Lockdown - COVID 19 | Day 80 - 11 June 2020

AM & PM
It was possibly the worst combination of weather today, cold, windy and raining. Zack’s lack of enthusiasm at my suggestion of going outside, was probably just a reflection at my lack of enthusiasm when suggesting it. As a result we just played inside all morning, though I think a bit of boredom did set in after a while and so I switched to the tv and the mind numbing Peppa Pig. I got him in the car for his sleep, it was still raining and even though I could cover the buggy I didn’t fancy getting wet. As I woken him up, the rain had stopped and the sun was out. Stupidly I’d left Peppa Pig paused on the tv and he wanted it back on, but to my surprise when I said about going out he said yes. Despite that it still wasn’t the warmest and had been raining, Zack didn’t want his wellies on but instead his sandals, not wanting to have an argument with him and ruin getting out I just let him wear them. We walked all around the estate and then headed down to the field for a run around. I’m not sure what caused them as they seem too big for an animal but a few large holes have appeared randomly in a few places. Zack had fun getting in and out of the holes and running around. He then found the biggest stick he’d ever seen, it was more of a log than stick and he could barely pick it up. After an hour or so we headed back home, I left him play while I started on tea. Vikki had been on an earlier start, so made it home for tea with us all. Then it was the usual last bit of a play before going up for bath, down for his snack and milk and then up for bed. 
Shot on my @fujifilmx_uk XT-1 + @7artisansofficial 12mm

Lockdown - COVID 19 | Day 79 - 10 June 2020

AM & PM
Well Zack hadn’t forgotten about the Gruffalo. Seemingly from nowhere he asked to go and see it, at this point neither of us where out of our pyjamas. I said we could go after we’d got dressed, by the time we’d gotten back downstairs he was distracted by something else, so I just let him play. This didn’t last long before he was asking to go see the Gruffalo again, so I got a few bits together including his hoody and off we went. We walked the same route as yesterday following the signs, I think was more excited today then before. It wasn’t quite as busy today, so he got a bit longer by it but I still had to prise him away when a little girl wanted her photo with it. We went to a bench and had a snack, Zack keeping one eye on the Gruffalo all the time, after another little boy had his picture taken Zack shouted my turn and ran over to it. He came away a bit easier this time and we carried on walking heading back to toward the car park. I was convinced he’d sleep on the drive home, which would have been perfect but no such luck, the no nap days are becoming much more frequent now. As we got home the rain started so we just played inside and watched some of the tv shows he likes. Later on once the rain stopped we got out into the garden playing a bit of football, he’s starting to get the idea of kicking the ball to each other now. As time went on you could tell he was starting to get tired, but it was too late for a nap now so I just had to keep him going. I’d ordered something from
Amazon and randomly in the box also came a Rubik’s cube, so I got that out knowing Zack would want a go. It worked, he perked up and seemed to like the cube, thankfully he didn’t show me up by solving it before me. When Vikki got in from work he started being all hyper, it was definitely the a sign of over tiredness. He wasn’t too bad going to bed and asleep before 8, hopefully he’ll sleep well and won’t be up to early tomorrow 
Shot on my @fujifilmx_uk XT-1 + 35mm

Lockdown - COVID 19 | Day 78 - 09 June 2020

AM & PM
After an early start, we decided to just get ready and get out. We’d not realised that Delamere Forest had reopened, so having not been for ages we set off to there. In the mist of leaving in a bit of a rush, we forgot Zack’s hoody. This was a classic situation where had we brought it he’d have not wanted it, as it wasn’t that cold but because we didn’t he wanted it. So even though it’s miles to big and did make him look like some sort of wizard, Vikki lent him hers. Once that was all sorted we carried on with out walk and on the trail for the Gruffalo. We stopped a couple of times to explore more in the woods off the path and we found a quiet picnic bench for our lunch. On finally making to the Gruffalo (a life size wooden carving), Zack was rather excited. We’ve seen it before a number of times, but whether now he’s old and understands the book and the character more and that’s why he got so exited. We did have to carry him away after a while, as other parents and children stuck to social distancing a queue had formed to come and look at it. The ten minute power nap he’d had on the way to Delamere seemed to have given him enough energy to see him through the day, but as we left the Gruffalo he seemed tired again and wanted to get in the buggy. There wasn’t any sleep and none in the car journey home. The rest of the day we spent playing inside with the Play-doh, outside doing a bit of painting, playing in the sand pit and of course running around being Cody and the naughty man. He was clearly hungry for his tea, judging how he got himself into his chair and couldn’t wait any longer and ate the tub of peas. Afterwards, what should have been the usual wind down, turned into Vikki and him running around the garden kicking the football like a pair of nutters. However it did seem to help tire him as he was a dream for bath and bed, once I’d found the right Peppa Pig book to read to him. 
Shot on my @fujifilmx_uk XT-1 + 35mm

