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Wednesday 23 July 2014

First week of the holidays

So it's a busy week for Tom.  Monday and Tuesday were spent on Ingleton playing field with the crew from Craven Wanderers Football Team learning to play football from 10am to 3pm.  He enjoyed himself, and did well considering it was hot, hot, hot - 30 degrees in the sun!

Two trophies Tom!
Monday afternoon we went to the pool ready for his lesson on Friday.  I want him to be comfortable with the pool before he gets in with the teacher (last year he spent the whole of the first lesson clinging in fear to the teacher!).  He did much better than I thought, but still thinks he can't swim and won't listen to any instructions I give him to help him (eg to kick his legs!)  I expect at some stage it will click, not sure when it will happen though?!

Tuesday I collected him from football by which time Grandpa had arrived.  So he had a play with Grandpa before heading to Bentham for yet more football (bit of an overlap with lessons not sure why?).  This was a good session though as they had some mini games (Tom as clueless as usual - but to be fair he had already spent 5 hours in the sun playing football!) after that it was trophy presentation time.  Tom didn't get just one trophy (for turning up) but two!!!!  He came third in the American Penalty shoot out a couple of weeks ago.  Typical this happened during a week I wasn't there, but he genuinely did come 3rd.  Tom was mega excited to win the trophies, very very proud of himself (think his head expanded big time).

When we got home Auntie Jude arrived, so more playing and showing off before dinner and eventually getting to bed around 8.30!  He has a busy day tomorrow playing on steam trains with Matt, Jude and Grandpa.

Gala and Trains

So after a glorious week, Saturday the weather broke and it rained.  Poo!!!!  Why?  Because today is the Village Gala and I had helped with the float for Nursery and Reception.  Our float is celebrating 80 years of Ingleton Swimming Pool and was very home made with the nursery kids doing quite a bit of the painting.  This was all organised by Rachael (of Neptis) of course - the best organiser in town and although people weren't forthcoming to help initially, once the ball was rolling, suddenly people came out of the woodwork to help.

Front of the float - hummm, very home made!

We did a couple of sessions up at the school designing and painting - the weather was glorious each time, meaning we were basically sunbathing whilst painting which was good fun and I got to meet a lot more mums.  On Friday night we all came together to put everything on the truck.  Most people brought their children with them - it was a really good atmosphere, the children all got on with each other with hardly any tears (and any tears were due to heat / tiredness it was the last day of school after all!).  It came together really well.  We got back home around 7pm, then Tom went to bed and I headed over to Janine's for her birthday do.  A busy day but good fun.

The finished float
As I said earlier Saturday dawned grey and rainy.  It wasn't cold, but it was raining.  Oh hum. At noon, which is when we met at the school the train did clear for a while and the heavy rain did hold off until we were done.  The route took us around Burnmoor Crescent, up Back Gate, down the high street the wrong way and into the sports field.  We armed the kids with water pistols and they had loads of fun squirting people as they went round.  We refilled the buckets at our house (I slopped water over Tom's feet as I ran with the bucket back to the truck and for my effort got a screaming, crying Tom!!!!!)  Great Tom, do I tend to him or go back and lock the house up again, which ever I did it was bound to be wrong - he does choose his moments!!!!!  He calmed down after a while and continued on.  I think he had fun - it was all a bit strange for him I think so he wasn't completely relaxed.

It was a bit of a squeeze to fit everyone on
We came second in the float competition - sounds good doesn't it?  There were only 3 floats!!!!  Didn't matter, we had fun.  We then hung around the gala field for a good couple of hours watching some displays (bike skills, gymnastics, sheep dogs chasing ducks etc etc)  we enjoyed it and didn't get too wet in the rain.  It was such a shame though for organisers, the only wet day in ages, the field wasn't at all busy!!!!!

If you were wondering where Matt was in all this - he was helping to marshall the fell race and volunteered to climb to the top of Ingleborough to do so (what a hero!) - he got wetter and colder than us!  Tom and I went to meet him on his way down and we decided a pizza at the Italian was the way to go for dinner - we all deserved it!

Tom and Evie on the train
Isaac, Evie and Tom
Sunday of course it dawned bright and sunny - typical!!!!!  We decided to head to Cinderbarrow (near Burton in Kendal) where on a Sunday there is a garden railway to ride.  This is a smaller scale than Miller Beck, but still quite impressive and all run by donation.  We had a ride on a diesel and a mini steam train and then who should turn up but Evie (one of the girl's in Tom's class who is soft on Tom) so he went on again with Evie.  I wasn't on the train this time, but apparently there was a lot of giggling going on.

