Project 365 – August

August was a month of summer holiday, vacations, work trips, and so many visits with friends! We did our normal going out to Pokemon Go often, having people over far too much, and enjoying the sunshine. I do very much love the times that everyone is off school, especially when we have so much planned! At the end of the month, there were a few birthdays sprinkled in, so a lot to celebrate and enjoy. This post is a part of Project 365, where a bunch of bloggers take a photo every single day of the year, sharing a bit about their life. Some post weekly, some post monthly like me, and so post daily. You can check out a bunch of other bloggers who are taking part in this challenge at the end of this blog post.

August 1st – Off to the Beach

Today, we all really wanted to go to the beach! There is a Pokemon event happening that requires the seaside, which is a bonus, so I packed up lunch and we headed out in the afternoon. When we arrived, I set up our large beach blanket, which Dann just got, and it’s fantastic, then set out our food to enjoy. It was a pasta salad lunch, before we started looking for sea glass. Amelia is really interested in finding sea glass, and we got a huge container full today as there was just so many! Once she had her full of the sea glass and Robin was done playing in the sand, we were all ready to head to the arcade. There are lots of arcade at Southend-by-Sea, so we picked one and started exploring. Kai and Dann do a lot of the racing games while Robin, Amelia and I rushed around trying to earn tickets. We ended up with nearly 1500 tickets, so plenty to grab a bunch of prizes, before getting ice cream and heading home. Kai then went to the gym, we had dinner, and then hung out in the evening, playing Lambada with the girls before bed.

August 2nd – Pokemon Go Weekend

Today, Kai had his last day of work experience, which he seems to have really done properly, which is good! The rest of us hung out at home, with Amelia and Robin playing video games and creating art. Robin was in a big painting mood and kept making me posters about how much she loved me, which is very sweet. After lunch, Dann and I headed out to a Pokemon Go event for research quests, which is one of the less exciting events, but we got a lot of shinies! We then went to a forest biome to catch the new forest Pokemon in case they disappear after the event (there are rumors the rarity of them will increase by a lot), and then headed home for dinner. Dann made a delicious pasta dish before we hung out and went to bed.

August 3rd – Seaside and Gigantamax

Dann and I got up early today to trey and get the Wigglett Pokemon in it’s shiny form by the seaside, and we went along with one of our friends! Along the way, we followed a bunch of the Waddle-on-Sea penguins that provided for a very fun walk. We didn’t have any shiny luck today, which is just how Pokemon Go works sometimes, so we then went to Bun Bros for lunch and headed back home for Gigantamax Battles. Despite the rain in our home town, we had a decent turnout and were able to do many battles! Dann headed home early and I hung out with a bunch of the Pokemon crew until the evening. When I got back, Dann and I had some dinner and I did a bit of planning for next year before bed.

August 4th – Monday Fun

Today was a day of balance. I started off the morning in more meetings, trying to get them out of the way. At lunchtime, Dann and I were invited to a performance of The Baddies on Stage, which was really cute! We then picked up Wing Shack for lunch, however the location has really changed, and it’s no longer the best wing place in England – an end of an era. We then headed home for Gigantamax Monday, before Dann went to DnD and I headed home for the evening. I had more work to do, due to the break in the day, and spent a lot of time doing that! When Dann came home from DnD, which he got to run this time, he was full of stories, so we hung out before going to bed.

August 5th – Tabletop Night

Dann got the bug to start deep cleaning the house this week. It started yesterday – he replaced a mirror that was a bit dingy, getting it properly put into the wall. Then he started pulling everything out of the kitchen, cleaning and getting rid of anything that was old. He cleaned the floors and ordered a shop vac to start the carpet, then spent the afternoon deep cleaning the entire downstairs carpet. It’s lovely to have such a clean home! I helped by cleaning the side in the kitchen and organising all of the school supplies bags, as we purchase new stuff each September. In the evening, we went out for Spotlight Hour in Pokemon Go, which was boosted – so I got like 5 shinies. We then hosted tabletop, where I made roast beef for dinner, and Matt made sponge pudding. We played Horrified: Dungeons and Dragons until midnight – then went to bed.

August 6th – Into London

Today was very similar to Monday this week – meetings all morning, then heading out in the afternoon to London. This time, it was to preview the JackBox Party Pack 11 for work. I got to play all of the new modes of this pack, many of which weren’t quite finished yet. It was a lot of fun and the whole thing was themed like a party; party bags, hats, pizza, cake. It was just delightful. I then rushed home on the train to make it in time for Raid Hour, however, there were so many train delays! I was slightly late, but had a fun time with everyone, catching Pokemon! Tom, Ryan, Dann and I went to see Naked Gun, which was just ok – lots of really random moments, before I came home and went right to bed.

