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.