exactly how much fun can you cram into a few sunny days?

Living here in Northern Ireland, many of you will know we suffer terribly from thinking the summer is going to be great (how could it not be after the last 10 years of cold?!) only to be disappointed once again by wall to wall grey skies. We bundle our kids up in fleeces and carry umbrellas as necessities and head out to a park or beach, determined to have a slice of summer fun despite the cold. We watch the weather forecast and tut and sigh as we are shown more images of 'weather fronts' aiming right for us with another deluge of rain on board! The upside of generally cold, damp summers is that when we do get a few sunny days strung together, we manage to cram an entire summer's worth of fun into them!Towards the end of July we had a run of sunshiney days that allowed us to play out many of our summer hopes and dreams. Simple things like putting the paddling pool up and lazing in the garden.The paddling pool afforded a few funny photo opportunities, like the time where a shark overturned a boat and killed a surfer, a diver and a policeman. Sad but true!We ventured along a path only 10 minutes from our house that I am ashamed to say I had never walked along before. It's a coastal path from our town to the next, and it was just lovely.The small town the path leads to is Groomsport, which is the home of our favourite beach to play on with friends. So that is what we did later that same day. It's such a simple pleasure being able to skip about on the beach, collecting shells and lying in the sand with some of our favourite people. We especially love it when they bring their extremely cute pup with them!We have walked along the beach closest to us, nodding and saying hello to all the jolly sunshiney people out enjoying every last drop of the light and warmth, and being both shocked and excited by the number of jellyfish that have been cast up lately.One of us took part in a football camp, working on his skills, learning new tricks and generally having a whale of a time. The trophies at the end were a bonus, especially the one that was won for points collected by the end of the week!And when it got too warm to even play outside, there was an exciting box of daddy's old Lego from Nana's garage to build and play with. Lego fun has been taken to all new levels this summer with funny little scenes created with minifigures, inspired by this blog. And that, my friends, is exactly how much fun you can cram into a few funny days!

holiday snapshots

Admittedly there has been a bit of a blogging dirth of late. We were on holiday in Wales and Somerset for 2 weeks at the start of July and the last 2 weeks I have pretty much spent ferrying one or both of the boys to various summer activities/play dates/birthday parties. Busy it has most certainly been, and super duper jolly good fun has been had by all! I could bore you to tears with details of days out, coffees drunk, family caught up with, rain storms weathered yada yada yada, but you know for me it's true that a picture speaks a thousand words. So pictures it shall be. It's a sort of holiday tour via Hipstamatic - I'm still trying to sort through the 790 odd photos I took on my camera, so this seems the most sensible way to give you a taster of what Team Boyd have been up to on holiday. I will follow up bits and pieces with more words over the next couple of weeks, but for now I give you the Boyd family holiday in 30 small square prints.

Big jets

Living in a house where the girls make up a mere 25% of the population has brought about a few things I didn't expect. Firstly, I didn't fully appreciate that boys are apparently born without the gene for locating things outside of their immediate line of vision. And I didn't expect to have detailed information about the Premiere League stored in a file in my brain which I can whip out at a moment's notice for general chit chat or to gain kudos with teenage boys in my classroom! I didn't quite realise that boy's toys are way more fun than girls - I really don't know what to do with that pink aisle in the toy shops, but give me a bucket of Lego and I'm good to go.  And I was quite unaware of how exciting big jets are! Which is why our special trip to RAF Aldergrove a couple of weeks ago was one of the best afternoons we've had as a family for ages.A friend of ours very kindly invited us to bring the boys to watch 2 Tornados being flown into Aldergrove - it was an offer we were never going to turn down! We were met at the base, signed in all very officially and given a pair of ear plugs before being led to the runway (the RUNWAY!!) to watch the jets fly over and then land. It's very hard to describe just how amazing the whole experience was. The boys were loving it all, Patrick out loud and Conor in his own quiet way. We stood at the end of the runway with just a couple of other families and watched as these jets screamed from nowhere into our line of vision and into the distance in a matter of seconds. It's the noise that's so impressive. Just incredible. And then after another fly past they landed and taxied to where we were standing.Such impressive machines. I was in my element taking photographs with both my camera and my trusty hipstamatic on the phone! And to know that these planes see active service in Afghanistan and other areas where our forces put their lives on the line for humanity was very humbling. But the fun didn't stop with just the tour around the planes as Patrick got to sit in the cockpit of one and have one of the pilots tell him all about the controls. So cool when you're 8 years old! And to add to our excitement, a Sea King helicopter on a search and rescue mission also graced us with its presence as it landed to refuel! Seriously, it was one great day out!As an additional highlight, the planes flew over Bangor the next morning on their way back to Scotland. I happened to be sitting in a friend's house which overlooks the Lough when they screeched overhead. There's every chance I made a total idiot of myself as I leapt up shouting "It's the jets! It's the Jets!" But it really couldn't be helped! Like I said, it's quite a surprise just how exciting big jets are!

