So I wish you a merry Christmas and a happy new year. I hope Santa is kind to you all again this yearn
Friday 23 December 2016
Merry christmas
Just a quick post to say merry Christmas to every one that reads this blog. That's not many of you, but thanks for looking.
So I wish you a merry Christmas and a happy new year. I hope Santa is kind to you all again this yearn
So I wish you a merry Christmas and a happy new year. I hope Santa is kind to you all again this yearn
Wednesday 21 December 2016
Christmas travel.
So, living on an island strikes again and all carefully laid plans are obliterated in a blink of an eye. Ok, bit dramatic, it was more of a text and an internet search, but you get the picture. The plan for a nice little family Christmas on the Friday, before flying down to the inlaws turned in to a mad panic night of packing and a frantic dash around the house in the morning tiding and sorting. All because mother nature decided to throw this at us;
Yep, nice and windy. There are many superpowers in the world that you wouldn't want to mess with, but there's only one that you CAN'T mess with and that's mother nature.
Anyway, after an early morning phone call (0830) and a couple of hours of running around like headless chickens, we were all at the terminal, checked in by half eleven, ready for our half 12 flight. At 1315 we finally loaded on to the plane and after sitting in various locations around the airport, we took off at 1450. So just over an hour and a half sitting on a plane before the hour and a half flight! And then we had the 2 hour car journey from the airport to the inlaws! The kids were great though! We had a few tears when we thought we were heading back to the terminal, but we did a quick 180 back to the end of the run way and shot off in to the sky, a rather wobbly take off but the pilot was grabbing a drop in the wind (below 35 knots) to get us off! It wasn't quite the start to the holiday I was hoping for, but we made it, tired but in one piece.
All this has messed with the plans, as we had to abandon the Christmas at home, we'll have to do that when we get back. So that will be nice for the kids, as they will still get all their Christmas' just in a different order. It also means that all of the present to each other are at home, so nothing to give the wife on Christmas day itself, not even a card, as that's at home too!
Hopefully the journey back will be plain sailing compare to getting down and we'll all be able to enjoy the our last Christmas celebrations of the year.
Anyway, after an early morning phone call (0830) and a couple of hours of running around like headless chickens, we were all at the terminal, checked in by half eleven, ready for our half 12 flight. At 1315 we finally loaded on to the plane and after sitting in various locations around the airport, we took off at 1450. So just over an hour and a half sitting on a plane before the hour and a half flight! And then we had the 2 hour car journey from the airport to the inlaws! The kids were great though! We had a few tears when we thought we were heading back to the terminal, but we did a quick 180 back to the end of the run way and shot off in to the sky, a rather wobbly take off but the pilot was grabbing a drop in the wind (below 35 knots) to get us off! It wasn't quite the start to the holiday I was hoping for, but we made it, tired but in one piece.
All this has messed with the plans, as we had to abandon the Christmas at home, we'll have to do that when we get back. So that will be nice for the kids, as they will still get all their Christmas' just in a different order. It also means that all of the present to each other are at home, so nothing to give the wife on Christmas day itself, not even a card, as that's at home too!
Hopefully the journey back will be plain sailing compare to getting down and we'll all be able to enjoy the our last Christmas celebrations of the year.
Thursday 15 December 2016
Presents
Its less than 2 weeks till the big day, Christmas day that is, and for many the pressure is mounting. It always seems that every year Christmas shopping is the most stressful thing a person can do! By ive never understood why? Why is it so stressful?
For some I know its about keeping up with the Jones, as they say, for others its about not dissapointing anyone or worse, getting the same gift as someone else! For others I know it can be just the very act of shopping, crowded streets and tired feet, but in this world of internet shopping, that can be avoided. Although this brings its own problems, as the worry is about whether it will arrive on time, in what condition and will it be the right size! Ive had to return one item this year already as it was the wrong size, I even had to show the wife to check, which kind of spoils the surprise! Hopefully the new, bigger one will arrive in time, oh and it was for the horse, so Im allow to get the size wrong, repercussion free!
For me, present shopping has always been a trouble free affair. Personally I couldn't give a monkeys about the Jones, they want to spend 80 quid on a pair of Nike trainers for their little princess who can't even crawl, let alone walk, then they can. Im not! Clarke's sales all the way. I also am not to bothered by what people think of their gifts, its the thought that counts, something g that works both ways. Im not worried about what I get, Im just grateful someone took the time to buy me something. Ive also got the distinct advantage that I don't buy many presents, just ones for the wife, either from me or from the kids, the wife deals with the rest! I do help with suggestions, but the wife is definitely better at the present buying than I am.
As for the kids presents, most are picked up in various sales through out the year and stored till Christmas. Others are bough off the local 2nd hand stuff site, the local ebay as it were. I know a lot of people will be shocked at the thought of giving 2nd hand toys for Christmas, but I really don't see the issue, as long as they are in good condition and work as they should, why not? The bairns don't care if things come in their original box, it never lasts long even anyway! Its all about what's in the box and not the box itself. We've done this the last couple of years and the little mans been thrilled with his presents, plus it means that we can get more stuff for the same money, a win win situation all round.
For some people its about the cost of something, for others its about how much you get, but for me its about the reaction it gets from the bairns, that the important thing. The mother-in-law has commented a few time that as the kids get older the boxes get smaller and more expensive! Kids like big boxes, it doesn't matter about the cost, they have no understanding of cost anyway. This year the in-laws have decided that big boxes are the way to go, as last year the little man was less than impressed with the soft presents, to the point he just picked them up and handed them to mummy, saying for you, before moving on to the next hard box!
It will be interesting to see how they react this year as they are both old enough to know what's happening, last year it took a while for the young lady to figure it out. Hopefully, it'll all be plain sailing!
