Last week something remarkable happened. I went to soft play and it wasn’t hell on earth! I kid you not. It was the second day of the holidays and there was something strange in the water. The previous day we had spent it at home. The threenager had been a delight, playing nicely and not hitting her sister once. Also her older sister was very happy, helpful and not once did she tut or moan. We actually had a lovely day where we enjoyed each other’s company for
the whole day!
Feeling practically giddy I had informed them that we were going to go on an adventure the following day. The next day I had woke up panicking, where was I going to find somewhere that would satisfy my promise of adventure. After googling “help what is open on Jersey over half-term” I found aMazin adventure park. We hadn’t been before as it only opened last year. As quick as anything I had bundled us in the car and we had arrived to find ourselves in the nicest soft play I have ever set eyes on.
The girls loved it. I loved it. There were no kids beating each other up and nothing disgusting lurking in the ball pool. It was amazing, the staff were smiley and helpful and best of all the coffee was only £1.50. I found myself sitting there whilst sipping coffee feeling unsure about what I should do. I’m not used to sitting still in relative peace and quiet. I struggled to remember the last time I had sat still for longer than 2 minutes. I hadn’t anticipated being able to relax. I could see my girls playing and they were having fun together.
I spent a good hour perusing instagram on my phone and reading blogs. I then decided that now was the time to try and tempt them outside. This was going to be a test where I was sure we would all revert back to type (me included) of stropping and refusing to leave. Normally, I will use food as a way of tempting them away, much like Hansel and Gretal’s father but instead of bread I will lead them away by throwing them sweets or crisps at random intervals. I know I am a terrible Mother. This time no tooth decay occured as the promise of animals and more fun outside was enough to lure them away.
Outside the children were still masquerading as angels, holding hands and behaving very sweetly. We went and saw the animals which they loved and fussed over. We then climbed castles, rode tractors and played crazy golf. We then had fun jumping on the biggest pillow ever seen. Before moving onto fun with balls.
The children were still playing nicely and I was starting to allow myself to feel the teeniest bit smug. Had I finally cracked it? Was parenting now going to be easy. Maybe it was the fact that it wasn’t raining for the first time in ages; the sky was blue, the sun was shining and I could actually hear birdsong as opposed to the usual soundtrack of my two bickering.
We made our way to what looked like a hill and actually had tunnels and slides coming out of it. My two had fun exploring the tunnels and hiding from me whilst I shouted at intervals in increasing desperation, “Mummy needs the loo, you need to come out now”
Oldest had her “Rocky” moment and just when I feared that I was going to have an accident it was deemed an acceptable time to for us all to go to the toilet. We had been at aMazin! for about 6 hours when we reluctantly left to go home. A brilliant day had by all.
Oh and it turns out that I haven’t cracked this parenting lark. The very next day normal service resumed. Perhaps the secret is aMazin! adventure park, we all need to move in.
Right. Now.
If you are coming to Jersey on holiday then aMazin! is a fantastic place to visit with the family, whatever the weather. You can find opening times and admission costs here My photos really don’t do it justice as I was having too much fun so didn’t take many photos.
Ha ha - great post! Those perfect days are special aren’t they? But I agree, never expect them to be repeated on a daily basis - though I reckon the neighbours in outnumbered had everyday like that - grrrr - but hey where would the fun be and where would our stories come from?!
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Oh I love those special days, I cling onto them in the midst of threenager and 6 going on 16 ;-) xx
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Wow, looks amazing! And so much to do by the looks of it. I always think the better the day out, the less photos you have.
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That is true, we really did have a lovely day :-)
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What a great place to be able to go and visit when you need an escape from the house, it sounds like it possesses magical powers. That soft play sounds like a refreshing change from the usual type and it’s paired with so much outdoor fun too! That castle looks like loads of fun to explore and climb, and it sounds like they had so much more on offer too and that hill filled with tunnels and slides sounds like most childrens dream play area. I bet the sunshine really helped and with the kids behaving perfectly it sounds like a fab day. Thanks for linking up with me on #CountryKids.
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haha, yes I think it must possess magical powers. The outside is just fantastic, so much to do and because it is winter it isn’t even all open yet. I think there is a corn maize in the summer too so we are looking forward to trying that :-)
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It sounds like you had a great time and it’s nice to crack the parenting lark - even if it is only for one day! I had to laugh at you being so desperate to go to the toilet! :)
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Honestly, I was nearly crying because I was so bursting and all I could hear were giggles coming from inside that mound :-)
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It sounds like such a lovely place! Nothing like soft play hell, he he!
