Looking through my blog you might think life was pretty perfect with three little Princesses. Mostly I write about the good stuff, days out and fun we've had. I fill it with cute pictures of well behaved children….well sometimes it's not perfect and like everyone's else children, sometimes they play up.
On a recent adventure to search for some snowdrops and the first glimpse of the promise of Spring, we experienced one of those days. We did our research and discovered Rococo garden, Painswick, Gloucestershire had an amazing display. As well as the pretty flowers, they had a wood to run around, a maize to explore and a cafe with cake. The girls were quite happy to go. They were told they couldn't pick flowers but they could run and play.
* Please note Husband took all of these photos as I had my hands full with a grumpy child!
All was good until about 15 minutes into our adventure (which everyone was really enjoying), then Rosie turned into miserable, whining, crying little thing. It was awful. I tried every parenting tactic I could think of to cheer her up from asking what was wrong, to distraction, reassurance & cuddles, trying to make her smile and giggle until finally I got cross! I didn't shout and scream but she knew she was in trouble. Nothing worked though.
Everyone was looking at us, I felt like a terrible Mum and parent who couldn't control her daughter. It was pretty awful. Despite that though, the place itself was gorgeous. Steeped in history it was interesting as well as beautiful. We would definitely go back again….maybe when it's a bit warmer.
Despite her grumpiness, there were a few smiles and we did manage to get some lovely family photos:
It really was a lovely place to explore and we would recommend. Despite Rosie turning into the devil child we are enjoying getting out and out at weekends and writing them up every week too. In fact some weeks we are getting out more so I have a little stock pile of these posts now.
Karen x
Sam @happyhomebird
February 8, 2014 at 12:19 am (11 years ago)Ooh this looks like such a great place to visit. Fab pictures especially the one of the girls in front of that beautiful pinky building with the fancy window.
Would Like To Be
February 8, 2014 at 2:12 pm (11 years ago)It really was pretty!
Becky Willoughby (@LakesSingleMum)
February 8, 2014 at 12:21 am (11 years ago)Horrid when they let us down! Looks a magical place to visit
Would Like To Be
February 8, 2014 at 2:13 pm (11 years ago)It really was magical, luckily this doesn’t happen often
Charly Dove
February 8, 2014 at 12:41 am (11 years ago)They’re always tough those days when they don’t want to play aren’t they. Usually in public places too! Sounds like an amazing place to visit though – love those curly tree roots and the snowdrops especially. Some great photos there 🙂
Would Like To Be
February 8, 2014 at 2:57 pm (11 years ago)Of all the visits to play up it was this one where we paid & there were lots of people around. Usually on the free walks where we hardly see anyone else, she’s as good as gold!
Mumof2.com
February 8, 2014 at 9:24 am (11 years ago)Husband did a very good job with the photos! I love the snowdrops one and can’t wait for them to all show themselves around our village. Popping over from #Countrykids
Would Like To Be
February 8, 2014 at 2:59 pm (11 years ago)Love snowdrops, he’s the photographer in our house & is teaching me. Snowdrops all around a village sounds idyllic
Coombemill - Fiona
February 8, 2014 at 10:54 am (11 years ago)What a picturesque place for a family day out! Such a shame that Rosie was having an off day and didn’t enjoy herself as much as her sisters. Love the animal hats and all the lovely photos, thanks for linking up and sharing with Country Kids.
Would Like To Be
February 8, 2014 at 3:00 pm (11 years ago)The animal hats are cool with scarves & gloves in one. It really was a great place to visit & we will go back!
Mummy to boyz
February 8, 2014 at 1:45 pm (11 years ago)Lovely pics- I hate days when our boy is like that, luckily he seems better when we’re outside so #CountryKids is ideal for us.
Would Like To Be
February 8, 2014 at 3:01 pm (11 years ago)It’s so embarrassing. Luckily we dont experience this often but you’re right, being outside is great for them & usually stops this sort of behaviour.
The Reading Residence
February 8, 2014 at 1:59 pm (11 years ago)Oh yes, love those moments! Your photos look gorgeous, and it does look a lovely place to visit – maybe one to go back to and hope for a cheerier time?!
Would Like To Be
February 8, 2014 at 3:02 pm (11 years ago)They’ve all said they would love to go ack so maybe when it’s a bit warmer!
Kriss MacDonald
February 8, 2014 at 2:05 pm (11 years ago)I love those tree roots and am jealous your getting signs of spring. What beautiful photos of a lovely place to visit. And oh boy do I relate when a young one gets into a ‘mood’ and it seems impossible to shift them out of it.
Would Like To Be
February 8, 2014 at 3:03 pm (11 years ago)Haha, I love blogging. It always make you feel better when people leave comments like this reassuring you really aren’t the only one! Thank you. It was gorgeous though x
Sara (@mumturnedmom)
February 8, 2014 at 3:25 pm (11 years ago)What a beautiful place for a day out! And, lovely to get some family photos in there too 🙂 I feel your pain with the grumpy child thing… In fact, just this morning I have had most definitely had one of those!
Would Like To Be
February 8, 2014 at 4:31 pm (11 years ago)Hope your day improved! I was surprised we got as many family pictures as we did. Even ones with her smiling x
Sara@A Frugal Wife
February 8, 2014 at 5:59 pm (11 years ago)Oh dear I know those grumps well and I hope you didn’t find it too stressful. It looks like a beautiful place to visit.
Would Like To Be
February 9, 2014 at 8:09 am (11 years ago)Thank you. We survived and managed to enjoy ourselves too. Would go back when warmer as I think that was half the problem 🙂
Rosie @Eco-Gites of Lenault
February 8, 2014 at 6:40 pm (11 years ago)I used to live near the Rococo Gardens but never visited. Looks like I missed a great place. Love all those snowdrops.
Would Like To Be
February 9, 2014 at 8:06 am (11 years ago)It really was beautiful. Its always the way though, when you live near something you don’t necessarily go 🙂
Zoe Corkhill (Mama Geek)
February 9, 2014 at 12:43 am (11 years ago)What a lovely place to visit, and some beautiful photos there too. I think that we all have those days when we’re out and your child just doesn’t co-operate with anything! I hope it didn’t stress you out too much – it looks like you managed to enjoy your outing despite the case of the grumps so that’s good 🙂
Would Like To Be
February 9, 2014 at 8:14 am (11 years ago)Thank you. We did manage to have a pretty good day regardless but think it would have been brilliant if she had been happier. Luckily we don’t get too many of these days. She’s not usually that grumpy 🙂
LauraCYMFT
February 9, 2014 at 8:07 pm (11 years ago)Kids eh? Looks like you had a great day though. Lovely photo of the 5 of you! x
Would Like To Be
February 10, 2014 at 2:15 pm (11 years ago)Thank you. It was amazing we got any nice photos but we got some so was worth it x
MummaG
February 12, 2014 at 5:28 pm (11 years ago)This looks lovely, why is it we always feel so embarrassed when our children play up? Glad you still had some moments with smiles 🙂
Would Like To Be
February 13, 2014 at 6:23 pm (11 years ago)You can’t help feeling embarrassed though can you? Everyone staring at you haha x