Jackies Life: September 2015

Sam had a week off work - and we could't go away as her passport has expired. We decided to have a Staycation instead and planned activities for the whole week. Charlotte happily came over to let the dogs out so we could stay out for as long as we liked.

Saturday 12th - we had our swimming lesson as usual and went out shopping in the afternoon.
Sunday 13th - James, Charlotte and Anya came over to help fit the swing arm on the playset - and they had dinner with us, delicious roast lamb from Waitrose!

Anya loved swinging -

Marcus wasn't so sure!

Monday 14th - this was meant to be the wettest day of the week - so we planned an inside activity at 360 Play in MK. It was very quiet as its term time - and we all had a great time playing. Sadly the food wasn't up to much and Sam raised a complaint with the kitchen manager. Still it didn't spoil the day!

Brave boy!

Dressing up!

Sliding with Mummy Sam

The only picture of the three of us

Tuesday 15th - Today we took Marcus to Woodside Farm - this place has been around for years, Robin and Charlotte used to love it and Sam and Pip went as children too. We thought we might have to stay in the carpark as Marcus spotted some chickens through the fence!
We had some food to feed the animals - I managed to feed a goat the whole lot, bag and all!
Marcus enjoyed the animal encounter and the tractor ride. We were lucky with the weather - we even got some sunshine!

Car park chickens!

Balancing

What can you see?

A flamingo bottom!

Brum brum

Tractor ride

Gentle hands

Wednesday 16th - Today we walked up to the soft play session in the village. Marcus had a nice time playing and we had a chance to catch up with a couple of the ladies from our NCT group and their children.
We had lunch at home and in the afternoon drove over to Clapham to go swimming at Bodyflight. We had a lovely time - its a small pool and was very quiet. Marcus will float off on his own with the swimfin on and kick his way to the edge. He is very confident in the water now.

Thursday 17th - We drove to Lymington to see Aunty Pip arriving just in time to have lunch - a picnic in her conservatory. Mummy Sam had made some lovely things for us to eat.
After lunch we drove to a dog friendly beach at Highcliffe - not the one we went to last year but just as nice.
Marcus walked along the cliff path - about a 15 minute walk, without needing a carry. Sam took Marcus down onto the beach while I sorted out the dogs - Marcus immediately fell in a pool and had to be stripped off!
Both the dogs and Marcus had a great time - the dogs chasing the toy and Marcus digging with Aunty Pip and Mummy Sam.
On the way back to the car we bought Marcus an ice lolly - which melted all over all of us in seconds.
The traffic coming home was dreadful - but we made it back just in time to have fish and chips from the Chip Van in the village. Pip is staying until Saturday morning.

Friday 18th - Today we go to Mead Open Farm, we had planned to go to Wickstead with Pip but realised that most of the rides are shut on weekdays during term time. Marcus loved the farm - there was a lot of interesting play equipment as well as the animals and an indoor soft play area. We had lunch there - a big improvement on the food at 360 and some vegan choices too.

Climbing fun

Lets race Aunty Pip

Lamb National

Feeding the goats

Gentle hands

JCB Land

Stroking a chicken

Hello bunny!

Saturday 19th -

After our swimming lesson we set off for a trip to Wickstead Park with two of our boys - Rowan wasn't well enough to come with us. It was a beautiful, sunny and warm day and we started our day out with a picnic lunch.
After lunch we enjoyed the rides - with Sam and Theo going on nearly everything! Theo loved the fast rides very much! Marcus went on everything he was big enough for and also enjoyed walking through the bird aviary.
Wickstead is a great place for little ones - and because it was out of season we didn't queue at all which was great. We will definitely visit again next year!