Half Term Fun

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I love it when the kids are off school. I was really looking forward to spending time with big J and heading out for some family days out. We have all been full of cold recently and unfortunately it didn't miraculously disappear last week while we were off work and school but we made the most of it.

On Monday we headed off to the Albert Dock for a ride on the Wheel of Liverpool. We have been on the wheel before. Its been a few years and little J hadn't been on it so I was unsure if he would like it.  We had a look on the internet first to see if there were any offers on and there was a voucher for 25% off which came in handy and took the cost down to £19 for the four of us. 

The Wheel is just by the Liverpool Echo Arena and looks over the Albert Dock and the River Mersey. It was clear but the time we got on the wheel so we had a nice view out. 
On the first turn it stays at the top for a little while and then after that it goes straight round. Five times in total I think. Daddy doesn't really like heights and I was a little worried that one of the doors didn't look properly shut but it was fun and the boys enjoyed it.

We managed to get a pod to ourselves which was good as little J kept switching sides so was up and down a lot

After we had been on the Wheel we headed over to Costa for a nice lunch.

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Midweek we headed to up to Blackpool. We had a few things planned and were all indoors so it didn't matter if it was raining today but I'm glad to say it did stay nice and dry.

First of all both monkeys fell asleep on the way there. It made me giggle when I saw them both. We had only been in the car five minutes before big J was snoring. Little J managed about 20 minutes before he was snoozing too.

After there little nap we had arrived and our first stop was Sandcastle Waterpark. We have been to the sandcastle before but again before little J was born. Both boys love the water and big J loves all the slides so I knew it would be a fun day.
When we arrived the queue was huge. We had tickets so we were shown inside through a side door and within minutes we were in the changing rooms. I hate swimming baths changing rooms. They always smell funny and you never know what you are standing in so I always take my shoes off at the very last minute. I have to say considering how busy the changing rooms were they were very clean. I saw at least three staff cleaning the floors while we were there which was nice because they can get very mucky.
There were female, male and family and they all linked towards the lockers. We chose a family changing room and again considering how busy it was we didn't have to wait. 
We paid for an electronic locker which was slightly larger than the regular lockers. £3 deposit which was returned at the end of your visit. Normal lockers are available for 50p I think, I am not sure whether that is returned at the end or not.

*photograph credit - Sandcastle Waterpark*

The waterpark itself was very very busy and the queues for the slides were huge. Big J queued for almost 30 minutes for the sidewinder ride and that was only for a rubber ring. He then had to take the ring up the stairs and join another queue.

While he was queueing little J was enjoying paddling in the shallow end of the pool and swapping from one side to another.
Big J loved the sidewinder ride. and was eyeing up the next slide. First though he played with little J in the pool. After a hour of so I could see little J was a little tired so I decided to take him out and let Daddy and big J hit the slides
We got back to the changing rooms and to dressed and then headed back into the waterpark to take a seat and have something to eat.
I was a little disappointed that after walking round for almost 15 minutes there was no where to sit. Not one free table. There is maintenance on some of the seating area by the snack bar but all the other seats were empty but had peoples towels on them. I don't think that is fair and it felt like being on holiday when you have to fight for a sun lounger in the morning. It was clear that no one was sat there, the towels were dry

In the end we gave up and decided to go for a walk instead. On the way out just by the main entrance there was another snack bar and some sofas so we manage to sit there and grab a bite to eat. I had my iPad with me so little J chilled on that and made use of the free wifi.
After a while Daddy and big J returned and they had only managed two slides in just over 1 hour and a half. They did manage to try out Aztec Falls which was a new ride. They loved it. Very fast and dark. We have promised big J that we will return another time on a less busier day so he can enjoy the slides although I think it will be busy all the time as it seems very very popular.
Overall the seating situation was a nightmare and I do think there should be a policy to remove towels if no one is sitting there. There was so many people standing up, with babies and children because they couldn't get a seat. Like I said above it was very clean and for me personally that was a big thumbs up as I felt comfortable walking round without my shoes on. The slides they went on, they loved. Big J's favourite was Aztec Falls and Daddy like the duelling dragons. There was plenty for little J to do too. 

Both boys had a great time and we will definitely be returning again. 
What did you get up to in Half Term?


*we were invited to the sandcastle waterpark, all thoughts opinions and photographs are our own unless stated*

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A Day Out In York

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We've had a few hospital appointments over the last few weeks which can be stressful and worrying so it was nice to relax at the a few weekends ago and enjoy a day out in York. We have been to York before little J was born and it was a lovely place so I was excited to get back there and enjoy the sights.

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Project 365 Days 47-53

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Last week was half term...YAY. I love half term. I love big J being off school because we can enjoy some nice family time together and little J gets to see his big brother during the day.

47/365 - Today we started half term by going into Liverpool. We had a nice walk around the Albert Dock and we went on The Wheel of Liverpool. Little J hasn't been on it before but he loved it.

48/365 - Pancake Tuesday. Big J went out to his friends so before he went we made some pancakes. This one is half Nutella and half maple syrup.

49/365 - Today we went to Blackpool. This photo is actually on the way there. Both monkeys fell asleep.

50/365 - Big J went to his friends again today - it was a little miserable outside but later on it did dry up and the rain stopped. Enough time for little J to have a quick play in the garden before bath time.

51/365 - I had a sore throat and a cough today so we had a 'in' day. Little J playing in his tent on the iPad.

