Friday morning, to give me a bit of a break, Daddy took Little Miss to the office with him for a couple of hours in between feeds. At that time of day she is happiest snoozing in the baby carrier so Daddy has become quite the baby wearer! It felt a little weird for her to be away from me for so long but what was really lovely was that I got to have some good quality time one on one with Monkey. Daddy has spent most of his paternity leave focussing on Monkey and they have got even closer lately and while Monkey has seemed ok with me being with the baby most of the time, I have wanted to get back to doing some nice things with him.
So we went for a short walk (just over 2 weeks post c-section I am doing pretty well but really can’t go too far, so we just walked around the block) dressed in waterproofs looking for some puddles to jump in. Monkey loves “jumping in muddy puddles” and I wish I could capture him on video saying that phrase as he says it in such a singsong voice with only some of the syllables, sort of “ju i mu-ee puwuhs.” We also decided we would go on a hunt for some nice leaves and Monkey was hoping for Conkers, but sadly there aren’t any horse chestnuts that close to our house (not sure there would be any left now either!).
It was nice to get some fresh air and to see Monkey enjoying himself jumping in puddles. He is so cute and he can’t quite jump yet but he tries so hard bless him!
and collecting leaves, and one or two sticks that apparently resemble “stick man.” Unfortunately my phone messed up and I don;t have any pictures of collecting leaves and sticks 🙁
He would have carried on longer but I didn’t want to overdo it (I can’t wait till I am fully recovered but know I need to take it a day at a time!) so I tempted him home with the promise of painting – one of his favourite activites.
We did a bit of leaf kicking on the walk back too 🙂
At home we got the paints out and although initially he didn’t want to paint his leaves, when I started to paint on one, of course it was “my turn, my turn, my turn!” and he soon got involved.
I then randomly painted a smily face on a leaf and that was it, a new game was born. Painting two eyes and a smily face on each leaf and we suddenly had lots of Mummy & Daddy leaves :).
Lots of Autumn fun for Mummy and Monkey and Little Miss was good as gold for Daddy at the office!
Such lovely photos! Autumn is such a great time for kids, being able to play in the leaves and such 🙂 x
Aww! What wonderful photos!
Looks like a lovely walk and a bit of painting x
hi from Weekend Blog Hop! I need to try this with my 2 year old. He is loving the fall leaves and is constantly asking to paint. We are actually out of paper so this might be a good alternative 🙂
Looks like a lovely little adventure, just perfect for you. My two love puddles and kicking leaves, and then to round it off with painting – they’d be so happy! Lovely photos x
Firstly, very cool that Daddy can take your daughter to the office! And what a lovely simple and fun activity to share together x
I know we are so lucky and it was really lovely to spend some time having fun with Monkey xx
I love how this walk evolved. Those skies look like ours the last week, constantly moving from pouring to sunshine. The painting on the leaves is a great idea and great to see you taking things easy but still getting out. Thanks for sharing with me on Country Kids.
What a wonderful autumn activity! I love the leaf painting x
Thanks for linking up with #WeekendBlogHop!
That leaf painting look so much fun 🙂
Lizzie’s Daily Blog
Aww that looks like so much fun! We have a whole load of family leaves courtesy of some glitter glue at the moment, and if think the girls definitely have plans for more!
Looks like a LOT of fun!! Really need to try some leaf painting xx
So wonderful that you got to have some special time just you and your gorgeous little monkey!!! He really is such a cutie!!
And nice for daddy and his little lady to have some 1 on 1 time too, even if she was mostly snoozing! Xx
Ah it looks like such a fun activity to do together- I really ought to try something like leaf painting with my girls as I know they would love it. What is it about kicking leaves? We love it too! 🙂
Lovely pictures! I used to love a walk like this with kids. Then coming home and having hit soup and making pictures from leaves lol
So nice that you have time to bond with Monkey! And looks like he loves every second of it =) #magicmoments
It looks like the best fun ever jumping in those puddles. I love how they can find the tiniest puddles to create the biggest splashes in 🙂
I love that leaves and puddles can be so much fun. We haven’t done any art with leaves this year. Must do some soon.
Aw fab photos, looks like lots of fun was had both outside and painting xx
Awww, lovely time spent together. Those leaves are a fabulous size too!
How did I miss that? Congratulations, Caroline! How exciting, a little sister for Monkey 🙂 Your husband is so hands-on, bless him. Monkey looks like he’s having a great time alone with mummy. x #MagicMoments
We find lots of stickmen & stick lady-loves 😉 leaf painting is so cool! x
Great photos! The one with your son’s back to the camera and the bridge just over the horizon is my favorite. It’s great for you to be able to venture out after your C-section! I remember feeling so cooped up after my daughter was born because I wasn’t recovery as quickly as I should. I wish for your resilience for my next one!
Alovely Autumn day activity, we just got Jake his first pair of wellies and are really looking forward to him trying them out! X
Aw, what lovely one on one time together, fun outdoors in puddles (the best activity ever) and creative painting with nature, wonderful!
Thanks for linking #LetKidsbeKids
Aww what a great idea, lovely pictures 🙂
Thanks for linking up #CreativeMondays
Lovely pics. Gosh, your doing well. 2 weeks post c-section I don’t think I was doing much walking and definitely wasn’t up for cleaning away paints. #letkidsbekids
Aww nothing beats an autumn walk and having a kick in the leaves. 2 weeks post c-section I was barely hobbling up and down the stairs, you’re doing so well x #letkidsbekids
The weather looks great, it must have felt good to go out for a walk! Your leaf painting activity must have been fun, I’m sure my toddler would love it too. Hope you are recovering well x #letkidsbekids
It sounds like you had such a lovely time. It’s great when activities take an unexpected turn.That is my favourite aspect of crafting. #letkidsbekids
Lovely photos! He seemed to have a great deal of fun. 😀
Mine are jumping into “muddy puddles!!!!!!!” the moment they get outside haha.
#MagicMoments
what lovely pictures. My son likes jumping in puddles too, so it’s always a great activity to get him out of the house with!
#letkidsbekids
Everyone loves jumping in muddy puddles!!!
We went leaf picking today too. Painting them is a great idea! #letkidsbekids
Gorgeous photos Caroline, especially the puddle jumping ones 🙂 Sounds like a lovely morning; wonderful simple fun x #MagicMoments
what a perfect autumn day, we are off on a leaf mission soon 🙂
thanks for linking up with #MagicMoments
Sounds like the perfect autumnal day! So pleased you got to have some one on one time with Monkey… the joys of balancing two kids!