Easter Egg Hunt and Easter Crafts

I forgot to add a few pictures to the blog from our home Easter Egg hunt that we put on for the kids last weekend. Holly was really excited about doing an egg hunt in the garden and even the boys turned off their PlayStation's for 5 mins to run around the garden searching for chocolate! It took the kiddies no more than about 3 minutes to find all but one of the eggs which the admitted defeat on and I had to show them. After they found all their eggs the kids then his some Creme Eggs and some Caramel Eggs in the garden for me and Tina to go and find.

Holly's main Easter Egg from the Easter Bunny with a Unicorn Teddy.

I think she was a very happy girl when she found this in the garden.

Holly doing some Easter crafts at home.

Cutting out her little Easter Egg finger puppets.

Holly running around the garden in search for Easter Eggs, Josh seems to have found one.

Joshua rounds up more than he can carry.

Brandon finds one hidden on the washing line bracket.

Joshua finding yet another egg.

Not a bad haul from our garden Easter Egg hunt.

Finally to finish off Easter 2019, Holly made this lovely Easter reef which she coloured and decorated all by herself.

Easter Monday Trail at Hanningfield Reservoir

The last day of the Easter bank holiday weekend and we started the day with an impromptu visit to Hanningfield reservoir for an Easter Hunt Trail. We try and arrange some sort of Easter Egg Hunt for the kids every year but this year we just lost track of time and got nothing booked up. So as the weather was so good we decided to just head over to Hanningfield.

Joshua was hobbling around like an old granny as he has a groin strain from overdoing things playing football with his mates over the park yesterday. So Tina stayed back with him whilst me Holly and Brandon went off through the woods looking for the Easter Egg clues in order to win their chocolate rabbit prize.

Holly finds clue number 1 and draws her chicks on the egg.

Brandon marking up his clue sheet.

The badger from Wind in the Willows featured on the trail.

With Joshua being so slow, Holly just wandered off through the woods in search for clues.

The reservoir looked stunning from one of the bird lodges.

Brandon doing some bird spotting.

Looks like Holly can see something out on the reservoir.

Trailing behind a hobbling Joshua with a groin strain.

Holly finds another Easter Egg clue.

Brandon was drawing his chicks on the eggs the same as Holly, Josh couldn't be bothered and was just writing the number on his sheet.

Taking some rest from the lovely stroll through the woodland.

Holly on a wooden carved snail.

Lovely picture of Holly and Brandon.

The trail finished, all the clues found and time to get the reward.

The long walk back for Joshua.

At the end of the Easter trail and the kids all have their golden chocolate rabbit reward.

Easter Holiday Canoeing at Papermill Lock

What an amazing Easter weekend we have had from a weather perspective with the spring temperatures reaching 24-25 degrees. If this is the effect of global warming and climate change then best I get rid of the eco friendly electric car as I am loving the hot weather. Anyway to make the most of the glorious sunshine we dusted off the canoes for the first time in 2019 and headed off to Papermill Lock.

This could be one of the last chances I get to go canoeing with all 3 kiddies as Joshua and Brandon are getting desperate to sell their canoes and upgrade to a SUP (Stand Up Paddle board) which they learnt to use at the Stubbers Smash Camp. We had a lovely canoe from Boreham down to Papermil Lock and then enjoyed a nice picnic followed by the Tea Shop's speciality cakes. After lunch we explored the other side of the lock where there is all the white water from the waterfalls.

In all the years we have been canoeing I don't think I have ever seen so many boats on the water as there was this weekend and so many people jumping in the river to simply cool off/

Off we set on our first voyage of 2019.

Brandon wore his Fitbit which was counting rows as steps, he was very lucky though as he dropped it in the river and amazingly Joshua found it, even more amazing was the fact that it still worked.

Joshua starting to look big for his Challenger K1. Maybe it is time for a SUP.

Joshua and Brandon practicing some limbo under a low bridge.

Holly wasn't helping me row much, but did enjoy leaning over and splashing me.

Brandon wanted lots of pictures to post on his Instagram and Facebook pages.

Joshua chilling with his feet up.

So tranquil as we head down the river to Papermill Lock.

Picnic time looking out over the Lock.

Brandon getting some extra time in the water after a bite to eat.

It would be rude to not visit the tea rooms at Papermill Lock and enjoy some of their cakes.

Brandon contemplating how close he can get to the waterfalls.

Holly about to get a little splashing.

Brandon getting adventurous with some white water.

Joshua looking like a pro.

I think given the choice the boys would like to canoe down this waterfall slope.

Such beautiful scenery. Essex has some amazing places.

Another picture of Joshua at the Lock.

Holly loved our day out canoeing yesterday and wanted to go back again today.

A few seconds later and Brandon would be pushing Joshua in to the river.

Just one Cornetto, give it to Holly, all around her mouth............

Joshua the nut case spent as much time in the water as he did in his canoe. I dread to think what he will be like with a SUP.

Easter Half Term @ the London Emirates Cable Car

So after a very long day covering over 20,000 steps and 10 miles, our day out was finally coming to an end, but we made it to the Emirate Cable Car at North Greenwich and travelled across the Thames and back. I knew nothing about these cable cars until earlier this week despite the fact that they have been there since 2012. They provide an amazing view of the city skyline as you reach a height of 295ft travelling at 6m/s.

I don't think Tina enjoyed the ride much and stayed bolted to her seat telling anyone off when they stood up causing the cable car to rock. Holly seemed to enjoy is but kept saying she felt very nervous being up so high. The boys were busy looking for famous landmarks which given the beautiful weather meant we had spectacular views across London. The cable car ride was a really good way to end our visit to London before heading back to Stratford to grab some dinner before heading home. 5 sets of very tired legs and we all slept very well when we got home.

Making our way on to our Emirates cable car.

Ready for our voyage across the Thames.

Selfie on the cable car.

One of the first things you see is this weird statue in the Thames.

Rising up to the 295ft peak of the cable car.

Stunning views across the city skyline.

Me and my little Princess balancing out the cable car with Tina and the boys on the other side.

London City airport in the background.

Tina putting on a brave face but not enjoying it as much as Josh.

Seems crazy that these pillars support all the cable cars.

Stunning view of the O2 and the city skyline as the sun starts to set.

We picked the perfect day for the cable car ride.

Holly enjoyed the ride so much she wanted to go again and again.

The Emirates cable cars were definitely a highlight of the day for the kiddies.

After the cable car we went in to the Emirates aviation section and got to see what an Airbus cockpit is like.

Would you travel on a plane with these three flying????????