Robin Hoods Bay

With all this beautiful sunshine we have been having, I am reminded of summer holidays when I was a kid. I don't know if its just my selected memory but summers were HOT twenty years ago and I remember family camping holidays to Cornwall (my favourite place in the world). All of this has me really desperate to go on holiday this year and spend time with Bear and D building sandcastles on the beach, eating ice cream and paddling our feet in the cold Atlantic for two weeks. However this is not to be this year so instead I must be satisfied with day trips and outings so I was very excited when Uncle Phil asked if we could take Bear to the beach!! We decided on Robin Hoods Bay as I don't think either of us could be bothered with the hustle and bustle of busy Scarborough or Whitby and i am very glad we did as it turned out to be the perfect place to take Bear on his first real trip to the sea side! It wasn't too busy and there were a few nice shops and cafes to buy souvenirs and Ice Cream and it was beautiful!

This is me with my (not so little) little brother on our way

Picturesque fishing village of Robin Hoods Bay located just south of Whitby

Phil decided he wanted to buy a boat like this one with like a roof on it and stuff

Bears very own bucket and spade

See the father and son working hard to build the best sandcastle ever? Bear went and destroyed all their hard work not long after this picture was taken, the little boy was heart broken, I was mortified and Bear thought it was the funniest thing ever!

 

Picnic Time!!

This was my favourite part we love chasing the waves!

Not the best picture but there are very few of us together

Bear with his Uncle Phil

Couldn't go to the Seaside without getting an Ice Cream...YUM!!!

Say 'ICE CREAM!!'

Our view of the Bay as we left.

Happy Tuesday x

Zoom Balance Bike Review

In an attempt to encourage Bear to burn off some of his excess energy, D and I decided to buy him a bike for his 2nd birthday. At first we were torn between a balance bike and a trike, then when we were walking in the park one day a 3 year old sped past us on a little balance bike we decided then that we should buy one for Bear. The idea behind the Balance Bike is to teach children to ride a bike without the use of stabalisers. First they learn to walk with it between their legs, then they learn to control the steering, they then learn how to push themselves along and finally they are able to lift their feet off the ground and away they go. These bikes range in price from around £20-£120 we decided to try the Zoom bike which retails at £99. Although this is towards the top end of the price range, we felt that this was a good investment as the Zoom is made of metal which makes it a bit sturdier and its very well made. It isn't as light weight as I had hoped and this can be a challenge when your all the way at the park and your toddler decides they are bored and so you have to carry it home, however it is small enough to carry and takes up less space when storing. The bike also comes with an additional seat height bar...thing which means that it will last your toddler at least until 4 years of age and then hopefully will then move straight onto a real bike. Overall I think the Zoom balance bike was a great buy, Bear loves his bike and is always wanting to go out in the street and play with his friend who also has a Zoom, she is now 3 and has mastered it very well. Bear is still at the learning to control the steering stage but I am so excited to see him ride his Zoom bike like a pro!

A Trip to The National Railway Museum

 The National Railway Museum is our favourite place to go when it's dull and rainy outside and Bear can't get enough of trains. This time we took along Aunty Han Jam (not real aunty) who also LOVES trains. The Museum is located in the former steam locomotive depot, it has a huge collection of steam trains and artifacts and is great for the whole family plus its FREE! I love to see all the carriages in the old station, Bear liked to look at the model railway and we all really enjoyed our ride on the miniature railway and it reminded me and Aunty Han Jam of when we were kids together.

Aunty Han Jam and Bear on the Miniature Railway

Station Hall

I can't recommend the National Railway Museum enough! Located just a walk away from York City Center and just round the corner from the train station it is ideally positioned and is brilliant for all ages. We are looking forward to going again this weekend to see the Mallard 75 event which will involve the gathering of all 6 remaining A4's or as Bear calls them 'Spencer'.

Happy Tuesday x