Summer Holiday: Day 8 The Natives are Sporty

Yes, the boys have been enjoying the cornucopia of delights that is On Target In Sport. I was really excited when this opened up as it's being held at the school and is pretty cheap to boot! Today the boys played football and rugby, yesterday was football and volleyball. They have been enjoying themselves immensely even if yesterday morning ran more like a hostage negotiation than getting ready for a pleasant morning out :) They brought home certificates today and tomorrow looks like it will be heaps of fun too. The day was lovely and sunny and I got to stare out of the window at work, wistfully. However, I got heaps done at work and kept myself busy :) Tomorrow is the same again and then I think we'll go up to Gnat's Hole on Saturday.

Summer Holiday: Day 6 The Natives are Cavorting

...around Lyme Park. As I stared morosely out at the teeming rain this morning, waiting for the Tesco man to finally turn up with my shopping, the deluge slackened and so we descended upon Lyme Park. I bought a National Trust membership and in we pranced, and then pranced straight out into the Gardens to The Gruffalo Trail. The boys (and Dad) had a blast following the signposts, clambering over various trees and logs and bounding upon Gruffalo footprints. Eventually the Gruffalo (or at least a wickerwork effigy) was sighted and cuddled to death, and we headed over to the gazebo where the boys pounded ferociously on drums causing lights on the adjacent tower to flash different colours. I stared at this amazing sight, blinking raindrops from my eyelashes as I huddled into my thick down jacket, and reflected that truly, there is nothing that compares to an English summer. Once the excitement of re-enacting the smugglers/bootleggers code palled, and the bout of rain had slackened, we headed into the Rose garden, and then the Orangery, where Axel Scheffler's art from the Gruffalo, and other books, was being displayed. After that we headed in to the Hall, which was fabulous, and the boys had a blast in the children's theatre and Nursery. Once we had finally sampled the delights in all the rooms, and it being 2pm, we had a picnic lunch (in the rain) and watched the boys cavort in The Crows Wood. A good day overall. Tomorrow morning I work and the boys are having a half day of school sport holiday programme at St James.

Summer Holiday: Day 5 The Natives are Riding

Riding, riding, In a car all the way to the Museum of Science and Industry. Yesterday was a write off and we stayed at home chilling out. Dad arrived late afternoon and we had a lovely dinner while the boys cavorted and romped all over the house. The morning showcased another stunning Derbyshire summer day, with a gentle drizzle setting the tone for the week. We set off after I returned home from my dentist appointment and baked some scones. It was pouring with rain, always a pleasure, and MOSI was surprisingly quiet. The boys had a blast spelling BABY in binary, watching a show on Manchester and its glorious history, highlights of which included a dismembered leg, exploding a balloon with steam power and using a leaf blower to illustrate the principles of aerodynamics. After this we looked at cells under a microscope, had a quick squiz at early technology then headed off to the Air and Space Hall which was fascinating. After that we headed to the gift shop where the boys agonised over what they could buy with £3 apiece. I have no earthly idea what we're doing tomorrow. I was thinking Lyme Park but the rain!!!!

Summer Holiday: Day 3 The Natives are Leaping

Aah Saturday! A day of sun, gymnastics fun and a certain Seal's return. The boys were very excited. They were leaping around like grasshoppers on crack this morning until we headed off to gymnastics. On the way there we saw a haggard old man, dragging an overstuffed suitcase. 'Twas Chris -fresh from his international flight :) We agreed to meet at the house after the session and the boys and I pranced off. Every time we walk past the Sandhole playground the boys take the low path and I take the high road. They lurk at the bottom and, as I near them, sprint towards me arms outstretched. I do the same thing, in slow motion. Eventually they leap into my arms and I spin them around. It's good fun, and we have a blast. While the leaping lizards were enjoying gymnastics I signed up at the gym - time to get fit!! I also ordered a new swimsuit - yay! After the session I got all of Kieran's awards as he is now level 5. Nobody notified me as to his progress so I assumed he was just terrible at gymnastics :P Cameron also earned his level 8 badge - go Cam. We had emptied their money boxes that morning so took them around the charity shops to buy a bear (again). Once again we discussed shopping around, and only buying stuff if you love it. They took my words to heart and shopped wisely. That's 30 minutes of my life I'll never get back :) But they scored some lovely stuffed toys. Once home the boys flung themselves on their jetlagged father with shrieks of joy and graciously accepted their gifts. Chris had bought me a straw cloche hat which is lovely. Then I popped off to Argos to buy bday presents for various birthday parties and some booster seats. After a delicious dinner of rice, and only rice because my boys are special that way (Chris and I had curry) I whisked the boys off to the field with the nerf gun, rugby ball and remote control bike and finished the day off with a water fight. We had a blast. Tomorrow - grandpa Rick and swimming, and hopefully more sunshine!