We left to go for lunch at Ireby Farm Shop - fantastic quality as always and then came home.  Matt went for a bike ride with Rob whilst Tom and I did some chores and then headed over to Caroline's for a afternoon with Fred and Frank.  We all had a good time - a good outdoors day with everyone in good humour.


Wednesday 16 July 2014

Midsummer Medley and School Report

Pirates
On Monday Tom had his Midsummer Medley performance at school.  All the infant school children dressed up as pirates (thankfully one costume I can do) and
And more pirates
performed their pieces.  The eldest class had made up rhymes, recited poems and did a dance.  The middle class told jokes and did a action rhyme and Tom's class did 3 action poems.  It was all very lovely, the jokes were terrible.  Some kids really shone - Finn being one of them reciting a poem beautifully.  Tom was at the back, not really concentrating.  At one point he and Freya who were sitting together (never a great idea) were playing with a piece of paper and getting stern looks from one of the other teachers!!!! However, he joined in and even managed to do one poem pretty much perfect which is an improvement on past performances, although I wouldn't say he added any volume to it and he still spent a lot of time looking behind him.

He also got his school report on Monday.  It was pretty much what we expected after parents' evening.  Thankfully he is now socialising well within the class and joining in with other children, actively playing with them and talking to them etc which is a relief.  However, although his concentration and listening has improved since his op, he still isn't great and isn't hitting expected levels.  His writing is also behind, not letter formation - but writing unaided.  Children his age should be wanting to write things unaided using their knowledge of phonics.  However, he doesn't.  He doesn't because he's scared of making mistakes, when he's at home he's the same, not wanting to write anything unless he's sure of the spelling.  Is it so wrong to be sure of spelling before writing?  He also doesn't lead any play, doesn't come up with any ideas, but is happy to be told what to do and join in.  He has always been this way (it's the reason the girls like him because they can boss him around!)  Sometimes he will take an age to complete tasks which really shouldn't take too long, I think this frustrates Mrs P!!!  He is on track with his reading, drawing (really - his drawing is awful compared to most in his class!), maths, technology use, p.e, music, etc etc.  He likes construction toys (lego etc) playing outside and the role play area the most but will do another activity if asked too.  He won't do craft unless he has to.  It also said that he is well behaved in class and shares nicely etc so that's good.

On Wednesday, the school had an open evening where we got to see all the work they have completed during the year.  I was pleased to see that he has been writing, and has been doing sums quite well.  Some drawings were surprisingly good.  We had a chat with Mrs P about his report she said that she's not worried about him and is confident that everything will click in place soon, we just need to keep building on his confidence.  I felt quite reassured by what she said.  We brought a lot of pictures home with us - I think the fridge is about to get a change of clothes.


Tuesday 15 July 2014

Miller Beck and Gummers How

No visitors this weekend believe it or not, we weren't sure what to do with ourselves!  Saturday Matt was playing cricket at Silverdale so we all headed over that way.  We stopped off at the PYO and spent an hour collecting raspberries, gooseberries and black currants ready for jamming (if I can find any jam sugar in the shops!)  We then drove to the RSPB place at Leighton Moss and it's cafe for lunch.  It was at this point that Matt suddenly realised he didn't have his cricket whites with him, so he gulped his lunch down in seconds and headed back home on his motorbike, whilst Tom and I had a more relaxing lunch.

Tom was complaining of tiredness so we got back in the car and headed home - he fell asleep and was out for a good half hour as I drove to Settle (I needed to get some numeral cake tins for a cake I'm making this week) we then did our errands and headed home.  As soon as we got home Joel from next door came round - dressed as a pirate ready for the Midsummer Medley on Monday.  Tom was excited to see him and went completely loopy - over excited some might say!  They ended up going to Joel's house and I suddenly felt very alone in a very quiet house.

I made some tea and then went to get Tom from next door.  Big mistake - he was very unhappy that I had collected him and screamed the place down.  Joel's house was obviously much better than ours and the prospect of tea in my company didn't enthral him at all - I was public enemy No 1.  It took quite a while to calm him down.

