weekends though, and then I re-charge in the week! xx
Aww! How lovely! It looks like you are really enjoying your time together!
Beautiful photos!
#justanotherlinky
Kim Carberry recently posted…Piercings and Tattoos. #Blogtober16
Thank you, we are having a lovely time together, hoping for sunshine this week so we can carry on our adventures! xx
Good for you – make the most of it as time flies so quickly! #KCACOLS
Crummy Mummy recently posted…#MySundayPhoto
Thank you, it’s scary how fast it flies!! xx
We’ve been trying to take advantage of a pretty mild fall over on this side of the pond also. I’m a bit nervous about what that might mean for this winter though! #thatfridayfeeling
jeremy@thirstydaddy recently posted…How to Stay Young
Haha yes me too!! We are never usually so lucky with the weather, although I think your winters are worse than ours! Fingers crossed hey?! xx
Sounds like you are enjoying your time together love the fake phone calls Thanks for linking to the #THAT FRIDAY LINKY come back next week please
Haha thanks Nige, and thanks for hosting! xx
The weather has been very good this Autumn so my little man and I have also taken advantage of this and gone out on adventures. Love your photos they’re super cute!!!
MELANIE EDJOURIAN recently posted…Coolreall 20000mAh Power Bank
It’s gorgeous isn’t it! We’ve had rain this morning but the sun is out and we are off to the park! Enjoy the sunshine! xx
It must be lovely to have some 1-2-1 time together. As a mum of twins, this is something I’ve never had with either of my girls and I do feel as though one is always missing out! Fab post hun. Thanks for linking up to #ThatFridayLinky
Emily recently posted…Jungle Jam Book Review
Ahh I think twins must be difficult in terms of one on one time as there really never is time with just one! I feel guilty about Megan missing out, with her being the middle of the youngest three she’s never had time to herself, I’m convinced she will grow up with middle child syndrome and throw it in my face in her teens!! xx
Wow looks like so far you have had great autumn fun!!! Autumn is great to get outdoors, Not to hot, not to cold. As like you say, the older they get, the pricier it is to get in places and I always say Lily is younger than she is too.
Cassandra Mayers recently posted…My Sunday Photo – 16/10/16
Oh and Forgot, Got your post from #justanotherlinky 🙂
Cassandra Mayers recently posted…My Sunday Photo – 16/10/16
I feel guilty about it but it is so expensive isn’t it! I’m sure he can be 23 months for a little bit longer….!! We always make up for what we don’t pay in admission with buying cake! xx
Aw sounds like you’re having a lovely time together and doing such fun things, Its so important to make the most of these days with them. Such beautiful pictures too x #KCACOLS
Mum in Brum recently posted…#MySundayPhoto – the bedtime biscuit
Thank you. It’s lovely to have this time, I know that it wont last forever! xx
So lovely for you both to get a little bit of quiet time together and it looks like you’ve had plenty of adventures already! Gorgeous photos too! #fortheloveofblog
Kat recently posted…Best Gig I Ever Attended – Blogtober16
It’s so nice to be able to spend this time together, the same way it is to spend any quality time with the other three. There’s pros and cons to big and small families, I think it’s important to get that quality time though too. xx
Awww what a darling. He is sooo sweet and these pictures are simply gorgeous! I laughed my head off and gave a big nod at the madness of school mornings, it really is a pa-lava every day eeeekkkk
I hope you continue to have nice weather for your adventures together x
Haha yes, the morning palaver isn’t fun for anyone, but life with this little one is a breeze inbetween!! The sun has just come out so we are off to the park! Enjoy your day! xx
What a great day and a great memory to treasure. I love his cheeky little face and he is simply loving having you all to himself! I could feel my tension levels rising as I read you’re morning routine, you so deserve that down time! So here’s to more cake in quaint cafes!
Tooting Mama recently posted…Where to find good curry in Tooting (and Paris)
Hehe mornings are hard work in our house, I think most parents feel the same! We’ve had a lovely day in the park and another gorgeous café for cake. Long may these days last! xx
Aww what a lush post! Harry is so handsome! So nice that you are enjoying that one on one time with him and really making the most of it. He looks to be rather enjoying it too I must say! Your header picture is so lovely by the way, really original and striking. #KCACOLS
Thank you so much! We are having lots of fun together. And thank you! My husband designed it for me and it sums up out family perfectly! xx
This is so lovely and such gorgeous photos of your adventures too. I bet he treasures his time with Mummy just as much as you do. And I know the feeling, I am one child less but I still find it so easy when the two of them are at school or nursery and I just have one baby at home! xx
Thank you. I constantly feel like I have forgotten something now my girls are in pre-school/school, but it’s so refreshing to be able to get out and about with all the drama! xx
What adorable images!
