The Unsuccessful, successful day!

I am working tomorrow and can not cope with a days work without a decent nights sleep. I am leaving a lot of my "to do's" un-ticked and was given myself a hard time until I went to give my daughter, Cerys a kiss goodnight. She has fallen asleep holding the picture I helped her draw earlier and the story book I just read to her is still open on the bed.
I was thinking I hadn't done anything important done today but I have in fact done the most important things of all. We have done jigsaws, performed a play with only her toys as the audience, tried a Nutella hot chocolate for the first time and just spent time together!
Everything else can wait! :-)

Our day at Folly Farm- Britain's Best Days Out

A big smile and a “yay” was my daughter’s response when I told her we were going to Folly Farm for the day. We, along with my sister Claire were very lucky to be given tickets to review a Britain's Best days out/ Families Day Out and Folly Farm was our chosen attraction.

We don’t live too far away anyway but it so easy to find from wherever you are travelling from, with plenty of car park spaces.

The staff are always very pleasant and helpful and after we got our map of the park and timetable of events which were on that day, we entered the park. We visited in late November and there was an immediate “Christmas feeling” with the Reception area lit up and decorated.

We also got given Wristbands for the children where we could write our mobile numbers on should any of them get lost. I think that this is such a good idea.

We decided to attempt the Winter Wonderland Reindeer Trail where we had to find questions around the park and then of course answer them. I am not sure if the adults or kids enjoyed this more.

Folly Farm has different special visitors during the year but we were very lucky that the most special one of all was here this day and during the month of December. It was of course- Father Christmas. We didn’t have to wait long until we got into Santa’s Grotto but I don’t think any of us would have cared too much if we did. We were entertained with magic tricks, a beautiful snow scene and even a mulled wine for Mummy.

I love that magical feeling of Christmas and the Grotto certainly had that feeling. Father Christmas was lovely and took the time to talk to my daughter and my nieces and nephew and let my youngest niece sit on his lap.

It is these moments in life that can bring a happy tear to the eye. They each had a present and even a mince pie as we left.

We went into The Jolly Barn and Farm where we of course found lots of animals. I have always been a animal lover and Cerys is too so we love seeing all the animals. This visit, if it had something to do with Christmas coming up I don’t know but these donkeys seemed to be one of the favourites.

In here you always have the opportunity to hand milk a goat, play on a indoor play tractor and have a go on the many activities.

Folly Interactive is one of my daughter’s favourite parts and I love that she is learning while having fun. She loves these lights

and was one of the inspirations for a Christmas present for her bedroom. I think photos can best describe the kids enjoyment of this area.

The whole family was entertained with a magic show performed by Jugglestruck. Although this photo probably doesn’t do it justice

(I really do need to invest in a decent camera- for these photo opportunities) I/we loved bring surrounded by bubbles. After all who doesn’t love BUBBLES whatever age you are?

In December of course you can not rely on having decent weather for a British family Day out but then again we don’t always have the best weather in the summer. Folly Farm has so much to do indoors that you really don’t have to worry about what the weather is doing. We decided to take a winter picnic courtesy of Nanny- which is always good and always lots of it. We could actually sit inside in the Carousel Woods and all of us sit at a table and eat, drink (soft drinks I should add) and be MERRY. You can of course always choose to eat in their Restaurant or other food places around the park.

The indoor play area there is fabulous. If I took my four year old daughter just into this part for the day she would happy.

Where do I start when writing about The Vintage Funfair? It s amazing to see these “beautifully restored rides” and even better to have a go. Although they have some favourite rides which you can see in other funfairs, they have some which I would have never got to see if I had not visited FOLLY FARM. I didn’t take photos of the rides as I was too busy being a big kid. I also recommend the doughnuts that you can purchase in here. They are, for want of a better word- yummy!

Cerys also enjoys the fairground stalls and you are given a little prize each time even if you don’t win.

If I have one negative thing to say is that here was the point that we ran out of time and had to leave so we didn’t get to do everything so their Boomerang ticket offer is something that I would take up if I would have been able to go back within a week of the visit. I am also thinking of getting a Annual Pass for both myself and my daughter as we would certainly get the use out of it.

I really do have to mention how clean and tidy the park is with excellent facilities. I love the gift shop for kids and adults alike. It is well worth a look around and putting a bit of money aside for as I can always see something in there I like, Whether it be for me, Cerys or a gift for somebody.

The conclusion- Folly Farm is a excellent family day out!

Click her for more information on Days Out Vouchers, Money-off Vouchers and Money Supermarket Days Out Discounts


　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

New beginnings.. Slow starts!

Just a quick post on here to say that I will get back to blogging in the next few days!
Just waiting to recover from a bout of laryngitis as you do! Here's to a happy, healthy and organised 2013 with lots of blogs!

Love

Jo

X x x

I spoke too soon

No sooner had I said how lucky I have been this year not to get a cold, I am hit with one. I am longing to be curled up at home with someone to bring me drinks and look after me but instead I am in work!
Only another five hours to go! :-)

10,000 spoons when all you need is a knife

I will now give a prime example of why I need to get organised!
I can find four pyjama tops and can not the matching friend for any of these.
I am trying to pack for my night away at the weekend and can only find one shoe! I despair of myself sometimes, I really do!

We will get there... Well that is what I keep telling myself anyway! :-)

Nurturestore

I can feel a obsession coming on! http://nurturestore.co.uk
I came across it on Pinterest and am now constantly writing down ideas that I want to try/make with Cerys. I have been on the look out for a website like this for so long. There are lots of Halloween and Autumn themed things to make and do at on there at the moment!
We made our very first one yesterday - the Halloween yarn pumpkin and there are so many more I want to attempt! Can't wait! :-)

Popcorn and lollipops!

We enjoyed a pleasant afternoon at Folly Farm, no I'm not always there ;-)
I fell in love with this horse in photo!
He spent most of his time with his back to everybody but for some reason we caught each others eye. As I walked over to see him he came directly over to me! Lovely moment!
Cerys had a lovely time, we saw animals, went on rides and managed the play area today. We also managed doughnuts and popcorn and came home with sweets and a lollipop!
I always get inspired by the sensory experience that they have. I would really like to have some
Lights like these in Cerys's bedroom obviously on a smaller scale!
Well,we had a lovely day and made even better by the news that my nephew got a gold and a bronze medal in his gym competition today! Well done Danny!
Had the usual frantic Sunday evening but sat down now with Downton Abbey on the TV- my little treat before the week ahead!
If anybody chances to come across this post- wishing you a good week ahead! :-)