Johnny got hit by a baseball bat*

I seem to have my tummy problems back again. Some time ago I thought milk was giving me trouble as it is somehow different here in Canada than it was in the UK. I haven't been having any milk (that isn't cooked) and things have been good. However yesterday I got awful aches and pains which continued today. Not happy! I have also been feeling hot again (this is not pre-menopausal, I'm sure of it). The only thing I had different this weekend was late evening chocolate, a beer and croissants Saturday morning that sat really heavily. Also I didn't have a yoghurt and I have been having probiotic yogurts daily which I felt was helping. I even gave up my forest walk today as it felt so bad (hopefully we can do one tomorrow instead).

After the boys went to school (it was a cold start and required coats and gloves), I helped Huffle to load his Winter Tyres and followed him to the garage where he left his car and I drove him home (got to look after that poorly hamstring of his). Then I went and met Suffolk for shopping. She holds a Costco card so that was our main purpose but we also did a bit of Christmas shopping first. We spent far too much money but now our freezer is full of meat and fish.

I came home in time for lunch with Huffle and we watched a bit more of the weird Jekyll and Hyde. Last night Huffle and I watched a programme where there were three couples who got married at first sight. They didn't even know each other's names or who they were. It was very entertaining. They have four weeks to decide if they are staying together or getting a divorce.

This afternoon I went and picked up some essentials that I couldn't get from Costco plus I bought little things to fill our advent calendar up with and came home to put it all away.

I made dinner, the boys came home, they had their piano practice. Both have been practising so much that she was happy to move onto something else which means they are both very ready for their recital this Sunday. *Smallest's new song was something about Johnny being hit by a baseball bat. I've never heard of it but I think it's a Christmas song. Poor Johnny.

Smallest's new crocheted Elf Hat

After dinner, the boys went to Scouts and Cubs where they practised their carol singing for next week's tree lighting ceremony. They also made candy cane reindeers to hand out at the ceremony.

 

 

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Windy dreams

Another weird dream last night where I was driving my car and watching a weird cloud at the side of me. The wind picked up the car with me in it and threw me into the air. I woke up in a panic. It was very scary. Then this morning I read there had been terrible winds in the UK. Spooky!

Christmas cake feeding time - hic

I decided to take Small to his football today to give Huffle a chance to rest his hamstring and Smallest a chance to rest his knee. Poor souls! They spent their time playing FIFA.

Small's football was very entertaining today as he had a different coach (one of the rep coaches). You could tell he enjoyed the session much better than normal.

At home we all had lunch and Smallest, Huffle and I played MarioKart while Small spent all afternoon doing his homework. A presentation on animals and vegetation and an essay on Einstein.

Huffle FaceTimed Grandad and then the boys all played hide and seek while I made dinner and crocheted Smallest an Elf hat.

More piano and tuba practice happened today too.

 

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No Groceries for the Old Buggered Wolf

Last night I dreamt that I was pregnant but the school I worked in gave me a pregnancy test which was at a computer. Three questions were asked, one of which was take your photo. It said it was positive but I wasn't convinced and insisted I saw a doctor. It was all very strange.

Unfortunately I had to get up this morning in order to go off to sewing to hand in my 'bats'. I had breakfast and left the boys watching TV. Sewing was an interesting event. I mentioned that I had trouble reading the pattern and a woman sneered at me and said 'oh I don't know why, I didn't". A couple of others did have trouble though and it was suggested that my seams weren't correct. When they measured my seam allowance it was almost perfect. Ha! Anyway, this months one is a Chritsmas Tree and I have no idea what they were talking about. Suffolk to the rescue again. At least we have longer this time as we won't be going back until January now. Suffolk and I went for a cup of tea and a chat afterwards and then I came home for lunch.

I dropped all the boys off at the football and went and got my watch exchanged as it broke after just one week. I went to Customer Service - Customer Service huh? I don't think so. Rude as you like, didn't listen, made me fill out all sorts of crap and I even said I would exchange it but no, that was too much trouble for MissNoCustomerService! I got my money back and then went and bought a better one in a different shop HA!

