Journeys Are My Diary

Life, Adventures, Entertainment and more - A little bit of everything blog!

Our Harry Potter Convention and Ball experience

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Not this weekend just gone but the one before, myself and my best friend Nat took Megan and Lily with us to Nottingham, to a Harry Potter convention and then followed by a Yule Ball. We’d had it booked since about February and we were all looking forward to it. We had a hotel booked for the night, but also so we could get changed in between the convention and the ball. Although we had a weekend ticket for the convention, we had pretty much decided we would only attend on the Saturday (unless it was really good and then we might go again on the Sunday morning). However in the end we actually decided to only go Saturday after, checking into the hotel (Premier Inn) first and then walking around.

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In the morning I still needed to work but while doing that I made us all bows. Megan was Ravenclaw, Lily Gryffindor and since I sway between Gryffindor and Slytherin, I picked Slytherin. Nat is Gryffindor too so she decided on a Deathly Hallows inspired Gryffindor bow. We all wore Harry Potter t-shirts too. We set off for Nottingham around 2pm and were there for about 3pm. We checked into the Premier Inn and then walked the 10 minutes to the convention.

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When we got to where the convention was (Nottingham Conference Centre), there was a blue ford Anglia car outside and a replica of Hagrid’s bike. Sadly I don’t think either were genuine. We headed inside and there definitely wasn’t much of a wow. Outside were some owls, inside were some stalls (both upstairs and downstairs). Apparently there were some workshops and special effects stuff but there was no timetable or map to carry around so we just looked at stalls. Megan bought a watch and Lily bought a pokemon (yeah not HP related). We spotted a reptile area on the way out but otherwise we spent about an hour looking at stalls and nothing else.

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We headed back to the Premier Inn, grabbed a cup of tea and sat for a while before deciding we should get ready for the Ball. Nat curled Megan’s hair, while I did Lily’s. We had attempted to do Lily’s hair beforehand with the help of some Curlformers I’d bought but sadly they had mostly fallen out. It took about an hour to get them both ready and then about the same again for Nat and I. We put on our dresses and makeup, heading out of the hotel around 7.30pm (the ball was due to start 6.30pm but we didn’t want to be too early).

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When we got to the conference centre, it wasn’t really that clear where to go so we asked. There was a bar and the ball upstairs and a hog roast outside. We headed for the bar first and got drinks, then into the ball which was like a wedding no one wanted to be at. There was a band playing but everyone was sat down looking miserable. After about five minutes we decided to head out to the hog roast instead. Luckily, this was amazing and sitting outside was nice too. After not being there long, a string quartet started up and it was quite enjoyable to sit there and listen.

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Though to be honest, Nat and I could quite easily have left at this point, Megan was all for it too, Lily asked if we could go back into the Ball. As we headed inside there was a photobooth (pretty rubbish at that) so we had a picture taken and then went back up. Lucky that we did really as a few people were dancing and we bit the bullet and joined in. Within 15 minutes everyone was up, the live band were back and the lights were dimmed. This last hour was the best of all and thanks to Lily we ended on a high note. Though we didn’t stay quite till 10, we made the most of the evening and enjoyed it despite its lameness. I’m glad we went but it wasn’t worth £25 each.

We headed back to the hotel, got changed and climbed into bed. It had been a pretty nice evening but really we had made it enjoyable between the four of us, rather than the event itself being good.

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Week 19 – Monday Round-up

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All weeks seem very samey at the moment so I’m sorry if these posts are a bit of a bore. Monday this week was Bank Holiday so it was a short school week and that’s always nice. The girls were with their dad on Monday and so after he picked them up, Chris and I went out for the day. We started by going to visit his Nan and then headed over to Lincoln where we were going to the cinema to see Avengers again and then on to Pizza Express for dinner. It was also May Fourth which for most means Star Wars Day, but for me it’s my dad’s birthday and since he died, its always been a day for reflection. It was nice to keep busy though and have a sort of “date day” with Chris. We ended our day with an ice cream and a walk through Lincoln, before meeting the girls and their dad to switch and go home. Once the girls were in bed we spent the evening catching up on TV like S.H.I.E.L.D., Gotham and Game of Thrones.

