In my head, the summer holidays (8 whole weeks!) are split into three sections – at home before the trips, the trips, then at home after the trips.  Here’s my pages and some notes from part one: at home before the trips.

1. [Above]The schools broke up at the very end of June. That first weekend was a bit bumpy – big emotions, taking time to settle down after a very hectic lead up to the end of term.  Honestly, the things we expect little people to be able to cope with! I’d say it took 4 or so days for Piglet to fully shake off the end-of-term, then it was like a switch and I got my sweet boy back.  One strategy we always use to regulate the kids is to give them one-to-one time with a parent, so Piglet & I had an afternoon out to Carolside Gardens the first Sunday afternoon of the holidays. Carolside is an absolute stunner, I’d recommend a wander round.  Piglet chose a spot for us to sit and draw, and the above drawing was the result of my efforts.  
2. [Below]We had a family day out to the zoo to celebrate the start of the summer holidays and it was one of those days where everything goes well and the universe conspires to delight and entertain.  A favourite moment for me was sketching the penguins together.  When I was in my early 20s, I had a job at the National Library for Scotland.  A perk of working there was these passes you could use to get into tourist attractions for free.  I’d just re-discovered drawing (like a tidal wave, I was obsessed, could not stop) and used to go to the zoo on my day off to draw.  15 years later, in the same spot, drawing with my two fantastic kiddos was an absolute joy trip for me, made even better by the curious gentoo penguin who kept coming over to check out the kids’ work.