Next I tried to buy Smallest an Elf hat for his Christmas Concert but no-one had one so I bought some green wool instead (he hasn't decided yet whether I can knit/crochet one or he might make one himself). I took a vent cover back to the DIY shop and then went back to the football in time to see all three boys on the field at the same time. Small as Giant Goalie, Smallest as Defender and Huffle as mid field man until he pulled his hamstring and then Goalie. Silly idiot still thinks he's 20 years old (he ain't never been 20!). One day he is going to have to admit when he is injured and not just play through it.

We had a quick change at home with showers and then we dropped Smallest off at one of the footballers houses for a party. There he stayed for 2.5hours while Small, Huffle and I went to a Gadget shop to return something we bought last week. I decided to buy two Christmas presents while in there and wandered around stalking three people who were holding on to the things I wanted as they were the last two. I followed them for ages and eventually asked if they were definitely going to buy them, they said they were. They asked one of the shop assistants if there were anymore and were lead to a locked cage. I also asked and they told me to follow the same people I had been following. The cage was finally opened and the items took out but we were not allowed to hold them, despite the fact I wanted to buy more things or at least find the rest of my family. My items were took to a cash desk where I was allowed to purchase them, except they ended up being more expensive than they said so I left them. The other people I had stalked, had put their original stuff back so I picked that up instead and bought them. What a palaver, the things I bought only cost $30, it wasnt diamonds or gold bullion!

By the time we had finished, we were hungry so we walked through the the other side of the mall to a lovely place where we had a fabulous dinner. Unfortunately we had to rush to get back to Smallest.

We needn't have rushed because we were all invited inside for wine, cake, chocolate bark and lots of chatter. The kids had a fabulous time and it seems that the birthday boy and Smallest are very good friends. They have been promised some play dates soon. We stayed for ages. They are lovely people.

Back home, Smallest went to bed and the rest of us watched I'm a Celebrity. LadyC!!!!! (She still ain't no lady!).

 

 

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Effing and Jeffing

It rained all day today. In fact, I would go so far as to say, it was a very British weather day. I even took out my British Umbrella (and had a few positive comments about it too). Boys went off to school, Huffle worked in the basement and I went off to knitting mid morning.

On the way I picked up the EnglishRose. Originally her husband came into the wool shop and asked if anyone would be kind enough to give her a lift as he was finding it difficult to get her there so early (10:30!!). About four of us said we could do it and we would take it in turns. Of course, muggins here was the only one that did it, not that I minded but some weeks it did put me out of my way a bit. For example, if I wanted to go to lunch with one of the others, I would have to take her back home (only two minutes drive away) and come back, not always able to find a convenient parking spot. Now each time I picked her up, her husband would be standing guard (fully dressed) making sure she went off okay and had her bag, and her step to get into the car and her walker to help her walk into the shop. Now if he can get up and get dressed in time for me to pick her up, why can't he then drive her to the shop? Anyway, over the Summer I didn't go because of the boys being off from school and then I didn't go because Grandma and Grandad were here and we were doing other things. So I decided I would pick her up today and take her. She is a lovely old lady and I do enjoy her company when she can hear what I am saying that is. This morning her husband rang me again to say he didn't think she would manage to walk from the car without my help. I convinced him I wouldn't leave her (that's rich considering last time I asked him to collect her as I had other things to do and he forgot her).

We had a nice time at knitting, it was a good mix of people there today and I didn't feel as miserable as I did last time. I bought far too much wool in the Black Friday Sale, dropped the EnglishRose off at home and came back for lunch with Huffle. We watched a bit of Jekyll and Hyde before I went out and did my afternoon errands. Bank, Petrol and Tuba collection.

Then I came home and did some washing and knitting. When the boys came home, I made a start on dinner which needed to be extra early tonight as Huffle and Small went off to football leaving Smallest and I playing Mario Bros and watching a bit of Nanny McPhee until the big boys came home. They had worked hard and will be playing again tomorrow too (and the day after for Small).

Small, Huffle and I watched I'm a celebrity tonight and were surprised to not see Chris Eubanks leave. He is so dull. And who is voting for LadyC (she's no lady!) to stay in. She has been given far too much air time and does not warrant any more!!!!!

