Half Term at Hendon Air Museum

With this half term rapidly vanishing in front of our very eyes I decided to take a days holiday from work today and have a family day out. With the weather being so cold and with forecasts of rain we had to pick somewhere indoors. We fancied somthing a bit more than just a soft play centre and bowling was no good either as the boys are doing that at Wizz Kids tomorrow. So in the end we decided to head over to Hendon air museum as we haven't been there in a few years.

 

We had a really great day and the boys are at an age now where they are actually interested in learning about the the different planes and the various wars as opposed to just walking around looking at them. We also played a game trying to guess the wing span of each plane and by the end was actually getting pretty accurate with our guesses. Holly did absolutely amazing and walked/ran around the entire museum from the moment we got there to the moment we left. She flat out refused to go in her buggy. God only knows how far her little legs walked today. When we eventually settled her in the car for the journey home she was completely exhausted and slept the entire journey home.

 

Holly, Brandon and Joshua arrive at Hendon for a family day out.

The boys head kids trail activities to complete and the first one on Joshua's sheet was the Euro Fighter.

Our 3 kiddies posing in front of a plane.

I was under instruction to take a picture of Donald which was painted on the side of the Mustang.

Me and my kiddies in front of one of my favourites, the Lancaster Bomber. Albeit one that has been shot down and blown up!

Holly and Brandon with a pilot.

This mosaic was very impressive, about 30ft by 20ft and made entirely of little pictures of planes to make a large spitfire mosaic.

Joshua sitting beneath the under carriage of the Vulcan bomber watching the movie about its history.

I think the boys counted 21 bombs all lined up and ready for the Vulcan.

Brandon with a funny looking little plane.

Holly running laps in and out of the Chinnock helicopter.

The 3 kiddies in front of a stunning RAF Memorial stained glass window.

Man over board, 3 kids fall out of a inflatable survival boat.

Joshua and Brandon exiting the 3D simulator having been shaken around and knocked off their seats a few times.

Joshua, Brandon and Holly getting to understand the controls of a plane.

My 3 little pilots.

Holly and Joshua playing in a play helicopter.

Then after playing it is time for Biggles Josh to teach her how to fly a real copter.

Holly having fun in a little play plane.

Joshua learning about jets trying to blast the inflatable ball through the metal ring. Brandon was more interested in doing toes to bar on it (which he learnt at cross fit yesterday).

Joshua and Brandon piloting another plane and learning how to may it lift and drop.

Joshua was such a good boy and helped out with Holly so much and was always there to show her how to do different things.

Joshua couldn't grasp hand gliding on his belly so went on his knees instead.

In the Battle of Britain hanger the boys were both fascinated learning abour WW2 and comparing the German planes with the RAF planes.

Joshua, Brandon and Holly about to enter the absolutely gigantic and very impressive Sunderland sea plane.

Inside the Sunderland.

This was a projection map in the WW1 hanger and Holly was hilarious as she chased around the outside trying to catch the moving planes.

This might be a little ambitious of Joshua to try and teach Holly Morse Code.

Watch out there's a Holly about and she has got a machine gun.

Joshua got a bit of a workout on this contraption. Using the lever he could manouver the cockpit chassis with body weight in all directions to simulate flight.

A Holly size plane - amazingly made from polysterene and wool!

Another plane that Brandon liked and wanted his picture taken with.

An exhausted Holly slept all the way home with her pink cat seatbelt ted to snuggle up to and keep her company.

Crossfit Rayleigh Kids Half Term Club

So far for half term the boys have spent Monday at home in the morning playing some games and then in the afternoon we had a dentist check-up. Once again Joshua was reminded to stop sucking his thumb as it is likely to bend his teeth out. Brandon was also given a bit of a telling off by the dentist as he hasn't been cleaning his bottom teeth properly and has some plaque build up!

 

On Tuesday the two boys had a day at Wizz Kids where they went on a cinema visit to watch Alvin and the Chipmunks.

 

But today was special. During this half term, Brendon who runs Crossfit Rayleigh was running some 2 hour kids clubs and so I decided to book Joshua and Brandon in today. They had an absolutely fab time playing lots of sport games, doing loads of physical challenges and a couple of WOD's. We arrived there half an hour early to pick them up and they were in the middle of a WOD which included kettle bell swings, burpees and hanging toes to bar!!!! After that they played dodgeball, swang on ropes, had a tug of war and a team challenge to travel the length of the gym standing on two 2.5kg discs as a team of 3!!! Both boys really enjoyed the session and Brandon was apparently asking to do more burpees and kettle bell swings. I think it is absolutely fab to get them into Crossfit at a young age and start teaching them good technique.