Tuesday was back to school and back to work for everyone, including me. Chris was on an early shift so he was out of the house early, but the girls and I headed to school as normal. After dropping them off in their classrooms, I headed to the office to help out. I stayed the whole day and even ended up covering a lunch shift in the dining room. After school the girls and I headed home, getting dinner and then getting homework done. The girls also had a bath because it was class photos at school the next day. When Chris got home, he had dinner and then we spent the evening catching up on Arrow together.

Wednesday was a nice relaxing day, spent catching up on blogging and everything around the house. Chris was at work and the girls were at school, so it was nice to have time to myself and I even started the day with a bacon butty and a cup of tea. I made curry for dinner, so it was easy when we all got home and once I’d picked up the kids from school it meant we didn’t have much to do. Again once Chris was home, we caught up on Arrow, trying to make sure we’re up to date by the finale!

On Thursday Chris was on a later shift and so once I took the girls to school, he was still here when I got back. He did have a driving lesson though so he wasn’t around for long. Once he was gone, I settled down to watch all my TV shows. I kept meaning to go and vote but ended up procrastinating the day away. In the end I collected the girls from school and then went to vote instead.

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It was actually pretty interesting going with the girls as it sparked some conversation between us, making it really good fun. We came home and had dinner, before tidying up the girls room – putting away all their clothes and giving the room a hoover. Nat came round in the evening and we spent the evening catching up and having a gossip.

Friday came really quick and once I’d dropped off the kids at school, I came home to spend time with Chris before he went to work. I then made some jewellery orders and tidied up the house. Finally I went out to PC World to do a Mystery Shopper visit and then on to the girls at school to collect them. On the way home we stopped at Aldi and it was there we met Amy and Olivia who were visiting for the weekend. We all went back to our house and hung out, Olivia going to bed first, followed later by the girls. Amy and I ordered Indian takeaway and spent the evening chatting, then when Chris got home we looked for the most awful thing we could watch on TV.

In the morning we all got up and got ready, heading out to Nottingham where we would see Disney on Ice. Chris didn’t come as he had work but the rest of us went to Capital FM Arena in Nottingham, for the show at 11am. Everyone really enjoyed it and I got some lovely pictures. I even posted about it over on Twice the Mum. The show took us up till about 1pm and we’d already decided we’d go to Five Guys for lunch and then on to the Disney Store in Victoria Shopping Centre after that. It was about a ten minute walk for lunch and then another ten minute wait in the queue. It definitely wasn’t as nice as in America but it was still good. After lunch we all headed to the shopping centre but to be honest there wasn’t an awful lot we wanted (I just placed a Disney Store order last week) so we just picked up a couple of Tsum Tsums and then headed back to the car. On the way home we decided we fancied Starbucks so swung via Lincoln. We stopped to get drinks and by that time it was 5pm so we knew it would be almost bedtime for the girls by the time we got back and settled. Olivia had some toast before heading to bed and the girls waited a bit longer to make sure she was asleep. Amy and I ordered a pizza to share and then sat chatting and watching rubbish TV again for the evening.

On Sunday morning, I managed a bit of a lie-in but mostly I was awake and just too lazy to get out of bed. However I did get up and made everyone a cup of tea/coffee and then we all sat relaxed. At midday, Megan and I took Amy and Olivia to the station. Lily stayed at home with Chris. After dropping them off, Megan and I went to Aldi and did the week shop, making sure we got stuff for a roast dinner that day too. The afternoon was spent just hanging out together as a family, relaxing and not doing much. Eventually though Megan and I got up to make dinner and then we all sat together and ate. Afterwards we had waffle with ice cream and chocolate sauce, along with a glass of wine for Chris and I. It was really a perfect evening. The girls headed to bed and Chris went for a bath so I went on my computer for a while. After that we watched Dredd and then S.H.I.E.L.D. before heading to bed.

Another nice week that seemed dull at the time but always seems fuller when I write about it. No idea what this week will bring but I’ve got a feeling it will be a busy one.

Week 16 – Monday Round-up (photo heavy!)

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Wow, what a week it has been! Fairly busy, or at least fun-filled, while at the same time – incredibly relaxing!

