We had decided to do a holiday for Mums 60th for a long time. I booked up a villa and flights in the January for all of us which was me, Rich, Thomas, Mum, Dad, Michelle, Chris, Amelia and Kate. We were heading for Crete on the Greek Island on 5th-13th May. We were super excited as we hadn't done a family holiday since Egypt for Dad's 60th. Although we were missing Katie and her family so that was a shame.

I booked in for our two cars to head to Gatwick and park on a drive. We were taking Richards car and dad's car on the trip. We left super early as some of the passengers were anxious about getting there in time for the flight so we were on the road for half 7ish for a 11.10 flight. We had a smooth ride to Gatwick and through security and went to Weatherspoon's for some breakfast and to feed Thomas before the flight. He was due a nap so we managed to get him to snooze in the pram thankfully for a little bit, like 30 mins. We then grabbed some food for the plane. We were on a row with a lady. The others were spread over 2 rows. The flight was about 4 hours and it wasn't to bad. Thomas was very well behaved and we then struggled to get him to sleep in the carrier and put the sunshade over his head to block out all the noise and lights. He only managed to do about 30 mins. Once we arrived we had a fairly long walk to the car hire place. Chris drove and it was about an hour to the villa. We had a mini bus hired for the week. The villa owner left some food for us as he owned a restaurant nearby so he left some meats, chips and Greek salad and bread. It wad delicious after our journey. We quickly ate and fed Thomas and then got him into bed as it had been a long day and he hadn't slept loads. We had hired a villa and there was a smaller villa which had a kitchen and a bedroom so we took that one to try help Thomas sleep better. The bedroom was massive and it was all glass windows/doors and there was a hot tub in the room as well. It did have the squeakiest of beds though, you couldn't breathe without it making a loud noise. We set Thomas up in the kitchen each night and put tin foil on the windows. There was a pool, play area, swings and a gym here and not forgetting the hot tub which was pretty cool. We were set up a hill so had a pretty view as well of the sea and coast line. They had a horse across the road as well which we went and visited.

On Sunday there was a Lidl nearby so Michelle, Kate, Chris and Dad went and got a big shop for the week. I think they spent maybe 150 euros on so. Me, Mum, Rich, Amelia and Thomas stayed behind and enjoyed the sunshine. The others were gone a few hours before they came back. We had a chilled day by the villa and some pizza for lunch with the left over dinner food. It was great as we put Thomas off for his naps and then went and sunbathed beside the villa. The monitor signal wouldn't stretch to far so we couldn't go to the pool area. We went and checked out the hot tub which was really nice and even Thomas came in but the jets were off. There was an outdoor BBQ outside our villa which made a nice area for eating. We had a BBQ that night which Chris cooked and was delicious. Rich had to make burgers as they didn't have them in the shops. They didn't have sausages either so it was a bit different to back home.

On Monday the owner kindly left fresh pastries and bread. Rich and I headed to use the gym downstairs. This was my first workout after having Thomas and I didn't do to badly after 9/10 months. We took a trip to Rethymno old town to check it out. Me and Richard stopped at a cafe to have some lunch and feed Thomas whilst the others went for a walk. We had some calamari and dolmades and then a gyros (kebab) which had chips in it. We were loving it. They brought Thomas some little things to play with which was sweet but they would of definitely ended up in his mouth. After a while the others returned and were now hungry. We had to head back, it was only a 20 min ride but thought best to get Thomas home and sleep. The others stayed and we took some pics near the beach before we headed back. Thomas managed to get hold of a mini card which he proceeded to chew on and get blue ink all over his face. We got back and put him to bed and we sunbathed beside the villa. It was perfect really, we could put him to bed, sunbathe and observe him on the monitor. The others texted when they were ready and Rich had to go pick them back up. We had some chicken pasta and a tuna pasta for dinner with salad. Rich was thrilled to eat pasta on holiday (haha) We then went to go and see the horse across the road with Thomas but he was a fiesty horse and looked like he would bite you. Rich stayed well back.

Tuesday was Mums 60th birthday and we had made a reservation with the travel company for Polio house. I went across and decorated the main house before she woke up with balloons and banners. When they were all awake we came across to make breakfast so we did some omelettes for all. We spent the day at the villa chilling. The owner came to the house with his wife who was doing the cleaning and their young son. They didn't speak any English so we couldn't converse with them. We did try Thomas in the pool but as he had a cold we didn't keep him in for long as the pool was pretty cold. Kate was good for doing her daily swim and I had a daily splash but not for long. Amelia loved it and has a big jet ski float she went on. We left for 6 for dinner and we had a mix of starters to share and I had a beef stew which was really nice. I had asked our travel rep to organise a cake for mum so we had that as well. It was a lovely restaurant set in a courtyard with lovely trees. It was quiet apart from a few other families but I think we were eating quite early for the locals. We left for about 8ish I think in the end and headed back to the villa. Rich drove us back.

