Such a different day after yesterday...

Woke up bright and early this morning so that we could get to Bury St Edmunds for Kids Play. Nigel took us to Ipswich and we got to the train station early. We were due to catch the 0916 but the incompetence of the station staff meant we missed the platform change and had to wait nearly another hour for a train. I was not a happy bunny! The children didn't seem to mind and happily sat watching the trains (although I can't say I'm keen for them to turn into trainspotters!)

We finally left at 10am and the children seemed to enjoy their first 'big' train journey. Once we got to the Bury we only had to walk up Station Hill for a minute or so before we reached Kids Play.

I expected it to be bigger but as it turned out it was plenty for the children. It was upstairs but if you want a hand with your buggy there is a bell you can ring for assistance. The staff were very welcoming and very friendly. We had vouchers to get in but during the summer holidays it's £4.95 per child with a minimum of 1 hours play. Mon-Fri during term time is cheaper for pre-schoolers. It was quite quiet when we got there so I didn't have to worry about Charlie being knocked over. There were about 20 tables but wherever I sat I would have a fairly good view of the children. I settled the children in and let them find their way before sitting down and letting them just get on with it.

There was more than enough for all ages. Molly's favourite was the Dizzy Donut which was a round padded ring big enough for 3 children to swing and spin on. Sadly she complained of a headache in the afternoon so I think she had a little too much of the donut! She made a couple of friends while there and is still talking about them.

There was a snack bar and they also had a menu for hot food. Everything seemed reasonably priced. We had drinks and crisps mid-morning and then lunch later on. I had a panini for £2.95 which was yummy but could perhaps have done with a little side salad. The children each had a picnic box with sandwiches, crisps, yoghurts, drink and large choc chunk cookie for £2.95.

Everywhere was clean, in fact staff were cleaning the play equipment and floors throughout our time there. My only complaint was the smell in the toilets from the nappy bin. It hit you as soon as you walked into the toilets.

I'd recommend Kids Play to anyone, as long as you can spend a few hours there. In September they will have more activities, like a climbing wall and a dinosaur dig. their website keeps you up to date with what's going on http://www.wherekidsplay.co.uk/kids-play-bury-st-edmunds-so-much-to-do.htm

The children had great fun and we stayed until 2pm when we caught a train back to Ipswich. We then walked to Alderman Park to wait for Nigel to finish work.

They both came home very happy but very tired. I was very proud of their behaviour too. I was fast to complain when they played up on holiday but they were exceptionally well behaved today, especially after such a long wait on the rail station.

Tomorrow (if the weather is good) we're going to meet some of Molly's classmates from school at Kingston Park in Woodbridge for a play and picnic. There's a large grassy area and a big enclosed play area and it's always been a favourite of the children. It's also close to the River Deben which is one of my favourite places to be in this part of the country. It's just so peaceful and calming to sit watching the boats sailing past.

We have lots of exciting things coming up and I'm quite excited about the next few weeks. On Saturday we're going to see the Milkshake Live show at Ipswich Regent which I think both children will love. We saw some of the live show at Butlins a couple of years ago but Charlie was too young to enjoy it so I hope this time he'll have great fun watching all his favourite characters on stage.

On Thursday evening we're heading over to Snape for an evening of Tibetan music and dance with the Tashi Lhump monks. Before the show we'll be watching them make a sand mandala. Take a look at the website. http://www.aldeburgh.co.uk/events It's looks very interesting and I'm really looking forward to it. The tickets are great value at £6 each, if you don't mind sitting in the prom area on a cushion. We're only taking Molly with us as Charlie will be in bed but I think she'll enjoy it too. As for Nigel....well I'm not sure he's cultured enough to like that sort of thing but I'm hoping to change his mind!

We're also planning to go to Great Yarmouth Pleasure Beach, Colchester Zoo, Easton Farm Park, Norwich Castle, The Red Rose Theatre Company's A Winter's Tale in Rendlesham Forest, Rougham Airshow, Foxburrow Farm, Norwich Inspire Discovery Centre (A great place for children if they love science and finding out how things work-http://www.inspirediscoverycentre.com/ ), Framlingham Castle, Banham Zoo, Africa Alive and more. I just hope that after all that the children won't say that they were bored during the summer holidays!

In amongst all that we've also got birthday parties, a christening and playdates with Molly's and Charlie's friends. I keep hinting to Nigel that by September I'm going to need a day off at a spa with lots of pampering but he hasn't taken the hint yet. Oh well!