He came home and cheered up enough to eat dinner.  Joel then came round to make sure he was alright.  Tom immediately went nuts again, jumping around, not listening to me or Joel - talk about over-excitement.  Is it really that bad to be at home with us.  He was completely uncontrollable to the extent that even Joel was wondering why he had bothered coming round as Tom wasn't playing with him at all, just jumping up and down and yelling?!.  Paula (Joel's mum) came round for a chat and to say not to feel compelled to keep Joel here, especially if he is being a pain.  We had a nice chat, I got to know a bit more about them.

Finally Joel left after stubbing his toe on a chair in the kitchen, and I put Tom to bed just before Matt turned up from cricket (they lost again).

Steam Train
Bouncing
On Sunday we headed to Miller Beck as they were open for a Teddy Bear's Picnic.  Totoro got an outing.  We arrived just as it opened and had the trains to ourselves.  First we all tried out an electric train, then Tom and I had a ride on a steam train and then Matt and Tom had a ride on another steam train.  There was also a bouncy castle which Tom managed to get for himself.  It was a pleasant morning - all the volunteers were lovely.  Tom was offered a sit on the engine of the steam train, but he refused, suddenly going all shy (silly boy).

Climbing up the cliff
Made it to the top in fierce wind
Our tummies were rumbling so we decided to go on a pub hunt.  We found a good one: The Masons Arms in Cartmel Fell.  A really lovely pub serving great food (serving the residents of Millionaire's Row judging by the cars and fashion)  We had a bigger than average lunch so decided to head back to Gummers How for a walk.  It was a great walk, not a long one, but a steep one with which you are rewarded with fantastic 360 views of Windermere and the Lake District Hills on one side and Ingleborough and the Dales on the other.  We could even see the Bay and Blackpool Tower.  It was very very windy on top, at first Tom didn't want to go to the top, but after a sit down he suddenly got some courage and agreed to try it.  He was a star, it was mega windy on top and he didn't whimper!  We are getting there with the wind - yahooo!

We got home, Tom slept again on the way home - he must be tired from school, and he missed 2 weeks of it this half term!  He was grumpy when he got up so it was tea, bath and bed.

Tour de Yorkshire and the 1940s

So the Smyths said goodbye on Friday morning (we were very sad to see them go) and then I did a quick spot of laundry and had the bedclothes clean ready for our next visitor, Craig who was coming up for the Tour de France which was having its Grand Depart in Yorkshire.  The region has been gearing up for this for over a year with yellow sheep all over the place last year and all the villages prettying themselves up with yellow bikes, red dots etc this year.  They really put a lot of effort into it - we saw this for ourselves in Hawes last week.

Anyway, Craig came with his bike and cycled up to Buttertubs (the other side of Hawes - one of the mountain climbs).  I looked into going somewhere to spectate, but the general theme in the information on the internet said arrive at 4am or park miles away and cycle in.  Neither being great with a 5 year old.  Also we needed to be in Lancaster at 5pm to pick up Jude, so we gave up and decided to watch it on the telly instead.  The crowds certainly did turn out, as did the sunshine so the Yorkshire landscape looked fantastic.  On speaking to people it wasn't so bad to go and view - so if there is next time we will try to go.

As we had the day free and needed to end up in Lancaster we decided to head to Glasson Dock for the day (where Matt's Gran was born).  We found a greasy spoon so had lunch (Tom ended up with the biggest - how did that happen?)  We then headed out for a circular walk, however, we were thwarted by some very frisky cows in a field we had to cross.  They insisted on standing between us and the fence we needed to get to.  I was scared, Tom was scared and I think Matt was quite nervous too, so we gave up and headed back to the town.  My hay fever had set in by then so I was quite pleased to be heading back.  We stopped off at a smokehouse for a browse and then headed inside a pub for some cider to try to revive me.  Tom was looking sleepy by now, but couldn't settle to sleep in the pub (even though there was a very comfy sofa to stretch out on) so we headed to the car, and drove to the industrial estate to look at single beds for Tom.  Tom fell asleep within minutes, we ended up sat in the car park for a while whilst he snored away, then went for a look at beds and rejected all of them (will he ever get a new bed?).  Problem is that we are looking for a particular bed which doesn't seem to exist.

Anyhow at 5pm Jude arrived so we went to the train station to meet her - she got a long running hug - always a nice greeting.  We headed home where we found Craig and all sat down to a Japanese curry.

