1000 posts...

Can you believe it?  I surely can't.  This is my 1000th post on Littlegreenshed.  

Sharing hundreds of snapshots of my world, my boys growing, our family adventures, life at home.  Over the years, my style has developed and grown, into the blog you see now.  I have loved every second of it... and hope I can continue for next 1000 posts.... 

To celebrate I would love to do a series of giveaways.  And maybe a little look back through Littlegreenshed archives at some of my favourite posts.  I can remember Rufus' 5th birthday in woods like it was yesterday!  

Thank you, for reading and enriching my life with your support and comments.  You guys rock!

Big love!

x

7

My boy turned 7 today.

7 years of being a parent, a mama to this wonderful, thoughtful, kind and sensitive soul.

He asked for a climbing party with his bestest friends.

Undercover Rock is such a cool place to experience rock climbing, inside an old church spire.

The boys walked in with mouths agap.  Led Zeppelin was blaring and the place was buzzing with adrenalin, jam packed with people climbing the rafters.  After a de-briefing they were led through the building to the training walls where they were soon helping each other to climb up to the roof.

After an hour or so of climbing they sat and wolfed down a party tea - finished off with a Ninja cake (decorated by Nana - thanks Mum!).

x

Happiness...

Happiness is blowing out candles on your 5th birthday cake.
x

Giveaway! Littlegreenshed is 2....

That's right!
Littlegreenshed is 2 years old this week.
Wow! how time has flown.
A little blog which started as record of my allotment has turned into a daily write about my life, loves and dreams.
Thank you all for following me on this blogging journey, and all your support and lovely comments. It really does make me a very happy Lou indeed!
Before this turns into an Oscar's acceptance speech I am going to do a little giveaway as a thank you.

To win an A4 print of ANY illustrated design (this includes the postcards) - All you need to do is:

1. If you are not already following my blog - please go ahead and click follow over there to be in with a chance of winning >>>>
2. Pop over to my shop and choose which illustration you would like.
3. Comment here what one you have chosen.
4. For extra points and chances to win - click over here and like my facebook page.
5. Tweet about it using this phrase -
'I have just entered to win an A4 print over @littlegreenshed! www.littlegreenshed.blogspot.co.uk #littlegreenshed #giveaway'
6. Tell all your friends by blogging about it too.

Open to all - worldwide.

WINNER WILL BE DRAWN ON FRIDAY 6TH APRIL!

So there you go... 4 chances of winning yourself a new piece of loveliness for your wall. Make sure you comment 4 times (one for each thing you have done).
Good luck!
Thanks lovely people.
x

a stroll upon the windy prom..

Last Sunday we met up with family for the second part of Charlie's birthday.
The boys scooted along the seafront at Weston-super-Mare... enjoying hanging out with their older cousins.
The wind was so strong, I could hear the howl in my ears for a long time after.
Look at these dudes... I can remember feeling that camaraderie with my cousins at this age.
x

Grateful:

1. thick cosy duvet

2. calpol - after Rufus waking with a cold last night

3. strong coffee

Charlie Bean is 6...

A busy afternoon preparing for the party - luckily I had superman to help with the blowing up of balloons!
Ok, please don't laugh at the cake!
My icing went slightly lumpy.  Butter was too hard.
But it tasted oh so delicious which is the main thing.
Charlie loved the lego theme, which was great considering he had mainly lego for his birthday!
Last night after school we had a quiet family party with cousins.
We feasted on homemade pizza, played with lego, laughed at the daftness of young boys and recalled memories of birth (well mum and I did, she was there when Charlie was born).
As dusk fell the sky turned golden and we all stood outside to marvel at the most spectacular sunset.
As the sky grew darker we lit the candle and sang Happy Birthday to our boy as he blew out his number 6.
x

charlie...

Look at this little man!
I get all emotional when I do.
Charlie was 2 years old here... he is soo cute. (slightly biased, of course!)
We were at the Greenman Festival and he has just been stung by a wasp on the cheek.
Stressful times... but look, he is still smiling - bless him.
And look how blonde he is!
Charlie will be 6 tomorrow.
Those years have flown by.
Charlie you are still a gorgeous boy, bright and confident.

This past year you...

