So it looks like summer is finally here, well for now anyway.

It's been lovely, dinner outside every night.  I'm sure it helps to increase my appetite as well?

Having said that, it was pretty hot in the hall for Mr Gilhams sports club on Tuesday after school.  I still enjoyed it though.

And while Ellis was cooped up indoors, Dad and I went out on our bikes.  We didn't have anywhere in particular to go so we headed accross the fields until we ended up at a bridge over the A34.  I love standing on bridges, watching the traffic zooming underneath.  Waving at them down below makes it even more fun, especially when lorry drivers honk or people in convertibles wave both hands above their car!

We had a lovely barbecue for tea with loads of veggies for me...

....and chorizo for me!

Which i've decided I like as well now.

Dancing, another indoor hot activity on Wednesday.

While Dad and I found a shady bench to do my reading.  A bit like eating, reading outside seems to be a much more pleasant experience.  I did loads.

We had a visit from a real life farmer at school on Thursday, the most exciting bit was making our own sausages!

Then finally I had a much more cool and refreshing after school activity on Friday, swimming!

And seeing as I don't have to have lessons anymore, I got half an hour pf playing on the Ipod, brilliant!

I got on really well at swimming, I have a new coloured hat (yellow for level 3) and i'm proper keen on improving as much as I can.

It was also Alans birthday, so we had a trip to Pizza Hut in Reading.

Okay so that was pretty cool in itself, add to that we were giving Andy, Alan and Hayley a lift as well, meaning we had to sit in the very back seats!

Yanna and Fen came along too, we had a lovely time.

And we ate like you wouldn't believe.  I had a bit of a result with my order being mixed up and ended up with two pizzas that I finished (after a garlic bread with cheese) and followed by two bowls of ice cream factory!

Happy birthday Alan!

We loaded up the car and waited for Owen, Laura and Andy to arrive on saturday mornng.

Yeah, after we'd popped into town to get the days free lego from the newspaper!

Anyway, we were off to Birmingham to watch the World BMX championships.

Dad was super excited, and i was pretty keen too!

I wasn't quite so enthralled with the whole thing but it was going to be a night away.

We got to Brum in time for lunch, and once Laura had found a car park that she could get her monster truck we met up at the pub for eats.

Lovely start to proceedings.

Shame the same couldn't be said for our hotel for the night.  Mum really wasn't that pleased with it...we thought it was great though, even if we didn't have enough beds or bedding for us.

Just minor details Mum!

There were groups of riders on their race bikes, wearing their national jerseys just cruising the streets, it was pretty cool to see.

After a bit of wait outside the NIA we headed in, I think we were all pretty shocked at just how cool it looked when we got our first glimpse of the track and the all round set up:

We got good seats where we could see the whole track from.  Practice was already underway and it looked brilliant.

The bikes and the helmets were so shiny under the lights.

They were doing massive jumps and going really fast and it was only practice!

The real racing soon started and the atmosphere was brilliant, especially if someone was racing in a GB jersey.

Although there were so many nationalities watching, it didn't matter who was winning, it was loud all night.

It was a bit of a disappointing start for the home riders with our top Male rider (Liam Phillips) crashing out right in front of us and breaking his collar bone on the first corner of his first race.  Add to this Shanze Reade falling off while leading her quarter final and things definatley took a bit of a slump.  Fortunately though Quillan Isodore restored the noise levels with a win in the 16 year old boys category.

There were some lovely stands selling stuff around the arena too, I had my eye on some rather lovely looking gold wheels and the Troy Lee helmet I tried on fitted a treat.

Add in inflatable banging things, sweets and doughnuts we had a good night.

Even though I was a bit tired by the end of it all.

We headed back to our luxury accommodation and hit the hay.

I decided to wake up at 5 am and have a good old spew as well, nice!

Breakfast was equally hilarious as getting in our room.  Mum again thought it was pretty shocking but we quite liked drinking our juice of of great big tea mugs and the boiling hot bowls fresh from the dishwasher for our cereals.

We headed for home, via a quick photostop at the top of the car park to take in the Birmingham skyline:

Seeing as it was still scorchio and we'd spent most of the weekend inside, we had a family water pistol fight in the garden in the afternoon.

Yeah, I love a water pistol fight, it was brilliant.

Poppy didn't go much on it though.

And then Mum and I had a trip to the park...

