November has been a good month at our house. The bulk of the kitchen has been finished, and will form a blog post all of its own in tribute to how chuffed I am with it. We had the gathering of the clan for Laura's birthday ...
With my nephew James and Ben, Ben's fiancee Holly, and my neice Victoria.
Laura's best smile...
and showing her best side...
So, a good time was had by all. It was lovely to have all of our family under one roof, with the exception of Rache, who I miss every day! (miss, but not pining for!)
Even earlier in the month than that, Caitlin received a Headteacher's certificate. Since starting school in September, she has learned all the sounds, with a little help from me, and was one of the first children in her class to go on to the reading scheme. She is now on the sixth book - the last on the first level, and is doing brilliantly! Aside from that, when we have our family scripture reading each night, she takes her turn to read a verse, with help for the words that she can't sound out, which is exposing her to words that AREN'T found in her reading scheme. She's a star.
Sam has been going to Kung Fu classes since September and he LOVES it. His Sifu looks like he'd be more at home in the army, but is a 6th level Grandmaster and while being a lovely friendly chap, commands respect. Sam is the youngest one there and the newest. Two children, a brother and a sister were being graded for their yellow belt last wednesday and Mark, the Sifu, asked Judy, who was grading, to let Sam join in, just for the ride - to give them an idea of how many weeks away Sam was from being ready for grading himself. As they were going through their paces, I was hearing Judy say things like "That's brilliant Sam, well done!" and "Sam, how do you know what's coming next each time?" to which Sam replied that he has a copy of the grading syllabus and practises at home. After the grading, Judy and Mark came over to me and said that Sam had totally surprised them and scored 56 - he needed 50 to pass - and that he actually scored higher than one of the other two children. They were happy to let Sam have his yellow belt on that basis and the grin on Sam's face was a mile wide, I kid you not. As you have to have the kit to be graded, he also got his t-shirt and satin kung fu pants as well. An expensive night all told, but worth it. I should mention - he DID have a grin on his face a mile wide, but we took the photos the next day and he wanted to put on his serious Kung Fu face for that!
Sam in "dragon" stance.
... and finally, with the snowfall this weekend, and with more promised during the next three weeks, we thought it was time to practise our snowman building skills. When I say "we"... that's the royal "we" and I really mean Steve and the littlies. Note the details like, the rows of teeth, and the arms and hands - although I'm not sure about a gun-toting snowman... good job it's just a water pistol!
Well done Sam for achieving your yellow belt and you look soooo handsome in your Kung Fu suit. I am so proud of you. Caitlin, you are such a star ! Reading so many books and achieving your award. Well done !! I am so proud of you. As for the snowman.....he has got to be the BEST snowman in Old Catton and I bet your Daddy had great fun helping you.!!
Posted by: Mum, Mum-in-law, Grandma | December 03, 2010 at 10:46 AM
Well, brilliant children all around for you! I so hope we do as well with ours as you have done with yours!!! LOVE the shot of the twosome looking so proud with their snowman... too cute!
Posted by: Jen | January 28, 2011 at 03:14 AM