Odds and Ends

Just a quick post with a few photos from the last few weeks that didn't fit into any other post.

Toby was very proud last week to gain his first swimming badge - Duckling. To get it he had to swim halfway across the pool without me helping him (armbands allowed). It took a couple of goes to

get it, not because he can't do it but because he likes to do his own thing at swimming.

Poor Lesley, the teacher, has a constant battle getting him to follow any instructions and he certainly won't listen to me while in there! I don't think it helps that the entire class is made up of three-year-old boys, seven altogether. A girl did come but she only lasted a week (wonder why??). In many ways, three seems far too young to be doing lessons as they are a bit too structured but I think we'll carry on for a little while and see what happens - Beth didn't start lessons until September 2010 and she's now just about swimming on her own so I don't think it's too much of a worry with Toby.

On the last day of school before they broke up for Easter, there was an egg rolling competition (a yearly tradition) and the Easter fair. Each child is given a wooden egg and at the given signal they have to try and get it as close as possible to the target in the middle of the netball court. Everyone else sits and stands around the outside. As Steve mentioned, it is rather dangerous as most of the kids have terrible aims but no one got boinked this year!

I think Beth was a little disappointed with her effort as it landed about three feet away from her - far too gentle (or it got knocked out of her hand!). She is third from the right. They all got a little chocolate egg for their efforts so she soon forgot. Toby wasn't that interested in the egg rolling and played with his friend on

the school play area - here he is balanced on the fencepost.

Quick boast to finish, Beth won an achievement reward for outstanding effort at school. As I was away last week, I didn't get chance to ask her teachers just what it was for but have to assume it's for writing. In the last month or so, Beth has just taken to writing and is getting pretty good. It also looks pretty nice as they teach joined up writing right from the start. I'll have to find a recent piece and post it. :)

How Did This Happen . . . ?

Today, at 8am (or 4pm depending on whether we're celebrating UK or CA time), Beth officially turned five. It's been a long countdown and I'm certainly a little tired of "How many sleeps?" (and the countdown has already started for her sixth, along with Christmas!).

Once again we had a two-day celebration with gran, grandad, Uncle Andy and her cousins coming on Sunday, then grandma and grandpa and a party on Monday. Sunday was a mixture of eating - it was a beautiful day so took advantage and had a bbq, and a visit to the pigs.

I think all the kids enjoyed seeing the pigs. I don't think the cousins realised they were at someone's house rather than at a farm - guess a fairly easy mistake to make since not that many people have pigs, hens, geese, ducks, dogs and cat around their garden along with an ongoing stream of visitors! Apart from a rather violent finish to one of Adam's zip wire runs, they all had a lovely time chasing around.

Back at ours Beth opened all the presents she received and was very happy with her gains. A barbie doll and a barbie hairstyling 'head', a CD player along with some music (to send Steve and I round the bend!), some clothes and various other bits and pieces.

Today she supplemented all that with another barbie and a horse, a Princess Fiona dress, beads, art sets, and the list goes on! A very lucky girl. Her party was hard work but she loved having her friends come and celebrate. They are such a nice bunch of kids and as a first party with no parents, it went well - outfit was all important and the girls were definitely checking each other out and making judgments, the boys weren't quite so critical as for them accessories were key, one with a pirates sword and the other with a cowboy hat.

In all a great couple of days after a few very difficult days (that post will come later) and I think Beth thoroughly enjoyed herself. Thanks to everyone that sent birthday wishes/gifts as they were all appreciated. Happy 5th Birthday Beth, our beautiful, energetic, imaginative girl.

First 'School' Trip

Today Toby went on his first (pre) school trip. It was to Clumber Park, one of our local jaunts. As a parent and committee member, I got roped into going along as a responsible adult (!?!).

Toby was very excited at the prospect and much to Beth's annoyance kept on about it all the way to school. We met at the conservation centre and jumped straight into looking at leaves, flowers and bugs. After the first of many toilet trips, everyone was ready to explore.

Normally when we go, we follow the same route which generally covers the play area, the lakeside, sometimes the restaurant and occasionally the walled garden. It was rather nice to go a different way and see what else was about.

Apart from the lure of running free (as he normally would when there), all the kids did pretty well at listening to the National Trust staff as they talked about the trees, animals and flowers. They measured the circumference of a tree trunk in children (roughly 13 though I suspect we could have lost a few), explored a den, feed squirrels and smelled lots of herbs.

Of course the highlight of the day for Toby was eating his packed lunch! After a 5:15am wake-up (not by choice) we were both a little tired and headed home for a quick snooze on the sofa before collecting Beth.

Green Fingered Girl

Every Autumn at Beth's school, each child is given a pot, some compost and a daffodil bulb with rather detailed directions on how to plant and grow it. The children have to take it home, plant it, look after it and try and get it to be in bloom, looking perfect at the end of March.

On that one particular day in March, a member of the village gardener's association comes in and judges all the daffodils. From what I've heard there is intense competition between parents to produce a prize specimen!

Anyway, as you can see, Beth planted her bulb a few weeks after we got it (perhaps the secret is to plant with your eyes closed . . . ). We followed the instructions as best we could all through winter. Our daffodil came into flower at the beginning of March much to our dismay since judging wasn't until March 30th.

Luckily, it stayed looking pretty good so we walked to school on Wednesday with it waving in the wind and with a fair amount of admiration coming our way.

When I collected Beth on Wednesday afternoon, she came out very happily with her first place certificate and winners gift! Well done Beth, a prize-winning gardener at the age of four. :)

Happy 70th Grandma Jean

Today is Grandma Jean's 70th birthday. To celebrate, the family gathered for a birthday lunch at a favourite pub.

Beth and Toby were in their glad rags looking very dapper. Steve and I a little less smart - thinking about what I wore, I realise that a shopping trip is needed . . . I could quite easily have been going to a funeral rather than a fun celebration. My wardrobe definitely needs a makeover - I really think that perhaps the government should provide a 'stay-at-home mum's fun clothing allowance' (nevermind the economic recovery)!

Anyway, despite the drab outfit the day was lots of fun. We got caught up with family gossip and goings on and had some lovely fodder, finishing off with a slice of birthday cake. :)

Happy Birthday Grandma Jean, we hope you had an enjoyable day. x