We had an absolutley amazing summer. Fulled with lots of fun!
We had man trips to the Park and lots of outdoors games - football being the main on!


Charlie turned NINE years old! Wow. I can't believe how fast he's growing up. Madness. He had a wonderful Birthday.


We were also lucky enough to go to Liverpool and visit Speke Hall during the six weeks holidays. Speke Hall is a huge old Tudor house with lots of grounds/Gardens. The kids loved the maze best!


The little's made some really fabulous world cup posters. England got knocked out of the world cup pretty early on but that's ok, the boys supported Brazil instead. They loved being creative and decorated summer beach hut coin banks from yellow moon.


 We also had a picnic in Victoria Park in London.Which was a lot of fun! We saw the London eye and big Ben, it was super cool, even if it was just thru the window on the coach.


We had lots of lovely long walks, enjoying the sunny, warm weather!
The little's enjoyed flying there kites. They really got the hang of it ever so quickly! I am so proud of them.


 We also went to an air show along the seafront, we loved the red arrows! The little's loved watch all the airplanes do there display over the sea!


The kids really enjoyed crabbing along the river bank! It was such a warm, sunny day! We also had some chips and fed the swans & ducks.


Then it was time for the kids to go back to school. Harry started in year 6 - his last year of Primary school! Charlie started in year 5 and Ellie in year 2! They are truly growing up so fast.

At the end of summer, Ellie turned SEVEN! Whoa. She had a lovely Birthday, got lots of really lovely presents :)


We truly did have an amazing summer! We are really looking forward to Autumn!
I hope you all had a fab summer, too.

Sarah xXx

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South Lawn at Speke Hall.

South Lawn at Speke Hall.

South Lawn at Speke Hall.

South Lawn at Speke Hall.

Pretty!

South Lawn at Speke Hall.

South Lawn.

Bees are at work in the kitchen garden at Speke Hall.

Kitchen Garden.

Roses at Speke Hall, behind the house.

Woodland at Speke hall.

Speke Hall, Liverpool. August 2014.

We went to Speke Hall last week, it's a big old Tudor house and it's truly stunning! We had an amazing time and really want to go back next time we're in Liverpool!

Sarah xXx

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When we were visiting Liverpool, we decided to go to Speke Hall, Gardens and Estate. Speke Hall is Tudor house set on the banks of The River Mersey. It's a very old, beautiful house with SO much ground, woodland and pretty gardens. There is seriously so much history there and it is so, so beautiful. I feel that my photo's really don't do it any justice. The house is also said to be haunted!



First of all when we got to Speke Hall, we paid our admission, we got a family ticket (two adults and three kids) and we were given a couple of skipping ropes and pair of binoculars for the kids to borrow, in a little red bag - easy for them to carry around. We also got a map of Speke Hall, which contained lots of information as well as a map! We decided to have lunch first. We took our own picnic with us. There's a really lovely picnic area at Speke Hall. There is also a restaurant too.



After we'd had something to eat, the kids wanted to go on the Maze, which is seriously AMAZING! The kids LOVED it. Speke Hall is also right by the airport in Liverpool so we got to see lots of airplanes very, very low because they'd just taken off, which was also quite amazing.


We went for a little walk around the grounds and gardens. Wow, just wow, it is so all so beautifully pretty and so well maintained. There's also lots of sign posts along the way, so we didn't get lost.
We had a little look around the kitchen Gardens (where the bee's were at work). The garden is lovely, lots of plants and fruit/vegies. We learned a lot, too!


We had a look around the courtyard and house, the house is quite dark and although you are allowed to take photographs, no flashes on cameras are allowed. Needless to say, the photos are a little dark (I've lightened some of them using ipiccy), but that's ok. The house is absolutely stunning and I am not sure what I was expecting but I was not expecting it to be as breath taking as it really is. While walking thru the halls and rooms, you can just imagine what it was like in Tudor and Victorians times because the house is so old! I really, really enjoyed it. I think my favourite room was 'The Great Hall'. It was just beautifully stunning. I really got a sense of all the history, it was truly amazing.


After we'd had a look around the house, we went and got an ice lolly/ice-cream from the barn shop and had a rest in South Lawn which is right next to the house (and also by a little shop). We then went on the woodland trail and found a little park/play area for the kids! Which they thought was fantastic. They loved the swing rope thingy. Ellie loved walking around under the trees exploring.


We made our way around the woodland trail, taking in the gorgeous surroundings.
We stopped again at the Maze and the other play area before we checked out the little gift shop at Speke Hall.

A thumbs up from Ellie!!!

There is seriously so much for kids to do at Speke Hall - two play areas, a maze, the house itself.. The gardens.. the woodland, there is just SO much to do and see! The kids enjoyed running around in the open spaces and burning off lots of energy. I would love to go back. We didn't get to see everything at Speke Hall and the surrounding grounds/gardens/estate. Next time we visit Liverpool I would certainly go back.
I wish we lived closer, I would totally invest in yearly passes because I think I could go there every week and not get bored and I know the kids feel the same!


There was a lot of staff around to ask questions and give directions etc. Charlie was all like "The people have dressed up in olden day clothes" Ha, he was impressed with staff dressing up, aww. That I thought, was a nice touch.

My favourite part? Certainly without a doubt - the house itself! I loved it.
The kids favourite part? Probably the woodland play area and The Maze. Although they did enjoy everything about our day out at Speke Hall.
Would we go back again? ABSOLUTELY!

A view of the River Mersey, from the top of the maze at Speke Hall.

Speke Hall is the best day out we've had for a long, long time. It was really great fun.

Sarah xXx

Please note: No one has asked me to write this blog post, it isn't sponsored in any way, shape or form, I haven't been paid for this post. We paid our own admissions etc. I am writing this post because I personally wanted to share our day out with the world! 
*All photos in this post were taken by me*

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