Getting Back on Track...

After Butlins, half term and a family wedding last weekend, we have been quite busy lately! As a result, pretty much everything has gone to pot. Both girls have been ill, the house looks like everything inside it has exploded and my 'to do' list is threatening to take over the world.

Thankfully this weekend is currently looking clear, so I'm hoping that by Monday I'll be able to be back on track with everything...hmmm...

Butlins Skegness - Our Weekend in Pictures

The butterfly wand she got for being so good on the train!

The obligatory 2p machines!

Rides, rides and more rides!

Barney at the Little Big Club

Meeting the Redcoats

More rides! 

Facepainted as Candi from the Skyline Gang

Skyline Gang 'Magical Masquerade' show

First donkey ride

The excellent panto - 'Jack & the Beanstalk'

Showing off her Skyline Gang t-shirt

On stage at Reds bar playing a boys v girls balloon popping game!

King Meets Queen in Reds bar

The week that was... Butlins, Skegness

We're now back from a fabulous week at Butlins. I genuinely do not know of a better value UK family break. We stayed in Gold accommodation and took the premium dining option so our breakfasts and dinners were catered in their all you can eat restaurant. The apartment included everything we could need, even free DVD rental from Gold reception!

We did so, so much I'm exhausted! Over the week we:

• Saw Bob the Builder, Angelina Ballerina, Fireman Sam and Barney
• Watched a pantomime
• Went swimming three times
• Danced with the 'Skyline Gang' at the Party Pod 
• Went on a guided beach walk, including scavenger hunt
• Played adventure golf (extra cost @£2.50 per person)
• Browsed the tat at Fantasy Island market
• Danced at the tot's disco
• Went on countless fairground rides (all included!)
• Watched two puppet shows
• Spent many, many 2p's winning countless keyrings at the amusements

And we still didn't fit it all in! Big Muddle was so sad to come away, but we have booked again for September!

The accommodation courtyard

Big Muddle's dance moves!

Pingu

Bob the Builder

Puppet Castle

One of the rides in Bob the Builders Yard

One of the 'big' fairground rides

Sandcastle construction

Adventure golf - she was pleased with her high score!

Car Journey Spotting Sheets

We're off to Butlins for a week in the morning, and it'll be our first big car journey with both girls. When I was young I remember the Michelin I-Spy books and how good they were, but I reckon Big Muddle might be a little young for those yet!

So I put together my own brief version (available for download here if you should want it), with just ten items (ones that I hope we'll actually see, a disgruntled toddler is not a good travelling companion!). So now all I have to do is keep Baby Muddle busy for two and a half hours...fingers crossed for a mammoth nap!

What a Weekend!

Well, all my fears were unfounded and we survived! Quite a bit sleepier than we were beforehand, but we had a wonderful time. We stayed at Rutland Camping & Caravan Park and were very impressed. Good playground and excellent toilet/shower block. Games room was a little limited, with only table football and air hockey, but at least there was one! 

Yesterday we walked around the village of Greetham which is very pretty, if perhaps a little over stocked with barn conversions! Lots of quirky features and thatch cottages.

We had lunch in the very fabulous Wheatsheaf at Greetham. A pretty pub with beer garden, great drinks selection including cask ales and an amazing menu, including an array on the 'specials' board and a children's menu. Highchairs were no problem, staff friendly and the food some of the best I have tasted. Ever. I seriously recommend this place!

All of the children were so great all weekend, even when the weather wasn't behaving, and really did us proud. All in all a fabulous time, but what I didn't need is an England quarter final tonight, when I'm so ready for my bed!

Hi ho, hi ho...

So we're off camping for the weekend this afternoon. The weather is a minor niggle, but generally my worries are:

1. Big Muddle will be disturbed by the new situation, and the light evenings, and not sleep.
2. Baby Muddle will be disturbed by all events, hate the air mattress and sleeping bag, and not sleep.
3. Mr Muddle will drink all the beer on the first night then sleep soundly and snoringly until noon (just kidding babe!)

Overall though I'm sure it will all work out fine! Will be back, knackered and muddied, on Sunday to report.

Camping pack list

How can we need so much stuff for two nights?? And we don't even have to bring our tent because we're sharing. But the list is still unimaginably long...Also I'm not really sure what I ever used to pack for myself pre-mummy days. Now I have minimal packing down to a fine art...although only for me! The girls are a different tale altogether.

Really am looking forward to it though, its my first camping trip with Mr Muddle even, not to mention the girls.

Big Muddle will be super-hyped by Friday. Not only are we going with one of her bestest friends, but she's actually learning about camping this week at school, including a camp-out tomorrow afternoon. So on Friday we'll have two hyped-up three-year-olds running around a campsite. And they're sharing a tent. Chances of getting to bed at a reasonable hour?

Cadbury World

Exhausted is not the word! After a rough night with a still sorry-for-herself Baby Muddle we were off on an adventure to Cadbury World!

The idea started because Big Muddle and her friend had been learning about trains at school, so her mother and I decided we'd take the girls on a train day out. Because its only about an hour and a half from us, we decided on Cadbury World.

Was an absolutely cracking day, we all had a great time and lots of chocolate was consumed!

If you go I'd really recommend having a look around the surrounding village, which was built for the workers. There are some really beautiful buildings.

Altogether very worthwhile day out, and one very tired Mummy hoping for a more restful night tonight!