Cave Party

Saturday didn't dawn particularly nice, but it didn't matter.  Today was Finn's birthday party and his parents had come up with an inspired choice of a party activity.  They decided to hold his party in a cave.  It is one which is on a very minor road, that anyone can access. It had been raining all night, but it didn't matter, everyone donned their welly boots and in we went.  

Sparkler

Sparkler

The Intrepid Cavers

A couple of Dads had been to the cave earlier so there were lots of tea lights scattered about and even better than that lots of treasure and plastic bugs to find (Finn loves bugs).  So we took our torches in and went hunting.  The bottom of the cave was a river with the rain, but it was fine, we didn't get too wet and it was really exciting trying to find the bugs and coins in the dark.  Tom was a little unsure to start with but soon got in to the swing and had fun searching for them all.





There were great little touches such as glowing bracelets for everyone, sparklers when everyone had finished and then hot chocolate and rocky road back outside the cave.  What a fantastic idea, we will definitely go back and do that again with some of our 'city friends'.  We didn't even know the cave existed.

Sausage, chips & beans x 9

After we got back to the cars we all headed into Ingleton and went to Inglesport cafe where all the children had sausage, beans and chips.  It was complete mayhem in the cafe, but with a couple of teachers present (who have that 'voice' that children respond to) we managed to get them all sat down and eating (we managed to clear the cafe though!)

After a play in the park to run off excess energy we came home, made some pizzas and then spent the afternoon making lego models before bed.

Inter Course Hug

Sunday - we had a useful morning cleaning and tidying the house and then headed out to Hawes for the Matt Young Translations Ltd Christmas Do (don't think I've mentioned it before but Matt has incorporated his company - we are both Company Directors).  We had booked ourselves a table at the restaurant at the Wensleydale Creamery (always nice food) and enjoyed a posh 3 course dinner.  Tom ate off our plates - he did really well - eating sprouts (unlike his Dad!) and everything we gave him - including the biggest portion of Christmas pudding.  We then headed into Hawes for a little walk round before returning to the creamery for a once round the tasting room (at Tom's request - apparently 3 courses wasn't enough for him!).  We then headed back via the scenic route (ie via Sedburgh).  Tom fell asleep (which was the plan) for about 40 minutes in order to get him ready for Grannie and Grandpa's visit tomorrow.  We then came home and as the weather was miserable decided to watch 'The Pirates!' - a DVD which the Watsons sent us as a thank you for having them a couple of weeks ago.  It's an Aardman production so full of their usual wit.  This was also part of our plan to get Tom to concentrate (can he sit through a whole film - well not quite, but he didn't do too badly).  He burst into tears towards the end as he was worried for the main characters.  Bless him he is such a sensitive soul.  

Then a light tea and early to bed.  A big week starting tomorrow!

Listening vs Concentration?

So Matt went into the school on Wednesday as part of his Governor role to do a Health & Safety check of the Early Years and KS1 areas.  He was able to sneak a peek at Tom in his class without him noticing.  Apparently the whole class was sat listening and looking at the teacher, apart from one. Guess who?!  He had to be told to stop looking behind and to concentrate!

The next morning, Matt managed to speak to Mrs Pickard and asked her what she thought of Tom's ability to concentrate.  Seems she thinks it is a bit of a problem.  Apparently she always makes him sit at the front of the class when they are on the carpet - if he is at the back he takes nothing away from the lesson!  Mrs Tennant (the Teaching Assistant) is going to do some intensive sessions with a small group of the worse offenders when it comes to listening and concentrating next term - setting them tasks that take a lot of concentration to complete to see if that helps.  Mrs Pickard also asked us to arrange a hearing test for him as she says that quite often he doesn't seem to hear anything.  I personally think it is down to lack of concentration than lack of hearing. The problem is (I think) that he is fine 1:1 but as soon as there is a group he seems to have trouble concentrating / focusing and gets completely lost when trying to work out what's going on.  Not sure what we can do about that, because when he is with us it is always 1:1.

Oh hum.  Anyhow, Matt went on to have Christmas dinner after his inspection and thoroughly enjoyed it.  Tom was sent out to get him as he was sitting on Tom's table.  Apparently every one was very excited to have an adult on their table and he had a great time chatting with the children - came home buzzing, said it was the best £2.76 dinner he's ever had!

Tom's First Nativity

Our star

So we had a lovely day yesterday as we got to see two performances of 'A Little Bird Told Me' - Tom's nativity play (as nonreligious as you could get it which was good).

All of Tom's class were stars.  Thankfully the school provides the costume - we just had to provide the underclothes (white) which meant I wasn't stressed  - phew!  (I've been dreading the whole dressing up / costume thing)

The story centred around a robin who was cold and wanted to go somewhere warmer.  A flock of birds told him to go to Bethlehem where it is warmer and where a special baby had just been born.  (Not sure of the accuracy of this - Bethlehem is colder than here at this time of year!).