busy = good :)

Just in case you thought I'd become sidetracked with making sure the colouring pencils are all in the correct order, I thought I'd check in and let you know I'm still here, just busy with life and art and general life stuff!I've really been doing my best to keep creative along with Maegan and the rest of the Creativity Boot Camp ladies the past week and a half. It's been such fun trying new things, sneaking the boys' paint trays into the study and sploshing a bit of paint around. And while it's been fun, it's also been a bit of a revelation in regard to what I know I can do, what I thought I couldn't do, and how much more I can possibly do with just a bit of courage and a whole lot of encouragement! I've thought about my roots and how they have shaped what I do creatively.I've been dabbling with words. I LOVE words, but I don't often take time to play with them creatively. Which could seem pretty lame for one who teaches others about the English language!I have been pretty much shoved out of my comfort zone and forced to turn the camera on myself. This experience nearly tipped me over the edge! I do NOT enjoy being on the other side of the lens and posting images of myself for others to see actually makes me feel a bit sick! But if stepping out of my comfort zone stretches my creativity, then that's what I'll do. This image is merely proof to you (and myself) that I actually did this! Notice if nothing else how tidy the sink looks and how pretty the light coming into the bathroom is! There is more creativity to be shared on another day. I'd hate to bore you with it all in one fell swoop!Art aside, life has been busy. There's been a school trip to Mountstewart to look for mini beasts (note to self: the mini bus on P4 school trips is no place for one who frequently suffers from noise sensitivity!), we've had fun tea out, and the boys have moved into 2 giant cardboard boxes (thanks, Tracey!) I shall leave you with a photo homage to life chez Boyd this past week.

Doodling and the like

Today I just want to share with you a few things I learnt today.1. I will never cease to be amazed at the daft things pupils do and think they'll get away with.2. Comments from women I've never met about my artistic endeavours can lift my spirit to amazing heights!3. I doodle in loops and circles - straight lines do not sit well with the pen in my hand. Who knew?4. I colour the little loops the colours of Smarties without even knowing it. Is there a subliminal message here? I might have a packet just to be on the safe side once I get this post up!5. I can't get my Caran D'Ache pencils from my childhood out without putting them back into their correct order. The control freak within is just too darn loud!6. Doodling loops and colouring them in with beautifully organised colouring pencils from one's past is, in and of itself, a fabulous experience, but can be further added to with a playlist that includes Tinie Tempah, Take That and Nickelback in the space of 15 minutes! Again, who knew?!

On fear and jumping in with both feet

Yesterday was the beginning of Maegan's Creativity Boot Camp for this year, and much as I was excited about what all we might get up to over the next 2 weeks, I was also filled with a little bit of fear. It's a fear I know all too well. The one that makes me think I'm not as good at things as others, the one that makes me doubt myself, the one that stops me from taking risks and just jumping in with both feet. I don't really like this fear much at all!Today the creative prompt was to paint, just for the sake of painting. Now I am not a painter. So guess what the fear said to me? Amongst other things it said I wasn't going to be much cop at this at all. It said the rubbish ancient paints I have wouldn't be the right kind at all. It said my equipment in general was cheap and nasty (to be fair, it wasn't wrong here, but it should keep its opinions to itself!). It said I wouldn't have the time to make a proper go of it anyway. And it shouted loudly that other people would do much better than me.After the fear told me all of those things, guess what I did? I told it to shut up and get out of the way so that I could get to my cheap and nasty brushes and dip them in my ancient paint and make a jolly great painty mess! Which looked like this for a while.(the fear also told me it would be too scary to share my wick painting with the world so check me out, kicking that fear's butt!)The bad lighting in the photo adds a bit of atmosphere if you ask me! I had no clue where to start so I literally started by slapping some paint on the page, then added a bit more. And then, using an idea I've seen Kelly Rae Roberts use way more beautifully than this, I painted bubble wrap and slapped it on as well, creating some fancy dancy patterns! Who knew how much fun it would be?!The prompt said to just do what felt good, whether it be drawing on the paint, painting on the paint or collaging. Ah, collaging...it appealed to my inner scrapbooker! Tearing pieces of paper and sticking them willy-nilly all over the page. I'd also forgotten how much fun that was! After a bit of tearing and sticking and generally playing at being a child for a while, my pages ended up looking like this.I don't think it has any hidden meaning, it is just a collection of colours and images that appealed to me. The bits of text are from an old book I have further plans for, and the passage seemed to hit the nail on the head for me right now. Words about living the life we are meant to live, learning along the way and picking ourselves up when we fall down. I don't know about you, but I want to do all those things in great measures. And for now, this Boot Camp is a way for me to learn, to take a few creative risks, and who knows, it may even help direct me towards the life I'm meant to be living. Do check back now and again for further updates on how I'm defeating that fear and the artistic endeavours that push me way out of my comfort zone. It's bound to be comical at times if nothing else!

