Days Out

And breathe…

March 27, 2021 by Penny Leave a Comment

Yesterday the kids broke up from school for Easter. Just getting my head properly round that statement is mentally exhausting. In one way it seems like they’ve only just gone back – and in a way the 8 March school return wasn’t very long ago – and yet in another way the Christmas holidays feel like they were a lifetime ago.

At Christmas we were so looking forward to some downtime as a family after a hectic term at school, but with actually getting Covid that just never happened. Instead we ended isolation and literally fell into homeschooling in a full lockdown the very next morning. What timing.

As a family we’re incredibly lucky. Both of us adults had full blown Covid, but were able to just look after ourselves at home. If the kids caught it (or more likely had it first and then gave it to us) none of them had any symptoms at all. None of us are suffering long term and my husband’s company paid him sick pay both whilst he was isolating and when he still didn’t feel well enough to go back for a few days afterwards. My self employed work has suffered, but that’s to be expected as there are only so many hours in each day and it’s impossible to fit in homeschooling and working whilst also juggling a toddler. I normally manage the latter two together, but all three is just too much.

The kids have loved going back too school, and despite not everything being back to normal they’re still so happy. It’s strange for me to no longer know everything that they’re up to school-wise, but they don’t seem to have any problems with that concept. The youngest is missing them during the school day, but also enjoying having my full attention again.

After over three months stuck at home I’m now very ready for all this to be over. Apart from school, essential shopping and walks round our local streets I’ve only been further afield once – a five minute drive to a National Trust site where we went for a walk and to fly the kite. It honestly felt as refreshing as a luxury holiday. We even treated ourselves to a coffee and a chocolate brownie. It was like a five star meal!

From Monday the rules change again and I can’t wait to be able to venture a little further afield for walks and maybe even meet up with some friends in the process. I’ve missed water so much and am so looking forward to returning to the tow paths of the local canals. If all goes according to plan we’ll even be able to visit attractions by the 12th April and as the kids have an INSET day that day I was thrilled to be able to book tickets for our most local model village. The kids are already incredibly excited. They’ve missed days out so much over the last year and after such a wash-out at Christmas I really hope Easter means we can finally spend some quality time together relaxing and just being a family without being dosed up on paracetamol and struggling to keep my eyes open!

The last week has seen people marking a year since the first lockdown started and I want to make the time to look back at everything we’ve been through in that last year. So much, both as individuals and as a family too. In a way we’ve done so much too, but then it also looks like time has stood still. It’s certainly been a year that none of us every expected to live through.

Easter Fun at Squires Garden Centres

April 9, 2019 by Penny Leave a Comment

AD: We were invited to Squires Garden Centre in Stanmore to try out their Easter children’s activities. Full disclosure at end of post.

First morning of the school Easter holidays and I woke to the sound of a baby crying and rain hitting our bedroom window. Looking outside you could only just see the houses opposite thanks to the fog that had been lingering there all night. Normally all this would fill me with horror, but this time around I was the super organised mum who had a wet weather plan up her sleeve ready for such an eventuality. Bundling the kids in the car we headed off down the M1 to Squires Garden Centre in Stanmore.

Until I had a house and children I have to admit that I thought garden centres were places that pensioners went to as a way of filling their days. How wrong I was! Now, they’re exactly the kind of place that I take the kids to for a good morning out. Especially during the school holidays.

We hadn’t been to Squires before, and as I found myself driving up the drive of their Stanmore garden centre I found myself wondering why. It’s really not at all far from where I live, it’s easy to get to from the M1 and A41 and it’s also very close to where my step-daughter goes to a weekend drama class.

As I pulled up I was instantly rather impressed by the place. So many garden centres seem to have a bit of a shabby car park with sun-faded signs and a random assortment of trolleys that all look like they’ve seen better days. Squires couldn’t have been any more different. Everything was smart and tidy and looked very well cared for. We parked up and headed inside and I was delighted to see that my strong first impression of Squires was spot on.

We had been invited to Squires Garden Centre to try out their Easter children’s activities. Each holiday they run something different for children and this year they are invited to plant an Easter container (either a colourful watering can or bucket) with succulents. And if that wasn’t enough they can also go on a spring treasure hunt around the garden centre finding clues which lead them to a magic word which can be exchanged for a gourmet chocolate pizza slice. Little Miss C was thrilled about the idea of a spot of gardening (she gets her green fingers from her Dad, not me!) and Master C was focussed somewhat more on the chocolate!

