Enchanted Audley End

Last night we had a lovely festive family evening at the Enchanted Christmas Trail at Audley End House. It was a perfect chilly wintry evening and so we all wrapped up well with fleeces, coats, hats, scarves and gloves. The trail seemed quite a bit longer than last years trail and featured lots of new bits.

The 2019 trail started with the talking tree introduction which then went in to the hologram fairy's in bird cages. From there we went over the troll bridge where we got smoked out and then on to a Morse code light show thing. After then there was a light maze which was roughly the half way point and a perfect place to stop by the camp fire for hot chocolates, mulled wine, mince pies etc.

After some refreshments we continued on to the trail which took you around the back of the house which was illuminated with an amazing fairy laser light show. We then headed around the front of the house where the kids all had a go on some small fairground rides before we headed off on the final stretch of the trail heading towards the "Make a Wish" tree.

It was really good to have a different trail from last year and some new activities. Everyone seemed to have a good time and we certainly got in to the Xmas spirit.

Greetings from the talking tree.

All wrapped up on a cold wintry evening.

The hologram fairy's (Holly was very amazed by these).

Holly enjoying leading the way around the trail.

A bit of an odd light arch (looks like a ace start/finish line).

In to the light maze we go.

Holly enjoying the largest Bourbon biscuit I have ever seen.

Finally Josh took the camera so there was a rare picture with me in it.

Holly resting her little legs.

There was no way Holly was not going to go on each and every fairground ride.

A mini Ferris wheel, somehow Brandon squeezed in with Holly!

Joshua escorted Holly on the tea cups.

And then all three decided to go on this ride (Josh and Brandon were way too big really.

Holly and Bee in front of the Xmas tree at Audley End House.

Holly at the "Make A Wish" tree.

Holly's wish was beautiful, she wrote that she wished everyone could be happy.

Then she drew the family and wrote her name on the back of her wish.

Finally Holly had to peg it on to the Tree of Wishes.

Almost a picture of all 5 of us. Cut off a bit of Holly and Joshua was grumpy as he doesn't like photos!

The amazing laser light show at Audley End House.

Love the way the house and gardens were all illuminated.

The laser light show on the house was again Fairy themed.

Pesky Elf Updates

So the Elf on the shelf made its return and I have to say I am struggling more so than any other year to find the time, motivation or inspiration to do this every night. I think it is partly because the boys no longer believe and I am only doing it for Holly, and partly because we have had so much going on with Holly's birthday, kids parties and the building extension that my feet just haven't touched the ground.

Anyway here are the Elf updates so far for 2020.

Cooking some nice mint brownies.

Trying to complete an Elf jigsaw puzzle.

Chocolate snowmen having a chocolate snow ball fight (chocolates courtesy of my pension meeting in London). 

A mobile phone jail made out of play-doh and straws.

Stealing a load of Holly's books and reading them to her teddy's.

Holly was really upset to find the Elves using her Barbie boat in the bath.

Holly's Birthday Party at Monkey Madness

Today Holly had her birthday party which she wanted at Monkey Madness indoor soft play. The party got off to a bad start when Tina got the start time wrong and at 11:23 we were at home having just got all the Christmas decorations up and thnking about lunch. Then a message comes through saying the party starts at 11:30 and to make matters worse Brandon had a home football match which I had to be at for 12:30! So Tina had to dash off extremely quickly with Joshua and in the end turned up about 5 minutes late. 

Fortunately the party went very well, Holly had a great time and she got loads and loads of presents as well. And although I missed Holly's party, Brandon's team went on to win his match 6-2. So a good day all round.

Toilet paper fun at Holly's 6th birthday party.

Holly sitting down with all her friends for some party food after the soft play.

And she even got her face painted, of course she had a unicorn which seems to be the theme for this years birthday!

School Photos 2019

OK so I might be a bit biased as these are my kids - but how in the blue hell do I pick my favourites from these proofs of the kids 2019 school photos?????

The Elf on the Shelf Brings Advent Calendars

The 1st of December means one thing - the return of the Elf on the Shelf. This year as Brandon is now no longer a "Believer" I have two helpers to come up with daily ideas for Holly. But lets see how that plays out as I seem to recall Joshua not contributing much last year!

Anyway for Day 1 the Elves returned with advent calendars for all at Wick Palace. Brandon got one which you build a 1/10th scale Revell Porsche, Holly got a Barbie doll calendar, Tina got a Friends charm bracelet calendar and I got the 24 days f hot spicy sauce. 

As Joshua is growing up we really struggled to find a calendar suitable for him and I really wanted to try and getting him a fishing one, but couldn't find one anywhere. So I decided to make one out of toilet roll tubes and wrapping paper, then filled each of the tubes with a float, hook, lure or something like that.

Home made advent calendar for Joshua containing loads of fishing stuff.

The return of Candy Cane with lots of advent calendars for Holly.

Buddy brings Joshua his advent calendars.

And last but not least Peppermint brings Brandon's advent calendars.

Brandon with his Porsche advent calendar (he does smile for some photo's, honestly!).

Holly with her Frozen II bracelet calendar and her Barbie doll calendar.

And finally Tina showing off her Friends calendar with Holly photo bombing.