Washed out....

The camp started off so well, lots of excited boys and girls (circa 300) got together to join their District Scouting centenary Cub celebration..... A late first night as everyone was too hyper to settle down gave way to a sunny craft day and evening disco on Saturday.
Unfortunately the weather took a turn for the worse during the night, and although they did their best to carry on with the watersports activities (after all what's a LITTLE rain when you're canoeing/ rafting or pedalo-ing?) but the rain didn't ease, the wind picked up and the temperature dropped... So sadly it was deemed that the bedraggled, shivering wet Cubs would be allowed to go home and warm up at home in their comfy baths and beds on Sunday night!
A disappointing end to a fun weekend but it will CERTAINLY be remembered!!!

A lovely celebration...

A happy celebration, an affirmation of love...
Congratulations Philip and Jane on your marriage.

Lots of friends unseen for almost ten years made it a nostalgic trip but what a joyous occasion... Any excuse for a party...




Watch out Jane, I think you are going to have competition on the party queen front!

Abandonned for a while....

...and lots to catch up on!
What could POSSIBLY have happened in the past month?

A weekend visit from John over in England for work, and baby brother Mark giving his Porsche Boxter a run, saw us enjoy our first barbecue of the year.

A handful of mums got together to start work on the abandonned school pond, in the hope of revamping it and getting the children involved.... when the site is health and safety approved!
Come on! give us a break! There were only four of us and the pond DOES look better emptied of all the rubbish! Slow but sure that's what we are aiming for...We'll be getting together every Weds morning to clear the site little by little...



Ice creams in leafy Woodhall Spa as we pop in to visit David's soon to be new home. Together with Mamine and Papytail who had joined us for four days...



Another fun family walk at Ostler's plantation discussing fractals, amongst other things...













Monster broad beans growing in the kitchen garden...











Despite our efforts to stop them, the swallows are nesting in the garage again!






And a rainy day Teddy bear's picnic in the sitting room as school had to cancel theirs.










Well I think that just about covers it, will endeavour to keep it up to date more faithfully if only so that I don't have to rack my brain and photo folders to see what we've been doing.
See you soon.

Becoming Cubs...

Charles and Joseph recite the Cub Scout Law and then make their promise.


All ready to go on their first camp....

If you go down to the woods today....

You might be surprised at what you may find!!


A bear?


A bison?








A crocodile?
Yes I know we live in Lincolnshire but we had fun finding these amongst others, on our walk in Ostler's plantation this month.
We inadvertantly found ourselves in an archery cross country target course (we were safe the shoot was to be the following day) which was being cordonned off after we had entered the area!!

What a lovely weekend.

Mamine and Papytail joined us and what a welcome they got! Screeches and jumping cuddles from four very excited grandsons who felt that 3mths between visits was simply too much!!!! (edit to say forgot we came down to London in Feb ½term so only two and a half mths!) Leah was a little cautious at first but smiles were abound and even steps when Papytail enticed her to move with some chocolate!!! Bribery? well it DOES work!
Early morning cuddles were accepted bleary eyed by M&P with the love with which they were given, started each fun packed busy day, what with a jet propelled Lincoln visit, a gardening day followed by a walk in a local woodland plantation with other families, an Indian "not takeaway"!(Sainsbury's own meal in a box for 4), and Sunday saw us in Walcott church for our Group service followed by a buffet Spring Lunch.(It's nice not to have to cook sometimes!) Actually, this weekend I got away with not much cooking at all.....
The children didn't want to say goodbye but I do believe a promise was made not to leave it so long again...Lets hope the boiler and the bathroom get done pronto so you can come up soon and spend a little longer!
Thank you for your visit, it's so nice to have you up.
I will add a photo slide as soon as I put one together!

Riding his bike!

Well it's all "firsts" here at Four Acres! Isaac having ridden his sit on pedal-less wooden bike for the past year got on his newly given bike (thanks Julie! much appreciated) and just rode off!
Here he is the next day setting off from standing. We were absolutely amazed.... Just goes to show that it is the balance which is the most important skill, the pedalling just follows naturally!

Woohoo Isaac! Go, Go, Go.

Such fun!

Mummy baked me a banana cake as I AM a bit of a banana fiend! and we settled down to open all these colourful parcels.

What lovely thoughtful gifts... Can I have another birthday tomorrow please?

PS I took 2½ steps, showing off for my daddy tonight!!

A busy day...

Last day of the holiday, parcels and cards through the post, phone calls from abroad, visits from both God mothers bearing gifts as well as friends..... what a lot to take in on your first birthday!

Alex popped in to play some football with the boys, then Chris, Su and Asha came by for some friendly chatter and play, and finally Debbie and Elizabeth came by for us all to set off to Belton house
Anyone for football? , Benjamin "chilling" with his Godfather, Leah going for a stroll with her Godmother

Leah had more than enough with the many rendition of the birthday song performed to her throughout today and a nice juicy caterpillar cake (chocolate one Su before you have a go at me for letting my daughter help herself to nature's cafeteria!!!) Now that DOES look tastier than that worm the other day....

We hope none of you mind but we will be saving her colourful presents and cards until Friday afternoon when daddy is back and we can fully have a party!

Thank you all for your kindness, generosity and most of all love that you choose to bestow on our daughter. Eaten some chocolate cake? MOI? you must be mistaken!

She did it!!!!

Leah has taken her first step! and what's more I have it on video!!!
We went to Belton house as it was the last day of the holidays, Debbie and Elizabeth joined us for some afternoon fun in the maze, hiding in bushes, general rambling and of course the adventure playground..... and as all the big ones were occupied climbing up the 20ft slides.... Leah just got up and got on with it! You can hear Debbie cheering her on and me behind the camera, holding back a whoop of glee!