For some I know its about keeping up with the Jones, as they say, for others its about not dissapointing anyone or worse, getting the same gift as someone else! For others I know it can be just the very act of shopping, crowded streets and tired feet, but in this world of internet shopping, that can be avoided. Although this brings its own problems, as the worry is about whether it will arrive on time, in what condition and will it be the right size! Ive had to return one item this year already as it was the wrong size, I even had to show the wife to check, which kind of spoils the surprise! Hopefully the new, bigger one will arrive in time, oh and it was for the horse, so Im allow to get the size wrong, repercussion free!
For me, present shopping has always been a trouble free affair. Personally I couldn't give a monkeys about the Jones, they want to spend 80 quid on a pair of Nike trainers for their little princess who can't even crawl, let alone walk, then they can. Im not! Clarke's sales all the way. I also am not to bothered by what people think of their gifts, its the thought that counts, something g that works both ways. Im not worried about what I get, Im just grateful someone took the time to buy me something. Ive also got the distinct advantage that I don't buy many presents, just ones for the wife, either from me or from the kids, the wife deals with the rest! I do help with suggestions, but the wife is definitely better at the present buying than I am.
As for the kids presents, most are picked up in various sales through out the year and stored till Christmas. Others are bough off the local 2nd hand stuff site, the local ebay as it were. I know a lot of people will be shocked at the thought of giving 2nd hand toys for Christmas, but I really don't see the issue, as long as they are in good condition and work as they should, why not? The bairns don't care if things come in their original box, it never lasts long even anyway! Its all about what's in the box and not the box itself. We've done this the last couple of years and the little mans been thrilled with his presents, plus it means that we can get more stuff for the same money, a win win situation all round.
For some people its about the cost of something, for others its about how much you get, but for me its about the reaction it gets from the bairns, that the important thing. The mother-in-law has commented a few time that as the kids get older the boxes get smaller and more expensive! Kids like big boxes, it doesn't matter about the cost, they have no understanding of cost anyway. This year the in-laws have decided that big boxes are the way to go, as last year the little man was less than impressed with the soft presents, to the point he just picked them up and handed them to mummy, saying for you, before moving on to the next hard box!
It will be interesting to see how they react this year as they are both old enough to know what's happening, last year it took a while for the young lady to figure it out. Hopefully, it'll all be plain sailing!
Monday 12 December 2016
Christmas tree and other decorations
I know were almost half way through December and pretty much half way till Christmas, I thought I'd post up our tree.
Our tree was decorated by the bairns, hence the slightly patchy and bottom heavy decorations! Our tree actually went up in November, much to horror! Im defiantly one of those people who believe that Christmas doesn't start till the 1st and that no decorations should appear before then, however, it was the weekend and only2a couple of days early so I let it slide this year.
The bairns were really excite putting the tree up, which lead to many incidents of decorations going on and off and on again, as they both tried to decorate the tree how they wanted! Somehow there were no tears though!
I remember putting the tree up when was little, it was the start of Christmas and as we got older the responsibility for the decorations fell to us kids, usually my sister took the tree and I had the rest, as I could reach the ceiling and pictures without the need of a step!
One thing that hasn't changed from my childhood to now is the cats! My cat use to take a keen interest in the baubles and now ours are too! You can see one of them half under the tree in the picture above.
I know that for some Christmas isn't the magical time it should be, but I have fond memories of my Christmas' and I intend to make my bairns Christmas's as magical as I can!
Our tree was decorated by the bairns, hence the slightly patchy and bottom heavy decorations! Our tree actually went up in November, much to horror! Im defiantly one of those people who believe that Christmas doesn't start till the 1st and that no decorations should appear before then, however, it was the weekend and only2a couple of days early so I let it slide this year.
The bairns were really excite putting the tree up, which lead to many incidents of decorations going on and off and on again, as they both tried to decorate the tree how they wanted! Somehow there were no tears though!
I remember putting the tree up when was little, it was the start of Christmas and as we got older the responsibility for the decorations fell to us kids, usually my sister took the tree and I had the rest, as I could reach the ceiling and pictures without the need of a step!
One thing that hasn't changed from my childhood to now is the cats! My cat use to take a keen interest in the baubles and now ours are too! You can see one of them half under the tree in the picture above.
I know that for some Christmas isn't the magical time it should be, but I have fond memories of my Christmas' and I intend to make my bairns Christmas's as magical as I can!
Saturday 26 November 2016
Fun at Toddlers
Being a full time father, I tend to be a bit of a rarity at toddler groups. Sometimes this has some advantages.
Wibbly wobbly fish, the kids to either side and mine in the middle.
I didn't actually build mine, it was built for me by one of the other mums as I expressed a keen interest in the wibby wobbly fish! The kids had great fun putting the eyes on them, hence the multi-eyed appearance. I must have looked a bit of a sight walking down the road carting these fish back to the car!
Saturday 12 November 2016
Airports
Living where we live we have we tendency to fly a lot. While the flights are generally short, never more than an hour and a half end most around an hour, and the planes are small, 30 to 40 people, it means we end up flying in and out of various airports up and down the country. Off the top of my head the list includes; Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Manchester, Exeter, Gatwick and Heathrow and in our previous life we could add Newcastle, London City and Southampton, to name a few.
So what has all this thought me? Every airport seems to have a very different idea of the rules. Obviously, so rules are pretty universal, no knives on the plane for eaxmple, that's a standard one across the board, but what drinks can you take through security for children or what id do you need for them? Stuff like that seems to change at every airport.
