Friday 5 September 2014

Frustration - the type that comes in a box






                                     


Our neighbours at la Rosalie!

In the evenings we made time for 'Frustration', the game. We/I taught Joseph how to play properly and he has become a beast haha! Before every roll he asks himself -
'Now what do I need to roll to send you back home?..1,2,3,4,5,6, I need a 6 then 2 or if I move this counter I need etc! 
The first three times we played, I won and He (Joseph not Nathan!) cried loudly and dramatically. Life was not fair, why did I always have to win??? Later the second night, I heard giggling from the hall, he was playing by himself taking turns for Nathan and I. There were cheers of delight when guess what - he won!!

The following night he actually won for real! A victory cheer, head flung back in pure delight, reminiscent of the victorious male gymnasts Nathan and I had watched compete in the Commonwealth Games that afternoon. (We watched all of the all round competition it was chillaxing at it's best!)
    'I won!! Yes! Yes! I won' with joyful giggling - it was cute!

Over the course of the holiday we played most evenings, Ben wasn't that interested but one night he did ask to play. Joseph then quizzed him  in motheresque style, about how he would react when he (Joseph) won! 
Ben said; If you win... I'll just cheer for you!
Cue parent's hearts melt,  the mother tears up - we're not doing so badly after all, there is hope!!!!

A few more nights into the holiday and the score stood Mummy 4 Joseph 3 Daddy 0. Daddy started to get a bit grouchy!! We gave him tips on how to win! It worked! The final holiday score was Daddy 2, Joseph 4 Mummy 5!!!!!!!!!  Play it cool, celebrate inside haha!

Thursday 4 September 2014

Mont St Michel



Mont St Michel the Disney Castle for real!




Mum makes everyone have a photoshoot in the shade of the walled garden.




Best part of the holiday is spending it with him.



Catalogue poses!



Ben in carbonite like Han!


Family selfie minus one runaway!



View over the bay from the abbey cloisters.


Let me be free or I'll huff and I'll puff and I'll scream this abbey down!
 (Love how he runs with such determination and a waddle!)



Wednesday 3 September 2014

Our French Adventure part 1


An 'Extreme read' on the ferry to France.


Over the Pont d' Normande 


Our home for the week, La Rosalie in Saint Cyr de Bailleul, nr Domfront.


Plums straight from the tree.


Self made obstacle course around the castle gardens in medieval Domfront.


Snuggle selfies in the park.


Statues!


Tree climbing/slipping in the Foret des Andaines at the spa town of Bagnoles de L'Orne!


 Pushchair derby races, culminating in..

 
being dumped in the sand pit!


Getting caught out without our coats in a huge thunderstorm, like HUGE thunderstorm! Taking cover under the pushchair cover under the trees and still getting drenched.


Some more than others!

Back to school 2014


Back to school.
There is a slight chill in the air. 
The sun has set by 8.
I am wistful about the end of summer for another year but at the same time ready for the autumn.
School runs take a little longer as we have to allow for Blackberry picking along the path and this year Seth has his hand outstretched for his share. 
We had a lovely summer holiday. A nice balance of doing and chilling and now we're ready to be back into the school routine.

Our theme for the year is -
 Pleasant words are as an honeycomb
(the scripture goes on)
Sweetness to the soul and health to the bones
Psalm 16:24

This an area we want to work on as a family, using kind words and speaking in a nice way to one another and those around us.