A bit of a celebration

It will probably come as no surprise that I love a bit of a celebration. Especially when it's a family celebration that makes one little person feel like a very special person indeed. For weeks before a birthday in this house there is much chat about what kind of party it's going to be (Conor has a new decision on this most days in life), who is going to be invited, what we shall do, the food we will eat (Conor is very opinionated about this too - no crisps at the next one apparently!), what will go in the party bags and what gifts might be received. I tell myself that this is all a bit of a stress, but most people who know me are on to the fact that I actually love it.I love that every time I think about some aspect of the celebration that I'm reminded of the boy in question and all that he encompasses. For this most recent celebration I was constantly reminded that for him it's all about football. Still. I store little memories that might make it onto a scrapbook layout and think about how his face lights up every time Daddy says 'Yes' to the request to come out and play football in the garden for a while.I was also reminded, by way of the massive guest list, that this is our sociable boy, the one who's a part of every group of friends in his class. Who counts a lot of very different boys as friends and is appreciated by each of them in return. This makes me so happy and proud, because it's a far cry from the child I was and it's one little worry less for this one.I love the traditions of family celebrations. Cakes are integral in our house, and it is quite important that there be one for the kids' party and one for the family party. At least one of these must be made by mummy with requested icing and decoration - usually this ends up as the family cake because, quite frankly, I don't believe that any of the 16 boys at the party would fully have appreciated my efforts or the moistness of the cake! It is also tradition that at least one candle be of the variety that keeps relighting, causing much mirth and giggling.The celebrations on the actual day of the birthday are also full of little traditions. From the early morning opening of presents in mummy and daddy's bed, to the ceremonial ripping off of wrapping paper and reading every word on the cards, to the small party with only close family later in the day. Complete with cups of tea and the aforementioned cake. I love it all!And the obligatory photograph with mummy at the end of it all. I can't believe how big this boy is getting. Never mind how handsome, thoughtful, funny and downright cool! But I do wish he would slow down just a bit so that I can keep him small for just a bit longer.

