Well, that's it. We're packed (I hope!) and we're all set for our holiday.

We've not done anything other than last-minute packing today and it's been too horrible to go out anyway. I really hope we've got better weather next week!

Not a huge amount to write about today as we spent the day at a friend's house. The children all had fun playing together outside and it was great to catch up with Nikki.

Tomorrow will be a busy day as I've got lots of packing to do for the holiday. Nigel is off work so hopefully he can have the children while I get everything organised.

We'll be leaving for sunny Scarborough at 6am on Saturday morning so I doubt I'll be blogging tomorrow night.

I'll try to blog during the holiday but normal service will resume when we're back!!

It was another lovely day until.....

We had quite an easy day today. We went to Ipswich on the bus to meet Nigel for lunch at the park near to his office. I made him take the picnic bag to work so it was one less thing to worry about!

We could have caught the bus almost outside our house but now that I have to pay for Molly I worked out that it would be more than double the fare than if we used the park and ride bus. It's a 15-20 minute walk with the children but it's much cheaper, and the journey on the bus is quicker too.

We went to Alderman Park, near to ITFC football ground. Until recently I believe it had a bad reputation for needles and broken glass in the play area but it has been cleared up and a new play area put in. It was surrounded by railings but unfortunately most who came in left the gates open, ready for Charlie to eye up the opportunity and make a run for it!

There was plenty of equipment for the children and it catered for most ages. Unlike Christchurch Park's play area it was very open and easy to keep an eye out for both children. Nigel was with us for a while until he had to go back to work. Molly and Charlie had great fun and now we know what it's like we'll go there more often, especially when meeting Nigel from work. My only criticism was the lack of toilets. We ended up going back into town, which was okay for us as we'd finished there but it's not very convenient if you're there for longer. I don't know that area very well so it may be that there were some toilets in the vicinity but there weren't any signposts.

Kelly from Heart came along to film and interview us all today as she'd not met Nigel and Molly before. The children weren't camera shy at all thankfully! Molly thinks Kelly is very friendly, which I thought was a lovely ting to say as we normally don't get much from Molly. Hopefully school has given her a little more confidence.

Kelly asked us about the recession and what we're doing to cope with the extra cost of the summer. To be honest it's only in the last couple of months we've started to be affected by it. Our grocery bill has gone up by a huge percentage and now instead of buying what we want we actually take time to look at prices and compare lesser known brands with the main ones. We are fortunate enough to be able to budget in more money for days out during the summer but instead of just spending without worrying we're now looking at ways to save money.

One of the ways we're managing to have cheaper days out is to take advantage of all the vouchers and coupons you see in newspapers, magazines and leaflets, especially at this time of year. You may only save a couple of £s but it adds up over the summer. We also use our Tesco Clubcard vouchers and convert them into Deals tokens. It makes sense to get 4 times their worth and use them for admissions to theme parks and zoos etc that would otherwise work out really expensive.

We'll often take our own picnic food instead of buying out as it can work out really costly. Every penny really does help.

Tomorrow we're going to Nikki's for the children to get together and play, or just make a mess in Nikki's house! I think it's important for the children to see their friends during the holidays as six weeks is a long time for them. It's also a really cheap day, although I do have lots of yummy M&S cakes for snack time!

Well, that's it from me for today. I am going to bed with a horrendous headache as I fell out of the shower and cracked my skull on the radiator!

Such a lovely day but SO tired!

Today has been really good. The children enjoyed themselves, they were happy and well behaved, and even I had fun!

Playworld has changed a lot since I last went and I was impressed. For the summer months the bowling hall is taken over for 'Summer Playworld' and there was some great new play equipment. Our favourite was the Big Toppa Tent with cannons that shoot foam balls. There was also a coupe car area for under 5's, go karts for the over 4's, a double bouncer which was split into under 5's and over 5 years, football shooting and basketball,and trampolines for 3 yrs plus. All this on top of the usual play area.

I believe it costs a little more during the summer but it was worth every penny. It's £4.90 for over 2 and £2.25 for under 2's. You get a minimum of 1.5 hours play but we were there for over 5 hours. It did get a bit busy by lunchtime but the play area was so large that it was comfortable and we didn't really have to worry about the little ones etting knocked over or run into by bigger children.

We met Sharon & Alfie, Sue & James there and with my two they all had great fun running around. There was certainly more than enough activities to keep them occupied.

