I would of been prepared to pay a fine for quality family time!

For the first time ever I have been one of those naughty parents who has taken there children out of school in term time. I have never done this before but as my wife could not get any holidays in the half term week we thought we would not be taking the kids abroad this year. We had done 3 UK holidays but somehow they are just not the same as holidays overseas.

We were sat there one evening and just having a look around as you do when a deal to good not to do popped up and it was for a week in Menorca. We managed to get a free child place and a massive saving but it was going early October. We checked if my wife could get the dates and she could then we booked it for 4 of us, Me my wife and my twin 7 year olds Will and Matthew. My Daughter who is now 16 made a really sensible decision not to come as she has just started college and did not want to fall behind so we arranged for her to stay at home with her nanna. We contacted the School and put a holiday request in for the boys and fully expected to be fined as when we asked for the forms they were a little off with us. We completed the forms and sent them in to see what the reply they would come back with. As the boys had 100% attendance we got a letter to say whilst the wont authorise the days as holidays they would not take any further action and impose a fine. I would of been prepared to pay if they had as the family time is most precious time you can have in my opinion.

So we had booked the holiday but kept it as a surprise for the twins until there birthdays which are on 25th and 26th September ( Yes they have different birthdays even though they are twins ). By total luck one of the main things they wanted a present was a snorkle set to play with in the bath so this fit in perfectly with the theme as was bought them loads of holiday items and then did the big holiday reveal when they opened the last present together.

We knew once the secret was out to the boys they would be hyper and sure enough everybody in school knew that I was picking them up at dinner time on the Friday we were going. I went to collect them picked them up and then took them home for a quick change and then off we set to the Airport. It felt great to see how excited they were. They loved the airport and looking at the planes to see which one would be ours. When it was time to board the flight my boys started talking to the cabin steward while we waited at the door of the plane and straight away he asked them if they would like to meet the captain in the cockpit after the flight to which I thought he was joking. I was wrong as soon as we were up in the air he came along and asked them again and then told us if we waited until everyone else had got off they could do that. The flight was great and we waited whilst most got off and then he called them to the front. They then went into the cockpit and sat in the seats and were given a certificate, A kids pilot hat made out of card and one of the toy planes you get on aircraft with the box signed by the lady captain as a keep sake. What a way for them to start the holiday and make memories for life!

Future Pilot’s Will & Matthew

Once we got to the hotel it was late so went to drop of the cases and get a drink and some water for the morning. My wife had been on weather watch the last few weeks so I was really pleased when we woke up to find it was a lovely day and after getting breakfast and a few things for the room we were off to the pool, well several pools as the complex has about 6.

Will showing just how hot the splash pool was!

The boys waiting for there first Chinese in a restaurant!

We had a great week and the weather was a bit on and off and but that did not matter to us as we got to do all the things family’s should do. I got dragged into the coldest pools ever, we went to the lovely little cove and beach to try and catch fish with the nets we bought. We sat and watched mini-discos and they made friends with eveyone they could it was brilliant, just what we wanted to do.

The holiday was cheap as we went self catering but felt like we spent a fortune as the Euro rate was rubbish but it was worth every penny. Would I take them out of school more often the answer is no, this was a one off and we are already booked for school holidays next year on a cruise but you do see a massive difference in price so I can understand why people would.

Would it of been worth a fine 100% yes as you cant put a price on family time!