It feels like we’ve only been back 5 minutes – and the non-diminishing washing pile is testament to that – but we actually got back from Tenerife well over a week ago. Thankfully it’s still really fresh in my mind; all that sun, pool time and relaxation. It was the perfect family break for us.
Despite vowing to never go all inclusive again, the minute we discovered that Reuben could go to the kids club, we went to a Holiday Village. We flew out early (although an hour later than planned) on the day before Reuben’s birthday, on 11th August. The flight was a long one at nearly 5 hours but it was a far cry from our flight to Egypt. This one was relaxing and I was able to read loads of my book. I owe a debt of gratitude to both snacks and Paw Patrol for such an easy journey!
Once we arrived, a hot sticky mess, we found ourselves the snack bar and then hurried to the pool to cool down. It was soooo hot!
The next day was Reuben’s Birthday. I’d brought him a few little things to unwrap which would also be helpful for the holiday – some cars, a sticker book, some scoobie doo shorts (which were a huge hit but turned out to be way too big because they didn’t have an adjustable waistband. As if?!), a set of Paw Patrol phonics books, and a pack of balloons.
That day Reuben went to a Pirate themed kids club and played in the pool. He had a lovely day. We didn’t get to properly celebrate until the next evening when we went out for dinner in the evening at the a la carte restaurant.
However, what started out a lovely evening, where we’d all dressed up…
…turned into sweaty carnage as Reuben continually made a break for freedom and Mike had to run after him in 30 degree heat, chinos and a shirt! When they finally brought us the moment we’d been waiting 45 minutes for, his freaking cake with a lit candle, we were able to leave!
“Don’t touch that!” – Don’t worry I took this just as Mike was batting his hand away.
Thankfully the evening entertainment was amazing so all was not lost. There was both outside and inside kids entertainment and on that evening there was also a fair with loads of inflatables, and parrots for your very own weird family portrait.
Mike refused to let me put our photo in, sorry!
The rest of the holiday can be summed up by the following routine…
9/9:30 wake up and rush to breakfast.
Mill around until 12pm – just moving from breakfast back to the room and applying some sun cream seemed to take at least half an hour.
12pm – kids club and Mike and I would read at the Habana Bar (and potentially have our first drink of the day)
1:30 – go for lunch
3ish play in the pool for the afternoon.
5:30ish go back to the room to wash and relax before dinner (often involving a bit of TV and some reading for us). Weirdly Reuben would often have a nap just as in the night garden was starting. Insanity if you were back home!
7ish go for dinner
8ish go watch the entertainment.
In bed by 10pm.
I would never dream of putting Reuben (or Gabby) to bed that late at home, but somehow it just works on holiday. Often we’d all go to bed at the same time, which meant we were getting around 11 hours sleep a night…not always though. Mike and I would also sit out on the balcony with one more drink and talk about what we had been thinking about that day, ideas for when we get home, hopes and dreams, the lot. It was bliss.
It was also amazing to see Reuben’s water confidence develop. His confidence in the water went from amazing to through the floor once he started walking. For months he hated it and it’s taken us about a year to get him to the point where he doesn’t mind being in the water. But as soon as we arrived in Tenerife he just threw himself in and continued to do that every day for hours. By the end of the holiday he was all but swimming. He would jump and begin to swim to us, even lifting his head out of the water to get a breath.
It was wonderful. Such simple days, filled with the same basic things but never boring.
The views from the hotel were incredible. We were right by Los Gigantes, huge rocky mountains, and overlooking the island of La Gomera.
On one of the days we treated ourselves to one of the private sunbathing areas where you get cava and fruit brought to you. Reuben and Gabby went in the kids club twice that day!
We were also right by Siam Park, apparently the best water park in the world! So that needed a visit. It was weird walking around in a bikini all day but I was really happy in one of my Protest Bikinis and was able to do the ultimate test…the water slide test. I can confirm that it passed. Thankfully.
The Siam Park has a live shark tank with two rides that go through it, including the Tower of Power which has a 28m near vertical drop.
It has the most amazing wave pool I’ve even seen. It was huge and the waves were perfect, majestic things big enough to surf on (if it wasn’t so insanely busy).
The lazy river was great fun and the only ride Reuben really entertained, apart from the Lost City, and Gabby and I stayed on to the do rapids, which although meant queueing in a rubber ring for aaaages, was really fun and took us through the shark tank.
The Lost City was an amazing adventure playground that Reuben loved and basically spent 5 hours there. It was a bit chilly after an hour of following him around getting soaked but Mike and I took it in turns to watch him while the other one did a ride or two with Gabby.
I also discovered I’m officially a mum. I was a massive chicken. I used to love going on any sort of ride but not anymore. No Tower of Power for me. After one of the rides I went on with Gabby in tandem she said I nearly burst her eardrums with my screaming. I wondered why my throat was so sore afterwards! Evidence from the Rapids:
Then, just as we were starting feel a bit portly around the tummy and dreaming of our little village and getting back, it was time to come home. Refreshed, regrouped as a family and ready to tackle life again with a fresh bit of perspective. I loved it.
