Easter in Leyland 2

Here's the second part of our time away in Leyland over Easter. 

Zachary had a wonderful time feeding some ducks, although he wasn't very good at throwing the bread and most of it landed at his feet. 

"Come closer and eat my bread!"

We visited several playgrounds, as they are Zachary's new favourite thing. He could have spent all day there if we'd let him:

Hiding in a house

Bouncing up and down with Auntie Marilla

He had to be dragged away from that playground...

Swinging at another playground

In charge of the battleship

We also enjoyed a wonderful orchid-filled walk up Warton Crag on a gloriously sunny day. The views at the top were fantastic. Zachary had a great time walking over the rocks (probably because they reminded him of walking on walls, which he so loves).

Nearly at the top

Zachary hasn't noticed the sheer drop behind him; Grandma Jeanette has!

Zachary acquired a stick and used it to hit Daddy on the back of the head whenever he stopped for a rest.

Here's Zachary enjoying himself at yet another playground...

Thanks to the Dobsons for a wonderful time once again.

This weekend Mummy and Daddy are going to Cardiff for the weekend, while Zachary is staying with Bumble and Grandad. Rumour has it that he may be seeing Thomas the Tank Engine...

Easter in Leyland 1

We spent the Easter holidays visiting Zachary's Grandparents in Leyland, Lancashire. Here's how Zachary spent most of his time...

Zachary spent ages emptying the cupboards, then putting it all away again.

Here we are at a nearby farm, where Zachary had a wonderful time petting farm animals, playing at the playground and even feeding a little lamb (Zachary cried because we wouldn't let him drink from the lamb's bottle).

Stroking a goat

Climbing on an amazing wooden tractor

Zachary didn't want to stop repeatedly climbing this ramp

Feeding the goat a glove

Feeding a very violent hungry lamb

We headed to Chester Zoo for the day and Zachary very much enjoyed seeing all sorts of animals, especially the lions at feeding time and the funny monkeys. The monorail passed by above our heads every 10 minutes and Zachary stopped each time to watch and wave.

Riding an elephant

Who's a cheeky monkey?

Zachary spent an afternoon at an indoor soft play area in Leyland. He loved climbing high with Grandma Jeanette (who had even more fun climbing through the small spaces), using the slides and bouncing on the trampoline.

He didn't realise he was quite so high until he reached this viewpoint

Weeee!

Driving the bus

Zachary found Uncle Bar hilarious in his pyjamas...

 See part 2 of our trip next week!

Fun With the Lewarnes

Zachary had a wonderful time on Mother's Day when we went for a bike ride along the canal with Bumble and Grandad. He wasn't too heavy on the back of Mummy's bike, although we couldn't quite make it up Stoke Hill on the way back.

All ready to go!

Stopping at Turf Locks for a rest

Zachary helps himself to Bumble's munch box

Here's Zachary at the soft play area, 'Bear Feet', in Kingsteignton. He could climb up to the top himself and sit down at the top of the slide but he decided he liked it up there and didn't want to slide down. It took a long time to coax him into taking the plunge.

Zachary almost gets stuck on the bump

Climbing to the top

Here are a couple of videos of his soft play adventures...

Housewarming with Cardiff friends

We were delighted to have a group of our Cardiff friends down last weekend. It was quite a crowd, with 9 people staying in our house, with just enough room for everyone. People arrived on the Friday evening for a buffet tea and we split into two groups for some Saturday activities. 

Excited to open his housewarming gift

The girls had American-style pancakes for breakfast, then headed to Sidmouth with Zachary for a wander and cake at a cafe, whilst the guys went for a morning fry-up and had a tour of the city centre, followed by an afternoon of board games. We then all got together again for dinner and an epic quiz!

Enjoying the coastal views

Zachary had a good long walk through the gardens with Auntie Vickrum

Mmm, tasty cupcakes

Auntie Beckrum runs in for a quick dip...

Zachary had a fantastic time with so many playmates...

Teaching Auntie Phobe how to use the one-armed bandit

Showing Auntie Vickrum how to use the one-armed bandit

The one-armed bandit sadly became an addiction for many...

Walkies with his play buddies

Reading time

Here are a series of entertaining videos of Zachary's play times with his Cardiff friends...

 Make sure you watch this one until the end...

Row-rowing with the Lacy-Browns...

Everyone wants in on the row-rowing action!

Then it was time to say goodbye :(. We stood outside to see the last few leave and Zachary's little face was so sad. He cried as the car disappeared into the distance. Thanks everyone for such a fun weekend!

Animal Encounters

Zachary has enjoyed a few visits to some animal parks recently, as his grandma, Bumble, kindly treated us to a season ticket for Paignton Zoo, Living Coasts and Newquay Zoo. Zachary and I headed to Paignton Zoo with Bumble for a day spying out the unusual animals...

There are a couple of lions behind him which we pointed out but he didn't notice them because they weren't moving.

Watching some grazing bongos

One of Zachary's favourite areas was the farmyard enclosure. He had a great time stroking the goats and sheep but we had to hold him back from trying to give them a kiss!

Petting the friendly goat

Watching the little lambs

Here's a video of Zachary enjoying the sheep. Notice how he he repeats the 'baa' of the sheep:

 

Giraffes (munch, munch). The baby giraffe walked over to say hello.

We also recently visited Living Coasts, this time with Daddy. Zachary was transfixed by the seal show.

Zachary eats his lunch while watching the seals

A photo with the macaroni penguins

A penguin was on the loose which Zachary was delighted to approach

Watching the fish swimming around

Doors, Chains and Gambling!

The sun has been out quite a bit recently and so have we. Last Saturday we visited Lyme Regis with the intention of visiting the aquarium, but Zachary had other ideas - he was having far too much fun playing with the various objects along the sea front...

Swinging the chains is one of his favourites

Zachary simply must walk on every wall he sees

The pretty view at Lyme Regis

Zachary also came across a pair of very friendly dogs. Their owner gave him some treats to feed the dogs and he had a wonderful time holding the food out towards them. Zachary loves to approach dogs and stroke them / be licked in the face which he did on numerous occasions in Lyme Regis.

Then we ventured into the arcade area and Zachary had a go on the 'Tipping Point' machines (his current favourite show is Tipping Point, which is a quiz show with a coin drop machine). An elderly couple noticed him having fun and repeatedly offered him more 2p coins once he'd run out. He had a wonderful time pushing the coins into the slots.

Drop that coin!

Oh no, did it ride?

Finally, here's a funny video of Zachary 'experiencing' the doors of the beach huts on the promenade...

5 ways to keep a toddler entertained

1. Stand him in his ball pool and ask him to put all of the balls one by one into his playpen. Once the playpen is full of balls, put him in it and tell him to put the balls back into the ball pool. Then repeat. 

Hours of fun!

2. Build him a den. Zachary loves hiding in any type of den, whether a blanket over the back of the sofa, playing in a tent, or in his playpen, covered with his ball pool.

Helping Mummy dry a blanket

3. Visit the bottle bank. Zachary loves posting bottles through the holes and hearing them smash inside. 

Waiting for the crash

4. Let him 'bling up'. Zachary spent ages putting these necklaces on, then taking them off again, then on, then off.

"Innit"

5. Let him climb. Zachary will climb over anything if given the chance, but he particularly likes it when someone else helps him climb higher than he could do on his own.

On top of the world