Our Day At Folly Farm Adventure Park & Zoo - A Review

We were lucky enough to visit Folly Farm in Pembrokeshire during our holiday this week. It was less than a 20 minute drive from where we were staying, which is perfect with little children.

We arrived about 9.45am with two very excited boys. You have to walk from the car park via an underground tunnel, the boys enjoyed making their voices echo.

Along with our ticket we were given a yellow wrist band for the boys which you write your name and phone number on in case they were to get lost. Such a great idea and in such a big attraction it puts your mind at rest that if the unthinkable was to happen and you turn around to find your toddler has run off, the park could give you a call.

Our first stop was Discovery Farmyard & Cwtch Corner, which was in a huge barn. It was great in here, there were ferrets, rabbits, guinea pigs, goats, sheep, donkeys, a shire horse and shetland ponies. As we walked through the entrance to the barn there was a lovely lady holding a ferret for the boys to meet. Noah is normally very wary of animals but he did get up closer than he normally would.

 

We then wandered around seeing the other animals and there was a wooden play area in the middle of the barn. It was made up of a wooden tractor and wooden combine harvester that the boys could climb in and on and they both had slides attached. After a quick pit stop to play we headed into Cwtch Corner where we got to see the rabbits and guinea pigs.

Right at the end of the barn are statue cows that children can milk. The boys loved it and we spent a good 10 minutes here. On the way out of the barn there are sinks, soaps and hand driers so you can wash your hands.

We then made our way to the Vintage Funfair. I had been looking forward to this part since we had arranged to visit. We got some tokens that are 50p each which I think is really reasonable when most of the rides are 1 token for each person. The boys went on the vintage roundabout which they really enjoyed. We then all went on the beautiful Carousel, which was great fun.

Finley then caught sight of Carousel Woods. This is a huge wooden indoor play area with lots of things to climb and loads of slides. Also around the Carousel Woods there's a smaller wooden play area for the smaller ones and a couple of soft play areas. The boys had a ball and it took the promise of tasty treats to coax them out!

       

We then made our way around the zoo where we saw so many animals. First were the monkeys which the boys thought were great as they showed them their bums! Amazing stuff for a 1 & 3 year old. We then took a walk around Penguin Coast where you can get so close to the penguins and you see them in all different types of territory from on land to in the water.

We made our way to the Giraffe Heights Walkway, giraffes are by far my favourite animals - they are just such beautiful creatures. There were about six that we could see, being kept company by a dazzle of Zebras.

There are loads of benches and picnic tables all dotted around the farm park so there isn't a shortage of places to stop for little legs to have a rest or little tummy's to be filled. We stopped for a snack as already the boys were hungry from all the excitement.

Once refuelled it was off to see the lions - one of which was sunbathing on top of a play car. Then it was round to see the camel's, ostrich's and meerkats. The boys, and me, loved watching them dart about the place and dig holes. Such funny little characters. 

The boys were now pretty hungry, even after their snack so we headed round to the Grilled Burger Co. I had a chicken burger which was scrummy, hubby had a cheese burger and boys had chicken nuggets which they all enjoyed. It was all served with chips and drinks and was fairly reasonably priced for a tourist attraction. 

With happy boys and happy husband after being fed and watered, we went to the play areas, which there are plenty to choose from. We started on the pirate adventure then onto the pedal tractors. Both boys had a ball and as Noah made his way around the track Finley went to the play area just across the path. 

The boys have a short attention span so from here we went in the Big Wheel. Not my idea of fun but once on it, it wasn't too bad and the boys enjoyed it which was the main thing. This was a great price of 2 tokens per person, so £1 each, and Noah was free. We got to see the whole farm park and the surrounding views.

The boys then darted off to the Sand Diggers and then into some more play equipment. There really is something for all ages.

Finley saw the Go-Karts from the top of the play area so this was our next stop.  This was 4 tokens per car so for the 4 of us it was £4 for 2 cars. I came last as had to take things steady - a very nervous passenger was onboard!

The boys were getting tired now so on our way out we went back into the Discovery Farmyard where the boys met a lamb. They got to stroke the fluffy cuddly creature which they were excited about. After another play on the indoor play equipment we went to the Gift Shop.

The boys got to choose a toy each from the shop. Finley chose a puzzle with a book and Noah chose a block puzzle. We then made our way to the car and within minutes the boys were fast asleep!

We had the best day and would totally recommend Folly Farm for a great family day out. So much fun for all the family and there is something for everyone. 

*For the purpose of this review I was sent tickets for the whole family to enter Folly Farm. All views and opinions are 100% my own.*

My Sunday Photo 5/7/15

My Captured Moment #24

This weeks 'My Captured Moment' is a gushing, proud parent post. Finley and Noah are very different in every way. Finley is very outgoing whereas Noah is shy and Finley will go off in a soft play or park by himself and Noah will want us by his side.

 

We arrived on our holiday on Monday and had to find some things to do before we could get into our accommodation. There was a lovely big wooden tree house park that as soon as we got there Finley was off, but Noah was very reluctant to go alone and wanted us to go with him. Not the easiest on a children's play park. 

 

Throughout the week we visited it everyday and each day his confidence grew. By Friday, our last day, he was running off with Finley. The one bit that he hadn't been totally sure on all week was the long bridge. But he did it all by himself. And I was so proud that I think I took about 20 photos of this one moment! He was so pleased with himself when he reached the end. And he then had his confidence so he continued to venture across it by himself.

 

 

It helped having Finley there as Noah watched his every move to see if it was safe.

