'Weekend Tulip' by ecki

Photo credit: ecki on Flickr

My weekend was rather lovely. Hubby was back after a week away with work so we had a great big snuggly family lie-in yesterday. We also got some things achieved around the house and I managed to make it out for a run. I did 6km which wasn't bad. I want to be back going further but this will have to do for now. But the best bit was spending time on both Saturday and Sunday just hanging out with good friends. I really needed a bit of that. I even managed to find myself relaxing a little bit. Oh how I wish I could be a chilled out person!

This photo makes me wish even harder than I already am for spring. I love tulips and I love bright blue skies. These bold colours are so fantastic and mood-lifting. I want to be taking photos like this myself. I want to stop feeling cold all the time. I want sunshine. I want to stop feeling like the weight of the world is on my shoulders because it really isn't.

I hope you all had a great weekend!

'blue skies and parasols' by Me

Photo credit: PhotoPuddle on Flickr

Kids don't care about the weather. They just want to get outside and play. Today my daughter's year did a sponsored scoot around the playing field at school. It was raining and the parents all expressed their disappointment at the rubbish weather (and by that I mean we grizzled a bit as we had to stand outside and watch). But our children were all so excited and didn't care about the rain. It was so lovely seeing them all scooting and cycling round the field. My daughter was very proud of the six laps she managed to do in the time. In the end I didn't care about the weather either.

That said I do like a nice sunny day where the skies are a perfect blue. I took this photo when we were in Brighton the other weekend. The weather that day was rather different from today. That's the funny thing about spring, you never know what what weather you are going to get. At the end of March two years ago we had a proper heatwave. I had to rush out and buy emergency sun cream, flip flops and sun hat for my daughter. And rushing anywhere wasn't easy being eight months pregnant! Then last year it snowed in March. Proper snow where the schools were closed and everyone panic bought bread and milk - because you know how the world stops if you can't have milky tea and sandwiches.

Anyway, I love this photo. It looks like it was taken somewhere exotic on holiday but really I was just sitting on a bench by the beach eating fish and chips. I looked up and thought those brollies look nice. Click. Job done!

'From the car window' by Me

Photo credit: PhotoPuddle on Flickr

Sadly it appears Flickr is disabling it's convenient sharing through Blogger facility. This means a bit of playing around with my blog is needed so I can carry on doing what I have been doing. Therefore this is a practice post so see what it will look like. I am so disappointed. I hate it when websites mess with the way things are done and take away things just because they don't make enough money. Don't get me started on how I felt when Google Reader was taken away.

Right moan over. I am going to hit publish now and see what happens! This is one of my photos by the way. It was taken this weekend after a lovely day out in Brighton. We were stuck in traffic trying to leave so I just snapped away at buildings through the car window. I love the contrast of the brilliant blue sky against the bright white building. Really lovely architecture too which I hadn't really noticed before.

'Boing 747 -- 30.000 feets' by Joseph Ventura

Boing 747 -- 30.000 feets, a photo by Josep Ventura on Flickr.

Last week my husband went abroad for a couple of days with work and I took the kids up to the airport to wave him off. My daughter loved every minute of it. She even took her little wheely suitcase with her and pulled round the airport with her all the time we were there. I must admit I rather love airports and the excitement of being about jet off on holiday somewhere. Being at the airport really made me want a holiday abroad. We used to take holidays abroad all the time but now I just keep wondering how stressful it would be as a family of four which is silly really as people do it all the time!

I love this photo of an aeroplane especially the very fluffy looking vapour trails. The best bit is that deep blue sky though. How beautiful.

'Up & Away Part 1' by danishdynamite

Up & Away Part 1, a photo by danishdynamite on Flickr.

Today a weight was partially lifted from my shoulders and I can begin to try destressing a little bit. I now think a few evenings of chill out time are in order. Just need to find the time for that!!

I thought this photo would demonstrate a weight being lifted. Not sure I feel totally like a hot air balloon floating through the sky but this is such a fabulous photo I thought I'd better share it. Of course I love the blue sky and the colours but most of all I love the amazing angle. I am guessing it was taken from another hot air balloon and not the ground. Whichever, I love it!

'82/365' by vanessa.paxton

82/365, a photo by vanessa.paxton on Flickr.

