A Very Cold Trip to the Beach

Burntisland Beach

On a freezing cold Sunday morning we wrapped up warm (though not warm enough!) and walked to the beach near Nana and Grandad's house. 

The air was crisp and cold on our faces and Little was tired but would not sleep; Poppet was motivated by promises of a troll bridge to go under, seashells to collect, and hot chocolate for afterwards. We cannot enter into these agreements lightly but thankfully were able to deliver on all three counts on this occasion.

Poppet exploring the puddles

The tide was way out so we explored the wet sand, Poppet was mesmerised by the ripples in the sand and the little trickles of water that formed little streams snaking their way back to the sea.

All wrapped up but with incorrect footwear

We filled up a bag with only the very best seashells we could find - daddy was the best sea shell spotter. Poppet didn't like picking the shells up from the wet sand, but she did like spotting them. We found cockles, mussels, razors and some of those curly type shells (also a seagull skull but decided not to take that home). Most of the shells still had their hinges so Poppet liked playing with them and when we got home Dandad showed her how they moved in the sea.

Poppet and Mama writing names in the sand

 Unfortunately Poppet's shoe got stuck in the sand so she got a wet foot and bum and that called time on our shell collecting.  Just before we left we wrote Poppet's name in the sand. We were very cold so ended the walk with a visit to our favourite cafe for a well-deserved cooked breakfast (and hot chocolate!).  

                                                               

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Cinderella Spotting at Storybook Glen

Castle spotting!

As Poppet is so in love with all things of a Royal nature at the present moment ( castles, Princesses, crowns, etc.. ) we thought the ideal day trip out for her birthday would be to visit Storybook Glen in Aberdeenshire. It is a large 28 acre park filled with characters and buildings from nursery rhymes and fairytales. Most importantly for us, it has a few castles and Princesses, including Poppet's favourite, Cinderella!

Approaching Sleeping Beauty's Castle

This is a place I used to visit as a child and have fond memories of, so I was apprehensive before going as I thought this might be another one of those times where my rosy childhood memories clash with a less-rosy reality when revisited as an adult (I'm looking at you Flamingo Land). I need not have worried. Storybook Glen was still great for an outdoor adventure.

On a very cold January morning, the park was deserted so we had the place to ourselves. Poppet tried to throw money into the wishing well but it was frozen solid so her coin just bounced over the surface!

Poppet meeting her idol

The highlight for Poppet was when she caught sight of Cinderella and her carriage, although she approached cautiously, asking 'Where's the mother?" as she was worried Cinderella's evil stepmother might jump out on her. Once reassured the stepmother wasn't there she couldn't wait to climb onboard the pumpkin carriage. She similarly did not want to go near the 'Old woman who lived in a shoe' because 'she smacks bums' & started crying when we walked past the 'Wicked Witch of the West'. She's a delicate soul!

Although Poppet may look serious and nonplussed at the experience, I can assure you this was the greatest moment in her life thus far

We had brought hot chocolate in a flask along with scooshy cream and mini marshmallows and she was delighted to be sitting in the carriage with her favourite hot drink while poor Dada, Nana and Little shivered outside waiting for her to finish ( I had forgotton to bring more than one cup!).

Afterwards, she happily posed for a picture with Cinderella.

We managed to squeeze in a few more fairytales before a cold and hungry Little decided it was time to go home. Sleeping Beauty's castle looked very lovely....

                                   

And Poppet was most concerned for her welfare...

                                   

Poppet: 3 yrs!

Little: 15 mos

Play Talk Read Bus

The girls had their first experience on the play bus and it's safe to say it was the most exciting thing that has ever happened to them, judging by their reactions. The pictures in this post are a bit rubbish but you get the idea.

The bus

Play Talk Read is an initiative run by the Scottish Government that gives tips on how best to play, talk and read with your wee ones. There are two buses that travel the length and breadth of Scotland and if one is visiting your area it is well worth a visit.

We heard that the bus would be passing through so put the date in the calendar and forgot all about it until we were sitting having breakfast one morning and realised today was the day! So it was a mad dash to suitably attire the girls whilst trying to explain the concept of a playbus to Poppet who was most concerned as to whether the bus would wait for us. 

