Author Archive: Lydia
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The Baby Style Guide to Wearing Sunglasses
Baby sunglasses are just so darn cute and handy for keeping harmful UV rays away from baby’s eyes. I bought Imogen’s sunglasses from John Lewis for our holiday in New Zealand. They’re pink and green with little roses on the frame and have category 3 lenses.
Imogen’s been wearing her sunglasses a lot over the past few weeks and has created the Baby Style Guide to Wearing Sunglasses.
1. When you’re learning to wear sunglasses it doesn’t matter if you put them on upside down or askew. So long as you put them on all by yourself and smile.
2. Watch grown ups. Copy how they keep their sunglasses from slipping down their nose.
3. Point to whatever you like in amazement. No one can see where you’re really looking.
4. If in doubt, use all fingers to get your sunglasses in exactly the right place.
Hugs from Clara Vulliamy
Clara Vulliamy is a talented writer and illustrator of children’s books. Her range of books include Martha and the Bunny Brothers, Muffin, The Bear with Sticky Paws and Lucky Wish Mouse. One of our favourites is Martha and the Bunny Brothers with the delightful character Martha her younger brothers Monty and Pip.
National Hug Day is celebrated on 21 January and Clara shared illustrations of Martha, Monty and Pip enjoying different hugs in her post Happy National Hugs Day.
I’m an avid reader of Clara’s blog and responded to her suggestion for a new hug with the idea of a ‘pet’ hug. Clara kindly illustrated a bright and cheerful hug with Martha and Paws.
When we return to London I’m going to frame this superb illustration and hang it in Imogen’s nursery as a reminder of the importance of hugs with our loved ones each and every day.
You can view Clara’s beautiful illustrations and find out more about her books and fun arty things to do at Clara’s blog Sunny Side Up! And if you’re like us and are fans of Martha and the Bunny Brothers there’s also a Happy Bunny Club for your children to join.
New Zealand Country Life
After a coffee in Greytown we visited my Uncle and Aunt in Mikimiki on a beautiful hot day in the Wairarapa. Their house sits in the middle of several acres of garden, pasture and wooded land. A stream runs by the land and there are some deep spots for taking a dip when you need to cool off in the summer. The perfect setting for New Zealand country life.
Enjoying lunch with Gran
Following a delicious lunch al fresco we explored the garden where Imogen found a hammock between the trees to swing in with Grandma and Grandpa, a wheelbarrow, a spade and a bathtub full of rainwater and lily pads. In the afternoon she had fun with her new friend Ellie, playing with a bucket of water.
The setting for my Uncle and Aunt’s home is idyllic. My Uncle has built an outdoor kitchen, aka the Man Cave, that is just incredible. It gets plenty of use throughout the year and there’s even hot water for doing the dishes when you’ve finished eating in the outdoors. Don’t you love the Man Cave sign?
It was a glorious day spent catching up with family and reminded me of how much I’m looking forward to having our own garden and organic vegetable plot one day. As for a hammock between the trees to relax in and read… yes please!
Imogen’s quite the country bumpkin even in her Vertbaudet skirt and since we’ve been in New Zealand she’s rarely seen without her purple wellies and Grandpa’s large hat.
