Snow 2013

We got a few days of good snow in January. Enough to get the children a day off school, and enough for a lot of outdoor play!

Exciting Ice Skating!

It was the last day for the temporary ice rink at our local shopping center today. We went to skate at the rink one last time before they sadly packed away.
Alfie hasn't been on the rink before as I had assumed he would find it difficult to balance and would quickly become fed up of falling over. Today was his first time skating and surprisingly he really enjoyed it. At first it was difficult for him and he fell over lots, but he was undeterred and pulled himself back to his feet smiling all the time and ready to try again.
Well his cheerful determination paid off and within 15 minutes or so he found his balance and began to skate!

Rowanne was a very kind big sister and gave a lot of help initially and she too was very proud of her little brothers progress.
Lily enjoyed skating with her special friend from school and is also becoming more confident each time she goes skating. We will be sad the temporary rink has gone but very much hope to see it again next year. It has been great fun having such a facility available locally.

Baptism Classes

Rowanne, Alfred and I attended the first of two baptism classes at our church with a view to getting them baptised sometime in the near future.
The eldest two have already been baptised. Gabrielle is C of E like me, and Lily is Catholic like Jeremy.
The class was really intended for adults, though Father John had recommended that Rowanne attended herself too to learn more about baptism. Rowanne has been rather aggrieved for quite some time that she had not been baptised as a baby and it was she who approached the priest on Christmas Eve to ask about getting baptised now.
The class was really good, intermingling talk, video and discussion in small bites. There were several older children there who were going to be baptised too, so we aren't the only disorganised parents around who haven't baptised their children yet!
I am very proud to say that by whatever divine miracle, Rowanne and Alfred sat quietly and patiently throughout the whole hour and a half class like little angels (although the plate of biscuits at the front, which they were allowed to help themselves from might have helped a bit)!

Location:St Margaret Mary Church, Park Gate

Homemade Horsey

If you fancy a horsey ride but haven't the means for a real one, why not build your own!

Ingredients list:

3 imaginative children
Footstool
Blankets
Cat scratch post
Hair bobbles
Dishcloths
Earrings
Pins
Elastic bands
Cushions
Sense of fun!

Hide ingredients in various locations about the house.
Leave the children well alone, they will gather and mix the other items.
Allow plenty of time for recipe to prove. Garnish with giggles.

Location:Locks Heath, Southampton

Moonlight Picnic

If you set off mid afternoon with a teatime picnic, then get distracted by a shoe shop sale along the way (www.littlesoleswarsash.co.uk) it might be dark by the time you reach the seafront. If you've brought along a torch (and a Kelly kettle) its good fun. Remember to wrap up warm though because its chilly after dark.

Location:Warsash

New Years Day Walk

We got lovely sunshine on New Year's Day so made the most of it by going for a much needed walk at Stokes Bay.
We passed Fort Gilkicker which is under development and will soon become lovely homes by the beach.







This is Fort Gilkicker:

Location:Stokes Bay