Our speedy departure paid off and we were the only ones on the bus! This is what I was hoping for by going early as Poppet can get a bit overwhelmed by lots of other children. We had the place to ourselves for a while and then other children arrived at intervals so it was easy for her to adjust.  There were two play workers on board and a driver who were all most friendly and helpful, giving us a quick tour of the downstairs and pointing out the different activities. I didn't get many photos as I didn't want to look like a weirdo but it all looked very inviting. There was a couple of craft stations (one exploring symmetry using lollipop sticks and one to make paper plate mobiles), a water play experiment exploring things that float, sensory play with sand and shredded paper, and the walls had lots of play ideas and velcroed bits to play with as well. I liked that all the activities were free or very cheap and easy to replicate at home. The windows were blacked out so we could see out but people could not see in, but we did have one old gentlemen right up at the glass with his hand cupped trying to see what was going on in this purple bus!

A major concern of Poppet's once we were on board was where we were going and she took a bit of convincing that it was a special bus that doesn't move. I overheard a couple of other mothers have the exact same conversation with their little ones so it is obviously a common concern. 

Sand and shredded paper sensory play

There was 'treasure' hidden amongst the shredded paper to find; Little loved being dangled above it and grabbing at the paper, and obviously trying to eat it. While they were playing, music started being played over the speakers of the bus and it just so happened to be Poppet's favourite song of the moment, 'A Whole New World' from Aladdin. I think this might have been when she decided she was never going to get off this bus.

Sink or float experiment

There was a basin filled with water and a tub filled with a variety of objects and you had to guess which would float. Poppet outsmarted me on this one and correctly guessed that the wooden cube would float while I guessed that it would sink. I really hope no one overheard our conversation.

Craft table

The (blurry) photo above shows the paper plate mobile making station; this craft really appealed to Poppet's current scissor fascination. It was very simple to decorate a plate then cut it out in a spiral (Poppet had some scrap paper to try and cut while I cut the plate for her). She proudly carried her mobile all the way home.

Downstairs I had carried Little the whole time, upstairs I could put her down and let her run free. It was very baby friendly, with a door to stop children falling down the stairs and lots of soft furnishings. The front half was full of different toys and activities, from farm toys to dressing up to cars to homemade sensory bottles. The back half contained comfy seating and lots of large animal soft toys, books and a special baby play area.

Little 'woof woof' ing

The girls couldn't quite believe their eyes and Little's barking went into overdrive at the sight of all the stuffed animals. It was lovely and warm and the perfect spot to read the girls a couple of books and let them play together.

  

There was a selection of sensory bottles that both girls liked exploring, filled with oil and coloured water, pasta, rice etc... I've been meaning to make my own for ages but never have suitable bottles. After an hour it was time for us to leave and I envisaged tears but Poppet (reluctantly) left without any temper tantrums, partly placated by the activity pack she was given as we left along with a big sticker. Stickers are a great weapon against toddler tantrums. The whole way home she kept saying "I want to go back on the bus" so it definitely was a memorable morning for her. I wonder if she will remember it when she is all grown up like I remember my trip onto the playbus as a little girl! 

I think the next time we go on a bus it will be a real anti-climax.

things to take home

A Day out at Pitmedden Garden

On Sunday we took an impromptu trip to nearby Pitmedden Garden, picking up a picnic lunch en-route (courtesy of Nana!). We love exploring our nearby parks and gardens because they are a great cheap day out and Poppet loves the wide open spaces and new environments to explore. On this occasion we decided to sign up for National Trust for Scotland membership for the whole family for £5.75 a month. I thought this was great value considering that parking alone is normally a couple of pounds and it gives us free access to over 1000 properties ranging from castles and gardens to nature reserves and museums. We are really looking forward to some great kiddie-friendly days out!

We had our lunch on a picnic bench and then took a lovely shaded walk through the woodland together before splitting up into two groups - Nana, Little and I went to the tearoom for a cream tea while Dada and Poppet went on an adventure!

Poppet was so excited to go off with just her daddy and do some exploring. From what I can gather they went searching for monkeys in the trees, collected pinecones, took some wheat from a field, played Poohsticks, and probably other things that they are not telling me because they were dangerous and I wouldn't approve.

Meanwhile me and my mum enjoyed a lovely cream tea with Little (who was supposed to be sleeping but didn't oblige us).

We had a wander through their Museum of Farming Life and Poppet particularly liked the old farmhouse that you could look round, especially the bedroom upstairs that the whole family slept in - apparently this was "mummy and daddy's bed, my bed, and Little's bed". I do love these recreated rooms to have a nosy in!

We managed a quick walk through the walled gardens but the girls were getting antsy for their nap so we had to make a quick getaway. We will definitely be returning for a proper look round and get there much earlier this time. I love the sound of their herb garden and all the apple trees. On the last Sunday in September they hold harvest celebrations where you can buy fruits harvested from the gardens so I would definitely like to visit again then!

Poppet: 2yrs 6 mos

Little 9 mos