Upon picking up sam from beavers he greeted me with the news that he is now lodge leader by virtue of the fact that he is the oldest in his lodge. He is very excited to be in charge and thinks he is going to have a tough job keeping the boys in his lodge quiet. Those of you who know sam will find this hard to believe but he is actually one of the quietest boys in his pack. I am quite sure that his troop leader must be deaf, there is no other way she could survive the noise week after week! We are very proud of sam and know that he will do a good job.
This weekend sam had his friend dan to stay and I am pleased to announce that they actually slept!! They had had a busy day, going to the movies, playing lego, bike riding and dsing so they were tired by the time bed time came round. They were both up at 6 but played their dss quietly and didn't come check on me until 7 so that was okay. Sam had a blast and it was a pleasure to have dan over-both boys are planning another visit very soon.
Schoolwise sam has now finished Singapore Math 3A and with 3B we are now entering the realm of fractions and simple geometry. I think he enjoys math more than he admits to, he certainly likes the challenge of getting a problem right.
Monday, September 29, 2008
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
A margaritaville state of mind
If you have looked at the blog over the last two days you will realise that we have been in Paris drinking boat drinks and singing our hearts out at Jimmy Buffett's concert at the New Morning Jazz Club. To say that we had fun is an understatement. I can't remember the last time I was able to escape reality so completely and just throw myself in the moment.
Sam stayed with Matt's parents and had a ball as well. Due to the Eurostar disruptions they kindly had him for an additional night as we had to spend the night in london prior to our train to ensure that we got there early enough to get on the 7:30 train. We were in Paris before lunch and after dropping off our bags ( and calling the monster) we went out shopping and enjoying the autumn sunshine. It was a glorious day and we not only had a yummy lunch but window shopped to our hearts content. After a bottle of champagne (thank you t & l!)and a quick nap we were recharged and ready for the concert. The doors opened at 7, the concert started at 8 and we got there at 5:30 to experience tailgating parisian style. I can honestly say that I have never had so much fun waiting in line. We talked to everyone and found a few cyber aquatances from the buffett form that I lurk on. One woman I was chatting to shares my birthday and another couple are stationed at Kaiserslatern in Germany where we were stationed when I was little. Talk about coincidences. Everyone was super friendly a very merry as most people had brought refreshments. There were beach balls going back an forth down the line and across the street and the locals took it all in their stride. The crowd was very good natured and in control but if the same thing were to happen in anyother major city the police would have been there in a heart beat giving everyone a warning.
Managed to get right up close when Jimmy and the band arrived and am kicking myself that I didn't push my way up front and ask for an autograph-next year I won't make the same mistake.
The venue held about 300-400 people but it didn't feel full. We were pretty close to the stage and had a fantastic view. The atmosphere was electric and jimmy and the band really seemed to be enjoying themselves. They played for 2.5 hours solid and could have gone on longer. The audience joined in on every song and we all knew all the words! I usually can't remember what I ate for breakfast but once I start singing a song I know all the words. Matt took a few videos on the camera and once he figures out how to upload them on to flickr I will put them on the blog and youtube-just ignore my singing-I may know all the words but I don't sound that great!! We left the concert full of life and energy but starving as our only dinner had been a few potato chips while tailgating. Did we head to some quaint parisian after hours dinner or bisto-no we headed for the golden arches. I know we shouldn't have but we were both dying for fast food.
All in all it was a fab weekend and we can not wait for a return trip next year. So a huge thank you to matt's parents for having the monster and to Mr. Buffett et al for coming to paris and putting us all in a margaritaville state of mind.
