Summer Week 5: Holiday at home part 2!

It's been another week of holiday at home, this time with my dad visiting!

On Saturday Andy and I did a split adventure - Andy took the twins to the park and I took my dad and the big kids to the library to finish  their summer reading challenge and got their certificates and pinwheels. In the afternoon everyone was ratty and tired so we went swimming at the local pool, which seemed a bit silly because it's an indoor pool and the sun was out however the kids had a good time and everyone slept well after so it was a great success.

On Sunday we went to The American Museum in Bath.  Did you know there is an American Museum in Bath?  I discovered it recently and it's great, expect for being over an hours drive away.  We explored the American Gardens (modeled after the Mount Vernon Garden) and played on the playground and ate American style food.  It was hot and sunny and we all had ice cream.  We joined as members so we will hopefully adventure back soon.

Family Picnic at the museum

Yes, I did dress Aubrey in her flag dungarees

There was also a space exhibit at the museum

On Monday the big kids were in summer camp, and my dad and I took the twins to the park and library and I had a small amount of down time during twin nap, which was spent tidying the house, doing laundry, and working on dinner prep. Not the most enjoyable or relaxing Rachel hours, but I did learn that you can make Jacket Potatoes in the Slow Cooker 

On Tuesday all the kids were home so I took them (and my dad) to a local museum in the morning where we met a friend and had another picnic

Our picnic is pretty much always a baguette with cheese, some crackers, and some fruit.  Also usually a chopped up chocolate brioche.

On Wednesday our nanny had the twins so I took my dad and Lily and Ezra to the Botanical Gardens, which I had never been to before and are a 1 hour drive and are AMAZING!  I didn't actually get any photos of any of the incredible plants and flowers, but they had a free kids circus there which I did get photos of:

15 years ago I used to take arial ropes and silks lessons for fun and it made me really want to do lessons again when I am a bit more free in the evenings.  

Giant glass dome thing with plants from California

On Thursday we did another big adventure to Raglan Castle (about 45 minutes away).  It was not as warm as the start of the week, hence the jumpers:

We had a picnic and explored the castle, before heading to Tretower Court to see another "castle" and a pop up planetarium show:

Everyone enjoyed the planetarium show and I have to remember to look up the local astronomical societies to see what other events they are doing.  

Also this show was well timed for me as I just started reading Taylor Jenkins Reid's Atmosphere

After the planetarium show we explored the castle and played dress up

Then the kids spent some time rolling down a hill before we all got ice cream and drove back home again.

On Friday (today) the big kids went to summer camp and my dad and I took the toddlers to a local park with some wooden sculptures

Aubrey and Clara spent an hour looking at all the animals before my dad had to get his bus to the airport.  I drove home, served toddler lunch, then sat down to write this blog and maybe check off a few to dos (update: I ordered a bench and some sports bras and probably will not get to doing budget or any of the other ongoing to-dos I seem to accumulate)

Summer week 5 was another fun and super busy week.  It made me remember how much there is to do within an hour of where we live! There are so many castles, museums, gardens... there is a reason we chose to live in South Wales.  because of the kids ages we have been on nap schedules for 80% of the last 7 years, and while the twins do still nap it's becoming more possible to take them out for longer adventures occasionally.  

Next week is a short work-week (Bank Holiday on Monday, Andy and I both off on Friday) and the last official week of summer.  This summer has been mostly great so far, and hopefully we can continue the awesomeness all the way through.

Also, we have missed exactly one item from our summer fun list - fly a kite.  Wish us kite flying luck this weekend!