Birthday Gift: living!

And after allowing them some time to settle in so they weren't too alarmed by the camera flash, please allow me to introduce the two new additions to our family....

Cookie...

...and Muffin.

They are still both very skittish (particularly Muffin) but are definitely much easier for Madi to handle and awake more often when she is than the hamsters we have cared for whilst friends are on holiday.

Madi has read several books from the library (all with conflicting advice!) and talked to other guinea pig owners in preparation, and is a very proud new mum!

Big Top Heroes at The Hill

It is hard to believe it is already a whole year since Madi first went to The Hill Methodist Church, for their summer playscheme. She has been back again each morning this week, where she was introduced to the Bible stories of Daniel, Jonah and Samson through a circus theme, with lots of singing, dancing, colouring and craft, jokes and custard pies!

snorkelling

trying out snorkelling at a school holiday session at Calverton Leisure Centre...

Junk4Funk

Today we met up with my brother and his elder daughter at a craft session organised by Gedling Borough Council. The session, recycling our 'rubbish' to make musical instruments was hosted by Victor Scott of Junk4Funk with his slogan 'My music is rubbish'.

Unfortunately we did find his constant self-congratulation and his emphasis on reassuring us that our children had now achieved one of their national curriculum targets quite irritating.



However it was lovely to spend time with Jonno and Mila, and the girls both enjoyed making their pizza box guitars and playing samba with yogurt pot shakers, so all in all a good day :0)

jestering and drumming

We are lucky to live not far from Sherwood Forest and regularly attended the NNSHEEP home ed meets there; and it was at the Robin Hood festival 2 years ago that Madi, having just appeared on stage as Maid Marian, announced her desire to take up archery.

This year however, we decided to take a break from crowds, or even company, and spent the day before the festival at Sherwood Forest, just the two of us together. It was not too busy, but things were already getting underway, and we spent a long while attempting to learn to juggle, diablo and spin plates...



...before looking around the visitor centre for the first time in many, many visits. We come here so often it's easy to overlook the exhibits, especially out with friends, so we pretended to be tourists and had some fun looking round and testing each other on the quiz questions...



..which made us think we'd give the trail with clues around the main routes through the forest, taking in information about the flora and fauna a go too...



...before an amazing afternoon session drumming.

peas peas cauliflower cheese and peas

Birthday Gift: not living!

Two very special presents for Madi this year- and here is a picture of her first attempt with her new compound bow...

Happy 8th Birthday!

And so to possibly the most important date in July- Madi's birthday! We'd hoped to have a special home made archery target cake, but the specially purchased coloured icings just disappeared (twice!) and so we had a last minute dash out for her to choose this Glee cake.


Highlight of the day for Madi turned out to be a visit to the optician where she was delighted to find out that she needs glasses! (Picture to follow when we collect them). JK's prescription hadn't changed but as he has grown so much, needed a new adult-sized pair. Somehow I doubt that he will wear them any more than he has just because they fit better!

To celebrate we spent an afternoon with the Naylor family at Nottingham-by-the-Sea...

(Life's A Beach in Old Market Square - Throughout the summer holiday the Old Market Square will be transformed into a seaside themed playground complete with sand, paddling pool and FREE entertainment. With something happening every day this is the perfect way to keep children (and adults!) busy over the break. Visit www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/seaside for details.)

This was followed by Pizza Hut and The Sound of Music at Theatre Royal. Molly and Madi played the roles of Brigitta and Gretl in last year's dance school show, so were particularly excited, but we were all overwhelmed by an amazing performance.