Despicable Me 3 - A parental rite of passage

Sunday LIFE AS IT IS was invited to the preview of the new Despicable Me 3 movie at Leicester Square Odeon. It was of course completely brilliant and a great family day out. Parents, I'm pretty sure you'll be going... expect to laugh loads! #TakeYourMinions #InForATreat Here's me and the gang...



And here's Gru and Drew... not giving anything else away!

26/52 The GraceFaith year long art project

Choosing a favourite piece of art, each week of the year...

Esme's willow snail for the garden

A World Like Nowhere Else - A poem

A World Like Nowhere Else

Spinning on its own Axis, where seas of silk lap graceful shores,
A world like nowhere else exists
Where quintessential currents run and elegance and power converge,
And tales of timeless greats are spun and showstoppers emerge
A world for all to celebrate; light years away from ordinary
A world which deftly radiates its realm; and bows to the extraordinary
Where earthly rigours found outside and lived outside are left outside
And wishes wished are realised through all the finer tastes this land will grant
To let its spell enchant; to walk its walk once through those golden gilded gates
To gaze at beauty styled and beauty stitched on graceful form adorned
To know that bay imperious Horse immortalised and cast in bronze is Yeats
That headlines here accomplished render sporting moments starred
This Kingdom... smiling Green Coats kindly guard; this universe beyond three centuries old
Such elements, such pieces of a jigsaw wrought to mould this multi-coloured globe
A blazing beacon to the most majestic sport of all where heroes rise and heroes fall,
And Royal Ascot's world stands tallest of the tall

Henry F Birtles

FRAMED - Ladies Day at Royal Ascot

25/52 The GraceFaith year long art project

Choosing a favourite piece of art, each week of the year...



Esme makes a windsock out of what she finds in the garden!

Candy Crush Lip Balms - A review

Candy Crush Lip Balms
Flavours: Lemonade Lake, Chocolate Mountains, Bubblegum Bridge, Peppermint Palace
Available from: Primark
Age: Recommended for 6+
Price: £1.50 each


Sometimes the postman truly delivers. My children were absolutely delighted when they got home from holiday to find not one, not two, but four Candy Crush lip balms on our doorstop for them to try. Shame they never arrived in time to take away to Greece with us - they would have loved the 'grown-up-ness' of the soft and fruity long lasting glaze!

FRAMED - Sometimes, the picture says it all...

24/52 The GraceFaith year long art project

Choosing a favourite piece of art, each week of the year...

On holiday in Greece, the girls painted a picture for the kind lady Vasso, as a thank you for sharing her lovely home with us. The villa we stayed in was surrounded by bright flowers, so inspiration was everywhere!

23/52 The GraceFaith year long art project

Choosing a favourite piece of art, each week of the year...

Plant life