With every journey we have to fly through the local airport, not a lot of choice here as there is only one on the island, and its about as pleasurable an experience as you can get going through an airport. All the staff are friendly and happy pleasant people, who sound genuine when they apologize for having to go through your bags. The little man likes going through the metal detectors, as he gets a sticker the other side. The staff have even held the young lady for my wife when she was traveling with both the kids alone. Granted, when you get the otherside of security there is only a small coffee counter and a duty free that is never open (opens for the flights to Norway which happen about 1 a week in the summer), there is a nice view of the runway.
In contrast, flying through London is one of the most stressful things I do these days, if not the most, and everyone there seems miserable and grumpy and on some sort of permanent power trip, unwilling to bend any rules even if it means massively inconveniencing the travelers. We've been moaned at because the little lady won't got through the metal detectors on her own and so they have had to do a manual search after, while acting like this is the biggest pain in the arse. We've be challenged over bringing drinks for the kids, despite the fact that were transiting through and have already been through one airport with no problems.
Traveling through Glasgow and Edinburgh are better, the staff seem less grumpy and don't act like everything is a major effort, but the experience is never what I would call pleasant. We've had a few incidents traveling through these airports but they haven't been as bad as in London. Most have been about the kids drinks, however, I've found away around this one!
When we were away with my parents, mum brought some squash for the kids and had some of the Robinson's Squashed bottles, which as it turns out are only 66ml, well under the 100ml limit and fit in with all the usual changing bag related items in one of those clear bags that they have. This means that turning those bottles of water back in to squash after security is simple.
The main thing though that prompted this post was traveling through Manchester the other week when we got stopped at the security desks just before the x-ray machines. They stopped us and asked for our id, at which pi t the wife and I handed over our driving licenses as we always do. They then asked for the kids id's, something we've never been asked for, apart from traveling to America with the little man. At this point, we were a little shocked, having flown down no problems and the only id we had was the young ladies birth certificate to prove she's under two (she was 22 months and she's quite big for her age) and thus doesn't need as seat but that was for check in purposes only and had been checked with the baggage. After some phone calls and some discussions, some of which I misses due to an emergence dash to the little boys room with the little man. When I returned I was informed that it was alright but we'd have to have our biometrics taken, a bit of a pain but not a major problem. Well, that's not what the kids decided! Trying to get pictures taken of children when their not playing ball is not easy! Lucky we got everything sorted and were still in pleantly of time for the plane. Having traveled with the kids about 1 every 2 or 3 months, this is the first time I've come across this problem and I would have thought that a major airport like Manchester should know what there doing. Anyway we made it home but we'll have the kids id somewhere to had in the future!
So what has all this thought me? Every airport seems to have a very different idea of the rules. Obviously, so rules are pretty universal, no knives on the plane for eaxmple, that's a standard one across the board, but what drinks can you take through security for children or what id do you need for them? Stuff like that seems to change at every airport.
With every journey we have to fly through the local airport, not a lot of choice here as there is only one on the island, and its about as pleasurable an experience as you can get going through an airport. All the staff are friendly and happy pleasant people, who sound genuine when they apologize for having to go through your bags. The little man likes going through the metal detectors, as he gets a sticker the other side. The staff have even held the young lady for my wife when she was traveling with both the kids alone. Granted, when you get the otherside of security there is only a small coffee counter and a duty free that is never open (opens for the flights to Norway which happen about 1 a week in the summer), there is a nice view of the runway.
In contrast, flying through London is one of the most stressful things I do these days, if not the most, and everyone there seems miserable and grumpy and on some sort of permanent power trip, unwilling to bend any rules even if it means massively inconveniencing the travelers. We've been moaned at because the little lady won't got through the metal detectors on her own and so they have had to do a manual search after, while acting like this is the biggest pain in the arse. We've be challenged over bringing drinks for the kids, despite the fact that were transiting through and have already been through one airport with no problems.
Traveling through Glasgow and Edinburgh are better, the staff seem less grumpy and don't act like everything is a major effort, but the experience is never what I would call pleasant. We've had a few incidents traveling through these airports but they haven't been as bad as in London. Most have been about the kids drinks, however, I've found away around this one!
When we were away with my parents, mum brought some squash for the kids and had some of the Robinson's Squashed bottles, which as it turns out are only 66ml, well under the 100ml limit and fit in with all the usual changing bag related items in one of those clear bags that they have. This means that turning those bottles of water back in to squash after security is simple.
The main thing though that prompted this post was traveling through Manchester the other week when we got stopped at the security desks just before the x-ray machines. They stopped us and asked for our id, at which pi t the wife and I handed over our driving licenses as we always do. They then asked for the kids id's, something we've never been asked for, apart from traveling to America with the little man. At this point, we were a little shocked, having flown down no problems and the only id we had was the young ladies birth certificate to prove she's under two (she was 22 months and she's quite big for her age) and thus doesn't need as seat but that was for check in purposes only and had been checked with the baggage. After some phone calls and some discussions, some of which I misses due to an emergence dash to the little boys room with the little man. When I returned I was informed that it was alright but we'd have to have our biometrics taken, a bit of a pain but not a major problem. Well, that's not what the kids decided! Trying to get pictures taken of children when their not playing ball is not easy! Lucky we got everything sorted and were still in pleantly of time for the plane. Having traveled with the kids about 1 every 2 or 3 months, this is the first time I've come across this problem and I would have thought that a major airport like Manchester should know what there doing. Anyway we made it home but we'll have the kids id somewhere to had in the future!
Wednesday 2 November 2016
Mummy and daddy time
Following on from my weekend away on my own, the wife and I managed to get a night away. We managed this by taking advantage of the inlaws, not the first time and probably not the last either. We didn't go wild on our night away, but had a leisurely wonder around the local town before sitting ourselves down by an open fire for afternoon cream tea at the hotel. We spent a fair bit of time sitting chatting before moving on to dinner. Getting ready for dinner was nice as well, no running around chasing the kids,trying to persuade them to put on their shirt or dress! The wife even managed to put on all her makeup without having to keep it away from the little ones.
