LITTLE MOMENTS 2021: 52/52: OUR CHRISTMAS

 Christmas this year was different from usual. As we spent a few days over the holidays with Stuart's family the routine was different especially for Blake. We had a death in the family near the end of November so we wanted to be together and it didn't really feel like Christmas. 

We did the usual tradition of a mince pie and a glass of milk for Santa and a carrot for the reindeer before bed. In the morning B had a few presents to open however most were at ours so we didn't have to try and cart them around on the train. 

We had a lovely Christmas dinner and just had a pretty laid back Christmas. Once we got home today Blake got to open all his other presents followed by a takeaway for dinner. 

LITTLE MOMENTS : 47 & 48/52: BOOSTER JAB & GORGEOUS SUNSETS

I've not really got much to say about the past two weeks. I've had my covid booster which left me with a really achey arm with a swelling in my arm pit. I had no headache though like i had after the two previous jabs. 

There have also been some lovely sunsets recently that I've managed to capture although it's definitely too cold for Blake to play out with friends now. 

We are going to be very busy with Christmas stuff over the next couple of weeks which I'm sure I'll be sharing especially on social media.

LITTLE MOMENTS : 46/52: ILLUMINATE GAINSBOROUGH

Yesterday evening we headed out to a local event to  commemorate Gainsborough’s 400th anniversary marking the town’s connections to Pilgrims’ heritage.

It was an event that I would have loved to have stayed longer at however Blake got bored quickly. The event started with a digital projection on the walls of Gainsborough Old Hall with the story The Pilgrims: Our Vouag.  It was very interesting to learn about. We then got to see the paper lanterns that were made and set up on the grounds. You can see some of them in the photos above but there were plenty more.

We then saw the illuminated fire garden which really was amazing. We didn't know when we were there that you could actually walk around there to get a more closer look. It was very packed event and a lot of people were watching from the walls hence why we had no idea we could actually get closer. There was also a self led arts trail that we had no idea about. Even though we didn't spend along time there we still had a good time. 

LITTLE MOMENTS: 45/52: BONFIRE NIGHT

 Remember, Remember the 5th of November. 

This year we decided to take Blake to our local bonfire night event. We have avoided going to these events in the past as Blake is very sensitive to sounds and loud sounds can distress him.

However on Friday night we had sat out in the garden with our neighbour and her children watching the fireworks together and Blake absolutely loved it! 

So we decided that we would risk the event on Saturday. We are so glad we did as Blake absolutely loved it and we are so proud of him for how he coped. We are so glad that we were able to take him to experience the event. 

LITTLE MOMENTS: 44/52:OCTOBER HALF TERM

Half term week has been a busy week for us as we had Stuart's Mum and her husband up to visit for a few days and had quite a few days out. Even though its been busy we did have fun and made lovely memories.

Monday

B mainly had free time and a few friends pop round for a bit. My in laws arrived around 4pm and we ended up getting in some pizzas for tea. 

Tuesday

We headed to Messingham Zoo which I wrote about here. If you are ever in the area its definitely a lovely little place to pass a few hours and see some animals. That evening we had a fish and chippy tea at a local place where their restaurant had reopened as they had kept close since March 2020 and only had their takeaway bit open until now.

LITTLE MOMENTS | 42/52 : PUMPKIN SPICE LATTES & CINNAMON SWIRLS

 I absolutely love the cosy comfort food and drink this time of year. This past week has been about pumpkin spice lattes and cinnamon swirls. They are definitely my two favourite autumn time treats. 

The cinnamon swirls we have are ones that are pre-made and just need cutting up and baking. However I'm desperate to be able to have a go at making some from scratch. 

As for pumpkin spice lattes I've been getting mine from Greggs and have had 5 since September.  I'm surprised in all fairness that it hasn't been more. I tried making some at home last year which ended up not working out. I need to try again and find a different recipe.

