Weekend with my cousins

We had a lovely weekend this weekend.  Saturday was a little bit slow to start with as I was cooking huge amounts of food for the weekend.  Matt and Tom went down to the school with a load of jumble and white elephant stall goodies as it was Autumn Fair in the afternoon.  We then went out for lunch and waited for the Branches to arrive.

An Amber Tiger

They arrived about 15 mins before a party we had all been invited to, Tom and I went ahead as we were transporting some others along with us and then they came when they were ready.  It was Charlie and Harry's birthday party.  As we expected it was a mega party.  There were loads of craft activities and a bouncy castle.  As expected Tom didn't even look at the crafting and spent the whole time bouncing.  We told him before Jake and Amber arrived that he would need to look after them as they wouldn't know anyone there, he was true to his word and spent the whole time with Jake.  Amber, spent an age waiting patiently for her face to be painted and ended up a lovely looking tiger.

By the time food was served, there were two very hot and sweaty boys at the party - guess who?  We all blame Pop Pop for that.  They had their fill of food (Jake even ate some bits and pieces that he normally refuses - it's amazing what you will do when you aren't in your comfort zone isn't it), then some more party games and home.  A good time was had by all.

3 in the bath...

We then returned home for crisps and G&Ts for the adults whilst the children played.  We had worked out that it had been 17 months since we last saw each other (bit naughty).  There was every reason for the children to be shy etc, but they weren't at all, they instantly got on with playing.  It was as if they had last seen each other last week sometime.  Great for all concerned.

They all got on so well that they all slept together in Tom's room after only a little messing around - result.  (In fact it was only Jake and Amber messing about - Tom fell asleep whilst they were messing around, lightweight!) They did get up early though, after a while I gave up, got up and put Frozen on for them.  Funny... at school Tom hates Frozen because it is too girlie, however, when his cousins are here he loves it!!!!!

We had breakfast and then headed out to Malham for a walk.  It was bright sunshine in Ingleton, but as soon as we left the mists descended and we couldn't see a thing.  I was beginning to get worried that the trip out would be a waste of time, however, the mist started to clear as soon as we arrived, meaning we saw the scenery with an eerie ghostly misty side.

The children had a good run to Malham Cove, a scramble over the rocks at the base of the cove and then decided to climb up the steps to the limestone pavement.  Amber started to fade half way up the steps so Clare had to give her a piggyback up.  Wow Clare is fit these days, as is Jake - he just doesn't stop - wanting to be in the front the whole time.  We had a slight clamber on the limestone pavement, but Clare was a little nervous of the edge and with Jake being desperate to explore, wouldn't allow him, in case he went too mad (echos of Simon at the same age?), so we headed back down and walked back to the village where we sat outside one of the pubs for tea and a bun enjoying the winter sunshine.  Amber by now was very very tired and lost it over not being allowed her own hot chocolate.  Dad came to the rescue and took her away to calm her down.  The boys however, were still full of energy and ran round, skidding on the grass.

Clambering

We returned home the scenic way,  Amber slept the whole way and the boys sang the whole way.  When we got home Amber continued sleeping whilst the boys played outside and I made a roast dinner.  We then sat down, ate loads of food and then said goodbye to everyone.

This was the most relaxed meeting between the two families we have ever experienced.  Helped by the gorgeous weather I'm sure, but if every time we meet up the atmosphere is similar, it might just happen more often.  I guess with the children all being a little older it helps, they certainly played together very well.