26th July

A hot day at the beach today. Oliver has now progressed from not liking the water/waves at all (bizarre given his love of all things water normally!) to paddling his feet in around an inch of water! The girls loved getting completely soaked whilst only in knee deep water!

25th July

A day at Shiremoor Adventure Park today with school friends and LD:NE. It was great fun and a lot less muddier than the last time we visited!

24th July

Oliver had speech therapy this morning and the weather wasn’t great so we opted for a day in. First up was finger and toe nails painting (they’re not allowed them decorated for school). 3 pairs of feet (including Oliver!) and 2 pairs of hands later!

23rd July

First day of the school holidays! Granny and Mummy take the 7 grandchildren/cousins to Tynemouth Priory for the day. It was great fun with very few arguments so that’s a bonus! We attempted to get a photograph of everyone but that ended up resembling a scene from a Carry On film!

22nd July

We have had the best weekend away but it’s time to head back for children. Thank you to Granny, Auntie Steph, Uncle Chris, Grandma and Grandad who all helped with childcare!

21st July

The infamous Swilken Bridge on the Old Course!

20th July

There are worse places to wake up on a Friday morning! Mummy and Daddy are having their first weekend away without children for a friend’s 40th birthday.

19th July

Our nursery graduates! They’ve had an amazing year with great reports at the end. We’ll miss nursery but ‘big’ school beckons!

18th July

Our last walk home from the old school. We’ll miss this walk (it’s a horrible path but is a pretty walk) when we move to the new school building!

17th July

Our version of the railway children! We stood for ages watching the metros go by. Oliver waved at everyone!

16th July

The school is clearing and selling furniture it doesn’t need/want. We acquired a pew! We asked for it to be painted red :)

15th July

The girls were at gymnastics with Mummy so Daddy took Oliver into Newcastle. During cake time, Oliver decided he didn’t want to sit with Daddy!

14th July

Such a hot morning so an early morning paddle was the way forward!

13th July

Letter fun this afternoon!

12th July

Sports Day fun today! Maisie and Oliver are on space hoppers and Jessica is dribbling a football. Brilliant day!

11th July

Maisie loves to check what Jessica is doing in her classroom when we collect her!

10th July

Looking like the Blues Brothers (or Sisters!) while looking for trains!

9th July

Quite a sight to see so many birds looking for food today! Pity our grass is looking so brown/bare!

8th July

Jessica and Maisie enjoying their Church Birthday lunch outside on the grass with a friend!

7th July

Jessica was chosen to dance for her school at the Shiremoor Treat today. It was brilliant! Here she is mid-dance (pink t-shirt, 4th from left).

6th July

Two of Jessica’s friends came for dinner tonight so Mummy had a challenge getting 5 children safely home from school. It turned out quite easy when they were given the ‘walk along the line’ game!

5th July

Lots of planning has gone into today/this week - Happy 350th Birthday, Christ Church!

4th July

This little boy was given paints to entertain himself for a few minutes while Mummy hang out the washing. Look what happened! It was everywhere!

3rd July

Reading time before bed!

2nd July

So, Mummy set herself a challenge at the beginning of the year - to run the Great North Run before a certain milestone birthday in November! Training is tough but going well. Averaging 5-6 miles at a decent pace. 

1st July

The girls showing off their gymnastics skills in the garden!