Sam stayed with Matt's parents and had a ball as well. Due to the Eurostar disruptions they kindly had him for an additional night as we had to spend the night in london prior to our train to ensure that we got there early enough to get on the 7:30 train. We were in Paris before lunch and after dropping off our bags ( and calling the monster) we went out shopping and enjoying the autumn sunshine. It was a glorious day and we not only had a yummy lunch but window shopped to our hearts content. After a bottle of champagne (thank you t & l!)and a quick nap we were recharged and ready for the concert. The doors opened at 7, the concert started at 8 and we got there at 5:30 to experience tailgating parisian style. I can honestly say that I have never had so much fun waiting in line. We talked to everyone and found a few cyber aquatances from the buffett form that I lurk on. One woman I was chatting to shares my birthday and another couple are stationed at Kaiserslatern in Germany where we were stationed when I was little. Talk about coincidences. Everyone was super friendly a very merry as most people had brought refreshments. There were beach balls going back an forth down the line and across the street and the locals took it all in their stride. The crowd was very good natured and in control but if the same thing were to happen in anyother major city the police would have been there in a heart beat giving everyone a warning.
Managed to get right up close when Jimmy and the band arrived and am kicking myself that I didn't push my way up front and ask for an autograph-next year I won't make the same mistake.
The venue held about 300-400 people but it didn't feel full. We were pretty close to the stage and had a fantastic view. The atmosphere was electric and jimmy and the band really seemed to be enjoying themselves. They played for 2.5 hours solid and could have gone on longer. The audience joined in on every song and we all knew all the words! I usually can't remember what I ate for breakfast but once I start singing a song I know all the words. Matt took a few videos on the camera and once he figures out how to upload them on to flickr I will put them on the blog and youtube-just ignore my singing-I may know all the words but I don't sound that great!! We left the concert full of life and energy but starving as our only dinner had been a few potato chips while tailgating. Did we head to some quaint parisian after hours dinner or bisto-no we headed for the golden arches. I know we shouldn't have but we were both dying for fast food.
All in all it was a fab weekend and we can not wait for a return trip next year. So a huge thank you to matt's parents for having the monster and to Mr. Buffett et al for coming to paris and putting us all in a margaritaville state of mind.
the man himself
I was so close, I should have barged in and got his autograph but I was being unusually polite. Still this was closer than we expected to be.
jimmy
The big guy took time to greet the crowd before going into get ready for the show. By this stage there were probably about 200 or so of us tailgaiting on the street. Don't think that the good folk of paris were prepared for beach balls, sharks and inflatable monkeys flying around in the street.
waiting for boat drinks
I am not really grumpy honest!! Just enjoying the warm autumn sunshine and wishing that I wasn't dressed in black from head to toe.
license to chill
We had a lovely relaxed lunch sitting in the sun near the opera in paris. Here is Matt looking very chilled.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Parrotheads in Paris
Just back from an amazing weekend in Paris. Will blog in more details later complete with pics and our videos but here is a taster of what we were doing. The concert was out of this world and we are both already looking forward to next year!!
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
I think I am going to stop listening to the news..
The first theng I do in the morning is to fire up the laptop (okay I do get out of bed first-most mornings anyway!) and put on the morning news on BBC Radio 5. It seems like each morning it gets more and more depressing with ever more worrying financial and political news. I have found that I am starting the day more worried and stressed than ever and I have decided to find a more cheerful way to start the day-if only radio margaritaville were playing at that hour of the morning. I do like to keep up with the news but there never seems to be anything good to report tenhese days, life is challenging enough with out being constantly worried about the big picture. Any suggestions for a cheerful radio station without a lot of news?
The boys throughly enjoyed themselves at the warhammer day the the NEC on Sunday. Sam managed to purchase everything on his list and he and matt have even got most of it assembled and back sprayed ready for painting. I had lots of fun out shopping with the girls, though it was very strange not having a little boy in tow. Didn't do much actual purchasing, but lots of gossiping and window shopping. We even treated ourselves to lunch at Wagamamas-it is so nice to have one on our doorstep.
This week has been quiet as we are carless. My car failed its mot last week and am unable to drive it until the problem is fixed as the mot expired just after it was tested. The parts are in now and it is going to the garage tomorrow so hopefully we will have it back by thursday. Sam has really been enjoying this website: scratch.mit.edu, it is a site to help children learn how programming works and it allows them to create their own cartoons, games etc. Sam has made several cartoons and we are now trying to figure out how to make a game. Watch this space-if he manages to will post a link.
