Thursday 5th June 2025

Holland Blog Day 4: Shopping, Soaring, and Secret Agent Assassins!

Day 4 arrived and getting the kids up was like trying to wake the dead, and let's be honest, getting the adults up wasn't much easier! We were all moving with the enthusiasm of sloths on sedatives. Thankfully, breakfast wasn't until 9am, so everyone got a well-deserved lie-in.

Breakfast was, once again, a roaring success – if by success you mean watching another litre tub of Nutella disappear faster than your sanity on a school trip! The kids have now perfected the art of Nutella distribution and are basically running a self-service breakfast empire. They've got this whole operation down to a fine art, and honestly, we're just impressed they haven't stuck their faces directly into the jar yet!

Today was shopping day! Time to hit the town and find those "lovely" gifts for all you wonderful parents back home. And boy, did they deliver on the shopping front. The phrase "useful things" has never been used more ironically. You are genuinely in for a treat, and by treat, I mean prepare yourselves for an avalanche of questionable purchases. We're talking sweets that will rot their teeth before they get home, keyrings that serve no earthly purpose, rocks (yes, actual rocks), more capybara teddies (because apparently you can never have enough), unicorn hats that defy all fashion logic, sunglasses that make them look like tiny celebrities, and pretty much anything else that caught their magpie-like attention!

But wait, there's more! Quite a few "interesting" presents were bought for each other. It seems some rather "special" friendships are blossoming within the group – and by special, we mean the kind that involve blushing, giggling, and sudden shyness. Young love is in the air, people! Don't say we didn't warn you.

Next up was the chairlift adventure to reach the mini golf course. The kids absolutely loved it, and their competitive sides came out in full force. Now, here's where Mr Beckett made a critical error in judgment. In a moment of what can only be described as misplaced confidence, he challenged the kids to a hole-in-one competition, promising 5 euros to anyone who managed it. Poor Mr Beckett clearly underestimated the golfing prowess of your offspring, and let's just say his wallet is feeling significantly lighter tonight! The kids were obviously far better than he anticipated, and he learned the hard way never to bet against determined 10 and 11-year-olds with something to prove.

Then came the tobogganing down the metal track speed slide – and what a sight that was! The kids absolutely loved it and pushed themselves to the absolute limit, hitting some seriously impressive speeds while conveniently "forgetting" to notice most of the brake signs. We're talking proper daredevil stuff here! Thankfully, we managed to avoid any casualties, though there were a few moments where we wondered if we'd be making some awkward phone calls home.

After all that excitement, it was back to the hotel for a bit of packing before dinner. I'm genuinely worried about how some of these suitcases are going to make it home. I'm pretty sure the clothes that left home in neat, folded perfection will be returning looking like they've been through a blender. But hey, that's what washing machines are for, right?

After dinner, it was straight up to grab their gear and head off to laser tag in the caves. Everyone was buzzing with excitement, including Miss McCormack, who was practically bouncing off the walls! Now, your children are normally the picture of politeness and good manners – absolute angels, really. But the moment those laser packs went on, they underwent a complete transformation! Sweet, innocent girls suddenly became ruthless assassins, and the boys... well, let's just say all those hours of video games have clearly been excellent training! It was seriously competitive, with kids finding the most ingenious hiding spots and picking off their targets with military precision. Honestly, it was both impressive and slightly terrifying!

Alongside the laser tag carnage, the children got to experience 'The Bounce' – a massive netted climbing area that soared about 50 feet into the air. There were sections of springy nets that jutted out over the edge with huge bouncy balls, and it became the ultimate test of bravery and showing off. The real challenge was walking out over the 50-foot-high bridge made entirely of netting. Many of the kids tackled this like absolute champions, treating it like a casual stroll in the park. The staff, however... well, let's just say only Mr McIlvenny was brave enough to face the challenge! The rest of us were quite happy to keep our feet firmly on solid ground! 

We'll leave you with a special video message from the kids tonight – brace yourselves!

But before we sign off tonight, we need to take a moment to be serious (just for a minute, we promise!).

We are absolutely bursting with pride watching your children this week. These incredible kids have conquered fears that seemed insurmountable, cheered each other on through every challenge, and become the most amazing support network for one another. They've shown independence we didn't know they had, looking after themselves and each other with such maturity and kindness.

From the nervous faces on Day 1 to the confident adventurers we see before us now – they've tried absolutely everything we've thrown at them with enthusiasm and courage. The bonds they've formed and the memories they've created will genuinely last a lifetime. Watching them grow has been nothing short of magical.

This group is truly something special – they're a fantastic testament to Towerview Primary School and, most importantly, to each and every one of you as parents. You should be incredibly proud of the remarkable young people you're raising. We certainly are!

See you all tomorrow at 10:25pm at Belfast International Airport. We can't wait to reunite you with your slightly more worldly, definitely more sugar-fueled and absolutely wonderful offspring!

Sweet dreams (while you still can)!