LITTLE MOMENTS | 40 & 41/52 |SOFT PLAY AND ANAWFUL COLD

 The past two weeks have been  a bit all over the place. I've had an awful sore throat on and off still, but made sure we went to soft play on Saturday 2nd October as Blake had been  asking to go. We actually had a great time there minus a little hiccup when  Blake lashed out at another child. But other than that he loved running around and burning off energy. Whilst we were out and about I managed to stop via Greggs to grab a pumpkin spiced latte. I must admit they are one of my favourite autumn drinks.

Then this week Blake has had an awful cough and we've had to do two covid tests. One was a lateral flow and the other was a PCR and both came back negative so he was allowed back to school. Unfortunately he was sent home again Friday after he fell asleep in class, which really is unlike him. He still isn't 100% but I'm hoping next week he has better luck going to school and most importantly starts to feel more like himself again. We did take him to the out of hours Dr to just double check it wasn't anything like a throat or chest infection. It is just a cold but it's obviously a bad one. 

LITTLE MOMENTS | 36/52: DAY TRIP TO SHEFFIELD

On Wednesday we headed on an hours journey by train to Sheffield for the day. We have never been there before and fancied a change of scenery. We didn't really have plans in place of where to visit and just decided to see once we got there. We did actually get quite a bit done whilst we were there despite going the wrong way to places a few times.

Once we arrived in Sheffield The first place that we headed to was the Millennium Gallery along the way we spotted these colourful walls which were perfect for a photo opportunity. The Millennium Gallery had  few exhibitions on two lots of metal work and two lots of artwork areas my favourite has to be the John Hoyland: The last paintings. They were such colourful and vibrant abstract art pieces that it made in his last eight years of life.

LITTLE MOMENTS | 35/52: CHARITY FUN DAY

Yesterday we headed to a charity fun day event that a local cafe/bar venue was holding to raise funds for the Leeds Children Cancer ward. There was lots to do and was very busy but was definitely worth going to.

They had live music, games, competitions, stalls, auctions, archery and more. Blake's favourites was the inflatable obstacle course which he spent quite awhile on followed by the fun bus which was filled with soft play for him to run around on.

 There were people dressed up as characters such as Peppa Pig, Ana and Elsa from Frozen and more. There was face painting which unfortunately Blake isn't too confident with the idea of yet. Lots of different food stalls were available and Blake of course had to have ice cream. 

LITTLE MOMENTS | 34/52: A QUIET WEEK

This week has been  a fairly quiet one as we wanted to just have one of those weeks when we didn't do much. We got home Monday afternoon and have spent most of the week out in the front garden and spending time with friends. 

We did go to Retford on Friday as we needed to get Blake's school shoes sorted out which we got from clarks. But other than that and looking in a few shops whilst there its been pretty non eventful.

LITTLE MOMENTS | 32/52: GAINSBOROUGH OLD HALL

 For this weeks main trip we decided to stay even more local and visit Gainsborough Old Hall. Gainsborough Old Hall is part of the English Heritage who care for hundreds of historical buildings. 

LITTLE MOMENTS | 31/52: LINCOLN CASTLE

This week we went on the train for the first time in what feels like a long time. We went to Lincoln,  as we had booked tickets in advance to go and visit the castle.

About the castle

Built by William the Conqueror in 1068, Lincoln Castle has stood for hundreds of years as a symbol of power and seat of justice. Scale the heights of the Medieval Wall Walk, follow in the footsteps of prisoners in the Victorian Prison, and immerse yourself in the Magna Carta story. Discover 1000 years of history – where it happened.

LITTLE MOMENTS | 30/52: MAGIC PAINTING

This week Blake broke up from school for the 6 and a half weeks summer holidays. We are really looking forward to spending time together as a family, with days out, crafts, science experiments etc.

One of the things we got out on the first day of the holidays was a magic painting set. I think they are such a great idea for mess free fun.