 

Today was a bit of a trial session for them, but as they enjoyed themselves so much I will probably start booking them in once a week for the kids sessions that Brendon runs.

 

Joshua and Brandon arrive for their first Crossfit experience at Crossfit Rayleigh.

Princess Holly & Facebook Mummy Questionnaire

Holly is really starting to develop her own little character and traits now and has an ever growing vocabulary. She still can't quite say "Josh" and instead calls Joshua "Rosh". She doesn't even try Brandon and instead calls him simple "Bruver" or "B". She has also now learnt to say things like, "My bike", "My IPAD", "My bum bum" and so on.Earlier today I even got her to say "disgusting" when she saw my dirty feet! One of her most annoying traits she has picked up from somewhere is a stroppy stomp!!! When she is told off or made to do something that she doesn't want too, she will storm off stamping her feet (early sign of the terrible twos????).

 

Anyway for today's blog update I just have a few recent pictures of my little princess.

 

 

Holly taking her shopping trolley on a trip around the local Tesco's with Mummy.

Big girl Holly enjoying a swing in the pirate ship play park that we always stop by after we go to the dentist.
 

My little princess Holly playing dress-up at home.
 

 

 

On a different subject I was driving to the Midlands today on business and was using the Sat Nav to get to our Binley Office. Little did I know it took me down "Brandon Road" so I had to take a picture of the Sat Nav screen to show him. He now says he wants to live in Brandon Road so that he doesn't forget his address.



 

Brandon Rd in Coventry pops up on the Sat Nav.





 

Finally for today's blog I have noticed a Mummy questionnaire whih has been trending on facebook for the last couple of days. So tonight I decided to get the boys to answer the questions and got some pretty funny responses:

 

1. What is something Mummy always says to you. :
Brandon : "You can't have bad dreams as you haven't been to sleep yet!".
Joshua : "Stop fighting"

2. What makes Mummy happy? :
Brandon : Helping out at the school
Joshua : Flowers

3. What makes Mummy sad? :
Brandon : When she is cold.
Joshua : When someone dies.

4. How does Mummy make you laugh:
Brandon : Tickling me.
Joshua : Tickling me.

5. What was Mummy like as a child?
Brandon : Good worker.
Joshua : Drama Queen.

6. How old is Mummy?
Brandon : 42
Joshua : 42 (almost 43)

7. How tall is Mummy?
Brandon : 4 foot
Joshua : 1 m 50 cm

8. What is Mummy's favourite thing to do?
Brandon : Shopping.
Joshua : IPAD and TV.

9. What does Mummy do when you're not here? :
Brandon : Holly's swimming lessons.
Joshua : Goes to sleep.

10. If Mummy becomes famous what will it be for? :
Brandon : Cooking food.
Joshua : Art.

11. What is Mummy really good at? :
Brandon : Knitting.
Joshua : Playing on her IPAD.

12. What is Mummy not very good at? :
Brandon : Climbing.
Joshua : Not doing jobs.

13. What is Mummy's job?:
Brandon : Police woman.
Joshua : Playing on her IPAD.

14. What makes you proud of Mummy? :
Brandon : Helping.
Joshua : Helping with homework.

15. What is Mummy's favourite food? :
Brandon : Lasagna.
Joshua : Chinese.

16. What do you & Mummy do together? :
Brandon : Play.
Joshua : Cinema.

17. How are you & Mummy the same? :
Brandon : Brown Eyes.
Joshua : Giggly.

18. If your Mummy was a cartoon character who would she be?
Brandon : Jasmine.
Joshua : Sleeping Beauty.

19. How are you & Mummy different?:
Brandon : Hair.
Joshua : Everything.

20. How do you know Mummy loves you? :
Brandon : Kisses.
Joshua : Kisses.

21. Where is Mummy's favourite place to go?

Brandon : Rain Forest.
Joshua : America.