Here is a fantastic bright and happy imagine to start the weekend with. The sky is actually looking a bit like that here right now which is always a good way to start the day. Especially as my darling kiddies were both wide awake at 6 o'clock this morning. I know that's a normal time to get up in many households but for me it's a little bit painful. I also love the colourful kites in this picture. Makes me want to go kite flying myself!

Happy weekend everyone!

'School Bus Top' by Todd Klassy

School Bus Top, a photo by Todd Klassy on Flickr.

My daughter won't be four until October so she's not old enough to start 'big' school this year. I was a bit gutted about this at first as she seemed to have lots of friends who were of the same age and ability going up to reception class when she'd have to stay at pre-school for another year. I felt she was getting a little left behind. I have sinced changed my mind. She's a bright little girl already so hopefully she'll be super bright by next September. She'll have another year to gain more self confidence too. Also, and most importantly, I've realised I'm not ready to let her go! She'll be doing a couple of full days at pre-school this year but I can't say I'm ready for her to be at school all day every day. The past four years have just gone by so quickly! I'm going to make sure I enjoy the next year of semi-freedom with her as much as possible.

Here is a very fitting photograph to accompany a post about school. I don't think it needs much explanation. Yellow and blue is such a great combination and you know how I'm a sucker for a bright blue sky!

'English Countryside' by Time Photographic

English Countryside, a photo by Time Photographic on Flickr.

Well that's it for another summer. I know 1st September isn't officially the first day of autumn but to me it always feels like it. This summer - and I use the word summer losely - has gone so quickly. I'm not sure I'm ready for pre-school to start again or to fish all my big jumpers out from the back of the wardrobe. I've hardly even worn sandals at all this summer and I usually live in flip flops. I am now clinging to the hope of a late summer in September like we had last year. Although the only down side of that is that it's dark at 6 o'clock so no long summer nights sitting outside. I usually get quite excited at the thought of gorgeous autumn leaves, brisk walks in the winter sunshine and copious mugs of hot chocolate. Maybe it's the mood I'm in right now but all I can think of is getting colds, getting drenched in the rain and not being able to play outside.

Argh, this post has got a bit depressing so here's a gorgeous summery photo to cheer me up. I love all these vibrant colours. And check out the beautiful blue sky. I could really do with a few days like this before summer is really through.

'Top of the carousel' by Me

Top of the carousel, a photo by PhotoPuddle on Flickr.

Hello all. I hope those of you who are in the middle of a long bank holiday weekend are having a great time. Personally I'm shattered. We had a busy day yesterday which mainly involved shopping and housework, then I was out with friends last night and today we went to visit friends in London. And the fun doesn't stop there as we are seeing more friends for a barbecue tomorrow. All worth being tired for though. I do like bank holidays.

I haven't taken any photos this weekend so here is another one I took in Brigton last weekend. I love that bright blue sky.

'Brighton Wheel' by Me

Brighton Wheel, a photo by PhotoPuddle on Flickr.

We went to Brighton for the day today and sure enough when we got there my mood instantly lifted. The weather was gorgeous and we had such a lovely time playing on the beach and wandering along the pier. The highlight of the day had to be our trip on the Brighton Wheel though. I have been wanting to go on it for ages so I'm pleased we finally got round to doing it. My daughter loved it too. In fact she now wants to go on the London Eye. Even my four month old baby quite enjoyed looking out of the window.

Here is an upward shot of the wheel. I love how I managed to capture the sparkle on one of the cars. And seriously, isn't that such a beautiful blue sky?

'I saw a rainbow in the sky' by eleannab

I saw a rainbow in the sky, a photo by eleannab on Flickr.

I think as it's still so hot and sunny I'll post another bright and colourful summer photo. I love all the bright colours in this, not to mention the beautiful blue sky. I am still finding it hard to believe that it's actually been summer this week. I am also finding it rather hard not to utter the words "it's just too hot" because quite frankly I am too hot! I don't know what happened, I used to love the heat and sunbathing. I guess motherhood happened. Things would be much easier if I could just lie on a sun lounger in my garden with a book and a nice ice cold drink but the children have other ideas! I believe next week is meant to be cooler and as long as the sun is shining I'll be happy!