This was my second week off as part of Easter holiday break and there was a part of me that was dreading it, largely because the majority of the week was taken up with being away from home. Don’t get me wrong, I was looking forward to a holiday, but at the same time you always come back feeling tired and I still had a lot of things I could be doing at home! Anyway, Monday was the day we were leaving. The kids were with their dad and my mum was picking them up and taking them to Butlins (Skegness) so Chris and I had a lazier start. That said we had loads to do before we left including packing, taking some parcels to the post office and going on a food shop. We did manage to get everything done though and we set off about 3pm, getting to Butlins for about 4.30pm

Now although I keep saying Butlins, it wasn’t actually just a normal week at a holiday camp. This specific week was a Christian festival called Spring Harvest. It’s something my mum took the girls to last year and they really enjoyed, so she wanted to take them again this year. I’m not really religious myself – I was once but I guess over time its all faded away – but I certainly don’t mind the girls attending. In all honesty, at their age its really nothing more than an extended Sunday School. Fun activities with a Christian base. Anyway, Chris and I were attending in order to be extra adults, not to actually attend any meetings. The basic structure for each day was that Megan and her friend India, who was also staying with us, would attend an evening meeting between 7-9pm and then both them and Lily and her cousin Chloe, would attend a morning meeting between 10am-1pm. For the afternoon it was mine and Chris’ responsibility to entertain, making sure we were back in time for dinner around 5.30pm.

On the first day, as I say, we arrived at 4.30pm and so we had to unpack and settle in. Mum cooked Lasagne with salad and garlic bread for us all and we enjoyed that alongside a bottle of wine. We all then walked Megan and India to their meeting, mum went off to do her own meeting and Chris, Lily and I took a wander around to explore. After buying some hot chocolate we headed back to our caravan, put Lily to bed and then waited for mum and the other two girls to come home. After they headed to bed it wasn’t long before we did and so ended the first day of our holiday!

The next day we woke up absolutely freezing and had all had a dreadful nights sleep. The caravan was so cold it was unbelievable. We headed out to take the kids to their meetings, Chris and I dropping off Lily and mum taking Megan and India. Afterwards Chris and I went to get breakfast and then just mosey around. We headed back to the caravan, watched some rubbish morning TV and then headed out to collect Lily. We all met back at the caravan to have lunch, before deciding we would go swimming. At about 2pm we headed out to the Splash Waterworld, Butlin’s swimming pool.

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I have to admit, this swimming pool is pretty awesome in the scheme of things! We originally headed for its main swimming pool area in the middle. However it wasn’t long before the girls wanted to head down the mini slides, into a smaller pool. From their we headed to the indoor rapids, going around over and over again. I convinced everyone into looking around some more, but could only persuade Lily into being brave enough to head outside on the outdoor rapids water slide. She loved it and after a couple of goes we persuaded Megan, then finally Chris and India too. Once the kids were on it we couldn’t get them off, but Lily and I headed to the yellow water slide, one that you went down in an inflatable raft. It was great fun but sadly no one else was brave enough to try it and the queue was a little too long to go again. With great surprise we realised it was 4.30pm already and so we headed out to get dry and dressed, heading back to the caravan for dinner.

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Mum cooked sausage and mash for dinner, though I only had sausage sandwiches (I have some sort of strange stigma from childhood about eating sausage and mash!). We enjoyed another bottle of wine and then chilled for a little while before walking Megan and India to their meeting again. Lily, Chris and I wandered through the arcades on our way back to the caravan, Lily having a few goes on the 2p machines, using coins that had fallen from the machines automatically. Again we all had hot chocolate before Lily went to bed and then when the girls came home they had hot chocolate too and headed to bed. That night we all slept with the doors open and the fire on with the hope some heat would circulate around the caravan!

Next morning was Wednesday and we pretty much followed the same routine as the day before. Luckily it had been a bit warmer that night! After taking the girls to their meeting, Chris and I came back to the caravan and enjoyed sausage and scrambled egg. We then watched some Dollhouse on the tv, since we’d brought the DVD with us. At 1pm we picked up Lily and when mum arrived back with Megan and India, we all had sandwich lunch. Today we’d decided to go to the fun fair so when Auntie Pat brough Chloe around, we all headed out together – Chris and I, plus 4 girls!