LITTLE MOMENTS | 29/52: MUSICAL MATS

The weather really has been beautiful recently. Which has made Blake being able to play out after school much more easier to do.  One day when his friends weren't around to play we got out in the front garden on our own instead.

 

LITTLE MOMENTS | 28/52: BIG BOY BIKE

Blake has started to take an interest in his friends bikes recently. It's not something he had been bothered about before. He had a skuttle bug when he was one and then a balance bike at 2 which I've been meaning to get rid of. Blake all of a sudden has taken a real interest in the balance bike which is way too small. So yesterday we headed to a local bike shop to have a look at what they had and to get an idea of the size Blake would need. 

We have been thinking that a new bike would be ideal for him to have during the summer holidays. He likes to spend alot of time outside and his friends have been riding their bikes up and down the street recently so he is wanting to be like them.

From what should have been just looking ended with us actually purchasing Blake a bike plus stabilisers. He was really excited about this bike and it was within our budget so we went ahead with the purchase. Now all that is needed is for Blake to get use to the idea of a much bigger bike.  It's going to take him time but I know it will be something that he absolutely loves. The summer holidays definitely the perfect time for him to get use to it.

LITTLE MOMENTS | 27/52: MY NEW BLOG

After debating about it for awhile I've decided to set up a new blog, At home with The Bayfords. This brand new blog will be focusing on home related content whilst I'll still be running this one for parenting and Lifestyle.

The past few days has seen me setting up this new blog which has involved not just sorting out the theme but designing a new logo, buying a new domain name and other stuff behind the scenes. I recently read a helpful post on ways to update your digital branding.

So if you are into home and garden related posts than my new blog is for you. It's going to have posts on home interiors, garden ideas, hacks, hauls and maybe the odd cleaning and organisation post. 

LITTLE MOMENTS | 26/52: SCHOOL TRIP

This week Blake had a school trip to one of the local farms with his teachers and class mates. It's a farm we haven't been to ourselves yet but have heard good things about . We made sure to add a few extra bits into his lunch box since he was bound to burn off quite alot of energy.  

LITTLE MOMENTS: TOM & JERRY | 24/52

As a child one of the shows I grew up watching was Tom & Jerry. This month was the release of the new Tom & Jerry Movie on DVD so I just had to grab a copy. All of 3 of us really enjoyed it, Stuart grew up watching Tom & Jerry too and I loved seeing Blake's face light up whilst watching it.

I like to hope that it means that Tom & Jerry will back to our screens again. I love the idea of Blake watching something that I really enjoyed as a child. 

LITTLE MOMENTS: A BUSY HALF TERM |23/52

This week was half term and it has really flown by. Read on to see what we got up to this week.

Monday                                                                

Monday was Bank Holiday and we spent most of the day at home after a busy weekend. The weather was glorious so most of the day was spent outside. Blake played quite a bit with his friends out the front and then had time playing on his own in our back yard.

Tuesday

Tuesday was pretty much the same as Monday but we has my mother in law and her husband arrives they were visiting for a few days. It's been about 7 months since we last saw them due to covid so Blake was very excited.

 

Wednesday 

Wednesday was very busy for us and we got quite a lot done. It started off with a trip to Richmond Park which is the other side of town. As you can see below not only is it a lovely park they also have an aviary. Then we stopped off at McDonald's for lunch and then it was off to soft play. Blake has so much energy that it was exhausting just watching him running around. After that it was time for dinner so we headed out a local pub and had a lovely meal sat outside. 

LITTLE MOMENTS: ENJOYING THE SUNSHINE DAYS| 22/52

What a complete change of weather we have had the past few days. It's arrived in good time ready for half term. Hopefully it's going to stay that way for awhile now. 

Yesterday Blake got to play out with his friends in the morning before we headed to the nearest park to us. I love taking Blake to parks as it gets him burning off some extra energy. Once home Blake wanted to be out in our backgarden playing with his water tray and we also got the Bubble machine for him.