Bonfire Night for the Family

I remember as a little girl, my gramps would set off fireworks in the back garden on Guy Fawkes (that is what it is called in South Africa). The highlight of the night for me was the Catherine Wheel - I know that it signified the end of the fireworks display, but it used to mesmerise me. I loved how crazy yet controlled it was.

Catherine Wheel - credit Unsplash

Over the years, the fireworks laws have changed due to people's concerns for animals and nature (I also often think of the poor War veterans too - it must be awful for them) - and so I grew to accept that that was life, and that fireworks displays were a thing of the past. Some happy memory from my childhood.

This was until we arrived on the beautiful island of Malta in 2010. I don't think I have ever seen so many fireworks displays in my life - each one better than the one before. They were a spectacle, beautifully in sync with music and more like a dance performance than a pyrotechnics display. Little did we know that in the 18 months that we lived in Malta, we would hear and see fireworks almost every weekend. What a treat! But at the end, I felt that what had once excited me had slowly lost it's allure a little.

When we moved to England in 2011, I was delighted to find out that Bonfire Night was a thing - a night of light and magic. To be honest, I was never a big fan of the bangs. We arrived in London in October, so were really treated on the 5th of November, when the sky was illuminated with various beautiful displays - we were staying in a hotel, on the 10th floor, so we were really lucky. D, who was 2 at the time, was in awe - I think he has come to love and feel comforted by fireworks.

Each year since, we have tried to ensure that we watch the fireworks - sometimes from the comfort and warmth of our home, we have also been to Legoland, watched the Hook Road fireworks in Epsom a few times, and last year we headed up to the Epsom Downs which was amazing - we got to watch the fireworks all over London (honestly all the way to London Eye!!!). This year, we will be grabbing some food and driving up to a 'lookout point' again to watch as a family; and then will be attending a fireworks display at D's school.

Fireworks - credit ericspaete

We are super lucky to have such amazing child-friendly displays around the Epsom area, that I thought it would be nice to consolidate them all (if anyone is looking for somewhere to go).

Tonight, 3rd November:

• Epsom Downs Fireworks. Family tickets £14. The display begins at 7pm.
• Wimbledon Park Musical Fireworks Display. Tickets from £6 for children and £8 for adults, if bought online. There are two themed performances at 6.45pm and 8.30pm. 

Friday 4th November:

• Green Lane Fireworks Spectacular. Children's tickets are £5 and adults tickets are £7 or £22 for a family ticket. Fireworks start at 7pm. 
• Chipstead Bonfire Night. Children's tickets are £3 and adults tickets are £6. Bonfire will be lit at about 7.30pm with fireworks starting at about 8pm.

Saturday, 5th November:

• Hook Road Fireworks and Funfair. Tickets are £7.50 on the gate or £5 if bought in advance. The display begins at approximately 7.30pm.
• Morden Park Musical Fireworks Display. Tickets from £6 for children and £8 for adults, if bought online. There are two themed performances at 6.45pm and 8.30pm. 
• Round Table Carshalton Fireworks. Tickets are £5, if purchased before 4/11, or £7.50 on the night. Children under 5 are free. Display will commence at 7pm, followed by a bonfire. 
• Banstead CC Fireworks Display. Entrance by donation. Display at approximately 7.30pm. 

**Buttershly Kisses cannot be held responsible for any changes or cancellations to these events**

I hope that whatever you decide to do for Bonfire Night, that you have a really wonderful, magical and safe time!

Please comment below if you know of any other fireworks displays in the area. I will also post photos of our fun on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter - follow me to keep in touch!

Goodbyes!

One of the hardest decisions of my life was deciding to leave my birth country. The country I grew up in, and had lived in for 22 years - the country where most of my family live, the country that I met the love of my life, and the country in which my little boy was born.

I have lived away from my family now for two and a half years, and while most of the visits end in very teary goodbyes, this last visit had to be THE worst. Don't get me wrong, the visit was amazing and full of very extraordinary memories, including a family photo shoot - but the goodbye was heart-breaking.

My little boy is three years old now (a very special age). He is at the age where he makes amazing connections with people, can hold a relatively good conversation and has a very distinctive way of making people feel important and loved. He has most people wrapped quite tightly around his little fingers.

My parents, who come across to visit us relatively often, have just been over - as I said in the last post (they flew to the US, and stopped over in the UK). My dad and my son were so connected, it was as though they were one soul living in two seperate bodies - truly very special to watch. 

This all came to a rather heart-wrenching end, the minute the taxi arrived to take them to the airport. We had obviously worked my son up for the farewell - but the minute we told him he'd have to say goodbye, he broke down. He cried from deep within his little heart, and it broke my heart - his first heart-break. Needless to say it was the worst farewell I have ever had to witness. 

While it is so lovely to be able to live in another country, there is nothing more lonely than living so far away from your family.

We Skype-d them tonight, and my little boy was back to his happy little self, quite content that granny and grampa were back on the other side of the computer. We were really worried how he would take seeing them again.

Hope you have a lovely Friday tomorrow, and an awesome weekend! 

Love Kalli x

M.I.A

I apologise for my absence of late - however life has been really crazy. I feel like I am stretched out very thin - trying to fulfil all my commitments and responsibilities, as well as being a mommy. No that I am complaining, I love being super busy!

My parents came to visit us from South Africa - which was AMAZING! But short. (They were flying through London, to the US). I have started jogging - which I was really committed to for a few days, and then put it off for two days and have lost interest. My motivation is so bad, until I get into a serious routine.

I have opted to help organise mommy get together in the area - which is great, as I have found a lot of moms (especially new moms) would love to meet new friends, but don't know quite how to go about meeting new people. My husband says it's like a dating site. Hahaha! Why shouldn't it be though... Meeting a great friend, is kind of like meeting a partner (minus the intimate side, of course!!!)

I also celebrated my 25th birthday a few weeks ago - which was quite a HUGE thing for me. I don't quite know why, but I feel like 25 is more important than 21 (in South Africa, you are legal at 18, so I never quite understood why there was so much emphasis on 21).

We have also been doing loads of outings, parties, etc - this weekend is our first one at home, which is actually nice! Think I might go and have an afternoon nap...

Have a great weekend everyone!
Love K x