*sigh* this may take a while

ohdearhowdidthathappen

Yesterday at my friend's house was lovely.  The cakes went down well  

Today we're off to a museum, tickets already pre bought (the ones that last 12 months).  There's a McD nearby so we'll have lunch there, found a random £20 in my pocket when doing some washing yesterday, so that can pay for it.  The tickets included a halloween spooky trail, so that'll keep them out of mischief.  I like those trails as it makes them explore the whole museum! 

There's an arcade there that uses loose change, so have sorted a whole load out that we've got in the house and bagged them up for the children in advance, so hopefully no arguing!

Right, better go and get them all sorted to go.  Hope everyone's half terms are going well

mark55man

Love the 2p Machines  (although not so fond of the £2 ones)

EssexHebridean

Another here who is a sucker for those 2p "pusher" machines - great way to kill a bit of time for minimal cost! 

Enjoy the museum Ohsh... - sounds like a great day out ahead!  i agree with SH that you need to share the cake though!  

savingholmes

Great news on the £20 find and that you can you existing change to keep little ones amused. 

ohdearhowdidthathappen

Love the fact you guys remember my old (un-pc) name... I miss it

We spent about 4 hours in the end at he museum, which exceeded my expectations, 4 of 5 willingly attended (eldest was doing work experience - wonders will never cease).

I'm meeting a friend at a park tomorrow, with youngest 3.  Planning on a hot choc at the cafe and some time spent at a funfair that's pitched up there, estimated spend is £30.  I've got that in my purse (I know that's kind of cheating, but in my head it's kind of within budget -just).

Friday will be a NSD as we're doing pumpkin carving.  We've got the stencils and tools from last year and I've already bought pumpkins, £2 each from Mr W... bargain.  I set them the task of researching the designs and DH will be the judge.  Have got little prizes and I'm sure they'll all win something   

I'm not taking them trick or treating this year, I think a lot of folk will be nervous, I'll keep them at home.  They're each inviting a friend over and I'll make pizza etc... Mr A delivery today provided suitably ghoulish snacks for the 'party' and will dig out some decorations and they can all dress up if they want to.  We have got enough costumes built up from over the years.  Should be fun

ohdearhowdidthathappen

PS finished squid games, very odd show, but got strangely invested  

EssexHebridean

I loved your old name - it always made me giggle when I spotted it on a post! Absolutely summed up for me the thought that pretty much all of us on here started out with! 

Your halloween plans sound great - and yes, absolutely agree about people probably not really wanting strangers at the door at the moment - particularly when some of those strangers are in the 5 - 19 age group! 

Wait WHAT - eldest doing work experience? How the.....what the.....did I read that right?!

ohdearhowdidthathappen

Haha, EH, agreed - not just money either, I often think 'oh !!!!!!' about a lot of how I've ended up in middle-ish age overall, it's all good though.

Meet up in park and Halloween plans all went well, haven't been overly spendy over the last few days either.  Kind of doing that thing where everything has gone out of our account as planned and now we have to behave ourselves until next payday!

Indeed... DD did some work experience and (drum roll please), she's got a job!  10 hours a week at £10ph, not bad for a 17 year old, I thought their pay was usually poo?  Very pleased for her and I am hoping it will do her a world of good.  She starts next week

savingholmes

Fantastic news on the job hopefully that will resolve the entitlement issue.

Well done for staying on plan not easy with a big family and big age gaps

enthusiasticsaver

Excellent news on the job for DD.