We decided to have lunch at the cafe there so that the children could continue playing afterwards. It was rather busy in the cafe and a little disorganised to say the least. At 1.20pm there were only tuna sandwiches left. The children each had a cooked meal of chips and burger or sausage plus a squash. Also on the children's menu was nuggets, veggie nuggets, cod goujons and jacket potatoes. There is also a lunch box on offer but at the same price as a hot meal (£2.99) we thought it would be more filling to have a hot meal. The adults had a cheeseburger and chips which at £3.10 was exceptional value, certainly in comparison to children's meals. Also on offer were jacket potatoes, scampi, cod, broccoli and cheese bake. It's basic, and not the most healthy of menus but I wouldn't expect much different at places like this. Our food was served fairly quickly, considering they were busy but they'd missed one of our meals off. This was promptly rectified though.

The facilities at Playworld were very clean and the whole place seemed clean compared to some indoor play centres we have been to before. The staff were good with the children and I rarely saw older children in the under 5's areas which used to be a problem. A big thumbs up for Playworld from the Boasties!! A big thumbs up for Auntie Mandy too as the whole day was on her. Cheers Mandy!!

Once the children had eaten they had another couple of hours play and although they didn't really want to leave they had enjoyed themselves and were tired out. It didn't take them long to get to sleep tonight.

It's amazing how tired I feel so I haven't felt like doing much tonight. Once the children were asleep I packed a little more for the holiday and then prepared the picnic for tomorrow. The weather still looks good, so fingers crossed!

We've had another lovely day and it's been a really good start to the holidays.

The children have both been well behaved and I managed to get a lot done at home so the rest of the week is free for fun things!

Tomorrow we are going to Playworld at Stowmarket's leisure centre. Indoor soft play isn't really my idea of fun but the children enjoy it and get to burn off lots of energy. My auntie is taking us there and home again so we haven't got to worry about public transport. We'll buy lunch out as a treat but it should be a fairly inexpensive day out. Will blog again tomorrow night.

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We've had a lovely start to the summer holidays with a lie-in. Bliss.

Today we're having a quiet day at home. I'll be doing the housework and getting more stuff organised for next week's holiday. My mum is coming over later and she'll keep the children occupied for me. They're currently at their grandma's, playing in the garden, so it makes it easier for me to get on. They do keep popping back now and again, usually when they want something to eat! It is very handy having the grandparents live next door though :)

I do feel a little guilty that it's such a nice day and I'm keeping the children at home but they do like being out in the garden.

As it's such nice weather we might go for that bike ride that Molly is so keen to go on. They can have a treat from the baker's and perhaps play on the park behind the pavilion. A lovely cheap day!

That's it for now as I better get working!!

The end of another weekend...

It's been a good one again. It helps that the children have been well behaved. I'm sure every parent knows what I mean!

Today we delivered a wardrobe to someone through Freecycle (Great site. Give it a go if you're not already a member. Google 'Freecycle' and your local area) We then went to Lowestoft for a walk along the seafront and for some rides for the children. It rained heavily on and off but was still nice there. I lived there until 1995. I couldn't live there again, it's changed too much, but I love visiting. We had lunch at Pakefield Plaice, a chip shop to rival the famous chippys of Aldeburgh. After that we paid a quick visit to Southwold. Molly wanted to show her Daddy where we went on the school trip last month and it's another place from my childhood where I love returning to. We had a wander onto the pier and had a browse in the shops on the pier. I really like what they've done with Southwold Pier. It's much improved from when I used to go there as a youngster.

We came home, all really tired for some reason. We spent an hour or so relaxing on the sofas, bathed the kids and put them to bed. I've just spent the last couple of hours getting clothes ready for the holiday. I almost hate packing as much as I hate coming home to the unpacking and washing :(

Tomorrow is the official start of the school holiday and although I'm going to be busy at home rather than going out I'm really looking forward to having both my babies at home all day and not having to rush about getting to school and preschool.

Tomorrow is also the 'launch date' of our Heart Family feature. I'm not sure whether to try to catch the breakfast show to see what I sound like. I'll be checking the website but probably won't be watching the videos! I was on Radio Suffolk in May and couldn't bring myself to listen to it. I have a lot more confidence than I used to but it's still odd seeing/listening to yourself. I can see why some actors never watch their shows or films. Not that I'm comparing myself to an actor!!!

Molly keeps asking to go on a bike ride and since she has only just started riding confidently I don't want to keep putting her off so if it's dry and we have some spare time we'll perhaps ride up to the bakers on The Square. We're very lucky in Martlesham as there are good cycle paths and routes in the area.

We're getting more ideas of what to do during the 6 weeks that the children are off school and I'm confident that the children won't be bored or stuck for things to do. We just need lots of good weather. We have often found that there is little to do in the local area when the weather is bad. Other than swimming, soft play areas and libraries we can never think of anything to do. Please let me know if you know if something!!