August 7th – Quiz Night

Today I did not have any focus. After such an up-and-down week of work and with holidays coming up, I just didn’t want to work. I’ve been reviewing a new game called Discountly, which is sort of like Stardew Valley, but without any farming, and I am obsessed. I mainly wanted to play this all day! I did get some work done, and a lot of housework to match everything Dann’s been doing around the house. We had a friend over in the afternoon to hang out for a bit and introduce her to our pets, as she’s going to be house sitting for us some of the week when we are gone on holiday. Then, Dann and I went out for a date night at our local Novo Lounge, where we often team up and go against one of Robin’s teachers for the quiz. We generally aren’t very good at quizzes, but eat some starters, drink some drinks, and easily walk home – so it’s just a fun night out. We came in 8th out of 12th, so not bad at all!

August 8th – Cupcake Night!

Today was a very normal day! We did a lot of errands before the afternoon, including Kai going out to pick out a new bike. Then Robin’s friend from school came over to keep Robin very entertained. They were both super delighted to see each other, which is always lovely. They played, recorded videos, and did a bunch of painting. Amelia has also been painting, working on a submission for an arts contest. She’s so good at arts! Then, after dinner, Amelia and I headed to our cupcake class. This one was Unicorns and Rainbows, which was a wreath class. We both had a fantastic time and learned how to do three colored icing! We then headed home and played a bit before bed.

August 9th – Inflatables, Pokemon and Friends

When we got up today, we wanted to go somewhere that would really drain energy, so we headed off to Inflata City. This was a new place for all of us, and was aimed at a slightly younger age demographic then our teenagers, but that’s okay! Kai was in extremely high spirits and did a lot of racing Dann and showing off how good he is at wipe-out style challenges. We did a lot of playing, hide-and-go-seeking and enjoying the place. It’s a giant inflatable, so it is a lot of fun. Then, we headed home for lunch before Kai went off to the gym and the rest of us went off to Pokemon Go, where it’s a hatch day and I set up a scavenger hunt. Amelia’s friend came with us, so we had her over after Pokemon, doing more painting, until dinnertime. After dinner, I played some Discounty (finished it too!) and everyone else played their video games, before settling in for the night.

August 10th – Movies, Pokemon and Packing

Today we started off the morning with breakfasts and some packing! We are going on holiday tomorrow, so I wanted to make sure everything was all packed up. Kai, Amelia and Robin packed up their own stuff, so I focused on a lot of my own packing and checking on Robin. Amelia also made scones for dessert tonight. After we were packed, Robin, Amelia, Dann and I headed out to Origin Raid Day, looking for some shiny Pokemon. There was an error in the game, so shinies weren’t boosted, which sucked. Pokemon Go said they were going to have a make-up thing for those effected, but I did not get any shinies! At midday, Amelia, Robin and I went to the movies to see Freakier Friday, which we all very much enjoyed. There are some great moments! Then, we went back to Pokemon for the late afternoon. Once the event ended, we headed to the in-laws for dinner, and brought the scones. It was nice chatting and hanging out, though Dann was very tired! After dinner, we headed home to hang out, have baths, and head to bed.

August 11th – First Day at Center Parcs

We left after breakfast and arrived early at Center Parcs Elveden! We settled in for some lunch at Las Iguanas, which had a robot cat that delivered our food, before seeing what we wanted to do with our day. In the end, we decided to have a big tour of the park before going to the water park. There was so many things to do; water slides, rapids, lazy river, hot tubs, a wave pool… we had a fantastic time getting settled and swimming until dinnertime. For dinner, we checked into our cabin, unpacked, and I made some easy dinner after shopping at the co-op on site. We then had a movie night in the evening as we wanted to take things slow for our holiday.

August 12 – Activities At Center Parcs

On day two of our holiday, we booked a bunch of activities! We started off the morning with a round of aqua jets, which the older two have loved at a previous holiday and Robin is finally big enough for. They really enjoyed this! Then we took a walk and played at the park before we went to our pottery painting activity. This was a proper one where the pottery gets glazed, which we picked up later. We then headed out for lunch at the Pancake House, which was fantastic, before going back to swimming. Then, we headed to our home town, which is quite close by, to do raid hour in Pokemon Go before coming home for a late dinner and bed.

August 13th – Owls, Archery, and Swimming

Midweek at Center Parcs, we started off the day with Dann and Kai going to archery and Amelia sleeping in. Robin and I went on a huge walk and then settled at the park before we all met back at the cabin for lunch. Lunch was out at another restaurant, before we headed to bowling. Amelia won, which is a rare moment, so we got some drinks to celebrate and played outside in the good weather. In the afternoon, the girls and I went on a secret walk where we went to the splash park, and spent a few hours splashing about before bed.

