A bit of a catch up.

For various reasons, I have once again got out of the swing of blogging regularly, so have decided to do a bit of a catch up post and then try to get back into the swing.

So some highlights of the past few weeks:

M had a go making a poster with an old fashioned printing press.

K produced this masterpiece on graph paper.

We went to a friend's climbing party in Derby, which was great fun.  There was abseiling, climbing, a high ropes course and bouldering (as below).

We also went for a outdoor swimming session in Ashby de la Zouche, which was fun.  The girls swam while I chatted with various people and did some cross stitch.

K continued following the FutureLearn Start Writing Fiction course, and although she didn't want to share any of her work online, she tells me that she did do all the set tasks.  The only thing that she couldn't do assess other people's stories, because in order to do this you have to submit your own work first.  Since then she has been working on a story, although I haven't been allowed to read any of it yet.

It was the Fun Club Sport's Day last week.  M took part in everything in the 10+ age group and having only just turned 10 the month before, was one of the youngest in the group.  She came in the top three in every event, winning the girls' 10+ long run, the obstacle race and the three-legged race with her partner.  K didn't join in at all this year, but enjoyed herself watching.

Following one of the sort of conversations we have periodically, usually following a period of not doing so much, we agreed that aiming for 30 minutes each day of each of English and maths, as well as some music practice and also some work on something else, a project for example, would be a good plan.  K seems to have really taken to this and most mornings lately has been up, had breakfast and done her English (working on her story), maths (a workbook) and music before I'm up!  M has taken to it with quite the same gusto, but we have been playing rather a lot of Vapoosh! for the maths side of things, and her times tables are definitely improving as a result.  She has also decided to do a project on jaguars (the big cats that is) and has made a start by getting several books on the topic out of the library.

It's been a while since I've made a note of what we're up to regularly at the moment, so here goes.
Monday - twice a month group in Old Dalby (used to be Asfordby)
Tuesday - piano lessons and korfball and once a month Fun Club
Wednesday - French horn (M) and swimming and once a month ice-skating
Thursday - Scouts
Friday - gymnastics
Saturday - ballet (K)

Today we met with various friends for a birthday picnic in Wollaton Park.  We had a lovely time with great bunch of people, some we've known for ages and some new folks too.  Quite a few of the people there were friends of the birthday boy and family from doing Capoeira together.  M had a go and has decided that she would like to try it out properly, so we may be adding to our list of regular activities if it works out.

In other news, it is cherry season!  After a very disappointing haul last year, this year's crop is absolutely amazing.  So far we've picked around 20lb from the trees in the park and next to the swimming pool.  Unfortunately, despite two efforts at jam, we've just ended up with an awful lot of cherry sauce, but I've also made a pie, muffins, ice-cream and I'm planning a clafoutis and of course we've also eaten lots!

About half an hour's work.