 

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Croc Rock

A warmer day today, the boys didn't need a coat and I abondoned my boots. After the boys went to school, I went Christmas Shopping by myself. I only ended up in four shops but it was a start. I came home at lunchtime and had lunch with Huffle (while we watched last nights I'm a Celebrity).

Normally we watch all our UK TV on IPlayer but for some reason IACGMOOH (I'm a Celebrity get me out of here) doesn't appear on IPlayer until very late or even the next morning. Now the boys are hooked on this programme too and I find them most mornings watching it before we get up. (I am a little concerned at the language they are hearing though).

This afternoon I FaceTimed Moo and we had a good chat and catch up. Not long now till she is here. I also caught up with washing and had a bit of a tidy before I went off for a half an hours walk in the Hamlet. I tried to beat the school bus back but got chatting to MrsRoyal.

The kids caught up with more I'm a celebrity while they ate their snack and emptied their bags. Then there was homework, piano practice a chore each and Wii while I made dinner.

We ate dinner and watched the film Home.

 

 

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Cous cous does not a gravy make!

Huffle bought me a fit band thing for Christmas to track steps and calories burnt etc and has been wearing it for a few days to check its what I want. It also tracks how much sleep you get and the other day it said he was asleep while we were watching TV and had 8.5 hours during the night (which he denied). Last night he decided not to wear it while he was asleep and he didn't sleep well at all. Interesting!!

It was very foggy this morning.

The boys went to school - snow boots have been abondoned again as the sun was out (still cold and very foggy but not freezing and definitely no snow). I went off to aerobics leaving Huffle trying to find a garage who was willing to put his Winter Tyres on for him. Aerobics was good but tough and my thighs are aching already from the various squats we did.

After a quick shower and an even quicker brunch/lunch, I went off to the Art Gallery and Pottery Studio for three hours of glazing my pots that I made in the last five weeks. This is never my most favourite part of the pottery process as the glazes look nothing like what they are going to turn out like. We started by sponging off the pieces to make sure they weren't dusty and then waxed the bottoms of each pot to stop the glazes sticking to the kiln shelves. Our teacher bought us a lovely white crackle glaze especially to glaze our birds and I'm most excited to see how that turns out. My Leaf Cheese Plate that I made (that someone else's bird exploded upon) had an accident in the kiln. My mouse fell off and his curly tail broke into many pieces. We are hopeful the mouse will stick on during the last firing due to an extra blob of glaze on his bottom and I ended up painting a tail instead of the original 3D curly tail which was supposed to hold the cheese knife. The glaze colours are not the most inspirational. It's only a small gallery and I suppose the glazes are expensive so there aren't too many to choose from.

Poor mouse..bird..spoon rest....soap dish. Brie dish......square pot.....spare lid for square pot......baby bird.......spoon......yarn bowl.

Everyone's pots glazed.

I came home late and the boys were already home, practising piano and playing on the Wii. (They convinced Huffle they didn't need to do a chore). I made dinner, we ate and then Huffle and the boys went out to basketball leaving me home alone finishing my sewing.

I managed to finish sewing, put away all my stuff, tidied up and had lots of time left to sit and watch TV and put my tired feet up while the boys had fun at basketball, though they came home early because the school permit ran out (that's weird and meant Small's session was only half an hour instead of the usual hour).

It is supposed to be 12.5"x12.5" but I am missing a 1/4" one side!!!

All my $10 quilt squares. I've been doing this for a long time. One a month.

Huffle put the Christmas lights up outside. Now considering it's not yet December, this means that Huffle is now a proper Hybrid Canadian. Everyone here puts their lights up really early in order to avoid being outside and up a ladder during the freezing ice or snow parts of the year. He even set the timer up so they come on and off at the appropriate time. Wahooooo.

 

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Sew What!

More snow during the night meant that the roads were covered. By the time the school bus came this morning, the road was clear. The boys went off in their snow boots, coats and gloves tucked discreetly in their pockets.

I had a shower first thing which was silly because I had to take my car to the garage to get my Winter Tyres put on and it meant I was out in the snow with wet frozen hair. I have also realised a I need new snow boots as mine have no tread on them and I was sliding all over the place on my walk home. I was rescued by my Knight though as he remembered my foot was hurting from yesterday.

