Easter Holiday

Life is as usual very busy and so with the Easter holidays approaching rapidly, Edwin decided that we had to take a few days off. Initially we'd planned to go up to Leeds to visit his ailing brother but, with good news that he was doing well, we decided to only go up during the Summer holiday. It was then, only at the start of the holiday, that we started thinking about where and what we might do, eventually making the decision to go to Leicestershire, popping in to visit Edwin's sister in between exploring the countryside.

I managed to book us into a B'nB for two nights on a farm just five days before as well as find a couple of interesting places to visit in the area.

On Monday morning we left, packed up in our mini estate pulling the trailer behind. We must have been quite a site as we saw quite a number of people looking at us as we drove past. For us, it was like we were off on an adventure.

Shortly after eventually finding our B'nB, we headed off to Rockingham Castle for an Easter Egg hunt and to explore the gardens. Daniel was in his element climbing towers and pretending to be a soldier during the time of Robin Hood, and was delighted with his purchases of a bow & arrow and a sword. It took him a little while to work out how to shoot and was soon having loads of fun with it. On the way 'home' we stopped over at a pub for a really great meal.

The following day we traveled through to Leicester where we spent a lovely day with David and Joan. David prepared a superb meal and spent hours entertaining Daniel. First with his air rifle which Daniel mastered very quickly, under strict supervision, and then into the garage. Daniel and David talked for long periods. Daniel asking lots of questions and telling David things, and David explaining what everything was for, how it works, etc and telling him all about his two man aeroplane he is building and will one day fly. In the meantime Joan, Edwin and I spent time catching up and sharing photos.

On Wednesday we packed up after a hearty breakfast and headed for Foxton Locks. Daniel found it very interesting and had great fun. There are 10 locks to negotiate in order to get from the top down and vice versa. Daniel helped one couple through the last 6 and they in turn rewarded him with a short ride through the last one. He is now very keen to go on a canal boat holiday. I'm just not sure if I will manage the constant movement. We may need to do a trial day trip first before commiting. It was a chilly day and so a lovely warm meal in a nice warm pub was very welcoming.

As always, we returned home with mixed feelings. Home is where life gets back into the rat race and the busy life returns. But it is also the comfort of your own bed, not living out of a suitcase and the friendly happy greeting of Benji. But it was a great holiday even though it was only 1 1/2 hours drive away, it was a family time, a time to enjoy life together and that is important for us!

Red Nose Day

Had some fun on Friday, 13th March. Day started with trying to give Daniel a 'Wacky hair style' but that didn't work so well with his straight and soft hair. Next time I will buy some hairspray instead of trying to use gel.

Then, after dropping him at school, I was off to our local supermarket. Our Coffee Morning group from the Wicken Methodist Church had baked some cakes, etc. and we sold them. We had great fun dressing up and sold just about everything. We had a few cup cakes and biscuits left which we decided to keep for the children on Sunday after church. We managed to raise £141.95 which I think is excellent!

Music lessons

I got a big surprise on Tuesday afternoon when I fetched Daniel from school. Out the class he came, looking as pleased as punch, with a musical instrument case in his hand. He has now started Cornet lessons. He would have liked to be playing the Trombone but they say his arms are not long enough yet. His understands and is still very happy but is looking forward to having longer arms so that he can then play his favourite instrument.

It snowed again last night and this morning, when I checked on the internet, I discovered that Daniel's school is closed for today. It's not been too bad. He started the day practising on his cornet and then spent time in the lounge with his electric train, then he went for a walk with Wendy and Terry (his surrogate grandparents) and came back home drenched. Apparently, he could not avoid the puddles and discovered that one was actually deeper than what he thought. Anyway, being used to these things with my child, I just whisked off his clothes at the door and sent him up for a nice warm bath, which he enjoyed for over 30 minutes. Then he had some lunch while watching TV for aobut 3 hours. Now he is just popping over to show Wendy and Terry his new instrument.

Not sure what tomorrow will be like and will need to check if school is open but after lunch Daniel has a hearing test....

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow....

Yesterday (Sunday) afternoon it started to snow.

Daniel was sooooo excited and could hardly go to sleep last night. This morning he was the first one up and dressed, quite a miracle!

We checked the websites to see if his school was closed, but it was not. However, when we dropped him off we were told that they will be closing early as they expect the weather to deteriate and, if we wanted, he needn't stay at all. But we decided that, since the school is only a short drive away, he could stay until lunch.

We then took a little drive and took some photos.

It was good to be back home in the warmth. I think they said that it was 2 degrees Celsius today.

I took this photo a few minutes ago...

And then just after I loaded it, I had to take another...

One month into the new year!

I can hardly believe that the first month of the year is already virtually over. Time flies when you are having fun? Not to sure about that!

Anyway, I guess life must have been busy for it to go by as quickly as it did. Let me see what we have been up to...

Benji really loves his Christmas present which we've caught him playing with often.


