Although there's no fun to be had delivering a suitably parenty lecture when you learn you have a swotty child at parent's evening, it does make you rather proud.

A primrose, chosen by youngest daughter from the secrets room at school, 2 handmade cards from the smalls, a bottle of wine from the eldest boy, dropped off on his way to work, followed by a day of love and pampering.

I knew there was a reason I had so many kids!

Amidst a beautiful family filled day, a walk and these very pleasing, squidgy, plump trumpety leaves.

My neighbour, and local guerilla artist's latest endangered species piece ... Giant Panda, to go with Fox and Badger @thestencilshed

The teacher's strike means a day at home with my eldest: swimming, making nice food and plenty of laughter.

I only popped in the garden centre to get some veg seeds but couldn't resist these!

A mile in 50 minutes, breast stroke ... the training begins.

A stroll into town for lunch at the cafe and home via the park.  Lazy Sundays. 

A trip to Cotswold Wildlife Park with mum and the smalls blew the cobwebs away and brought smiles to faces.  Seeing penguins for the first time through mancub's eyes was beautiful.

That's one of the great things about having kids: the wonder they experience when they discover new things, and the joy they get out of the simplest things.  They can be a great reminder of the good things in life.