Summer holidays!

This summer we managed to get in a proper summer holiday, a big trip with activities and visits to friends and family, all in one! Despite being done on a bit of a shoestring budget we managed to squeeze an impressive amount into nearly two weeks worth of travel to London and back again, at the high of the summer heatwave...

The first of many new living rooms to play in... this is at Auntie Liz's house on the way down.

And the first of many parks, this one in Loughborough.

Next stop was at my sister Heather's in Chingford.
Lots of paddling pool fun. It was HOT in London!

A very excited Miriam and Lydia getting to try out Uncle Theo's car!

Naomi getting somewhat adventurous at the park in London.

A most welcome ice cream break.

It so happens there was a funfair at the park near Chingford so the girls got to try out some classic amusements. A shame the steam trains that run in the park weren't on that day...

More of the funfair

Cousin Kirsty came over for a visit with her sausage dog slinky (recently also featured on Supermarket Sweep; yes, really), and the girls overcame their fear of dogs

On the hottest day we went for a train ride to the cinema with our cousins

Miriam was most pleased to be seeing Toy Story 4!

Esther just liked having a ride on the train!

Another day and we went to the Museum of Childhood in Bethnal Green.
A really fun day out.

The museum has lots of classic toys 

And a few other fun things!

...including a puppet stall for children to have a go at.

On to Jay's sister Fay, and inheriting a lot of Barbie stuff. Here they are giving it a workout on day one.

Biggest swing ever!

A grand day out to a certain block themed adventure park.
Brilliant.

Lego everywhere!

And a lot of rides very suitable for wee ones.

Lydia having a go at controlling our helicopter.

Miriam had a shot too...

A brilliant puppet show to entertain us during lunch.

Lydia, Miriam and Naomi had a go on the cars (Lydia was on a different track for smaller ones) but I only got a photo of Miriam. It looked really fun.

Best part of the day was seeing Miriam on rides like this. It turns out she *really* likes them - lots of squeals!

Miriam liked this pirate ship one too.

Naomi had a great time as well, but just trying to capture a natural-looking picture of her happy is too much.

Hey, a local landmark!

Back to Loughborough and a Pizza Hut with friends. This means some Ice Cream Factory action!

There seems to be a theme of foot-related statues in Loughborough.

Naturally, of course, we still needed Pancake Saturday!

All in all, a brilliant time had by all.