While Dad and I slumped on the sofa instead



While Ellis was at after school sports on Tuesday Dad and I did some planting.  We'd already dried out some chili seeds and I was itching to get them planted.  We did those and some wafty salad leaves or another which I wasn't nearly so interested in.  Not that i'll eat the chili's either I suppose, but they just seem a lot more exciting.
I had a cool time with Mr Gilham of course, I also made Dad carry me home on his shoulders, well it's hard work all that running around after school you know.
I decided I wanted a school dinner on Wednesday.  It was lovely as well, roast beef and loads of veggies....perfect.  It was nice, but i made sure I didn't tell Dad it was too nice.
I wasn't nearly so keen on dancing after school on Wednesday.  I just didn't feel like it, but once Dad had pointed out i could have a power nap on the way I gave in and decided to give it a go.  It was okay as well.  I'm still not sure I want to carry on going though.  Mum reckons it's only because i'm tired after school.
I joined in with the school dinner idea on Thursday, well, it was pizza day after all!
I didn't have school dinners, I had a packed lunch as it was school trip day!  We went to a farm park place to see the animals and all that.  Obviously there was also the major excitement of the coach trip as well!  We had a great day, we fed the sheep, saw loads of piggies and had a tractor and trailer ride through some really ooey-gooey mud!
Friday was soon upon us, Dad finally had a good idea for once and suggested that seeing as we'd finished tea early we have a trip to the shop to pick some sweets for pudding.
Yeah, most unlike him that one was!
It was a good trip as well, even if it did take us about three hours to pick what we wanted and I fell off my bike on the way home (no doubt because I was too interested in keeping hold of my chocolate).
We were up and about relatively early on Saturday...it was haircut day!
Yes it was, Even though I wasn't sure I actually wanted a haircut at all, the lure of a lolly isn't as strong as a nice mop of hair to flick for the girls benefit anymore!  Having said that, I couldn't see very well when we went swimming th other week and it gets in the way when i'm running too so it was probably for the best.
I was also indecisive, I decided I was going to have it really short at the back but by the time i'd got to the chair I was growing it out again.  Anyway, I loved it as usual and even managed to get two lollies!!!!
In the afternoon we went to the races, we hadn't been for ages.
I was pretty excited it has to be said, horses, gambling and maths....whats not to like?

I decided to accessorise my hair with some flowers I picked on the way, Dad reckoned they were weeds:

We got right up to the fence even though it was really busy. 

I started the day off really well with a winner in the first race......£38!!!!

Sadly that was the only one we had between us, although I did go really close in almost every race.  I wasn't too bothered though, we had flags to wave!
Yeah, they were giving out flags in the colours of a horse called Frankel that was running, we hadn't heard of him but I think he's a pretty big deal!
We headed home and I helped Dad light the barbecue for tea, even though it was grey and a bit cold.
Well, when I say helped him light the barbecue, I rapidly threw some lit matches at it.
We were a right pair of grumpy little devils on Sunday morning.
Yeah, we were actually.
Peace was restored by a little bit of film watching therapy.
And then Auntie Trish coming for lunch.
I conveniently missed another Gosport BMX club race as well, I think it's safe to say that i've hung up my racing kit after one glorious season.
I couldn't wait to show her my new bedroom, so if you want to know what it looks like you'll have to ask her!
I had my last Quad Kids training session on Monday night after school.
Yeah, we saw you as well Ned, while we were on the way to the park.  You were WALKING round the field yapping to Ali....not much training that is it?
Well, I got picked for the team so I must have been doing something right mustn't I?  Shame I can't go to the competition this Saturday though as we have already made other arrangements......



We've had another lay off, but not because we've been on holiday or anything.

No, not this time, we've just been a bit busy with stuff really.

Anyway, we're back now to catch up on the last couple of weeks.

First news item from me is that i've had to have a new pair of ballet slippers for dancing as my other ones have got a little bit small and the soles a little bit worn.  My new ones are really nice and have fancy velcro straps and everything.  I'll look forward to dancing in them thats for sure.

I had a big assembly two fridays ago.  It was our class' turn to do a bit for the rest of the school.  We put together a varied programme of singing, dancing and powerpoint presentations about our topic for the term, growing (plants).  I had a few lines to say that I delivered very nicely and then had to dance about as the sun to help a plant grow.  Mum came to watch so I was really pleased about that.  Especially as afterwards the parents came up to ou class room for a mooch about and I had to take a plate of biscuits around for the grown ups under strict instructions not to eat them.  Mum managed to negotiate a biscuit for all the kids though, i'm so glad she came along.

Saturday was Darcey's first birthday party.  It was pretty cool as Jack from my class came along too!

I got to impress the kids with my Ipod:

 I gave Uncle Slim his birthday cuddle as his birthday is on the same day as Darceys:

But I think he might have had to have a few more candles than Darcey did:

It was a lovely afternoon and the catering was top notch as you'd expect.

Happy Birthday Darcey!

Sunday was a bit of a full day.

We had Grandad and Anne over for lunch, we fed Grandad until he very nearly popped.

Then we went going along with our singing Aunties to 'Sing Along Sound of Music' at the Corn Exchange in the afternoon.

I had taken a while to be convinced about this one but thought i'd give it a go in the end.

I thought it was really good, if a bit long.

I on the other hand loved it, it was like a panto, we had to cheer, and boo and hold up silly signs...what fun!

