Unfortunately a terrible night followed. H literally coughed her guts up all night. Today we were all like the living dead She asked to co-sleep but after a feed just wouldn’t settle. She hasn’t co-slept for 4 months or so now and has totally lost the art LOL! She kept pulling my covers off and kicking her legs in the air! Poor Rich ended up spending a sleepless night in her bed whilst I just listened to her cough and scream Tonight appears to be going exactly the same way too.

Today we had a quiet day – library, health food shop, garden for bike riding, bug hunts etc, cleaning fridge out, cleaning downstairs bathroom, jigsaws, reading books, computer games (join the dots, number practice, making rhymes, colour mixing, quizzes etc), colouring and general gentle activities.

First we fed the ducks on the canal basin, then we went into Billy Bonkers playhouse (which we had to ourselves ) to run off some energy.

Then we headed outside for a freezing cold walk over to the discovery centre site via the lake.

I deliberately picked today knowing on the first day back from half term there were unlikely to be the usual hordes of school kids, and it paid off. The discovery centre was so lovely and quiet! It really is a great place. We climbed up into the treetop adventure but it was a bit tricky as H wouldn’t walk on the rope bridges or over the climbing walls so I had to try and carry her which got a bit hairy! The children spent ages learning about frogs, fish’s swim bladders, fungus, recycling and lots more. Alfie is really at an age (and personality) where he takes things in and remembers them. H is still at the button slapping stage in places like this but because Alfie is so interested it focuses her too. That’s one reason I like to take them out without company every now and then as Alfie tends to try and be like the other boys his age he is with and just run round madly, which is great a lot of the time but not somewhere like this.

We went into the cafe for a coffee then walked round the big lake before getting the train back to the car. H loves the train and told me it put a big smile on her face

We stopped off for some food to feed Caroline and kids tomorrow, then made our rain catcher for our potato growing project.

We went on the website and watched the videos about how farmers grow potatoes. I was amazed how much Alfie retained as he answered the quiz and played the interactive game with ease. He then said he wanted to play some games about healthy eating so we moved onto that. He has an amazing insight into a balanced diet, although in practice he is not always so great Still, they both ate loads today. I think the fresh air and exercise did them good!

As usual, we had a great day there. We started off at Waterside and went on the play area there before it got too busy. Then we got the train over to Discovery and had our picnic. That was the only downside, as there were endless wasps! They were all over the kids and their food. The picnic tables were just surrounded by people running and flapping lol! Rich kept shouting at me for said running and flapping, saying I should hit them away like he does – then he got stung. I’ll say no more We headed into the discovery centre where buttons were pressed, nets climbed, slides slid down, creatures spotted etc etc. Afterwards we headed to the water play area and little park outside, then had an ice cream, then walked round the willow swamp to the sculpture and lake, then got the train back to Waterside, then walked through the forest, then to the Dunblane sculpture, across the bridge, to the forest garden, had a coffee and went home A little bit of a busy day then

Alfie had a little ride on his bike in the garden and pronounced it “stupid” lol! I think being over-tired at the end of a very busy day is not the best time to practice the new skill of bike riding Maybe tomorrow

All in all though, a much more positive day from my side. I have a plan -  I am not worrying about the main issue that has been affecting my mind for a few months, maybe after Christmas. Things may change. I am very lucky to have such a wonderful family. So many people don’t get that chance.

We walked through the woodland trails, stopping to identify the types of trees by their leaves and look out for wildlife and bird boxes. The tree canopy walk has lots of pictures of the wildlife that may be inhabiting the area – like leeches, water scorpions that breathe through their tails, and myriad insects and birds. Alfie was fascinated by these, and was teaching Daddy all about them We had our picnic in a clearing where a teepee had been constructed from twigs, and a special flowerbed to attract bees had charmed 100s of them to look for pollen. The children were both fascinated, especially when a baby rabbit also appeared. After lunch we went to look at the Dunblane Eternal Flame sculpture, walk across the high bridge, explore the forest garden, play on the adventure playground and eat ice lollies! We got on the train to Conkers Discovery, where we did the musical instruments trail then caught the train back to the car to head home. I feel so sorry for children that are only dragged around shops or stuck in front of the TV on weekends, then farmed out to their little prisons all week. Our kids revel in nature and learning at every opportunity. Alfie questions everything and shows how much he has learnt by teaching others or harking back to it weeks later (as in the conversation about water voles in the river at Plantasia he had with Rich this morning). I am so proud of them both

Back home, Holly was sleeping so I got on with my exciting chores (putting curtains back up, making up beds, cleaning cat litter tray out yada yada – joy lol!). Rich and Alfie watered the garden and dug up one of Alfie’s potato plants. We had a whole load of yummy new potatoes that fed all of us for dinner They were very tasty – even Alfie ate two and he hasn’t been seen to eat a boiled potato since he was a baby! It just shows how important growing your own veg is – not just educationally but also nutritionally lol!