Louise's Challenge

Before I went on holiday Louise set us the challenge of using doodling on a layout - I had also set myself the challenge of doing my first minibook so decided to combine the two and had such fun!! It took just over an hour and was soooo satisfying. Sophie helped with the doodling and we filled a 12x12 sheet then cut it up - the photos are from the last year and really sum up what a big character Benjamin is. Think I am hooked on doodling and minibooks so thanks Louise!!

More photos!!

Loved the Otter and Owl Sanctuary - Ben spent ages watching the otters play in the water.

Ben got very cross!! can't remember why!!

He discovered his shadow for the first time and had a long incomprehensible conversation with it!!

Then Sophie got angry - can't remember why!!

The Mitchells on holiday!!!

Had a fantastic holiday in Sussex then the New Forest - took far too many pics as usual - the rapid burst function does make me snap happy but at least I get a chance of some classic shots of the children having fun!!

Oh and a cute toad!!

I've been tagged!! by Jems - who said some really nice things about me on her blog - think someone better check her temperature?? Now I have to find someone to tag back and since my teamies are the only blogs I follow and they are all done will look at some new inspiration and talent!!

First my attempt at last week's TT - did do this at the crop last Wednesday but taken until tonight for me to be able to find it again to take photo!- the challenge was to lift a fab LO by teamie Monika - I pretty much copied her sketch but used 4 photos instead of 3 and made a girlie page - thanks for the inspiration Monika. Next another story telling layout from last summer hols - was determined to get last year's photos finished before we go again but not looking likely! Wasn't happy with how this layout was progressing and was getting sick of looking at the same pics and just moving stuff around so stuck it down to get on with the next - now quite pleased!

and finally HS:MS prompt today was 'eyes' - Louise did a fab sandpit photo so I decided to think laterally and saw the cotton reel and needle on the desk and attempted a pic of the eye of the needle - tricky especially in bad light and when knacekered - but anyway here we have 'eye'

Next prompt was 'smile' this is what Ben does when I ask him to smile now!!
Then 'fat' - which is what I will be ( well fatter cos already fat) if I dont keep away from the biscuit tin - which is calling me now as I type!!

and then 'bloom' - everything in the garden is looking a bit tired - battered by the heavy rain then scorched by the sun - except this gorgeous pink hydrangea which is looking better than ever this year.

right up to date now - off to look at today's prompt then need to take Tom for his eyetest - he is quite excited and went to bed muttering 'big day tomorrow better get some sleep' ! :)

HS:MS is back !! so I have a bit of actching up to do - here are the first three - summer - just LOVE Ben in that hat - bought one for Tom too but he wont wear it :( Breakfast - dont remember to give it to him everyday but he loves me when I do - this is what George gets if he is good!!
and foil - boring pic but couldnt work out what else to try!!

By the way - really pleased with myself for geting a new fancy header but cant work out how to get the size right to fit in the previous title's outline - any ideas?? and would love some more fancy stuff to add - slideshows etc so any recommendations would be great!

OK couldnt find the details of template size anywhere but have continued to fiddle with size and looks a bit better!

have just found out MS:HS is back - so have 5 photos to catch up on - had promised myself would do daily prompts when they came back but didnt know they were up yet - anyhow have the first and will get the rest later and post - looking as fun as ever :)

another great day out!

Went to West Witton to the stables to see John's horses - he has a part share in a horse (probably 2 legs!) and now one leg of another - the children coped really well with a lot of hanging around and enjoyed patting the horses and watching them run round - Tom was the only one brave enough to have his photo taken - with the new horse Aces Four (I think!!)
Then we (without John) went on to Big Cow Little Sheep or is it Big Sheep Little Cow - well one is big and one small!! Odd farm tourist attraction - badly signposted and couldnt find the entrance but once in really enthusiastic staff and some interesting sites as well as a playbarn which the children loved. All three braved the astroslide - blurred photo cos I was sooo nervous about my little boy being up there without me. He also went on the vertical drop slide but wouldn't get out of the ballpool at the bottom so we had to leave.
On the farm tour they got the chance to wash a pig!!
A great fun day - exhausted today!!