I joined in Lexi Rees’ Creative Writing Camp in July, it was amazing.
Lexi guided us from day 1 to day 5 through the amount of writing we all needed and planing ideas. The aim was to write a book in a week, we joined in on Zoom sessions each day
I had so much fun writing it with help from Lexi and my mum who gave great ideas of describing how the room would look like or who the characters were. The best part was the writing because it was endless of describing the characters and the place they were in.
On day 1 everyone made this planning roller coaster with our ideas of how we wanted the story to go once we did we started to write our first to paragraphs.
SPOILER ALERT!!
I managed to make a good-sized story thankfully, I haven’t written the whole story here because you need to find out in the future!!
My story was about a princess and king who are about to eat their garlic cheese bread. Nuria starts to choke and they hear a noise. The figure finally appears and takes the kings priceless crown. Nuria finds a map, they go to the X marks the spot at the spooky cave. I will stop there because I want to publish the book itself.
I rate the group 5/5 for giving me ideas and helping develop writing skills.
Also great group Lexi, it was so much fun and something to do during lockdown and without my brother and sister annoying me; it relaxed and focused me so thank you for letting me do it.
This course was gifted in the exchange for a review and feedback but I loved it so much that I have joined the How to be a Journalist starting on the 10th August. Find out more about it here.
Sophie
This course was perfect for Sophie, it helped her imagination but also gave her the stages you need to write a book. I really enjoyed how the story began with printable activities. As a parent in lockdown, this was an affordable course that kept giving, Sophie made a friend within the week and it gave us a little break as well. The fact that Lexi is an author herself makes it even more of a worthy investment. We are a part of her Kids Club and this is a fun and educational resource.
Local graffiti artist No Hone came up with a fab idea to bring graffiti indoors whilst we are in lockdown. No Hone is takings children’s names and making them into graffiti-style colour sheets.
Sophie, Riley and Robyn had so much creative fun in colouring them in. I even let them have the sharpies and the finished by laminating them and putting them on their bedroom doors.
And here’s the result…
If you would like your childs name made into a graffiti outline simply get in touch with No Hone, see the details below:
When we found out there were souvenirs to be claimed on the last day of 2019 and the first day of 2020; we couldn’t avoid the urge.
Souvenirs in the Geocaching world are like digital badges on your profile and throughout your Geocaching adventures, sometimes there will be a challenge set to achieve them and sometimes it will because you found a cache in a different country.
To claim the individual souvenirs we had to find one cache on each day and I am glad to say that we DIT IT! We actually did it in 2018 as well but in 2017 we only managed to claim one as we were away.
New Year’s Eve and we managed to find a Geocache very local to us, we like to keep a few for emergency caching. Thankfully we can find micro’s nice and easy now. Our last cache of 2019 was Priory Road Cache and Dash (GC676GF).
Our caching year totals so far:
2017- 191
2018- 134
2019- 102
Despite the decline in finds we absolutely love Geocaching and 2020 we are going to aim to increase our finds. Things are a little different as we are now a family that works from home full time. We are looking forward to 2020.
2020 arrived and Rob is going to remind us all of this moment, the first find of the new year. A quick magnetic find and not that far from us, we were near Riplingham. 100 yards (GC6RKAD).
We didn’t stop there, we went on to find three more and had a lovely fresh New Years Day walk. We would have done more but it was a bitter cold despite the sun shining bright on us.
You can see they were all excited to be back out caching again but it can get competitive. Your dog will like this one (GC6RK9R).
Two new badges and an exciting caching year ahead planned.
We were gifted a day out to The Pink Pig Farm which is just over the Humber Bridge for us, a short 20 mile journey. The three children were excited to go along, we had visited before but had come for a special afternoon tea after some Geocaching. We were excited to go into the farm and find out what was in store.
The lady that greeted us at the till was very friendly and informative, she told us all about the pumpkin carving and we decided to pay for it on the sale of “there’s no mess at home”. It was £3.50 per child. There wasn’t a map but everything was well signposted and staff throughout the day were very helpful with any directions, it was like discovering different area’s of the farm and became an adventure.
Farm Park
It’s safe to say that the toboggan run was a big hit with the kids, absolutely loved racing each other down the hill. The giant swing was also fun because we all climbed aboard and had a swing together, it was nice to do as a family. We were lucky that we had a nice autumn day and that the rain kept away. There were lots of activities in this area including football, sand play, water play, slide, tight rope and even a craft cabin.
The air bounce pillow was a big hit and thankfully it wasn’t raining so they were able to join in. Daddy enjoyed the sand diggers and helped Robyn with them. There were tractors and a play hay bail, you are truly spoilt for choice on what to do.
Pumpkin Carving
The kids thoroughly enjoyed the pumpkin carving and spent time searching for the right pumpkin for them. The area was separate from everywhere else and dedicated to the carving, they all enjoyed the atmosphere that was brought with the themed decorations.
There were lots of Halloween activities including a spooky puzzle in a little woodland trail, we had to find the letters and unscramble them to make a word. If you got the word correct than a chocolate frog was the reward. An option in the shop to have your photo dressed up and on a broom with a green screen to make a fun shot.
