Monthly family roundup: what we got up to in August 2017
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August 2017
Eek we’re a third of the way through September and I’ve only just found the time to sit down and share what we got up to in August. This involves looking back through my planner to remember everything as with mum brain I just can’t remember it all off the top of my head! I know we did an awful lot though as it was the summer holidays. Ben is sat next to me now as I type as I’ve badgered him for his photos. I don’t even think I’ve looked through his photos for the whole summer holidays so it’s a great way for me to recall everything we did and have a nosey through his pics!
Here’s what we got up to in August 2017:
Visit family in Germany
The first Monday to Friday we went to Germany to visit some of Ben’s family. Ben’s mum is German and we visit Ben’s gran (who is 93, wow), his uncle and cousins. It was the first time we’ve been since Ben’s mum passed away last year so I think we both felt a little emotional about going. The last time we went was August last year and we’d been with Ben’s mum. It was the fifth time we’ve been as a family and three of the times were with Ben’s mum, so it is a big reminder. We had a great time and it’s so great to see Ben’s gran and how happy she is to see us and spend time with the children.
Oh, the kids were ill for two days! The first day Reuben was sick all over the car! We arrived late on the Monday, like past midnight into Tuesday, and they still got up early before 7am. So I think lack of sleep and travelling just got to him! He’s never sick in the car, so we weren’t prepared at all. We had nothing with us and had to drive back to Ben’s uncle’s where we were staying to get everything washed and Reuben changed! The next day Reuben was fine, but Bella threw up! So perhaps it was a bug, we just don't know, but Bella was also fine the next day.
We didn’t do too much whilst there as the children were sick and it’s mostly to visit family, but we did manage a trip to Soltau Therme. It has a huge pool and kids swimming pool, but the best part is the salt pools. There’s a separate salt swimming pool which has natural salty mineral water. There’s a salty pool to swim in both indoors and out, plus there are several Jacuzzi type pools with different temperatures and salt concentrations. The best thing is they allow kids in all the pools. I don’t know of anything in the UK that allows children and has so many different types of spa pools.
We also visited Fluggenhofsee which was walking distance from Ben’s uncle’s house in Munster. Fluggenhofsee is a clear swimming lake with a beach to two sides – one for families and another for dogs. On the larger family side there is a great adventure playpark. There’s a path around the lake for a walk and some animals to see on the other side. The German children had gone back to school a day or so before we went so we had the place to ourselves! Oh, one lady did turn up on her bicycle, strip off and go for a swim in the lake! It’s in the middle of residential areas, so I thought how amazing the locals can just come here for a swim every day for free and surrounded by nature – bliss!
My 32nd birthday
Whilst we were in Germany it was my 32nd birthday! We had thought of going to Heide Park which is a huge theme park near where we were staying. Ben has lots of memories of going as a child so he was keen to revisit. My birthday was the day Bella was poorly though, so we thought it best to keep her at Ben’s uncles for the morning and visited Ben’s gran after lunch. We usually just visit the beach when in the UK for my birthday. Me and Ben did go to Chepstow Quarry at the end of July which was sort of our treat for both our birthdays. I’m never that fussed about making a big deal out of my birthday.
Reuben’s last month at nursery
Reuben has been going to nursery once per week since the end of December 2016. He was going every Thursday morning. He also goes to playgroup three mornings, but this is term time only so he did extra at nursery for the summer holidays. They do a summer club too so Bella was able to go. They both went for three mornings for the summer holidays and had a great time. Bella was disappointed when it was her last day, so I’m glad she felt settled there. Reuben has now left nursery as he’ll be doing 18 hours a week at the playgroup instead. It’s attached to Bella’s school so it’s more convenient for pickups and drop offs if they’re at the same place. I felt a little sad on his last day of nursery as it is a lovely place and he’s been going for 9 months. They may be back there for the summer holidays next year though so it might not be bye forever.
Catch up with friends
I have quite a few friends I only really see in the school holidays now, so it was great to catch up with these folk and for all the kids to see each other and play. We enjoyed park trips, soft play and visiting one another’s houses. I always love to see how the kids interact with each other and the conversations they have!
Peppa Pig World
We went to Peppa Pig world for one day, but we stayed nearby for two nights. You can read all about our Peppa Pig trip and bargain accommodation here.
Rhinoplasty follow up (4 months)
Once we checked out of the inn after our Peppa Pig weekend, we went to Guildford before returning home. This is where I had my rhinoplasty and I tied my ‘three’ month check in with our weekend away. It was meant to be a three month check, but it was actually four months when I went. It’s healing well and he was impressed with the lack of swelling. As so much was done to my nose (4.5 hour surgery) he expected a lot more swelling still. I was also told to imagine my nose with 30% less soft tissue swelling as that will be the final result. It may also take a little longer than one year for all my swelling to subside. I already notice such a difference, even in the last month, so it will be great to see it continue to change and the swelling lessen.
They took photos and it was incredible to see the before and after photos side by side. I bet it will be even more incredible at my 12 month check! Unfortunately I lost nearly ALL my photos and only have a handful left. So annoying! I’d even made a video diary and I’ve lost the lot. The doctor is going to send me all his photos so I may, one day, share them on my blog. I haven’t decided yet.
2 year wedding anniversary
Me and Ben have been married for two years! It’s one of those funny things where it’s gone quickly, but it also feels like forever at the same time! Our anniversary is the 18th August. We didn’t do anything special on the day – we actually went to Ben’s work summer party! But my mum had the kids for one night the following week and so we stayed in a made a curry! We were going out for a meal, but I think I felt quite tired, plus eating out is tricky as I stopped eating refined sugar this year and I’m vegetarian. It makes it quite impossible to find food when out as almost everything has sugar added! I’d been craving a curry, so we decided to make our own and enjoy the house in rare peace and quiet!
Ben’s work summer party
Ben’s work put on a family summer party every year – Superdry Fest. He works at Superdry head office and it’s where we met. I worked there for almost 10 years before going on maternity leave! There’s free food, a bar, a stage with a band, lots of inflatables for the children, circus activities and more. It’s so good of his work to put on such an event. Only thing is it chucked it down with rain at the start and it felt freezing that day! I didn’t stay too long as I just felt so cold, so I left them to it.
Beach days
I managed three beach days this year, woohoo! Two of these were in August. Usually we only have one trip per year to the beach, so three is great! It’s still nowhere near enough. I love the fresh sea air and feel like I can breathe at the beach. I’d love to live near the beach. It would be a dream to have a beach in walking distance and we’d certainly make the most of it.
Weston-super-mud pier, my mum and sis with Bella and Reuben:
Vegan fair
I went to my first vegan fair and it was the first one they’ve held in Cheltenham at the Town Hall. It was packed! I had such a great day I’m going to dedicate a whole post to it asap. Just trying to get round to it!
August was a bust hectic month and I did struggle to work and look after the kids more which meant working nearly every evening and abandoning my husband Ben! I think next year I may have to put them into childcare five mornings per week if I still have as much work on, which I really hope I do as I love working for myself! It’s also a great way for them to still see lots of friends during the holidays and play lots, so I don’t feel too guilty if we just stick a film on in the afternoon if I have lots of work to do and no friends to visit. We survived the summer holidays though! Now we’re settling back into school and playgroup with the first full week of normality starting tomorrow.