Hole in One?

Well Alexander is trying his hand at a different sport, this time golf!  Courtesy of John who got hold of a set of golf clubs for him, Alex, Lee and John went for their first session at the driving range at the beginning of November...

 This is going to take some practice..

 And some patience...

 But he seemed to enjoy himself!

Even Lee had a go!

Spooooooky time!

Last year we all went to Barleylands, this year we went to Marsh Farm for halloween fun..

 The whole place was brilliantly decorated with ghosts and ghouls and skeletons all around..

 It seemed a little strange to be all dressed up from mid day, but we got into the spirit of things..

As well as the usual events and activities going on, the kids could take part is spooky crafts, enter the halloween treasure hunt, and bet on the goat grand national!

carve pumpkins (the queues were a tad long, so just took ours home to do).

 Mum got a new t-shirt this year!!

We even bumped into some friends, Cassie was really pleased as Jacob is her "boyfriend"!

 The twilight events started late afternoon and Alex got chosen to help out on stage with Jimbo

The Monster ball was such a laugh

 And the kids all had a great time!  Highly recommended.

Knives at the ready!

Every year after we've chosen all the pumpkins, Lee and the kids have a session of carving...

This year saw a trip down to Tesco and Nicholas almost falling in the crates of pumpkins to choose the one right at the bottom..

I'd bought everyone a new pumpkin carving kit and after pictures had been chosen, it was time to chop off the tops!

Lee worked hard on Cassandra's one of Trick or Treat, Nicholas did a great job of his ghost & Boo, Alex's fire monster turned out brilliantly and Cassandra and I worked well as a team to get her original Jack'O'Lantern done.

Tealights lit, we have a go for Friday :)

Half term history trip

Ever since I'd heard about the poppies at the Tower of London, marking the 100th anniversary of WW1, I had wanted to take the kids up to see them.  I have a real "thing" about the next generation being aware of their history and I thought it was important for my kids to learn about what happend..

So, last Monday of half term, Mum and I ventured up to London and courtesy of my Tesco vouchers we all visited the Tower of London...

Amazing, stunning, poignant, spectacular... words just can't describe what the sea of blood red poppies look like..

Each one individually hand crafted, so no two are the same.  There are 3 shifts working around the clock to ensure that there is one poppy to represent each fallen hero by Remembrance Sunday.

 No trip to the Tower would be complete without a visit to see the crown jewels

or meeting a Beefeater!

 Wishful thinking!!!

Whilst looking around the Fusiliers museum, Alex who happened to have his Scout and Proud sweatshirt on, noticed a scout super imposed in one of the pictures!

 They all wanted their pic taken with a soldier - one of the Fusiliers...

Then on to cruise the Thames on a boat ride taking in Big Ben, the House of Parliament, St Paul's Cathedral, London Eye etc

A brief re-vist to the poppies and we were homeward bound...

A long tiring day, but boy was it worth it...

Fright Night!

I LOVE Halloween - and every year I dress up to and take the kids out to trick and treat.  This particular year a friend of mine had a halloween party and Alexander's favourite game was wrap the Mummy!

I used Sketches in Tyme's sketch for this layout as it suited perfectly...

sketchesinthyme.blogspot.co.uk/sketch-131
Not long to enter as closing date in end of October!

AND

I'm also entering this layout into Scrap and Play #12 - spooky challenge
scrapandplaychallenges.blogspot.co.uk-challenge-12

AND

I'm entering Red Carpet Studio's #81 - Haunted Mansion
redcarpetstudiochallenge.blogspot.co.uk-81-haunted-mansion

He's Home!!!

Alexander had a GREAT time on his first ever school trip to Hilltop last week and these photos show just how much his siblings missed him!

I used the sketch from Sketches in Thyme..

sketchesinthyme.blogspot.co.uk/sketch132
Closing date is end of the month - so get in quick!

My boy is home :)

He arrived back later than scheduled, but all smiles when he did!

We were all there to greet him off the coach at school...first in was Cassandra, then Nicholas and then I got a hug whilst Lee grabbed his bag..

 He apparently had a great time and was really pleased he went.

So pleased to have you home baby boy.  We've all missed you tons!!

Diwali

 My role as a Beaver Scout leader means getting involved and joining in with the Beavers, so when we decided to have a "celebration of Light - Diwali" evening yesterday, I wasn't surprised when Sue turned up with a friend's sari for me to wear to show the boys....

It only took Sue 10 minutes or so to fold it all and wrap it around me (quite an achievement). I thought I wore it well!??!