August 14th – Splash Park Mainly!

Today was primarily a day of being in the splash park, having lunch, then being back in the splash park, before having dinner, then going to the splash park. It was just a big, splash-park kind of day! We also did some walking around Center Parcs and some shopping, but really everyone just wanted to be in the splash park.

August 15th – Activities before Heading Home

We packed up in the morning before heading off to our first activity, which was Kai jumping off of a building. He had a lot of fun! Then the girls and I went to a cupcake class while Dann and Kai finished packing up. We decided to go to our favorite place for lunch, one last time, which was fantastic. Everyone got to pet the robot cat! We then spent the rest of the day in the splash pool, before heading home to reset all of our bags and wash all of our clothing. It was a long holiday but one well worth it with a lot of core memories made.

August 16th – Pokemon Go Day

A lot of today was actually just de-packing from holiday. We got through all of the laundry and really reset the house. We all went out for Kyroge Shadow Raids, a part from Kai who went to the gym. We also did some of the Pikachu raids and did a bit of nothing. Dann and I fly out to Germany tomorrow for Gamescom, so it was just a lot of getting ready for an early morning.

August 17th – Off to Germany

Every year Dann and I go to Germany for Gamescom, so we left at 4am to get there. We specifically go to Cologne, Germany, and have done basically all of the touristy things you could possibly do there in our years of visiting. This time, we got landed, walked around for a few hours, ate some food, then went to sleep in our hotel to catch up on all the missing rest. In the evening, we met up with some work friends for a dinner, before returning back to bed for much needed sleep.

August 18th – Devcom day 1

I came to Gamescom to play games! Devcom is on the first few days, so Dann and I went early to check out the games there. We are staying a less than ten minute walk from the venue, so we were able to get there quickly and start playing games. It’s a fun little event that feels like the calm before the storm. Then, we headed to dinner in the evening with work friends before heading back to our room for some sleep.

August 19th – Mobile Games Awards

Today started much like yesterday; heading to Devcom to play a bunch of games! I had a meeting today as well, which went well. We did a lot of networking and playing, before heading to a party, where we did more networking. Then, in the evening, the Mobile Games Awards were being held! The food here was very good and the atmosphere was fun. Lots of people accepting awards, speeches and good vibes. We then headed back to our hotel to sleep ahead of Gamescom.

August 20th – Gamescom

This is the quietest day of Gamescom! We did a big walk around all of the halls, playing a lot of the more AAA games before the general crowd comes. We also checked out the Pokemon Go Truck and I did a lot of catching the background Pikachu that can only appear at Gamescom. It was a long day of lots of games, walking around, hanging out with friends, and generally being on our feet. In the evening, we had another after party but felt quite tired so left early and ended up at one of the best Asian restaurants we have ever been too; we got starters, mains, and really enjoyed just being together before heading back to our hotel.

August 21st – More People!

The Thursday at Gamescom is far more packed, but we were there all day! Dann and I played a bunch of the games we wanted to play, meet up with some of our friends, and I ended up winning the Wednesday claw machine (from the TV series) which was cool. Dann and I had a lot of meetings, which were all fun, and we checked out of our hotel as we were going back late in the evening. We did get to stay until the closing of the day, before we headed to McDonalds to try some of their different food; I got the pepper chicken nuggets (which were pretty decent) and the pineapple pie which was absolutely fantastic. We then waited at the airport until our flight at 11, landing back home at around 1 am.

August 22nd – New Hair

Today, I woke up and started chores and resetting the house before heading to get my hair done! We went for pinks and purples, which look really fun. It took ages though! After, I headed home to prep as it was a Raid Hour evening for Pokemon Go, which Amelia was so excited for. We went out to Raid Hour, had a great time, then went to Mui and Koko for dinner with our family and some friends. I was exhausted by bedtime, so went right to bed.

August 23rd – ALL Pokemon

Today was a Pokemon Gigantamax day from 10 am until 6 pm, so we went out EARLY. There were over 80 people at the peak of the day, which is wild! Amelia and Robin came out too (along with Dann), and they ended up inviting one of their friends back to ours for lunch, before we returned to Pokemon Go. Then, two of their friends came over for dinner. It was a packed day, but we all had a lot of fun. Kai had not had any of the items he needed to finish his artwork while at his other house, so had to spend most of today doing his homework due to the lack of support over there, which sucked but we made the most of it.