It sounds like you have had a lovely time. I am desperate for a holiday but the idea of taken two tiny tots abroad just scares me, as I fear the holiday would be anything but relaxing. It sounds like Reuben had a great time though and what a lovely way to celebrate his birthday abroad. xx
It sounds like you had an amazing holiday! We were looking at Tenerife for next year and you have now bumper it higher up my list! x PS, welcome back! x
Looks like a fab holiday. I have never done all-inclusive but my husband and I want to try it now that we have kids (and a kids club!).
Sounds wonderful. Love the pictures. Sounds like you all had a fab time- apart from waiting 45 mins for Reuben’s cake- WHAT?!
I’m now dreaming of a sunny getaway, sat here in my dark living room watching the rain outside, lol x
Welcome home 🙂 xx
Where to start! Firstly, hubba hubba! You look A-MAZ-ING! Wow! Anyway, this looks like an incredible holiday, the pool looks so much fun and what I wouldn’t give to be relaxing on one of those tented sunbeds right about now! Glad you are refreshed xxx
Looks like you had such a fantastic time, I am very jealous 🙂
Hannah what a holiday! It sounds a little bit like you need another holiday to get over it though… hehe only kidding. Holidays with two kids are a combination of magic and mayhem aren’t they and I guess that’s just family life in a nutshell. Fabulous photos and that waterpark looks epic. And can I just say that you ROCK that bikini? Whit woo Mrs! xx #TheList
What a fabulous holiday and gorgeous pictures. The water park sounds amazing although I think I’d be a bit freaked out by the sharks. I really want to go on holiday, it looks so idyllic and really family friendly. Happy birthday to Reuben too! x #thelist
Looks wonderful, Hannah! Love the look of that private sunbathing area, it looks bliss. And you look stunning as ever! So glad you all enjoyed it xxx #TheList
Aw this looks amazing! Our ‘summer holiday’ is in Spain later this month so I’m hoping the weather will hold out. I love the obligatory trip to the local water park on holidays – they are always so much fun! I visited Tenerife as a kid with my parents but have always wanted to go back – possibly one for next year. Thanks for sharing x #TheList
That sounds like a fabulous holiday! And woot woo! Look at you rocking your bikini 🙂 #TheList
Oh what a fun holiday! Fabulous that Reuben’s birthday fell when you were away, although chasing after him doesn’t sound like fun lol Wonderful that there was a kids club so you could have some quality time with your hubby. Holidays always end with my tummy being funny too, sounds like it was the right length away from home #TheList
Myself and husband have been to that resort (prob different hotel though) before we had kids – the setting of Los Gigantes is stunning isn’t it? We didn’t even do Siam Park which I’m gutted about seeing this post! It looks like so much fun. I’m really looking forward to having holidays where we get to do more fun stuff (and have some time off the kids too!) and I’m going to take a leaf out of your book next time and let the kids go to bed late as I’ve learnt from bitter experience that trying to get kids to bed at their normal time on holiday is a massive painful headache!! X #thelist
sounds fab hannah, I could so do with a nice chilled out holiday great photos xx
Wow, sounds like a great holiday! And i love the way you retell Reuben’s birthday meal! X #thelist
I love the observation about officially becoming a mum! I’ve noticed that I’m much more cautious about things now! Great photos! It looks like you had an amazing vacation! #TheList
Wow! looks fab . Very impressed you read a book and got on a sun lounger – don’t remember the last time I did either lol #TheList
Oh, fab! I love the bikini. Brilliant that Rueben got so good at swimming.#TheList
Fionnuala from http://www.threesonslater.blogspot.com
Sounds just perfect! #thelist xx
I loved reading this, I haven’t been abroad for a few years so I feel I’ve had a virtual holiday now! #thelist
Wow, looks and sounds like a fabulous holiday. I’m thinking I need to get a proper holiday booked now after reading that! #TheList
Wow it looks heavenly! Sounds like you all had a fab time. On holiday we let the kids stay up until 10pm, its a shame to make them go to bed at the same time they would at home, and they would much rather have some nice family time in the evening. Of course after a week it catches up with them and they are shattered! #thelist
Sounds just perfect. I love reading holiday posts, even if they do make me a bit jealous! Glad to hear you all had a brilliant time. Thanks for hosting #thelist
Debbie
Glad you had a wonderful time! #thelist
Wow, looks amazing! Cannot wait until baby is old enough for the kid’s club and we can have an awesome family holiday in the sun 🙂
Great photos! Looks like a beautiful place. Glad you had so much fun x
#thelist
Looks like you had a fab time! We were in Tenerife in August too (third year in a row). It really is a great family spot. Love the look of that private sunbathing area. Siam Park looks great, we have always gone to Aqualand. Will just have to go back and try it out!
Looks and sounds like you had a great holiday. Got to say, I’m pretty jealous! The views and backdrop look great 🙂
What a lovely family holiday looks like such a wonderful resort No more water rides for me either! 🙂
Thanks for hosting such a great linky #TheList
It looks absolutely wonderful darling! Sounds like you had a whale of a time, ah holidays – bloody marvellous aren’t they?! Bet Reuben loved having his birthday in a different country, how exciting! You look gorgeous too (As ever!) x
#Thelist