Bruised Knee, Bumped Head, Twisted Leg, Hurt Back, Banged Wrist and a Bruised Elbow

HB unpacked her case late last night.  We made her stay up till about 22:00.  She was tired bless her.  Anyway, when she unpacked this is what we found for us.  Yaaaaaayyyy goodies.

OMG, how much chocolate?  Loads and loads.  Thanks Aunt Pear.  There is soooo much.  It will last us ages.  The boys love the balloons and the horns.  Might take them snowboarding!   Thank you Unc Pear for the hand warmers - very practical.  Thanks Grandad for Huffle's Rolos.  Thanks Moo for my Mollie Makes Magazine.  Thanks Grandma for the boys envelopes.

We had a lovely picture made by Cousin E

 And a pretty friendship bracelet for me.  Love it - thanks.

HB was nicely woken by Smallest.  We were rudely awaken this morning before 8am by two children blowing party horns (the loud ones, in fact they are probably called party hooters - Goooooooooooooooooooooose!!)

Lots of snow fell in the night.  So after a good breakfast of Pain au Chocolate and Croissants we all got our thermals and snow pants on and we all cleared the drive.

Small and HB clearing the snow from the drive - and what a good job they did too!

Smallest with his shovels

 Drive cleared, we drove off to a local farm and golf course for some sledging.

Me, Huffle, HB, Small and Smallest

 HB and me

Smallest followed by Small

Sliding

 HB

 EXTREEEEEEEEEEME

 Huffle, and then he fell off and hurt his wrist and his elbow

 Just before he fell

 HB, smallest and me.

Smallest fell of his sledge too and bumped his head.

 Huffle, HB, smallest and small climbing the hill

 Smallest and HB

 they were a team from then on because Smallest didn't want to go on by himself after he fell

Tree

Trees

 More trees

 Smallest, HB, huffle having a drinks break.    I asked if the Apple Cider was alcoholic and she laughed and said no, apparently it is NEVER alcoloholic here.

Brits drinking outside - Just for Aunt Pear

Smallest enjoying his Hot Apple Cider

Smallest and his red cheeks

HB and Smallest

 Tree with snow

I was sledging and fell off, HB ran over to try and get a photo of me lying on the floor and slipped on some ice and fell and hurt her knee - all bruised.  

Me after I fell

I could see a face in the snow but it didn't have a nose, so Huffle went and put a moustache and and a nose  but it didn't quite work.  He even jumped over a large bit so it wouldn't ruin the picture. He he he

Small climbing the hill

The view from the top of the hill

Smallest climbing

HB's snow angel

Nice

Huffle and Smallest

Huffle

HB doing the Uncle Grump Wink and Smallest trying to wink but put his tongue out instead!?

I think they were looking for a chocolate break

 I slipped on the ice and twisted my leg.

I took this at the bottom where I landed

 Small, Smallest, HB and Huffle

 After we had climbed the hill many times and sledged and slid and snowballed and fell and got up, we decided to call it a day.  We went to the English Fish and Chip shop and had a family meal of Haddock and Chips.  Once we were all fed we came home, got warm and dry and looked at all the photos.

Not sure if they are fighting or cuddling.  HB took this.  Ahhhhhhhh.
We had a game of Disney Monopoly and HB won.

A restful Sunday (oh no I forgot about the party and the sledging!)

We had a late start this morning.  The boys didn't get up till after 7:30 and Huffle and I didn't get up until 9am (whaaatttttt?).
Huffle skyped Grandad and Uncle Dermott and caught up with all the sporting news.  Small skyped his friend, MissK back home.
We all went out to get Small new snow boots as he had a hole in his (they've only lasted him two months!).  Huffle and I bought ourselves balaclavas.  We also managed to get Smallest a new pair of boots which we hope will fit him next year too. (they cost $9 - that's about £6 for a sturdy pair of snow boots.  Amazing!).

I saw this caterpillar on the drive crawling to safety as it heard the thunderous feet of Small and Smallest.

(I put the key next to it to give it some perspective)

We had dinner out and then all rushed back home as Smallest had a party to go to and Small and Huffle went sledging.
Smallest had lots of fun at his party.  It was in a soft play gymnasium.  He trampolined, went on the balance bar, swung like a monkey and played in the play area.  Then they stopped for pizza and cake.  They all watched while the party girl opened her presents.  Then armed with his Lego truck (gift bag) we went home.  I was a bit worried because apparently this is how parties are here.  At the age of five they have the whole class, with entertainment, and food and fabulous gift bags.  Oh No - Smallest is going to be five soon. Arrgghhhh.

Climbing in the cage

Peeking

He kept getting tangled 

Swinging like a monkey

balancing like a balancer!

Great concentration

Bouncing on the biggest trampoline I have ever seen

Time for food.

I met some Mum's there and found out about some things to do in the summer holidays.  I also met a Dad who works for the same company as Huffle.  We said we would all get together for a cup of tea sometime (he was English).
Small and Huffle went to a local farm for sledging which was part of the Winter Festival here in the Hamlet.  They had free hot chocolate and lots of fun sledging.  It was fast and furious.

Stopping briefly for a hot chocolate break

Small on his tray sledge

Small

Huffle sledging

We all arrived home at the same time.  The boys had a bit of tea.  Then we had to play a game ............................................................

Not even going to say the words!  But Small won!

 Please can we play something else?