On Wednesday, we did another work out of the holiday. I guess not going to the gym back home gave me motivation to do something on holiday. We put Thomas down for this first nap before we went to check out the beach which was about a 10 min walk. Thomas was waking around 7ish which made a change from the 5am starts in the UK. The 2 hour time difference was working out nicely as we could keep him roughly on his schedule but it was +2 hours with the time difference. The beach wasn't the nicest of beaches but we were coming onto it from a side entrance. The water was lovely and warm though but there was no shade so me, Rich and Thomas didn't stay very long as it was pretty uncomfortable. Aunty Kate looked like she was loving it though. We took some pictures and then headed back to the villa. Not to long after Michelle and co headed back whilst the other 3 went for a look in the shops and for a drink. That night we had another bbq which Rich and I cooked for everyone.

Thursday was another pool day. There was another food shop before we headed home and mum headed this time but we stayed behind. We went out for dinner that night down by the sea to a restaurant which Michelle had found. It had some swings next to it. Amelia made some friends there. The restaurant was lovely and we again shared some starters (Rich wasn't massively impressed with having to share starters haha) I shared some moussaka with Kate which was lovely. Chris wanted some of the special fish but it was all gone by the time they took our order. It got very busy in there. We took some lovely pictures as the sunset. I then drove the truck back with Rich, Thomas, Mum and Dad. It was the only time I drove the van when we were there.

Fri, the owner came again to do some cleaning and Aunty Kate was really concerned by the lack of toilet paper which was amusing as she asked the owner a few times about it and we had some extra so said she could have that. He did get her some so all was good again. We all went out and ate out down near the beach for lunch. Aunty Kate wanted to go to some restaurant her, mum and dad had a drink in a few day earlier. I had a chicken kebab for lunch which was tasty. Once we finished up we headed back to the villa. Mum, Dad and Kate went for a wander around the shops for some gifts and Michelle and co were not far behind us. That night we had BBQ seabass, potatoes and salad. The seabass was cooked on the BBQ. It was ok but not as nice as everyone hoped for I think.

On Saturday it was rainy in the morning and once it cleared up the others headed off again so me Thomas and Rich went for lunch to a nice restaurant. It was really pretty and the ocean looked incredible from the balcony. We fed Thomas and Thomas tried a few chips the owner brought him. The owner loved Thomas and took him off for a cuddle and to show him off. At one point he had totally disappeared and he was in the kitchen with the waitress. I ordered some fried prawns and like a bready dish with tomatoes on top and cheese I think. Rich ordered dolmades again. It was quite filling for a lunch meal and probably a big mistake with our dinner that night. That evening we had people come into cook for us. It was like several courses. First was breads, then it was salads and coleslaw, cheese pies, lots of different meats, chips and then desserts and fruits. It was all delicious and just a shame we didn't do it earlier in the week as there was loads left so felt like such a waste. The cooks/waiters were lovely and it was a lovely treat. I think it was about 50 euros each but well worth it.

Sunday was home time so we had breakfast and then left about 11ish for a 2pm flight. We dropped the car back and they dropped the luggage to the airport front with Chris. We were put through to a family quick queue but as the family were messing around they ended up in the long queue. Good thing was I managed to get the big bottles of water though as they said is it for the baby. We were sat with Kate on the way back and it was a fairly straight forward flight again. Thomas giggled when we were descending, that boy loves things that could be scary. When we got to Gatwick it was a big old walk so Thomas went in a little push along thing. As usual there was a big queue when we got to Gatwick at passport control. Rich and Chris then went to pick the cars up but had to make 2 trips as the woman's son came along in a small car. We headed off home with the two kids in our car. Amelia passed out pretty quickly but Thomas did his usual fighting of it so we put him to bed once we got him home and he had dinner as it was to late for any other naps. It was overall a lovely holiday for Mum's 60th and we all enjoyed it. It was nice to spend time abroad with the family especially as mum and dad never go abroad when they should do and Aunty Kate enjoyed her time with us and cuddles with the kids. She will make a great nanny one day.