Log Burner

We have been enjoying mum and dad's log burner in the evenings.  It is very snuggly an just right for watching a film or reading bedtime stories.

Waterworld

This morning we went to Waterworld to enjoy the flumes etc.  Granny got talked into being a participator rather than a spectator and even went down the bumpy slide.  We arrived at the opening time and were very glad as lines were reasonably short and by 12, it was getting extremely noisy so we left for lunch at McDonald's - actually our first trip there since we've been back.  We beat the crowds there too - as we were leaving there was a queue at the door to come in.
Then it was travelling home and swimming lessons this afternoon.

The Grange

We went up to stay at Steve's mum's for a couple of days - arriving last night.  This afternoon we went for a walk around the local "big house": The Grange.  It looked beautiful in the crisp autumn day.  Laughingly, we finished the trip with an ice-cream each - but eaten in the warmth of the cafe.  Although both the girls decided they didn't want theirs before they finished!

Half-term

Part of me can't believe it is half-term already and part of me can't believe it is only half-term!  Our morning started well with Josh and I practicing a couple of his new tricks ready for him to perform them.  Tim and Ali got Josh a very cool suit jacket from the charity shop for his birthday (I have them well and truly hooked!).  It is lovely, with a beautiful green lining and lots of pockets to secrete things away.
He wanted to do a performance of lots of tricks he knows so far and when I said I wanted to take some photos he suggested I also video it! : )  So I did.  He is doing really well with the magic tricks and I love seeing him apply himself to learning how to do the tricks.  Usually it is something Steve helps him with and they spend hours ensconced in the bedroom learning and practicing.
Simon, Mum and us bought him extra tricks for his birthday so he has plenty to work on.  We got him a hat set as he really wanted a magic hat.  It is Simon we have to thank for this interest of Joshua's as he initially got him a few magic tricks for his "welcome-home" gift box.  At parent's evening Joshua's teacher said, "He really likes his magic doesn't he?  When he did a trick in assembly it did not phase him to be in front of the older children and he did a great job of building it all up to the 'ta-da' moment.  Now I have 11 others in the class all trying to learn magic tricks."
When his friend came over to play after school last week they spent ages trying to figure out their own tricks.  I am glad they choose that rather than sit and play computer games.

Josh with his "assistant"

Birthday

We celebrated as a family for Josh's birthday.  His choice of cake was a stormtrooper so I went with Ali's suggestion of rolled white icing as a quick way of getting the face.  He was pretty chuffed with the final result and so was I. 

Stormtrooper

7 years old!

Biggest piece he could!

Lots of Star Wars and Magic goodies

Pizza Hut

We asked Joshua what he wanted to do for his birthday and he initially said McDonalds but we suggested Pizza Hut as an alternative.  He leaped at this because of the ice-cream factory.  It is basically refillable ice-cream for dessert with extras such as smarties.  We asked if he wanted to invite any friends but he didn't.

Busy Day

The kids went to visit the dentist this morning.  After many times of forgetting to take money with me in the Philippines, it was kind of weird not to have to pay.  I kept waiting for someone to stop us walking out! I do appreciate this product of our taxes - I wonder how long it will last?
After the dentist Josh and I set about making his cake.  He did all the measuring and mixing and did a great job.  It was fun to watch him being so careful about getting the right quantities and taking pride in his work.
Unfortunately, the cake didn't bake perfectly - a little stodgy in the middle - I keep forgetting my mum's over is fan assisted!  But it was good enough!!
Lastly, Naomi helped me make dinner and she mixed and made the salmon burgers.  Again, she did a great job and I am so excited to see my kids growing up and enjoying the time we get together.
And I bought a proper pie dish yesterday in Bath and got to christen it with a pumpkin pie for Sunday.

Soweto Gospel Choir

Steve and I and mum and dad went to Malvern to see the Soweto Gospel Choir.  They were amazing, so energetic and full of colour.  The voices were genuinely the main focus of the performance.  I thought they were more comfortable doing the African songs than the few English ones they did but the power of their performance and enjoyment rang out of every song.

Parent's Evening

We had an appointment with all three teachers this evening and it was great to hear they are doing so well and the children they described are the children their FA teachers would have described, showing they are settled and themselves.  Two teachers commented on how polite our children are and, apparently, Rose has been laying the law down to others in her class over their lack of politeness: "I'm not going to give him that, Miss H, as he wouldn't say thank-you!"
Steve has been helping twice a week with a small group from Rose's class and we are doing an assembly next month.
Recently Naomi asked if her teacher could come for dinner.  Steve said, "Well, even though that's quite normal at FA, it's not really something people do in England."  Then he said, "have you asked her?"  Naomi said, "Yes."
"And what did she say?"
"She didn't answer me."
Not surprised but I bet she was!  Or else she took it as a typical 5 year old thing to do rather than based in a reality.  She certainly didn't mention it to us tonight.

Pumpkin Pies

The supermarket was offering 2 pumpkins for £3 yesterday.  Of course it is for hallowe'en and carving but both Steve and I had the same thought "Yummy; pumpkin pies!".  So to day I have hacked, steamed and pureed a whole pumpkin and got enough pumpkin for 4+ pies. This is actually the first time I have used real pumpkins as opposed to the Filipino calabasas. I'm looking forward to making them - it is a reminder of our life in the Philippines (although not Filipino!) as much as a great dessert.

Moving up

Rose and Joshua were both moved up to the next swimming group today after their lesson.  They are moving through the rainbow from yellow to green!   Naomi is staying in red.  One good result is that all three now have their lesson at their same time - although that may mean I get less time in the gym!