Holiday Day 1 8th July 2011

As you would expect Robbie and the rest of the family were up bright and breezy this morning, the thought of heading off on holiday had obviously been the catalyst for the whole family's early rise, shattering the peace and tranquillity of my usual early morning "me" time.

I like to think of this time as my escape from the world, I usually get up around 5am, and this allows me the time to wake up and have a coffee or three, reflect on the day that's been, and anticipate the day ahead. Normally I hate being alone and become very bored, very easily, as I need company however that early morning rise is the equivalent to a childs "golden time" at school and today there was none of that...

Chloe was first to rise, the kettle hadn't even boiled and in she waltzed "Are we going on holiday today" was the question with a bright grin that spread across her face, next little Robbie strutted in (about 10 minutes behind her) broadly beaming and visibly excited at the prospect of heading off on holiday. Next to arrive on the scene was Mum again even Jane seemed to have a new found cheery disposition (even for it being so early), eventually even Rhys our 14 year old son appeared on the scene and whilst he was being the "forever cool" teenager as you would expect, there was still that excited look on his face.

Robbie and the rest of the kids were raring to go, this was very apparent by the amount of times I was asked "are we going yet" and eventually after the car was packed with all the luggage eventually we set off, music playing and the whole family singing along to their favourite tunes which had been compiled earlier that week in anticipation of the two and a half hours journey to our destination.

The weather on the journey across was like four seasons in a day, and we went from brilliant sunshine right through to torrential rain, but we carried on regardless, and thankfully about half an hour before our destination the rain stopped and the sun came out, again further enhancing our holiday spirit.

We arrived at our destination, bang on check in time, so we quickly picked up our keys and wandered off to find our new home for the week, Mum, Robbie and Chloe decided they had sat in the car for long enough and decided to walk. We did have Robbie's chair, but he wanted to walk for a bit which was really encouraging... off they daundered while I headed back to the car to get our luggage to our destination. To my delight I arrived their before them so was able to get in and be hanging out the window watching for them coming, sure enough by the time I had put the kettle on, (got to get the priorities right) they appeared from around the corner and were quickly running to claim their new sleeping quarters, Robbie and Chloe quickly agree they were having the room with the big double bed, further enforcing my beleif these two have the strongest of sibling bonds and are like bread and butter the perfect combination.

Sleeping accommodation claimed they were very quick to head outside to scout their new surroundings, of course Dad tagged along in the background just keeping an eye from afar but the two of them were pretty much left to their own devices... (maybe should mention poor Mum was left behind to unpack all the family clothes. I am sure some of you who may be reading this are saying that sounds familiar, but we really do appreciate this although it may not show sometimes, we love her to bits and appreciate she is the glue that holds us all together x)

Robbie was having an absolute ball, running around, jumping, rolling around the grass, him and his sister were absolutely loving the moment, this was an absolute pleasure to behold, the thoughts of the weeks that lay ahead totally diminshed, the concerns on Dystonia at the back of my mind, this time is about having fun, forgetting our worries and switching off for a week.

The only time Robbie did struggle a bit today was at dinner, he wanted to sit in his chair to have his meal and we sat him at the table with his chair, there were a few issues with his arm coordination, where the slightest assistance was required, however we got there... and then the funniest thing happened we came out the restaurant and Mum and Chloe had popped into the shop to get some things, me and Robbie went and sat next to the park to wait, and lo and behold Robbie gave me a big cheesey smile and produced a dinner fork from down the side of his chair, it must have fallen down there he proclaimed !!! So if anyone is looking for the cutlery thief who "pinched" the fork - IT WAS ROBBIE :)

Happy days... Day 2 here we come...