Our summer hols have got off to a good start here, with the highlight of the first week being the discovery of a new playground. Although it’s a half hour drive each way it’s been worth the trip as it’s a playground with a difference – an aqua one. All the equipment sprays, mists or sheets water – the perfect sensory playground for Toby and it was free! (Fairlands Valley Splash Park in Stevenage, Herts)

I expect that it gets really busy in hot, sunny weather but we went while it was cloudy and found it quiet. It’s the perfect place for both the children to play together in safety and a good place to try out our new camera!

Summer has really arrived here – it’s turned hot and sunny and Amy and I couldn’t pass up the opportunity that came our way last week for a girls only weekend at the seaside. We set off at the crack of dawn on Saturday and arrived with our friends in Walton on the Naze for breakfast.

The day at the beach was perfect and we topped it off with a visit to the pier, fish and chips and an evening at the kids club. It was so nice to get away and relax but lovely to come home again yesterday and see our menfolk who had pottered around the garden all weekend. Although we were only away for 18 hours it felt like a much longer break and I feel very relaxed this morning – hope that feeling lasts a little longer!