The Polar Express from Weardale

Posted on December 17, 2013 by Rusty

Tonight we drove up to Weardale to experience the Polar Express. Our departure was at 7:30pm so we got there just in time to enjoy hotdogs, burgers and chips and a nice warm coffee before boarding at around 7:30.

The experience was truly incredible – right from the moment we stepped on the platform and the conductors shouted “ALL ABOARD”. The chefs were ready and were performing their hot chocolate delivery dance from the moment the train set off and they kept us entertained the whole time we were onboard.

We are so pleased that we took the boys up for this experience because it was really, really good.

The commemorative mugs that we received will remind us of the trip for many months to come.

Thankfully the boys have slept nicely in the car on the way home and with the exception J40 of the M1 being closed (no notice given – well 50 yards) the journey home was quick and easy.

Now just a few hours sleep and we are off again – this time to London Town for a couple of nights….

Raymond Briggs Father Christmas at the Leeds Playhouse

Posted on December 15, 2013 by Rusty

We met up with some of the kids in Olly’s class at school for lunch at Pizza Express near the Corn Exchange in Leeds for lunch and then head over to the 14:30 show.

It lasted around an hour and was a fantastic play. Really well put on with just three actors. FC was very good – a great mix of FC with a slightly grumpy old man – really brought out a terrific character. The sound effect lady was brilliant – she did everything from the tick tock of the clock to FC sitting on the toilet – strangely the Rust boys found this the most funny of all – ‘plop’.

The only complaint would be that we were all sat on uncomfortable wooden (covered with cheap thin carpet) steps – when we got up at the end of the show, our behinds had lost much of their sensation 🙁

Overall a great show that the kids loved.

Schools out…….. for Christmas :-)

Posted on December 13, 2013 by Rusty

Both the boys are officially on their Christmas holidays 🙂 YAY

Incredible how quickly the first term has passed us by. Both are supercharged for Christmas and Olly is particularly looking forward to his London trip next week 🙂

Year 2 Nativity

Posted on December 12, 2013 by Rusty

Elliot’s turn 😉

So the story goes as follows:

“An alien space ship had unfortunately broken down and crash-landed on Earth. Luckily, some very kind children took them under their wings and invited them to watch their Christmas play rehearsal, although the teacher was a bit bemused by the visitors’ dress sense! The aliens didn’t know what Christmas was, but by the end they knew about the birth of a very special baby and they wanted to tell the whole universe about it!”