Dinner itself was a very civilized affair as well, we managed to read all the menu without having to stop the kids destroying the table or playing with the oil fired light on the table! We also managed to eat all three course all in one sitting! Its nice being able to choose what you want without having to consider whatthe kids might like to steal off your plate or whether they'll want to swap dinner half way through as they've decided they don't want theirs anymore. We also took a long time over dinner, something we've not had the pleasure of in ages! Not to mention moving back to the lounge area to sit by the fire again and sip on a glass of wine. Granted much of the conversation was about the kids, well you can't get away from them completely!
A full, uninterrupted nights sleep together is also a rare luxury, as was not getting up till nearly 10! No alarms and being jumped on! Just waking naturally.
Going shopping the next day might not sound to exciting, being able to do so and take time over things certainly is! I bought a new pair of walking shoes and managed to try on several pairs in several shops without just grabbing the first pair that kinda fit alright. That and we actually got to talk about it, without one of us running around chasing the kids, keeping them entertained or stopping them destroying the place! It was nice to be able to do that again.
The best part of it all though was coming home to see the little ones again. The little man was bouncing up and down in the garden as we drove up the drive. The young lady probably would have been if she wasn't asleep I. The back of the inlaws car, they'd just got back from the playpark/garden center.
I loved the night away, but I loved coming home again!
Dinner itself was a very civilized affair as well, we managed to read all the menu without having to stop the kids destroying the table or playing with the oil fired light on the table! We also managed to eat all three course all in one sitting! Its nice being able to choose what you want without having to consider whatthe kids might like to steal off your plate or whether they'll want to swap dinner half way through as they've decided they don't want theirs anymore. We also took a long time over dinner, something we've not had the pleasure of in ages! Not to mention moving back to the lounge area to sit by the fire again and sip on a glass of wine. Granted much of the conversation was about the kids, well you can't get away from them completely!
A full, uninterrupted nights sleep together is also a rare luxury, as was not getting up till nearly 10! No alarms and being jumped on! Just waking naturally.
Going shopping the next day might not sound to exciting, being able to do so and take time over things certainly is! I bought a new pair of walking shoes and managed to try on several pairs in several shops without just grabbing the first pair that kinda fit alright. That and we actually got to talk about it, without one of us running around chasing the kids, keeping them entertained or stopping them destroying the place! It was nice to be able to do that again.
The best part of it all though was coming home to see the little ones again. The little man was bouncing up and down in the garden as we drove up the drive. The young lady probably would have been if she wasn't asleep I. The back of the inlaws car, they'd just got back from the playpark/garden center.
I loved the night away, but I loved coming home again!
Wednesday 26 October 2016
weekend away
The other weekend I had a weekend away with a few other gents. I went south for a tournament on tie Friday night boat and was back up on the Sunday night boat, so only one night on dry land!
All in all I had a really good weekend away,won my tournament and collected a nice trophy for my troubles. It was strange though, as its probably the only time I've actually been away with out either the kids or wife as well. Yes I've had time at home without them, but then I've been busy doing DIY, so not much of a holiday.I was glad that it was a single bed, as I never seem to notice I'm sleeping on my own when I'm in a single bed. These days I find it weird to sleep alone in a double bed, as even when the wife is away at a conference or meeting I've usually got one of the bairns snuggling in! Yeah, they prob should get put back in there own beds, but its a lit easier just to let them snuggle in, plus they sleep better! The weekend away was good fun and I enjoyed the piece and quiet and uninterrupted sleep! It was nice to wake up without being jumped on! A nice long, leisurely shower to wake myself up was also good, a treat I don't usually get!
However, it still felt odd not having the kids around, not something in really use to. Although I enjoyed myself, I was glad to be home on the Monday morning and hearing the kids telling me all about their weekend and the parties that they were at. I can't say in in a hurry to go away again, at least not without the kids or wife.
A few years ago I would have loved the freedom, probably gone out and got blind drunk and eaten all sorts of questionable things from some dodge takeaway, these days I can't drink that way! Two pints and I'm done, dodgy kebabs are defiantly a thing of the past! I think I had one pint the whole weekend and didn't miss the beer at all!
All in all I had a really good weekend away,won my tournament and collected a nice trophy for my troubles. It was strange though, as its probably the only time I've actually been away with out either the kids or wife as well. Yes I've had time at home without them, but then I've been busy doing DIY, so not much of a holiday.I was glad that it was a single bed, as I never seem to notice I'm sleeping on my own when I'm in a single bed. These days I find it weird to sleep alone in a double bed, as even when the wife is away at a conference or meeting I've usually got one of the bairns snuggling in! Yeah, they prob should get put back in there own beds, but its a lit easier just to let them snuggle in, plus they sleep better! The weekend away was good fun and I enjoyed the piece and quiet and uninterrupted sleep! It was nice to wake up without being jumped on! A nice long, leisurely shower to wake myself up was also good, a treat I don't usually get!
However, it still felt odd not having the kids around, not something in really use to. Although I enjoyed myself, I was glad to be home on the Monday morning and hearing the kids telling me all about their weekend and the parties that they were at. I can't say in in a hurry to go away again, at least not without the kids or wife.
A few years ago I would have loved the freedom, probably gone out and got blind drunk and eaten all sorts of questionable things from some dodge takeaway, these days I can't drink that way! Two pints and I'm done, dodgy kebabs are defiantly a thing of the past! I think I had one pint the whole weekend and didn't miss the beer at all!