Once home, I made a soup for lunch and dinner later and then set about collecting my sewing stuff together for a day of quilt square sewing. I actually spent most of the morning looking for a foot that I had taken off my sewing machine ages ago and in my own inimitable style, put somewhere safe so I wouldn't forget. I am so annoying!!!! Suffolk came round late morning and we started cutting out our material for our Bat Block. Unfortunately the instructions were not written out very well and we left it to the last minute once again. I sewed all of my strips together and then realised half of them were the wrong way round.

Suffolk had to leave after lunch so I attempted to carry on without her. I didn't do very well but persevered until I eventually undid all my sewing and started again. I worked tirelessly, in between helping the boys with their dinner, games and chores.

My bats wings are the wrong way round.

Huffle and Smallest went off for a two hour football practice and I carried on sewing. Small played on the Wii and then we watched TV together.

Huffles photos

 

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Minus Temperatures

Brrrrrrr this morning there was ice on the inside of the Sun Room, the temperature showed as 0* and the outside temperature was -6*. I decided to bring the chilli plants in (there were still two of the four plants with chillis on them). The boys put on coats and gloves and hoods though both discarded their gloves as soon as they stepped outside. Not deemed cold enough for those yet! I know it was too cold for me to stand on the doorstep with my Short PJ's on.

8:30am and I had a phone call from the plumber telling me it was time to service the water stuff again. I love the fact he calls me. I decided to go out and do a quick food shop first thing (I should do that more often, the supermarket is empty and there isn't anyone to get annoyed at). I was all finished and home by 11am (bearing in mind it takes me 20 minutes there drive each way). I put the shopping away and made a start on tonight's dinner and MrPlumber arrived and did his stuff before lunchtime.

Huffle and I had lunch and then I met NoCustard and went for a Wintry walk in the forest. It was a lot colder than I realised and although I had my boots on and my gloves and ear warmers, I could have done with some warmer trousers and a coat. It was lovely though and the tiny sprinkling of snow on top of the leaves looked spectacular. We walked for just over an hour.

I got home just before the kids who were arguing and fighting. Apparently Small choked Smallest on the bus and Smallest sat on Small, so Smallest tried to throw a rock at Small blah blah blah.

Piano lessons were done. Small is coming along beautifully and his hard work and plentiful practice is paying dividends. Smallest still needs to put lots of practice in and has promised to do fifteen minutes a day on just his Christmas tune.

We all had dinner, the boys played a bit of Wii and table tennis and then we watched TV.

It snowed again this evening.............and settled..........tomorrow I am getting my Winter Tyres put on.

Photo by Huffle

 

 

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Hiding where the stinky socks are

A nice lie-in started off our day. After breakfast, we played table tennis. Smallest nearly beat Huffle (who was playing left handed). Smallest is now in training for when Moo arrives. Small and I played and Small beat me. Then Smallest and I played and then went on the Wii. We also did a bit of jigsaw.

Small and Huffle went to football for Small's development training. Smallest and I stayed behind and made a chocolate mousse for dinner. Huffle had picked up a few bits from the shop and we all made pasta from scratch. It was delicious. We had tagliatelle and ravioli with cheese and pesto. A spicy tomato sauce and a cheese sauce, roasted vegetables and garlic bread.

The chocolate mousse made Smallest very silly and he ended up going outside to run around in the newly falling snow. It was very cold and the silly boy didn't put a coat on.

Huffle FaceTimed Grandma and Grandad and had a good chat and then AuntPear later who got to hear a quick rendition on the piano from both boys.

We spent later in the afternoon playing hide and seek which was very silly and at one point I checked Huffle's wardrobe three times before I found Smallest. He also had a particularly good hiding place in the laundry basket. We also played Go Fish and Scabs and Scrapes.

The snow did not settle and appears to have gone for now. Phew.

 

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You're the best ref in the world!!

Everyone got up at a reasonable time and out of the house by 9:10am in order to watch Smallest play football. There was a team talk in the changing rooms to start with - no parents allowed. Small and I attempted to watch sitting upstairs behind the glass but got fed up after a while because there is no atmosphere as you can't hear anything at all and people insist on standing behind you talking really loudly.

