We're all going on a Summer Holiday!

Hooray! Today is the last day of work and nursery for us before we go off on holiday for a week. We're off to Cornwall and I can't wait....but there are so many things to prepare first. Eek! I've been thinking a lot about ways to keep us all happy on the long drive down and while we are there - and I've even started a Pinterest board for ideas and inspiration. I'll be adding to this throughout the summer.

But I have to admit it's the journey that is concerning me most. Obviously we will be taking lots of snacks, sandwiches and gallons of water, pillows and sunshades too. But this is what I've come up with for entertainment...

Games in the Car: Wiss unfortunately suffers from travel sickness if he watches a screen or looks at a magazine for too long so we are getting inventive with ways to occupy him in the car. There are some great Car Bingo downloads on Pinterest which I have printed out, and these will be used in the car on a clipboard with stickers to mark off the things as they are spotted. (I thought that stickers would be less messy than a pen!)

But as Wiss is only 3 (and a half!) I'm not sure if he will completely grasp the idea of Bingo, so I have also made a simpler 'Spot the Logo' game. These can be marked off with Papa rather than them having a board each. Wiss and his Papa LOVE spotting car logos and he amazes me with his memory for each car company.

If I was more technically minded I would be able to offer this a free download - but I'm not! But I am more than happy for you to print it or pin it as you wish. Or I could even email it to you when we get back if you leave me your email address.

On the stereo: We have got a few story CDs - including Peter and the Wolf (my favourite as a child), Paddington Bear and Cars, as well as a nursery rhyme one. But after spending the entire journey to Ireland last year singing 'The Wheels on the Bus' I am very keen to have some other music!

I've created a Playlist on Spotify and have been adding songs that remind me of summer, songs that I know Wiss likes, songs that I think Wiss will like and then songs that I think are important for Wiss's musical heritage! That sounds very grand but I just mean songs that will expose him to different genres and hopefully will trigger memories when he's older. My mum used to listen to lots of Motown and John Denver when I was growing up and those songs will always have a special place in my heart.

Songs I've included: 'Summer Holiday' by Cliff Richard, 'Holiday' by Madonna, 'Summertime' DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince, 'Mr Blue Sky' ELO... Beach Boys, Stevie Wonder, Jackson 5, Marvin Gaye, Elton John, Simon & Garfunkle, The Stone Roses. But also Cee Lo Green, Rizzle Kicks, Olly Murs, MC Hammer, the Lumineers and 'You've Got a Friend in Me' from Toy Story!

I'd love to hear any other recommendations you have for songs that please both children AND adults. Do your kids have an original taste in music or have you learnt to love the nursery rhymes on repeat?!

We have no Wi-Fi were we're going so I am going to be on a holiday from my blog and twitter too. I hope you all enjoy the first week of the school summer holidays whatever you're up to and I'll be back soon. Bye for now!