And then in the evening Auntie Trish came to babysit for us.

She did, we watched the film Men In Black....

.....we LOVED it.

Then we watched some other stuff, and resisted going to bed.

Well, you did Ellis, I knew when it was time to turn in.

We had a bank holiday on the monday so no school!

We were both very pleased about that.

Especially as it was chucking it down with rain outside meaning we weren't dragged off the sofa, away from the telly to go out anywhere.

That was okay for a while but in the end we cracked and decided that Swimming at teh Oasis was a good idea.

It wasn't, the queue was a mile long accross the road outside.  We decided to give it a miss.

Which was a shock for me when I woke up after my in car snooze to find ourselves at Coate Water country park instead.

Well, the weather had cheered up a bit so it made sense really.  What made it even better was that the miniature steam railway was running.

It was brilliant, you could sit on top of the small coaches and ride around on a proper, albeit very small steam engine.

Sadly we didn't take a camera as we thought we were going swimming so there's no photographic evidence of our trip.

The poor little train struggled a little bit getting us to the top of the small incline on the track, but it came down at a heck of a rate!

Mum was quite worried we'd derail we were going so fast!

We had a bit of a walk, a play on the playground and then headed back to the car.

Not before we saw a mother duck and her babies though, they were seriously cute and we spent ages watching them going about their ducky business.

I did a great brotherly duty on Tuesday when I let Ellis come to stay in bedroom for a while.

Yes Ned, I am very grateful for that, i've moved out so Mum and Dad can decorate my room at long last.  Out go my baby room cast offs from when Ned was born to be replaced by cool stuff for a girl of very nearly five.  All my stuff got moved out and dad painted the ceiling white...not a very exciting colour to b egetting on with but he tells me it'll be smart in the end....

Anyway, with Ellis in my room staory time has been a double header every night.  I 've loved that.

Especially as i'm midway through the BFG.

I love the BFG so i'm happy to hear that again!

Despite Dad especially thinking we'd be up all night messing about we've been really good too!

Wednesday I got to go to a science outing at the Nature Discovery Centre.  There was only a few of us that were picked to go and we went in Mrs Douglas' car!  Super excitement or what?  We had a great afternoon of wildlife and animal based science stuff and even indulged in a spot of fishing.  The trip home was pretty eventful as well, a water main had burst and Hambridge road was flooded.  The water was really deep and we had to drive on the other side of the road to get around it.

All this flooding made them pretty late back and too busy to get past to take me dancing, I wasn't too bothered though and caught up on some rest instead.

It also meant I escaped half an hour of reading in the car with Dad, what a result!

I had a letter on friday....i'd won £25 on my premium bonds, a good start to the weekend!

We tried the Oasis agaion on saturday morning.  This time there was hardly anyone there though so it was brilliant.

I was named king of the slides as I was the only one to go on all of them!

I did well though and once again rode the fastest, scariest one Storm again (Well, they didn't stop me going on this time).

We did some proper swimming as well, in my case to prove I can still do it....I don't want to start lessons again.

Mum taught me some good stuff too, culminating in me swimming miles and miles of backstroke.

There was a lot of jumping in too.

Yeah, loads.

Best of all were our synchronised spinning jumps.

It was well past lunchtime when we got out so we were getting pretty hungry, the decision was made that we'd wait until we got home before we ate...

I was not at all happy with this arrangement and decided crying with hunger was the best course of action.  It didn't really change anything but we did bust out the mint crumbles I suppose.

We had a bounce on the trampoline in the afternoon at home as the rain finallly stopped and the sun came out for a bit!

And then we went to Abi and Faye's for the evening.  We played in the garden.

And we played in the house.  We played hide and seek as well, even though we weren't very good at finding Abi...oops, sorry Abi.

There was a trip to Max and Leo's new house on Sunday morning, we made ourselves at home and played with another kid from up the street.

I'm sure they'll love it there and so will we on future visits.

Then it was on to Alan and Hayley's for lunch, I loved ringing his doorbell for half an hour or so before he finally answered it.

We had a lovely time watching their digital photo frame, there were even some pictures of Alan and Hayley having a kiss!!!!!

Aside from that, and a lovely lunch there was a lot of I-geekery, I-pod, I-tunes, I-pad.  I-loved it!

Back to school today then, quad kids training for me after school, even though I can't go to the actual competition as it's on the same day as the BMX world championships that we've got tickets for.

While Ned was doing that I was overseeing Dad add the finishing touches to my bedroom.  The walls are now a beautiful pink!  He was right, the boring pink ceiling was okay in the grand scheme of things.  We hung my new curtains and got my furniture back in the room..  Apparently a new bed has been ordered for me so i'll not be showing you any pictures of it until thats here I think. You'll just have to take my word for it when I say it's lovely!