There was some controversy with the ref who made the subs all line up on the half way line before he allowed them to come on. He was a whistle-blowing-jobs-worth today. He even took Smallest and another player aside to talk to them about shirt pulling. The team were down 2-0 at half time and by the end they won 4-2. It was a very energetic game and the coach was very happy (especially after their last game which was a disaster).

We celebrated afterwards by going out for brunch. While we were eating it started snowing/slushing but didn't settle. While we were out, we decided to pick up a few things and went to a DIY place (where Smallest hid in a box and jumped out at people and made them laugh), a mall (where the boys found gadgets to play on to make the time go by quicker) and a sports shop (where we learnt that the boys have incredibly large and smelly feet). This took us the rest of the day but we managed to get the boys some trainers and a few bits for Christmas.

At home we threw away old worn trainers, had some tea and watched TV. Later we played a game of Ticket to Ride.

 

 

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Deaf Ref

The boys had a PA Day today from school so no-one had to get up super early. It was lovely. We had a slow breakfast and we were obviously too noisy and boisterous because normally Huffle works at the kitchen table while he eats but today he scooted off to the basement.

The boys showered and finished off their homework before going on the Wii.

We all had lunch and then I took the boys to the cinema to see The Peanuts Movie. This is something Smallest has been wanting to see since it came out and Small and I were happy to go along. It was entertaining enough apart from the man in front who played with his phone till I told him to turn it off, the boy next to Small who slurped his drink all the way through and the teenagers ahead who kept banging the armrests down. The kids sneaked some wine gums in as well as a drink and a chocolate bar.

Back home Small practiced his piano while Smallest and I FaceTimed Moo. She has just got back from her week away and had a lovely time. Now she has to concentrate on getting ready to come here (which she is nowhere near ready).

We had dinner and Small and Huffle went to football. They both worked hard. Smallest and I played MarioBros and then started to watch Alvin and the Chipmunks ChipWrecked.

It is supposed to snow sometime this weekend - eeeeek

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Mr Twiddle

Everyone was tired and a bit under the weather today. Still, the boys went to school and Smallest did his last Gifted test which he said was the easiest of the three (we'll see). Small got to paint some scenery for the Christmas Concert.

I spent the morning making dinner for later. Today I made Canelloni (Beef and Spinach & Ricotta) and garlic bread.

At lunchtime I met Suffolk for lunch and we attempted to cheer each other up with a nice soup out and then a bit of a wander round a couple of shops attempting to look at Christmas presents.

I came home before the kids got home and finished dinner while they did their homework. Smallest and I played on the Wii and were joined by Small. They have both decided to finish their homework tomorrow as it is a PA Day and there is no school.

After dinner we all watched the end of I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here and the beginnings of a film.

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Huffles name is Derek

During the night I woke up at 2am with a splitting headache that made me feel very sick. I had to go and get some pain killers (and I'm not a huge pain killer taking type person). I did get back to sleep but I woke up with a dull headache which hurt for the rest of the day when I bent my head, almost as if my brain was too big for my head. Well it could happen I suppose! Small also woke at 5am feeling nauseous and couldn't get back to sleep. He was fine by the time he went off to school. Strange! Couldn't have been anything we ate because we had jacket potatoes and salad!

This morning I went to Aerobics and found my head was no better upside down or sideways. I enjoyed it though and judging by the many squats and lunges, I will ache tomorrow. On the way home I took back the Tuba and was told by the Secretary that Small would be doing a solo just for me on the night of the Christmas Concert to thank me for my unending picking up and delivering of said tuba. (Now that would be embarrassing for both of us). I filled my car with petrol and booked my car in for my Winter Tyres to be put on next week. (Hopefully they can look at my flat tyre and my squeaky brakes too).

I had a shower, washed, dried and styled my hair (oooooh its so easy now, anyone could do it) and had a quick lunch with Huffle. We watched a bit more of Jekyll and Hyde (wow that's a weird drama) and then I went off to Pottery.

This week was our last week making. We made square boxes. Mine is supposed to be a herb container, or sugar or (maybe I'll wait to see how it turns out). It had an oversized lid and a rustic spoon and the whole thing is organic looking (that's code but not very square). I enjoyed making it but am sad that it's over. Also the teacher is going off for a year's sabbatical which is a shame.

