Back to UK life #littleloves

Last updated on November 19th, 2023 at 12:34 am

It’s been a busy summer but also a relaxing one. We spent the six weeks in America with my family to catch up with as many loved ones as we possibly could while catching the sun too. It has only been a few days since we arrived back in the UK, just in time for back to school and back to work for me. While I worked most of the summer, here and there, I try to take advantage of the slow blogging world of August to spent more quality time with the kids. We spent our days swimming, hiking, camping, bike riding, boating and chilling out. I really concentrated on focusing as much time with them during the day as I could while saving my work  for after bedtime. Daddy didn’t get to come with us this year so it has been a little harder being away from him so long but so lovely to be home home. I think America will always be home to me and the UK a second home. 

It feels really weird to be back in the UK, back in my house and back to our old/new routines. It always takes me and the kids a few weeks to settle in and get rid of that horrible jetlag that eight hour time difference gives you. The kids are still at an age where they are a little confused at where we live when we first arrive back. Why are we back here? I thought we lived at Grandma’s house now? How come it’s dark here and not in America?  I get all the various confused questions and some hilarious ones too. Then we get settled here for the winter in time for them to get confused that we are setting back off to America for the whole summer again. It’s a cycle I am curious to see how long the confusion lasts or if they will soon just get used to it. 

I have missed #littleloves this summer so much. I really had to step back from my blog as a few things were changing and I was getting organize on that but now I am back to share with you all the things I am loving each week. I hope you will join me and the rest of the #littleloves group and enjoy the little things in life that make us smile.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

THIS WEEK I AM LOVING…

#littleloves titles

 

 

I have to admit I haven’t read a lot this summer, only one book, a few blogs and possibly half a magazine. That is really unlike me especially when I am relaxing in the sun. This summer, kind of just crept by me. I played more in the pool with the kids and outdoor games now that they are older so it was more of an active summer than a reading in the sun and them playing in the kiddy pool like previous years. They are on the go now more so I am on the go now. It makes summers absolutely fly by though too. Returning home, I had a lovely package waiting for me… it was Blogosphere Issue 10 packed full of great content to read including your beautiful #littleloves host Coffee Work Sleep Repeat as well as Let’s Talk Mommy – ME! I was so honored to be featured along side such great writers/bloggers.  If you don’t have a copy, get yourself one and have a READ!

Blogosphere Issue 10 featuring Let's Talk Mommy

#littleloves titles

If you haven’t already heard about #lifecloseup and joined in over on instagram I would love to see you all there. It’s such a great community of ig supporters too, sharing all their zoomed in captures of life. Whatever they may be capturing from family life, to food to travel, to home interiors. Any kind of photo is welcome. Here is this week’s favorite features too. I share them every Sunday night over on my feed. Come take a peak and join in sharing your zoomed in captures of life with us. 

lifecloseupig

#littleloves titles

I really made an effort to do different adventures this summer back home than we did last year so that it never gets boring for my kids on the mountains where my parents live. This year, we went camping for the very first time and it was absolutely amazing. The kids loved it as much as I remember loving it as a child too. They seem to adapt to whatever we are doing which makes life easier. Right away, they were hiking through the woods, exploring and gathering pine cones for a fort they were pretending to build as if we went camping every week. Roasting marshmallows over the campfire was a huge highlight for them too. 

camping8

#littleloves titles

It was all about dresses, shorts, and swimsuits this summer. Don’t forget the matching too. We had such a great time getting outdoors everyday and really enjoying mother nature as much as possible from lakes, rivers to swimming pools. The kids seem so refreshed and happy in the sunshine outside this summer. We are so sad it’s over already it went way too fast this year. You can even catch my latest twinning video here

woresummerwardrobes

#littleloves titles

I also will freely admit that I have been slacking this summer with my food styling and recipes. It’s harder to work on those things when I am at my parents house. I don’t have any of my props with me and my parents house is very hard to capture any light. Or excuses aside it was summer and I didn’t want to be cooking in the kitchen when it’s 90 degrees outside and the swimming pool is screaming my name. But I did have a chance to make a delicious summer cocktail for our family reunion that went down like a dream. Gin Lemonade and Basil summer cocktail to be precise!!! 