Lockdown - COVID 19 | Day 77 - 08 June 2020

AM & PM
Monday and the start of another week, it has got pretty quickly today and we’ve been none stop today. After breakfast and Vikki has left for work, Zack and I played for a while before getting dressed and getting out. We walked up the the field or common area just by the house, we had a good run around and a good climb on the chopped down tree. There is a path / road that runs along the far side of the field, there are some house along it so the odd car does drive down for access. Currently is closed off as it’s being resurfaced, it didn’t take Zack long to notice all the big trucks and machines. Zack being intrigued but also slightly scared of them all, wanted to go have a look, just doing it while on my shoulders. We went over to have a look and then made our way home for some lunch and then a nap. Once he was up from him sleep, we played for while inside but as it started to brighten up I decided to get out to the park. We just drove up to Marbury Park, as it’s nice and there is a good walk around the cow fields, through the woods and down to the lake. It took us a while to get anywhere, due to the rain we’ve had Zack stopped at pretty much ever puddle for a splash in. We finally made it to the path into the woods and made our way though, about half way in is a log that he likes to sit and climb on. There is also a a fallen branch just by it that with how it twists and turns looks a lot like a snake. He’s desperate to go and stroke it but hasn’t ever quite plucked the courage up to do so, he did get closer than usual today so it’s progress. Once we got the lake, time was getting on so we had a quick look at the ducks and the now not so small cygnets then made our way back to the car and home so I could start tea. Despite our pretty busy day Zack was still rather hyper when it came to bed time, hopefully it’s just the last bit of energy before he crashes. 
Shot on my @fujifilmx_uk XT-1 + 35mm

Lockdown - COVID 19 | Day 76 - 07 June 2020

AM & PM
Surprisingly we all had a bit of a lie in, I say surprisingly because usually when Zack’s asleep early it’s usually followed by and early start to the day. Later after breakfast while I went to have a shower and get dressed, I could hear Vikki and Zack talking and then what sounded like him going outside, I shout down as I was shocked Vikki had let him go out in the rain. Clearly by her reaction it obviously wasn’t raining when he went out but it certainly was now and as I got downstairs Zack was just coming back in looking rather wet, luckily he had his full wet weathers on. I’ve probably said before but usually the downside to a lie in means a no nap day, today was no exception. We’d had some lunch and it’d stopped raining so needing milk and a couple of other bits we walked to the shop with Zack in the buggy, we got there and back with pretty much zero sign of sleep. Much like yesterday we played inside and got in the garden when the rain stopped. As it approached tea time Zack looked rather tired, so to help keep him awake we decided that I’d take him for an early bath, while Vikki finished off tea and then we’d come down for it after bath, that way once we’d eaten he could go to sleep when ever he wanted. This seemed to work and he came around a bit, we got through tea but it wasn’t long before he started to look tired again. Zack is very much zero to a hundred and then a hundred to zero, which is what happened after tea. I took him up to bed at just the right time before he went past being wanting to sleep, there was a little bit of messing while I did the book but as soon as I left the room he was asleep in minutes. 
Shot on my @fujifilmx_uk XT-1 + 35mm