The fun fair was interesting! Not especially big so really not all that much to do. First stop was the pirate ship, which everyone except India and Chris came on (Chris mostly because he had to wait with India). After riding the pirate ship twice, we headed over to the racing horses, all the girls having a go. India’s horse, number 11, was the winner and she got a bubble wand. After that we went on to the Dodgems/Bumper Cars. All four girls wanted to go on, but none were tall enough to ride unaccompanied. As such Chris and I had to ride twice, taking each of the girls with us. Next we headed to the carousel. India didn’t want to come on so Chris waited with her while I took Chloe, Megan and Lily. After one ride though we convinced India and Chris on, but India really wasn’t that keen. Finally Megan and Chloe both wanted to ride these flying hand glider type things. We queued up and I thought I’d have to ride twice, once with each again, but at the last minute Bernard turned up (Chloe’s grandad and Auntie Pat’s husband) and we convinced him on with Chloe instead.

After this ride, Chloe went off with her Grandad and Chris, the girls and I all headed to the arcade. They’d only brought £10 spending money with them and I let them change it all into £1 coins in the machine. We then spent a good hour playing on various arcade games, before realising we needed to head back to the caravan for dinner.

Lily’s legs weren’t long enough to reach the peddles on Mario Kart so Megan had to use her hands!

Mum cooked Chicken Kiev and chips for dinner that night and yet another bottle of wine was consumed (I know I won’t have lost weight this week on my Weight Loss Wednesday weigh-in!). Again we walked the girls to their meeting and then headed back, hot chocolate, Lily in bed, more hot chocolate when Megan and India got back, them in bed, then eventually us and that was the end of yet another day!

Thursday was our last full day and it started the same as the others. When the girls were at their meetings, Chris and I watched Dollhouse and then collected Lily. I made lunch for everyone in advance, so that when we got back we could eat quick and head out swimming again (this was the girls choice as they’d enjoyed it so much the first day). This time mum came swimming with us and got dragged around all the places the girls loved. We did the outdoor rapids several times, the inside yellow water raft slide again and I even braved the red slide by myself. It was great but also terrifying!

After swimming we all headed out to meet mum in a pub called the Sun & Moon. Here we all had dinner out, a treat for our last night.

Megan had sausage, mash and beans. India had chicken nuggets, waffles and beans. Lily had chicken nuggets, mash and beans. Mum had some sort of risotto, Chris had a double cheese and bacon burger and I had scampi and chips. When we were all done we still had time to spare before taking Megan and India to their meeting. We left all the swimming things in mum’s car and headed out to the “Big Beach” in order to take some photos.
Finally we took Megan and India to their meeting, Lily, Chris and I went back to the caravan and the routine was pretty much the same as the other nights. When we woke up the next morning we had to pack and get ready to leave. The girls meeting was 9.30am this day, but finished at 11.30am instead. After taking Lily, Chris and I packed up the last few bits into the car, then headed out for breakfast and a final wander. When we picked up Lily, we waited for Mum, India and Megan to meet us, then handed India back over to her parents. Saying goodbye and thanks to mum for the holiday, Chris, the girls and I headed back over to the arcades one last time for a quick play but mostly to redeem our tickets. After about an hour we got back to the car and headed home. It was strangely bittersweet – a lovely holiday  that had been incredibly relaxing was ending, but I was looking forward to getting home, into my own bed and having a good night’s sleep. Sadly it also meant a few busy days before eventually being due back at work!
When we got home on Friday, we all just headed for our comfort zones (this was actually computers for all of us! Sad I know!). The girls downloaded Marvel Lego and Harry Potter Lego, which I had bought for them both off Steam in the sale. Chris went to play and have some alone time. I caught up on internet stuff, watched some TV and then we all had take away for dinner. The rest of the evening continued pretty much the same, even once the girls had gone to bed. Chris and I finally called it a night around 11pm, heading to our nice comfy bed!