I even went as far as to say it was stunning.  I'm a bit sad that Ellis has moved out I think, I had story time in her room with her again tonight to make up for it.....

So this weeks massive news, i've finally parted with some of my birthday money (and a chunk of last years as wel I reckon) and bought myself an Ipod touch.  A white one too.  It is so cool.  We've been inseperable ever since.  Dad's had his hands full trying to cram it full of music, games and films for me and he's done a pretty good job.  I've even used the internet on it to help with my school project this week....see, educational too!  We got it from Argos and I paid the lady myself with my own cash which was very exciting.
Wednesday was of course dancing day, but i was pretty sleepy and didn't really want to go.  Dad convinced me I should in the end and I had a power nap on the way there.  I was glad I went in the end as I really enjoyed it.
I'd hoped to sit in the car playing with the ipod while Ellis was dancing.  No such luck, it was still reading time...boooooo!
I had my first session back at multiskills on Thursday, it was basketball too, brilliant!
We also got presented with a cross country medal during fridays assembly, how cool is that? We'd all but forgotten about cross country, it was weeks ago!
Friday afternoon saw me making an emotional farewell to Lillie especially as I we were going off on holiday.  Both Mum and Dad had explained to me that we were only going for the weekend but I much preferred the idea that we were going off for weeks on end and milked the separation from my frineds for all it was worth.  Dad spoiled it all by saying we'd be back for monday though!
So yes, Cornwall it was, we picked Mum up from work, took her home to get changed and then hit the road with Andy and Owen in close pursuit.
We had our customary stop off at Exeter.
Where we ran up and down the big grass bank a load of times.
Which tired us out for the last leg of the journey.  We arrived pretty late and headed straight for bed.
In preparation for the weekends activities.
Sarurday morning then, the weather was surprisingly pleasant first thing, blue skies and everything.
We had a leisurely breakfast and then headed off to Gary's shop to collect our chocolate cake (Sorry Uncle Ian, we didn't save you any).
Then it was time to hit the beach, Dad, Andy and Owen decided the waves were good enough to get in the sea.
While Mum, Ellis and I didn't.
Although I did decide shorts were the way forward:

We did a spot of sand art, here's my effort:

And here's mine:

We had to have a paddle of course:

And we had a big old walk up and down the dunes, the bit round the back was the best, it was really steep.

We headed back to the caravan for a spot of lunch and then went up to the Surf shop where I finally got myself a new wetsuit after struggling through last year in one that was quite clearly too short in the body.  This new one is perfect.  It fits, it's pink and it's not even too annoying round the neck area.....and best of all it isn't one of Ned's old cast offs!   Mum was pleased because she reckons i'll be easy to spot in it as well.

We stopped off in the camping field (empty except for two motorhomes) for a spot of Nerf bomb throwing.

By the time we'd got back from the shops it was low tide...time for some rockpool action (and a chance to try out my wetsuit).  I'd been wanting to go in the pools since, oooooh, about last October?  I was so excited that I didn't even notice the cold water.

I did, keen as I was to have a skim board session the water was freezing cold.  It took a while to get used to it.

We had pretty much a full days seaside activites in the space of an hour or so, digging, catching crabs, bodyboarding, deep water wading and exloring up between the rocks before I we finally gave in to the cold.

I decided the best way to combat this was to run all the way back to the caravan.
We had a game of Uno...
...and a game of my farmyard card game where you have to get rid of the donkey before having some tea and watching some saturday night telly...perfect!
Sunday was an altogether different prospect.
It was raining, really raining.
So we made the best of it by going to a big surf shop for some new clobber.
And then heading to the pub for a big lunch.
So we'd done pretty well so far and to top things off we went to see John and Sarah at their new house in the afternoon.
We did indeed, John couldn't wait to to show us his Skylanders game on the Wii, it was brilliant.  Everyone loved it, shame my birthdays been and gone but it'll soon be christmas!
I got to have a cuddle with their guinea pig too, he really liked me and sat letting me cuddle and stroke him for ages:

In fact, he liked me so much, he left me a little present on my lap which needed a bit of clearing up. Ha ha, I didn't mind though.

We had to go all too soon though which was a shame, but i'm sure we'll see them, again over the summer.

Yeah, back in the car for the long drive home, but what a weekend!

There's some video of it here:



Back to school then, and I had an emotion re-uniting with my long lost friends.

And I had the first week of quad kids training.  I did really well at the throwing but found the running hard going this week? Not sure what that was all about but i'm sure things will pick up.  Although it's looking like I might not be able to enter the actual competition as it clashes with the World BMX championships that we're going to watch.....

So, vide catch up anyone?

First off we have a bit of Easter fun and some Kent business:

Followed by some Disneyland action:

And then some birthday stuff:

Blimey, seems like ages since we were on here doesn't it?

Easter holidays and all that, we had a games morning on Tuesday (Mum was off all week).  We had Kerplunk, Draughts and then stuffed mum totally at build a beetle.