August 24th – Pokemon and the Beach

Pokemon was also on today from 10 am to 6 pm, but we were not out for the full day. We started early and then went home for lunch, before doing one more hour out. At this point, all of us had gotten everything we wanted, so we headed to Clacton-on-Sea for their last firework show of the season. We headed to the beach, where there was a live cover band that we listened to. Robin then really wanted to go to the arcade, so we headed to a steak house for dinner, before going to the arcade until firework time. We all picked a great spot on the beach and watched the fireworks before heading home.

August 25th – Harlow Rock Drop

Mondays are always busy, but this one was a lot! We went to the Harlow Rock Drop, which is this really fun rock painting and hiding event. Kai headed to the gym with his friend as he had finally finished his summer work over the weekend. The weather was fantastic and it was fun hanging out! We then headed home for a little bit before heading up town to play a new board game at Geek Retreat; Don’t Fall for It. It was a fun, trivia game! Dann and Kai stayed up town to play Magic the Gathering, while the girls and I went shopping for dinner, grabbed some milkshakes, and waited for Pokemon Go Max Monday. We then spent an hour playing Pokemon with a bunch of friends before heading home for girls night. Amelia and Robin helped me cook dinner, we watched High School Musical 2, painted our nails and did face masks before heading to bed once the boys got back.

August 26th – Quang’s Birthday

It was Quang’s birthday today! I started off the day normally, by doing a bunch of work. Before Quang’s party, Amelia and Robin spent some of the day playing with toys, and we get a lot of the house under control and caught up on chores. Then, in the evening, we joined Quang for a big dinner at Nom Nom Restaurant in London. This is my absolutely favorite Vietnamese place. After dinner, which was a lot of fun and full of friends, Quang took a bunch of us to NQ64, which is a barcade. Then, after Dann and I spent our tokens, we went home around midnight!

August 27th – It’s Tom’s Birthday!

Back to back birthdays?! Today was a day where I focused a lot on work and got a lot of writing done, which was fantastic. There are so many things I am slightly behind on, so I was powering through all of that. Then, I started prep for Tom’s birthday, which was hosted at my house. I made dinner for him; gnocchi mac n cheese which is his absolute favorite. Dann and I went out to Raid Hour before his birthday party, which was so much fun, then we headed home and finished prep in time for everyone to come over. The party was lovely and we ended up playing a board game before switching to JackBox TV until midnight, then I went right to sleep.

August 28th – Outdoor Cinema

Today, I went back to catch up at work! I got so much writing done again today, which was very, very good, and I have so many more review items to get through and do. In the afternoon, we did a bit of painting and crafting as Amelia and Robin are working on submissions for a local contest and wanted to paint for it, which is due soon. Then, in the evening, everyone went out to the Outdoor Cinema to watch the Hunger Games, two of Robin and Amelia’s friends also joined us, so it was a very cute little adventure. We all took pictures of the big dipper before heading home at the end of the movie.

August 29th – Chill Day

Kai had a big afternoon out with his friends as a sort of “school is coming up soon” day, which was a good break from spending time at the gym and playing video games. I asked Amelia and Robin what they wanted to do today, and they said trampolines! So, we spent some of the day doing some work and finishing up their painting projects before heading off to our local Urban Limitz, where we all jumped around quite a bit. It was a fun little activity, and we ended up playing some Pokemon in the evening as there is a new raid Pokemon out, that has a fun shiny. Amelia said she wanted to start collecting Pokemon Cards today, so we ripped a massive pack of cards and had a look at what she got.

August 30th – The Wombats Live

Today was a very packed Saturday! We started off the morning going to see the in-laws, who had a stand set up at the local mall to sell their jewellery. Robin wanted to get some pieces, so we headed over to visit her and see her stand right at opening. As Amelia wanted to start collecting Pokemon Cards, we went into Geek Retreat to purchase a few individual cards for her collection. She’s after Eevees and “cute cards” so it’s an interesting mix! Then, in the afternoon, we headed out for Pokemon Go Community Day, before Dann, myself, and two of our friends went to see Razerlight and The Wombats live. I have never seen a live band before that I knew all the songs and all the words to, so this was a really fantastic evening! We were right at the front the whole time too, which was fantastic. We got home around 1 am and went right to bed.

August 31st – Writing

Today, I really needed to work on formatting my second book, so that’s what I did! In the afternoon, I took a little break to go to Mega Raid Day in Pokemon Go, which was a much needed fun break, then I went right back home to writing. Dann made me lunch and dinner today, making sure that I didn’t need to do anything at all, and we got 15,000 words reformatted and written today. Fingers crossed this book is finished soon.