Gardening Hastings Style

We've got a muddy corner of the garden where we (erm, Liam actually) filled in the pond. The kids love to dig in this, and make a swamp. Today's swamp had a bit more character. This is what evolves when you leave Sam and Leah creating!

Look closely and you'll see a storm trooper lurking - obviously! Chess pieces are so boring on a board - much better in a swamp!

This swamp is the perfect place for Sam, he seems to have no concept of cleanliness! Where as most people avoid muck, Sam is oblivious to where he's putting his hands!

The muckier he is, the happier he is! At one point, Leah fell in the swamp and got her trousers wet. She started crying because she was dirty until I pointed to Sam and she realised she was like Kim and Aggie in comparison!

Its amazing what you can find in Danbury Swamps...

KS1 Sports Day

Here's Sam's sports day! Sam isn't as much an outdoors person as Megan is. His home is his favourite place, he'd rather not run or play football, he'd much rather play the playstation, or draw, or play a game, or do something inside. He'll often moan if we tell him we're going out, but when he's there, he'll have a great time.

At the sports day, I was sat with a mum who's daughter had been up all through the night before, worrying about the races! Sam on the other hand was SO excited, even though sports aren't his forte! It was cancelled because of bad weather last week and he was gutted, and then full of excitement that the weather was good on the rescheduled date.

He was in a sprint, an egg and spoon race and a skipping race and his positioning in each was similar! In the sprint, he came last, but if you can see in this picture, he was grinning the whole way!

The egg and spoon race started like this - can you spot Sam, he's the one picking the egg up again!It ended with a big straight run without dropping it, but unfortunately every one else had finished by then!And skipping was never going to be his thing - while megan would skip round the world, Sam would rather swing the rope round his head!

But you know what, he gave it a much better go than I would have expected and he certainly wasn't the only boy to struggle!

By now, Liam will be cursing me for not being more positive about Sam! But you know what? He didn't win any of the races, but I was still really proud of him because he had a fantastic time! He didn't care that he didn't win - I would have said he didn't even notice, but he did 'cause he told me as a matter of fact exactly where he came in each race, but that was in the same breath as telling me he loved sports day.

He could have moaned or given up, but there was no need because he was enjoying it all so much - I hope that positivity stays with him.

Next year I think some training might be needed! We might have some sports-themed FHE's next July!

And Leah got to have a race, even with chickenpoxs!

Scarey Robots

We sped to Basildon for the pound cinema and got there too late - all the tickets were sold out (our fault for stopping at the co-op to get supplies!). Luckily for us, a giant robot was scheduled to appear at the cinema! It was amazing! It rolled in on the back of a trolley and then leaped off and marched around, intimidating small children and chatting up pretty girls!

Leah sobbed when it marched towards her but Megan stood her ground and loved it when the robot told her he liked her!Sam was satisfied just to hide behind me most of the time, until Liam took Leah outside and then he jumped at the chance to join them! I don't blame him, at one point the robot marched towards me and I nearly fell over an advertising board in my haste to back away! Megan is definitely the one to protect us if ever the robots try and take over the world!

KS2 Sports Day

Now down to the serious business of Sports Day! This is our first sports at St John's and its SERIOUS!

Two years ago at Meersbrook Bank School, they had a non-competative sports day! All the kids just got to try loads of different fun sports - no winners and losers. They gave up on it the next year and it was a regular sports day.

So this was our first experience of Sports Day at St John's - and I have to admit to gasping when I saw that there were 54 races listed on the programme! ...and Megan was in only 5 of them!

She was in the first race of the day - the 60m sprint...and I missed it! I know I'm usually late for everything, but I really wasn't this time. I purposely arrived a few minutes late because Leah was still very spotty and I wanted to sneak in at the back and avoid funny looks. But I felt a bit gutted when she mimed across the track that she'd won it! Luckily, she kept winning so I got to see more success!

I suppose it should be no surprise that she won the skipping race - I think Meersbrook Bank should claim some of the success for the that one - they were big on skipping and really encouraged her.

But the egg and spoon as well? That's my girl - she came first in all 3 of her individual races. Of course her athletic abilities come straight from me and Liam - it MUST be in her blood!

Next was the obstacle relay. I see how Megan prepares for a race - I think its some sort of yoga move - she was probably humming at the same time as standing on one leg to concentrate her mind...

The cargo net may have slowed her down, but...

...her yoga must have worked because her team won! Four wins out of four!

We had been there for nearly 2 hours and Leah was getting wriggley so we mouthed our apologies to Megan and left. Her final relay team managed to come 3rd.

What a fanastically sporty girl we have! I was thrilled! Well done Megan!

Chicken Pox

Look if you've got a strong stomach! Its been a thin blogging week because we've struck down with the lurgey, the chicken pox...or Leah has and so we've all been house-bound.