Lunch stop
The kids decided they were going to have the lunch box deal for £4.50, choose 5 items from the selection; sandwiches, crisps, drink, fruit, yogurts, cookies, cheese, fruit packets and jammy dodgers. Plenty to choose from. It was a good idea because they didn’t want to stop playing and eat so they ended up having a little bit, coming back and having more.
There was a hot menu in which the adult lunch meals were a good price but we felt the children’s meal were a little expensive, perhaps because we have three children it cranked the price up a bit. However saying this, people had brought in their own picnics and there was no problem with this. It’s nice to know you have a choice when visiting places as a family to do this.
Mummy tried the quiche which was delicious and filling, it came with a side salad and coleslaw. Daddy had a chip butty and then we shared some sweet potatoe fries between us. We couldn’t complain at the portions, we were all satisfied and ready for the next part of our day out.
The animals
There were so many animals to see and it was set out like a trail with a washing station for your hands. Of course there are pigs to visit but also donkeys, sheep, goats, geese, chickens, alpacas, rabbits, guinea pigs and ducks (did you see the duck selfie?).
The Tractor Ride
A pink tractor that you can ride on, yes please! We were surprised at how many we you could fit in the trailer, we were concerned that our family of five would take up the whole of one side but it wasn’t the case. It was fun to
The Play Barn
After all the fun outside it was time for a sit-down and let the kids play in the play barn, it was the kids that pointed out that the play area appeared like a pig which we thought was genius. Mummy and Daddy were certainly ready for a hot drink and the kids were kept happy, it was a task to bring them away when it was time to go home.
It’s safe to say we will be visiting again, especially as there is a Christmas Narnia experience.
Sophie (9) says “I think The Pink Pig Farm was amazing because all of the activities were fun to do. We went on the tractor ride and I liked looking at the animals, my favourite animal was the little owls cuddling together. My favourite thing to do there was jumping on the air bounce pillow.
Riley (7) says “I liked the pumpkin carving and the tractor ride. My favourite thing is seeing the animals and going on the toy tractors”
Robyn (3) says in response to what was the best part of the day “The Tractor”
Highly recommend going to visit The Pink Pig Farm. Find out more about the Pink Pig Farm here.
There is a Geocache nearby but we were all tuckered out as we spent the whole day at the farm. We are going to put it on our list to claim when we visit next time and make sure we stop to find it first.
The Geocache is called The little piggy……… (GC4WWCJ), it is a premium cache so you will have to be a member but it is only £25 for the year or you can pay monthly.
We have been to paint some pottery and it’s not something I have done since I was a child myself. Our eldest (Sophie) had been as part of a party and so we decided we should take Robyn and Riley on separate dates and enjoy some time. We usually do things together as a family and sometimes we forget to have that quality time together.
We went along to Tea & Bisque-it which is in Willerby and not that far from us.
Robyn was very excited at the thought and had no trouble in picking what she wanted to paint, Ariel. I chose a tealight holder and Rob chose a small gnome. Robyn was the first to get stuck in with her painting.
We enjoyed some light lunch whilst we were there and had a pleasant time. The food was delicious and we can recommend trying their desserts, especially the bonoffee cookie chessecake.
We were worried at thinking Robyn may not understand that we have to leave her Ariel to be finished but she absolutely fine and couldn’t wait to see what it would look like.
A week later and we went to pick up our pottery, it was actually ready way before then but we didn’t have the time to collect.
Here were the results:
We were so pleased with the outcome and will certainly be going back again. We found the pottery painting relaxing and it was in a nice environment with good food and friendly staff.
A trip to Retford for some Geocaching and adventures at Sundown. We couldn’t believe it when we woke up to find it was pouring down with rain. We did check the weather at Retford and it said it was cloudy with a small chance of rain, so we braved the idea and prepared just in case.
Thank goodness it cleared up and to the point of sunny and hot by the afternoon. It was the best outcome in a way because it did put some of the public off going along to Sundown Adventureland which became our first part of the day.
Thank you to Sundown Adventureland for gifting us the tickets.
We thoroughly enjoyed the rides, we felt Robyn was a perfect starting age at three years old, she didn’t want the rides to end. Riley enjoyed the storytelling of the rides and it certainly helped his imagination and role play throughout the day.
Sophie enjoyed the play areas and making games up to involve Riley and Robyn in play. They were happily playing in these areas and we found that we could have a short break as mum and dad.
Be careful though because your children might end up wanted. There was so much for them to do, interactive games, walls, buttons, rooms, acitvities, areas. The wild west themed part of Sundown was our favourite but it was a hard pick.
To describe the park is in its title Sundown Adventureland, the three children certainly had their own adventures and came together as a trio as well. They were all tuckered out by the end of Sundown but we did have some time for Geocaching.
We were especially excited to meet Honey and Sunny themselves at the summertime fun activities, the children enjoyed a boogie with them and joined in the conga line. Robyn didn’t want Honey and Sunny to go, this made her day even more special.