The boys throughly enjoyed themselves at the warhammer day the the NEC on Sunday. Sam managed to purchase everything on his list and he and matt have even got most of it assembled and back sprayed ready for painting. I had lots of fun out shopping with the girls, though it was very strange not having a little boy in tow. Didn't do much actual purchasing, but lots of gossiping and window shopping. We even treated ourselves to lunch at Wagamamas-it is so nice to have one on our doorstep.
This week has been quiet as we are carless. My car failed its mot last week and am unable to drive it until the problem is fixed as the mot expired just after it was tested. The parts are in now and it is going to the garage tomorrow so hopefully we will have it back by thursday. Sam has really been enjoying this website: scratch.mit.edu, it is a site to help children learn how programming works and it allows them to create their own cartoons, games etc. Sam has made several cartoons and we are now trying to figure out how to make a game. Watch this space-if he manages to will post a link.
Tuesday, September 09, 2008
Summer's officially over..
as if the copious amounts of rain were not enough to tell us all that summer is over the return of all sam's activities just confirms it. This week saw the start of home ed group, art and beavers. Tennis has started back too but sam has decided to rest this term and play with matt and I rather than have formal lessons. I wasn't too disappointed as they have reverted to their 9am on a sunday morning at the outdoor court slot and I am not sure that either of us would enjoy them if the weather keeps up like it has done. We have also gotten more serious about school work-especially math. I think the break has done us both good, I am more relaxed and sam is slightly more eager to work.
Sept is going to be a busy month for us-the boys are going to the big warhammer show at the nec (while I go shopping with the girls!), Matt and I are going to paris to see jimmy in concert and sam's friend dan is coming to stay and at the beginning of Oct sam and I are popping over to Dublin for the night (as you do) to visit Miriam and the boys. The tickets were only £20 return for both of us so we figured it was too good a bargain to miss Matt is going to stay home with the dogs and enjoy some much needed daddy time.
I have a new knitting project underway as my cousin and his wife are expecting their first baby. I am so thrilled to them and know that they will make fantastic parents. I had forgotten how absorbing knitting can be, I am sure that I am going to have rsi by the time I finish the blanket. I should be able to get a lot done on the way to paris as we are going by train rather than flying.
Miko's tv watching continues, tonight she was mesmerised by the Star Wars movie sam was watching-it was part 2 clone wars I think. She obviously prefers sci-fi to crime though as she slept and snored through csi miami.
Sept is going to be a busy month for us-the boys are going to the big warhammer show at the nec (while I go shopping with the girls!), Matt and I are going to paris to see jimmy in concert and sam's friend dan is coming to stay and at the beginning of Oct sam and I are popping over to Dublin for the night (as you do) to visit Miriam and the boys. The tickets were only £20 return for both of us so we figured it was too good a bargain to miss Matt is going to stay home with the dogs and enjoy some much needed daddy time.
I have a new knitting project underway as my cousin and his wife are expecting their first baby. I am so thrilled to them and know that they will make fantastic parents. I had forgotten how absorbing knitting can be, I am sure that I am going to have rsi by the time I finish the blanket. I should be able to get a lot done on the way to paris as we are going by train rather than flying.
Miko's tv watching continues, tonight she was mesmerised by the Star Wars movie sam was watching-it was part 2 clone wars I think. She obviously prefers sci-fi to crime though as she slept and snored through csi miami.
Tuesday, September 02, 2008
TV addict-but it is not who you think!
Now that we are fully paid up members of the tv brigade again you would that thought that a certain young man would be glued to the set 24/7 but strangely he isn't too bothered about watching it. He certainly has not asked to turn it on and we have not had to down tools at any point to make sure that we don't miss a particular programme. The family member that would be glued to the set is miko. She sits and watches attentively no matter what is on and will even sit staring at the set when it is off, almost as if she is waiting for it to come on! She doesn't mind what she watches, everything seems to grip and enthrall her-just thank goodness she hasn't figured out how to work the remote or I am sure that she would watch it all day! I have never seen a dog watch tv like she does, it is so funny.
