I'm back! We had a wonderful holiday, and I will now try to catch up and post lots of pictures!
Day 83 - Sunday
We had visitors this morning and we took them to the bakers for breakfast. We wanted to try a different (a bit more expensive) one out, but they must be good, cause they didn't have a seat for us! So we went to "our" bakers instead. And had a lovely meal and great chat! And the kids played what looks like "school" from where I was stood.
Our friends left about 11am and Florian's sister and family joined us then, so we had lunch at the bakers too.
Back home we started the packing and I had to be busy in the kitchen too. I took a loaf of bread, a Rosinenbrot and a huge pot of soup with us! The boys were so excited about going it was so cute! They had their bag packed in no time at all!
Day 84 - Monday
And we are off! Just after 9am we left for the Netherlands and our Center Parcs holiday. We stopped at McDonalds before getting there for lunch - we had vouchers, so we saved quite a bit of cash! But it meant Mum, Dad, Lee and the girls got there before we did, and I hadn't paid any attention to which eTicket I gave them, so they had the keys to the wrong bungalow - oops! When we got there, they didn't look too upset though, they were just finishing their burger!
After unpacking at the bungalow, first stop was the play area. It was soooooo cold out, good job we all had our winter things with us.Here a few shots from the cold play area!
After that Mum, Lee, me and the kids went swimming. Dad and Florian were both still fighting off colds!
I'd say we successfully packed 3 days into one on the Monday!
Day 85 - Tuesday
Florian and Richard got the rolls for breakfast this morning and then we had to wait for the curtain to be pulled in the other bungalow to have breakfast. The boys definitely get up much earlier than the girls! ;o)
In the morning it was another trip to the playground, where all four of the kids played on the swing. Whilst they were playing there, we were indoors in the warm having a hot chocolate! Yummy!
After lunch it was time for the Cool Factor. There were about 8 other kids that had they have known would have been very happy with me, for organising this for them! and as for ours, they had the time of their life! We weren't around for the rafting and taste tests, but we did get a few pics of them on their bikes and doing the climbing.
After the cool factor, we tried to convince the kids to go bowling, but no chance they wanted to go swimming! So swimming it was. Mum had her camera with her and we got a couple of shots in the pool!
After swimming it was more or less straight to the restaurant there for our meal out! Very yummy! Here are the kids having their dessert.
Day 86 - Wednesday
Another busy Center Parcs day. I took all kids to the pool when it opened, we had so much planned for the afternoon, that there was going to be no time in the afternoon and we didn't want them to miss out. They had strict instructions to behave and I stayed out of the water and took plenty of pictures!
After lunch it was back to the action factory where Robert and the girls were going on the High Wire Adventure! Unfortunately Robert managed to bang his shin right before we got there - he had been warned not to break his leg with all his clowning on the way, so I didn't have much sympathy for him. Well he managed with the High Wire but when he banged his leg up there again, he came back down, quite upset, I'm still not sure whether it was his leg or pride that hurt. But I think when he looks back he'll just remember the feeling of achievement! At least I hope so, cause he did so well! Here they all are 8 metres above the ground!
And here some of the audience!
After that we went bowling. We didn't have a good lane for taking pictures, but we had fun even without me clicking away!
After the bowling we hang around the area for the kids to go to the Kids Parade. I hope one day they will forgive us. Used to the parades in Germany we were expecting a lot more than they got, and they hated it! This is a picture from before it had started and even there they look sceptical!
Once the kids were in bed in the evening we watched James Bond - Skyfall, which I had taken with us. Good film, but we will have to watch it on a decent TV again soon!
Day 87 - Thursday
We had so many vouchers that we were able to go bowling again today and this time, we had a lane where I could get some good pictures!
After lunch the kids were forced to go and enjoy the "Wannabe a pirate", they were all extremely reluctant to go, but this time they did enjoy it. They told us afterward they thought it might be like the parade, but thankfully it wasn't - here some pictures of this adventure!
And after that it was off to the pool again, and Pop, although he wasn't going with us, promised them they could stay as long as they wanted! Luckily they got hungry otherwise I think we would still be there!
Day 88 - Friday
Last day at Center Parcs, which unfortunately always means packing, but we seem to be getting routined at it, and were almost all done, by the time Dad and Richard got back from the bakers with rolls! But I don't think we have ever packed in the snow before!!
Mum, Dad, Lee and the girls left after breakfast and packing, but we stayed for another round of fun at the pool. Today Florian decided to ignore his poorly ears and joined us. He even joined the boys on the slides for a couple of rounds. Here some fun pictures!
We left around 12, with Richard inconsolable, he really didn't want to leave! First stop on our trip home was McDonalds again, but that was also everyone elses first stop on their way home or last stop on their way there, so we didn't stop, we went and found another McDonalds where there weren't quite so many families!
We got home about 6pm and Lucky was really really pleased to see us. He never left my lap all evening!
Day 89 - Saturday
And what do I do after coming back from Center Parcs - yep, shopping and washing! Got all that done throughout the day, but I also got to do something different. Richard and I went into town and picked up our new glasses/contact lenses! The things we can now see! It was so cute seeing Richard spot things in the distance he could read!
This afternoon we watched Scooby Doo and then we played Qwirkle. Florian got a picture of that!
And a couple of the kids with Lucky!
phew -
all caught up again
CU tomorrow!
