Bonfire Night – An Autumn Bucket List Update

Last Updated on 29 December 2023 by Colette

I LOVE Bonfire Night – it’s my Mum’s birthday and I have very fond memories of wrapping up warm (thick socks, leg warmers under our trousers, wellies, extra jumpers, hats, scarves, gloves) and going out to a local bonfire with Mum and Dad when we were children.  I want Ben and Chloe to have the same lovely memories of this time of year – particularly as I really don’t like Halloween and would much rather focus on Bonfire Night!

Last year we went to a locally organised bonfire – wrapped up warm, stood out in the cold for much longer than expected after the start time was mis-advertised / just plain late – the kids got fed up, Chloe fell face down in the mud (yes I laughed and took a picture) and then the boys were scared of the fireworks . . . hardly what you would call a roaring success . .  .  This year we decided to do things a little differently.

At all but 39 weeks pregnant I knew I wouldn’t be able to stand up for very long and didn’t particularly want to be in a large crowd where it was dark and my bump might not be noticed, my coat is a long way from doing up so I would find it hard to wrap up warm – aside from all this we didn’t really know what Ben and Chloe would think of the fireworks this year.  Ben remembers being scared of the big bangs last year so was apprehensive, Chloe of course doesn’t remember and was very excited by the prospect – every time she saw them on the tv or in a picture she would shout “fyeworks”.  I didn’t want them to miss out so suggested to Dave that we had a few small fireworks in the back garden and bought some sparklers.

Knowing that Finley also remembered his fear of the big fireworks last year I invited the Butlers round to our house so it felt more of an occasion.  We feasted on sausage butties and sweet potato wedges before wrapping up warm and taking ourselves outside.  The daddies took charge of setting off the fireworks while the mummies kept the children well back.  Chloe loved the fireworks and kept shouting “more” each time one was finished.  As it was a relatively small box of fireworks for use at home the noise was considerably more limited and the boys really enjoyed them this time – though kept their ear defenders on as there was still plenty of loud banging from round and about as other people enjoyed their fireworks locally.

I had expected each of the children to be a little nervous of the sparklers but not so!  With mittened hands and daddies by their sides to keep the sparklers at arms length each of them really enjoyed their three sparklers – both boys wanted more when they were finished!

Once our little display was finished we went back inside to warm up with hot Ribena and chocolate covered apples.  I had explained to Ben that my Grandma and Grandad used to give me and Aunty Nic hot Ribena when we were little and that it would give him a nice warm tummy.  Finley wasn’t too bothered by it but Ben and Chloe seemed to really enjoy theirs – which pleased me greatly!

I think the chocolate covered apples were probably a bit of a waste of money as each of them just munched the chocolate and left the apple – however all part of the experience!

We all had a lovely evening and it was definitely the right way to go about enjoying Bonfire Night for our families this year.  As the children get older we will of course go back to attending organised events but for now our little back garden display was just perfect.

So if you’ve been following our Autumn Bucket List this is the latest update:

1. Collect conkers27.10.13 – On our third attempt we finally found some conkers!

2. Get wrapped up and go to a bonfire (this might fall by the wayside depending on Beak!)  04.11.13 No bonfire but we did get wrapped up and go outside – it’s the best we will manage!

3. Kick leaves  22.09.13

4. Splash in puddles 22.09.13 (and basically every wet school run!) 

5. Make an apple crumble  29.09.13

6. Enjoy the fireworks (assuming Ben and Chloe aren’t scared this year . . . )  04.11.13

7. Introduce Ben and Chloe to the joys of hot Ribena 04.11.13

8. Autumn themed crafts

9. Celebrate my beautiful god daughter’s 1st birthday21.09.13

10. Introduce the kids to the joy of sparklers 04.11.13

11. Blow “dragon breath” in the cold air

12. Leaf rubbings 20.10.13 (Though I think we’ll have another go at this one!)

We are starting to blow dragon breath a little now – it was certainly much colder this morning going to school – but I haven’t managed to get decent photos yet!

If you want to know more about our Autumn Bucket list check out the original post here: Autumn Bucket List