This past week was rather busy with work, school, kids activities and swimming, so we didn't really get up to much else. On Thursday morning we had Ian's reception celebration assembly where the children got to share their learning, perform songs and celebrate their progress with the families.

After enjoying a home and garden day on Saturday, we had Ian's Birthday Party at Monkey Bizness in Lewes yesterday morning which he absolutely loved. With the weather being rather warm, Monkey Bizness wasn't too busy so Ian and his 12 buddies got to maximise their time on the soft play and run wild, followed by food, birthday cake and party bags.

After the party we headed over to Lewes for a walk around there, stopping in at Flint Owl Bakery for lunch and then continued to head down to the high street for a look. From there we drove back to Brighton to Churchill Square Mall and then had dinner at Pizza Pilgrims, which was Ian's choice of restaurant for his birthday :)

After getting back from Ireland rather late on the Thursday before last, I headed out first thing Friday morning to fetch Mia who was happy to be back home as expected :) Then while I logged back on for work, the others enjoyed the day at home after having been away the past week.

On Saturday we had arranged to meet up with Greg, Kim and the boys, so headed over there for the afternoon and with them having their inflatable hot tub, the kids had an absolute ball playing in that which was good fun to watch. Then Sunday was just a quiet day around the house.

Last week and this weekend was rather wet and rainy so didn't do a whole lot, certainly not the best weather to start June.

Today is Ian's birthday so there was great excitement waking up this morning to open presents and optimistically trying his luck to have cake for a breakfast. But instead he had to wait until this afternoon after school and swimming when we got to enjoy his birthday cake :)

His party is this coming Sunday, so he's got a few days to wait until he gets to enjoy it with the buddies!

On Sunday evening after making our way through to Gatwick Airport and getting our flight over to Cork, we picked up our rental car, drove down West, set up the beds and all headed straight to sleep.

On Monday morning, after saying hi to papa and having breakfast, we headed out to Reen Pier and then a drive around the coast behind heading back to Bawn for the afternoon and some time out in the garden.

On Tuesday we decided to head out to Barleycove for a beach day there. Unfortunately the floating walkway wasn't in position yet, so we decided to stay on the lagoon side and kids had fun on the sand dunes until lunch time when we headed over to O'Sullivans Bar in Crookhaven for something to eat. Later that afternoon we headed back to Barleycove where the tide was lower and we were able to cross the channel and access the beach. After a few hours there we left and returned back home.

On Wednesday, while Una was out in town with John, I took the kids to Sandy Cove for a couple of hours, and then that afternoon we all headed over to Lough Hyne, then to Baltimore and finally back to Lui's place before home for the night.

Yesterday morning we popped up to Lui again for a quick visit, then back home for dinner with The Boss before driving up to Cork, returning the rental car and catching our evening fight back home.

On Saturday before last, the kids were busy with Ellen at PQA and Ian at Lottie's birthday in the morning, followed by more parties in the afternoon with Ellen at Cynthia's and Ian at Jacob's. Then a braai that evening, once eventually back home :)

On Sunday, after the morning at home, Ellen went over to Sophia's house and myself, Una and Ian drove over to Three Cornered Copse with Mia for walk around there, up to the Hilltop Cafe and then over to Green Ridge Windmill, even though we couldn't get up close to it, was a nice leisurely wander.

On Thursday evening we had Lorena and Silvia over to ours for drinks and pizza on the Egg. Then Friday morning started off with Ellen's Star of the Week assembly award, and then that evening was really sunny so all headed into Brighton after work, with Una and Ellen heading off to Strictly Come Dancing The Professionals, and myself and Ian in the playground and on Hove lawns before heading home later.

Yesterday was the Southwick Beer Festival at the Community Centre, and with the nice warm sunny weather, made for a good day out there. After the festival (we just had day tickets), we headed down to the port to go see the historic Dutch tall ship Morgenster, which was offering free onboard tours in the evening over the bank holiday weekend. Plus the ship had a bar onboard so we enjoyed a beer on deck after a walkthrough. Then back home for a braai for dinner to finish off the day.

Today was just a home day, having dropped Mia off at the kennels this morning before we head over to Gatwick this evening for our flight over to Ireland where we'll be spending the week - looking forward to that!

On Friday evening after work we all headed down to the Basin for chips down by the beach, followed by some rock climbing with the kids. On Saturday it was Una's birthday, and with it being nice and warm and sunny outside, we spent it at home and in the garden, followed by birthday cake in the afternoon and then pizza on the Egg that evening.

Yesterday was a busy day for us all, with Ellen in her PQA West End Show. She had an early start getting dropped off at the Community Centre before getting the coach with her group through into London. Later that morning, myself, Una and Ian caught the train into Victoria, where we took a walk through St. James's Park and over to The Admiralty for lunch. After eating we stopped in at M&M World and then Ole & Steel for coffee. Since we were close to Waterloo Place, we walked over to see the new Banksy statue, by which time it was show time.

The PQA show titled 'Across the Line' was at His Majesty's Theatre, and the PQA team put on the West End performance every few years, so this was the first time Ellen was involved. There were three groups (including Southwick) performing last night, with Ellen's group doing the opening and closing acts. The show itself was really good, and we loved watching the songs and singing and acting and seeing Ellen up on stage :)

By the time she was done and collected and got back to Victoria, we got back home last night around 23:30 so the kids were exhausted this morning. We kept them at home for a few hours to catch up on some sleep, sending them in around mid morning.

