Water World

Well the bank holiday was not the best in terms of British summer weather and certainly nowhere near the Spanish sun we will all be basking under in just a few weeks time. However we made the most of the fact that it at least was not raining and headed over to Maldon Promenade for the day. Loads and loads of pictures, but for this blog update I will only focus on the water world pictures. The challenge here was to see which of the boys would last anywhere near the 30 min time limit given the wind chill on their wet bodies with cold water jets soaking them.

Joshua was fearless as usual and was simply running from one water sprayer to another like a man possessed.

Brandon on the other hand was a bit more reserved and didn't really fancy getting wet and cold. This was about as close as the little guy got to the water!

Joshua on the other hand is happy to just get stuck in the middle of a water fountain (literally).

Anyone would think Brandon was washing his hair under the water jets. The reality is he is just rushing through and trying to protect himself from getting too wet.

Nice snake.

This fountain looks like a giant jelly fish.

Brandon caved in first and bailed out after about 10 mins to the warmth of a towel and a mummy cuddle.

Joshua went for a power shower.

Now this is what you call having the heavens open up on you. Check out those dark clouds. How we avoided the rain is a miracle.

Partners in crime. Joshua finds a buddy to spray water everywhere.

And finally Brandon decides to warm himself up with an ice lolly.

DIY S.O.S

DIY S.O.S comes to a town near you. Check out Daddy's little helpers doing some hard grafting by helping out to decorate their cousins bedroom.

Both boys slapping some undercoat on the walls.

Joshie trying to roller the ceiling.

He was supposed to be holding the ladder. Instead he was acting like more of a counter balance by climbing up on the opposite side!

Trunki

The boys Trunki suitcases arrived today. Joshua opted for the Gruffalo version and Brandon went for the orange tiger one. Both boys wasted little time in filling their cases with toys, paper and drawing bits. So they are all packed ready for holiday well in advance.

Neither of them have yet tried sitting on the case and being pulled along. However they were both happy walking them all around the house like little pet dogs.

The World Is His Oyster

Little Brandon's passport finally arrived and fortunately in time for his first trip abroad next month. So now the World is his oyster as his global travels begin. Doesn't he look a proud and happy boy showing off his passport?

"Look Daddy, its me!".

The boys are now well aware that we are going on holiday in September and furthermore Joshua understands his birthday is in October when he will be four. Both boys seem to be grasping the basic concepts of time, in particular days and weeks. They understand for example that they might have 1 day at school, then a day off with mummy, then 2 days off with the boys (that's what we call our weekends). Joshua is also starting to understand that Saturday and Sunday is the weekend when we do not work and that Wednesday and Friday are his nursery days etc.

In preparation for holiday and to enjoy whats left of the British summer we recently bought the boys a new paddling pool. This time though it is a solid sided one as I am fed up with the inflatable ones which the cats around here appear to keep puncturing over night. So lets see how long this one lasts!

The one concern I have is the arc trellis in the background! Joshua quite often climbs this and I am just wondering how long before he figures out he can high dive from the trellis into the pool!

Lake Meadows

This blog is predominantly about positive updates on the two boys - however as any parent will tell you, there are good days and bad days. Today has been one of those rare days where the boys have been some what mischievous and have pushed the boundaries to the limit. More often that not today it seems like I have been talking to myself and have had to repeat questions or instructions 3 or more times.

But it wasn't all bad today and to get the boys out for some fresh air and let off some steam we took a drive over to Lake Meadows park. Here is Joshie and Tina on the rocking horse.

And check this out, no surprises here that Brandon is on the slide, but........

.....for the first time he is seen climbing back up the slide instead of using the steps!!

Joshua's climbing is getting exceptional and he had no issues scaling this climbing wall in order to get to the black hole slide.

Brandon also enjoyed this slide but obviously needed help getting up to the top.

Joshua getting ready to fly the plane off on our holiday.

You spin me right round baby right round.......

We even had time for some nature, Brandon in a tree...

...Joshua trying to climb a tree.

Then we found the football pitch.

Joshua cracking a shot straight at me, this one might hurt!

Remember what I said about Joshua's climbing skills. Check him out on the big spiders web.

Even Brandon gave the spiders web a crack but needed a helping hand.

A rather unusual spinning bird cage.

We couldn't quite figure out what this bit of the park was for. I assume some sort of swing type skateboard simulator. Brandon just enjoyed pushing the skateboard backwards and forwards.

After all the fun and even a bit of sunshine beating down, it was time for an ice-cream.

Joshua looking a bit rosey cheeked after all the running around.

Lets hope the fresh air and the activity makes them both nice and tired for tonight. Then raring to go tomorrow for football club and swimming.