A holiday to really remember as a #MarkWarnerMum

So what makes the perfect holiday? It can be any number of factors that makes a holiday truly amazing and unforgettable. Yet fundamentally it starts with being together and getting away from it all.

It’s so hard to switch off from work mode when at home and concentrate on spending time with the kids. It’s not always easy to find the time to properly play with them, actually listen to what they have to say and respond with genuine interest. Yet it’s so important to nurture their little personalities and let them grow.

For me, it’s always been about sunny holidays. Nothing quite beats that feeling of the sun on my face and body. When I lie on a sun lounger and feel the warm breeze around me, I instantly relax. I’ll open my eyes and squint up to the vast expanse of blue sky and think to myself, ‘this is what life is all about’. If only I could bottle this feeling and sprinkle it around on rainy days…

Of course now I have a family, my sun lounging days are few and far between, but do you know what? Holidays are also a lot more fun now children are involved. They give you more of a reason to get out there and enjoy yourself and we can always learn a lot from kids.

Our holidays are now about seeking adventures with three little people in tow. Three little people that only want to enjoy themselves to the max and only see the world through innocent eyes. We want their adventures to be ones that they always remember and shape the memories from their childhood. Memories that we make together as a family and will always be cherished. The kind you reminisce about for the rest of your life and aspire to recreate. The carefree days.

Last summer we were still a family of four and a bump and we were limited in what we could do on holiday.

Now we have a little lady who has joined the ranks and it’s exciting that our children’s adventures will now be as a threesome. This summer, she will be big enough to enjoy her first holiday and she has two big brothers who can’t wait to go swimming with her.

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However, her brother’s have certainly had some fun of their own before her appearance.

What we love most about holidays…

It never gets old seeing the glee in their faces when they try something new.

Sticking together to try something a little scary ‘If you take my hand, we can jump together, okay?’.

Being in a position to sit by the poolside and just wile the time away having a little chat. Nothing is standing in your way of spending quality time just hanging out together. No pressing schedules or workloads, apart from what activity might be next or what time you plan to get ready to go out and get something to eat.

It’s also essential to look the part on holiday. Holiday accessories are key.

Sometimes it’s nice to feel the sun on your back while you dip your toes in the water. Just hanging out together, appreciating each others company.

Sunshine, pools and water jets are a pretty cool combination. However, there’s always the initial shock of that first plunge…

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When it all gets a bit too much, cuddles wrapped up in a towel can make everything better.

When it’s summertime, you can dance around in your pants if you want to.

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And walk around without a care in the world…also in your pants if you want to.

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You can wear big cheesy grins.

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It’s also a time to let your imagination run wild. Don’t you just love the magic of make believe?

It’s perfect for learning new skills in the sun…

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And it’s about simply having the time to wind down after an exhausting day outdoors…

So as a family we’re more than ready for some new adventures and challenges. The boys are at the stage where they really want to try new activities and the fearless attitude is still very much present. Something I now envy!

We want to soak up the sun on an amazing beach resort while trying out exciting pursuits on the sea. Or wrap up warm on the ski slopes and get to grips with an entirely new skill. A chance to experience what the resorts have to offer for the whole of the family, while getting some much needed time as a couple. It’s the best of both worlds.

Also, we’re crucially overdue a proper family photograph too. This is the only snap of the five of us and no one really wants Christmas thrust in their face right now, do they? I’m thinking of one with sunkissed skin and a nice sunset as a backdrop.

We love to tell a story through photos and video and our adventures on a holiday of our dreams would be no less. In fact we’re intrigued with what we could come up with…

Our holidays might not be perfect, but it’s all about being together. Having nothing that gets in the way of being silly, laughing, smiling and doing what we want to do everyday. Falling into bed everynight after a day spent doing what makes our hearts happy. That pretty much sounds like bliss.

This post is our entry for the Mark Warner Holidays’ Family Ambassador Programme in the Fab Photographer category.