We had a fantastic weekend, went down to the in laws on sat for fils bday party. Sam was delighted to get to play with his cousins and the sun actually came out so we were all able to sit and enjoy the garden. On sunday Matt and his dad went to watch England vs. South Africa at Lords while sam, matt's mom and I wandered around london. First stop was here: http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/UK/kensington/index.html, it is the most amazing grocery store ever (harrods food hall doesn't count as a grocery store). I have been to whole foods back home but none were as big as this. The whole top floor was a food oourt complete with sushi bar, oyster bar, Italian restaurant, gelato bar, coffee bar and so on. We had eleveness and lunch up there and both were very yummy and surprisingly good value. The other two floors were devoted to groceries of all varieties as well as several self service food counters. It was foodie heaven but at a cost-you would need a wheelbarrow full of money to do your weekly shopping there-to quote MK-it is whole paycheck!
We also did whistlestop tours of the Natural History Museum and the Science Museum. Sam wasn't feeling very well so our visits were quite short. He was boiling hot and just wanted to be out in the fresh air. He did manage to come away with a fluffy baryonyx to add to his collection. It is cuddled next to him as I write this, just hope the dogs don't spot it in the night!
Now that most everyone is back at school we have started to get more serious about lessons again. Came across this site www.funbrain.com which has lots of good math and english games and sam is really enjoying them. The math games are great and they are helping to reinforce the math facts that he should already know but seems to forget on a regular basis! We have also started using www.livemocha.com for french-it seems good so far and while it is not aimed at children the beginner level is easy enough for him to understand. I am also trying to introduce a little creative writing which is proving a difficult task. He is great at using his imagination to make lego creations but can seem to turn it to writing. Each day I give him a doodle and ask him to make a picture out of it and then write a few sentence about the picture. He has managed to make two cars and a plane so far!! Perhaps he is destined to become an engineer or a graphic designer.
We had a fantastic weekend, went down to the in laws on sat for fils bday party. Sam was delighted to get to play with his cousins and the sun actually came out so we were all able to sit and enjoy the garden. On sunday Matt and his dad went to watch England vs. South Africa at Lords while sam, matt's mom and I wandered around london. First stop was here: http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/UK/kensington/index.html, it is the most amazing grocery store ever (harrods food hall doesn't count as a grocery store). I have been to whole foods back home but none were as big as this. The whole top floor was a food oourt complete with sushi bar, oyster bar, Italian restaurant, gelato bar, coffee bar and so on. We had eleveness and lunch up there and both were very yummy and surprisingly good value. The other two floors were devoted to groceries of all varieties as well as several self service food counters. It was foodie heaven but at a cost-you would need a wheelbarrow full of money to do your weekly shopping there-to quote MK-it is whole paycheck!
We also did whistlestop tours of the Natural History Museum and the Science Museum. Sam wasn't feeling very well so our visits were quite short. He was boiling hot and just wanted to be out in the fresh air. He did manage to come away with a fluffy baryonyx to add to his collection. It is cuddled next to him as I write this, just hope the dogs don't spot it in the night!
Now that most everyone is back at school we have started to get more serious about lessons again. Came across this site www.funbrain.com which has lots of good math and english games and sam is really enjoying them. The math games are great and they are helping to reinforce the math facts that he should already know but seems to forget on a regular basis! We have also started using www.livemocha.com for french-it seems good so far and while it is not aimed at children the beginner level is easy enough for him to understand. I am also trying to introduce a little creative writing which is proving a difficult task. He is great at using his imagination to make lego creations but can seem to turn it to writing. Each day I give him a doodle and ask him to make a picture out of it and then write a few sentence about the picture. He has managed to make two cars and a plane so far!! Perhaps he is destined to become an engineer or a graphic designer.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
All hail Dave..
