As I stood at the school gates at the end of term I could hear all the mums saying how they were dreading half term, but not me. Smug as I was, I had it covered. Haverhill has such a lot going on, but it isn't always advertised. We had a fantastic week and thought I would share it with you.

As an introduction to myself, I have twins. A boy and a girl nearly aged 4. I work full time but had taken the half term holiday off to spend with them (and to secretly indulge my love of all things Halloween).

On Wednesday 26th October, we went to the Surestart Pirates and Princess Day held at the Community Centre on Strasbourg Square on the Chalkstone estate. We had a fabuolus time. On arrival each child was given a circle that they had to collect stamps on once they had completed an activity. The aim was to get 4 to receive a chocolate gold coin to take home at the end. The activities were well thought out and there were plenty of staff helping out. We did biscuit decorating, made messages in bottles, made pirate hats and princess crowns, played with sand, sung songs ... it was very well attended and deserves on my new scoring system 5 stars. *****

On Thursday 27th October we went to the Town Hall Arts Centre to see Theo the Mouse. Again this was very well attended and we all had a great time. The only negative I could put on this was that all the children were really enjoying the jokes etc but a lot of the smaller children in the audience (mine included) got very scared when the witch came out and then again the skeleton. Other than that, everyone had a great time with good audience participation. Scores of the doors ****

Just also want to mention on Saturday 29th October, we went along to the Halloween Bug Hunt held at Stepping Stones pre-school. This was for attendees of Stepping Stones only. Laminated bugs were hidden in the school grounds and then all the children had to search for them to get prizes. The weather was on our side giving us a lovely sunny afternoon. Other activities included colouring in, barbecue and tatoo's. We loved dressing up in our Halloween costumes and taking part in the fun. *****

One last thing to mention and not to be missed is the craft session that runs in the Haverhill Library each Sunday from 10:30am - 12 noon. On Sunday 30th October we made vampires from clothes pegs and bits of fabric. A great craft session run by very helpful staff members. *****