I came home, made dinner and checked over homework. Tonight Huffle and I had homework and we had to mark one of Smallest's pieces of work. Actually it was quite interesting, bearing in mind we had a 'rubric' to follow.

This evening I took the boys to basketball and left Huffle soaking in a hot bath. There is only one more session left after tonight. The boys have thoroughly enjoyed it and have learned a lot.

 

This time four years ago today, we were homeless. We had moved out of our forever-never-would-have-thought-we-could-afford-a-house-in-the-country house. Our furniture was in a big storage container and had left the Village for pastures (well rough seas) new. As far as I can remember, Huffle and Small stayed at Grandmas and Smallest and I stayed at Moo's. We all had a big party at Grandmas.

 

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A sheep bathroom!

Another tough getting-up-time this morning. Maybe I'm starting the hibernation process. The boys went to school and today was the first day of Smallest's Gifted Test (he said it was easy, but then so did Small and he didn't pass!). He has two more days of tests. I don't know when we get the results.

This morning I made the Christmas Cake and despite the fact that everything I did went wrong today (especially when I sneezed as I was putting my egg in water to poach it and it ended up on the floor, plus I knocked my water all over the floor, the gate was stuck!!!!), the cake turned out fine. It is now firmly wrapped up in parchment and foil awaiting MrHuffle's weekly feeding of alcohol until the boys and I decorate it (usually Christnas Eve or eve eve).

I went to the wooded area at the back of our garden and picked some lovely dark red stems from the dogwood for the Winter Containers on the porch. I'm not ready to add the mini Christmas trees yet even though I see Christmas lights going up everywhere. I added some silver birch branches and then went for a walk in the field next door and the bottom bit again looking for lovely greenery and then put the containers together. They will do for now and it was a nice walk.

Huffle and I had lunch together by briefly and then went for a walk for half an hour. It was cool but beautifully sunny. When I got back I visited the beer store to take back our empties. We had managed to collect (over a very long time I'm certain) 30 wine bottles and 20 beer bottles. That got us a free bottle of wine and I picked up salt bags for the water softener. I dragged them to the house and Huffle took them downstairs and added them. They are extremely heavy.

This afternoon I sorted washing and made dinner. The boys came home and did homework, practiced piano and tuba, put away their clothes, complained and played on the Wii. After dinner, there was more Wii and then Huffle and Smallest went on football for a team talk and a practice. There are going to be some longer sessions until April (2hours!!) and the team is reducing from 12 to 10. I wonder if that's just to make them work harder to keep their place?

Small and I played MarioBros and then watched Jeopardy - I've heard if it but never watched it. I even answered a few.

Lovely HB at her Graduation yesterday - well done HB xxxxx

 

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Itty Bitty Corner of World

What a disappointment to be woken up at 7:40am, not only to learn I had overslept but to find out it was a Monday and I had to get up at all. BOOOOOOO. Smallest was up already but too busy watching Elf (hasn't anyone told that boy it's still November?) to get anyone else up and Small was just waking.

Smallest went to school dressed in a coat and hat (with gloves and fleece in his bag - just in case) - good boy doesn't want his poor Mummy humiliated by busy bodies at school again ha ha!

I went off this morning with a huge list of things to buy. I started with the Christmas Cake ingredients. This year we have decided to halve the cake as there is too much and really only Huffle and Moo eat it. I was very happy with my purchases of ingredients despite the fact I couldn't use the scales. They were in kg's (which is what my measurements were) but were covered up by pounds stickers. Hang on a moment, that's not progress is it? Surely pounds didn't come after kg's? So I didn't weigh the stuff, instead I carefully placed them in a bag and held it out at arms length as if I had any idea how heavy the things were. Of course, when I got home I was way out but I'm hoping I looked confident enough to any onlookers.

My next job was to buy tiny things to put in our homemade advent calendar. This included tiny toys, sweets and Pokemon cards. Huffle and I will then supplement these with anecdotes and the boys will add lovely Christmas drawings and insults about each other. Nice traditions. I managed to get both boys a pair of snow pants and wellies (OMG Small's feet are like boats, I could wear my wellies inside his now).