Even though she spent most of her time making the window fitting men coffee.

I went to Alastairs for the afternoon which was great fun.

And I went into town with Mum and Dad for a bit, we helped Mum pick some new glasses and then went off to sneakily buy her a birthday card while she went throught the paperwork and what have you.  We got her some cool cards, one with a massive dog sat on a woman on the beach and one with someone with their bum out (that one was for Ned).  By the time we got back to the opticians, she'd chosen another pair of glasses that I hadn't even sanctioned!

Wednesday was a bit of a lazy morning again and then a trip to the cinema in the afternoon when Dad was home to see Pirates!

We were really excited about it.

We loved it of course, we always love the cinema.

Thursday and the Window men were finally finished.

We went to the holiday club at school for a little while as there was a two hour street dance session on.  We both went along and we really loved it.

Ellis really was very good and it was great to see some of my school friends for a bit.

We went to the park in the afternoon which was nice.

And then we had a family trip to Tesco, which wasn't....so much.

We spent the morning with Auntie Christine on good friday while Mum and Dad went out somewhere.

Well it was supposed to be the morning, but as Auntie Christine herself told Mum and Dad, we were having too much fun to come home until well into the afternoon!

Saturday then....Mum's birthday!

We got her up reasonably only to present her with her carefully selected cards and presents.

And then we went on holiday!  Heaeded East this time for a change, towards Kent.

It was all going really well as well, until Mum decided to consult the map even though we had the sat nav on.  The only trouble was that I had sort of removed a couple of pages from it, and it just so happened that it was the couple of pages we really needed at he time.  Oops.

Luckily we spotted the signs for Hever Castle from the motorway so we decided to follow those instead.

Yes indeed, Hever Castle, it was really rather good actually, even though it was all history and that.

There was an Easter egg trail as well, history and chocolate....me and Mum were in our element!

There were really good grounds to explore, with mazes.  Including this rather magnificent water maze that squirted you when you took the wrong direction:

It was great fun, until I took a bit of tumble and ended up with my foot in the pond.  It was very wet indeed.  Everyone seemed to see the funny side except me.  I blamed everyone else of course:

Once we had seen everything on offer (great park, easter chicks, inside the palace, more mazes and claimed our easter eggs) we headed off to our hotel in Ashford.  Due to the map malfunction we hadn't realised quite how far we still had to go.

But it didn't take that long and we were soon checked in and up to our room.

Our room was cool as well, I had a double sofa bed all to myself.

And I had my very own single bed, pushed up against the wall, just how I like it!

We got changed and headed out to the pub that Dad had booked for Mum's birthday meal.

Then it was back to the hotel for bed bouncing and take me out on the telly.

Sunday, easter egg hunt in the hotel room...brilliant!  I'm sure the video will emerge here soon enough. 

Then it was hotel breakfast and out to a place called Dungeness.  Apparently Dad used to go here as a kid, he must have had a deprived childhood or something, it was like the very end of the earth down there.

But the lighthouses were very cool.

Out of the fog and the mist emerged a really cool little steam train with loads and loads of coaches behind it.

I really took an interest in the trains:

We got out own little coach all to ourselves and chugged out of the mist and murk and headed up country.

It was a very comfortable arrangement, especially with a bag full of easter eggs to graze on:

We went all the way to the end of the line in Hythe before making our return.

Stopping off at Romney for a look around the model railway exhibition which we really loved.

We were soon back at Dungeness, It looked a little less grim than it did in the morning:

On the way back to the hotel we stopped off to see our Great Uncle Brian and Great Auntie Mary.

Last time we saw them I was apparently a baby?   

Yeah, it must have been nearly five years ago, unfortunately we didn't exactly give a great account of ourselves.

No, we were a bit naughty really.

Not that they minded, they were just pleased to see us and made a whole load of excuses for our questionable actions...you can tell they must have been Nannies family!

We heaed back to the hotel with a bit of a frosty atmosphere from Dad and especially Mum.  Oh dear.

She was soon over it though and we ventured out for a luxury tea in a near by McDonalds, where we had much fun and laughter defacing the 'Pirate of the Year' hats they were dishing out to read 'Prat of the Year' instead.

Next morning was out big trip to France.  So we were up and down for breakfast at the hotel before packing up our stuff and getting a Taxi to the railway station.

A taxi, we'd never been in a Taxi before so it was pretty exciting.

What was even more exciting was the speed the said Taxi drove off at as soon as we were sat down in the back...!

It was only a short ride to the station (not a surprise seeing the warp speeds we were travelling at), Mum was particularly pleased it was a short trip as I was really enjoying watching the trip meter ramping up and telling her all about it.

There were two really happy chaps on the passport and ticket control desk and we were soon through the metal detectors into the departures lounge.  It was a world away from the airport thats for sure.