Lockdown - COVID 19 | Day 75 - 06 June 2020

AM & PM
With it looking like another miserable day, we decided to make pancakes for breakfast. Chef Zack put himself in charge of egg cracking and mixing. It started to brighten up and the rain seemed to have stopped so we decided to get ready and get out before we missed the opportunity. We set off and headed to Pickmere, another place we’d not actually been too before. As we walked down from car, we passed a couple of people who’d clearly been for a swim, then as we got to the mere we could see a few others swimming. There was a sandy bank, which we headed to and Zack had a good paddle, though being so windy it was almost like being at the beach with the waves crashing. After a while we persuaded Zack to come off the sand and carrying on walking, the lure of muddy puddles and little bridges did the trick. We walked for a while following the path, it started to rain so knowing that it wasn’t a circular walk, we decided to turn round and head back. Part of the way back there is a small pier, which we stopped to have a a little sit, drink and snack on. Zack was starting to get tired and it was nearing nap time so I carried him on my shoulders for the rest of the way to the car. Surprising he didn’t fall asleep on the drive home so we got in, did lunch and then got out with him out for a nap. The remainder of the afternoon the rain was on and off, so we played inside and got in the garden during the dry spells. We needed to tire Zack out so he’d definitely go to bed nicely, as Vikki and I had a take out dinner, from @chimehartford and movie night planned. While I went to collect the order, Vikki did the book and bed, thankfully he went down like a dream and we enjoyed a delicious feast. 
Shot on my @fujifilmx_uk XT-1 + 35mm

Lockdown - COVID 19 | Day 74 - 05 June 2020

AM & PM
Zack and I had a lazy morning, it wasn’t really by choice but just as it was torrential rain. We did a lot of running around, jumping and climbing. When it came to lunch time, he didn’t want anything I offered him. He eventually settling for some crackers, followed by most of a mango. While he slept, the postman brought a little package for him, seen as he loves pretending to be Cody and he has a penknife I couldn’t not get Zack one, a plastic none sharpe one obviously. He loved it and we spent the rest of the day running around being Cody. The weather did brighten up so we got out and walked / ran to the shop all while still being in character. When Vikki got home from work, he couldn’t wait to show her his new knife. He was good with his bath, bed and book again, the new routine seems to be working, though he did insist on taking the penknife to bed with him. 
Shot on my @fujifilmx_uk XT-1 + 35mm

Lockdown - COVID 19 | Day 73 - 04 June 2020

AM & PM
Today’s been one of those days that seem’s to have flown by and I can barely remember the morning. I know we didn’t really do much, when the post man came he brought a parcel addressed to Vikki , which was the Rescuers Down Under book. Zack was rather excited and wanted it reading straight away, while watching the film at the same time. We eventually got showered and dressed, Vikki went to meet her friend while Zack and I went to the park to meet Grandma. We had a nice walk around, passing the cows, going through the woods and seeing the ducks in the lake. We did a second lap around, however Zack didn’t want to walk again and just wanted to go on my shoulders, so I walked most of the way around carrying him. We headed home and while Vikki cooked tea we had a lovely FaceTime with Grandad and Granny. Zack showed them both how he acts out the scenes from Rescuers. After tea, it was pretty much time for Zack’s bath and bed. Neither Vikki or I could really believe where the day had gone.

Shot on my @fujifilmx_uk XT-1 + 35mm

Lockdown - COVID 19 | Day 72 - 03 June 2020

AM & PM
Well the nice weather seem to have gone, I didn’t mind the cooler temperatures but the rain wasn’t ideal. Vikki went off to work, Zack and I spent much of the morning playing inside. We got out for a bit to look for muddy puddles, we did find a small one and then a snail, which we had to keep coming back too, I think we saw it about fifty times. After a while and when Zack tried to touch a dead bird we headed home. We spent the rest of the day just playing inside, doing lots of running, jumping and climbing on me, all in an attempt to tire him out. It mostly worked, but it didn’t quite stop him climbing up the sofa after tea. It was my turn for bath and bed, even with that sofa climb he did seem tired and again went to sleep with no issue. 
Shot on my @fujifilmx_uk XT-1 + 35mm