52/365 - Family meal this afternoon 

53/365 - Outside fun at Nana and Grandads

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The New Kids Menu at Bella Italia

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Bella Italia was one of the first restaurants Daddy and I went to as a couple almost 15 years ago and although we have been a few times over the years we haven't been together as a family. Bella Italia have just launched a new kids menu and we were lucky to be invited to try it out on a visit to York.

We pre booked a table for 3pm which was a little early for Dinner but we hadn't had any lunch so little J was feeling very peckish by now. He had only had a snack followed by a snooze so I knew his little stomach would be rumbling.  When we arrived we were seated quickly and was offered a highchair for little J. We were sat right by the kitchen so could see the food being prepared as we waited for the waitress to take our drinks order.

The kids menu was split into two. A menu for little ones and a larger portion menu for up to 11 year olds. Each menu included a starter, main, desert and refillable drink. There is plenty of choice available. If the kids want pizza they can choose a flavour off the main menu and it just comes in a smaller portion.

Daddy and I both got diet coca cola, Big J and little J were eating off the kids menu so they got a refillable drink each. Big J ordered diet coca cola and we order fruit squash for little J. When the kids drinks arrived they were in glass bottle with a plastic straw. They were great and very retro. We ordered a sharing garlic mozzarella bread to start while the boys each got a garlic bread started included on the kids menu. 

Little J was really hungry at this point and I was a little disappointed that our wait for just the starters was almost 45 minutes. They arrived at the table at 3:45pm even though we had been sat since 3pm. This was a long time for a 1 year old to sit still and it was hard for us to try and keep him entertained as he was very hungry. He played on his tablet for a while.

Daddy and big J also played on their phones while we waited. I had noticed earlier that our garlic bread sitting under the hot lamps for almost 10 minutes but there was no kids garlic breads there. One of the waitresses mentioned to the chef who swiftly moved the garlic bread and looked like he threw it in the bin. Minutes later we were told our starters were on the way. 

The sharing garlic bread was cut into 8 slices and was very filling. Big J and little J's garlic bread was cut into strips and they both seemed to enjoy it. 

Once we had finished little J was very restless. He just didn't want to sit in the highchair any longer. Our mains still took another 10 - 15 minutes after we had finished. So before we had even got onto our main course we had been seated for almost 1hr20.

Daddy and I ordered lasagne which came in an oven dish and was very hot but very tasty. Big J's pizza was almost adult size even though it was from the kids menu. Little J's margarita pizza was a good size too and perfect for him to nibble on. He did eat some of it stood up on the seat watching the other guests.

It was clear he wasn't going to eat it all so after we had finished I asked the waitress could we take it home and she took it away and brought it back in a brown takeaway box which was perfect as he ate some more on the way home. 

Big J enjoyed his pizza and had room left to visit the Gelato cart for a scoop of bubblegum ice-cream. Little J also got one too, just vanilla.  Overall our experience was okay. The restaurant itself was clean and the waitress was very friendly. It was just the waiting time which let it down. I don't mind waiting for food but 45 minutes for some garlic bread is crazy. Have you tried the new Bella Italia Kids Menu yet?

*I am a member of the Mumsnet Bloggers Network Research Panel, a group of parent bloggers who have volunteered to review products, services, events and brands for Mumsnet. I have no paid for the product or to attend an event. I have editorial control and retain full editorial integrity*
www.mumsnet.com/bloggers-network

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Project 365 Days 33-39

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Hi all. Another week and another seven photographs capturing what we have been up to this week.

The sun has been shining this week but it is very very cold. It was -1 during the week on the way to school.

33/365 - Little J spent the morning in nursery today and was so tired he fell asleep for almost 4 hours. 

34/365 - The Meat and Greet details were available online for the forthcoming McBusted Tour. Too expensive for me. Gutted.

35/365 - It was nice to have some time with Big J tonight and we played some board games. We received Disney Hedbanz for christmas and its so much fun. Its very similar to Guess Who but with disney characters.

36/365 - Daddy had a little go on a tombola in Tesco today for charity and won two little prizes. Well done Daddy.

37/365 - Enjoying a pre valentines meal at Prezzo. Keep an eye out for our review this week.

38/365 - In the early hours of Friday Morning Daddy and I became an aunty and uncle for the first time. Big J has a new cousin, baby A. He is absolutely adorable and we couldn't wait for cuddles.

39/365 - Big J and little J rolling down the hill at Clifford Tower, York. We had a lovely day taking in the sights in York.

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Project 365 Days 19-25

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Welcome to this weeks Project 365. This week has flew over, its crazy that its Monday again already. It will soon be February. I have noticed its started to get lighter earlier in the mornings now, makes getting up for work and school that little bit easier.

19/365 - Little J received an new toy from his uncle Paul, his very own JCB and he loves it. Its got a horn on it too and he loves pressing it...all the time.

20/365 - Today we had a huge Nerf gun battle in our living room. Big J tried to his new Nerf Zombie Strike gun. Foam bullets flying everywhere but it was lots of fun.

21/365 - I've ate this pretty much every day this week. Chicken, lettuce, tomato, sweetcorn and sweet chilli sauce. I love it. Today I was feeling a littler hungry so I added some pasta to it.

22/365 - Today I got a lovely delivery from Tesco of lots of protein filled foods to help me with the #proteinchallenge I a taking part of thanks to Upbeat. Keep an eye out for how I get on.

23/365 - We got our new beds delivered today which I thought was exciting but big and little J were more excited about jumping and playing on the old mattresses. 

24/365 - A very cold day today but that didn't stop us wrapping up warm and heading of to New Brighton for a late afternoon stroll, a quick go on the arcades and to the pub for tea.

25/365 - No one can make little J smile like this except his big brother.

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