spring in pictures :: day 13

And so it is May! I love May. It's a birthday month, it's usually pleasant in the weather department, and it means that the summer holidays are just around the corner. Yesterday we had another little glimpse of what the summer could be like, if this amazing weather we've enjoyed for about 2 weeks now would continue. We spent the afternoon in the garden, pottering about, playing football, reclining on our fabulous new garden chairs and generally feeling content with life. The icing on the cake for us was an after tea trip for ice cream in a little town about 10 minutes away. Now, those of you who know these parts will know exactly where I'm talking about, but for those of you from further afield, let me introduce you to The Cabin. It's a tiny little sweet and ice cream shop in Donaghadee, and it is not a word of a lie when I say that an ice cream (with flake and optional sprinkles) from The Cabin is not only an institution in these parts, but a little taste of heaven in a cone! But ice cream aside, the shop itself is a wonder to behold. I would seriously doubt if it has changed since the 1950s. It has shunned moving with the times in favour of keeping its individuality and allowing its customers to remember a time when you could still have sweets weighed out and buy one or two items for less than 50p (hard to believe, but true!) I did try to take photos of the ice creams, but you wouldn't believe how quickly this family can put it away! Now, I know that some of you are probably thinking, 'She's lost the ability to take a good picture without the amazing processing tricks that her phone allow her to use', but you'd be wrong. I would have had a myriad of 'proper' photos from yesterday if I'd remembered to put the CF card into the camera before I left the house! So I had no choice but to use my fancy apps again, Ho hum! Donaghadee is famed not only for its ice cream, however. It also boasts one of the finest lighthouses in these parts, and the boys are also rather partial to the large orange lifeboat that rests in the harbour too. Such a pretty place - I hope we get more sunny days this year to enjoy just a few more ice creams there! Now before I finish for today, I have the exciting job of announcing the winner of the place on Creativity Boot Camp. I wish I had more places to give away, but the giveaway goes to Jo! Jo, I will email details of the course to you, and for those of you who didn't win, you can still register here for the bargain price of $49. I should also add that Maegan is giving half of the money from registration fees to the amazing charity Show Hope. You can read more about the work of this charity and why she has chosen them on the Creativity Boot Camp website or at the Show Hope website.It's back to school for me tomorrow, but I promise to post just a couple of pictures from our adventures today at some point in the evening, which will allow me to feel rather smug for sticking to my promise to take photos and blog them (almost!) every day. I look forward to seeing you then.

spring in pictures :: day 12

Aside from the beautiful blossom that abounds at this time of year, the one other flower that just screams "SPRING" is the humble bluebell. I am seeing them everywhere at the minute, and on several occasions have rued the fact that there's been nowhere to park so that I could plunder a few for my study! Luckily for me and my camera there are a healthy few flourishing in the hedge in our garden. Some are the richest purply blue while another little clump are the prettiest shade of pastel lilac. Just beautiful. As if the bluebells aren't enough, there's the most gorgeous budlia in my neighbour's garden that yesterday was begging to be photographed as well. Alas, my zoom lens is out of action which meant I couldn't get close ups of the blooms. What I did get, though, was some amazing flare and foliage - a winning combination in my book!Ah, spring in the sunshine. It is good for the soul! Don't forget to pop back tomorrow to see if you've won the place at Creativity Boot Camp.

spring in pictures :: days 10 and 11

Well I would have posted photos from Thursday yesterday but, um, I couldn't tear myself away from all the coverage of the royal wedding. Seriously! So I bring them to you today. Our amazing weather has really made such a difference to our days. Just being able to be outside enjoying time together is such a novelty. And to be able to take pictures of blossom on the trees as opposed to scraping wet blossom of the windscreen of the car, well, it just about makes my day. I will never tire of taking photos of blossom, and there were a couple of trees just begging to have their picture taken when we went out for coffee. You may take it for granted that I no longer have any shame in how weird I might look trying to get the best shot, and when that's coupled with all the options of my Hipstamatic app I simply exist in my own little bubble of photo love! Bless my family for ignoring me and letting me just get on with it.Let me also point out just how pretty coffee is at this particular spot - it's the same place where we made pretty dishes last week. It would have been rude to pick up the dishes and not enjoy some of this!Or indeed to have robbed the boys of playing 'How much fun can you have with giant sticks?'The day went on to include a few of Conor's friends who at one point went missing and were replaced by 5 Jedi.Alas, the Jedi had to return from whence they came, leaving behind only small signs that they had ever been here. This little scene I stumbled upon in the kitchen once the boys had all gone home and it just said to me 'small boys were here and had fun'!Now as I mentioned at the start of this post, yesterday I came over all of a dither over the royal wedding. Perhaps it was tiredness, or hormones, or general lack of anything girly in this house but I couldn't get enough of it. My lovely sister hosted a royal coffee morning where she greeted us in a formal dress, my mother arrived in some shocking pink kaftan and wedding hat, and I had no good reason not to crack out the spangly silver sandals I wore at my sister's wedding! We laughed, we cried, we oohed and aahhed and generally had a jolly good time. What was not to love? And I don't even care how sad (or just downright weird) it may make me look that I took pictures of the TV screen so that I could prove I was there and watching it live! Hurrah for a jolly good show, that's what I say!Just before I leave you to ponder exactly what sort of person would take photos of a TV screen, let me remind you that the giveaway for a place on Creativity Boot Camp is still open until 9pm on Sunday. I'll randomly draw a winner on Monday and post it here after 9pm.