There was a part in the play where the birds were flying in the star light and it was at this point that Tom's class got on stage and did a little dance number.  Twinkling with hands, turn around, shuffle to the left, shuffle to the right etc etc.  It was really lovely to watch.  Unfortunately Tom was at the back and is one of the shortest so we couldn't see him do his dance.  Not to worry though, for the rest of the play he was sat right at the front and he stood up to 'sing' along to all the songs.  'Sing' is in inverted commas because I can't put my hand on my heart and say he sang his heart out.  More, he stood up, looked behind him, to his side, behind again, looked at the boy next to him, but not really forward and I couldn't hear his voice in any of the songs even though I was about a meter away from him!  In fact he clearly hadn't picked up the words to quite a few of the songs.  I guess singing isn't his thing (don't think any of his genes are particularly musical). Two of his class mates made up for him though and belted out the numbers.  None of the songs were ones that I recognised, and to be fair to him there were a lot of songs and most of his class mates were distracted and not word perfect either.

Mary, Joseph and Jesus made an appearance right at the end, but they didn't even have a speaking part.  It really was lovely.  I must admit I welled up when they first filed in in their costumes - Tom looked so so so small and super cute (not helped by the fact he was next to the biggest child in the class who is head and shoulders above him). The play was performed by what I would call the Infant School and is now called Key Stage 1.  All the children in the top class had a speaking role - I guess that wouldn't happen in a big school, one girl performed a solo and was brilliant - I'm not sure I would have been able to cope if I was her mother!

One funny thing though - there was no mistaking where in the country we were.  I guess little children sing with their speaking voices as every song was sung in a very strong northern accent.  There were also lots of jokes put in for the adults - but I don't think the children realised they were being funny as it was done in such a dead pan manner.

Normally the school allow videos to be taken, but I think there are some children in care in one of the classes so I'm afraid no videos, and we aren't officially allowed to put up any photos on a website - but this isn't read by anyone other than close family and friends and this photo doesn't show any other children so I can't see what harm it can do.  More pics are available to see when you next visit us.

I can't wait for next year!

Visiting Father Christmas

We have been pretty busy with visits recently.  Next in line was Auntie Jude who came on Wednesday to deliver Christmas presents and see Tom.  Unfortunately we didn't take any photos - sorry.

Tom the Caver

We had a quiet Saturday this weekend.  Matt went to Leeds to meet up with some translators, Tom and I had a useful morning and then Caroline called to see if we wanted to go round for the afternoon as Fred had asked if Tom was free for a play.  We did so.  The original plan was for me to drop Tom off, but Fred has a dog and Tom was initially scared of her (she's the loveliest doggy - completely soft).  By the time Tom was friends with the dog, it didn't really seem right to leave him there, so I stayed and played with them.  Fred and his younger brother Frank are very sweet children, so it really wasn't a chore to stay there with them.  All I would have done at home was tidy, wrap presents etc - nothing very interesting anyway.

Listening? to the elves

In the end Tom stayed there for tea and then we went to collect Daddy from the train station.  He had actually gone shopping after his meet up, and bought some great goodies for Tom (wonders will never cease!)



Sunday was a different matter - a very exciting day.  We had been invited to go and visit Santa at his grotto in Ingleborough Cave.  It was an early start, meeting up in Clapham at 9.15, but it was a good call.  The cave is a mile's walk through a nature trail and as we were a group of 20 plus, it wasn't going to be a short stroll.

The loony at the back

The early start worked and we got to the cave first.  It was only a short wait until the cave opened and we were let through.  They had done a good job on it, it was decorated with lots of Christmas decorations, candles etc.  Elves met us and told us stories of naughty goblins, and how Father Christmas has forgotten to turn the shower off (hence the waterfalls) etc etc.  All well done.

At the end we found Father Christmas in his throne.  He took his time to talk to each child.  Unfortunately Tom fluffed his important line.  When asked what he wanted for Christmas, he held up his hand and said '5'.  Not sure what that was about and Father Christmas wasn't either?!  Oh well, he then went to a toy stall and got to choose his present (he chose the biggest one - a bright red tractor).  There was enough time for a photo with Father Christmas - he got a chance to say again what he wanted and got it right this time 'An Eddie' (as in Eddie Stobart - he has been going on and on about having an Eddie Stobart Truck for quite a while)

Tom & Father Christmas

We walked back past the crowds of people behind us and outside and strolled down the nature trail back to the cars.  We then all headed to Caroline's for sausage sandwiches and a play.  Tom having been there the day before was immediately at home and played quite nicely with everyone - even the dog didn't seem to bother him which was fab.

We came home tired so once again we all had a nap and then an evening of Christmas card writing - slightly excruciating getting Tom to write 22 Christmas cards to his classmates but we got there in the end!

Then to bed - a big day tomorrow...

Grandpa and The Watsons Come to Stay

On Tuesday Grandpa came up to visit us.  The main reason is that we have bought Tom a model railway for Christmas and Matt wanted help putting it together.  Bob didn't have to be asked twice!  We kept his visit a secret from Tom and were expecting surprise when Bob turned up at the school gates to collect him.  Not so.  Tom barely acknowledged him!  I guess we should have told him after all!