We think our video speaks for itself, you can also watch us Geocaching in action. Have you found the church micro in Bole?
Jen says “What a fantastic day out for young families, it has everything you could want. Make sure you explore the whole park though as there is plenty to discover”
Rob says “Fabulous family entertainment. A fair entry price and we look forward to seeing what the Christmas season is like at Sundown”
Sophie says “I think that you should go to Sundown because you get to have lots of fun with your family and make memories like I did”
Riley says “I liked Sundown because the rides are very cool and the water ride was the best”
Robyn says “Can we go again?”
Further information about the Summertime Fun…
“Summertime Fun” activities will run between 12pm and 6pm on the picnic field until Sunday 1 September.
Every day from 12pm, the park will be hosting children’s party games such as school disco classic ‘four corners’ and the limbo, giving every child the chance to win their very own bear. Visitors can meet Honey, Sunny, Kiki and Koko and pose for photos from 2pm, before they get the party started with conga lines, agadoo and the macarena on the picnic field until 6pm.
The park’s usual attractions, shops and restaurants will all be open until 6pm including a four-storey indoor play area Crash Landings, liquorice and sweet-smelling fairy-tale Lollipoppet Castle complete with its very own sleeping dragon, the Wild Ostrich Safari Ride which takes you through the African Savannah on the back of an ostrich, yodelling goats and talking potatoes at Sundown Market, and many more interactive rides and play areas.
A couple of month’s ago we had a local adventure in discovering the Fish Trail in Hull City Centre. I had completed this as a child but despite living back here for over five years, I hadn’t taken my three children to discover the 41 different spots.
Our adventure was a part of The Hull Hub Issue 7 which is currently available to pick up at different locations in and around the city. You can also read online.
Today we let the kids rule the day, that’s right! Yesterday Sophie and Riley received their school reports and because they were excellent we decided to let them take over what we do for the day.
We had four categories with three choices in each and they had to choose which one they wanted to do.
Outing
Strawberry picking
Ellerker Village summer fayre including duck race
Geocaching
The kids unanimously chose Strawberry picking, it’s something we haven’t done as a family before so we were all excited and drove out to Eastfield Farm Strawberries.
What a fantastic time we had and yes they had to have their own punnet each, we will be eating strawberries all week. It is well worth the visit, the staff were friendly and the cheesecake was delicious (mummy and daddy needed encouragement since the kids were in charge for the day).
Lunch
Picnic
McDonalds
Trinity Market
The kids chose McDonalds and they ate the lot, although this wasn’t the easiest out of the three choices they didn’t mind the little wait in the car on the way back from Hollym.
Activity
Biking
Scootering
Park (with hope the splash section is running)
The kids chose the park but it wasn’t warm enough for the splash section to run so we went from West Park in Hull to the Peter Pan Park for a change. They loved every moment and especially because they were in charge.
Pudding
Popcorn
Pick n Mix
Magnum Ice Cream
The kids chose the Pick n Mix and this was the last part of the kids rule the day although they did come home and choose a movie as well as tea (they still had some room from the strawberries).
All in all the day was a success and we will be doing this again next year (if not before) for the weekend of the kids getting their report.
Sophie says “I think we should do it again and other parents should try it with their children”
Riley says “It was a good idea I have been waiting all week so we can rule the day”
We were gifted a Kooties coverall a couple of weeks ago and we have spent some time trying it out with Robyn (3).
WE WENT GEOCACHING, keep reading to find out our caching fun.
Robyn absolutely loves to pretend to be a doctor and make everyone better. There was an obvious choice when deciding which coverall to go for, you can choose between: fire fighter, construction worker, paramedic and police officer.
Kooties are a worlds first coverall that combines messy play and role play.
We have three children and so this is perfect for us as our washing machine is always on the go when they have been playing outside with chalk, painting with water or in the mud. Our kids seem to get covered in all sorts and so I was excited to see if it would reduce our in the week wash down with Robyn’s school uniform.
Robyn’s first impressions was that she couldn’t wait to get in them, she loved that she could be a ‘doctor’ and fix everyone back together again. Robyn is 3 but 4 in November, we decided to go for a size 3-4 because she is on the tiny side. We were pleased that the Kooties coverall had plenty of space to grow but it didn’t matter that it was a bit big her her because of the elastic on the wrists and ankles. Either way they offer a lot of space making it easy to get the coverall over all of Robyn’s clothes.
The first thing we did was let Robyn chalk away and it proved useful because it meant her school clothes were kept clean. The chalk was easy to wipe off the coveralls as well. Find out about the chalking in the vlog (keep reading).
Whilst out Geocaching Robyn enjoyed searching for someone in need and running to help as well as running to find the cache. Often when we are out Geocaching we wear old clothes because we don’t want to get them muddy or grass stained, the coverall is a perfect alternative for the kids and it means we wouldn’t have to worry as much.
Robyn was very happy playing in the Kooties coveralls, you can see for yourself in this short video we put together. See what Geocache we discover…