Lockdown - COVID 19 | Day 71 - 02 June 2020

AM & PM
With another nice hot day and rain forecasts for the rest of the week we took the opportunity to go out. We went to somewhere new, Astbury Mere Country Park. After walking around the Mere and doing a bit of duck and fish spotting, we sat and had our picnic lunch. After we’d eaten we played for a while with the ball before Vikki and I got Zack in the buggy for a sleep. We did another lap of the Mere, sitting on a bench in the shade half way around for a bit. As we got back to where we’d started it was time to wake zack up, once he was up we got back in the car and headed home. The rest of the afternoon we spent in the garden playing, with Zack still reenacting scenes from The Rescuers Down Under. It’s night three of the new bedtime route and so far so good, he seems to like coming back downstairs for his milk, snack and watching In The Night Garden, before going up to bed for a book. Again he was asleep before 8pm, which is good, hopefully this will continue. 
Shot on my @fujifilmx_uk XT-1 + 35mm

Lockdown - COVID 19 | Day 70 - 01 June 2020

AM & PM
It’s probably a bit too early to tell if the change in route worked or not, he was asleep by 8pm and with limited fuss so a promising start. It was another hot day, we spent the early part of the morning just playing inside but eventually got out for a short walk. We only got as far as the little playground by our house but we had a good run around, this time Zack was the naughty man and I was Cody. Despite the fact that in the film the man chases Cody, I still had to chase Zack around. Once we both, I say we mostly me got tired, I sat down while Zack kept trying to feed me grass, then I had to stop him from eating it or as he said “just have a little taste”. We headed back home for a little bit of lunch and I could then get him out for a nap. We began the afternoon like the morning, just playing inside. He soon wanted to get out on his car and down the big ramp. So off we went, however he changed his mind and went speeding off down the street. Again we only got as far as the playground, but as the path there slopes down he loved just going up and down it. He was all creamed up but as there isn’t any shade I didn’t want him out in the full sun for too long, so after a while I lured him home with the promise of an ice cream. The rest of the afternoon we spent just inside and out in the garden, before coming inside for tea. It was night to do bath and bed, the new route didn’t go quiet as smoothly as last night but he was still asleep by 8pm. 
Shot on my @fujifilmx_uk XT-1 + 35mm

Lockdown - COVID 19 | Day 69 - 31 May 2020

AM & PM
It was daddy’s turn for a new toy today, little trip B&Q to collect it and then home to clean the cars. Yep it was a pressure washer, not the most exciting but I liked it and considering it was a cheap-ish one it got the job done. I was slightly delayed in starting by the fact Zack was a sleep by 10:30am, but when you don’t get to sleep until gone 9pm and then are awake sometime between 5 and 5:30am there’s no wonder why your nap is so early. We gave him much longer than usual, in the hope that he’d catch up and get back on track for bed time. However we’ve decided to change the route slightly for bed and see if that makes a difference in helping with the wind down. After some lunch and I’d finished the cars, we got out for a walk Zack did take some persuading but we managed. It was nearly a total disaster as, on arriving at Marbury Park it was the busiest I’ve ever seen it, so we drove straight in and out again. We thought we’d give Anderton Boat Lift car park a go, as you can walk through the woods there and down by the river. Thankfully it was pretty quiet so we parked up and had a walk down along the river, then back up through the woods, finishing back at the car park. It was tea time when we got home and then an slightly earlier bath than usual. All part on the plan and trial of the bed time route, usually it’s bath and into the bedroom for book and bed. So tonight we thought we’d try doing the bath and bringing him down for his milk and a snack, then going up for book and bed. Hopefully the coming down will help wind him down, so when it’s book time he’ll actually start listening again and then going to sleep. We’ll see how it goes, fingers crossed. 
Shot on my @fujifilmx_uk XT-1 + 35mm

Lockdown - COVID 19 | Day 68 - 30 May 2020

AM & PM
We took the opportunity now that further relaxations are coming, to go to Vikki’s mum’s (Zack’s Nana) house. Just to sit in the garden, chat, play and have some tea. It was nice to be able to chat properly face to face rather than on a screen. Zack played really nicely, again with toys that aren’t new or particularly new to him but ones he’s not seen in a ages, so almost seem new. One exception was a new paddling pool, which after failing to find the right attachments for the electric pump I had to blow up myself, thankfully it wasn’t quite as huge as the one we have. It didn’t take long for the ice creams to come out but on a hot day like today no one complained though. It was a BBQ for tea, which is about the only kind of cooking I actually enjoy, even on a gas one. It was all delicious, lovely marinated chicken skewers, burgers and sausages along with pasta and salad. As usual I over ate and still managed to find room for some pudding, who can say no to chocolate cake. Even Zack who’d barley eat anything all day didn’t say no to that. After we’d eaten it was time to say bye and head back home. 
Shot on my @fujifilmx_uk XT-1 + 35mm

