Snow school!

Well the kids' school has done pretty well at keeping going this week, but today the heavy snowfall finally meant a day off for Honor and Henry. They had to go to Mummy's snow school where they did some snow related dot-to-dots and because Honor has been learning about writing instructions at school, they both had a go at writing instructions for building a snowman. Henry wrote some nice, clear sentences and Honor (year 5) attempted to use more ambitious vocabulary and time connectives.


They did, of course, get to go out for some sledging fun with Daddy. Henry found it a bit much though. He did not enjoy getting cold, wet and very tired and cried a lot when he got back. I had the hot chocolate with squirty cream and little fudge pieces on top ready for them.
Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

Well, Cineworld does have its' advantages. Aside from its' extortionate prices, for entry and refreshments, it does allow you to take your baby in. Today is the last day of the hols (sniff) and the kids' godmother treated us to go and see Toy Story 3D. Our local, independent cinema does not allow under 3's in at all so I thought the babe and I wouldn't be able to join the outing. But it was fine (as long as I would take her outside if she cried) and they have baby changing facilities too. We rarely go to the cinema and we have never seen a 3D movie before. We had to buy special glasses. The effects have come a long way since the old days with the red and blue lenses. I was quite impressed. I might even take Hubby to see Pirahna 3D next. That should be fun!

Before our outing we popped out to collect some roof felt. About 2 years ago I joined an internet site called Freecycle. The purpose of this site is to reduce waste by getting people to offer unwanted stuff for free to others instead of taking it to the tip. Yesterday a man offered this roof felt and we needed some to repair our shed roof so I asked for it. The guy received 11 email requests but he picked me! Yippee. So I'm hoping Hubby will be impressed. The chap's wife needs a couple of bumbos (little moulded baby seats) for her twins. I have one in the loft so I'm going to give that to her. 'Tis a good system.

Now I'm having a quiet 5 mins after getting the kids all ready for school tomorrow. Plimsolls - check. Lunches - check. Pencil cases stocked up - check. Have I forgotten anything?

Day trip to London.

Today I went to the Science Museum in London with class 4.

I saw Big Ben.

I saw the London Eye.

I saw the River Thames.

I saw the Houses of Parliament.

I am so tired!

.... I know a bit about bridges too!!

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

Snowmaggedon!

I'm having to post yesterday's news today because I've been having problems with viruses and stuff.
Snowmaggedon... it arrived much to Hubby's annoyance because he had to bring the kids back home again as school was shut! He did, however, get to go skiing in the afternoon along with Honor on her sledge. (Henry had to stay home as a result of not so good behaviour!) Before the outdoor fun we got some studying done. Well, they don't get out of it that easy! Honor worked very well on number sequencing and her Kumon. I also gave Henry some simple number sequences to complete. Both of them began with a Montessori style activity, completing sequences on a mat and then progressed to workbooks/sheets. After that, they played snakes and ladders together on the Numbertime website:http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/numbertime/games/snakes.shtml


Then we made some heart shaped butter biscuits using this recipe http://uktv.co.uk/food/recipe/aid/598125. The kids need to take them to school today to sell on the cake stall. The proceeds are going to the Haiti Earthquake Fund.

We then decorated our biscuits with pink icing and pink sugar sprinkles.

Lovely!

The littlest hobos!

Today is the feast day of St Elizabeth of Hungary, the patron saint of Hobos who sold all her riches to help the sick, starving and homeless. As we were up a bit earlier than usual today, we had time before school to reflect on being thankful for having such a lovely home and everything we need. We've put her picture up on the sideboard, as a reminder, where it will stay until the beginning of Advent... which isn't long now!!!

At school today, the big kids were invited to audition for tomorrows' Children in Need talent show. Henry took in his guitar and Honor took a couple of hula hoops. But they both came home saying they'd bottled out of it!

I had tea with my friend Lee this morning. She has leant me a spotty dressing gown for Henry to wear. I also popped into town to pick up some photos - mainly of Hope. They're a bit disappointing. On my way back to the car I popped into the clothes shop for a browse and got chatting to an old lady who came up to see the baby. She used to be a nurse at the baby clinic years and years ago and loved working with the babies. She told me quite a bit about her own family, too. That's what is nice about carrying the baby around - it's a conversation starter!

One of the pictures shows Honor playing with Molly Moo Cow - the first thing I ever bought for her just after I found out I was expecting.