Monday 29 December 2014

Circular Party Dress - Outfit of the Day


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Friday 26 December 2014

Boxing Day Tradition


It has become a family tradition of ours that every Boxing Day we go to Colchester Zoo.  It is nice to get out of the house (and away from the Christmas mess!) and into the fresh air to spend time as a family.  We’ve been lucky with the weather, since we started going four years ago; it has always been crisp and bright.

Colchester Zoo is huge, so we took two buggies as it would be a lot of walking for Fraser!  We looked at the animals and went to the soft play.  The best part of our day was seeing the Penguin Feed.  We went to other feeds and presentations such as the giraffes and elephants but I couldn’t believe how close the penguins got to us!  Fraser stared fascinated at them while they swallowed fish in one bite.  I watched him, watching them and could literally see the cogs in his head turning as he watched them and learned about them. Later at dinner time he was trying to eat his carrots with no hands, in one bite – like the penguins were J





We had a lovely day but I couldn’t help but feel a little bit sad, sad for the animals.  At the lion enclosure the huge male lion was pacing back and forth and staring at all of the viewers and roaring, and I swear he eyed up little Caleb thinking that he would be an easy kill.  I know that sounds dramatic but I know what I saw!
Also a chimpanzee ran and jumped on the glass as we were staring in at him, like he was aggravated.  There were signs up around the animals saying exactly why they are there and how they were rescued by the zoo, which made me feel slightly better but still sad.

The chimps had been rescued from a testing lab where they had been since they were young and the torture they experienced had understandably affected their behaviour.  The bears had been saved from a place in Asia where they were kept in cages and bile was taken from their stomachs for medicinal purposes. 


After the penguin feed I spoke to the zoo keeper and she explained that these penguins had always been captive and that they wouldn’t know what to do in the wild if they were released.  She explained that a percentage of penguins need to be captive to protect the species as they are in such danger in the outside world and therefore if the worst happened they could breed them in zoos and later release them (they are very careful to monitor family trees and inbreeding etc.).

When I was 18 years old my family and I went on safari in South Africa, Kruger National Park and it was amazing to see the animals in the wild, running free, so I think it makes it hard to appreciate zoos.  I would love to take the boys to Africa when they are older to go on safari.

Although the above sounds a little bit negative we did have a wonderful day being a family and the boys learned so much and enjoyed watching the animals eat and play.  There were also great play areas and parks there.










What I wore:
A new bobble hat (that was a pressie from my bff) - River Island.
A gillet – French Connection
A fluffy white jumper – Dorothy Perkins
Joni Jeans – Topshop
Boots - Dune


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Friday 19 December 2014

Happy Birthday Hubs


EEK! SO this is my first ever blog post and because tomorrow is my husband's birthday I can't think of a better subject for my first ever blog :-)


 Matt with Fraser, just hours old!



When we were younger my hubby and I were always all over each other and didn't really care or think about public displays of affection (much to my friends annoyance!) but as we've got older and grown up together (it’s been 10 years now) and had children we’re not really ones for PDA’s!

Us 9 years ago! (oh to be young again)


BUT I strongly believe that it is important to make sure that the people we love really know how much we value them and appreciate them.  Especially when you have children, who take up most of your attention and time.  It can make it harder to spend time together, let alone show your love for someone!  Matt jokes that he is my third favourite, after our sons...

So this blog post is just for you Matt.  Happy Birthday!

You are the most incredible Father.  Our boys are so lucky to have such a loving Dad who always wants to spend time with them.  You are a wonderful role model to them, you make them laugh and you pass on your love for toilet humour (which I could do without to be honest, but at least the boys think it is hilarious!)

You work so hard and we’re all so grateful to you for everything you do.  Don't ever change. We're all lucky to have you. 
All my love your (totally cringe, very UN-British) wife, 

Your Emily xxx

Matt and his mini me's - Fraser and Caleb

Matt and Caleb

On our wedding day, 5 years ago
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