Planting an Easter Container

Both children were provided with plastic aprons to protect their clothes, and then invited to pick out a container for their Easter planting. There were a selection of metal watering cans and buckets to choose from and both of mine were instantly attracted to the watering cans.

They then also got to choose what plant(s) they wanted to go inside. LMC selected one larger succulent, whilst Master C went for two contrasting ones. If I’d been clever (and not distracted by a hungry Tube Stop Baby) I’d have asked exactly what plants they were, but I’m hoping my green fingered mother can provide that added bit of information in the comments below when she reads this post!

The kids were then shown how to release their chosen plans from the pots without damaging their roots, and told what they needed to do to plant them in their watering cans. There was a low down table set out for them with small trugs of compost in the middle and scoops they could use to get it. Everything just seemed so well thought out with plastic coverings, baby wipes for dirty hands and a member of staff armed with a dustpan and brush for compost spills from overenthusiastic little hands.

They both had a ball planting their containers and it was interesting to see a group of 13 children who were part of a holiday childcare scheme arrive just after us. Chatting to the adults with them it seems they’re a huge fan of all the craft activities there and regularly take the children in their care there most school holidays.

I was really impressed with the finished containers and both now very proudly have them on their bedroom window sills at home. There was the option to add some Easter stickers to the containers at the end, and Master C did so, but LMC claimed she was going for the plain “understated look” instead.

Spring Treasure Hunt

Next up was Master C’s favourite activity – the spring treasure hunt. They had to work their way around the whole garden centre looking for clues which would then give them a final spring word that they could use to claim a gourmet chocolate pizza slice.

Whist they both set of enthusiastically I saw the potential in this as a way for me to be able to have a good mooch around the place. The clues themselves were nicely dotted all around, and at a great height for the kids to find them all. As it happens though they were also so taken by some of the things they came across in the garden centre that they didn’t just rush around as fast as I was expecting them to.

Both lingered for quite a while by the vast array of water features that you can buy – and decided that I simply had to have a £1000 waterfall one for my tiny back garden – and also the animal statues. If they had their way the garden would have a giant panda sat sunning himself next to said thousand pound waterfall!

Squires in Stanmore also has a lovely pets and aquatic section, with would be well worth a visit for small children on its own. As well as a few outdoor ponds of fish for sale, there were also numerous tanks inside, that were all incredibly clean and full of an array of fish. Tube Stop Baby sat in her pushchair staring at them for ages whilst the older two decided which ones they might like to take home.

I managed to linger a while in the gift and home-wares section and it gave me an excellent opportunity to pick up a birthday present for my mother in law.

Clues eventually found and magic word exchanged for chocolate we then headed for a well learnt cup of tea in the Squires cafe bar and once again I was incredibly impressed.

I was greeted with an array of gorgeous looking cake options to go with my cuppa, and had we wanted to stay for lunch there was also a menu full of specials for us to choose from. Both light bites and main meals. In the end I went for a delicious homemade scone (that was still warm when I cut into it!) with jam and cream and I can tell you that I’ll definitely be bringing Bonn back for another cream tea there.

Why we’ll be back

Sharing a picture of Master C’s creation on Instagram whilst we were sat in the cafe a friend instantly commented saying how they love going there for the kids activities with her son. I think that comment sums it all up really. The kids had a fantastic morning today. I also had a lovely morning too. It was nice seeing both of them enjoy themselves so much, but also learning about how to plant up a container and how to care for their containers once they got them back home. I also really enjoyed going round the garden centre and spotted so many things I would have loved to have bought for my home and garden. It was also so nice to go somewhere where you could get a really nice cuppa and have a sit down afterwards too. Add in the fact that there were spacious baby changing facilities as well and it really was a win-win morning out.

Easter Fun at Squires Garden Centres – what you need to know

Children can plant an Easter container to take home with them for £6 each, and the spring treasure hunt is £2 per child, and everyone gets a gourmet chocolate pizza slice if they complete it. Both excellent value for money in my opinion.

