Like many young families putting down roots, we’ve spent the last few years focusing on our house, giving it the finishing touches that really making it a home, our home. Somewhere lovely where our little ones can grow up and enjoy their childhood. Pretty much all of our spare time, energy and money these past few years has been driven into making our fairly plain 30s terrace into our haven. Now this is done, I now dream of really enjoying ourselves and making memories outside of our little home.
Our dream holiday involves snow, and preferably lots of it! Freddie is obsessed with the stuff, and was visibly disappointed in the run up to his birthday last week, when he realised that the odds of any coming to SE London when he hit the big ‘5’ were rather slim!
I personally think there is something so magical about the snow for all ages, but in-particular young children, and all that comes with it- building snowmen, snowball fights, sledging. My family would revel in it all, and hopefully this on top of some actual skiing will mean they are so exhausted that they finally sleep beyond 5.30am! (a Mum can dream, right?).
Such a snow holiday would be perfect for active children like ours. Don’t get me wrong, I never say no to sun, sea and lots of Sangria, but when you’ve got little ones who still require lots of attention, relaxing by the pool all day with a book and a mojito can be more limited (unless there is excellent childcare, in which case i’ll make that 3 mojitos please;-) ). We find that the family that plays together, stays together! We are definite do-ers, and skiing would more than fit the bill when it comes to a holiday that really suits us.
At 5 and nearly 4, we believe that Freddie and Sasha are at the perfect age to learn the ropes on the slopes, and would benefit from starting so young. Adam and I have both skied a few times in a previous life, and I’ve had a go at boarding badly too, so we would definitely be back to basics this time around. If the small children I’ve witnessed whizz pass me before on the slopes are anything to go by (#snowploughshame), then ours will be better than us in no time!
Of course, the most important aspect of going on holiday is spending time together as a family, away from the whirlwind that is real life, and the laundry jungle that is our utility room (the bit of our home you will never see, mwhahahaha!).
That is a given.
But to me, there is SO much more that makes a ‘good’ holiday into an extra special one. When designing and styling our dream home, we wanted somewhere that is both an adult space, as well as child fun and friendly- such as when we included our chalkboard wall. Stylish, yet the children love it (and it wasn’t half fun to write rude things on it before Freddie could read). I believe the same can be applied to a holiday to make it a dream one.
As someone whose passion is interiors, styling and making all those little house-to-home bits ‘just so’, I really do think the little details count. How you are first greeted by the holiday reps and how helpful they are, and the ease at which you can pick up your ski gear from people who actually know what they’re doing which isn’t us!.
The accommodation layout and the bedroom decor that makes relaxing apres-ski a pleasure. The breathtaking view from your hotel balcony.
The sight of that first delicious hot breakfast on a chilly alpine morning, the top class soup to warm the tum at lunchtime, and the creamy hot chocolates after a busy day at ski school.
And goodness, wouldn’t it be nice to have some ‘me’ time too? (This is my dream holiday after all!) A long soak in the tub post-skiing (sans grotty kids bath toys), or even a few hours at the spa.
Of course you want your holiday to be perfect. But often there is so much pressure to make this happen, when the reality is kids are kids, and have a tendency to bring the tantrums with them wherever you go! I’ve found as a Mum of small children, what helps ease this pressure, is having the little details I’ve mentioned above and that heavenly environment to help you through those ‘threenager’ moments, so that you all still have the time of your lives.
Our little ones love playing at ‘snow days’….
…but it’s a bit hard to keep imagining the Alps in Bromley…
…And our bedroom just doesn’t quite cut it for a nursery run…
…So Mark Warner, can you make our stylish snow dreams come true, by letting the four of us work for you?!
This is our family’s entry for the #MarkWarnerMum/#MarkWarnerDad 2016 Family Ambassador scheme in the ‘Style’ Category (but we’re pretty adventurous too!) For more info, visit Mark Warner.
Love it!! x
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Thank you! x
Oh I love it so creative, good luck xxxx
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Thank you Sarah- fingers crossed! x
LOVE this – you can see how much fun everyone is having x
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Thank you Sam- they were loving it, especially the talcum powder! x
I absolutely LOVE this Becky, so creative and you really have thought of lots of cute ideas. You would 100% get my vote! 😉 x
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Thanks Katie, that means a lot! x
What a fab post I love it! I bet the kids loved the talc bit 🙂 I really hope you win lovely! xx
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Thanks so much Julia, and yes, they loved getting ‘snowy’! x
Becky what an amazing post!! Love it. I have my fingers crossed for you on this xxx
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Thanks lovely, I’m crossing everything too, it would be a dream to work with them x
Cutest ever!! Definitely a Mark Warner mum Becks, no doubt about it! You’d all be amazing&I’d be so excited to read your posts. Good luck lovely xx
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Thanks so much Em, wishing you loads of luck too, your family would be a great fit x
Love this post SO much – so creative and yet very cute. I agree that you deserve to win, you’d bring such fun and style! Good luck xx
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Thanks so much Jess, that’s such a lovely thing to say, especially since you’ve done an ace entry yourself! x
Ah I love this entry – you are all very well stylish 😀 And I love the props, how clever! Made me smile 🙂
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Aaah, thank you so much! 🙂
LOVE these two, so happy an smiley! You’re so good at organising fun things to do with these little ones, my son would move in with your two in a flash!!! xxx
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Thank you so much Katie! Woody would always be welcome to join the party! 😉 x
Great post – Good Luck!!
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Thank you Natalie!
I’ve just popped back to re-read your post and it’s still as brilliant second time round. Your little touches are genius and you’re the perfect family for style and adventure. I’d love to be on the same holiday as you guys x
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Thanks so much Rachel, glad you really like it! We’d love to work with MW, I hope we’re the kind of family they’re looking for! (and that they can forgive these slightly grainy snaps- new camera arrived yesterday to replace knackered old DSLR lens!) x
OMG, I love this. Just so cute. I especially love the snowboard pic. It looks like you guys had loads of fun making this post. I hope you get chosen!!!!
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Thanks so much Elfa x
Ha ha Becky, your snowboards and ski hats don’t look quite right with all that green suburban hedging in the background! I hope you get to go skiing. We absolutely love it – such a great family holiday. X
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I think they would look much better somewhere snowier! Thanks Suzanne, glad you like it 🙂 x
LOVE THE DUVET SLOPE! These are ace shots and your little clan would look fab whizzing around on the snow! x
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Thanks lovely Em! x
These are such lovely pictures! Good luck!
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Aah thank you so much! x
Love love love this! The snowboards and the nursery slope is just too cute! Good luck!
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Thanks Sarah, you too- you’re my favourite foodie! x
You made Mark Warner bunting… It’s actually not possible for you to not win now. #fact
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I knew you’d appreciate this Helen! 😉
What great pictures, good luck in the competition! 🙂