The mother of all mud-pies ... James just LOVES GETTING MUDDY!!!! ;0)

Mr Potato Head and the munchkins ....

All was quiet in the Peacock household on Friday morning as the munchkins found the potato heads ... I love it when they play like this! ;0)

It's raining, it's pouring ... it's a British summer! ;0)

But it gave Bekah a good opportunity to test out her Dora umbrella ... These were taken about 10 minutes before we had a big thunderstorm ...

Last day of pre-school for the summer ...

A week ago it was James' last day of pre-school for the summer. Lots of the children are leaving to start big school and so they did a presentation for them and then had this group photo. Bekah managed to get in on the photo (to the far left in the stripey top, James is next to her) ... A photographer from the local newspaper was there but so far we haven't seen it in the paper ... maybe they found out that Bekah was an imposter! ;0)

It was Ajitesh's last day and his Dad got some great photos ...

Bekah loves Ajitesh just as much as James, and according to his Mum Ajitesh is always talking about Bekah! Very sweet. We're going to try and keep in touch ...

Another cute photo ...

As it was the last day they had a bouncy castle, you wouldn't believe the trouble I had getting Bekah off ....

Letters and writing ....

James has been getting better and better with his letters and wanting to write. We got him this book which we do together when Bekah is napping. I really enjoy the time to sit down with my big boy and so far he's really enjoying it. He seems really grown-up in these photos!

Egg and (home-grown) cress sandwiches!

We grew cress this year and we got our first "harvest" the other day. James is really into eating food he's grown or picked from Grandad's garden and so he was really excited to try his cress ...

Bekah wasn't in a photo-kind-of-mood .... (but to my surprise she did like the cress!)

Playing hopscotch (kind of ...) ...

Caught red-handed ... or chalk-handed in this case ... she knows she's not supposed to draw on the walls!

Church outing to Wellington Country Park

A few weekends ago we went Wellington Country Park with a group from church. We had a lovely afternoon in the sunshine. James and Bekah got to play and hang out with Abigail ... they both LOVE Abigail! (and so do Mummy and Daddy since she is so good with them!)

Bekah just LOVES to accessorize ...

Playing with Pirate Peter!

A few weeks ago Peter came to play. Kezia and Auntie Sarah came over too and they all had a great time playing in the garden. Peter is another of James' pre-school friends who will be starting school in September. He's going to really miss him at pre-school but hopefully we'll still get together to play.

Born in the USA ..... Happy 4th of July!!

James was a bit of a rebel and wouldn't wear his USA shirt ... and even insisted on wearing his England shorts! Bekah looked very cute though ... even managed to get her to keep the ribbons in her hair for about 5 minutes!

Crazy static hair ...

In the kitchen with little Gordon Ramsey ....

She may look cute but don't be fooled ... I felt like I was baking cookies with Gordon Ramsey the way she was barking orders at me!!! "Mummy, stir it now!" ;0) She looked cute and the cookies tasted yummy though so I guess it was worht it!

Licking every last bit of cookie dough from her fingers ....

Painting with pine cones and feathers ...

The other day James went for a walk by the river with Grandad and collected feathers. He also collects pine cones when he's at Grandad's house. He bought some of them home so we could use them to do painting. I think we both really enjoyed it - combining crafty things and nature - we love it! :0)

Roll it around like so ...

Ta-daaaah! Pine cone fireworks! (4th July-style ...)

He was totally inspired by this and wanted to go out in the garden to look for more things to paint with!

We used stones, twigs, leaves, bark to name just a few!

Bekah had lots of great Sylvanian Family stuff for her birthday so now we have even more to play with! ;0)

2 little aliens from outer space ...

We made alien masks the other day ... as you do.

I think the police were under cover .... as what I'm not sure ....

The other morning the kids were playing in the garden in their PJ's and various bits from the dressing up box... I love the dressing up box!

James' latest wood work project with Grandad ... a table!!!

And it's good enough to eat off of!

Ruth and Pete's Wedding

Last Saturday we went to a wedding at Royal Tunbridge Wells. Pete used to work with Dan and they have remained good friends. In fact, they were one of our first visitors when we lived in America. The wedding was held in Ruth's parents back garden and it was a beautiful setting.

Before the wedding ceremony there were games to play on the back lawn - great for keeping our munchkins (and Daddy!) amused...

The bride and groom exchanging their vows ...

Ruth is a fashion designer for Laura Ashley and so she designed and made this dress herself. It was beautiful, and very unique. All the decorations where Laura Ashley inspired too (see later photos)