A day at Alton Towers

Earlier in the week me and my husband visited Alton Towers. We usually go at least once a year and this year we collected vouchers out of the sun newspaper which means we got free entry to the park (the only downside to this is that you can't choose the date that you go). Anyway, due to the nature of the rides we decided that we would leave the toddler with her Grandma, it wasn't until we had been there about an hour that I realised it was the first time we had done anything on our own, as a couple for a long time!

We decided to ease ourselves into the rides starting with the runaway mine train before heading off to some of the more 'adventerous' rides including sub zero, air and the Nemesis, things were going well until we went on the Nemesis and suddenly I felt really sick...

Waiting for Air

Scary 'bloody' water...waiting for Nemesis

 Nemesis 1 - Katie 0 :-/

We decided we go and grab some dinner. There are lots of different eateries in the park but we chose to visit 'Pizza and Pasta' for £9.75 each we got unlimited pizza, pasta, salad and drinks. I have to say the food was YUM!

 

We then spent the afternoon going on more rides including the rapids and log flumes.

Rapidsssss

Not too wet, probably because he used his wife has a human shield to avoid the water!!

SOAKED!

We then decided to follow our inner child's and visit the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Ice Age attractions.

 

 

Hubs insisted on visiting the parks brand spanking new ride 'the smiler' - he was so sad that we missed the launch date by 2 days, however as he says its gives him a reason to go back later in the year :)

Despite the weather we had a brilliant day, the queue times for the rides weren't very long which was a bonus and the park as some lovely attractions as you walk round too.

And of course we can't go anywhere without bringing a little something back for the toddler. The only problem is we can never find anything with the name Gracie on so instead we opted to personalise her new cup with a daughter label.

Do you like theme parks? If so which is your favourite? I would love to hear from you :)
 

Gracie turns 2!

Monday 13th May 2013, the day we celebrated our little Gracie's second birthday. After a late night full of baking, wrapping and decorating the time was finally here... it was time to go into my daughter's bedroom and get my TWO year old from her cot.

 

 

 

 

We went into her room full of beans, singing 'Happy Birthday' at the top of our voices, Gracie sat there, looking confused, blissfully unaware of our excitement and emotions and we picked her up and wished her a happy birthday.

 

The hubster carried her downstairs, where she was greeted by a pile of presents, some from us and some from family and friends but first we had to have breakfast (much to Gracie's disappointment).

 

After breakfast it was time to open the presents, one by one Gracie tore the paper off her presents and as she did she proudly held her new gifts up to show us.

 

Then it was time for us to head out for the day, we had decided months ago that the three of us would go to Sundown Adventureland on her birthday, however the weather had been so rubbish on the run up that we had been debating whether we should or shouldn't go but in the end we decided we would.

Sundown Adventureland is a theme park designed for under 10's based in Nottinghamshire, the park is made up of several different themed areas and includes lots of different buildings for the children to explore most of which include interactive features.

 

 

 

 

 

There is also a number of outdoor play areas.

 

  

 

 

 

 

 And the best bit (in my opinion anyway) is the rides!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On the whole the weather wasn't too bad however it did rain quite heavily at one point so we headed into one of the indoor soft plays.

 

 

 

 

 

Finally it was time for home, and I think we were all pretty pooped - some of us more than others.

 

 

But once home the celebrating didn't stop there, family and friends came round, more presents were opened, candles were blown out and cake was eaten.

 

 

If your little one has just had a birthday then how did you celebrate? or if you have a birthday coming up what are your plans? I would love to hear all about it :) xxx

 

 

The discovery of Creswell Crags...

This weekend me and my husband wanted to find something nice to do that wouldn't break the bank. After thinking about where we could possibly go that was cheap, outside (might as well make the most of this sunny weather) but not too busy we decided to check out 'Creswell Crags' - baring in mind we have lived in our village for almost 6 years and that it is only a mile (if that) away from our home we had never been! So off we went, toddler and dog in tow too and we were so pleased by what we found.

 

We had a lovely walk around the gorge, the hubster and toddler enjoyed looking into the caves, we fed the ducks, stroked the bob-bo's and had a wonderful little picnic.

 

Needless to say now we have discovered this little gem we will be visiting more often.

 

Hope you all enjoyed your bank holiday weekend!