These popular “Create & Grow” activities run from Monday 8th April to Thursday 18th April (weekdays only) from 10am-3pm. There’s no need to book, you can just turn up on the day. The activities run at all Squires Garden Centres except Chertsey. A full list of Squires Garden Centres and where to find them is on their website here.

Disclaimer: We were invited as guests to Squires Garden Centre in Stanmore for Little Miss C and Master C to try their Easter holiday Create and Grow activities. We bought our own refreshments in the cafe bar there having liked the look of it and decided to stop off. All opinions remain our own.

BBC Ten Pieces Prom – taking kids to the proms

August 17, 2018 by Penny Leave a Comment

There are some experiences in life that just blow your kids minds. That’s exactly how I would describe taking my children to the Royal Albert Hall for the BBC Ten Pieces Prom. I have never seen such a look of wonder on their faces and found the whole experience quite emotional if I’m honest.

Let me backtrack a bit in my tale…

BBC Proms

Firstly. The Proms.

If you’re British you know about the BBC Proms. They’re an institution and rightly so. It’s likely that people are most familiar with the world famous Last Night of the Proms, but musically that’s just scratching the surface. The Proms actually go on over eight weeks and include daily classical concerts – with most taking place at the Royal Albert Hall in London’s Kensington.

The thing that always amazes me is how varied the Proms programme is. There really is something there to suit all different classical music tastes. From world music to famous tunes that you hear regularly. And hundreds of different pieces in-between. I’m lucky enough to have been to the Proms once before and I’ve always known that it was an experience that I want to share with my kids.

Proms for Kids

When it comes to getting children involved in the Proms there is a whole schedule for families. In the BBC’s own words:

There are regular matinees for all the family to enjoy, with tickets half-price for all young people aged 18 and under. Or for families looking to delve deeper into the music, the Proms Family series offers the perfect introduction to the classical Proms. Whether you play an instrument or sing, whether you are a complete novice or an aspiring virtuoso, come and join in the fun at our family-friendly workshops.

As part of this family programme we were lucky enough to be invited along to the second of the two Ten Prices Prom (Prom 20) and also the accompanying Proms Children’s Press Conference, held at the neighbouring Imperial College Union.

BBC Ten Pieces

The BBC Ten Pieces project has the aim of opening up the world of classical music to 7 – 14 year olds across the UK. To educate and inspire them to develop their own creative response to the music. The initiative was launched in 2014 and has so far reached over four million people across the UK. The project provides an amazing set of teaching resources for this age group, all based around ten pieces of classical music.

They are currently on the third list of Ten Pieces which forms the central core of the programme, with teaching resources arranged either by piece or via other theme. These ten pieces were then included in the Ten Pieces Prom, as ten musical spells to help bring the Firebird back home to the Royal Albert Hall.

BBC Ten Pieces Prom

The Prom itself was a beautiful musical story which not only introduced the audience to the ten pieces, but brought them all together with the firebird story and also dance and poetry. It really was a showcase of the arts, and an amazing way of introducing children to more than just music.

With children’s television’s Naomi Wilkinson as the musical spell-caster, we also had the on stage delights of Shakespearean actor Paapa Essiedu (as composer Joseph Bologne) and the magical Josie Lawrence (as eccentric music bird spotter Molly Finch).

The three of them took the audience on a musical journey to find the Firebird and bring him back home.

With pieces as varied as Aaron Copland’s Rodeo Hoe-Down and Kerry Andrew’s No Place Like the Ten Pieces list really does give children a huge variety of music to help inspire them. I particularly loved Kerry’s vocal composition – full of human observation and humour.

Brave New Voices

Another inspiring part of the Prom for me was the performance of the poem Home by Brave New Voices. Brave New Voices is English PEN’s ongoing outreach programme for young people from refugee and asylum-seeker backgrounds.

The group created this poem having been inspired by Dvorak’s New World Symphony. It was performed in English and Arabic and was, quite simply, breathtaking. There was a lovey clip from this on the BBC News website in advance of the Prom and it makes you realise what an incredibly piece of work the Brave New Voices project is.