* taught yourself to ride a pedal bike
* became school council for your class
* made new friends
* lost two front teeth
* and grew 4 more (including 2 back molars!)
* started going to Beavers
* can ride like the wind on a scooter
* learnt to read on your own
* have become a great illustrator
* was a greedy crocodile in the school play
* can make the best lego models
* have grown about a foot!
* surprise me beyond belief at your knowledge on the universe, lego and Brunel!
* still give the best cuddles
* make your mummy & daddy so very very proud!

We love you little man!
x

p.s. I am attempting to make this cake today... wish me luck!

6yr old goes a buggin

My boy is growing up!
Today we bought him a big boys scooter (JD Bug) for his 6th birthday next week.
His peers all scoot to school and to Beavers, so he was desperate to join in and NOT on his brothers micro scooter (too baby apparently).
This afternoon we went for a scoot along the docks in the sunshine.
One very happy nearly 6 year old indeed.
All ready he's trying to do stunts!
x

the dragon/dino/crocodille party...

Well we did it.
We held a dragon/dino/crocodille party for our now 4 year old Rufus.
It was actually quite okay... 8 boys 3,4 & 5 in ages.. dressed up.
We did dinosaur decorating.  The house is still covered in green glitter.
Pin the tail on the dragon.
Musical statues and musical bumps.
Pass the parcel and generally running around being quite scary.
The boys loved the tails and having their faces painted.
My two looked incredibly scary with their faces painted.
The cake if you can't tell is supposed to be a crocodile...ahem!
One of the boys said it looked like it was covered in slime... yeah....just it eat it!
So that was that.... 4th parties are now over in this house... next one will be a 6th... maybe I'll do that outside somewhere!
x

tails...

I have finally finished making 8 dinosaur/dragon/crocodile tails for tomorrows party.
Using this amazingly easy pattern.
Although I don't hope for snow like in the image below...
I cannot wait to see all of Rufus' friends running around in them.
Let the rumpus start!
x

Source: projectsbyjess.blogspot.com via littlegreenshed - on Pinterest

Rufus' birthday tea....

Rufus had a small tea on Monday with his cousins and his grandparents.
Much cake was eaten and a great siege took place at his new castle.
His dragon ate the knights and the knights charged and drew their arrows in attack.
Now just his party on Saturday to do with 6 of this 3 year old friends.. help!
x

Four...

Four years ago today you took us by surprise and announced your arrival..
Four years ago today you were born quietly in our bed.  Without help, without the need of drama, just the 3 of us, you, me and Daddy.
Four years ago today Daddy was the first person to see you, and hold you.
Four years ago today I looked at you and named you Rufus funny face, I couldn't see who you looked like, and now I know it's me.
Four years ago today I was sitting on this sofa, with you held in my arms, the sunlight was streaming in through the window.  I felt alive, euphoric, happy.  Happy to have such a beautiful beautiful son.
Yes four years ago today you changed our lives so incredibly... you were in a rush to come and see us, wanting to know the world, explore, see everything... you haven't changed a bit.
Rufus you are the most happy, strong, big hearted, adventurous, fearless and kind little boy....
You make our family whole...
We love you.
Happy Birthday little man.
x

sunny family picnic

Well hello sunshine!
About time eh?
We have been waiting for a couple of weeks now to have a family picnic to celebrate my birthday... how long ago was it?  Weeks.
Today we did.
Back to my favourite sunny Bristol hang out - Ashton Court (yes I know we were there last week, but its soo gorgeous).
We ate loads, played French cricket, rode bikes, chased bubbles, laughed and ate cake.
A marvellous time too.
Oh and Rufus learnt to do stunts on his bike.
Hope you are all having equally awesome weekends.
x

new bag

Charlie, and his 2 cousins have swimming lessons at the same time on Saturday mornings.  It's a nice time to catch up with my Sister in Law and Brother, whilst watching their lessons.
Today they gave me the other part of my birthday present.
This wonderful bag from one of my favourite designers - Bookhou.  
I have been following Arounna's work for sometime and loved her recent dabbles with dying cloth.
I couldn't believe it when I opened up the wrapping paper and found this gorgeous tie died tote.
Yay!  Thank you!
x