Beatrix pottering: Half term holiday, full time fun

Never has so much been packed into five days by a family of small children. Jasper (5), Brody (4), Jacob (3), and Summer (6 months), plus mums Louise and Sophia, flew into Palma Airport to join us and Jemima (4) at lunchtime on Monday. We'd had a morning of preparing (collecting keys for their Air BnB across the road, picking up the extra hire car, stocking up on provisions) while the weather steadily worsened. And when we met our visitors at the airport, it was raining hard. Not the best arrival weather.

Emergency baby feeding led to an urgent stop at a McDonalds on the way home, with, hallelujah, a play area. So the first afternoon was spent in English weather, in an environment available in England. (Thankfully, this was to change.) But priorities met, everyone fed and no-one now screaming, we drove them to their temporary home and left them to settle in for the afternoon. We re-united at our flat a few hours later for mass spaghetti bolognese, broccoli and peas (four children, and Summer in a high chair with Louise at the table; and Kevin, Sophia and I eating off our knees on the sofa); followed by bed for some tired kiddies. We had Jasper staying with us - he and Jemima shared our spare room (twin beds), and loved it. And amazingly, they were so tired they happily, quickly and easily went to sleep.

Day two: the fun began in earnest; and thankfully the sun was shining in its honour. After a pancake breakfast for Jemima and Jasper, we all met up for a saunter down to the marina. Coffee and croissants at Cappuccino accompanied by scooting lessons for the kids (Jemima did very well sharing her scooter; Jasper learned how to get down the big slope; Brody cracked braking; and Jacob (nearly) worked out how to steer, so much progress was made). Then it was off to the cars - me, Louise, Summer, Brody and Jasper in one car, Soph, Jacob and Jemima with Kevin in the other. Nine bodies! That's a lot of Goodwins.

Our destination: the playground by the Cathedral, surely one of the most picturesque settings, with lots of varied equipment for the different ages. After a successful sojourn in the sunshine (climbing, swinging, sliding, and make believe), it was lunchtime. We were tempted by a sign: "Planet Hollywood, 8 mins". Sounds like fun, good for the kids...? This turned out to be an adult's fast walk 8 minutes, not a 3 year old's pace, but we got there in the end; the kids did have fun; and the food was surprisingly good. And Kevin and I went to get the cars, so at least we didn't all have to walk back.

Final stop of our busy day: Palma Jump,the indoor trampoline park, which Jemima and I had trialled the previous weekend. It was a big hit. Summer sat happily bouncing among the coloured balls; Brody showed us his backflips; Jasper demonstrated amazing balance on the beam; and Jacob even attempted the slack line on his own, before a supporting grown-up appeared at high speed to hold his hand. Then back to ours for feeding time - pasta and cheese - and bed. The grown-ups knackered too after a full day of excitement.

To be continued - see Part 2...