Latest update

Well what can i say, i haven't updated in a while so this could be a long one.

Gary, Jean and Sonia have been and gone and they had a fabulous time! although a week wasn't nearly long enough with them, it seemed that no sooner had they arrived then they were going again. We managed to get in all the things that we wanted to, like going on the boat and the jet-ski, plus the customery trip into St Johns, but it all went so quick.
Hannah, Lauren and Jess had a great time as did Scott and I, and we are looking forward to their next trip out.

Things have been hectic around here as the school have had us busy the last couple of weeks. We have had bake sales, meeting, meetings and the art show to prepare for. The art show is an annual affair and consists of all the children throughout the school making and drawing various pieces of art work to display for the parents. Each grade has a theme that they work too. Jessica's class did nursery rhymes, Lauren's a bird sanctuary and Hannah's Christmas. I was very surprised at the standard of work and the effort that went into this event and was really proud of what the children, not just mine, had done. I will post pictures on the blog to show you all later.

Swimming lessons are progressing well for everyone but Jess, she has decided it's too cold to get in the water and protests as only Jess can in the water, yeah you guessed it she's crying again. We are going to trade in her old wetsuit for another one next week and see if this makes a difference, for i have to agree the water is getting bloody cold for those of us that are acclimatised to the weather over here. Don't worry Ethel, David, Janine, Lloyd and Ethan we have it on good authority from all the tourists that we are being wimps and the water is fine!!!!!
Hannah and Lauren have started there 2 weeks of badge work and yesterday Hannah got her Water Skills level 5 badge (skipping 4 completely) and Lauren passed her Water Skills level 4 with flying colours. Next week is the distance swim so fingers crossed for Hannah and her 800m (32 lengths) and Lauren 200m (8 lengths) i'll let you know how they get on.

Well Christmas is now only 26 days away and preparations are continuing in earnest over here. I still have to make some gingerbread and sugar cookies but everything else is done, so for all of you joining us over the festive season, please make sure you bring your appetites with you!!!!! Our Christmas decorations will be going up tomorrow as it's December 1st and the girls can't wait to get going with the tree after we have dropped Scott off at the airport tomorrow.

Scott is travelling back to Manchester tomorrow for a week. Please be gentle with him, i think he's forgotten what cold feels like and may be a little shocked when he gets off the plane!!!!!

Ethan has his first birthday tomorrow so HAPPY BIRTHDAY litle boy we are really going to miss you tomorow and can't wait to see you when get out here in just 2 weeks time.

Finally i just want to say a big thank-you to Ethel and David for accepting our online tesco orders and for bringing out the various bits and pieces that will make Christmas extra special.

Well am going for now but i will be back later to post some pictures of the art show and of Gary, Jean and Sonia's trip.

Not long now before Grandad, Auntie Jean and Sonia arrive

Well Jesica swimming is improving no end. This week Swalings swimming school was lucky enough to have the lady who pioneered water submersion for babies come and work with them. She held lessons on saturday and sunday morning. We didn't manage the saturday one but i had a chat to her about Jess and she said that Jess was coming along really well and she was very impressed, she suggested that we only use one float on her back pack to increase her strength. We tried this and it worked wonders, it was touch and go for a while as she really had to work to stay afloat but after a few minutes she had the hang of it and there was no turning back. We went to the Sunday morning lesson and i was a little worried about Jessica crying but she surprised all of us by being really good, not that we didn't have any tears, but this time only when she had to swim on her back. So a good result there.

Friday night saw the monthly sleep-over at our house, all things considering (5 kids between 2 and 8 being the main one) it was fairly uneventful and after threatening to separate them if they didn't go to sleep, we even managed an 9.30pm sleep time for all of them. Next one won't be until January now as both Kath and I have guests out over Christmas and will be too busy entertaining, not to mention there won't be any room!!!

Gary, Jean and Sonia arrive Friday afternoon around 1.45pm and hopefully everyone will be able to meet them at the airport. This all really depends on flight times fitting in with school. We are going to keep all 3 girls off school next wednesday so they can all spend an extra day with grandad, auntie jean and Sonia. The day is to start off at the pool for Jessica's lesson and from there who knows.....

We finally managed to get some more jobs finished off this weekend. All the doors now have handles and we have had the shower screens fitted. All that remains to do before Friday is to get some pictures up, to give the place a more homely feel.

Well that's all for now, more later, bye everyone.