The Royal Albert Hall

As if the Prom itself wasn’t enough for the kids, there was also the spectacular Royal Albert Hall for them to take in. None of the three of them had visited before and even as an adult I remember it taking my breath away the first time I went in. It is a huge space. Incredibly impressive. Like nothing they’d ever seen before. The closest Master C could come was comparing it to the circus! I suppose he’s right when you think about it being in the round like a circus is – but it did make me laugh when he kept telling people over the next few days that he’d been to “a concert at the circus”.

BBC Proms Children’s Press Conference

As if a Prom wasn’t enough for a day out in London, the kids also got the excitement of going along to the BBC Proms Children’s Press Conference first. Hosted by Barney Harwood of Blue Peter fame, this press conference gave children the opportunity to pose questions to leading musicians to find out what it takes to make it in music.

On stage with Barney were composer Bushra El-Turk, saxophonist Jess Gillam and clarinetist and composer Mark Simpson. All three of them spoke passionately about how they made it in music. The dedication and determination that they had to show as children and how hard work and practice can pay off.

Whilst none of our three show an interest in becoming a musician (yet!) what came across loud and clear was how the messages that all four of them on stage were giving could be read across to other professions. My step-daughter wants to be an actor, but as is often the case when you’re young, has received some set-backs in her aspirations. The messages that Jess and Mark were giving in particular about not giving up and remaining focussed on an end goal were so important for her to hear from someone other than her Dad.

The girls were also completely starstruck to meet Barney. He’s been a key part of all their Blue Peter watching over the years and they were particularly excited to see him in the flesh, and really that he’s actually a real human being! Little Miss C was incredibly proud to put on her recently acquired Blue Peter badge for the occasion and was thrilled when Barney asked her about it.

A musical education in the arts

I have to say that our afternoon at the Proms was definitely a school holiday highlight for all three kids. Not only did they get the experience of amazing classical music being played by incredibly musicians (the BBC Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Rafael Payare and accompanied by the BBC Singers) in a world-class venue, but there were also so many other messages that they took away, especially from the press conference. I feel that it was an important step in their arts education for all three of them, and one which I urge any parent to try to follow.

Disclaimer: We were invited as guests to the BBC Ten Pieces Prom. The accompanying BBC Proms Children’s Press Conference was free of charge to attend. All opinions remain my own.

All photographs thanks to and copyright BBC/Pete Dadds.

Pregnancy Diary – Weeks 25 and 26

August 15, 2018 by Penny 1 Comment

Pregnancy seems to be speeding up. I’m sure of it!

I’m now at the stage where I think I’ve honestly forgotten how pregnant I am. I can just about work it out if I use my fingers and consult the diary, but it seems that I’m so busy right now that I don’t just have it instantly to mind.

Exhaustion

What I would say about the last two weeks is that I have felt utterly exhausted. I’m not sure if it’s just down to trying to cram in a lot of stuff with all three kids the first weekend, but by Monday and Tuesday I was no use to anyone.

The first weekend had been crazy with a visit to the Dunstable Kite Festival, along with a very long day in London. We managed to squeeze in both a children’s festival and a children’s Prom (watch out for the blog post about it very, very soon) into one day. On opposite sides of London. Without very long at all to get between the two. And without any proper plans for lunch. What I learnt was that I need to slow down a bit. And eat properly. Valuable lessons that I’m trying to take forwards into the rest of the school summer holidays.

Lazy days at home

If there is a plus side form overdoing it though it is realising how much my kids like a day in which we do very little. A day full of board games, television, baking and happily pottering about the house. Don’t get me wrong – the house is a tip at the end of it – but I think we all needed a few lazy days like this. It gave us time to reconnect somewhat and spend some quality time together at home.

Master C has got a bit of a thing for board games at the moment, so when he’s not playing with his trains he’s keen to find someone to play either Snake and Ladders or Ludo with him. Something I’m more than happy to agree to. Well, for the first nine or ten times!

Regaining my fitness levels

Another thing that I’ve noticed with this pregnancy is that I’m nowhere near as fit as I was with the last too. Back then I did the school run on foot and just generally seemed to have so much more energy. This time round I’m desperate to go to bed at the end of the day and in comparison walking and exercising very little.

I’m feeling. bit bad about that. Especially since I haven’t even been able to make it to my weekly aqua natal class for about 6 weeks now.