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haha, thanks. It is a really good place to visit and anywhere that has cheap coffee and keeps the kids happy is a win with me! :-)
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Wow, that looks like so much fun. One for the wish list
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Thanks, it is a great day out! :-)
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What a great post! I really enjoyed reading it and giggling as well! Had to laugh at your “need the loo”- I have been there, in desperation, many times, at the swimming pool, at the playground etc. #bigpinklink
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haha, glad i’m not the only one not allowed to go to the toilet!
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Oh wow this looks like such an amazing place to go & play!! Very unique & so fun. My kids would love to visit. I too adore days out like this - it makes for great quality time & memories. #JustAnotherLinky x
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it really is a fab place. so much to do :-)
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Brilliant post - you make this sound fantastic! Anywhere which suits the parents and the kids sounds wonderful to me (*plans trip to Jersey*) #countrykids
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haha, well if you do make it to Jersey then put it at the top of the must do list! :-)
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“Nicest soft play” that made me laugh, I’ve never liked soft play places with all their noise and craziness. But this does look idyllic. #pointshoot
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Well you can never undestimate the power of a nice soft play :-)
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I want to go here, it sounds amazing and how brilliant it kept the kids happy for all that time. The soft play sounds so nice and I bet in was lovely having a whole hour to yourself! If I am even in Jersey I will most certainly be taking my little one for a visit xx #TwinklyTuesday
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It was amazing. I didn’t know what to do with myself. Next time i’m taking a stack of magazines and work too :-)
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Wow! That certainly sounds aMazin! To me!! No screaming? No fighting? Good coffee? Getting to SIT DOWN?? For more than 2 SECONDS?? I need this place in my life!! I don’t think we’ve ever had a day like that in our lives…! I live in a big city, so driving in it is quite hard and tedious, so I only ever go to places I can walk to. I know our local soft plays like the back of my hand, I’ve been conditioning myself to tolerate them over the last 2 years…! And bribery is also a regular occurrence, to get the children to come downstairs, get dressed, get in the buggy, leave anywhere…!!!!! I’m all about the bribery! Thanks for sharing with #bigpinklink!
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Haha, good to know that I’m not alone in the bribery of children! :-)
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Great photos. Looks like a lovely place to go and lots for children to do. I am a bit jealous that you had managed an uninterrupted coffee and reading blogs, sounds heaven! x #PointShoot
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It was amazing! I am holding onto the memory until we can go again :-)
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Wow, that sounds amazing and fantastic how well your children played together (even if only for the one day). Days like that make it all worth while. Wish there was something like this near me. #Whatevertheweather
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It was amazing and best of all I got to drink my coffee whilst it was still hot! :-)
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Sounds like you had such a lovely day just chilling with your children and drinking coffee! Sounds like a fantastic place and I would love to visit one day! Sorry to hear that the next day was back to normal - one good day is better than none though right!? #BestandWorst
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Yes!! That one day makes the other days very worth it :-)
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This looks like a really great day out with loads of variety - I’m particularly impressed that the soft play was actually enjoyable for all of you ;) I love those golden days where it all just works, however few and far between they may be! #whatevertheweather
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haha, yes it was very dream like at how lovely it was :-)
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I bet you felt brill. Blue sky, phone time, coffee, what else? Lovely the little ones played so nicely and you had a fun day. Here’s to many more :-) Thanks for sharing with #bestandworst x
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Thanks :-) x
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Great photos and looks like a superb place to visit - those places are great to burn off energy aren’t they?? Thanks for linking up - Jess x
#SundayStars
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Yes, great for burning off energy. They both slept very well that night! :-)
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Fab post. Looks like a great place for kids! Thanks for linking up to #justanotherlinky xx
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Oh wow i want to go here! It looks so cool!!!!!! Haha I sometimes have days where i feel like I have this parenting malarky down, in fact where I have life down. I ooze confidence and everything goes right and then the next day ‘boom’ back to reality haha. I love places like this though when you can actually drink a coffee warm. It’s such a cool place. Thank you so much for sharing your adventures with #whatevertheweather x
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