Dear Diary,
I’ve just returned from walking the dogs. Outside it’s one of those rare, golden, last of the summer evenings. Still just about warm enough not to need a jacket but a hint of crispness is settling. The whole world seems like it is bathed in a golden haze. The fields have been ploughed and the leaves are just on the cusp of turning on their annual light show 
🍂
🍁
Somehow we have reached September. Summer is almost over and Autumn is just round the corner.
What a Summer it’s been! The first time in my ten years as a parent, that I have had the whole six weeks off with my child/ren. It’ll probably never happen again as I’m not having any more babies / maternity leave so I had wanted to make the absolute most of this one. And we certainly did! Here’s our Summer 2016 highlights:
- We kicked off our six weeks of summer with a family holiday to Tenerife with Thomas Cook and whilst I wouldn’t visit the island again any time soon, we did have a mostly enjoyable week.
- An Olympic weekend followed in London with family. It was SO hot that weekend! I think it got way past 30degrees and the older children took full advantage by camping out in the back garden. So much fun!
- If you look back on my Summer Bucket List you’ll see that one of the things we wanted to do was visit Chester Zoo. It’s the biggest and best zoo around with so much to see and do for everyone. I vlogged the day for YouTube and I’m so glad I did. I love photographs but there is something so special about looking back at video footage once the kids are grown up.
- Another utterly gorgeous weekend followed, this time in Yorkshire. We had brilliant weather for all our trips – we were so lucky! It was on this trip that I captured some of my all time favourite shots of the kids.
- Last but certainly not least was our family holiday to France. We stayed at the Le Brasilia campsite with Eurocamp and it was utter magic. We had heard good things about Eurocamp holidays but this exceeded any expectation we arrived with. I didn’t review it, vlog or even take many pictures as I was there having a true blogging break. I really wish I had taken more pictures but I did capture a few lovely ones. This is one of my favourites of Zak and Sophie playing on the beach.
All in all a wonderful Summer. I wasn’t one of those parents whooping for joy that the kids were going back to school this year. In fact, I felt quite deflated by it and wished we could have hung on a little bit longer.
Still, it was a Summer to remember and we can look forward to Autumn now. Autumn is without a doubt my favourite of all the seasons. In fact, I can feel another bucket list coming on….
xxx
Sounds like you enjoyed a wonderful summer. Autumn will bring more happy days I’m sure
This Summer has been really good, I had a long 11 weeks off this year as Louis finished school back in June, lots of lovely memories.. x #FortheloveofBlog
Flying Solo recently posted…How & Why I Decided To Become Self Employed As A Single Mum With A Young Family (Part 2)
Ohhh I’m excited to read your bucket list for Autumn! I love this season too – the fashion, the colours, the smell! It’s the best! So glad you had a lovely summer making memories xx #fortheloveofBLOG
Fi – Beauty Baby and Me recently posted…Dear Diary – Our Week; Autumn is FINALLY Here!
Ah what a lovely, positive blog to read first thing on a Saturday morning. Memories of Summer. It certainly feels autumnal this morning. Gorgeous photos too. Alison x #fortheloveofblog
Alison (MadHouseMum) recently posted…Drunken Selfies
I love your description of the leaves putting on their annual light show. Perfectly sums up Autumn – my fave season. A mix of warm days and cooler nights with the countdown to Christmas starting. I always prefer Autumn fashion too like Beauty, Baby and Me #fortheloveofBLOG
Gemma Wilford recently posted…My Parent Hacks: No.1 Tommee Tippee Perfect Prep and Night Feeds
You have had a wonderful summer and some lovely memories for you all. I love the zoo video, we went to Bristol zoo recently and loved it. Going to a zoo is one of my favorite days out x
#fortheloveofBLOG
Ali Duke recently posted…Christmas Shopping Already
What a summer! It is a wonderful time of year but I am looking forward to autumn. #fortheloveofBLOG
Briony recently posted…The Whimsy Wood Series
Wow you really have made the most of Summer holidays, some lovely memories to look back on x
Jenni recently posted…19 months today
It sounds like you had an amazing summer! And you have some wonderful photos to show for it! #fortheloveofblog
Claire recently posted…It’s ok…#mumguilt 008 featuring Frenchie Mummy
Sounds like you’ve had a wonderful summer. I totally agree about the beautiful autumn light!
#FortheloveBLOG
Cathryn – Little Paper Swans recently posted…Kidloland Review & Giveaway
What a lovely reflection of the summer. There’s something about those slightly cooler evenings or the damper mornings that’s a sure sign that autumn is on its way #fortheloveofblog
Fran Back With a Bump recently posted…Birds and Bees
Beautiful photos, Fi. You had such a gorgeous summer. Love the idea that you vlogged for a day – I completely agree that video really serve as fantastic memories . I’m going to try and do a little more vlogging of life for my youtube channel – you’ve inspired me! I love autumn too – looking forward to reading your bucket list #fortheloveofBLOG
justsayingmum.com recently posted…So What Will Those Teen Years Be Like?
