Trick or Treat?

Had a fantastic Trick or Treat evening after spending the day watching Jonathan Creek in our PJs; as Jamie had a training day from school.

I picked up my god daughter; Ella and her brother Elliot, and took the three monsters; first to Ella and Elliot's Granma and Grandad, then to Jamie's Nana and a few houses on her street, then onto Jamie's friend Charlie; where the estate was crazy with trick or treaters!!  Then we ended up at Will and Lucy's house for a rest and a few more treats, and finally went back to Ella and Elliot's house to trick their mum who had just returned from work! 

Phew!  Mummy definitely deserves some of those treats!!

This Years Pumpkins

Jamies Piano

Another bill for piano this week (£10.50 a lesson), but it was accompanied by the following comment:
 

Jamie is progressing very well. I have seen a marked improvement in his note recognition skills.  I definitely think the music app is helping him too.   As next term is the lead up to Christmas I would like to recommend a Christmas song book.

 

The book came this morning; Daddy has played some of the tunes, but not Jamie as yet.......

Doddington Hall Witch Trials

As we had enjoyed Doddington Hall's Halloween evening a couple of years ago; when we went with Auntie Chrissie and cousin Lucy, we decided to get tickets to see the Doddington Hall Witch Trials.  It was different to say the least.....

This is what The Lincolnite had to say:
The Witch Trials have attracted hundreds of people who enjoy an eerie guided walk around the Doddington Hall gardens.  The production saw actors and actresses gather witches before sending them to trial in an immersive theatre experience.  Lincoln College Production Arts students working on the project designed and built sets, lighting, costumes and special effects to create a unique Halloween attraction with tickets selling out before the launch night.

We did enjoy it.....(you know there is a but coming) But I found all the walking around the gardens very tiring and painful, I was also sad that they did not use the UV lights as they had done two years ago, and the tickets were a bit pricey..... 

School of Rock

Jamie attended a 'School of Rock' workshop on Friday run by the Lincoln New Youth Theatre.  The main reason being that Daddy's original piano teacher is now part of the teaching staff.  Unfortunately he wasn't there on the day.  

 

The advert promised Enjoy a fun-filled day learning and developing new dance & theatre skills, but I was disappointed that there was no 'show' at the end as there had been with the previous workshop Jamie did (run by a different group).  In fact, when I picked him up they were playing a 'singing' game, but I would not say it was exactly a theatre production!!

 

Initially I hated leaving him as he was sat all on his own.  He did see a year 4 girl from his school who he sat with to begin with, but she left him when some of her other friends arrived.  I waited til they started playing the first game (a bit of an introduction game) and then sneaked out, but was worried about him all day.  As usual, I need not have worried, as when I arrived he seemed to be in the thick of it - although he wasn't exactly 'dancing'.

 

When I asked if Jamie preferred this one or the previous one, he said he preferred the  other one.  Sorry New Youth Theatre.

Halloween Disco

This year Fun Farm advertised a Halloween Disco so a few of us mummy's decided to get tickets and take along our monsters. I volunteered to have two more monsters for tea and then take then all together!

 Jamie, Alfie and Miaya had a fab time at ours. I even bought a graveyard cake for tea!  We all got dressed together and put on make up and put neon streaks in our hair!

Once we got to Fun Farm there were lots of their friends from school there and it was a fantastic night.

First 'Proper' Sleepover

Last night Jamie had what I call his first 'proper' sleepover - his first that was not at a member of the family...

He stayed at his best mates Alfie's house:

(Photo courtesy of Alfie's mum)

Brick Lincs 2016

It was where all my back problems started last year, so we headed to Brick Lincs 2016 with trepidation....

This year it was held in the gym and the sports hall so there was loads more room for more Lego!!   Ella, Elliot and Jamie loved it and so did Daddy!! 

There were a few meltdowns by all the children - usually related to not being allowed to buy more Lego, but there were also a lot of smiles, and a very nice man told me where I could find a Star Wars Lego Advent Calendar, which we missed out on last year!

Parental Consultation

Went along to meet Jamie's new class teacher and see how he is doing so far this year.  She showed us his writing and his maths books.  His handwriting still needs a bit of work but his story writing is super.  She was very pleased with both his reading and his writing.  Jamie is now a 'free reader' at school and he certainly reads a lot at home; books as well as his weekly Beano!

Maths is a little bit of a different story but not terrible, and there were no problems with regards to behaviour.  In fact she said he was a very conscientious student who worked very hard in class!

I asked about homework - as we have been less than consistent with completing it - and she highlighted the need for him to do the Maths at least.

Must try harder mummy and daddy....

Lincoln Castle Return Visit

What is good about Lincoln Castle www.lincolncastle.com/ (amongst other things) is that you can go back for free within 6 months of your first visit.  As it was coming up to our 6 months we decided to get our monies worth.

Once again the children loved dressing up and the interactive displays that the Castle now has. 

Jamie is writing 'Children should be seen and not heard'.

 

 Makes me proud to be a YellowBelly!!

Harvest Festival

As I am not working (still) today I volunteered to be a 'Parent Helper' for the Year 3/4 Harvest Festival.  This meant walking from the school to the church; which should take about 10 minutes, but took a whole lot longer herding the 6 that I was responsible for.  My 6 included Jamie and Alfie, Arthur and Sam and 2 of the girls.

This meant the sweat was pouring off me my the time we reached the church.  This was only made worse by the fact I ended up carrying 5 coats as well as my own. Luckily I managed to get a chair next to Jamie and Alfie.

All was fine until a girl asked me if she could go to the toilet, but I was able to ask one of the teachers who luckily took her.

But the service (and singing) was lovely, and Revd Peter told a funny story about the conkers falling off the trees onto peoples cars; which he found very amusing!!