Gin Lemonade & Basil A Summer Cocktail recipe

#littleloves titles

 

 

The summer didn’t just hold sunshine and visiting America…both the kiddos turned another year older. Another year is behind us and I swear with each birthday, life seems to go faster and faster, if that is even at all possible. MM rang in her third birthday just before we left for our trip and got a big girl bedroom surprise revealed to her. While B rang in his fifth birthday just as we landed. We threw them both a huge Paw Patrol double birthday party with the entire extended family. I love that each year we mark their birthday with family flying in and visiting for one big celebration together. It’s one of my favorite days of the year, each year. It turns into a family reunion to cherish every time. 

Linking up for #littleloves over at Coffee Work Sleep Repeat.

14 thoughts on “Back to UK life #littleloves”

  1. It sounds like you had a fantastic summer, how wonderful to be able to spend it in America with your family. Definitely memories to cherish! I got the last issue of Blogosphere and still haven’t read it properly – although I’d still buy the new one, thanks for the heads up! Congratulations on being a part of it! Also, that summer cocktail looks so refreshing – I could drink one now! #LittleLoves

    Reply
    • Thanks Stacie, we really had the very best time with my family. It was sad Mr P couldn’t come this year but he knows it’s what gets us through the long rain dark winters in the UK. It’s enough our summers there to fill us and soak up enough sunshine for the year. I love our time there. I am so glad to be apart of two worlds, two cultures and living two lives. It’s very surreal and I wouldn’t take for granted any of it. It’s amazing to watch the kids bond with my family and their cousins and extended families. I love that part the most.

      Reply
  2. I am so envious of your American summers but it can’t be easy splitting your life across two continents. It sounds like you had a fantastic time though and glad to see you back x

    Reply
    • No it’s not easy but I also fee like I have the best of both worlds. Hard being away from my hubby that long but I get my family and friends for a longer solid period of time than if I lived back home and popped over for a weekend visit. I truly think I spend more quality time with them because I am so far away and we cherish every moment together. I actually see my mother more now than when I was at university. I get hot summers and mild winters in two countries and apart of two cultures. I am grateful for that. Even when I sometimes hate the rain and hayfever and just want a hug from my momma I try to remind myself how amazing it is to be apart of two worlds too and not always how hard it is being so lonely sometimes.

      Reply
  3. It sounds like you had a truly amazing time in America! I always loved camping as a child, and plan to take Zach when he’s a little older – there definitely isn’t anything better than toasting marshmallows over a camp fire! xx

    Reply
    • So true I have so many amazing memories of camping and I loved taking the kids it was amazing. Singing, campfires and roasting marshmallows and hotdogs over an open flame is true summer to me.

      Reply
  4. As always I loved following your adventures over in the USA. It must be lovely to catch up with so many friends and family, and have a slower paced life. It must have been hard not seeing your husband for that long. Your gin cocktail looks so thirst quenching. Nice to have you back at #littleloves x

    Reply
    • It’s hard being sole parent and not seeing him but it is also something I know gets me through the rest of the year in the UK. It’s not as hard living so far away when I know I get to live the summers out in the states. I hope it’s always that way. I hope it means the kids get to be apart of my culture as much as they are the english one.

      Reply
  5. I love that you spend a whole summer back home with your parents. It must be a fabulous experience for your children to see so much of that part of the world too. Love your twinning fashion video – I’m looking forward to my youngest getting that bit older so that my boys can be matching but not matching too! x

    Reply
    • Oh thanks Steph it really is magical our summers with my family. I miss them so much during the year it’s always great to hold onto the memories we make there to get me through to the next summer. The kids bonding with my family and having hot summer weeks to play outside everyday is special too. I wouldn’t want it any other way. Thanks for watching my twinning video sorry it was a bit grainy the light kept coming and going as I was talking typical in the UK> hahahaha It’s so fun when they get that age you can coordinate and even match them. So fun.

      Reply
  6. I love that you get to go back and spend the summer in America, it always looks like you are having an amazing time. It’s the perfect opportunity to take a step back from reality and chill out and spend such lovely time with your two little people. Lovely to have you back though Jenny xx

    Reply
    • I do too. hahaha It’s a great way to have the best of both worlds and get the kids to know and bond with my side of the family and my culture. We always have the best time. It really is a great time to shut off for the summer. I need it come July time. Then I am ready for winter.

      Reply
  7. It makes my heart so happy that you had such a wonderful summer in the US with your family. It was definitely the perfect break that you needed. Of course, I must admit I’m happy now that you’re home and I get to see you again!! xx

    Reply
    • Yes, it’s great to have you back. I missed working out with you and having you next to me while we work. It’s a true partner in crime. Next year you will just have to come with me.

      Reply

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.