Spitfire in the car park

Sergeant Major
On Sunday Matt played cricket, so Jude, Craig, Tom and I stayed in the village to enjoy the 1940s weekend.  We went for a walk around, watched a pipe band and then headed into a cafe for a drink.  We then saw the parade of military vehicles - guess who we see: Rob and Caroline and the boys - with a truck, a jeep and the tank.  We headed up to find them.

In the jeep
How many children can you fit on a lap?
Dakota flypast
Tom managed to get himself a seat in the jeep and then on top of the tank.  We watched the 'troops' be inspected by a fantastic looking sergeant major, and Winston Churchill and then some dancing.  There was then a battle in the park between the Germans and French - this didn't go down well with Tom - he cried as the sub-machine gun started up and that was it - I had to remove him.  Oh hum!  We then went to a pub for a drink, saw a Dakota fly overhead - it did 3 fly passes which was great, and then met up with the Atkinsons again for another play on the vehicles before heading back.   Craig and Jude then went home, Tom and I had a mushroom based tea, Tom went to bed and Matt came home from cricket very stiff after bowling 6 overs and making 79 - his best performance to date.

Monday 7 July 2014

The Smyths Visit

On Monday the Smyths arrived.  They had been over from Australia for a week, so were without jet lag.  They drove from Trowbridge to Heathrow, picked up Vanessa (arriving from Finland after a family reunion there) and then drove up here (that's dedication for you).  They arrived 10 minutes before pick up time for Tom, so we said hello and then went en masse to the school to pick Tom up (it's not extreme is it for 6 people to pick up one child?!).  It was a gorgeous day so we all went to the park (with Fred and Frank) for a play before heading home.

Mia and Martin going native!
Everyone was looking very good, Martin has lost a lot of weight, Ben has stretched (next time we see him, he'll be taller than me!) and Mia and Vanessa were as slim as ever.  They were all happy and the house was full of fun in no time at all, all helped by the fact they just made themselves at home meaning we could all relax and enjoy ourselves.

On Tuesday we gave them our usual local tour: to Ribblehead, the circular walk around Ribblehead to give them an idea of the scenery, then to Hawes.  We were going to take them to the creamery, but when we got there it was full.  This is the first time ever that we have gone there and found a full car park, we circled around and then headed to the National Park car park the other side of town where luckily there were some spaces.  Unknown to us it was also market day today so the town was extra busy, plus Le Tour de France is this weekend, so there were extra tourists around.  The place looked good though with lots of bunting and spots everywhere - they have certainly taken it to heart here.  I wonder if they have done as good a job in London?  Literally every shop had something in it.  

Eye on the ball
We had lunch in the Wensleydale Pantry (old fashioned tea rooms with the biggest menu in the world) and then walked round the market, where Matt and I found a surprising number of things we needed (we always shop better when we haven't planned to).  I then headed back to Ingleton to be back in time to pick up Tom whilst the others went home the scenic way - to take in more of the scenery.  Tom has football practise on a Tuesday evening, so Martin, Matt and Ben took him along.  Now football practise is normally quite funny.  Tom enjoys it but I wouldn't say he's good at it (he still hasn't got the concept that you work in a team to score goals, if he is near a ball he will kick it in whatever direction he is facing!  However, this week he did really well.  There was some sort of competition to do with dribbling and shooting a goal and he came 3rd!!!!!!!  Then when they played some games he was on the winning team a couple of times and even managed to save some goals when playing in goal.  I'm sorry I missed it!

On the way up Ingleborough
On Wednesday the Smyths and Matt walked up Ingleborough.  I wimped out.  My hay fever this year seems to have moved into my lungs, meaning I am struggling this week big time.  I struggled walking around Ribblehead on Tuesday and I struggle walking up the stairs.  I know I am fitter than that, but my hay fever has been really bad with no relent meaning I have got run down and I guess it has attacked my chest.  Matt says I was like this last year (I can't remember, I think I tend to block out how bad it is each year - hence why I'm writing it down this year).

The runner
Anyway, I sorted them out with picnics and said goodbye before heading to the swimming pool for a swim and steam in the sauna in an attempt to feel better.

