Bit chilly

Our boiler is broken, typical just as the weather is getting worse! So I put Madelyn to bed in her fleecy sleep suit. She was chuffed to put it on, she wore it while we were camping and it does make her super cuddly. 

I went in to check on her later this evening to make sure she was ok and she just looked super cute, all snuggled up with her elephant (who she calls 'Raaa' for some unknown reason!)

If her cot had been bigger I'd have got in with her!

Bank Holiday

Mum, dad, Madelyn and I went to Foxton Locks again today. It's a nice walk with plenty to see and lots of people to talk to.  The lock keepers especially... And even though I've been there twice, and seen boats go up and down I still don't reeaallyyy get it! I get the general idea but they have extra overflow areas and talk about conserving water and everything! It's all very interesting! 

Madelyn loves walking along holding hands at the moment. She has learned that she can go a bit faster... And holding on means she won't fall!

Dad quite righly said that we could walk past the pub once, maybe even twice but three times was ridiculous!

On Monday the weather was lovely! Hot and sunny for a change! We went to Wicksteed Park... I've never seen it so busy! We had a picnic lunch then walked around, looked at the rides and then Madelyn played in the park. A great day. 

One and a half part two

On Sunday we went to East Carlton Country Park. Madelyn goes there with her child minder quite a bit so was keen to take Neve to the play park! 

They played for ages! Madelyn had a fantastic time and Neve was really patient and careful with her. 

Cousins xxx

We stopped in the cafe for a cuppa and cake, the slices were massive! We then had more time to play before it started to rain and we headed home. After a bit of lunch the Fitzes headed home and we had a bit more cake!! Andy organised the one and a half candles!

Then to finish off the day, just in case we hadn't eaten enough already, we went to Red Hot. It's a world buffet place in Northampton and the food is good! 

We all had a really lovely weekend, I can't believe that my little baby is one and a half!

One and a half

Mum and Dad, Pat and Bob, Vic, Giles and the kids all arrived on Friday to help us celebrate Madelyn's one and a half birthday. Being born on Christmas Day is a bit rubbish and we wanted her to have her own special day... She certainly did xx

We went to Wicksteed Park in the afternoon. It's a bit dated now but there are some good rides and Madelyn loves being outside. She is going everywhere at a run at the moment! 

She fed the sucks and went on this little car ride. The bigger kids (including Andy, Vic and Pat) went on a water flume, built in the 30s I think, and on a mono rail where you peddle round yourself. 

We did prezzies when we got home. Madelyn got lots of lovely summery type toys and got the hang of unwrapping eventually. 

She loved sitting in the ballpit, even though it didn't have any balls in it yet. She pushed the little cars around making proper car noises. She played with her scuttle bug and managed to perfect going backwards! Bit hard on then carpet so I think we'll practice some more outside. 

We bought her a playhouse which she was happy scooting in and out of for ages, so much so that she cried when I bought her in her dinner, refused to eat anything and ended up eating it outside!

We had a brilliant BBQ, with what looked like far too much food but it all went!

The Fitzgerald's visit

Vic, Giles, Neve and Noah came to visit this weekend. They drove up after Giles finished work on Friday so were with us by 9ish. We had fish and chips and a chat.
We had a lazy morning on Saturday, Andy cooked a lovely breakfast, and then we headed out for the afternoon.

We went back to Wicksteed Park, plenty of space to run about and lots to keep the kids (Andy and Giles included) entertained. We fed the ducks, went on a few rides and played the 2p machines. Madelyn was not 100% today so didn't join in much :-(

The sun came out on Sunday so we went to the park just down the road. Madelyn enjoyed walking with Neve and Noah, and they all played on the swings and with Noah's football, although Madelyn hasn't quite got the 'handball' idea yet!

We had a yummy roast and everyone headed home, leaving Andy and I to get ready for work in the morning. It was lovely to we them, we had a nice weekend, despite Madelyn being grumpy!

Wicksteed Park

Wicksteed Park is in Kettering not too far from us. There are some bigger rides for older kids, which Neve and Noah have been on before, and lots of open space. There is a lake too with some swans and ducks.

We wnet along this morning to get some fresh (cold!) air. Nicola, a friend of mine, as an annual pass so it was free to park (usually £6).

We went straight to see the birds and feed the ducks. One of Nicola's friends, Dianne, had bought some bread. But it started to rain so we didnt stay too long and made our way to the play grounds instead. There is a big playground for older kids and a smaller one for toddlers which was partially under cover, so we headed for that. Sam, Nicola's son, went off to play on a little roundabout and Madelyn stood watching ...

 

I thought that she'd be too small to go on it but she proved me wrong, held on tight and had a lovely time!

 





They also had some little wobbly see-saw type things that she loved too. Nicola and I took it in turns to wobble it for Sam and Madelyn and when ever we stopped she wriggled about to make us do it again.

She also had a quick go on the swing, but not for long as we were getting wet! We headed back to Nicola's for a nice cuppa and doughnuts. Needless to say Madelyn fell asleep in the car...again!

 

Cousins

We spent the day with Phoebe, Abigail and William...not that you'd know it from the photos! It's too hard trying to get 4 kids to all look at the camera at the same time!

We spent the morning doing some craft... Madelyn and William found it much more entertainign to draw on themselves than on paper! Phoebe and Abigail made moshi monster universe pictures with a massive amout of glitter, some stayed on the paper...some ended up on the floor!

They all had a carpet picnic as the table was covered in craft.

We went over to Emma and Nick's to drop the kids off and say "Hi". I haven't seem Emma for a while so it was nice to catch up. We didnt stay long as they were off on holiday the next day and needed to get pack up and ready.

KidSpace

What else is there to do on a cold, slightly rainy afternoon?

Madelyn had a lovely time running about the place! Phoebe and Abigail played with her really nicely and she had a great time!

Phoebe did a great spiderman impression and scooted up this climbing wall really quickly!

Nom nom nom...