We had a good time waiting, we read some Harry Potter,

Built some Lego.

Made friends with some other kids.

Mum checked us in on the Disney Desk, which gave us all our park tickets and hotel vouchers before we'd even left Ashford, cool or what?

We even got a little bag each with a jigsaw, a cool multicoloured pencil and an activity book to tide us over for a little while until the train arrived.

We walked down to the platform just before the train arrived, got on, actually had a seat to sit in (which is a novelty for us on our usual trips to London) and set off for France.

We were very excited at the prospect of going through a tunnel under the sea to France.

We were, even it if it turned out to be a pretty boring black tunnel that only lasted just over 20 minutes or so.

And we popped up in France, it looked much like England really, except all the cars were on the other side of the road.  In just about two hours and a couple of earlier stops we arrived at the station for Disneyland.

How cool, all we had to do was check our luggage in at the Station (to be sent of to the hotel for later) and then we were free to go into Disneyland, and it was only just after lunchtime. 

The full set of pictures can be seen here:

Kent/Disneyland Paris/London photo album

But here's a few highlights as well.  The first ride we headed for was Mum's favourite, Autopia:

It was brilliant, especially when all the traffic came to a halt and we smashed into the back of Ned and Dad's car. He was whineing about putting in a whiplash claim or something or other...ha ha!

After that it was a whirlwind of rides and character meetings until we headed back to our hotel for dinner.

We picked up our bags and our room keys and headed up to our room....in the lift.

Our room had just been decorated and was really rather nice.

then we headed down for our dinner....the restaurant was a help yourself buffet, brilliant, all the cucumber and sweetcorn I could eat.

And all the pizza and chips I could manage, don't even start me on the pudding selections, yum yum!

All the excitement soon caught up with us and we decided it was time for bed.

After an early morning and hotel brekfast (again, help yourself, but no pizza or chips sadly) folowed by the days meet and great with a character in the lobby (Winnie the Pooh and Mickey Mouse on the first day) we headed back out to the park. 

The castle was pretty good too actually, it actually had some stuff inside to explore as well as a bit out the back:

We had a hit list of stuff we wanted to do including the Runaway Mine Train (which was a bit noisy for me truth be told) and it's a small world (much more like it in my opinion).

We went on loads of other stuff too, so much in fact that I can't really remember it all.

By mid afternoon the weather was closing in and it started to rain...really rain.

By the time we got back to the hotel we were soaked right through.  So it was a good idea to head to the pool for a swim.  This was probably my highlight of the whole trip really, I love swimming.  The pool was realy good with loads of intertesting nooks and crannies and a really smart slide.

You could even go down it on the provided swimming floats, some of which were the size of bodyboards.  They zoomed accross the water really well at the bottom of the slide.

The other highlight was the hot tub...it sure was hot....we didn't want to get out.

Dad and I found another heat source in the changing room though and had a relaxing session in first the steam bath and then in the sauna.

Yeah, while Mum and I had to wait for them both outside the changing rooms.

A hot chocolate and a game of cards in the hotel before dinner was definatley called for:

Before we turned in for the night.  Which wasn't entirely without incident.....I fell out of bed with quite a thump and woke everyone up.

Except me of course.  Wednesday and we went to the Studios park, which is still Disney, but another park right next door.  This is the one I was most excited about as it had the Tower of Terror and Rock N Rollercoaster. 

Tower of terror sounded great to me, I was well up for it too.  I made the height restriction easily enough but the spooky bits and bobs on the last bit before we got on the ride were enough to put me off.  I cleverly disguised this as a sudden and irresistable urge to go to the toilet.

Tower of terror was brilliant again of course, I love it.

It wasn't all scary stuff though, we loved the Cars ride:

We completely loved Stitch Live, a live interactive video screen show.  Stitch actually talked to me, he asked me my name and age and whether I had a girlfriend!  I was soooo pleased, Stitch is my favourite.

There was a new Toy Story area too, we loved this.  There was a slinky dog ride but slinky got dizzy when we got on him and we had to come back later with a special ticket that meant we could jump the queue.

I loved jumping queues, either with this ticket or the Fast Pass tickets we sorted out.  Also brilliant was getting into the parks themselves earlier than everyone waiting at the gate because we were hotel residents.

Anyway, back to Toy Story, there was a parachute drop ride that I loved.

And an RC racer ride that I went on with Mum.  Mistake.  She screamed like a total lunatic for some reason.  I had another go with Dad, he was much more dignified.

Then my main event of the day...Rock N Rollercoaster.  I was pretty excited about this one, even if I was a little bit scared.  Well, only a little bit...but it did go upside down three times.  I went on with dad and unlike normal rollercoasters it didn't go up a great big hill to start off with, it fired you out of the station at warp speed.  It was amazing, all in the dark, loud music, flashing lights and lots and lots of speed.  By the time we'd finished the first loop my hands were in the air making devil horns.  Mum came on with me next as we used Ellis' for a 'baby swap' (even though she isn't really a baby anymore).  Here we are getting off:

I was quite happy with Rex while all this was going on. I was also showing my Tigger all around the place, his old home infact, we bought him here last time we came:

I still had my pen and activity book from the train with me, so I took the time to do a little writing and what have you as well.

