Summer 2009 starts here! (Plans for Summer 2009!)

Member Name: jo1976

Product:	Plans for Summer 2009!
Date:	02/08/09 (129 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Off to Butlins with the family

Disadvantages: Not going anywhere more exotic

Hurray - just about finished the packing and we're all set to go off on our Summer holiday tomorrow. So, what exotic part of the world will we be exploring? Don't get too excited - we're off to Butlins at Sunny Skegness! In spite of the tacky reputation, I have to say that Butlins (certainly the Skegness one) is the ideal place to take young children. In fact, this will be our third visit there over the course of the past six years which sounds a bit embarrassing but there is a reason why we keep going back. For our boys, a six year old and a two year old, Butlins is the best place to keep them entertained, regardless of the unpredictable British weather. There is just so much for them to do and, for good reason, lots of the entertainment and facilities are indoors. No doubt, I will be writing a full review of our experience on our return!

After our Skegness shenanigans, I've also got the folllowing week off from work - just to get over the trauma of spending four nights in a Skegness chalet with two kids and my other half! No, seriously, I'm just going to be chilling and, hopefully, taking it easy. Mind you, both of the kids will be at home and my husband will be back at work so my plans for long, stress-free lie-ins might be somewhat optimistic! I'm sure we'll fit in a few visits to the local park if nothing more exciting.

At the end of August, I've got the mother-in-law visiting for a few days. She lives at the other end of the country so visits are few and far between, so it becomes a special occasion whenever she visits. My husband is very houseproud (he puts me to shame) and MIL's visits are akin to a Royal visit in terms of the preparation, so the weeks before will involve a good Spring (Summer?) clean of the house to be sure it meets muster!

During the Royal visit, we've got a few trips planned. We often go out to our local reservoir which has a nice play area for the kids but we're planning on going a bit further afield for a change. My oldest went on a Kids' Club outing to Conkers in Derbyshire last week and he's been raving about it ever since so we might give that a shot. A visit to Matlock is also on the cards, as that is the closest we get to a seaside town, with everything apart from the seaside! (It certainly sells the best Fish & Chips anywhere outside of the coast!)

By the beginning of September, I'll be doing the usual last-minute panicking as I realise that nothing is ready for the return to school - even though my oldest is actually off for seven weeks in total this Summer! I can guarantee I'll be running around like a headless chicken on the morning he's due back, trying to find my chequebook to write out his lunch money and realising that his PE pumps are at least two sizes too small! Maybe this year will be different and I'll spend the rest of the Summer becoming more organised and putting systems in place to avoid this unnecessary stress. No, I don't believe that either!

So, that's my plans for the rest of Summer 2009. Nothing mind-blowing but fun, family entertainment. I'll see you all when I get back from Butlins!

Summary: My Summer 2009