Last updated on May 6th, 2024 at 10:29 am
We are saying goodbye to half term tonight. As the day ends, I am feeling really lucky for the amazing time we have had together both as a family and a few one on one days with my eldest. That’s the beauty of our situation right now where one still has preschool and the other is off school. So we have had a great mixture of days out together and a few days where I got to put all my time and attention into one child. I think it’s so important every once in awhile they feel that extra special love.
On our first day solo just me and my eldest, I asked him what he wanted to do together. Scooting to the park near our house was requested along side going to the the Batman Lego movie. I love that he picks things to do outdoors first. We got his scooter out and I did my very best to keep up with him. He can scoot so fast now it’s unbelievable. I need to invest in my own scooter soon just to stay equals. It was such a beautiful but cold day we warmed up warm and got out to enjoy every last sun ray of it. We played at the park having endless competitions of who could swing faster, who could run faster and played tag, your it. Yes, it’s very interesting with only two players but most importantly we were laughing our heads off. It made me remember just how much fun it was to be a kid.
That’s the amazing thing when you stop and put everything away and pay your full attention to your kids. They teach you things life lessons and they bring up amazing memories in some shape or form. We had a few hours of fresh air, sunshine and made new memories. When the rain started to move in we decide it was time for lunch and a movie. We made a full day of it and went out for a bite to eat and got tickets for the Batman Lego movie. We seem to have been having a Lego theme for half term this year with our two trips (yes, two long story) to Legoland and Sealife too.
The movie was brilliant even I really enjoyed it. It’s got enough adult humor in it. It’s one of my favorite things going out to lunch with my kids solo. They love the treat and I love the company and sitting their chatting about various things together. 
I always end up noticing new little things about my kids when I have a day with them, one on one. Whether it’s the subtle change in their voice or a new mannerism I hadn’t mentally memorized. It’s funny how much you can miss with routines, school, and family life in general. My son is quite the jokester when he wants to be, jumping out from behind somewhere to scare you or tapping the opposite shoulder to turn the wrong way and no one be there. He thinks it’s absolutely hilarious. He is still in that phase where he only wants to wear sweatpants unfortunately drives me mad but I said he could all day to be comfort at the park and the movies. He would never take them off if I allowed it. I also realized he is braver now too. He will climb to the top of the climbing frame without hesitation and he will scoot down a steep hill as fast as he can without pause. These are things he only recently wouldn’t do. School and friends have really seem a great improve in his confidence. That’s always a relief that it’s not having the opposite effect out our children when they start out.
This is really the first half term we haven’t gone away somewhere or had a big family gathering. It has just been a few days of me and my eldest spending some quality time outdoors together and a few days like the good old days of me and both the kiddos in tow together. Get up to no good but chilling and recharging our batteries. It was so needed. 
I am joining in with Katie for her #ordinarymoments. It’s such a lovely linky motivating us all to stop and document even the every day life with our families. Those are the memories that are precious but easiest to slip our minds as the years pass us by.
I am also joining in with Kerri-Ann for her #MyFamilyAdventures for February. Being half term with a week and a bit off most of the month has been just me and my eldest having quality time together. I think it’s lovely to round up the most of your family adventures if you don’t already do so come join the rest of here.
I completely agree – I try to have one-to-one time with each of my kids with reasonable regularity. It’s obviously easy with Amy as she’s only in playgroup so we get quite a bit of time together but I do have to plan a bit more for the time with the big two.
I know what you mean. I get time with MM still at home a few days when she isn’t in preschool but only a few months and she will be at school too. That means when they are off school I will have both at home for half terms so one on one time will get trickier and need planning. They get so much from it though. I really notice the different. Sometimes they are cranky and whining just for attention.
Oh this is such a lovely post. I treasure my one-on-one days with the girly and she loves scooting. In fact we have a grown up scooter so we can keep up with her (it’s also brilliant for a commute haha), popping over from #TheOrdinaryMoments
Oh I really need to get one to keep up with the kids. They go so fast now running beside them isn’t enough anymore. I swear we are big kids at heart anyways so it’s fun for us adults too. Thanks for popping over. Have a great week.
You are so right. I spend all day at home (thankfully) with my 3 but life has a habit of distracting us from how much they change. Its those little changes all added up which one day equate to the adult they become.
