Too cute to Spook!

Catch a Star

The Blunderbus Company were visiting Morecambe again and after their fabulous performance of 'Plop' last year we couldn't wait to book tickets again! The imagination and magic of the actors is captivating, even for adults! So, this year's performance was called 'Catch a Star' and like last year it didn't disappoint, a lovely story about a little boy who as the title would suggest wanted to catch a star. It was wonderful and enchanting.

Jolly Phonics

The Jolly Phonics are an amazing concept of learning. Learning the sound of a letter first then blending the sounds to make the word. We were introduced to the Jolly Phonics when Charlie started school. Now it's Courtney's turn to learn them. With her slight development delay we weren't sure how it would go but she has mastered them wonderfully, we are very proud of her. Whilst sitting at the car wash yesterday she picked up a magazine and started telling me the letter sounds, she got every single one of the ones she has learnt so far correctly (s.a.t.p.i.n.) We sat there for a while looking for the letters on several pages, her concentration was excellent!

Gretna

It's very rare that Mark and I spend together just the 2 of us, that's just the way we like it. We love Charlie and Courtney being with us. We decided though we needed to start our 'proper' Christmas shopping, we buy bits throughout the year but because Mark is busy with work leading up to Christmas we usually do the main of the present shopping in October/November. Anyway when he suggested we go up to Gretna shopping village I jumped at the chance, I really like the shops up there. He then suggested we had a night away, a brilliant idea! I sorted childcare and he found us a lovely B&B and off we went, calling in at a farm shop in Penrith on the way (2 pressies crossed off the list there :D ) We were planning on going shopping to the village the Friday evening, we'd wrongly assumed that it would be open until 8ish but it did in fact close at 6pm! Never mind, we had all day Saturday and instead enjoyed a nice meal out and chatted. Wow, the concept of eating out child free and actually being able to talk, amazing, LOL!
So next morning after breakfast we had a mooch at the shopping village and crossed a few more gifts off our list. We had a wander to Gretna Green after, around the gift shops there and bought a couple more gifts. I also bought a thimble and pin badge with my family crest on, my maiden name is Watson, a good ol' Scottish surname! It was only early afternoon by this point and we had finished what we wanted to do so decided to pop into Carlisle on the way home. There was a craft fair on in the town centre which was nice to see, we only bought a couple more pressies there but by this time we were both tired and ready for home. We'd missed Charlie and Courtney and it was lovely to see them again but on the same score I really enjoyed having some time with Mark, just us.

Ben Bear

Year 2's teddy, Ben Bear, has come home to visit! We have to write in his book about his adventures at our house. Unfortunately we don't have an after school activity on a Tuesday so we took various photos of him playing with Charlie's toys. Charlie then wanted him to meet our cats, Gizzy and Calico! He took quite a shine to them and spent some time grooming and playing with them!

The 40th's!!

So my academic year are all turning 40! My good friend Deborah is the first. I went to college with her, there are 4 of us who regularly meet up and when it is our Birthday's we go out for a meal. Today is her actual birthday but last night we went to the Spaghetti House to celebrate! Happy Birthday Deborah!