A good team

On their way home from the station, Matt and Bob bought a Christmas tree, so I put Tom and Grandpa to work on it.  They worked quite well as a team and before long we had a nicely decorated tree in the lounge.

We then headed to the Wensleydale Creamery as they were having a special Christmas shopping evening:  free mulled wine and mince pies, 20% off everything in the shop and the restaurant open.  What's not to like?   The mulled wine had the desired effect - we went a bit mad in the shop and then enjoyed a cheesy meal in the restaurant.  Bob and Tom then had a mad 20 minutes in the car on the way home - not sure who was sillier!

Bob stayed with us until Friday - a little longer than expected thanks to a storm on Thursday stopping all train services.  Tom didn't mind one bit - Bob didn't either.  He got to pick up and drop Tom off at school enough that he was doing it solo by the time he left.  Oh and the model railway got done as well.

Last weekend the Watsons came to stay.  They didn't come for long - arriving 4pm on Saturday afternoon and leaving again at lunchtime on Sunday.

Digger Tom

We took advantage of them not coming up for a while by heading into Kirkby Lonsdale for a look around as it was their Christmas Markets weekend.  I went really to see if it was worth my while having a Lily Pad Bakery stall there next year.  It isn't!  The town was festive enough, but there weren't many people around.  The market area was half fun fair and half food.  So Tom had a go on a roundabout and we tucked into a hog roast bap and a chicken curry.  We then headed home.

The Watsons landed just as it was getting dark. They have three girls who remembered we have a train set.  I set them the challenge to use every bit in a layout - they took this up and worked industriously for quite a while.  They then tucked into lasagna and garlic bread and went to bed and we tucked into gyoza and shabu shabu (Lisa and Cameron used to live in Japan so appreciate and enjoy Japanese food)

Sunday we were going to take the Watsons for a walk in the country, but it was horrible weather - wet, foggy, cold, windy.  It wasn't going to happen, so we took them to the Wensleydale Creamery instead.  After eating a mountain of cheese, buying a further mountain (them, not us) we left.  Came home, had tea and a bun and then said goodbye to them all.

We were all shattered, so suggested to Tom that maybe he would want a nap.  He did, so did we, so we all had one.  Matt and I had a an hour each and Tom 2.5 hours - it was deliciously decadent and wonderful.

A night out!

Last weekend Matt and I had a night out!!!!  Whoo hooo!  Can't remember when that last happened.  Matt got a Lancashire Hot Pots CD for his birthday this year - they are a comedy Northern folk band - a bit naughty with their lyrics, but easy listening and good fun to sing along to in the car (although Tom has started picking up some of their lyrics which can be a bit disturbing - from time to time he comes out with 'did you did you spill my pint' or 'oy you car park now!' which is quite funny as long as he doesn't do it at school.

Anyway they were playing in Manchester and our friends there had told us to get in touch anytime we want a night out as they were happy to baby sit Tom.  A couple of phone calls and Tom was booked in with them and we had tickets to a night out.

We did our usual for our trip down - stopping at Wing Yip to buy Asian ingredients for the store cupboard, followed by lunch at The Glamorous restaurant - which is always fun - in that you are never that sure what you are going to get when you order something.  This was followed by a trip to Go Outdoors a MASSIVE outdoor shop with lots of tents pitched which you can explore.  Tom always goes hyper here and today wasn't any different.  Matt and I also weakened and bought some Mammut clothes - it's not that often that we buy clothes, let alone both of us at the same time.

We then landed at the Komorovski's house.  Unfortunately Karen wasn't there, now we had been led to believe that Adam isn't all that capable so were expecting the worse, but we were pleasantly surprised just how in control Adam was - the two girls were looking more than happy at being left with their Daddy, Rosa especially - although she was a little clingy with Adam, not letting him out of her sight.

We walked down to the park for a play and then had a pizza and garlic bread dinner before leaving Tom behind (he hardly said goodbye he was having such a good time) and getting the bus to the other side of town.  

We joined a rather rowdy queue to what we thought was the venue.  We were both quite shocked as we were a lot older than everyone else, and also the people joining the line were pretty much all tanked up and spoiling for a fight.  Both of us were a little concerned, and very happy to be told that the entrance to our gig was round the corner.  We entered and found people of all ages in flat caps and waistcoats - this was our place.  It was in a student union, so I reverted back to pints - thankfully the pizza tea did me good and I was able to drink without getting rosy cheeked!

At our Hairdressing Salon!

The first band came on - they were dressed as badgers and were very loud!  Then the Hot Pots came on, they were everything we expected them to be and we had a good night singing along and enjoying the atmosphere.

We didn't get back to Adam's until after 11pm - very late for us.

After a bad night's sleep we got up.  I was on entertainment duties with the kids while Adam and Matt went out to get a Christmas tree.  After Rosa got over the fact Daddy had gone, we had a good time - mainly playing hairdressers - a game that of course comes naturally to me! Karen got back around 12.00, we had about an hour's catch up and then we were on our way home.  A good weekend, but early to bed for all of us.