Evening walk

This is a first attempt at using the mobile app for blogging.  It seems that summer is finally here....well for today at least.  This evening we have come for a walk to the beach.....I really appreciate being within walking distance of the beach.  Long may the sunshine stay x

Headteacher Award

I'm so proud of James for being awarded a headteacher award.  This is his second one this year.  Each week only one child per year is awarded a certificate, so with approximately 90 children in his year, he has done well to be recognised for his achievements.

James was awarded the certificate for his research on Ancient Greek Soldiers.  He choose  books from the library to assist him in his research.

Despite struggling with dyslexia, James loves books and enjoys learning.  He's making such great progress thanks to his hard work and commitment.  Well done James x

Spartan Anderson

James has been learning about Ancient Greece at School and as part of this topic year 3 had a Greek Day, which involved tasting Greek food, creating Olympic events....and of course dressing up.

The school sent home very helpful instructions of how to make a very simple Greek outfit using a sheet....James however didn't want to go dressed in a boring old toga....he wanted to be a Spartan.

A trip to Poundland and Wilko brought some red towing rope, a plastic army helmet and some metallic paint......some papermache-ing, gluing, cutting and painting later we had a Spartan costume.

James had a great day and was pleased with his costume.

May Day

 A welcome break in the rain for May Day Bank Holiday made our day out to Whitstable Castle for the May Day Celebrations a really lovely experience.  We headed off with Shelley and kids, and met up with the Lewers and the Littlewoods at the castle play area.

There was lots for the kids to enjoy....circus school, magic show, Punch and Judy, Morris Dancing displays......

 ...but not before they'd spent some money.


It was face painting for Kaitlyn and Olivia....Two beautiful butterflies.....

 ...and a gun for James (won on the 'prize every time' King Kong Game).   Sophia chose a inflatable hammer.






Once they'd spent all our money they enjoyed the Morris Dancing and Magic Shows.

James persuaded the magic man to make him a balloon rabbit.

Temple Day

Today we visited the temple as a family along with other members of our ward and stake.

Despite the dull, wet weather, we still had a lovely time.  The kids enjoyed the displays and films in the visitors centre, walking in the grounds....and rolling down grassy banks.

We ate our picnic lunch in the visitor centre waiting area, and then both sets of kids headed off with their respective grandparents, giving Matt and I some time to ourselves.

Babushka

James' Christmas play was 'Babushka' in which he played a Paige. It was nice that the school ensured all the kids had a part to play and all got their time on stage.....some times political correctness is beneficial, both for the children who get to take part and for the parents who actually go to see their child take part....i have posted before about the lack of competition in school, and that kids should get in the real world etc....but it's Christmas and I'm feeling nice, so well done Herne Infants!

Wriggley Nativity

Awwww, how sweet was Kaitlyn's first Nativity play. The children sang songs relating to the nativity story, ending with the grande finale 'Wrigley nativity' song....complete with wriggling actions. Kaitlyn was Mary....there were other Marys, but none so cute....a true star x



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Peas in a camouflage pod!

Dad has kindly introduced James to all things army related, so James was delighted to be presented with a camouflage fleece that matched his grandads! What have you done to my sweet boy!!!

Street Dance Kid

Everyone who knows James, knows he loves to dance. So when they started doing dance sessions after school, he was keen to start. Today was the day that they got to show the parents what they had learnt!....well it appears James has learnt to stand still, look bewildered, and occasionally move in the opposite direction to everyone else, bless.

Seriously, he can move......but he doesn't seem to have a natural ability to remember routines....stick to the freestyle sweetheart!

Official Snow Day!

'They' had been threatening heavy snow all week, and although we'd already had a covering of the white stuff, none had really settled on the roads and footpaths....however today we awoke to several inches of soft, fresh snow! The first thing I did was check the Campus online to find out the situation at work...imagine my delight at the announcement that the campus was 'dangerous' and that staff and students should avoid coming onto campus!.....yipeeeee...an official snow day. The kids school was also closed and mum and dad weren't at work either so we planned some snow day activities.

After wrapping up in suitable clothing we ventured out for some fun in the snow.......snow ball fight, building a snowman, making snow angels......what fun! well it was until Kaitlyn got so wet and cold and started crying.




Luckily there was the perfect way for us to warm up.....the hot-tub really comes into it's own in weather like this. The kids loved eating the snow and icicles from around the tub...yum! and they even done some laps of the snow-clad decking in their swim suits....brave!


After the hot-tub we had bacon rolls and hot-chocolate and sat down to watch scrooge, perfect.

I was glad it was only one day though as i was going a little stir crazy by the end of the day.

Oare Country Park

I'd recently seen Potter's blog about Oare Country Park and thought it looked a lovely place to go. Several of us from church arranged to meet there today with our kids. I was not disappointed with the park.....however it was slightly disconcerting when the kids came running out from the wooded area where we had been picnicing, claiming that a strange man was running around....James said it was either a ninja or a spy, I was quick to think he was exaggerating however we gathered up the kids and started walking round the park...we then saw him, a strange teenage boy covered in a blue sheet, running through the woods and deliberatley spying on us...everntually her left so we could enjoy our day....very creepy.

The lake area was lovely, the kids couldn't wait to get in....none of us had any spare clothes or towels and the kids ended up soaking wet and filthy....but had lots of fun.

Clacton-On-Sea

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Lessons from General Conference

After returning from Stake conference feeling rather stressed and quite unspiritual I turned to the general conference address in the Ensign magazine. Some parents will understand the stress of stake conference...trying to get two lively kids to be quiet for two hours is a task-an-a-half. So much time is spent handing out snacks, books and toys and managing toilet trips, that very little of what is said can actually be listened to. In the same way that 'it's the thought that counts', I sincerely hope that it's the attendance that counts and not the listening! The kids had bickered all the way to Gillingham and I seriously considered turning turning round and going home...however I stuck with it. I was quite comforted to see that Naomi showed signs of feeling the exact same way.

On getting home, what I felt I needed was time away from the kids....however after reading the conference talk by Elder Neil L Anderson - Tell me the Stories of Jesus - I was prompted that I should be actually be spending more quality time with them, teaching them of Jesus.

After lunch we took a walk from Bishopstone to Reculver towers...this was the perfect opportunity to spend time with the children, talking to them about the wonderful creations that Jesus has made for us. We had a really lovely time with no bickering, whinging or moaning. Again I am grateful for the wise counsel from the leaders of the Church.

Not quite ready to get rid of them just yet!

It's quite a walk from Bishopstone to Reculver...but very beautiful

Hang on kids you're going the wrong way - the towers are behind you!

Oooh a beach! quick let's strip down to our pants so we can paddle!

Football Crazy

James is very excited about the World Cup, this is the first one he can remember and he has been looking forward to it starting for weeks. I let him stay up to watch the first England match against USA...unfortunately it was a disappointing 1-1 draw...booo!

Herne Bay's New Park

Finally Herne Bay's skanky old park has been replaced...the kids had seen the renovations happening and were exited to go once it was finished. It opened about a week ago and this is the second time they have been...it attracts a lot of older kids now, but is really good. The kids love it!

Easter Monday 2010

Mum and I took the kids - James, Kaitlyn, Missy and Zach to Wildwood