Saturday the girls and I were going to see Cats (the musical) with their dad and their grandparents. The tickets had been Christmas presents for everyone, so we were heading to Nottingham together. However in the morning I had to collect a stack of parcels from the post office, do some food shopping and make dinner for the girls, to take with us. We left the house about 11.30am, met their dad at McDonalds in Newark for lunch and then headed to Nottingham where we met up with their grandparents, Bob and Andrea. We all watched Cats and while for the most part the girls seemed a bit lost, everyone seemed to enjoy it. We headed straight home afterwards, the girls eating in the car, their dad dropping us off at our car in Newark and then heading back to Gainsborough. The girls headed straight to bed and Chris and I spent the evening watching Game of Thrones, Revolution, The Following and Tomorrow People before going to bed ourselves.
Sunday was Easter! I decided against setting out the Easter eggs before I went to bed, hoping that would mean I wouldn’t get woken at the crack of dawn. Instead when the girls went upstairs to get dressed a little later, I scurried around the house spreading easter eggs around and leaving their buckets at the bottom of the stairs. It was only 5 minutes of fun when it happened but considering I only bought the eggs the day before, it wasn’t too bad. I don’t tend to buy the kids Easter eggs myself, so instead I got them girls. For Megan I bought a sketch pad and pencils, along with a “How to Draw Disney Princesses” book. She seemed to love it. For Lily, I bought her a plush Anna doll from Frozen. She hasn’t arrived yet mind you but I know its something Lily wanted as Megan has the Disney Store Anna and Elsa and Lily is always trying to steal them.
As for me, I only got one Easter gift and it wasn’t from Chris or the kids. Instead it was from my best friend Amy. She bought me a box of “must-haves”, some of her favourite products which she thought I would like. As you all know I’m dipping my toes into the pool of beauty blogging and beauty in general, so this was great!
After the moments of Easter craziness wore off, I set about cooking brunch. Originally it was only for Chris and I, but I knew the girls would end up wanting some too. My brother was also due around with his girlfriend and her son. So in the end I cooked enough for everyone and when my brother arrived we all sat down to brunch together. Afterwards my brother cleared the rest of his stuff from his room, officially having moved out now! We all sat down for a gossip and a cuppa while the kids played upstairs, before they eventually left around 2pm. The girls and I then packed a bag for them to go to their dad’s that night, before we all headed out to my mum’s house as she’d invited us for dinner. We had a Roast Lamb dinner, chatted lots and it was actually really nice. The girls’ dad picked them up from mum’s around 6pm and Chris and I headed off about 7pm. When we got home we both went on our computers again, finally ending a very busy, but very enjoyable week!
Thanks once again to everyone who Guest Blogged for me while I was away. It definitely helped make everything a little less stressful and they were all a great read!

#midsblogmeet – Nottingham Bloggers Meet

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One of my goals for this year, was to attend a Bloggers Meet Up. Though it was a last minute spot and a last minute decision, I discovered a blog meet taking place this weekend just passed. I jumped at the chance to go and while it meant taking the kids with me, they sort of acted as a nice security blanket instead of having to go alone.

Image c/o Emma and Kelly

I have to admit that I was pretty nervous as we arrived at the Malt Cross in Nottingham, around 11am on Saturday 22nd February. However Emma and Kelly were there to meet us and both so friendly that it wasn’t long before we felt at ease.

For the most part, the Blogger Meet was just chatting and mingling between ourselves. I have to admit I found this hard, having Megan and Lily with me, though I suppose swings and roundabouts right? There were prize draws throughout the 3 or so hours and though I didn’t win anything personally, several of the girls left with some great prizes.

Lunch was served around 12pm and the food was really amazing. I’ll be honest and say I was quite surprised at how nice the spread was and how lovely it was that the kids got their own meals.

After lunch we had a visit from two ladies from the local Body Shop. They brought a whole assortment of things with them and everyone had a good try, sniff, rub and sample of all the bits and pieces. Hair chalks were a massive hit, especially with all the kids. My two made me promise to go get some from The Body Shop after we left the meet.

It wasn’t long past 2 when the meet started to end. We headed off fairly soon as the girls wanted to head to The Body Shop and I’d also promised them a trip to the Disney Store.

We were very good with out shopping spree, buying only the hair chalks we’d had our eye on and some mugs from the Disney Store. It was gone 5pm by the time we got home though and we were all exhausted.

Thank you so much to Emma and Kelly for arranging the meet and hello to all the people I met through it. I had a lovely time and I’m looking forward to rummaging through my goodie bag.

I’ll definitely be keeping my eye out for more Blogger Meets in the future and maybe next time I’ll even brave it without the kids. However I’ll be honest, this Blog Meet has given me the bug… though now I actually fancy organising one myself! So watch this space!