We had our 5th night in the tent. Last night it was cold, and I woke up freezing and found myself trying to wrap myself around you, Forrest to keep the both of us warm. I managed to fall back to sleep and woke up with the dawn chorus. One of my favourite things to do. I heard you, Nixie at one point say you couldn't sleep and I was worried you were going to get up but luckily you also were able to fall back to sleep. 

You, Forrest, and I got up in super speed to rush to the toilets and to fill up our big jug with water so that I could make my morning coffee. Nixie, you woke up around this time and also needed the toilets but I couldn't leave the stove so said you could go on your own and this time you were actually brave enough to do so! You've been so sweet this whole time here, each day pushing your boundaries and going a bit further on your own. It's been really the sweetest thing to watch.  The coffee seemed to take ages to make and Forrest, you are very impatient this morning and just want me to make the porridge but you were able to pass the time by playing with your sloth and baby chicken.

Finally it was ready and you both devoured it in seconds. Daddy also joined us at this point.  After breakfast the three of you went to wash the dishes and I got your bag ready for forest school & then you, Nixie, wanted to show daddy your new bike tricks before daddy needed to drop you off. While daddy dropped Nixie off,  I walked with you, Forrest, while you rode your bike. You need to do the length of the campsite a few times a day. And every time we pass a horse you name them: brownie love Owen, horsey love, mama love & bb8 love, a name from star wars. You've gotten really quick on your bike now and you're even able to go up hills, you do want to practise without stabilisers again although I'm not sure you're really ready but if you want to try them of course we will!

By the time we made it back to the tent it was just at the same time daddy came back and I was making some more coffee. You and I read your other national geographic kids magazine and I love how into it you are. You especially love sticking all of the stickers on their pages. I wanted to go for a walk in the forest but all you have on your mind at the moment is cycling and this time you wanted to try again without your stabilisers so that is what we did! And you had improved so much since yesterday, there were even moments where daddy had just one hand on you. But you still need to practise looking straight ahead. 

Today was a very special day because just as we had gotten back to our tent, our amazing friends Kelly, Brent, Lois & their dog Stanley arrived as they are spending the next couple of days camping with us. Cameron is at forest school with Nixie so we will see him later. You, Forrest, were so excited to play with Lois and to have a little doggy to connect with. Daddy helped Brent set up their tent while I put the kettle on and got drinks for me & Kelly. You and Lois don’t get to play with each other on your own very often so it was extra sweet seeing the two of you together. Lois even shared her lunch with you and the two of you loved playing in their tent and then exploring the surrounding woodland. At one point you, Forrest came running up to me asking for some water and I asked why you needed it and you said that you and Lois were watering the plants to help them grow and that Lois asked you to go get some. So I gave you a water bottle and then followed you into the woods and there I saw the sweetest little scene: you and Lois watering the plants, naming them and even stroking them ever so gently to help them grow. 

Not long after a bunch of ponies came by our tent and we are always strict about not touching them or stroking them but this little foal came up to you, Forrest so fast that you had a quick little stroke before we walked away from them. I do so love this campsite and being able to be so close to them. After a while, you, Forrest wanted to ride your bike again but with your stabilisers on so the three of you (you, Lois & daddy) did your usual route to the beginning of the campsite with Lois running beside you and then taking turns to ride your bike. Me and Kelly had Stanley with us but he started getting worried about Lois so Kelly gave Stanley to Kevin and all was good in his world again. You all looked so sweet together. When you got back it was time for Brent to go pick up Nixie and Cameron from forest school (Nixie has been wanting to be in Cameron’s car for ages now so we thought this was the perfect opportunity!). While he was away the two of you continued to play games while I crocheted, daddy whittled and Kelly relaxed. It felt amazing to be in this space together just chatting away. 

Daddy was starting to get Nixie withdrawal because after Brent picked them up from forest school they also went to the grocery store and also the south african shop so they didn’t get back for a while.

When you, Nixie, Cam & Brent did finally arrive you were all smiles and the both of you had had a really great day at forest school and I really enjoyed your adventure with Brent. The first thing you, Nixie did was give me and daddy big hugs and then you snuggled Stanley, I don’t think you had realised he was coming too so it made you really happy! The rest of the evening was spent playing with your giant beach ball, riding bikes (you loved sharing your bike with Cam), and learning new tricks with Cam's diabolo. 

For dinner daddy made pasta (Cam & Lois had already eaten) but you all enjoyed sitting at our table together anyways. Forrest you began doing your burping thing and kept burping into your food and then on everyone else. It was funny for a while but then you had a bit of a hard time stopping because Nixie & Cam thought it was really funny but eventually I managed to get you to stop. After dinner Daddy & Brent went to do the dishes and all of you went along and then you had made friends with some other kids and were running around with them. At one point, you, Forrest, had an owl torch on your head that another little girl had lent to you. 

Nixie you ended up having a big fall on your bike where you really skidded and hurt your arm and you were so brave while I cleaned it and bandaged it up. You didn’t even cry which I would have done. You’ve always been like that since you were itty bitty, rarely crying if you were physically hurt. But it didn’t stop you from riding; you got straight back on your bike.

You, Forrest & Lois and I ended up going for a little explore in the forest. You and Lois had lots of fun climbing trees and even spotting some mushrooms! It wasn’t very long until Nixie joined us and we had a really beautiful time wandering around together. At one point Nixie, you found a massive toad whom you named Mrs. Thistle (you said it's the mama to Thistle, the toad you fell in love with yesterday) and the three of you were all absolutely in awe of her. Even Lois was super brave and stroked her. Forrest you gave Mrs. Thistle lots of kisses and loved having her hop around on your belly. When we got back we were greeted by a very tired Cam who had been waiting for us to return so that he could say goodnight and go to sleep. We all gathered our toothbrushes to head to the toilet block together but you, Forrest, ended up having a big upset because you didn’t want to get ready and then everyone started to walk and then you decided you wanted to go but then became so incredibly sad when everyone else made it further and you didn’t get to walk with everyone from the tent. Cam tried to cheer you up with a hug which did the trick and then all was ok. Once we were all back at our tents we said our goodnights and went into our tent to continue reading Witches before falling asleep. It took Cam & Lois a bit longer to fall asleep but when they did us 4 grown ups all enjoyed a beer and a cider together in the forest before joining you all.