was the mood in our house this afternoon-at least from the monster that is. For those not in the know Dave is a tv channel that seems to show car programmes like Top Gear and Fith Gear almost non-stop. From what I can see they intersperse them with intellectual quiz shows at the weekend. Regular readers will know that sam loves Top Gear so was over the moon today when after only two months I finally got around (not that i was procrastinating) to having an antena installed and we were finally able to get Dave. Matt is at work tonight so we had a Dave-fest complete with popcorn to make up for the fact that we didn't get to the movies this afternoon as planned due to the late arrival of the antena guy. Not having watched real tv over the past two years (programmes on BBCi player don't count) sam was unprepared for the amount of commercials-several times he asked why we couldn't just skip them and get back to the show! There is something to be said for watching programmes on line afterall!
Other than the excitement of getting the tv sorted out today and the dishwasher fixed tomorrow it has been pretty quiet since my last post. We have done a little bit of school type stuff everyday and on monday (a holiday here) sam and I gave the house a thorough clean while matt was at work. He was such a trooper and such a big help that not only did I let him choose the movie to watch (Revenge of the Sith again) but I also treated him to pizza. Just hope he doesn't expect the same treatment each time we do a deep clean!
I think the summer really is over-I looked out this morning and noticed that the leaves on our neighbor's tree are already starting to turn, not only that but the horse chestnuts are already starting to drop conkers. Not to complain or anything but we haven't really had summer so was hoping for a warm sept-guess that isn't going to happen so will have to start sorting out fall clothes. Just hope we have a mild winter without too much rain!!
Other than the excitement of getting the tv sorted out today and the dishwasher fixed tomorrow it has been pretty quiet since my last post. We have done a little bit of school type stuff everyday and on monday (a holiday here) sam and I gave the house a thorough clean while matt was at work. He was such a trooper and such a big help that not only did I let him choose the movie to watch (Revenge of the Sith again) but I also treated him to pizza. Just hope he doesn't expect the same treatment each time we do a deep clean!
I think the summer really is over-I looked out this morning and noticed that the leaves on our neighbor's tree are already starting to turn, not only that but the horse chestnuts are already starting to drop conkers. Not to complain or anything but we haven't really had summer so was hoping for a warm sept-guess that isn't going to happen so will have to start sorting out fall clothes. Just hope we have a mild winter without too much rain!!
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Andrew Cope and Lara
Another week another author! This monday went to Loughborough library to listen to a talk by Andrew Cope, the author of the Spy Dog series. He was amazing with the children and held their attention from the moment he opened his mouth. He brought with him his dog Lara who was the inspiration for the Spy Dog series and she was without a doubt the best behaved dog I have ever seen. She allowed the children to pet her and laid down quietly throughout the whole talk. He had never even thought about writing a book until getting Lara and it was seeing her silly behavor while watching a James Bond film that set his imagination going. If only our dogs would inspire me like that! ActualIy I could see Rogue and Miko as a doggie bonnie and clyde or Indiana Bones and his sidekick.
Sam really enjoyed the talk and was awed to meet Andrew and at the end and to chat to him about our dogs.
Sam really enjoyed the talk and was awed to meet Andrew and at the end and to chat to him about our dogs.
Listening intently
I was very impressed at how attentive the children were and how respectful they were of Lara and not touching her. All of the children had really good questions for Andrew and some of them knew the books so well that it was scary! Lara was amazingly well behaved, neither of our dogs would have been nearly so calm and quiet.
Meeting Andrew Cope
At the end of the talk Andrew signed book for the children. Sam was excited to speak to him and was even more thrilled when Andrew asked if he had dogs. Sam then regaled him with stories of Miko and Rogue and how they were so much naughtier than Lara.
Newest members of our zoo
Went out one morning this week to discover these guys making short work of the nastursums, they were everywhere. I don't think I have ever seen so many catepillars in one spot before. Sam put one in his bug barn and is observing it, it has now gone into a cocoon and we are waiting to see if it is a butterfly or moth.
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