14Fest

At the start of June, we took advantage of a lovely evening for a late night wander down to the seafront.

We just couldn't resist a paddle.

There was a peculiar art installation with small figurines standing on top of poles rising out of the estuary.

Speaking of strange figures in the estuary...

In the dark, on the prom.

This year, Lily's birthday fell on a Monday, so we arranged an entire weekend of activities. First Lily opened a parcel containing a T-shirt. Hard to see in the photos but it actually has black lettering printed on it that say '14Fest'.

And we revealed we were already wearing ours.

14Fest kicked off with bacon pancakes and maple syrup.

Plus the traditional jumping around in the garden pic.

We set up a home roller disco.

Complete with freak shakes.

And a bowl of on the hour surprises that contained everything from chocolate to birthday sashes.

In the evening, we watched a movie under the stars.

Neon glasses were optional.

Day two had waffles at the garden bar.

And indoor bowling.

No strikes though...

Ziggy wished Lily many happy returns.

And we ended the weekend with a family game of Twister.

The birthday girl.

Naturally there was a big pile of presents.

Not sure these count as uniform.

The gang got together to say happy birthday in the park.

And Mummy made a cracking cake. Happy birthday teenage girl. Hope you had a fab time.

Well, just when we'd given up all hope and ten days after she'd vanished, the school caretaker phoned to say they'd got an animal cornered in the school kitchen. Emma ran round. And came home carrying a plastic box... with Dee Dee inside.

Turned out, she'd been living in the school over half term. Apparently, she'd knocked over a kettle for drinking water. And left 'presents' for the ladies in the office. We couldn't believe we'd got her home.

Lily's face says it all.

Mummy and Lily had spent days putting up flyers, knocking on doors and searching in gardens and hedgerows. So we had to let everyone know all was well.

Back together again.

Lily did a bit more modelling for Mummy.

Then she did some modelling for herself, putting a filter on these images...

...in order to turn them into a painting.

Happy Father's Day to the FINEST bin taker outer.

Lily finally received her Jack Petchey medal, a year after being awarded it.

Lockdown easing meant friends could come over.

There was a lovely week's worth of weather that resulted in our first summer barbecue of 2021.

Let's hope there's plenty s'more to come. Hoot!