Going home with the kids

DD's primary school has a two week half term at this time of year. After the rotten Easter holidays we had not very long ago, I decided to make a plan. I felt I could stick a week at home with my 3 year-old and 5 year-old, but after that we would need a change of scene. As we aren't going to fork out on another holiday after visiting Bamburgh last month, I arranged for us three to spend time at my parents' in rural Staffordshire. This is what I learned:

1. Children going through a period of not sleeping very well will not change their tack just because they are in a new place.
2. Bath toys can be improvised, especially if your host retains plastic bottles for recycling.
3. Children do not automatically know not to chase ducks. 
4. Garden centres with a play area, farms with a play area, carparks with a play area : all are essential locations.
5. To aid food consumption and shopping, plan meals in advance with children in mind. On a chart.
6. A laptop and an internet connection can be a much-needed link to the real world and a good source of information for places to visit, weather forecasts etc.
7. Excess caffeine consumption may be frowned upon.
8. Establishing grandparents' rules prior to the visit might be a good idea.
9. Having a plan A (if sunny weather) and a plan B (for rainy weather) for each day saves faffing about each morning trying to work out what activity will tick the boxes for everyone while the children run up and downstairs shouting "Boring!"
10. Missing your husband gets things into perspective. Count your blessings.