Southernd Pier Easter Egg Hunt

On Easter Bank Holiday Monday we were in two minds whether to actually bother leaving the house as the forecast was rain all day. But surprisingly once breakfast was out of the way it actually looked OK outside, albeit a little overcast. So we decided to take the kids to Southend Pier for yet another Easter Egg hunt. We have been promising them that they could go on the train to the end of the pier for some time now so this seemed the perfect excuse.

So we jumped aboard the Sir John Betjeman train and chugged down the 1.33 miles to the end of the pier. I think it must be well over 20 years since I have been to the end of the pier myself and a lot has changed – but I guess that’s a result of it burning down 4 times! I had no idea that there was a Jamie Oliver restaurant on the pier along with loads of very colourfully painted beach huts. We also got to see the RNLI lifeboats and a large Dutch sailboat which had anchored up at the end of the pier.

The Easter Hunt was pretty cool and the kids had 10 eggs hidden all over the pier to find which referenced wildlife that you can see from the pier. As a reward they received a certificate and a Cadbury’s Cream Egg (not bad for £2 each). After the Easter Egg Hunt we had a picnic inside whilst the kiddies (and adults) all did an Easter colouring competition. Brandon absolutely nailed his Easter Chick / Egg picture by using the RNLI them and colours – surely he is on to a winner with this.

We arrived at the right time for the train as when we came back the queue was huge.

Holly enjoying the weird concept of travelling by train over the sea.

At the end of the pier and the Easter Hunt begins.

Congratulations on reaching the 1.33 mile end of the pier (oh and finding the first Easter Egg just above Brandon's head)|.

Not too many people ventured out in the morning. Notice the Dutch sailboat anchored up as well.

Another Easter Egg found on the buoy.

We visited the RNLI at the end of the pier where I was ended up spending some of my hard earnt money on toot for the kids in the shop (still I guess its a good cause).

Loads of little birds camped up on part of the pier.

Holly was gutted as none of thew ride-ons seemed to work (maybe they hadn't been converted to the new £1 coins).

Joshua and Brandon actually struggled to find all 10. This wasn't as easy as the other Easter Hunts we have done.

Holly and Josh by one of the colourful beach huts.

Holly liked the rainbow and sparkly gold on this one.

Quick family picture at the end of the pier.

Warming up with a picnic and some colouring inside.

Brandon submitting our entries to the competition wall.

Brandon's rather clever RNLI themed Easter colouring.

Joshua's was neatly done and the colours went well together.

Like Brandon by colouring was themed (Southend United FC) in hope of getting a few extra votes. Not sure 45 year old men are allowed to enter the kids Easter colouring competition!

More colourfully painted beach huts on the pier.

And at the end of a fun afternoon it was time to catch our train back again.

Easter Hunt at Audley End House

Continuing with our Easter themed weekend we decided to make use of our English Heritage cards and spend Easter Sunday doing another Easter trail at Audley End House. The trail involved searching the grounds for 6 questions to answer and then at the end of the trail the kids were rewarded with a large chocolate coin.

 

The 3 kiddies really enjoyed the trail and exploring the grounds and the house. Holly was wearing welly boots and her Treehouse rain suit which was perfect for her to jump in as many muddy puddles as she could find! Luckily it wasn't too cold outside and we even managed to have a picnic in the outdoor play area.

 

Prior to going to Audley End the boys enjoyed another speciality Easter breakfast. Joshua had the Kit Kat soldiers and Cream Egg, Brandon had half an Easter Egg filled with Cocoa Pops and milk and Holly had a Kit Kat and a chocolate Crepe! But that was nothing compared to the special Easter pudding I prepared for tonight - half an Easter Egg filled with cheesecake containing a mango and strawberry yolk. Just delicious.

 

 

 

 

Brandon's Easter Sunday breakfast - using an Easter Egg as a breakfast bowl.

We arrive at the spectacular Audley End House for another Easter Trail.

This was one of the 6 clues that the kids had to find scattered around the grounds.

Joshua carrying some Laundry.

Holly climbing in the laundry trailer.