If you're happy and you know it shout hooray!

Have had a lovely day today. We haven't done much really but it's been a chilled one. Library, grocery shopping, haircuts. Nowt exciting :)

I popped into Woodbridge Tourist Info (just by the rail station) for some leaflets and timetables. They were very helpful in there. Picked up some leaflets for Framlingham Castle, West Stow, Kentwell Hall, Somerleyton Hall, things to do in Norfolk and Suffolk, Baylham Farm and the Museum of East Anglian Life, amongst others. A few of these I know we won't do unless Nigel is with us as they are just too difficult to get to by public transport (Yes, sometimes I do hate the fact that I can't drive).

I'm really keen to go to Framlingham as I've never been before but Molly doesn't seem too keen...yet! By chance, when we parked in Woodbridge, there was a bus with a poster of the castle on and a boy dressed as a soldier. I was trying to big it up and make the sale of my life but Molly was very nonchalant. I tried. Looking at the leaflets later this afternoon though, she did seem slightly more keen.

This week we're going to ease into the holidays. Monday will be spent at home catching up on washing and housework etc as we're off on holiday next Saturday.

Tuesday will be spent in Stowmarket with my auntie and we'll be taking the children to Playworld at the Mid Suffolk Leisure Centre. It's not my favourite place to be when school is out and it's hot but during the summer they have the larger (bowls?) hall open with lots of inflatables and soft play...AND the children love it, which is the main objective of course. We'll probably have lunch at Bakers Oven where my auntie works and it'll be a fairly cheap day out as my auntie spoils us rotten!!

On Wednesday or Thursday (weather dependent) we'll be going into Ipswich and meeting Nigel for lunch at the park near ITFC (Alderman Road I think). It'll be nice to have a bit of time with him and the children love meeting him for lunch. We'll be taking a picnic so it's another cheap day out. We'll then probably head home soon after lunch as it's so easy to spend a fortune just wandering around town with time to kill, and the children don't really like shopping. I have some raffle prizes to collect for the school summer fayre but other than that no other reason to stay in town.

On Friday we hope to go round to our friend's house so the children can get together. My two and her two get on really well, being of similar age, and although I've only known Nikki since last April she's my best friend. We're very similar in many many ways and I would be lost without her. She's looking after the house, animals and plants while we're away so I will have to run through everything with her.

As much as I am looking forward to going away on holiday I miss my home comforts and my bed. I've always hankered after a life of travelling but I think deep down I'd get homesick too easily. Just as well I've got too many committments here!

Woohoo! No more school. Well, not until September 3rd anyway.

I'm still looking forward to the next 6 weeks and the children seem keen as well, although I don't think Charlie realises it's 6 whole weeks of Mummy and Molly.

It seems to have come round really quickly. I expected the time to drag a bit but with Molly starting school after easter the time has just flown past, hence not really being prepared. I have lots in mind but need to plan. It always irritates me when Nigel wants us to 'have a plan' but I now realise that so much time is wasted if we don't know what we're doing. Over the next couple of nights I hope to make some lists of where we want to go, how to get there etc. One of my friends always laughs at me and my lists but if I don't write it down it gets forgotten or I'm just not able to organise myself (Yes Denise, I mean YOU!). If I didn't write so many lists though I'd probably have a lot more time on my hands!!

Nigel has been sorting the budget out for the summer and we have a little extra to spend on days out. It just means having to lose a little of our savings, which isn't great considering we've got to buy a car in the new year, and I'll still be looking at cheap days out and ways of cutting spending.

We used to be very lazy and buy all our food when we were out but we realise that it's just not realistic or viable any more so we'll be taking our own picnics more often. It's amazing how much money it can save.

We're on holiday in just over a weeks time and we'll also be making sure we eat at the caravan more. It doesn't have to take a lot of effort and it certainly doesn't have to be three course meals. If the weather is good we plan to get some disposable barbecues and have those most nights. Fingers crossed for the weather!

Charlie has been very well behaved today and I think I know why. I looked after my friend's 2 children this morning and I was constantly occupying them with toys, games, songs etc and it seems to be what Charlie needs. So basically, I need to spend all my waking hours with him and forget about housework and washing etc (or get a cleaner in!!) If we can keep him busy during the holidays we're going to have a fab time!!

Well, here we are. My first ever blog. Hello and welcome!!

I don't really have a lot to say at the moment as I'm tired and want to go to bed. All I can say is that I am really looking forward to the summer holidays. I have lots planned and although my son is really hard work at the moment I think we're going to have a great time as a family.

I'm looking for ways to keep the children occupied, on a budget, so if anyone has any ideas then please let me know.

Keep watching this space.....