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

Fully Invested Beaver!

James has been attending Beavers for a while now and he absolutely loves it. Tonight he was invested...he had to recite the motto ' Fun and Friends' and the promise 'I promise to do my best to be kind and helpful and to love God'.