A great weekend in Essex

We spent a brilliant weekend in Essex at the end of March. It was really special being able to show Isla the house where I grew up and point out my old school and places I used to play with my brother. It was also Evie's first trip to Essex and I think she enjoyed it too! We spent some time at the local swing park in the village, trying out all of the play equipment that my dad had helped organise and wish we had such a good park near us. 

We went to Hatfield Forest for ice cream, chips, and a walk through the trees. Isla had been there before, as a tiny baby in the pram. The forest has changed a lot since I remember playing there as a child, with new dens made of branches and walk ways everywhere. The shell house and the lakes looked the same though. 

Here is Isla learning how to do proper lego from her Uncle:

Here is our breakfast in the premier inn which had soft play right behind our table!!!!! and did great hash browns and sausages:

Our last trip to the swing park for a while:

Sisters playing at home

Isla and Evie's favourite time is playing with their toys at home. We've had the Happyland and train set out quite a bit. Evie and Isla have been enjoying each others company a lot, with Isla reading books to Evie and enjoying having tickles from her! Isla likes it when Evie gives her big lucky dribbly kisses. Tonight Isla said that "Evie's tongue tastes of socks" which is slightly bizarre.

Isla made this special alien mask at pre-school:

Isla with her hair clips in:

During half term, Isla went to holiday club for a few hours and enjoyed a quieter time at the pre-school. She got the idea from some of the other children to turn Jura lodge into an ice cream parlour, and so we have spent time in the garden with Isla accepting deliveries from me and then selling me ice creams. They also did baking at holiday club, and Isla brought a cake home that she had decorated with lots of sprinkles. She said that they hadn't done any dancing that morning, and this is something she loves at pre-school. She likes dancing at home to Jake and the Neverland Pirates and Doc McSuffin songs.

Evis has been playing with the picnic basket a lot. She likes playing with the handle and taking things out of the basket.

Hols in Spain

On the plane:

At the beach and by the pool:

 Sandy baby toes:

Some posers:

Building an eeyore house:

A red palm weevil: