I adore my childhood holiday home in Southbourne. My Grandpa bought it long before I was born and now a new generation of children are creating childhood memories on the same stretch of sand. I realised that for the last year we have developed a blue print for our time down there. A glorious weekend, come rain or shine. A play on the beach, drinks at the beach hut, a boat ride at Christchurch and an adventure at Moors Valley Country Park.

We are so lucky that our closest friends adore it too.

Every year at Christmas we sit down as a family (Cousins, Auntie, Sister, Mum) and put in for the dates we would like. We have 3 sets of friends that we love to go there with and we always have a week in the summer. This year our summer week will be even more special as I will be sharing it with my new niece or nephew! Wow I almost can't believe it!

Here's a snapshot of our last weekend in sunny Southbourne last month! I MUST start to print some of my mobile photos, it's easy to forget just how much we rely on our phones to take pictures but how often do we back them up onto laptops or PCs? Off to save all mine now!

I stumbled upon this book and I can't put it down. Maybe it's because my sister had her 20 week scan last week and I am an over enthusiastic Auntie in waiting, but it could just be for the curious photography, revealing pretty and not so pretty international signage design.

I see something different every time I flick through it.

An innovative, modern day names book. No lists just engaging and thought provoking photographs, which have a story behind them that I play over in my mind. The author describes the book as a lovingly devised and artistically designed collection of people-less portraits. Which is ironic considering the subject matter is people and their names!

My sister and brother in law have always had 2 names. One for a boy and one for a girl. I love the fact that they happily indulge everyone in debating alternatives when I am pretty certain they are fixed on their favourites. I bought them a copy too as a baby shower present (I want to keep the other - it's too interesting to give away).

Could it be a sign? Only one of the names features in the book! They opted to cover their eyes (literally) during the scan when the sonographer said "if you don't want to know then look away at this part"! Have a guess at which one it is from all the photos of names that feature in our family?!

How did you choose your baby's name?

What are your little, or not so little anymore, ones called? Have you ever seen a sign with their name on and stopped for a photo?!

In our house first came canine then came man. Well boys. Our beloved westies Mabel and Moose were our babies for 2 years before the first of the Heath brothers was born.

They adapted really well the first time, as big boy didn't take a huge interest in them and they soon realised that if you wait patiently under a toddler's high chair, eventually a soggy treat will head your way.

However, small boy thinks they are the world's best walking toy. Something to pounce on when they are sleeping on the sofa, has a tail that must be asking to be grabbed, if it's waving so joyfully at his chubby hands. Something that will quite happily tickle you with slobbery kisses if you have leftover jam on your face.

I have always been cautious. After all they are dogs. I am always aware that in a second a harmless playful situation could turn ugly, even with the gentlest of dogs.

A way that we have encouraged our 4 babies to play in harmony is role play. Welcome to the Heath Veterinary Centre!

A simple game of vets under my watchful supervision has led to the dogs being more used to being closely handled by the children and reinforced gentle strokes and smoothes from the boys.

I show the boys how grown ups check their ears, mouths and feet and then we brush their coats, a productive activity all 4 enjoy. We use our toy vet set and talk about how some people's dogs might not like to be stroked and that you always have to ask the owner's permission.

We retell the story about Moose being so poorly as a puppy with a shunt and draw X-rays to hold up as if we are at the vets. How Moose had to be very brave and have an operation, thank goodness for our pet insurance, it saved us, and how funny he looked with his tummy all shaved.

It has helped big boy's understanding and fear of operations and emphasises the need to be gentle.

We read all sorts of books and helpful information online about which breed was most suited to a family environment but the supervised physical interaction between them has undoubtedly help strengthen the relationship between the children and the dogs, plus the dogs feel included! It is so easy for the pets to feel left out when babies come along.