Saturday 1 October 2016
Finishing rooms
Well, over the last couple of weeks I have been busy with the DIY. As a result 2 rooms are now pretty much finished and ready to use.
First up is the front room,that after many many months is now ready to use and indeed has been used most nights. I say nights as during the day its kept closed and a kid free zone! New carpets and all, not that it hasn't already suffered a spillage! The wife was on duty then, so I'm home free on That one! The room isn't quite finished as we still need. To get the liner put in the chimney, so we can finish off the wood burner.
Its not quite finished in teams of furniture either, as the TV stand is missing. Its on order but its not arrived yet, a typical issue up here! Hopefully when it arrives, we'll get the TV set up and have a look at the stereo, this is the bit I'm looking forward too! It will be good to get my stereo back again and get the tunes blasting again!
The next roomto be completed will be the young ladies room.
As you can see there is a window in the roof. This was quite an undertaking, simple in many respects, the Velux instructions are actually very simple and easy to follow, but chopping through the roof was not a pleasant experience and getting the tiles off cause a few moments of stress! But its in and while I am not convinced the thing is 100% waterpreoof, in pretty pleased with it. Hopefully when I get the different and correct flashing kit (ordered the one I though I needed, but it was the wrong one). Hopefully by the time this goes up, ill have all of the bracing properly inplace and be starting on the plasterboard. With luck we'll be able to move the young lady in to her room in a couple of weeks. Going on past experience though, its likely to be the otherside of Christmas!
Sunday 25 September 2016
Sleep over
Well, we survived our first sleep over! No major dramas, no midnight runs home, nothing but some early morning cuddles required!
The little mans been wanting a sleep over for ages, but we've not be sure if its a good idea. Anyway, we thought we'd go for it and it turned our alright. The pair of them didn't sleep till nearly 10 though and were still up at 8, so could have tired bairns tonight. Next time I think were going to swap the otherway, somehow I think we might end up with a midnight run to pick the little man up.
Trouble is,even with the little man having a sleep over, there's still the young lady to deal with!
The little mans been wanting a sleep over for ages, but we've not be sure if its a good idea. Anyway, we thought we'd go for it and it turned our alright. The pair of them didn't sleep till nearly 10 though and were still up at 8, so could have tired bairns tonight. Next time I think were going to swap the otherway, somehow I think we might end up with a midnight run to pick the little man up.
Trouble is,even with the little man having a sleep over, there's still the young lady to deal with!
Thursday 22 September 2016
Family holiday - the highs and lows
I know its been a while since we got back from holiday but I though I would write a short post about the holiday highs and lows. This was our first real family holiday, as in a holiday that didn't involve staying at one of the parents/grandparents houses. Yes we've done a holiday where we met my parents at a holiday home in Oxford, but we spent the whole week with them, so I don't really count that as a family holiday in the same way.
So what were the highs and lows of the holiday?
Ill start with the lows, mostly as they were not many of them. The main low was one that ran through most of the holiday, the temper tantrums. Now, the little man isn't really one for tantrums, we've be lucky with that, most tantrums were caused by tiredness. On the holiday they became a regular thing, be it wanting to the TV or ipad (Grandma's I might add), not wanting to eat lunch/dinner, not wanting to do what we were planning, not getting to play with the bigger boys or being left behind. Pretty much everything invoked a tantrum at some point or another. Since we've been back, the tantrums have disappeared again, which is good. Whether it was just the change of scenery or routine that caused it, I don't know but it was a pain at the time. The other low point that sticks in the mind, is some of the vocabulary that the little man picked up! Some of the other kids (read older boys) were, well, typical older boys, bigger and more boysterous and with some questionable vocabulary. A few of these words appeared to rub off on the little man, although again he seems to have forgotten all about them.
In reality, there were not many lows to the holiday, which was quite surprising. There were quite a few highs though. Pretty much everyday held a high point of some sort or another. Seeing the bairns playing with new children and experiencing new things, such as the aquarium. The activities played on Toby the holiday place were also pretty good, some more so than others. Pond dipping and survival skills were real hits, bat watching ( too late at night), low ropes (still to high!) and team games less so (mixed ages groups and parents taking over/cheating, not in a bad way, just a little to enthusiastic).
Watching the pair of them getting so excited over the little creepy crawly bugs during the pond dipping or seeing how enthusiasticly they collected branches for shelters building was really amazing, almost as amazing as watching them toasting marshmallows over a fire for the first time. Some of the other activities we did in the afternoons were also just as good, crabbing on Plymouth harbour, where we caught several crabs, was another high point I wobt forget in a while.
It was in many senses a trip of firsts for the bairns, although I think the little man will have got more out of it, as I'm not sure how much the young lady will remember.
Overall, I think the trip was a massive success and were planning another trip next year, although we won't be going as far as we did this time!
So what were the highs and lows of the holiday?
Ill start with the lows, mostly as they were not many of them. The main low was one that ran through most of the holiday, the temper tantrums. Now, the little man isn't really one for tantrums, we've be lucky with that, most tantrums were caused by tiredness. On the holiday they became a regular thing, be it wanting to the TV or ipad (Grandma's I might add), not wanting to eat lunch/dinner, not wanting to do what we were planning, not getting to play with the bigger boys or being left behind. Pretty much everything invoked a tantrum at some point or another. Since we've been back, the tantrums have disappeared again, which is good. Whether it was just the change of scenery or routine that caused it, I don't know but it was a pain at the time. The other low point that sticks in the mind, is some of the vocabulary that the little man picked up! Some of the other kids (read older boys) were, well, typical older boys, bigger and more boysterous and with some questionable vocabulary. A few of these words appeared to rub off on the little man, although again he seems to have forgotten all about them.
