Sunday Sea Life!

WP_20150705_001 WP_20150705_003

Unfortunately, we had to change our planned family day due to inclement weather but we had such a brilliant day out, it was a very worth while change to the plans.  When we awoke to miserable weather and rain, we needed a new family activity and inspired by our breakfast cereal box, Mr S suggested a trip to the local aquarium. The link to the cereal box was that it had a voucher on for BOGOF and Mr S got sent out to the shop for another box with the same voucher thus saving £40 on our day out.  I do like a saving!

I have passed the Aquarium many times but until today I had never been in, from the outside it doesn’t look too impressive but inside it was wonderful. As well as the exhibits there was also a special competition to be a LEGO deep sea diver, so we had fun looking for LEGO toys in the tanks.  The centre housed all different sea creatures, rays, sea horses, sharks, turtles, ocean life and penguins.  My favourites were the turtles and the rays mainly for their stunning appearance and the graceful way in which they glided through the water.  I loved the patterns on the animals the patterns, shapes and shades were stunning, there is so much inspiration in nature.  As well as the sea life there were also simple rides, we did Crocodile Creek, a water flume and got soaking wet, much to the children’s amusement and Copacabana where the children could play in splash pools and fountains, we were prepared and brought towels and swimming costumes with us.  Fortunately by lunch time, the weather had improved greatly and we enjoyed our picnic and then were able to play in bright, warm sunshine.

The Sea Life centre was really informative and interesting and I was pleasantly surprised by its work on conservation and pledge not to exhibit creatures simply for public enjoyment, thus there were no dolphins or whales.  The day went so quickly and we all really enjoyed the attraction, best of all we got free return tickets for September to see their latest exhibit, we’re already looking forward to our return.

Little Sparkles

papercrane_quote_sunshine (3)

It’s been a much more relaxed and family focused time this week and with our mini heatwave it’s meant lots of time outside and playing in the sun. We’ve enjoyed some nice family times in the sunshine, on Saturday we played on the beach and on Sunday we were at a local farm picking fruit. We were back on the beach after school on Monday and to cope with the heat, the sprinkler in the garden has been used to cool us all down!

READ

After seeing a number of recommendations for her new book, I have started to read Sarah Winman’s ‘When God was a Rabbit’   I am around 100 pages into it but have to admit to not really enjoying it, there seems to be too many themes, mental health, child sexual abuse, child neglect, a talking rabbit called God! It feels like it’s a contrived list of things which might shock the reader but which don’t interweave with a real plot yet. I may persevere for a few more pages as I don’t like to give up on a book but it’s not a great recommendation to read her new book.

I have also read one of Little Miss’ books, Judy Moody. It’s not a series I’m familiar with so I read it to see what Little Miss is reading and so I can talk to her about the book. The titled character is cleverly crafted, Judy Moody is a little moody but you see chinks of the person she really wants to be and how she uses her character as a defence.  Children’s books can be real works of genius and I think Judy Moody is a character we can work with!

LISTENED

I listened to an excellent edition of Woman’s Hour on Wednesday which revealed this year’s Top Ten Influential Women in the UK. It was a good mix of women from media, politics although I didn’t agree with the whole list. I felt it lacked contributions from science and technology and education. However it was still an interesting listen and key words seemed to resonate of the nominees, strength, dignity, responsibility. The number 1 in the countdown was Nicola Sturgeon and her interview was intelligent, reasoned and witty.  I’m definitely an admirer.

WATCHED

sports

Nothing on television, not even Wimbledon! It’s too bright and sunny to have the television on, I prefer to sit outside and enjoy the cooler evenings reading a book or jotting down a few ideas and plans. This week it’s been the children’s school Sports Day so I have seen the children run, jump and throw in a nicely organised afternoon of sport. Sadly the weather was a bit bizarre, we had drizzle to begin with, then bright, hot sunshine which led to the grass steaming, then a sea mist and finally heavy rain which led to the cancellation of the parents’ race, no sticker for me this year L

MADE

WP_20150628_024

After our fruit picking trip, I made a delicious gooseberry crumble, sometimes the simplest recipes are the best. Among the other random things I have made this week are lots of sandcastles and a pirate eye patch for Little Man who has become obsessed with pirates this week after Pirate Pete made a surprise visit to his class.

WORE

A dress and heels! It was our school prom on Friday night and I got in the full spirit of the occasion by dressing up. It was an amazing experience and the Prom team had done so much to make it an absolutely stunning occasion.

I also wore my comfy, well-worn Teva sandals when I went fruit picking.  They’re a very useful, Summer sandal and I was amused to read in the Times that apparently they’re the trend of this Summer.

WP_20150628_033