Feeling smug after my excellent shopping trip, I popped to a supermarket and picked up a nice baguette for lunch, some fruit and some salad. Huffle and I had a bit of lunch and spent the rest of his lunchtime clearing leaves from the gutters. Well he cleared and I had the very important job of placing the ladder, holding the ladder with my foot planted firmly on the bottom rung and obviously taking photos as the sun was out, the sky was blue and the shadows on the house were amazing.

Then I met NoCustard for a lovely walk in the forest. Today we went completely off track and followed a wiggly trail which was lovely until we hit a huge upward hill. Then we met a trail we have done many times and did it backwards. It was a proper adventure but absolutely lovely and took us an hour and a half with some good uphills.

At home I sorted washing and made dinner. Tonight we had Macaroni Cheese which has been requested by the boys for ages now and I had promised. Big and Smallest bears had chicken with theirs and we all had a bit of salad and a piece of crusty bread.

The boys had their piano lessons. Smallest was asked to play his piece 'cheekily'.

After dinner we all headed off to one of the Scout Leaders houses for Investiture. Now normally this is the time when Huffle and I get to escape all things small boys and annoying men and go and have a lovely walk by ourselves or play tennis etc. Today we were asked to attend as Smallest was being invested as a Cub. Thank goodness I bought those wellies today.

Huffle and I went as Huffle is trying to make an effort at social events, in order to help me integrate more. The evening started with the leader that hosted the evening telling us where to park the car. The kids all ran around the garden and the adults stood around uncomfortably. There was a small fire, a couple of games for the kids and then an hour of 'investiture' where new Beavers, Beavers moving to Cubs and Cubs moving to Scouts got welcomed. More games, some interesting marshmallow burning (the highlight of Huffles evening) and some very good hot chocolate. I mentioned to the host it was the best hot chocolate I had had since being in Canada and his reply was "thank you for the compliment". I think his wife had made it. The evening wasn't so bad after all and we didn't smell too much of fire.

At home we watched I'm A Celebrity.

 

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Why doesn't the old coach take a day off?

Good sleep, no snow, just a bit of frost. We had a late breakfast and Small and I left Huffle and Smallest playing on the Wii and went off to football development training. I spoke to a few of the Mum's from the game yesterday and they weren't pleased with the fact that the stand-in coach changed the positions of the team. I bet the normal coach wasn't too pleased either but I didn't see him today.

Lovely clouds and perfect day for shadows

I knitted whilst I watched Small whose eyes kept rolling back in annoyance at some of the exercises they had to do. Even when he played the game towards the end, I could see his frustration as the game was constantly stopped to get everyone back in to position. Very annoying. He is not enjoying these Sunday sessions at all but it is good exercise and will be good for him during the Winter. We are going to try and keep him going for now but I wouldn't be too disappointed if he didn't go every week.

We came home briefly for a shower and to pick up the others and went off for dinner and then a walk along the beach and lakeside. The boys played on the park and Huffle and I walked along the beach picking up interesting stones. We found some interesting mushroom stones.

Sunshine, water, reflections and park

Lots of stones

A bit more of a walk and we all sat down and made stone sculptures. Smallest made a house and a cave. He wasn't very happy today. It seemed we wouldn't let him do anything he wanted. The fact that all the things he wanted to do were dangerous, silly or bad had nothing to do with it of course and he gave up talking to us for most of time there.

Falcon, bright sunshine

Huffle found some 'detectorists' to take photos of for his own amusement and we watched a lady being photographed with the lovely power station behind her, we met a man with a dog called rusty who wanted us to stroke him (the dog, not the man, that would be wrong) and saw a huge hawk or falcon sitting on top of a pole.

Posing in front of the power station, tree, shadows and reflections

The place we went to today was Frenchmans Bay where we last went on Canada Day when it was hot. Although the sun was out today, it was a completely different place. All the little cafes and shops were shut and there were just a handful of people walking. We had a nice stroll and got to see the sunset over the harbour while some fishermen shouted a naughty word. We couldn't be sure if it was a Chinese word though (that's what we told the kids!).

Beautiful sunset

Back home, the kids practised their piano and tuba pieces.

 

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