Then we had some more snow, not much, but enough to excite Daniel and get him out of bed quickly. It has, apparently, been the coldest Winter the UK has had in 5 years. Snow is expected tomorrow evening but I think it will only be a light sprinkle again.

Along with some of the ladies in our church, we organised a 'Baby shower' for my friend, Tasnim. Unfortunately, they don't do them here in the UK but it is becoming very popular in our church. I organised one for another girl in our congregation last year. There is another South African, ex Zimbabwean, girl in the congregation with helps. Tasmin's baby boy was born yesterday afternoon while I had her son, Jack, around after school. I can't wait to see and hold the baby - maybe on Monday. Here she is playing one of the games we set for her.

About mid-January we heard that Edwin's eldest brother, Barry, was not well and was in hospital. Edwin decided to go up and visit him. He was pleased that he did but was also very concerned with the deteriation in his health and so we have decided to go up to Leeds for a few nights to see him again during the February half term break. Edwin stayed with his sister, Betty, and had a great time catching up with her and his brother, Alex. They were pleased to see Barry's daughter, Tracy, when they visited Barry in hospital. Barry appreciated seeing and spending time with Edwin, especially the time they spent in prayer together.

Beside the normal routine and visits to the doctor, one being to check Daniel's hearing, each day has been fairly busy. Some things never stop and so we now look forward to the next month and what it has to offer...

...Daniel's hearing test, a visit to the optician, the possible start of Trombone lessons, half-term break, etc.

Christmas holidays, fun and celebrations.

December has been a rather icy month. As you can see from this photo of 'Harry' he is covered with frost. Warming him up in the mornings was quite a challenge, especially as there was also ice on the inside of the windows as well (he has a small leaking problem). We decided that 'Tabitha' had to move out of the carport so that 'Harry', being the older one, could be protected from the elements.

On the 12th December the Boy's Brigade had a lovely Carol service which we all enjoyed very much, especially as they sang some of the favourite new ones, like 'Come and join the Celebration'.
Daniel's KS1 (key stage 1 is about the same as primary school level) Christmas Celebration also went well. Daniel was narrator number 17. He'd learnt his words off by heart and said them confidently without error. We were very proud of him.

It has become tradition in our family for the boys to go out and get a tree, so for the past 3 years Edwin and Daniel go out and choose a real Christmas tree which they bring home. This year they went out in Harry and brought home a tree. But....was it going to fit in the mini?

Yes!!! It does! Great excitement and jubilation.

Then, once in, it is up to Daniel and I to decorate it. We had great fun as you can see.

The day after school closed for Christmas, we decided to go and see Santa at the Nene Valley Railway. Waiting in the queue was great fun, especially with a clown entertaining you.

At last we reached the entrance... It was beautiful inside.

And Father Christmas was very friendly. After a short ride in the train with a snack of a chocolate bar washed down with juice for Daniel while Edwin and I enjoyed mince pies and coffee, my boys explored the station and just about each and every engine. As per usual, they were in their element! You'd never guess that we visit steam trains as often as we do!

20th December, the Sunday before Christmas, the Sunday School lead most of the service which is always great fun. Once again Daniel read his part beautifully.

Some creative fun is always essential during the holiday break.

On Christmas Eve we shared our Christmas meal with a friend, Sheila (a minister in our area). Unfortunately we were enjoying ourselves so much that we forgot to take any photographs. Anyway, I'll try and tell you all about it so that you can try and picture it for yoursleves. Our table was laid out with a gold and blue theme - gold table cloth with blue place mats (with gold and turqoise green patterns on), blue serviettes and turqoise plates, blue and gold candles. On the menu was:

Appletizer/mango with Sprite

Steamed Salmon with watercress and lemon butter

Honey and mustard roast gammon

Vegetable filo tart

Honey glazed parsnips

Brussel sprouts

Scan bran trifle served with Ice-cream

Cheese and biscuits

Coffee served with dinner mints

It all worked out wonderfully and we had a great time. Then it was time for Sheila to go home and prepare for her Christmas Eve service, so it was bed-time for Daniel who, as you can imagine, was very worked up and could hardly wait for the next day to arrive.

Thankfully he was soon asleep and we were able to prepare before Edwin was off to his service - peace and quiet, how long will it last?

Christmas morning....really exciting! Daniel was first downstairs and could not stop yelping with excitement. God continues to bless us in abundance in so many ways.

The next few days were spent exploring and playing games.

Slimy swamp is great fun. We had fun trying to see how high we could make this tower without it falling.

And when mom is on the phone to South Africa, it's great fun to empty the chest of all the games and puzzles and then climb in.... it is difficult for her to stop you!

Roller Hockey camp was wonderful. Daniel and his friend, Jack, were the youngest. They really enjoyed themselves.

We hope that your year was as busy and as fun as ours was, that you feel you have achieved lots and that God has blessed you in abundance through everything.

And may He continue to bless you in 2009!