In reality, there were not many lows to the holiday, which was quite surprising. There were quite a few highs though. Pretty much everyday held a high point of some sort or another. Seeing the bairns playing with new children and experiencing new things, such as the aquarium. The activities played on Toby the holiday place were also pretty good, some more so than others. Pond dipping and survival skills were real hits, bat watching ( too late at night), low ropes (still to high!) and team games less so (mixed ages groups and parents taking over/cheating, not in a bad way, just a little to enthusiastic).
Watching the pair of them getting so excited over the little creepy crawly bugs during the pond dipping or seeing how enthusiasticly they collected branches for shelters building was really amazing, almost as amazing as watching them toasting marshmallows over a fire for the first time. Some of the other activities we did in the afternoons were also just as good, crabbing on Plymouth harbour, where we caught several crabs, was another high point I wobt forget in a while.
It was in many senses a trip of firsts for the bairns, although I think the little man will have got more out of it, as I'm not sure how much the young lady will remember.
Overall, I think the trip was a massive success and were planning another trip next year, although we won't be going as far as we did this time!
Saturday 17 September 2016
Hire cars
As some of you may have noticed, I'm a bit of a car nut. I like cars, both in terms of driving and designers, although my main taste is older cars. We hire cars pretty regularly as we fly south quite often, usually when my wife has work south and as a result we end up driving all sorts of cars, although they are usually medium to large family cars, focus to mondeo size.
So whatscthe point in all this? I'm not trying to brag about all the cars I've driven, just saying I've driven a few, so when I say the Vauxhall Mocka and the 2wd Toyota Rav4 are crap cars, you know I'm basing it on having driven lots of cars and not just because there not the same as my car. So;
THE VAUXHALL MOCKA AND 2WD TOYOTA RAV4 ARE CRAP CARS.
Don't worry, I am going to justify my opinion. We'll start with the Rav4, and ill start with the positives, which there are a few.
The forward sidewards vision is great, mostly due to the height of the vehicle and it is a conftable and very spacious car. We managed the 4 of us with all our luggage for 2 weeks with no problems at all. The engine was great to, if I remember rightly it was the diesel version. For these reasons alone I wanted to like the car. However, there were 2 major drawbacks, namely rear vision was not great, I might have gotten use to it in time, but the killer was the ride quality. On a flat straight road it was very comfy, but the moment you hit a bump you'd been better off on a bouncy castle! And ill not go in to the whole driving down county lanes. When a car is bouncing and wallowing down the road, it doesn't inspire any confidence. I don't know how well it would have handled as I never had the confidence to push it. Now, I know its no sports car, but even so, ill not be hoping for another one, which is a shame as it does have a lot going for it. As a simple plod arounfmd town car it would be great, but I'm a driver and its not a drivers car.
However, no matter how bad the Rav4 was, the Mocka was in another league of rubbish! Ill be kind and start with the positives, um...... Well with that done we'll move to the negatives. Ready? Rear vision is rubbish (thank good for parking sensors), wing mirrors are rubbish, cabin space is rubbish for such a big car and boot space is just laughable, you can't fit a fold away child buggy across ways and leave your large cases at home, there's only just room for a couple of small cases if you want to leave the parcel shelf on. The 1.4 turbo engine is possibly the worst engine I've ever had the pleasure of using, its pretty gutless at any speed and has no grunt, we were I first on many occasions when going up the steep country lanes as you had to keep the engine screaming to get any it to move at anything other than a snails pace. Yes I know that turbo engines work better at high revs, but this one had nothing below about 3000rpm and above that it had very little, you had to properly flog it to get it to go. Not really what you want when trying to join a motorway at 70!
Friends of ours bought a Mocka when they first came out, think theirs was a diesel one, anyway they swapped it after less then a year for a BMW X1.
So, the 2wd Rav4 isn't great (I assume the 4wd isn't much different) and the Mocka is just rubbish but what about good cars? Ill leave out the MG's as I'm defiantly bias there, I will however praise two cars, the VW Fox, its just a shame they replaced it with the UP, and the Hyundai i30 which was a very present surprise when we hired it.
We had a VW Fox for several year and we went all over the country and a trip round the Republic of Ireland, all without any dramas. Granted, there was little to shout about with the car, but it did everything we ever asked it to do and never gave a moments trouble. It is the perfect car for any young driver, cheap but with the VW build quality. The Hyundai i30 on the other hand was a surprise. When we first got it we thought it was going to be rubbish, but very quickly we realised that it wasnt, we've had a few over the years and even the 1.4 petrol is a good car, a little gutless on the motorway but not like the Mocka! The 1.6 diesel is an excellent little car, so much so that we very nearly bought one. We didn't in the end as we got given a Toyota Auris by the inlaws, as they were going to get rid of it. I would have brought the Hyundai but a free car is a free car, next time were in the market for a new car though, it'll be an i40 we'll be looking at.
Thursday 8 September 2016
Wedding
Some of might have gathered from my last post that we were recently at the wedding of a friend, in fact its the reason we actually came on holiday. Why, well to start with its at the other end of the country, quite literally, so popping down for the day certianly wasnt an option, but i'll talk about that some other time, what i want to talk about is the wedding, or more speciffically what the wedding was for my wife and I.
Apart from being an obvious reminder of our own wedding, it was probably the first time we had really been to anything of such nature without the children in tow! We popped in to town for a few last minute bits before the wedding, which turned in to the wife getting her hair and make-up down, something she hasnt done in years. This did mean that we were slightly rushed getting ready at the holiday home, by rushed i mean she got back half an hour before we were supposed to be there, luckly with having had hair and make-up done and the venue being about a 2 minute walk up the road, it wasnt actually that much of an issue! The wedding itself was lovely, quite a small affair, with a fair few uniforms around (he's in the army) and the reception was great fun, and even involved a boat ride around the harbour, well, it was a lot quicker than the hour plus drive around the river it would have been otherwise.