Valentines Day

So valentines day has been and gone (almost) and the kiddies are still all too young to have received their own valentines cards or gifts. That's has'nt stopped them from enjoying the day and celebrating valentines. Holly had fun tearing into mine and Tina's valentines cards this morning and then after a nice roast dinner tonight we player a couples card game where you had loads of questions to see who knew their partner better. Seems Joshua and Brandon know their Mummy and Daddy very well already and got most of the questions correct. As usual I got Tina the typical chocolates along with a few other odds and sods, but then I also tried to get her something a little more thoughtful with a personalised acacia chopping board engraved with "Mr and Mrs King Est. 13th September 1997". It is one of those presents which was either going to be a home run or a home goal!

 

Tina's personalised chopping board for valentines day.

 

 

As we only had one football match today and that had an 11:30 kickoff, we decided to start our valentines day taking the boys to Chelmsford for the 2k Park Run. It was pretty cold and muddy over there and Joshua felt sick before the start, so no PB's today. Still they both did great for at least completing their 10th Park Run now, one more and they get a wrist band. Brandon looked the part wearing his new West Ham Boleyn training kit. After the Park Run we stopped off quickly at Dunkin Donuts for some valentines donuts to take home for lunch, then we headed over to Barleylands ready for Joshua's away match against Essex Royals.

 

Brandon in his new West Ham Boleyn training kit all ready for his 2k Park Run.

 

Brandon looking strong as he beats his poorly bother again around the 2 lap course.

 

Joshua struggled today but still put on a sprint finish to come 48th out of 100.

 

 

 

Despite feeling sick at the Park Run, Joshua played very well in his football match today. He is really starting to grow into the centre back position and played some very good defencive football today. So much so that Coach Lee decided he should be award MOTM in the boys well deserved 5 - 2 win (which was really 5 - 1 as one of the goals was an own goal). So he had definitely earned his Dunkin Donut today.

 

Joshua and Ethan enjoying some Dunkin Donuts after their 5-2 win football match today.

 

Tina picked me a rather delicious apple crumble heart shaped Dunkin Donut.

 

Joshua with his MOTM trophy for today's win against Essex Royals.

 

 

Holly has not been very well lately with a cold and sickness. It is that time of the year when there are loads of bugs doing the rounds at school and it seems that one of the three kids is always ill this time of year. Holly has hardly eaten in the last few days and had us up at 3:30am the other night, sitting up being sick in her cot. Poor little thing. Despite being under the weather her potty training is still going outstanding and she is virtually dry throughout the daytime now. Also she is still enjoying her arts and crafts at her little abs club.

 

Holly's arts and crafts work from last weeks Little Abs club.

 

Finally for today a really nice selfie picture taken by one of the boys cousins at last weeks Southend football match. Great picture of the four of them.

Brandon gets his Red Stripe Belt

Well done to Brandon who this weekend took his first formal karate grading over at Laindon Community Centre where he was awarded his provisional 8th Kyu (white belt with red stripe). This was his first proper grading as previously he has only done the tots tests where they earn the red tags. I was on the grading panel for the day but obviously did not grade Brandon so as to remain impartial. I was however keeping an eye on Brandon throughout the grading and he did do very well.

 

After karate we raced over to Roots Hall as MIchael had us tickets to see a local derby between Colchester and Southend on Seas. The result was a 3-0 win to Southend, however we were kind of forced to leave ten mins before the end when the score was 1-0 as some of the Colchester fans were getting very rowdy and a few fights broke out over the other side of the pitch. Although we were very safe in the family enclosure, its not good for the boys to see fighting and we were a little worried about of these would be trouble outside the stadium as the Colchester fans came out. It is such a shame that a few idiots can ruin a good game of football when you have paid money to go and watch it.

 

Completing Brandon's sporting weekend he was playing away against Rayleigh Boys today who are a very good team. They have only lost 1 match this season and have had some very one sided wins. So we was expecting a hard game and possibly a loss. However the boys played absolutely fantastic, probably the best they have ever played and ended up coming away with a 1-0 win. The parents and coaches couldn't have been more proud of the boys and it is great when they show this type of football. Probably the biggest thing I noticed was the amount of commitment and determination from the team today. The fought from the first whistle to the very end.

 

Joshua's match was not so good today as he played away against Southedian Manor Lions and they lost 7-3.

 

Brandon receives his red stripe belt from Sensie Quinn.