Looks like you had a wonderful summer. It’s great that you took a blogging break in France and just enjoyed it for yourself with your family! #fortheloveofBLOG
Angela Watling recently posted…Holiday time – our 2 week ‘staycation’
What a great summer you’ve had. The kids must have loved having you there all summer. You’ve obviously all loved it #fortheloveofBLOG
Wow what a great summer! Such a shame that tenerife was disappointing. I’m not a big fan of the area either and prefer smaller hotels, but as you say, it was a break away and you could all enjoy the time together. I haven’t been to Chester Zoo for years but used to love it as a kid. Loved your vlog. x #fortheloveofBLOG
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Ahh what a gorgeous Summer you have had! We are planning to go to Eurocamp next year, I might have to pick your brains!! We love Chester zoo, probably our favourite zoo, and loved the Vlog! I hope Autumn is equally lovely for you and your family. #fortheloveofBLOG
five little doves recently posted…There aint no party like an Aquabeads party!
Definitely have to agree with you that photos may say many words but videos can be even better. Thanks for hosting #fortheloveofBLOG
Helena recently posted…The Siblings Project {September}
Fi, I’m delighted you enjoyed Eurocamp. We’ve been on some amazing hols with them (and KeyCamp) to France and Italy (Lake Garda…The Bella Italia). We stay in the static caravans but with their pitched roofs, proper showers and kitchens etc they are more like little bungalows. The facilities on the sites are great too. Yep, sometimes, it’s nice not to vlog, blog etc and just enjoy the break. Glad you had fun!
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#Fortheloveofblog!! You’d think I’d know the drill by now!!
Jane Taylor recently posted…Bargain Fabrics, Castle Donington: fantastic fabric, low prices.
Really loved reading this post! The pics are lovely too #fortheloveofBLOG
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Awww you really made the most of your super summer, making super summer memories! #fortheloveofBlog
A lovely Summer full of memories! Your two look so happy!
#fortheloveofBLOG
The Tale of Mummyhood recently posted…Guilt Free Parenting
Making family memories is so much fun in the summer. There is so much to do and see. Although winter does have Christmas and that’s nice for the little ones as well. #fortheloveofBLOG
Such a jam packed summer, looks like you all had a fab time! I’m with you, Autumn is easily my favourite season but it’s even better when you have a successful summer to look back on! #fortheloveofblog x
Wow you really packed in a great summer! Perhaps a review of Eurocamp as a future post idea? I’d definitely love to know more as I’d consider going in future. Chester Zoo is fab, isn’t it? We went pre-Baby Lighty (I was 9 weeks pregnant!) and loved it! #fortheloveofBLOG
Mrs Lighty recently posted…Bilingual Baby Brain
aww lush, loads of lovely holidays, lucky you! Eurocamp sounds good too – it must have been if you really didn’t blog/vlog/tweet haha! or was there really no wifi/4g ;-)) hehe. #fortheloveofblog
Emma me and b make tea recently posted…Why I Paid for the Meningitis B Vaccine
This is sooooo beautifully written – a ‘review’ could be dry but you have used such sweet, evocative language and included some fab photos that this really was a joy to read. I also love how you ‘set the scene’ of the beginning of autumn – just lovely. xx Zak looks like he is such a lovely big brother btw. x #fortheloveofBLOG x
Mindful Mummy Mission recently posted…Where will you be at 4pm this Tuesday? – An Open letter to local MPs
What a nice way to capture your fav summer moments! Really nice photos too. Your kids will love looking back at these posts when they’re older #fortheloveofBLOG
Sunita recently posted…Lucky Things Wellbeing: Why seeing friends after a long time is a lovely thing
I’d love to know more about your French holiday – it’s something we’ve been considering but don’t know anyone who has been. Perhaps you could let me know?
It looks like you had a great Summer. I’m always a little sad when Summer is over, but then there is always something else o get excited about. The Christmas countdown will be on before we know it (I’m inwardly groaning too!). #fortheloveofblog
Jaki recently posted…Floatation Therapy at Time To Float, Stafford
It got to 36c in London that week I think! So hot! and a little too much for our little guy I think. I use to love Eurocamping as a kid. Glad you had a great time.
#fortheloveofblog
Lovely! Glad you had such a great time and managed to make the most of precious time with the kids xx #fortheloveofBLOG
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Sounds like you had a great summer and like you i enjoyed the 6 weeks holiday with both kids. I LOVE Tenerife , after Dubai it’s my favourite holiday destination#fortheloveofBLOG
Oh, summer always goes too fast, but autumn brings its own memories always. #fortheloveofBLOG
Sounds like a lovely summer! Such a sweet picture of the kids on the beach! #fortheloveofBLOG