Having already had a full day in the studios park we headed back over to Disneyland to watch the parade.

We love the parade, and unlike yesterday the sun was blazing so we set up camp on the pavement with a lovely ice lolly (For all the ice cream spotters out there we all had a Twister.  It was much like our version in England but longer and without the creamy bit.  It was also on a much smarter stick).

We also did a little bit of souvenir shopping, I plumped for a cuddly stitch toy which I have snuggled at bedtime without fail every night since.

And after a few near misses found the most Ellis' present anyone had ever seen.  A pink, light up, spinning dress princess, wow:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here's our massive hotel, around the lake:

It had the waftiest key system of all time and very often took at least 8 tries before it would actually let you in:

And here is my bedtime snuggle up Stitch, holding my muzzy all ready for me:

Later on in the evening we were pretty worn out, but there was the evening laser and firework show on.....I wanted to go.

And I could barely keep my eyes open. We decided in the end that it would be best if I went to bed....

....and Mum and I went to the show. She did a brilliant job of giving me a piggy back so I could see even if she was pretty much crippled the next day from the effort.

So our last day, booo. It wasn't as rubbish as normal last days though, we had until 5 pm to enjoy it.

We headed off to the studios for Crush's Coaster, Mum and Dad's absoloute favourite. I love Nemo, how scary could it be?

I had my reservations actually, I didn't like it last time I went on it and I wasn't sure now. Still, I had to look brave in front of Ellis.

I got the jitters and tried the toilet trick but it didn't work this time.

And I had to get on the backwards facing seats for Ellis' benefit.....

We were off, and almost straight away I didn't like it! It was too fast, too dark and went sideways, backways, all sorts of ways.

I wasn't too sure either although I put a brave face on.

So, kids, don't let your parents drag you on this ride. They might love it and all the adverts and posters for it in the park itself make it look so lovely, but don't be taken in!

After that we headed for the stunt show. I loved the stunt show.
Lets get that straight right away. I totally loved the stunt show. Especially the motorbike jumps and the man who fell off and set himself on fire.

Dad and I particularly liked the appearance of the real Lightning McQueen!

After that we had a chance to meet Ariel:

But  Mary Poppins had to leg it before we got to her as it started to rain a little...she had a lot of make up and a very white outfit after all.

Dad got another four fast passes for Rock N Rollercoaster....brilliant I got another two goes!

And while Ned was on that a cool game of hoop/jump/basketball was set up in the street which I loved:

There was another parade in the Studios park, this time with the characters in cars:

Then we managed to track down a couple of the main players for out autograph book, Minnie Mouse (Uncle Alan, are you reading?):

And then Mickey:

I think that just about covered everything.  We'd had a great four days.

If a bit tiring!

We headed back for a bite to eat in the Disney Village before collecting our bags and settling down in the wrong seats for a the train ride home.

We eventually found our actual seats and settled down again for the train ride home.  Where Dad actually saw the Eifell tower out of the window, thus validating my claim on the outward journey that was scoffed at!

The train was pretty comfy actually, but tired as we were we jibber jabbered and mucked about all the way home. 

Well, nearly all the way, of course we dropped off about 10 minutes before the train arrived back in Ashford.

So after a fun packed week of excitment and culture you'd have thought hwe'd have come home and taken it easy yeah?

Oh no, it was my birthday!  I didn't get up that early though, I am quite considerate.  I had some seriously cool presents to open, the main one being my very own TV/DVD player for my bedroom.  Wow, how cool is that?

Pretty cool Ned, especially if you let me come and watch it with you.

Once that was all done and dusted and Dad got it working it was off to the station for another day out to London.

It has to be said I wasn't that keen.  I'd been a bit under the weather for a couple of days at Disnelyland and was pretty much tired out.  Still, seeing as it was Ned's birthday and Mum and Dad promised me lots of shoulder carries I decided i'd soldier on.

We had lunch booked at the Rainforest Cafe, it was sooooo cool inside.  Moving animals, rain, thunder, a starry sky......

Another character to meet and greet:

And a special birthday Sundae with a rousing chorus of happy birthday sung by everyone in the vicinity, I loved this bit in particular:

Once we'd finally been prized out of the shop upstairs we made our way towards the London Eye.

It was a right old scenic route too, we went past Leicester square, the head office of the MOD,

Trafalgar square, the Cenotaph and the other end of Downing Street.  Oh and a brilliant statue of Queen Boudicca, one of our favourites from Horrible Histories.