Heading to the organic kitchen gardens for clue Nr.2.

And we found clue Nr.2.

Lot's of nice spring flowers in the kitchen gardens.

Clue Nr.3 was hidden in the stables by the carriages.

Holly practicing some hose riding skills.

In Joshua's words, Holly was a complete savage jumping in muddy puddles.

Me and my kiddies, Easter 2018.

Holly taking a page out of Jes Ennis's book and biting down on her gold chocolate coin for completing the trail/

All 4 kiddies with more Easter chocolate. At least they had exercise running around finding the clues.

We found Holly the ultimate puddle to jump and run through. She loved it.

And after all that running around we had earnt ourselves the ultimate Easter pudding. Easter Egg cheesecake.

Perfectly runny mango and strawberry yolk. Absolutely delicious.

Hanningfield Reservoir Easter Egg Hunt 2018

As with previous years we start our Easter celebrations on Good Friday and not Easter Sunday like most other people. So the Easter Bunny visited Wick Palace last night and the boys had the most awesome chocolate egg and soldier breakfast today (comprising of Kit Kat soldiers and a Cadburys Cream Egg!).

 

I also prepared some Easter place mats for the table, some Easter quizzes for the kids and some Easter decorations around the house. The kids were not impressed with the minimal amount of Easter eggs that the Easter Bunny delivered - but we assured them that they will probably get more from the rest of the family. Holly got a little Flopsy teddy rabbit with her main egg which she absolutely loves.

 

After breakfast we decided to go on an Easter Egg hunt at Hanningfield reservoir. We arrived at about 11'ish and really struggled to park up as it was rammed over there. Fortunately we managed to miss the real heavy rain and had a good walk through the woods searching for clues to win their prize of another Easter Egg. Although Holly was more interested in jumping in muddy puddles and Josh and B were more interested in having Nerf gun wars with their friend Alfie who we bumped in to over there.

 

After the Easter Egg hunt me and Holly stayed longer to do the Easter craft activity but the boys were not interested in this. Its a sure sign they are growing up and we are on borrowed time with activities like this for Easter fun.

 

Now that's what I call and Easter breakfast of chocolate egg and soldiers.

 

Joshua actually woke up today and said he didn't want breakfast until I offered him this. He thought I was joking at first.

Brandon only at the Cream Egg and left the Kit Kats. So he finished breakfast off with some Crepes.

The Easter Bunny came last night and the kids weren't too impressed with the Egg's this year.

The table all laid with homemade Easter place mats, a few Easter decorations and some Easter crackers.

Holly's place mat and Easter cracker.



Holly and Josh pulling an Easter Cracker.

A grumpy Brandon pulling an Easter cracker with his little sister.

On a wet and muddy Easter Egg hunt over at Hanningfield reservoir.

Luckily we all had boots on!

Holly and Bee having fun finding the characters hidden in the woods.

It took Holly a while but eventually she plucked up the courage to take a chocolate off of the Easter Bunny.

And then eventually she even braves getting close to the Bunny for a picture.

Holly with the badger.

Joshua and Brandon testing how water proof their boots are.



When they weren't playing in muddy puddles or shooting each other, they did actually hunt out the Easter Egg clues and copy the patterns.

Happy little Holly wanted her picture with the frog as well.

Holly exploring pond life by filtering out little insects from the pond dipping.

Clearly too much Peppa Pig for Holly as she enjoyed jumping in muddy puddles.

Finally Holly finishes her little Easter craft activity at the reservoir. A little help from Daddy.

Cross Country Update - Brandon Qualifies





This week Brandon had his next phase of the cross country racing and did absolutely amazing again. He finished in 10th place and has now qualified for the Country District Championships to be held in Hadleigh Park in April. He is the only Year 4 in his school to have progressed this far. So a few trips to Hadleigh over the Easter holiday and some extra training for Brandon. Joshua gave it his best but struggled in the wet muddy conditions to finish 40th, so he did well to get this far but unfortunately will not progress to the County Districts.

 

The Abacus cross country team which has now filtered down to just four kids progressing to the next round.