Pumpkins and Treats

This week was half term.  For those of you not familiar with the concept, the children get a one week holiday in the middle of each of the three school terms here in the UK.  It's always a welcome break for us as we love spending time together doing things we don't usually get to do.  This year Halloween fell in half term which meant our most of our activities had a Halloween focus.  Being South African, Halloween didn't play a big role in my childhood, but I'm starting to get the hang of it now.  I think it is a really fun event for children and my boys are already hooked on the hype!

Needing pumpkins was a perfect excuse to visit Garsons Farm which we didn't have time for this summer.  The boys enjoyed picking out their pumpkins from the masses that were lying in the field.  Luckily Dad was with us to help carry.  Nicholas was very interested in the other winter crops and couldn't resist picking a cabbage as well. When we got home the fun and games of hollowing out and carving the pumpkins began.  If you know me then you'll know that I don't like wasting, so Danny (my sous chef) collected all the bits of pumpkin for some pumpkin and cheddar muffins.  I must say we were all very pleased with the outcomes! 

Pumpkin (and cabbage) picking

Pumpkin carving 

Jack o laterns

Pumpkin and cheddar muffins 

With our jack o lanterns ready and baking out of the way, that left getting dressed up for a private party with Olivia and Ernie followed by our first ever trick or treating expedition. The children had an absolute ball trooping through the streets looking for Halloween decorations, a sign that the residents would welcome their screams of delight, and would generously hand out treats. I think we will have enough stock in our sweetie jar to last for a whole year now!

Skeleton and Spiderman

The party

Trick or Treat

I always like looking back on occasions like this!

(2007 2008 2009 2010 2011)

Witches and Wizards

The Petworth's school of Witches and Wizardry provided some more Halloween magic. The children had an absolute ball making their very own magic wands which they used to make snow followed by a bit of experimenting with creating potions.  The ingredients were so nicely presented in all sorts of colours, textures and descriptions.  It really got the kids' creative juices flowing.  This is a good idea for a birthday party or even just play date entertainment!

Nicholas joined Olivia for Group 64's Halloween holiday project.  He remembered when he did a similar activity, Wizard of Oz, with Phillipa last summer.  Reflecting on my own feelings, I thought he would be nervous doing acting with mostly strangers, but it didn't phase him in the least and he really seemed to enjoy himself.  They put on a great performance called The Happy Ghost and His Hauntings.  Experiences like this can only be good for these kids!

Mosaics and Arches

I've become hooked on Littlebird, a website that has tempting flash sales every day, very hard to resist.  One of the events I got from them was an Explorer Tour and Mosaic Workshop at St Paul's Cathedral.  I've been wanting to take the boys there for ages now so it seemed like the perfect outing during the holidays.  The first part of the session involved a talk about the history of the cathedral and a bit of insight into construction methods used way back then.  The guide pitched everything just right for little ears.  The boys were totally engaged and really fascinated by the wooden bricks that were used to demonstrate how the arches were constructed.  The kids loved the next part of the session where they were led around the cathedral to investigate some of the floor and ceiling mosaics with their torches, magnifying glasses and binoculars.  They then got to design their own mosaics using three different materials in the final part of the session.  After lunch in the shadow of the great cathedral we used the Millenium Bridge to cross the Thames and took a lovely long stroll along the South Bank back to Waterloo.  It was low tide so we even stumbled across one of the famous Thames beaches!

Gogo

I can't find the words to express the deep sense of loss and sadness I have been feeling since my beloved mother passed away exactly a month ago today. I still find myself wondering if I am having a bad dream and then I realise that Gogo is gone for ever. I cannot begin to imagine the rest of our lives without her. The thing that makes me saddest of all is that she won't be able to play and laugh with her grandchildren and enjoy watching them grow up. And that they won't benefit from the love and attention that Gogo always showered all over them. It just seems so unfair on her, on them and on us. I know that I need to try and focus on the good memories but I am still finding it really hard to be positive!

Linda Beatrix Mullin

Born: 26 March 1951

Passed Away: 15 September 2012

Don't Grieve For Me

Author: Unknown

Don't grieve for me, for now I'm free;

I'm following the path God laid for me.

I took His hand when I heard Him call;

I turned my back and left it all.

I could not stay another day,

To laugh, to love, to work or play.

Tasks left undone must stay that way;

I found that place at the close of day.

If my parting has left a void,

then fill it with remembered joy.

A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss;

Ah yes, these things, I too, will miss.

Be not burdened with times of sorrow;

I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.

My life's been full, I savored much;

Good friends, good times, a loved ones touch.

Perhaps my time seemed all too brief;

Don't lengthen it now with undue grief.

Lift up your heart and share with me;

God wanted me now, He set me free.

RIP Gogo

We love you more than you'll ever know!

We will miss you every day!

We will never forget you!

Back to School

The 2012/2013 school year has begun! Danny has started his school career by attending nursery (equivalent to grade 00). Don't you think the little thing looks cute in his uniform? Things start getting serious for Nicholas now that he is in pre-prep 1 (equivalent to grade 1). To set the mood their uniform takes on the classic style with a blazer and tie. You have to admit he also looks rather handsome. Smiles all around!

... more on this topic to follow soon ...

Stolen Photos

In England the schools are closed for almost 2 months over the summer. It's a time of the year I always look forward to and try to make the most of. I can't believe that it's nearly over. On the one hand I am relieved but on the other hand I am a bit sad. I just love spending time with these boys of mine. We were at home for the first 2 weeks before we headed to South Africa for 4 weeks and now we have 1.5 weeks at home before it's back to school. As you can imagine I've got a lot of blogging to catch up on. Hopefully it won't take me too long. In the meantime here are some photos that I stole from Janine's blog. Happy moments!