Calypso Holiday Hacks #3 - Family Photography at Woburn Safari Park

Calypso have created the Holiday Hacks app which is a collection of great ideas, gathered from parents in the know, to keep the kids busy all summer until school restarts in September. We've already spent time reading some new books and enjoying time outside as a family which were super boredom busters suggested by the app, and now we've picked a third activity to keep the Mini Mes entertained - it was perfectly timed for our trip to the zoo!

"Take a disposable camera wherever you go - the kids love to see how the photos turn out at the end of the holiday, it's creative, and a lovely afternoon when we all sit together to see how the photos have turned out."

Silent Sunday

My reasons to be happy

My reasons to be happy

Maybe mentioning the beautiful sunshine last week tempted fate as it has rained all this week so far!

Still, I have lots of reasons to be cheerful....


Sunday we had a fantastic day at the Safari Park (you can read about that here and see the photos). Despite the rain we got up close with lots of animals and the Mini Mes loved picking out a little soft toy each to take home at the end of the day -there was no escaping the gift shop!

Monday I received some wonderful news! My brother called from Paris and informed me that he had just proposed to his girlfriend while on a river tour and she said yes. They have been together 5 years and they are a lovely couple who met at university in Coventry. Her ring is beautiful too, I asked her to send me a picture for a peek. I'm only a tiny bit green with envy, promise.
Maybe I'm next?!! *wishes*.

Both of the kids are now fully settled in back at school. Minxy had a few issues at first and she would cry daily and not eat any lunch but she is finally enjoying it and getting on well. Phew!

We have a child free weekend ahead while the kids visit their dad so I intend to have two mornings waking up naturally. It's the little things like this that make such a difference. I'm suffering a little with a cold and bad chest so some rest will be great!


What reasons to you have to be cheerful this week?

Woburn Safari Park

A day out is even better when it's free and we recently won a family pass to the Zoo from Tilda! We selected our date, the tickets were booked and yesterday we made our way to Woburn Safari Park for our family trip.

Despite rain on the forecast, when we arrived at opening it was dry and reasonably bright. We drove inside and decided to go through the Safari area first before the rain hit, knowing that the animals head to the shelters when it's damp out.

The Mini Mes were fascinated and really excited to be so close to the animals. I'd been before with Jamster but this was a whole new experience for Minxy. She kept saying how awesome it was and that it was 'the best day ever' so she definitely loved it!

Some pictures from the safari....

And everyone's favourite...

We parked next to the foot safari and enjoyed a picnic lunch before going to explore. The rain was now pouring down but we still enjoyed seeing some more animals, especially the cute and friendly marmosets and playful penguins!

Before heading home we popped into the gift shop, where there was LOADS to choose from at reasonable prices, and we repeated the road safari. Both of the Mini Mes settled on a soft toy and the Mr had fun trying on some shades!

*This is not a sponsored post. We won tickets to Woburn and chose to share our experience*

My reasons to be happy

My reasons to be happy

I'm still in shock about how beautiful the weather is at the moment. I think I've seen more of the sun this month than we did during July and August combined! I'm loving it. It's that extra boost in the morning to get out of bed (I'm definitely not a morning person) and motivates me o walk the dog with the Mr in the evenings more.
Sunshine really does make me happy.

Since the Mini Mes returned to school in September I've been able to make a few new friendships myself. This is something I generally find quite difficult at times but as the children have swapped classes I've been standing and chatting with different parents in the morning and afternoons which is lovely.

We are off to the zoo on Sunday. I won a family pass recently to Woburn Safari Park so the fact that our trip is free is even better! I hope this Autumn sunshine remains until at least Monday!

What reasons to you have to be cheerful this week?