Half Term part 2

On the Sunday we had the Primary presentation which was just wonderful. They all performed beautifully and it was a lovely day. After which we travelled down to Dads for a visit. On the Monday we headed over to Kathy and John's to pick up Charlotte for a visit to Hampton Court. What a beautiful palace it is. We really do have such a rich history in this country and I love having the opportunity to visit and share it with my children. Now as my kids all love Horrible Histories at the moment, they were thrilled at the thought of going to see where Henry the 8th had lived. We were a little disappointed when we found out the King Henry was resting that day and not seeing any visitors. But we were lucky to meet his 5th wife Catherine Howard.

It was a lovely day and finished off by meeting up with Kathy for a hot chocolate and a rather enormous piece of cake. Not sure it gets any better.

In the court yard

Dad taking a little rest with Alyssa. We did a lot of walking that day.

Look at those beautiful faces.

In the beautiful gardens at the back of the palace.

Meeting Queen Catherine Howard

We finished our visit to Dad with a trip down to the London Temple where we were able to meet up with some wonderful friends Andy and Pippa. The kids loved playing with Adien and Harley and seeing the temple.

Half Term part 1

Back in October the kids had half term and Spencer had booked the week off so we were ready for a fun filled week. And that's exactly what we had. On the first day we used our return ticket to go to the West Midlands Safari Park. It was a great day because we actually went on the Friday which was a teacher training day so it was empty. It was the week before Halloween so there were pumpkins and ghost everywhere. As we walked in Elijah looked up and saw a ghost hanging from the celling and he said

"Look mummy, it's a dementor" I think he might have seen Harry Potter a few to many times.

I just love this one of Faith, although I'm not sure she will.

We had a 'picninc' as soon as we got there, food always comes first ;)

Faith in the Lemur Wood

We have been here lots of times and the lions are always over by the walls. I have NEVER seen them this close before. They are such amazing creatures.

It was the best start to what was going to be a great week.

We will remember them

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning,

We will remember them.

We have a war memorial at the end of our road and every Remembrance Sunday on the way back from church I would see the poppy wreaths that had been placed there earlier that day. Well as we have church in the afternoon this year, I said that we would take a walk down near 11 o'clock and see what they do. As Spence opened the front door he saw the scouts walking down our street in a parade to the memorial. It was lovely to follow them down and watch and partake in their service. I was so proud as our children stood with us and observed the 2 minute silence perfectly. At the end of the service we were able to go and take a closer look at the wreaths that had been laid and even find the name of a distant relative of Spencer's on the memorial. But it was bought home to me when an old lady (on the left in the picture) took the time to show the girls the wreath she had laid and pointed out her brother's name on the memorial. He had fought in the first world war. She said 'It was along time ago, but I still remember him'.

WE WILL REMEMBER THEM. ALWAYS.