Sounds like you had a lovely half term x
It goes so fast and sometimes you didn’t realize they changed until it has and I hate how fast they grow up without me being able to soak up each moment fully. I wish it would slow down a little sometimes. We did get lucky for our half term no one was ill and the weather was gorgeous which never happens. hahaha
Lovely post, with the arrival of my new baby I don’t have much opportunity to spend one on one time with my girls and I know this is something they miss – especially Meme. It is something I definitely need to think about as it’s so important #ordinarymoments
Oh I can imagine it’s hard. I didn’t have one on one with my eldest for years when MM arrived as I just had two babies with me at all times. But as they get older it’s nicer because they also appreciate that extra added attention too. Give yourself time hunny when they are a bit older especially baby they will get out of it a lot more anyways it’s hard in the earlier days.
Your gorgeous boy is looking so grown up. I love watching a movie with the children too – it’s about the only time I really switch off. Such gorgeous photos Jenny! x
I know what you mean. I find it hard to switch off and just be in the moment when so much in going on in my head 24/7. But it’s a good thing we would get kicked out if we had our phones out at the movies. It forces us to just enjoy it. There is nothing I love more than going to the movie theatre with the kids. They have a blast and I really love it too. He is really shooting up in height. It won’t be long before he is taller than me which isn’t hard but will be weird too.
I absolutely adore one on one time and as much as I am sad that half term is over tomorrow I am actually quite looking forward to that one on one with the littlest again too. We also made the trip to LegoLand and Sealife Manchester too, but are yet to see the movie x
I am sad half term is over too. It’s been sad to not have them both at home again like the good old days but I am also excited to have my littlest all to myself again tomorrow. This is her last few months at home before she will be at school too. Legoland and Sealife is a great day out together isn’t it? The movie I highly recommend. 🙂
Such a lovely post Jenny. One on One time is the best isn’t it? Mads especially thrives on some one on one time with me and we had a day together this half term (we had the baby but he doesn’t count at the moment haha!) These are gorgeous photos of B and he is looking so grown up. I always notice when we go away or I spend quality time with them that they develop and grow quicker. x
I do too. It’s funny how small things we may not have noticed or been there can show up over night and they just grow up in general far too quickly. Glad to hear you had a day with your eldest. No baba doesn’t count because he is just cute and cuddly at the moment. hahaha Missing you all. Sending love.
Love this, one on one time is needed sometimes isn’t it? It’s not something I’ve done for a while, and I think I may have to do something about that. Sounds like you had a lovely week. Also, yes to getting a scooter for yourself, I say that every time Caitlin goes out on her scooter. I’d love one!xx
I would love one we could have real races then because I am constantly running after them trying to catch up. lol And I am a secret kid at heart always. Yes its lovely to get that one on one time together. I don’t get it much with little miss still at home. I usually have both with me all the time but it’s lovely when that time breaks and I can give one that extra special attention. They love it as much too.
One on One time is so special isn’t it. Lucas doesn’t get as much now that Iris is here, but I do try my best to make sure that when she naps we have one on one time. It doesn’t always happen because of deadlines and things but its so special.
No the eldest never does when a second comes along. I think it’s so important to just make a little bit extra special attention for them. I try my best but normally I always have both of mine together. Even naptime is good they feel that I promise. Every bit is a lovely treat.
I only get one on one time with my baby really. I do miss one on one time with my eldest but I know when our baby is older it will be possible again. I do try and do things with my eldest whilst the baby naps but her naps are ridiculously short most days. Looks like you had good fun with your boy. Lego land and sea life at the Trafford centre are on my list of things to do.
I realise I’ve commented on this already but popping over from #MyFamilyAdventures, it’s so lovely that you were able to have one on one time together and it sounds like you made the most of it. Look forward to seeing your March link up x
What a wonderful half term Jenny. I think it’s lovely that you got some one on one time with B, and sounds as if you have had lots of fun. I love spending time with just one of my kids, and appreciate it so much as they get older and friends sometimes come above spending time with parents x
Ah this sounds like such a lovely day Jenny. I wish I got more time to do this with my boys, I used to manage it with Lucas but I’ve never had one on one time with either of the twins. It’s just so hard to do but I know how lovely it is when you manage it, like you say you can see little changes in them when you can give one your full attention. Nice that you got such a lovely day too, he’s looking so grown up! #myfamilyadventures
I’m so so so overdue a one on one day with my biggest little lady and this post has made even more determined to get something planned for us. Your day with your little mad sounds just lovely and it’s so important. I think (given the choice) Lili would choose a very similar day, she loves scooting in the park and has been asking to see the new Lego movie for weeks. I’m also liking up to #myfamilyadventures and #ordinarymoments xxx
It really is easy to get busy and not set time aside even if it’s just the park or just the movie one on one they love it and remember it well. It was the best.