The only regular bit of exercise I have been getting is when I take the kids to their swimming lessons once a week. I’ve made a real effort to start swimming lengths again whilst they have their lessons. It’s a good thing for me to do – mentally and physically – and I’m realising I really do need to make some time to look after myself a bit better. I need to make time to go for walks and do other bits of exercise, as well as eating better too.

As I sit here writing this I have a week where the kids are staying with their Dad, and I’m trying to use it as an opportunity to get properly organised for the rest of the year. With the wedding and the baby I know that the next five or six months are going to be crazily busy and I also know that I need to be on top of things so nothing gets dropped. I just need to make sure I put time in my plans to concentrate on myself too.

Midwife appointment

Speaking of looking after myself, one thing that I do religiously make time for is medical appointments. I have to admit that I don’t understand people who don’t keep regular appointments. You’re responsible for a little life inside you. How can you not make the time to go and see the Doctor or midwife?

I therefore waddled off to the local doctors’ surgery for my 25 week mid-wife appointment, which was short and sweet. Although luckily not as disappointing as the last one was. This time around I did get to listen to the baby’s heartbeat, but to be honest there wasn’t a whole much more to the appointment.

A quick feel of my tummy told the midwife that baby (unsurprisingly) wasn’t head down yet, and all my blood pressure and urine sample were also fine. I’ve already got the next two appointments with her in the diary and at those I’ve been told to expect another set of blood tests and also my Anti-D injection. It seems the way they do Anti-D is different from when I had my son and daughter, so that’s yet another thing I have to get my head around.

Travelling around

I’ve also been making the most of the times when the kids have been staying with their Dad to accompany B on some of his work travels. I generally find that if I stay at home I end up not working that well as I get distracted by the various jobs that need doing instead. I therefore try and find cafes with wifi near where he is working and go with him and concentrate on my work whilst he is at work. I can make a cheap cup of coffee or tea last a good couple of hours if needs be, but it does mean I get so much more done. At the same time I can also make the most of the car journeys for a bit of crochet or sewing (which is like mental therapy to me!) and get to see a bit of the country at the same time.

Brighton

We were lucky enough to be in Brighton the day before Brighton Pride and loved the carnival atmosphere in the town. I found some gorgeous cafes and shops and even managed to find my wedding dress on a sale rack for the bargain price of £15 whilst there! That afternoon we sat on the beach watching the waves come in and it was just perfect.

Colchester

I also tagged along when he had to go to Colchester, which gave me a perfect excuse to catch up with my blogging friend Mary over a cuppa and piece of cake. We worked out that it’s been about two years since we last managed to catch up in person and it was an excellent reminder of how wonderful some of the blogging friendships I’ve made over the years are. She took me to a lovely vintage tea rooms and we platted a return visit so that we can go to the local board game cafe too. Colchester – we’ll be back!

As if that wasn’t enough as we made our way home, we delayed lunch plans slightly as the heavens opened, but that meant that we happened to be driving past the East Anglian Railway Museum just as our stomachs were rumbling.

Unfortunately the need to get back to pick up the kids meant that we didn’t have time to do the museum itself, but the pair of us loved having lunch in an old railway carriage on one of the platforms as we watched real trains go through the middle of the museum. Yet another reason to return soon.

Norfolk

As if all that wasn’t enough we also managed to squeeze in a quick overnight trip to Norfolk to see B’s family. We figured it was the last chance we’d get before the wedding so we thought we ought to make the effort.

It was very much a flying visit, but no visit to Wells Next The Sea would be complete without fish and chips from French’s. If you’re ever in the area it is the place to go. Don’t let the queue put you off. It’s well worth the wait.

The gorgeous weather also meant that we were desperate to fit in a beach trip and we managed it. Holkham is one of B’s favourite beaches and I totally agree as to why. It’s just so big that even on the busiest of days it doesn’t seem busy. There’s also something completely magical about paddling in the sea and it’s one of those things that I think should be done at every possible opportunity.

Leighton Buzzard Railway

The fortnight finished with a final trip out with the kids to the Leighton Buzzard Railway. Master C is a huge train fan and seeing as Leighton Buzzard is our closest train day out we thought it about time we visited.

Needless to say the kids had a ball (full write up coming soon on Penny Travels) but once again it reminded me how much days out are exhausting me with this pregnancy. Luckily we were able to change our plans and just stay home the following day, but it was another reminder not to plan too much these holidays.