It hasn't been too traumatic, she wasn't covered from head to toe like Sam was, but she's been very disturbed by the thought of people looking at her with spots. Luckily, her hair REALLY needs a cut so she's regularly hidden behind a long fringe.

Lorraine looked after her on Tuesday and Leah wouldn't let Lorraine even look at her for an hour and a half! Lorraine had to hover in the kitchen and leave drinks and snacks in the hall so that Leah could collect them (she likes to pander to her neices and nephew!).

Thats it now - all three children have had chicken pox, so we're safe.

Dick Van Dyke

Every now and then I think about my fantasy dinner party list - who would you invite to your ultimate dinner party?

No offence to anyone reading who isn't on my list (and that will be most of you as there's only 2 on my list so far!) - don't take it personally - this is a VERY specialist list and this just isn't your role in my life right now!

So far I only have 2 confirmed guest (well, they haven't actually confirmed yet, but I'm sure they will when I specify the date): Dick Van Dyke and Susan Warmsley. Intimate, I know. I'm struggling to add more with the quality of guest being so high.

Dick van Dyke was first on the list for obvious reasons - he would be so entertaining - he might start tap dancing with his cane, he definitely would sing and maybe he would paint a picture on the pavement?

To compliment him, I would have to have Susan Warmsley there. Her dinner-table stories are AMAZING! In particular the pig-killer story (which I think is off the agenda now - if you missed that one, you may have missed your chance - your loss) will send shivers down your spine, but she'll astound you with other stories! And I know that before the night was over, she would be doing a floor show with Dick van Dyke - and it wouldn't surprise me if she had her own tap shoes.

Dick van Dyke has always been a big part of my life - having watched Mary Poppins and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang so often growing up - I feel like he's a member of my family! So imagine my pleasure as a grown up - to be able to watch Diagnosis Murder...everyday if I choose! And now with our hard drive recorder set to record the series, I don't even have to miss any episodes! But it evens get better than that - it seems to be set to record the series indefinitely - when one series ends, it automatically starts recording again when the new one starts! So clever.

And now, it seems I have a constant reminder of my friend Dick van Dyke.

When we moved from Sheffield to Essex, I knew I was fighting a losing battle. It was just unrealistic to think that my children would keep their northern accents...despite me publicly ridiculing them when ever they slipped! After almost a year, all three children generally still say bath and path - I thought I was winning, but Sam's accent has changed in a way I wasn't ready for.

He's turned into Dick van Dyke!

I'm struggling to be able to describe in words how he's pronouncing things...but think of Dick van Dyke in Mary Poppins - remember his English accent? Thats a bit how Sam sounds at the moment! Or possibly Eliza Doolittle before Professor Higgins gets his hands on her!

Remember how she had to practice saying Aye, eeee, iiiiii, ooooo, uuuuu? Its constant now in our house, but Sam's going the other way - his school friends (and evil essex relations) are influencing him to go from saying "The rain in Spain stays mainly in the plain", to "The Raaayn in Spaaaayn staaayyys maaaynly in the plaaayn."???

I don't ever want to hear you ridicule Dick van Dyke's accent, maaayte. Because thats what my son sounds like and I'm standing up and saying I still love him. sob.

Creativity Life!

Did I mention my latest brush with the media? Last month I was on the radio, this month I have an article in a magazine! I have to say this is definitely a "who you know, not what you know" moment! Becks recently started a new job which included editing a new scrapbooking magazine. She wanted an article on family history, and knowing that I'm a family history bore, asked me if I'd write one. I haven't EVER done anything like that before - my dad told me to always choose maths over english 'cause if you know your stuff, you can get 100% in maths, but its hard to get that in english. Makes sense to me, so thats what I've always done.

But I can't turn down a salary! So I thought I'd give it a go and here we are! My article's in the magazine! Go and see if you can get a copy - they're available in craft shops.

I rang the tax office last week to check I was giving the magazine the right tax numbers so they can pay me, and nice tax lady wanted to update her records. She asked what my business was and I stuttered "erm...well I've written an article for a magazine..." She replied "Ahhh, so you're an author."

My toes curled a little and I stuttered a bit more, but left it at that! Not really, but for that one moment on the phone I was an author!

Anyway, I'm off to clean my toilet, put some washing in and make the kids packed lunches now! Reality bites!

Bad, Bad Uncle

I've spend months educating my kids to either ignore the camera if I'm trying to get natural shots, or to play up to it if I'm feeling that way inclined. Months, maybe even years.

Then I spot a cute uncle-moment where my girls are climbing all over their uncle and I grab my camera.

ONE WORD FROM THAT BAD, BAD UNCLE AND THEY'RE ALL HIDING (yes, they were angry capital letters!).