The main thing for us was that this was the first time we had left the kids with my parents and been out, just the two of us. We've done a couple of swift half's down the local pub before, but we've usually put the kids to bed before we've headed out. This time we left them about 10am and didn't see them again until we got home around 1am. We were a little nervous as the last time we tried this with my parents, the little man was about 9 months and it didn't go well. This time however, it went really well. They went to the aquarium and then got ice cream and they both went to bed without much fuss, although I think there were lots of stories involved!
Our night out was also a success, although it was strange. Were so use to the bairns being around that it feels weird without them, I kept expecting one of them to come charging over at any moment, or have to go and prize them off the sweets in the corner! Even with out the kids I still didn't drink much, in my younger days I'd have got wasted, as shown by my best mate who is still a bachelor and got wasted! Its not that I couldn't but I just didn't, I defiantly can't drink like I use to, both in amount and speed but I just don't want to. The wife has never been a big drinker, so I dont think it makes much difference to her.
It was nice to be out together though, something I do miss, just the two of us being able to mess around and act like a couple of silly teenagers without having to watch the kids. It was a well deserved night out and one we plan to repeat, especially as we know the bairns will be fine without us.
Well, I think I've waffled enough and I'm not really sure I've actually made a point, at least not a sensible logical one anyway. Oh well, never mind, I'm sure someone out there will get what I'm trying to say!
Apart from being an obvious reminder of our own wedding, it was probably the first time we had really been to anything of such nature without the children in tow! We popped in to town for a few last minute bits before the wedding, which turned in to the wife getting her hair and make-up down, something she hasnt done in years. This did mean that we were slightly rushed getting ready at the holiday home, by rushed i mean she got back half an hour before we were supposed to be there, luckly with having had hair and make-up done and the venue being about a 2 minute walk up the road, it wasnt actually that much of an issue! The wedding itself was lovely, quite a small affair, with a fair few uniforms around (he's in the army) and the reception was great fun, and even involved a boat ride around the harbour, well, it was a lot quicker than the hour plus drive around the river it would have been otherwise.
The main thing for us was that this was the first time we had left the kids with my parents and been out, just the two of us. We've done a couple of swift half's down the local pub before, but we've usually put the kids to bed before we've headed out. This time we left them about 10am and didn't see them again until we got home around 1am. We were a little nervous as the last time we tried this with my parents, the little man was about 9 months and it didn't go well. This time however, it went really well. They went to the aquarium and then got ice cream and they both went to bed without much fuss, although I think there were lots of stories involved!
Our night out was also a success, although it was strange. Were so use to the bairns being around that it feels weird without them, I kept expecting one of them to come charging over at any moment, or have to go and prize them off the sweets in the corner! Even with out the kids I still didn't drink much, in my younger days I'd have got wasted, as shown by my best mate who is still a bachelor and got wasted! Its not that I couldn't but I just didn't, I defiantly can't drink like I use to, both in amount and speed but I just don't want to. The wife has never been a big drinker, so I dont think it makes much difference to her.
It was nice to be out together though, something I do miss, just the two of us being able to mess around and act like a couple of silly teenagers without having to watch the kids. It was a well deserved night out and one we plan to repeat, especially as we know the bairns will be fine without us.
Well, I think I've waffled enough and I'm not really sure I've actually made a point, at least not a sensible logical one anyway. Oh well, never mind, I'm sure someone out there will get what I'm trying to say!
Friday 2 September 2016
Home at last
Well, were all home safe and sound. I had been hoping to post up a few more posts while we were away and I've a few half complete posts in the draft box but it was such a full holiday, combined with the weather that most evenings all we did was collapse in bed! Ill get the posts finished and up as soon as I can.
Sunday 21 August 2016
Being a stay at home dad
I was at a friends wedding the other day, a thoroughly enjoyable affair and far to long in the making, 9 years to be precise.
As with these types of occasions, you end up talking to lots of people from all sorts of backgrounds and places. Our table, for example, had my wife and I, two friends from Boston, USA, a couple from Wales and another from Australia. There was a mix of ages too, with one couple being grandparents, one being parents to older children who had left home and a couple who had young twins (our American friends), so quite a mix on our table.
Now, our friends knew what I did and think its good, they even have a Manny, aka a male nanny, that looks after their twins. But the other older couples were surprised about it. There was lots of talk about changing times and "back in our day" lines, but generally they were positive about it. I think they weren't so positive to the fact that my wife said that she didn't think things would work the other way around and that she wouldn't want to be a stay at home mum.
But why? I know history would tell us that its tube women that raise the children, but these days, in our times of sexual equality and all the nonsense thatgoes with it, why shouldn't a man raise children. What is it that my wife can do that I can't? Or vice versa? Personally I think personality counts for more, ability is always going to be important but if you don't have the tempetment and personality for it,it will never work.
My wife is great with the kids, better than I am in some respects, but she's a go gutter type. She's driven to succeed, always pushing herself and her boundaries, something I don't think the routine of children would satisfy. Me, I'm happy plodding, I like the routine, knowing that each Monday I'll be doing x, and Tuesday y. Every week is the same, except school holidays, and that suits me, everyday is different for the wife and that suits her.
So, how to change perceptions and ideas? I doubt we ever will, at least not in my life time, as few want to. Plus were going against generations of nature. Did you know that one of the highest levels of divorce in the UK is amongst families with stay at home fathers? (That's percentage wise amongst total families with stay at home fathers) And most are iniated by the wives? Yet when things are the other way around the percentages are no different from average?
Personally I don't care for stereo types and averages, it works for us and that's what matters.