In the afternoon Tom had his fun run at school.  An hour of running around the school field in laps.  Now the school field is not at all small, I would say a good 300 meters all the way round.  Tom and his class are fit little buddies as they ran and ran and ran and ran.  In all Tom did 16 laps, the highest in his class being 18!  They all did exceptionally well.  I'm just glad he didn't ask me to do it with him (as was happening with some mums).  He was supposed to have a swimming lesson this evening, but we let him off - thinking it would take him over the edge.  Oh - we had a bbq this evening which I did - I was very pleased with it - the charcoal got super hot.  This hasn't happened in the past - why?  Because Matt has put the charcoal directly on the bottom of the bbq and not on the grate.  Note to selves: always put the charcoal on the grate - it burns hotter that way.

Cobweb at Yordas Cave

Ben and Mia - both were really good with Tom
Thursday wasn't a very nice day - very cloudy and damp so we decided to explore some caves.  We first took them to Yordas cave (which you can walk in and explore by yourself) and then went to Clapham to Ingleborough Show Cave - where we were lead round by a really enthusiastic tour guide, we really enjoyed it and were all surprised to find we had been in the cave for an hour when we exited.  Next stop was Clapham Reading Room for lunch - very good it was too.   When we got back Vanessa headed out to do the Waterfalls Trail while the boys went to collect Tom.  They then headed up to Ribblehead to watch some trains cross the viaduct: they were lucky they saw a steam engine cross it (a bonus they weren't expecting).

A group photo (we hadn't been drinking - honest!

Playing ball
We had promised Tom that he could stay up late tonight as it was the Smyths' last night.  We were true to our word and he was up, playing until 8.30.  









Tom and his 'Odd Father'!



Needless to say he was tired and grumpy this morning!  He soon cheered up when all 6 of us took him to school this morning.  It was hugs all round until the whistle went.  We then returned home, had a fry up before seeing them off on their way to Cambridge.  It was a lovely 5 days, it was really really good to see them.  If only they lived nearer!  (Although we have seen more of them than other friends who live in the UK over the last couple of years)


Friday 4 July 2014

Quiet Weekend



Looking for the red ones
What a beauty!
We had a quiet weekend in preparation for the Smyths arriving on Monday.  Saturday morning we headed to Over Kellet to the pyo farm.  We spent about 40 minutes picking some lovely looking strawberries ready for processing into jam.  When we first arrived, we thought that we would struggle to find enough, but once we got into the swing of things we found lots and lots of lovely huge red juicy berries.  I trained Tom to recognise the good ones and before we knew it we had 4 punnets crammed of them.  I took photos for Tom's Wow Wednesday - we need it finished before the Smyths arrive.

One punnet filled
Feeling quite pleased with ourselves we then headed to Archer's Cafe for lunch (one for the parents - next time you are up please ask us to take you here - really good quality farm fresh food) once we were satisfied, we decided to see how far it was to walk to Hest Bank.  It turned out not too far away so we walked there, had a drink, watched the trains and then came back.  I unfortunately got an attack of hay fever and felt pretty terrible all day (it really does seem bad this year).  I was glad to get back to the car and rest.

Sunday Tom requested a bike ride so we drove to Caton and cycled to Lancaster.  We found ourselves a new pub by the canal (The White Cross) which was very lovely, we sat outside in the sun, had a good feed before heading back.  A journey of 10 miles all together which was good going.  On our return I found the going really hard and seriously couldn't keep up with Tom??!  I know I have hay fever, but really????  I played with the gears, to no avail, so pumped away with my legs, really feeling it.  I came down a steep hill and still seemed to be going slowly.  Finally I got off the bike for a good look..the back break was jammed on.  PHEW!!!!  I was getting really worried for a while.  Matt sorted it out for me and I was a much happier (and faster) cyclist the rest of the way back.
Enjoying the sunshine

We thought Tom might fall asleep on the way home, but no.  We stopped off at Escape Bike Shop on the way home to get Tom's bike fixed (his chain was loose and scuffing along the guard).  Whilst we were there we asked about getting our bikes serviced, and left them behind to get sorted.  I certainly don't want to be cycling with a jammed back break again.  Lo and behold we bumped into Kate, Josh and Finn at the shop (not particularly surprising) Finn was fast asleep, so we had a natter and then returned home.

Tom was in bed early both nights - it's going to be an exciting week this week.

Oh and yes we made lots of strawberry jam and none of it set particularly well!  We used jam sugar and pectin and lemon and I even got the jam to wrinkle but it still didn't set very well.  Oh well it tastes good.  We will try again next year!