We haven’t taken a vacation this year but we have managed to have some good days out with Daddy when he’s been able to take time off. We did a week of days out in July and we’ve just had a few days this past week enjoying autumn together as a family.

Greenham Common

We took a Sunday afternoon stroll across the common – Rosalie took her balance bike and she did really well on it for the first 10-15 minutes, but soon got bored because she still can’t go as fast on it as she can run! Daddy inevitably ended up carrying it, and I wasn’t even quick enough to get a photograph of her on it. But I did get this lovely one of her playing hide and seek with us – can you see her? Can you? She’s so stealth!

Dinton Pastures

On Monday we headed to Dinton Pastures, which I’ve written about before because it has such an amazing play park, but this time we got a tip for a different car park, making our day out free! Or it would have been had we not purchased lunch in the cafe (amazing bacon sandwiches, hot chocolates and a good children’s menu).

It was a bit of a walk from the free car park to the play area and cafe, but Rosalie managed it, even if she did need to eat the bread we brought for the ducks!

Luckily she didn’t eat it all and we spent a little time feeding some very hungry ducks and geese. I always get a little nervous when the geese and swans are coming up close to Rosalie, she’s had a few nibbled fingers when she’s been feeding the ducks because she doesn’t throw the bread down quick enough and the geese snatch it from her little hand.

We spent some time in the play park where Rosalie particularly enjoyed the trampoline, big tunnel, slide and swings, before heading to the cafe for lunch.

And this is why a day out with Daddy is so much better than a day with just pregnant mummy…

After lunch we returned to the park, which was busier now; Rosalie made some little friends and spent a long time in the sand pit. It’s wonderful to see Rosalie interact with other children she doesn’t know – she’s quite happy initiating conversation and is fairly partial to a bit of light bossing around, even if the child is older – “come on let’s go again” or “little girl, follow me!”

The walk back was quite long for Rosalie after burning so much energy in the park, so Daddy ended up carrying her for some of the way, but it’s a lovely walk through the woods. She fell asleep virtually straight away in the car – the sign of a good day out!

Our local park

Tuesday we had our regular Music with Mummy class in the morning, but Daddy and Rosalie went to the park in the afternoon (giving me some time to myself!), and he snapped this photo on his phone of our baby girl confidently tackling the rope tunnel. She’s been able to do it for a while now, but she just looks so confident here! And I love her outfit – this cute foxy dress is TU. I get most of Rosalie’s clothes at Sainsbury’s because they seem to be cut well for her slight frame but long legs. Although at nearly three she’s only just gone into 2-3 year clothes.

Alice Holt Forest

On Wednesday we drove over to Alice Holt forest for a picnic and a bit of autumn exploring in the woods. We also told Rosalie she had to keep her eyes peeled for the Gruffalo…

Well first we found the Gruffalo’s child.

And a good opportunity for a quick family portrait!

Then we took a stroll through the deep dark wood and came across lots of dens…

Rosalie is making tea for Teddy – very sweet to see her imaginative play.

And then we found this…

And this…!

We finished our trip to Alice Holt with a visit to the playground.

We shall miss Daddy next week when he’s back at work.