Lockdown - COVID 19 | Day 67 - 29 May 2020

AM & PM
It’s been one of those days today and Zack tested my patience to about its limit. I don’t really know what’s been up with him today but other than about two hours this afternoon, he’s been moody all day. He did play nicely for a while first thing but then didn’t want to do much, just lounged around and said no to everything I said. He had a massive whinge when I took him upstairs to get dressed, which then only lasted a few minutes and he was fine and playing with the toys in his room. This was pretty much the general theme of the day, fine one minute, then whinging the next and doing the opposite or saying no to what ever I say. I got him in the car at 12pm thinking perhaps he was tired and if he slept now he could have longer than usual, he dropped off pretty much right away. I hoped that giving him a longer nap would put him in a good mood for the afternoon and we could do something. However no such luck, he woke in just bad mood as he’d been in all morning. Eventually he came round enough to have some lunch and that did perk him up a bit. I took this slight good mood to see if he wanted to go out and feed the ducks again, which he did. We got in the car and drove to a car Park not far away but right on the canal, I thought maybe going somewhere different might make it more fun. He seemed to enjoy it, we had a nice walk along the canal feeding the ducks and swans. We saw lots of narrowboat’s, sadly none were actually moving but he still loved seeing them. But then the novelty of all this wore off and he just wanted to go home, we had been out for just over an hour and by the time we’d walked back to the car and got home it would be getting on for a couple of hours out, plus it was really hot still. The bad mood returned when we got home and I’d pretty much given up, just counting down the time till bath and bed, which thankfully was Vikki’s turn to do. 
Shot on my @fujifilmx_uk XT-1 + 35mm

Lockdown - COVID 19 | Day 66 - 28 May 2020

AM & PM
I think Zack had the right idea when he didn’t want to get dressed or do anything today, because it’s been far too hot. We did get out to Marbury Park, we had a good walk before it was too busy and the sun at its hottest, going past the cows, running through the woods, seeing the ducks in the lake and the tractor in the yard, before stopping for some lunch. I took us a little picnic, but come cheeky monkey started helping himself before I’d barely got anything out of the bag. After we’d eaten, we made our way back to the car, Zack fell asleep within minutes of us setting off home. After he woke up, we did get out in the garden but even in the shade it was too hot for us, so we came inside where it was a lot cooler and played with his tractors and diggers. A recurring film we, Zack likes to watch is the Rescuers Down Under. He loves the intro and the little boy (Cody) running, we’d had it on and it wasn’t long before Zack wanted his rucksack and boots on, just like Cody does. Then headed outside and he ran up and down the street, shouting “I’m Cody, I’m Cody”. We missed the ice cream van, as I’d left the house with no money but thankfully the promise of a mini milk ice lolly at home save the day. Vikki arrived home just after we’d finished tea, a little package had come in the post for her, which actually the contents were for Zack. Since all the cooking and baking they’ve been doing and how messy it is, Vikki treated him to his very own apron. He loved it and spent the next half an hour, wearing it and playing with his cooking stuff.

Shot on my @fujifilmx_uk XT-1 + 35mm

Lockdown - COVID 19 | Day 65 - 27 May 2020

AM & PM
After a nice week with Vikki / mummy, it was back to work for her today. Zack and I had a good play this morning before getting dressed and going to meet Grandma in the park for a picnic, she’d brought down his digger for him wiz around on, which he loved. Even though it’s not new, he’s not seen or played on it for nearly three months, so it probably felt like new. He did a good job of scooping up the cut grass and piling it up. After a bit of lunch, we had a nice walk around the park and into the woods, Zack bombing around on the digger. As he started to get tired we headed back to the car to get the buggy and then pushed him back into the park until he fell asleep. As there wasn’t an ice cream van to be seen, which was slightly surprising considering how nice the day was. We instead walk up to the ice cream shop, as we got there I woke Zack up just in time for him to have one, we sat down out of the way and out of the sun to enjoy them. Just by where we’d sat, was one of the Manchester bee sculptures. Zack was desperate to have a look at it, so once we’d finished our ice creams we went over to have a look. He loved it, it’s painted in different colours and has little flowers, bees and butterflies painted on too. We then headed back to the car and then onto home, we both had a really nice day and it was great to go somewhere different. 
Shot on my @fujifilmx_uk XT-1 + 35mm

