half term plans

where does the time go?
Saturday was spent shopping, for wedding outfits for J's sisters wedding in September.
J had the task of helping the groom, who didn't want a suit, to choose a suitable outfit, with E and Miss K in tow, and I got to go with his sister to look at wedding dresses. Neither of us could decide who had the worst deal, but as they took 2 hours at a outlet with all the shops under one roof, and sticker books to entertain the youngest members of the shopping spree, and sister in law and I trailed for 6 hours across town (why are dress shops positioned as far apart as is physically possible?), my sore feet will tell you I got the worst deal.
We did however have success and ended up with something that fitted, (well nearly, alterations to come), in the sale - therefore in the budget, and didn't require 6 months ordering time - which we don't have.
some of the dresses were like this

some were like this

but in the end we found something, and the transformation from tired shopper to fairytale princess was astonishing.

In one of the shops I amused myself by trying on the bridesmaids dresses, I already have a dress but I was quite taken by a dark red full length skirt, and a fitted bodice, and now have the desire to try and make myself a replica of the top, - although it wouldn't really be suitable for doing the school run, or the supermarket shopping in.....

Sunday we thought let's have a quiet afternoon, and invited some friends to join us for a play at Lotherton Hall, which has a lovely bird garden and a playground, and some nice gardens for walking, and ball games, and kite flying. All was lovely, until their 5 year old decided she'd had enough of looking at the birds, and took herself all the way back to play on the slides, but without telling anyone......... After 20 minutes, when we'd had all the ground staff, and quite a few other visitors looking for her, and we were just about to ring the police, she was found queueing for the zip slide, oblivious to the panic she had caused.

Yesterday we managed a walk to feed the ducks and that was quite enough excitement for anyone, Miss K and E have just learnt to play chess, and I think that rest of the half term will be spent lying on the living room floor debating the movements of the "prawns"