Your child is BEAUTIFUL <3
Ahh thank you so much! I’m a very lucky mummy! xxx
That’s how my mummy feels with me, it just my little hand to hold, but we have amazing (relaxed) adventures and really spend quality time together x A lovely, honest post xx #JustAnotherLinky
Baby Isabella recently posted…A LUSH Christmas!
Ahh it’s lovely to spend one on one time together with no stress!! I love that part! xx
It sounds like you’re really enjoying your time with him! That said – I honestly don’t believe your girls have “missed out” at all. You seem like a fantastic mum and they will have had lots of your attention, just in a different way. Thanks so much for linking up at #KCACOLS. Hope you come back again next Sunday
OddHogg recently posted…Menu Plan Monday – 17th October 2016
Thank you. We always feel guilty as parents, it’s what we do best isn’t it?! They’ve had a lovely few years together but this time with my baby is very precious. xx
It is so lovely to have one on one time and I think lots of us feel bad when we haven’t had that with other children but there are advantages and disadvantages to every position in the family. Lovely read.
Kirsten Toyne recently posted…Valuing Our Role As Parents
Thank you. You’re right, there’s advantages and disadvantages to most things aren’t there, you just do what’s best for your family. xx
It feels relaxing when I see the signs of autumn in our place!
Autumn is lovely and relaxing I think, especially with the gorgeous colours! xx
Aww… you are making me cry again! Happy tears! I love your post and I can relate to this with Evelyn now at morning nursery. It is pretty blissful. I love the calmness time I have with Evelyn during the day when Ethan is at school. Thank you so much for linking up with us on #FabFridayPost p.s. your photos are just absolutely gorgeous! Xx
Thank you so much Su, you’re comments are always so lovely. I think we need that calmness don’t we? It’s just what we need so we can make it through the chaos!! xx
Beautiful photos, it looks like you have some great adventures together. Time passes so quickly though! #KCACOLS
Louise recently posted…An Autumnal walk around RHS Wisley
Thank you, we have had a wonderful few weeks! xx
Such a beautiful post, and my word those eyes of his are gorgeous! There’s only 19 months between my two boys and I really did treasure that time with just my youngest at home, when he didn’t have to share me for a change. Even now, I love it when I have one of them to myself for a while. I’m making the most of it now they’re 10 and 12 before it becomes uncool to hang out with Mum 😉
Thanks for linking up to #PicknMix
Stevie x
A Cornish Mum recently posted…Smiggle Have Come To Cornwall!
Ahh thank you, he really does have the most beautiful big eyes. I’m the same, I’m so excited because on Friday Lewis is off school (INSET day) and we are having a day out just the two of us. I worry about the age it becomes uncool to hang out with your mum but I think as long as I’m buying him new clothes, Lewis is going to want to keep hanging out with me, ha! xx
I loved those pictures between the flowers and the leaves. Pure autumn! 🙂 #KCACOLS
Thank you. xxx
How precious to have that little bit of one on one time with him. Such beautiful memories and photographs! Thanks for sharing on #fortheloveofBLOG
A Mum Track Mind recently posted…The Ambition Series: Meet Mother Pukka
Thank you. He’s an absolute joy! We are starting him at nursery after half term, only 5 hours a week over two mornings, and already I am worrying about how much I will miss him! I’m sure the reality will be a little different! Freedom – woohoo!! xx
It sounds like you have a very special time with all your children. I have my youngest at home now her big sister has gone to school and it’s nice to only have one set of needs to meet, well some days anyway
Zena’s Suitcase recently posted…Bali Travel Guide: Things To Do In Paradise
Yes definitely! It’s lovely to have this time and it makes our weekends super special! xx
Oh my, he is just so beautiful. Those photos. So lovely. Lovely bonding time
Thank you for linking up to #justanotherlinky
Life as Mum recently posted…My Third and Last Pregnancy – My Thoughts and Feelings
Thank you so much, he’s an absolute joy to be around too! xx
What a lovely post. I remember spending this time with LP when BP was at school and it is so nice for the quiet one-on-one time. I hope you get to enjoy many more days before he starts school. 🙂
Thanks for linking to #pocolo
Morgan Prince recently posted…Post Comment Love 28th – 30th October
Thanks Morgan, he starts nursery next week, just two mornings but we will still have our four days together thankfully! xx