on the twelfth of june, i turned thirty five. and we celebrated in the same way we did when i turned thirty, thirty one, thirty two, thirty three, and thirty four – we picnicked in the most lovely spot in all of the most lovely city in the world. i felt so happy to have one last twelfth of june in the queen mary’s rose garden in regent’s park.

the day started with ian and the boys making me a birthday cake, and a solo trip to dishoom for breakfast. i relished every bite of that bacon and egg naan roll and house granola – mmmmboy. and i thoroughly enjoyed my walk to the restaurant and back, past spectacular flowers (can you believe those peonies?!).

then we were off to regent’s park, the babies in their new summer hats 🙂

it’s really difficult to capture the queen mary’s rose garden in full bloom (and particularly on this direct-sunlight bright day). it is just sensational. to me, it is a little spot of heaven on earth.

we had picked up some food from one of my most beloved london restaurants: ottolenghi (i got food just for myself – everyone else who wouldn’t fully appreciate it got pb&j 🙂 ). our picnic was anything but peaceful but it was still really wonderful, and i loved just spending time among the roses after we ate.

we walked through the park, and past the meadows full of tiny daisies (and duck feathers!), to a playground, and then to the “secret garden,” st. john’s lodge garden.

and then back down the avenue gardens to another playground!

it was a perfect summer’s day in regent’s park. when we got home, we had cake! there was a rousing round of “happy birthday” and i had lots of help blowing out the candles. and then there was even a firework on top of the cake!!

after the kids were settled in bed, ian and i went out to eat at a cute corner pub in chelsea. i had been wanting to have a good pub meal before we moved, and it was fun to sit across a table from each other sipping elderflower cordial and enjoying thick-cut chips. we rode bikes there and walked home, and it was such a kind summer’s night.

one last london rose garden birthday. and on to the second half of my thirties (insert head exploding emoji here!).