Early Summer Bits & Bobs

This really is going to be bits and bobs as I've been meaning to post for ages so things have just queued up ready to go on!

I'll start with the recent as I can remember that slightly better . . .

Last night Beth, along with her friend Alannah, went to their first concert.  It was outside at Sherwood Pines and there were four bands on through the evening.  


It was a perfect introduction for them as there was plenty of room for cartwheels and we could take a picnic and drinks to help pass the evening in relaxed civilisation!  She was very happy as we also bumped into another friend while there.

The bands playing were Hometown, Union J, The Tide and The Vamps.  I'm afraid I was not knowledgeable about any of the bands beforehand (and not much better after) but they were all fairly inoffensive boy bands and I suspect many of the parents there could be forgiven for thinking they had watched the same group all night as the dress code and sound was pretty generic!

The atmosphere was great and very family-friendly and easy going so I think Beth might get a shock when she goes to another gig inside (with sticky floors and no chance of doing cartwheels!).

I'm not sure if she's ventured into the world of selfies before but I think these can be classed as some of her early attempts. :)



On Friday it was school sports day and for once the weather was fine.  Usually each child gets to do three races and it's very long winded and rather hard work for everyone.  This year I think they decided that it was just as easy to let every child do every race - generally there's only a maximum of about 10 girls and 10 boys in each year as the school has only just over 100 students.  

Toby had a rather uneventful afternoon as he seemed to potter through all his races and I don't think he even took his jacket off.  He was happy enough to chat with friends and to get a well done sticker for his effort.  Beth was rather more interested and managed a first, two seconds and a third.  She was most annoyed for tripping during the 100m and I think a bit embarrassed as she spent about 20m trying not to fall over with all the spectators willing her to regain her balance - quite amusing to listen to!

Sticking with sport, on June 7 Beth ran her first race for her club, Retford Athletics.  It was at a school/leisure centre about half an hour away in Bingham. She had to choose three events to do along with the relay.  She did the 80m, the 600m and the howler javelin.  

I think she surprised herself as she wasn't looking forward to the 600m as she says she doesn't like longer races.  However, she came 6th out of 19 in that and 13th out of 43 in the 80m.  I have no idea how she did in the javelin or relay but she enjoyed the experience and can't wait for the next one on July 12.  In the photo, Beth is fourth, just at the back of the front group.

The other photo is of Beth with her coach, Helen, who she has trained with since starting.  Unfortunately when Beth turned nine she had to move to the next group.  She still gets to see her and is happy with her next group as she has made some new friends but I don't think she gets quite the attention with her new coach!

Going back a bit now to April when we had the honour of being invited to the 95th birthday party for Great Gran Ess.  It was at Wynyard Hall near to Steve's parents.  It was a suitably grand location for the event and all the great grand kids had a great time running around the grounds (probably a little too close to the lake for our liking!).

The day was lovely as we got to catch up with lots of the family and had a very delicious meal while doing so.

To finish off, here's a picture of Toby being Mary Poppins!!!