Summer Holiday: Day 2 The Natives are Revolting

After much begging the boys got me to agree to let the day start with a semi naked warm water fight. They were so keen to kick off the day that I was awakened at 6:30, 7 and finally 7:30am. Their cries of glee as they stampeded down the stairs, flinging their pyjamas willy nilly as they went, must be akin those crazy fools who participate in the Running of the Bulls. After ushering them outside in their undies clutching a bottle of warm water apiece I hid inside so as not to incur my neighbours' wrath. I consoled myself with the thought that it was a Friday and they should hopefully be awake. Pandemonium erupted in the garden and the boys were still giggling as they ate their breakfast. We chilled for a bit after that and then headed off to the library. Kieran had read 3 books of the 6 required for the Derbyshire Summer Reading Challenge and was keen to read the final 3 at the library so he could hand it in. Of course Cameron, aka Mr Competitive, felt the same way. We had a fab time at the library and the boys did indeed complete the full reading challenge. They particularly liked the scratch and sniff stickers. Once home we had lunch and watched some StampyLongnose. Cameron did some drawing, and Kieran some reading. Alas, this pleasant scene of household bliss was disrupted when I, the Destroyer of Fun, blew up like Vesuvious when I spotted that Cameron had drawn a massive red X on the beige carpet. After much scrubbing (and profane muttering under my breath) the worst of the mark is gone. The boys can't wait for their last gymnastics session tomorrow, and their father to return home. Good times.

Summer holidays: Day 1 The Natives are Restless

So, it's been some time since Kieran's birthday. In the time since that post Cameron has had his 5th birthday, I've been to London, finished my GCSE in maths, and got a total of 3 part time jobs with Derbyshire County Council. Yesterday was the last day of the school term and the boys have been counting down the days for nearly two weeks now. They have been extremely well behaved while Chris has been in Boston, but are looking forward to seeing him on Saturday. As am I. Today I decided to teach them money management so gave them each a pound and took them around Glossop's 8 charity shops to buy a teddy. Sadly, while the boys were cavorting with joy as they walked down the hill, (I wish I was overstating the case but they actually were gambolling like little lambs) Cam took a header and ripped his knees open. As we were by one of my myriad of workplaces I took them in and bandaged his knee up. Problem solved we trotted on. The first shop had a massive Pooh bear which Kieran wanted. At £5 for the ursine delight he soon realised he couldn't afford it. At the next shop Kieran found a teddy with a glitter bedazzled pompom hat for 95p. Rejoicing ensued. Well, Kieran rejoiced while Cam scowled at the teddy selection. Cam wasn't sure about a small Pooh bear that he found, so on we went. At the next shop a marvellous pooh bear was  found - for 90p. Much excitement ensued and Cameron raced counterwards with his pound clutched in his hand, where he entranced the server with his ''lovely manners''. Afterwards we came home via the playground next to the stream and had a good play before lunch. We spotted ducklings and trout before a few spots of rain fell. Once home and fed the boys then helped me dig up the potato plants to see if we had any potatoes  -and we did! Quelle surprise! They had planted some pumpkin plants at their after school club so we planted these in the tub formerly inhabited by potatoes, and will hopefully see pumpkins grown for halloween. Tomorrow I plan a trip to the library to make headway on the DCC reading challenge that I have signed both boys up for. 6 books in 6 weeks. Somehow I feel sure we can do it!