This Sunday was one of those that the hubster spends working a late shift, meaning that he is not around during the morning (went to bed super late after the previous night’s shift) and isn’t around in the afternoon (back at work). I normally pack myself and the kids up and migrate over to my mum and dad’s for the weekend when this happens – its good to have the company and support – but this weekend they had plans both days so I arranged to meet up with one of my best friends who I met through the experience of motherhood. Her hubster works Sundays too so it was the perfect excuse for us to hook up with the kidlets. We planned a lunch at a local family-friendly pub/restaurant where our table was perfectly positioned… right next to the soft play zone. The kids were both pretty well behaved and ate well too. Then, as it was dry and even vaguely sunny, we headed five minutes up the road to Alice Holt Forest in Hampshire where there is a lovely big wooden play zone complete with full on pirate ship, plus little log cabins and wooden train as well as all the more mundane swings and slides.
Just as we pulled up in the car park there was a hale shower but nevertheless we ploughed on regardless and soon the sun was shining again. Most of the playzone was dry as there are plenty of woodchips and pinecones all over the ground but it was pretty muddy just at the entrance to the pirate ship. JJ and his friend were off in their wellies up and down and round, beyond my capabilities to keep track whilst carefully shadowing EJ who, at 18 months, is a pretty intrepid explorer and not afraid to scale a precarious looking structure at the best of times! Sooner or later he took notice of the pirate ship and it was more than my life was worth to keep him away from it. It was only a matter of time before the scene above became inevitable and I think I took that photo before he fell sideways into the mud (but after he had jumped up and down in the puddle repeatedly!) He was wearing wellies but that is a bit like saying a woman in a bikini was suitably attired for a tsunami!
I had to bury my head in my hands and just wail “EJ, Nooooooooooooo!” whilst looking on completely paralysed by the scene of the muddy monster from Room on The Broom emerging before my very eyes… Another mum walked by and chuckled “he looks like he’s enjoying himself” and I had to admit that he was indeed having a whale of a time, and, despite my slightly OCD attitude to such things, I couldn’t deny that this was something of a magic moment for my little boy – muddy puddles – what’s not to love?!
Linking up to Magic Moments over at The Olivers Madhouse
Falling sideways in the mud is a rite of passage!
Oh yes! This comment did make me chuckle!
Fabulous! It really is muddy though! Popping over from #magicmoments
It was extremely muddy right in that spot Afra! He made a beeline for it!
Ah yes, the joys of sploshing around in squelchy mud 🙂
To be honest I think I’d probably enjoy it myself if I ever tried it!
Ha ha aww bless him …. and I feel your pain! As long as he had fun i guess! 😉 #magicmoments
It was both hilarious and painful to watch from my point of view Caroline!!
Ha ha – love it! It’d stress me out, too, but you just know they’re having fun 🙂
Sometimes you’ve just got to let go haven’t you? At least parenthood teaches us that much! X
Boys love the mud! #MagicMoments
Yes! I bet girls do too… but maybe not princessy types!
He looks like he is having a wonderful time there. There is nothing for it in this weather but to grab some wellies and go out regardless. Alice Holt has so much to offer between the showers! Popping by from #MagicMoments but please do join me for Country Kids too, all about outdoor fun for kids so your forest trip fits perfectly.
Thanks Fiona – I think maybe next time I might add a full body splash suit into the mix! I will definitely remember to join up to your Country Kids next time we do something outdoorsy! X
I think there’s a certain point you get to with mud where, as a parent, you just have to give up and let the mud-monster take over! He looks like he’s having fun! hope your washing machine survived the clean up operation! #magicmoments
I know Maddy – its definitely an exercise in letting go and ‘going with the flow’! The washing machine hasn’t been put to the test yet – just rinsing and drying first so that too much debris doesn’t clog it all up!!
this by far looks like lots of fun!! you cant beat a bit of mud .. although i am glad its in your washing pile not mine 😉
thanks for linking up with #MagicMoments
This winter it has been unavoidable! I’m just glad I’ve got a lovely robust Bosch washing machine to cope with everything that gets thrown at it!
Love a dirty child – it means they’ve been outside in the fresh air, having fun. Great post. #magicmoments
Thank you! Yep, nothing worse than a clean child 😉
LOL that would be my daughter, she loves getting messy! As long as he was having fun that is all that matters – mud cleans!
I’m glad that he got the opportunity to do this but I have to admit that I couldn’t have taken much more of it and I’m much easier going than my husband – if he was there he would have had an absolute fit!!