Last week while my husband was off work we decided to be brave and try a day out with all three littles. We chose a farm very close to us, only about 15 minutes away, made a packed lunch and tried to remember everything we would need for a few hours in the wider world with a toddler and baby twins. The farm was lovely and very reasonable to get into (which turned out to be a good thing as we had to cut the trip short). All started off well and I rather smugly thought we were going to make it through the day; the sun was shining, both babies were happily settled in their pushchair, quietly taking in the sights. Lucas was enjoying it all just as I thought he would, feeding the sheep, goats and chickens and excitingly running up and down the country tracks chattering to all the animals and other children he came across. It was lovely to see Lucas out in the fresh air, something we haven’t been able to do nearly as much as I would like. He’s always been in his element in the great outdoors so we were making the most of it while we could.
Then, the time came to feed to babies and it all went downhill from there; whether it was just that the bottles weren’t as warm as usual or that there was just too much going on the babies wouldn’t settle to feed. We went to find a quieter spot to try again and as we settle down in a quiet oriental garden Lucas starts to run wild. He was getting all agitated and over excited, probably because we’d stopped his fun to feed to twins. He was running around shouting then ended up falling backwards off a bench, it was one of those moments that I could see happening but couldn’t get to him in time. Luckily he didn’t really do any damage as he mostly fell in a bush, he just gave himself a big shock and then wanted to go home. As he said that me and my husband looked at each other in silent agreement that this just wasn’t going to be our day. It was never going to be easy getting out with all three while the babies are so young and we’ll put this one down to a learning experience in the hopes that it goes more smoothly next time we attempt it.
In the end we had our packed lunch as a picnic in the back garden as we tried to wind down! From the safety of our garden we were able to laugh about our disastrous first attempt at a day trip, we’ll try again and probably learn a few things again too!
23 Comments
Well done for getting out no matter how short the trip was. In the early days, we often bailed on days out when they wouldn’t feed and settled and we didn’t have another child to contend with. It does get easier as the twins get older, especially when they hold their own bottles so it only takes one person to do the feed x
April 26, 2014 at 8:15 amYes I think that will make a difference to us, and when they are eating real food! I’m glad we tried it but it was nerve-wrecking! xx
April 28, 2014 at 9:44 amIt definitely gets easier as babies get older 🙂 Your picnic in the garden looks fantastic though! Love the bouncers! x
April 26, 2014 at 5:04 pmWe had a lot of fun in the garden, much more relaxing but we will try again soon! Maybe wait until the babies are weaning though 🙂 x
April 28, 2014 at 9:43 amGreat that you tried it, though, and it looked fun when you were there. A garden picnic looks lovely, too x
April 26, 2014 at 6:57 pmI’m pleased we gave it a go, now we know a bit more we can try again soon. Garden picnics will be happening more though before we do 🙂 x
April 28, 2014 at 9:43 amWell done for giving it a go! As you say the next time will be better and I’m glad to hear that Lucas was ok from his fall. You all still managed to have some outdoor family fun in your own garden and the twins look gorgeous sitting there watching their big brother. Thanks for linking up and sharing with Country Kids.
April 26, 2014 at 10:42 pmOh Fiona, I don’t know how you did it when your brood was little…and triplets! The mind boggles! We are slowly but surely getting out more and feeling so much better for it x
April 28, 2014 at 9:42 amIt’s not easy managing 3 little ones. Sometimes you just have to go with the flow and adapt your plans, depending on how they are on the day. A picnic is always fun no matter where you have it x
April 27, 2014 at 12:04 amI’m starting to learn that, I must learn to go with the flow more, I know we won’t always manage the ‘perfect’ day out with three kids 🙂 x
April 28, 2014 at 9:40 amAwwww shame it ended early when it was all going so well but I must say the picnic in the garden looks like lots of fun 🙂 xxx
April 27, 2014 at 4:45 amIt was fun, we might be sticking to that for a little bit now. We’ll brave a day trip again in the summer 🙂 x
April 28, 2014 at 9:39 amFirstly I love that red Ramones shirt! Every photos is vivid and with amazing colors. A fun day =) #countrykids
April 27, 2014 at 8:33 amThanks, my husband loves the Ramones so we have t-shirts for all the kids!
April 28, 2014 at 9:39 amOh no! Inevitably these things happen when you have little ones don’t they. Looks like you made the most of your day when you got home and I’m pleased you managed to have your picnic too!
April 27, 2014 at 9:54 amIt actually turned into a lovely afternoon, I just couldn’t help but feel a little disappointed at the time!
April 28, 2014 at 9:38 amI love a picnic in the garden! It’s horrible when kids trip or fall, and you see it in slow motion but just can’t get there quickly enough 🙁 xx
April 27, 2014 at 5:46 pmOh I know, I’m just so glad he wasn’t seriously hurt as I was fearing the worst! xx
April 28, 2014 at 9:37 amNever down play a trip – if you made it past the front door that is a TRIP in my eyes. Well done I say 🙂
The photos are really cute and looks like they had just as much fun in the garden x
April 27, 2014 at 7:46 pmThanks, we had to try it sometime so at least we’ve tried 🙂 Might stick to the garden for a bit now though x
April 28, 2014 at 9:30 amI’m glad that you made the best of it even though the trip out didn’t work out well. Hopefully as the twins get older it will get easier. They are all gorgeous though!
April 28, 2014 at 7:52 pmThank you, I’m sure it will get easier and we’ll only learn by doing it! Might have a break for a while though 🙂
April 30, 2014 at 9:20 pmAhahaha loving your little backyard picnic. It’s great that you guys tried the zoo thing and even though it didn’t work out well I’m sure it was still a good experience for Lucas, no matter how short. I can’t even imagine being out with twin infants!!! You guys are so brave 🙂
April 29, 2014 at 2:58 am