Me and Brandon after his first proper grading.

 

Joshua and Brandon enjoying the action at Roots Hall.

Me, Michael, Josh, Brandon, Uncle Paul, Zoe and Amy. Oh and a load of very colourful language from surrounding fans!!!

Garage Door & Sore Head

Last night we had our parents evening for the two boys and I have to say that both of their reports were extremely good. They are both well behaved, progressing will and either on track for where they need to be or slightly ahead. Brandon is in top set for maths, his Topic book had some absolutely amazing work in it and really the only thing we need to be working on is getting his reading less robotic. Joshua is now concentrating much harder and adding more detail to his work, his topic book looked very good and he is still showing a strong tendency for maths as well. The main thing to work on with Joshua is getting his hand writing neater.

 

Anyway once we got home Tina, Brandon and Holly went in doors whilst me and Joshua went to the garage to put the buggy away. To cut a long story short the garage door broke about 4 weeks ago and then 2 weeks ago me and Joshua repaired it by fitting some new cones/cables and then retentioning the spring. After repairing the door and re greasing everything we had done such a good job that the door opens and closes with a feather touch. Well last night I put the buggy in the garage, turned the light out and then as I turned around Joshua could not see at it was dark in the garage and dark outside and subsequent pulled the garage door down. It dropped with speed smacking me over the head and dropping me to the floor screaming in pain and yelling things at Joshua which I probably should not have said.

 

After squirming around on the floor for a while I realised my hand which was holding my head was feeling very wet. When I looked at my hand it looked like it had been dipped in a pot of red paint. So I shut up the garage and ran to the front garden to get Tina to grab a load of tissue to soak up the blood and get some pressure on the cut to stop the bleeding. Holly came to the front door and saw the blood and pointed to my head saying "Ouch" - so funny. Anyway after 5 mins or so the bleeding stopped and then I downed some Nurofen to get rid of the crippling headache.

 

Once I was cleaned up we finished dinner and got the kiddies to bed. Then Tina being Tina made me go up A&E as she was worried about concussion and also whether my head needed stitching or gluing. So after a 5.5 hour wait in A&E I was eventually seen and they shaved some hair back, glued the wound and then applied some butterfly strips. Lisa and David kindly waited with me at the hospital and gave me a lift home at around 1:15am!!!

 

Joshua was really upset that he had A) hurt me badly and B) with the way I shouted at him. So I had to have a chat with him and apologise for shouting at him and explaining it was an accident. I told him that we had done too good a job at fixing the garage door. I told him that it was much better that he had done it to me as opposed to the other way around as it could have done a lot more damage to him and I would have felt really bad.

 



The before A&E picture once I had stopped the bleeding.

 

The after 5 hours at A&E picture with a shaved head, glued wound and 6 butterfly stitches.

Holly's 2 Year Check Up and Her New Hello Kitty Bike

Last week Holly went for her 2 year check-up and I am pleased to confirm she passed with flying colours. Unfortunately I couldn't be there in person due to travelling with work, but Tina told me that she walked in there babbling away, instantly playing with toys, picking up some books to read and even asked for "pot pot" to go to the toilet whilst there. Needless to say they had no concerns with her other than recommending that she had vitamin D for some reason. So despite not being 3 years old she is now taking one of the boys multi vitamin tablets every day!

 

Other news for Holly is that she has her first pedal bike with stabilisers. Auntie Lisa and Uncle David managed to pick up this fantastic bargain out of Tesco's. It is a Hello Kitty 12" kids bike for the grand sum of £10!!! To good an opportunity to miss. My intention was to just store it in the garage for a year or so until she was ready to ride it, however I set it up for her at the weekend and she absolutely loved it and kept saying "my bike" as I pushed her around on it. She hasn't quite got the idea of working the pedals yet but can certainly reach the pedals no problem.

 

Final update on Holly today is a picture of her holding an art angel that she made at her "Little Abs" club last week. She is so proud of her creative work.

 

 

Holly on her new 12" Hello Kitty bike with stabilisers.

 

She can reach the pedals OK but doesn't quite realise that you need to rotate them to make the bike move.

Holly testing her hands to see if she can reach the breaks.

We will soon have Holly ready to come out on family rides. I wonder if the boys old trail gator will fit this bike???

 

Holly proudly showing her art work that she made at her "Little Abs" club last week.