Lockdown - COVID 19 | Day 64 - 26 May 2020

AM & PM
Busy start to the day for me, after breakfast I got straight to B&Q for some brackets and shelves, to put up in the shed. Zack and Vikki came out to see what I was doing, while I put them up and sort the shed out. They did a bit of painting, but he didn’t like the sound of the electric screwdriver so they didn’t say out for long. As I finished it was time for lunch, we decided that after we’d get in the car let Zack sleep and go to the park. We went to one we’ve not been to in ages, we had a good walk around the mere, feed the ducks and geese and then got chased by the geese. Sadly the ice cream van wasn’t there, so as we headed home we hoped our local one would come around. Zack was rather hyper when we got back, running around like a nutter wanting us to hide and then running away and then back again. Later on the ice cream man did come, Zack got one in a cone, Vikki in a tub and me a mint feast. We did really do much for the rest of the afternoon, just played inside and outside, had a Sunday roast for tea and while I washed up Vikki and Zack went to the field. 
Shot on my @fujifilmx_uk XT-1 + @nikoneurope Ai 50mm with Fuji X to Nikon Adaptor

Lockdown - COVID 19 | Day 63 - 25 May 2020

AM & PM
It was another run day for Vikki today, Zack and I played with his cars and duplo. When she got back we all got ready and got in the garden, as it’s been such a lovely day. Zack brought his car outside and used the toy box lid, as well as the conservatory door frame as a little track from them all. After a bit of lunch we cleared some of the toys away and the paddling pool made another appearance. After a bit of a cool down, it was time to get the ice creams out, mini magnum’s. We spent much of the afternoon, in and out of the pool as well as inside and out. Even in the shade it was still a lot cooler inside, so for me that was the perfect place to be. 
Shot on my @fujifilmx_uk XT-1 + 35mm

Lockdown - COVID 19 | Day 62 - 24 May 2020

AM & PM
So after a bit of a play this morning, we got dressed and Vikki took Zack to meet his nana. Obviously they stuck to social distancing, we told Zack that nana was poorly and he needed to stay with mummy. While they were out, I did a bit tidying up and then just chilled out. After they got back we played inside, Zack wanted to go upstairs and be the doctor. He made Vikki lie on the bed while he took her temperature, despite having a doctors kit his preferred choice of thermometer is pen. After making mummy all better she gave him a big hung and a kiss. By now the the sun had come out, so we came downstairs and got into the garden. Zack had a good run around and bounce on the trampoline, we came inside for tea and they just did the usual wind down before bath and bed.

Shot on my @fujifilmx_uk XT-1 + 18-55mm

Lockdown - COVID 19 | Day 61 - 23 May 2020

AM & PM
After a nice bowl for porridge for breakfast, Vikki went out for a run. Zack and I got dressed, then came downstairs to play. It wasn’t really any surprise that by 9:30am he wanted something to eat, considering he’d hardly touched his breakfast. I made him a wrap and some apple, which he did eat. Once he’d finished we set off for a walk, however this came to an abrupt holt at the front door by a large parcel. Zack seems to think that every letter or parcel is a new toy for him, luckily this one actually was for him. A present from Grandma and Grampy, a trampoline. After battling the wind and Zack trying to climb on as he was so desperate to have a go, it was finally all built and ready for him, it’s safe to say it didn’t disappoint. After his nap, we played so more before going for a walk. We went a bit of a new route for a change, it takes us over the railway bridge and into another park. We stopped for a while for him to slide down a grass slope, before carrying on back towards home. He did then want to slide down every grass verge, we eventually made it home after a lot of stoping and starting. Then just the usual, tea and wind down time before bath and bed. 
Shot on my @fujifilmx_uk XT-1 + 35mm