This past weekend was both our wedding anniversary weekend as well as the early May bank holiday weekend. And since our anniversary was on Saturday, I decided to take Friday off work and Una and myself headed into Hove for lunch at Rockwater Hove, followed by ice-cream from Marrocco's (don't tell the kids!). Then headed back in time for school pickup, Friday afternoon swimming lessons and then a bit of time at the Southwick Green Fun Fair.

Saturday was our actual anniversary, and the weather was nice and sunny, so after firing up the Big Green Egg for a half day of low and slow cooked ribs, we ended up doing quite a bit outside and tidying up the garden, before getting stuck into the BBQ ribs later that afternoon :)

On Sunday, while Ellen was over at Sophia's house, myself and Una took Ian down to Hove Skate and Bike Park for a bit of cycling around the track there. And then after picking up Ellen, he headed to Shoreham for dinner at La Galleria.

Yesterday was just a chilled out home day, enjoying the bank holiday Monday around the house.

Last weekend felt like proper Spring had set in, a bit windy, but mostly clear skies and sunny which was nice. With it having the outdoors feeling, we landed up doing a few cooks on the Egg - wings on Thursday, pizza on the Friday and steak on the Saturday :)

On Saturday during the day, after Ellen's PQA class, we had Nick, Cindy and Lila popping in for a brief visit, then the afternoon just at home and in the garden.

On Sunday Ellen had Lila's birthday party, so her and Una headed off into Brighton for the afternoon. Myself and Ian had a boys afternoon, driving over to Shoreham Beach with our bikes and taking a cycle towards Shoreham Fort for a snack and coffee, then after some rock climbing we headed back towards Shoreham direction, stopping at Middletons Fish and Chips for lunch and an ice-cream. After a bite to eat, back on the bikes past Widewater Lagoon and back to the car. With Ian still keen for more adventures, we drove over to Hove Skate and Bike Park for a little while before heading home.

On Monday until yesterday I had a 3-day workshop at work, so an early start to the week. I had booked to stay in town on Monday night, which was convenient since Monday evening we had dinner and drinks at the Devonshire Terrace, where the Old Fashioneds were rather tasty.

Yesterday evening, after the last day of the workshop, I headed over towards Waterloo and met up with Duncan at The Thirsty Bear for a few beers after work, which was good to catch up with him again. After a few there, he had to head away back home, so I grabbed a quick Nandos at the station and then made my way back home.

Over the past 10 days, the weather has started to show signs of spring returning to the UK, which always puts everyone here in a good mood. On the previous Friday, after work we attempted to cook an indulgent Mac and (four) Cheese on the Big Green Egg which turned out alright, wasn't the best recipe considering the ingredients, but happy with the BGE cooking part at least.

On Saturday we focused on getting Ian's room ready for him, it was long overdue, but with his drawers in place, the arrival of his bed and bedding as well as a bit of DIY needed, it was all ready for him to move into. Very happy the way it turned out, and he was super impressed to have his own room (at least). Then on Sunday was just a chilled out day around the house.

Last week Tuesday the kids went back to school after the Easter holidays, so back to early starts and normal routine around the house again. On the Thursday we had a braai for dinner, cooking up a mix of quick and fast grilling, and then Friday was kid's swimming after school, followed up by a visit up to Holmbush for dinner.

Saturday's weather was really nice, so after some time in the garden that morning, in the early afternoon we all headed out to Mill Hill Local Nature Reserve for a walk around there and the kids had a great time exploring.

Yesterday was another lovely sunny day, so while enjoying the garden for the day, I attempted a low and slow cooked pulled pork, which turned out well for my first attempt - longer than expected on the Egg, but the end result was good for my first really long cook. Hopefully more of those to come over time :)

After spending Friday morning at home around the house, Ellen was off to Lark's birthday party in the afternoon, while Ian and I spent a good bit of time playing football out in the garden.

Then spent Saturday and Sunday doing another couple of cooks on the BGE - first a reverse seared bone-in ribeye and then a low and slow cooked lamb shoulder. Sunday was also the Easter Egg hunt around the house for the kids which they thoroughly enjoyed :)

Yesterday morning was just at home and then Ellen had Lana's birthday party in the afternoon, so after packing mine and Ian's bikes onto the car, we headed off to Lancing, dropped Ellen and Una, Ian and myself made our way to the beach. While Una round a comfy spot on the beach, Ian and myself took a cycle towards Widewater and back, before all grabbing an ice-cream and then picking up Ellen and heading on home.

After a rather relaxing long weekend, it was all go this morning with Una heading into London and the kids back to school and after-school, and myself back to work. But at least it's only another four day week which is nice :)

Last Friday we had an invite to the school assembly to see Ian get the Star of the Week award, which was very cute to see him up front accepting his certificate.

After dashing home, I very excitedly received my pallet delivery of The Green Egg which I had ordered the previous week. Since the outdoor kitchen area probably won't get built anytime soon, Una pressured me suggested I order it now with the table and start using it while waiting on the build. Unfortunately it was raining all day, but cleared up nicely on Saturday so got it all built and positioned in place behind the garage, and started off with chicken wings as my first cook.

On Sunday we picked Ellen up from Lila's house after her sleepover, and then with her bike on the roof rack and Ian's bike in the boot, we headed over to Brooklands for a cycle around that and some time in the playground. With it being rather chilly and a bit rainy, we headed back home and attempted my second cook on the Big Green Egg, this time a roast chicken.

Still getting used to the Kamado cooking, and attempted steak this week as well as pizza, which turned out quite well. So certainly a few more of those again.

We have the Easter long weekend coming up, so all looking forward to an extra couple of days off work! :)