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...

West Lodge Farm

Madelyn had her jabs today so I though I'd take her mind off it by taking her to the farm.

We have been once before when we first moved and Emma and the kids came to visit. The first time Madelyn wasn't walking and was more interested in the contents of Emma's bag than the animals!

This time she enjoyed looking at them, even though she was a bit quiet because of her jabs (and a bit cold). Every time she saw an animal she pointed at it and made a growling/grunting noise! It's a generic animal noise and she does it for everything! We need to work on moo/baa/woof/miaow etc!

We had a good look around and particularly enjoyed the piglet racing. We had to choose who we thought would win and take a coloured ticket. We chose red, Lester Piglet (see what they did there) but we didn't win.

We then went to cuddle corner which I think was probably Madelyn's favourite. She scooted round to look at all the rabbits and Guinea pigs in their cages then was really gentle when they were brought round for a stroke. She also got to stroke a ducking!

Aardvark soft play

Madelyn's childminder, Catherine, has been taking her to a soft play place in Corby for the last few weeks. She likes to get the kids out and about as much as she can and told me that thisplace was good and that Madelyn enjoyed it.

I booked a place for us via their facebook page and went along to the 11 o'clock session. It was only £2.50 for an hour so quite good value.

Madleyn wasn't too confident to start with and stayed quite close, only going where I took her, but within 10-15 minutes she was off! It was a nice set up as the room as big enough for her to toddle about but small enough so that I didn't have to chase after her.

She enjoyed putting balls into the tubes and running in and out of the play house the best!

There were plenty of cars and little animals to ride on and things to climb on and through...

She went back to the ball pool a number of times. I can't wait until it's warm enough for us to put her paddling pool in the garden with her balls in it!

She had a lovely time...

FaceTime kisses

We started our bank holiday Monday with a facetime chat with Vic! Really lovely to chat 'in person'. I was really impressed with the signal, there was no delay and it was really clear. I will facetime rather than skype in future I think as it is less easy for Madelyn to press things and cut us off! (less easy, not impossible...) As we were saying good bye Vic took a picture of Madelyn giving her a kiss, very cute!

Madelyn has decided that washing up is great! Last time she got totally soaked so this time I went for a tea towel round the neck option.She spent ages this afternoon playing with the water.

She also had a bit of a go at decorating but wasn't totally convinced... We (Andy) have done the kitchen a really lovely olive green and ivory. Andy has also put in much better lighting, it looks lovely.

Madelyn wanted to have a look at my phone this afternoon (maybe expecting Vic to be there again?) so I switched the camera and showed her herself, she thought it was hilarious!!