Fun Holiday Time

We are just back from a very fun and relaxing few days at Centerparcs down in Elveden Forest, Suffolk with grandma and grandpa. We didn't take very many photos since we spent the majority of our time in the swimming pool (sorry, the tropical swimming paradise!). Toby took to the water staight away and just walked down the steps into the water and floated on his way. Beth was a little more hesitant but once she got a feel for things she would have happily stayed in there all day.

The villa was very nice with the best feature (for Beth anyway) was a huge chalkboard where she spent ages getting us to draw around her then she added the features. There was lots of wildlife about and the squirrels and ducks were very friendly. A couple of muntjak deer kept appearing in the early morning and a heron came to see what goodies the ducks were being fed. We didn't do many adventure walks this year but they did enjoy taking their torches outside for night walks.

Despite the rest of the country having horrid weather and being a few feet under water, we were extremely lucky and didn't see a spot of rain the whole time we were there. It was a little windy a couple of days but it didn't stop us doing anything. Steve and I, courtesy of grandma and grandpa, got to spend some time alone. We played a round of golf (my first in about five years) which was very relaxing since we expected to play hideously and only played awfully! We also went for two night swims (the pool was open until 10pm), very nice since it was a lot quieter than in the day, there were less children and we also didn't have to queue for the chutes and slides. :)

When walking about, Beth seemed very interested in people playing mini tennis. We thought we'd book a court and let her have a go. She loved the idea but the reality was slightly different . . . She was not impressed to find she wasn't an automatic professional and after two minutes just wanted to sit on the side. However, grandma stepped in and quickly got her hitting the ball and happily 'playing'. Toby did not have the same expectations and as such was very happy, racket in hand, chasing the ball all over. Not quite sure what the other players on the courts thought of our game, personally I suspect they were jealous of our lack of rules and wanted to join in the fun!!

It was a fantastic week - we're trying to decide whether to book for next year - we would perhaps go sooner but I doubt grandma and grandpa will have quite recovered! ;)

A Binky-Free Boy!

We are happy to report that for the last few weeks Toby has been binky free. We noticed that his teeth were starting to suffer (along with the fact that soon he'll be two and it's rather obscene to see older kids wandering about with one) so it was confiscated. He was surprisingly calm about it. He asked for it a few times but seems to accept that 'D' has gone for good. This is a pic of his lovely smile . . . binky free. :)

Beth has started going to dance classes (ballet and tap) and seems to enjoy it though she wants all the gear. After the first class she said she liked it but didn't want to go again. When I questioned her a bit more it seems she didn't want to be left out and wanted the outfit, the pretty pink ballet shoes and the cool red tap shoes. So far we've got the outfit but are still working on the shoes. I see this getting expensive, especially at the rate she grows (anyone want to sponsor a future dance star???)!

Next week we're off for a few days holiday to Centerparcs - we went this time last year and thought we'd try it again since both kids were sick. Hopefully the weather will be lovely for us . . .

Happy Halloween

I did a couple of carved pumpkins this year, two from mum and dad's garden and one that I was given at bootcamp after having used it in place of a medicine ball! That's the one in the photo - I opted for a pretty rather than scary design to grace our door this year.

We don't normally go trick or treating but Beth got her first taste of it this year with grandma and grandpa. She dressed up as a fairy witch (I didn't ask . . .) and spent a happy evening gathering treats (from pre-approved candidates). That was until she encountered a man (an unapproved daddy) with a 'dead arm'. From what we can gather, she wasn't scared of it but just didn't like it. Anyway, she is still talking about it today. Perhaps I need to find something that shocks her more than that so she stops talking about it, though it would have to be shocking enough to stop her talking at all or else there would be no point!

While Beth was doing that, I was at the Halloween hen party of a school friend, Katie. It was very relaxed and good fun. I went as a witch/wizard type in semi homemade garb (thanks mum and sorry, no pics) and Katie was a ghoulish bride. Poor girl, she knew it was her party but didn't know about the dressing up, etc. I'm sure she was looking forward to a glamorous night out on the tiles! :)