Sports Day!

Today was Nathaniel's sports day at school. It was for Years 3 and 4 this morning. The older kids had theirs this afternoon and the younger kids (including Zac) have theirs tomorrow morning. The rain held off and we had a lovely morning. I should have been working in school, but most of the kids I work with are in years 3 and 4 so I was able to go out and watch. Nathaniel was in the Blue team and was delighted they won! Oh, and if you're wondering about Nat's shorts - he'd left his own ones at home and had to borrow Zac's! That's why they are so short :)

Nat flying the flag for the Blue team.

I LOVE this picture of Nathaniel with one of his best friends. He's the only other child who has been in the same classes as Nathaniel through Y1 to Y3!

When they announced the javelin event, all us parents were a little concerned! Until we saw the soft foam javelins. Phew!!
Run Nathaniel, Run!!

Nathaniel is 8!!

ast Thursday, my oldest son Nathaniel turned eight!! How did that happen??? On his birthday we went out for dinner and met Nanna and Grandad there. The children had their dinner and then had their traditional birthday dessert - the mega sundae for two. They love it and who wouldn't - icecream, profiteroles filled with fresh cream, brownie bits, whipped cream, chocolate button, chocolate flakes, wafers....... (I'm drooling just writing about it!!).

Instead of a party, we had a family day out on Saturday. I had booked 2 nights Travelodge (£9 a night of course!) at Donnington Park. We left here after school on Friday, went out for dinner, then travelled down the road. We stayed at the Travelodge overnight then went to Drayton Manor theme park on the Saturday morning. We stayed there all day. It was a little busier than it was when we went last year, but still we had hardly any waiting in lines for rides. We had such a fun time! And the weather was PERFECT. Warm, sunny and dry!! Yipee :) We then went back to our Travelodge for another nights sleep. On Sunday we visited my sister, her husband and their beautiful 7 month old baby Eli. We had dinner with them and just hung out together. What a perfect way to spend a Saturday afternoon! Shame I didn't take any pics of them!

So here are some pics from Drayton Manor, but be warned. For those with a delicate disposition - there are pics of me on here, lol. Both David and I HATE having our pics taken. But I thought I need to be brave and put a couple on - just to prove that we exist. And I'm sure in the future my ggggg grandkids might like to know I existed, lol.

L

Chester Zoo and Cannon Hall Farm

Zachary was one lucky boy a few weeks ago. He had a school trip to Chester Zoo and a week later he had a trip to Cannon Hall Farm. And because I've been working at school, I got to go on both trips too! And the weather couldn't have been any better! Hot, sunny and dry both days. Excellent!!

Farm pics first (although my camera batteries died soon after arriving so I didn't get many shots!). Zac isn't in any pics as he wasn't in my group. I haven't posted any pics with other kids in for obvious reasons. So it's just animals, lol.

The sheep had been herded up, ready to be dipped. The sheep looking right at me made me laugh. It's hilarious :) I'm so easily amused, obviously :)

I'm glad you can't SMELL what we could smell when we were at the cows!
And now for the zoo shots. Again, only a few without children in.

Beamish flowers

David bought a new camera last month and I've been loving it! It's a Canon Powershot SX110 IS. The pictures are so clear and colours so bright. It has a great zoom. I'm determined to learn more how to use it fully. Anyway, when we were at Beamish, I tried using the macro function to take some pics of the beautiful flowers we saw. Here are a few samples. I think they turned out quite well! Don't forget to click on them to see them better.

The blurry bit on the next shot is actually a bee. I was taking a pic of the flower with the bee inside. Just as I clicked, the bee shot out! I would have dropped my camera had I not had the wrist strap on. It totally freaked me out!!

Beamish Museum

As you know, I LOVE a bargain! So last December I booked some Travelodge breaks when they were on the £9 a night offer. The first of these breaks was on my birthday towards the end of June. We booked a night at Washington, Tyne and Wear so we could go to Beamish Museum on the Saturday. I've never been before but wanted to go so we went for my birthday! It's a really great place to spend a day. Check out their website for full details. It's basically an open air museum. You can travel around the site on an old fashioned bus or tram. Different areas of the estate are set in different times in history. There's an old farm, mining village, church, school, manor, high street with shops and businesses. I took far too many pics to post so here are just a few! Remember you can click on them for a larger and clearer view.

The old high street.Inside the dentists.
The old tram.
The printers.
Inside the old sweet shop. The busiest shop there. I wonder why??? Of course we had to buy a few bags :)

Zachary ringing the bell at the old insurance office.Look at all these delicious fabrics in the old-fashioned haberdashery type store!
In the old school house.
My attempt at looking like a bossy teacher, lol.
David trying to look intelligent :)

Nathaniel and Zachary at the old school. They loved writing on the slates!
Ready for work down the mine! We had the chance to go on a little tour down a drift mine. It was fascinating. Sure glad I don't have to work down there!!
Gorgeous cottages near the farm.
David and the boys looking at the little piggies :)

Playing Catch-up

I'm going to try and play catch-up since it's been so long since I last posted!! So here goes! I'll add them all as separate entries. Are you ready??