I keep telling those children, don't listen to Uncle Richard, he's trouble. I know Sam is naturally following in his footsteps, but surely my girls don't have to go that way too???

Cupcakes

What are the traits of a great visiting teacher? Good listener? Reliability? Thoughtfulness? Or is it just cupcake perfection?

I think I am the most blessed member of RS to have the visiting teachers I've got and I'm NOT going to swap! Not only do Julie Gadsby and Rachel West come every month and inspire me and make me laugh, but sometimes they bring cakes!

...to die for!

And just to prove how much I love my daughter...

And here's what we think of the cakes:

Nirvana

Its my weekends of treats! After the party, I popped home to get my things, then went to Delores', then we both went to Auntie Margaret's house in High Wycombe.

It started with a curry and a film (lets not mention the film!), and before I knew it I was being woken with a hot chocolate and a cooked breakfast!

For my birthday, Auntie Margaret had arranged to take me to Nirvana for the day, and Delores had booked a floatation therapy session for me! I KNOW! Get me!

Not being a spa expert I wasn't quite sure what to expect. I'd seen the pictures on their website, but the reality was SO luxurious! Actually, a day without any responsiblity is luxury in itself, but being in such lovely surroundings was amazing!

The fact is, you can only relax there. We started in the hydration pool, then I went to swim some lengths - this helped me to justify relaxing for the rest of the day! That was my work for the day - it doesn't take much to pacify me!

Just before lunch, I went off for my floatation therapy...and I had to be trained first for 15 minutes! It was a dead sea salt pool and I had to be trained on how to stop floating! Who'd have thought I'd need training to stop floating, but I did! And if there had been an exam on stopping floating, I don't think I would have passed! The instructor showed us how to reach for our toes and gracefully stand up, and I did okay in the mock, but when it was actually time for me to stop floating, I still flapped around like I was drowning! And its not so good to splash salty water at other bathers - they don't appreciate an eyeful...

What a lovely float I had. You float in a darkened room with 5 other floaters, gazing at a twinkley ceiling and listening to soothing music. A gentle current moves you round the pool, although you can't really feel direction. And if you've really mastered it, you fall asleep while floating. I didn't manage that. I'd say my body was really relaxed, but mind didn't manage to switch off! It was a lovely 40 minutes of indulgence. I think I need another go to get it right!

My other favorite things were the ceramic heated loungers! We all had a snooze on them. They don't look so comfy, but they're amazing - I'd like 4 for my garden.

I was SO spoiled - it was such a treat and auntie Margaret and Delores were great company. This is the life I was born for!

Garden Party

What a treat!

On Sunday, Liam's work had arranged a party for all its employees and their families. Yippee! Usually the parties are only for Liam, and I just have to listen to his stories, not being an employee and so not having my own parties to go to! So it was nice to go with him and lovely to take the kids.

Chris (one of Liam's bosses) lives near us in Ulting. What an amazing house! The weather wasn't very nice, and it was forecast rain, but it stayed dry long enough!

While I drooled over the house and gardens, Sam was more excited about the marquee with drinks in - they had all kinds of drinks, alcoholic and soft, including Fruit Shoots - he couldn't believe his luck!We had been discussing what would happen if it rained - I think they were expecting about 60 people all in all - I was wondering what kind of house was going to fit us all in if it rained! But they had all weathers covered - through the hedges, we could see another lovely marquee.Before we ate, we explored the gardens. They have a beautiful lavender garden with a fountain - gorgeous colours.Beautiful flowers all round the garden - I can't imagine how much maintaining it takes.

There was a badminton net - all the kids played, even when it was pouring with rain! And a croquet lawn!It didn't take the kids long to find the barn - it had a table tennis table and a snooker table. I'm not sure about their technique, but the kids had great fun trying them out.
The partners also kindly provided other children to entertain my kids. In particular, John provided a 9, 7 and 3 year old for my 8, 6 and 4 year old to play with! It didn't take long for them to pair up!In fact Leah and Ben were quite happy wandering around the gardens, oblivious to the fact that their chaperones were shadowing them! From a distance, of course! Wouldn't want to cramp their style.

When it was time for lunch, it was a feast - salmon and beef and lovely salads and new potatoes.
Then desserts to please everyone! Especially Megan because the waitress let her have a grown up's chocolate roulade instead of a children's cupcake!

After a delicious lunch, there was just time for a bit more playing. After watching a display game of croquet...

...the kids had a go.

I have to say, I felt slightly nervous seeing Sam with a big mallet! Luckily he used it more to rest on than swing round!

Also there were at least 4 solicitors taking notes in case any negligence claims were made!

As we left at the end of a lovely afternoon, Sam was bragging that he'd had 9 Fruit Shoots!? I think Liam was secretly proud!