Summer ? holidays started!

First week of summer holidays. It didn't gift us with wonderful weather. Raining.

Its not so bad for the moment. We enjoy sleeping 15 minutes longer (the younger man doesn't want to wait for his bootle of milk any longer:-)

We happy that we have a choice - can go out at any time, can stay at home and refresh a usage of any forgotten toys and games.

I had off today, so boys were double happy that I didn't go anywhere, didn't start to clean the house. I just was with them and all the time for them....

If you work 5 days a week up to 10 hours - you really can enjoy spending each minute with kids, talking about some important things...important for them.

Off course, I really can not look at some dust on the shelfs, sticky floor and pasta on the carpet...but today..I decided to forget about it.

I was drawing with them,playing on the floor, went for short walk in rain, spent few minutes in a toys store sharing their excitement of touching and looking at brand new, shiny toys and books:-)

Finally, I do not regret that weather wasn't great. It was really nice day...

Franek:

Top - United Colours of Benneton

Shorts - DpaM

Shoes - H&M

Helmet  and Bike - Imaginarium

May picnic at botanic garden!

 It's not going to be about tiredness, lactation issues, parenting obstacles or any other bad things today.

Grab your coffee and a chocolate bar (sic!), sit in your cosy chair (alone) and relax! It's May Bank Holiday, so I am going to share a few photos (we've got a million, so was so hard to choose some for you...) and give you some way how to spend the days off with your family - and its FREE:-)

Only when we went there I realised that we go there every year for a first May weekend!

The place is named National Botanic Gardens Glasnevin in Dublin.

What is important for the families with couple of children - the entrance is free and you can walk there how long you want to. We are going there when is colder or raining as well, because they have few closed areas that you can look at rare flowers or cacti. 

Franek loves going there, because of the cacti! Do you remember, that in Cars from Disney Lightening McQuinn came up in to cacti:-)

The only one disadvantage I can see, is that you are not allowed to bring the bikes.

We sat in exactly same place where before and I could remember how Franek was crawling there few years ago:-)

This year was a time for Janek. He was so excited running around and between bushes and flowers.

Going there we feel that spring definitely is here and summer just approaching:-) Hopefully!

I had to bring a picnic blanket and tableweare set to make a real picnic.

When we came in there, Franek has choosen the place and managed to put everything in place:-)

And we enjoyed those couple of minutes when you can lay down on the grass,

look on the sky and just listen to the nature:-)

Janek has got VERY dirty at the end of the trip, but this was obvious if I decided to wear him white trousers:-)) My hubbie said he doesn't like this style but I love to make Sunday a special day and let him wear something different than sport suit.

This was a lovely day. One of those I wasn't thinking about a job and how many things left to do at home.

We just enjoyed the sun.

This week will be two months I switched to the blog, so for this occasion I'm preparing a special surprise:-) Watch me in the next days...

Franek:

Top - Zara

Trousers - Gap

Shoes - still same Camper's

Janek:

Hat - H&M

Coat and shirt - Zara

Trousers - DPaM

Trainers - found at TKMAXX

Picnic set I have got with a purchase at Imaginarium

Place to see: National Botanic Gardens Glasnevin

Spring time for a bike :-)

Oh, bike for a child - it can be very deep and long topic! Starting from the question - when buy the first one? - to: how to teach/learn to ride on bikes:-)

Franek has got the first trike for his first birthday. Some children are getting crazy for it, but not Franek. He wasn't ready yet. But he was happy enough while we were pushing him sitting in it. 

Trike is a great option when you want to go for a walk in some different way (without the buggy).

Janek has got a balance bike (as on the pictures).
And this was the best choice for him. He was able to ride on it from the first days. This one is like 2in1 - suppose to be able to ride on 3 wheels and then on 2, but we weren't able to set it up for 3, so he started from more difficult stage :-) I think it is great idea for a gift - and depends of its size - for a first or second birthday. A child is developing his motor skills, balance and independence.

Because Franek very long time didn't know how to cycle and he wasn't to much enthusiastic to get a bike, we were searching for something special. I saw nice running bikes. But they are good for 3 years old, I think. He was reaching four...And I met fantastic solution - 'Bike in progress' (Franek's bike on the pictures) - first stage is a running bike (without pedals, but look exactly like a full bike) and when my son learned how to keep the balance and direction he was able to ride on very fast. After ruffly 3 months we attached pedals (included) and after about 2 days he was able to ride on bike without any help. I was so proud of him, because he really wasn't interested in cycling (didn't know how to use them, so didn't want a bike). So I knew that buying a standard bike with supporting second part of wheels or even some "push" wouldn't work for him. Getting that 2in1 much reduced learning time and a lot of stress (was no stress at all). 

Oh, I know they should have the helmets - I just found the new one for Franek (grown out of the first one) - have to buy it! I think I may not find one such a small for Janek...have to check.

Summarising - a bike is a MUST in spring/summer time. If you think that your child doesn't need or doesn't like it - search for a running bike or some new solution that might be very interesting, helpful and look great as well:-) 

The weather was nice today, just very windy so you can see the hats again!

Franek:

Hat - Name it

Jacket and trousers - Next

Shoes - Camper Shoes

Bike - Imaginarium

Janek:

Hat - Polarn O.Pyret

Jacket - United Colours of Benetton

Scarf - Zara

Trousers - Zara Baby

Shoes - Clarks

Balance bike - Chillafish