 

My shy baby is turning into a confident toddler which I am so pleased about as I want him to experience things for himself without needing to hold my hand. And I want him to experience things with him brother so they can make their own memories together without mummy being stuck in the middle.

 

Bedtime On Holiday Seems To Always Be A Battle

Bedtime was never easy for us with Finley until Noah was born. We then got ourselves into a lovely routine of bath, milk, book and bed. And most, not every, nights are lovely and they are asleep by 7.30.

But for some reason when we aren't at home that whole going to bed as good as gold goes out the window! 

When I wrote this we were on the third night of our holiday, with one more night to go before we went home, and even though they are both knackered, every night was the same - a battle. But as it was holiday it didn't seem to stress me out as much as it would have at home.

Thankfully Noah is in the travel cot so he can't escape but Finley just kept getting out of bed. For every single reason you could think of!!

A drink - every 2 minutes.

A cuddle.

A kiss.

A wee.

Protests that he's not tired, when I know full well he is.

As I wrote this Finley had been out of bed 15 times and the boys had got onto chatting to each other. This right there is the reason we would never have them in the same room at home.

But what was rather cute and made it a bit better is that when Finley counted to 20, Noah said 'well done ninley!'

So what is it about being away from home that turns our routine upside down?! Maybe it's different surroundings or the excitement from the day is still bubbling but all I wanted was for them to go to sleep and to drink wine! 

An hour and a half later and they were sleep!! 

Noah popping his little head out of the cot

Peace at last

No Rest For The Wicked And Not Even a Hot Cup Of Tea!

Does anyone else find that as soon as they sit down they have a child either clambering on them or calling their name wanting something that instant?

 

This happens to me everyday! The boys are playing happily so I stick the kettle on, make myself a cup of tea and get myself comfy in the corner of the sofa. I intend to watch the boys play while enjoying a hot cup of tea. In my dreams!

 

As soon as I sit down its like the boys know that I would like a few minutes peace. There are a few things that they do to ensure I don't get that.

 

1 - They start to fight. Its either screaming in each others faces or actual physical fighting which means I have to move from my very comfy spot to split them up and to make sure no one is hurt.

 

2 - Climb all over me making sure that there is no way of me drinking my tea without it getting spilt.

 

3 - Want a cuddle. Now I love cuddles and I would give them a cuddle all day long but when all i want to do is just drink my tea, I don't fancy a cuddle. But I obviously don't turn them down so we do have cuddles that if I'm honest turn out to be lovely and are the best part of my day.

 

4 - Decide they want to sit right next to me (on my lap) to once again prevent me from having a minute to myself.

 

5 - As they pass me they stand on my feet, wheel over my feet with the toy pushchair, trip over them so it means I have to get up to comfort them. They even find ways to trip over my feet if they are tucked in as close as they can get to the sofa.

 

6 - They will decide that whatever toy they are playing with needs to be played with on the sofa next to me. This is when they will kick me, push me around as they play, sit next to me, drive the car over my head or knock me with their arms are they are flying whatever toy it is, doesn't have to be an aeroplane, around their heads.

 

7 - They finish their drink and they would like some more - like now! They act as though they are dehydrated and haven't had a drink in days.

 

8 - They shout my name from the conservatory, where I cant see them, in a panicked voice so that I need to go and see what's up. And more often than not its because they have lost a puzzle piece.

 

But then if I do get a couple of minutes to myself while the boys are playing happily together in either the conservatory or Finley's bedroom, when I go and see what they have been up to I walk into a bombs site.

 

Now this is definitely a Mummy's life but I wouldn't change it for the world!

 



Wicked Wednesday's #23

Escapee!! 

Why The Early Mornings?

Noah has always been such a good sleeper. It was always Finley waking us up at silly o clock in the morning from the day dot (and not sleeping through the night either) and us sneaking downstairs with him so Noah could sleep a little bit longer. And after Finley being the worst sleeper in the world it was lovely to have a child that slept past 6.30am and it also gave us some time with just Finley before Noah woke up.

But the last week or so it has been Noah waking at silly o clock. And it’s sillier (if that’s a word) o clocker than Finley has ever been up, 5am!! How is this ever a legal time to be awake?! Sometimes he will go back to sleep if I go in and put Ewan the sheep on but other times there is just no getting him to settle again.

And as I am so not used to this it drives me bonkers! Whereas if Finley was to do it I would think that it was normal.

So when Noah wakes at 5ish and he won’t go back to sleep he comes into bed with us. There’s no going downstairs to start the day, I just can’t seem to do it. And also if I was to do this, Finley is always in a light sleep at that time of the morning, I think he would be wake at the sound of the stairgate.

The only problem is it’s not cuddles in bed with Noah, I get beaten up. He lies in between me and the hubby, facing me, every time. He leaves my hubby alone completely, forgets he is in the bed and just totally ignores him. It’s me that gets the beating. I get poked in the eyes, slapped around the face (in his jokey way), kicked, my nose picked and shouted at in my face ‘wake up mama’. The kinder beatings involve a lovely cuddle with his arms around my neck that is coupled with a ‘love you mama’.

I lie there with my eyes closed and I just can’t seem to get cross with him because when I open my eyes he is beaming back at me, in the dark, looking oh so cute even at 5 in the morning.

Why has my well slept little boy started to sleep so badly?

His naps in the day are also starting to get skipped, so I get a full day with both munchkins on the go all the time.

This is all the more reason I need my sleep but my little monkey has other ideas!