As with these types of occasions, you end up talking to lots of people from all sorts of backgrounds and places. Our table, for example, had my wife and I, two friends from Boston, USA, a couple from Wales and another from Australia. There was a mix of ages too, with one couple being grandparents, one being parents to older children who had left home and a couple who had young twins (our American friends), so quite a mix on our table.
Now, our friends knew what I did and think its good, they even have a Manny, aka a male nanny, that looks after their twins. But the other older couples were surprised about it. There was lots of talk about changing times and "back in our day" lines, but generally they were positive about it. I think they weren't so positive to the fact that my wife said that she didn't think things would work the other way around and that she wouldn't want to be a stay at home mum.
But why? I know history would tell us that its tube women that raise the children, but these days, in our times of sexual equality and all the nonsense thatgoes with it, why shouldn't a man raise children. What is it that my wife can do that I can't? Or vice versa? Personally I think personality counts for more, ability is always going to be important but if you don't have the tempetment and personality for it,it will never work.
My wife is great with the kids, better than I am in some respects, but she's a go gutter type. She's driven to succeed, always pushing herself and her boundaries, something I don't think the routine of children would satisfy. Me, I'm happy plodding, I like the routine, knowing that each Monday I'll be doing x, and Tuesday y. Every week is the same, except school holidays, and that suits me, everyday is different for the wife and that suits her.
So, how to change perceptions and ideas? I doubt we ever will, at least not in my life time, as few want to. Plus were going against generations of nature. Did you know that one of the highest levels of divorce in the UK is amongst families with stay at home fathers? (That's percentage wise amongst total families with stay at home fathers) And most are iniated by the wives? Yet when things are the other way around the percentages are no different from average?
Personally I don't care for stereo types and averages, it works for us and that's what matters.
Friday 19 August 2016
Holidays home
There might be a few random posts over the next couple of weeks as were on holiday.
First post is gonna be about the holiday home, or rather apartment as it is. Now the place isn't that bad, well decorated and furnished but there are some things that let it down.
I mean, ok simple things like no oven gloves or kitchen roll, half a spare toilet roll ( in a 6 person house) and pans big enough to boil a single egg in. The more important things like not mentioning the 6 flights of quite narrow and steep stairs, the bathroom being 2 floors away from the bedrooms. Oh and no stair gates or similar, not good with 2 little ones, both of which are use to toddling down the hallway to find us.
Were all in the same room, so that's not a problem when were sleeping, but its not going to make for a restful night before then!
First post is gonna be about the holiday home, or rather apartment as it is. Now the place isn't that bad, well decorated and furnished but there are some things that let it down.
I mean, ok simple things like no oven gloves or kitchen roll, half a spare toilet roll ( in a 6 person house) and pans big enough to boil a single egg in. The more important things like not mentioning the 6 flights of quite narrow and steep stairs, the bathroom being 2 floors away from the bedrooms. Oh and no stair gates or similar, not good with 2 little ones, both of which are use to toddling down the hallway to find us.
Were all in the same room, so that's not a problem when were sleeping, but its not going to make for a restful night before then!
Sunday 7 August 2016
DIY
So, right now most of my free time, and by free time I mean childless time, is being spent decorating the young ladies new room. Now, when most people decorate they will buy a tin of paint and slap it on the wall, not so in our house! To start the decoration process we took down one of the walls.
Now this might seem like a bit of an extreme thing to do, however, the old wall was somewhat wobbly and a little underwhelming forwhat will be a child bedroom. The new one will be a lotmore substantial and will give a little bit of extra space in the room, along with improving the layout.
Its all pretty easy right now, nothing complex, just some rewiring for the new lights and sticking up some stud work and plaster board.
Now this might seem like a bit of an extreme thing to do, however, the old wall was somewhat wobbly and a little underwhelming forwhat will be a child bedroom. The new one will be a lotmore substantial and will give a little bit of extra space in the room, along with improving the layout.
Its all pretty easy right now, nothing complex, just some rewiring for the new lights and sticking up some stud work and plaster board.
The upturned stool is acting as child guard! Toddlers and power tools don't mix very well!
By the time that this post goes on-line, I'm hoping to have put the skirting and door frame on.
Saturday 30 July 2016
Summer holidays
Well, here we are, about half way through the Summer holidays and already I'm counting down the days until the the little man returns to nursery!
Now I look back fondly upon my summer holidays, playing with my mates up the woods or around the estate where they lived, was better than mine as it had lots of back alleys and garage blocks which were for water fights and the like. We generally didn't get up to much mischief, except the summer after the school trip to France. Well, school kids + France = banggers!
I have a few years to wait until my kids are teenagers and capable of looking after themselves for more than a few minutes at a time and while I don't wish the time away, right now it sounds good! I can't complain to much as there are plenty of things to do, from the various kids clubs and activities on at the leisure centre to bambinos and all the various museums and the soft play, and when I say soft play I mean it as there is only one and its not very big! But that's another moan. I'm also lucky as one of the toddler groups runs through the summer, so that's 2 mornings a week taken care of! Having a park opposite the house is also useful, even though it means I'm getting no house work done!
But even with all these activities and such, there are still timed when there is nothing to do and with the unpredictable weather up here, no where to go. Its days like those that I find really hard, after all there is only so much Youtube you can watch and only so many times the DVD of "Little Red Tractor" can be repeated! The bairns are energetic to say the least, and I seem to spend half my time breaking up fights or dealing with the consequences of said fights! Why is it that they always want to play with the same toy when they have enough toys between them to cover the floor, quite literally as the other day I couldn't actually get from one side of the room to the other!
Little Red Tractor
Anyway, where was I? Oh yeah, school holidays, why do they seem like they were just designed for teachers?
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