We then turned the corner to see Big Ben, the houses of Parliament and on the other side of the river (I thought it was the deep sea) the London Eye.  It was very high indeed.

We couldn't wait to go on it.  It was so cool, it didn't even stop for you to get on or off as it moved sooooo slowly.

We soon started to climb up, the people below looked like ants in no time:

You could so much from up there, mum was a brilliant tour guide, pointing out all sorts of interesting stuff for us.

After that we headed for home in plenty of time for me to go to Tom's party at Eddie Katz (I know on my actual birthday!).

Wow, what a week!

Some excitement for me on Saturday when I got to go round to my frined Lillies for the day.  We had a lovely time, Pizza Hut for lunch (don't tell Ned and a trip to the park in the afternoon.

I had a trip out with Mum and Dad to tesco...wow I know, you envy me.  I did have a bit of a spend of my birthday money in the DVD section getting the Lion King and Cars 2 (on a buy one get one free offfer no less, I love a deal).  I Retreated to my room to watch the Lion King and left them downstairs watching the Grand National build up.

I was home in time for the big race but sadly even though we'd all picked a horse and placed a bet, none of us won anything.

Alan and Hayley came round for a birthday related visit in the afternoon, we loved showing them our disney Autograph book that Dad had actually got proper printed photographs done for already.

Printed photographs?  You can print them can you?  I thought you could only see them on computer screens?

I also had my belated birthday cake:

We went out for Chrissy's 40th birthday on Sunday.

Yeah for lunch, very nice.

And a great meet up for the grown ups and all us kids.  We had  agreat time hiding under the tables, firing off party poppers and blowing bubbles.

Monday, last day of the school holidays. What could be better than a lazy day with Auntie Christine?

A lazy day with Auntie Christine and Darcey perhaps? Oh yes.

We had a great time trying to get her to crawl...she's nearly there I reckon!

It was back to school on Tuesday, quite honestly I was about ready to go back.  I'd missed my friends really.

I'm still keeping up that I don't like school.  Although I do really.  I think.

Dancing started again on Wednesday as well.  I'm loving it at the moment, especially after they changed the classes and times. There's a lot fewer of us now it's little ones only and we get a lot more done.

And because Mum was off sick, I didn't have to go with Dad and read in the car.  Result for me, but obviously bad for Mum.

No multiskills on Thursday yet either, that doesn't start until next week so it was cuddle up time with sick bay Mum with the telly. Easily as good as running round a muddy field with Mr Gilham I reckon.

We've started learning subtraction this week, so feel free to shoot me some quick fire sums...I love it!

We've both started a new topic about growing this term.

Yeah, and we've both been out digging and weeding and getting very muddy indeed.

But we do love it.

As if that wasn't enough gardening, we actually did some at home on Saturday morning too.

Yeah, after years of lobbying from me, we might finally have some lovely flowers to look at in the summer!

With Mum still being ill, uncle Alan and Auntie Hayleys babysitting session was cancelled, Dad went out alone (well Uncle Slim popped round for a birthday visit and took Dad with him).

This left Mum to watch Saturday night telly with us which was lovely. 

Even if you've been framed was missing something without Dad howling with hysteria in the room.

Sunday and there was even more gardening (I know!!!) before the main event.....MY BIRTHDAY PARTY!

Yes, even I was lookng forward to this one.

Bowling and Laser Tag no less.  Here we all are getting our bowling shoes on:

We all played very well actually:

Except me, I didn't do very well realy, well, I certainly didn't win!

Ha ha, I did okay, in fact I was the only one to get a strike!  I loved hanging out with Ned's friends:



Then it was off upstairs for a game of Laser Tag.  It was so exciting, I was one team captain and I made Ellis the other.  We had to pick teams and then we were off (Tegan my first pick of course).  The lights were turned off, the music was turned up and we engaged in combat.

Ned's team looked a little bit more competitive on paper so I enlisted Dad to help us out for a bit. He didn't need much encouragement I can tell you.

We loved it, we had the whole of Krazy Klub to ourselves and had the best time ever.  It was just so awesome.  I think everyone else thought so too.  My team won in the end apparently, not that anyone really cared as they'd enjoyed it so much.  It was then time for food, cake, party bags and going home.

With very, very pink faces!!!

I'd  like to say a massive thank you to all my friends who came (for reference, Dylan, Maxim, Liam, Louise, Ella, Ali, Rebecca, Tegan, Hugo and Robert).  They were all great fun, great company and all of them got me a great present.  I'm a lucky boy.

It was certainly the talk of school on Monday.

And when we got home, mum was still off sick.  She's been to the doctors and been signed off for a week so we can get used to some cosy afternoons with the telly this week......

Thats about it then, back up to date, all except the videos, which should appear shortly.  I'd also like to add a massive thank you to all my other friends and family for the very kind birthday cards and presents and indeed visits.  Can't wait until next year!!!!