Dad's 65th Birthday

We spent this weekend in Colehill to celebrate Dads 65th birthday with him, Mum and Rachel. We had a fantastic weekend and spent the whole time outside. I think Dad thoroughly enjoyed himself and so did the rest of us. The children were in Heaven with a big garden and school field to play on. We played cricket, boules, long jump,riding the pedal tractor, swinging and the activity that they had the most fun with and the most arguments obviously involved water sprays! The grown ups meanwhile spent most of the time soaking up the sunshine with great food and wine! The children also opened Californian presents from Mum and Dad and Hannah and David. It provided a hilarious interlude as the pictures below demonstrate and a very delicious one too with a mixture of jelly beans, fortune cookies and Twinkies being consumed.

Rebecca hiding from the chaos in the hammock

Is it Elton John?!

Rebecca wanting to be the next Miss USA

Only for 5 minutes as she has other things to do

Bethany willing to take on the role

The 65th Birthday cake the other 64 did burn down.

Last Train to Bristol

After our successful train journey to Hamworthy, we ventured the British Railway again, to Bristol to see our friends Kate & Lewis and new baby Mabel. The journey to Bristol was long and interesting, once there we were met by Kate and Mabel. Kate had planned a visit to a local green where a teddy bear picnic was taking place. The picnic was very well received by all!

The lovely Mabel

Lewis, Mabel and Kate. Someone is very excited about her new gift.

Bethany did not miss an opportunity for a cuddle.

Oliver and Rebecca taking a break from baby talk.

Watching the teddy bear picnic balloons disappear in to the distance up up and away!

One of the stations we past, for some reason this place jogs a memory

Hamworthy Park

Another Bank Holiday, this time without rain! we preempted this so we arranged with friends Ash & Arlee and their children Libby, Cerys & Zac to go to Hamworthy Park by train. Because Zac its only 3 months old he needs a lot of luggage so Ash & Arlee decided to drive, but Libby & Cerys came on the train. Because we are not frequent train travellers, we encountered a few problems. We booked our tickets on line a few hours before the journey, and walked up to the station to retrieve the tickets from the machine, only to find I needed the reference number, so with 25 minutes to go I ran back home to retrieve the number from the email, after running back to the station and punching in the reference number only to find I had the wrong number and with 15 minutes left I had to run back home! Eventually after a lot of running and fast breathing we had the tickets in our hands with seconds to spare. The children loved the journey but the walk from the station to the park took much longer than anticipated.

The day eventually turned out to be a lovely one, with all children playing well together.

Oliver putting Libby high on a pedestal.

Jacob & Rebecca amazed at the big paddling pool

Princess Bethany trying to keep her clothes dry!

Oliver demonstrating the sophisticated spinning equipment.

Rebecca & Jacob showing how it should be done.

Oliver demonstrating the skateboard swing

All aboard the bouncy round about... oh no you can't because Rebecca will not let you!

Katharine, Zac, Arlee & Ash trying to work out how this modern play equipment works!

Oliver performing his Tarzan impression to the adoring females.

Libby decides to take it easy on the Hammock

Zac just trying to figure out...... everything!

Libby's peace is soon disturbed

Ash proving adults can enjoy themselves too!

Daredevil Bethany showing her high swinging abilities.

Seaside

A boiling hot day, a beautiful beach, good picnic, buckets and spades and two three year olds wanting some fun! The perfect recipe for a fab day out! They did consent to letting Mummy come too, but really just to pay the bus fare and carry the picnic! Oh, and we can't forget the donkey noises.

Run run as fast as you can, you can't catch me I'm the gingerbread man!

On her head or down her back?

Jacob takes charge as the Exploratorium comes to Weymouth beach.

A bare bottom helps you concentrate!

Rebecca working out mass ratio.

Jacob was sooo tempted to dump sand on Rebecca's face, but managed to contain himself admirably!

Abbotsbury Swannery

Has Summer finally arrived ? who knows? perhaps it has now been and gone! So to enjoy the last days of summer I thought the children should see some nature, so we all went to Abbotsbury Swannery. A lot has changed since my last visit there, when Katharine almost had her toes bitten by a Swan, but luckily the swan took one look and thought of its own health first.

Bethany showing the secret map to the Swannery Maize Maze...shh don't tell the others!!

Hansel & Gretel trying to find the ginger bread house!

Life Explanation part 1

Firstly you seek out an egg!

Then comes teaching them to find their feet and swim

Give them lots of love and find somewhere to live

A busy nesting estate

But great social life!

THE END

Rebecca the Swan Princess

Finally caught up with them in the DUCK TRAP !!!

If I put Oliver here I will not lose him!

And put Rebecca here!

Argh! one still to catch

Weekend with Hetty

This moment has been a long time coming! Every Friday in Bethany's school class, Hatty chooses a pupil to spend the weekend with, and Bethany has been upset most Fridays until now, the freeloader Hatty has come to spend the weekend with the Hammonds, will she survive who knows! With this responsibility, a diary must be kept of Hatty's activities.

On arrival at the Hammonds, Stewert makes Hatty welcome and explains the Do's & Dont's

Hatty adjusting to her new look, before going to the Park for her first outing.

All you crazy hedgehogs throw your hands in the hair .... Whoop! Whoop!

Oliver practicing his swinging technique

Jacob and his Giant size 10's

Trip to Arne to see real Nature

Hatty showing the children how to climb a tree

Oliver showing Hatty how it is really done

Hatty at the smash & grab picnic.

Rebecca running like the wind!

Daddy cleaning the sticky gooey mud