Snow.Winter has finally arrived here!

After our 4 winters living in Germany we finally feel like winter has arrived in England with the coming of snow! The children had an early finish on Friday and only the Primary school was open today (Monday). That is the part that is different from living on mainland Europe, everything seems to be disrupted with any snow. We only had one 'Snow Day' in Germany, when the school was closed!

 

 Here is some of the fun we had in our back garden at the weekend:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jemima's debut as a trombone player!

After all the drumming last week , time for a different musical interlude. Jemima made her debut at her school charity christmas concert. She has only been playing the trombone since September and I think it must be very hard for the teacher to teach a WHOLE class at one time, especially as they are learning several different instruments!! It is a great opportunity to have a go and give children access to playing who might not otherwise do so.

Anyway, here is a taste of what they have acheived. Click on the picture below if you want to listen!

(Apologies again for the red eye and poor quality photos, I got a new camera yesterday and hope this will improve things in the future!)

This has some great singing in it:
 

 

 

 

Not so Little Drummer Boy

Jonah is really getting into his drumming.

 

Below is a video of his solo performance at a Christmas concert that his drum teacher organised.

 

(If you receive this by email, you may need to click on the link to watch.-sorry the picture quality isn't great, but the sound is fine!!)

 

 

Last weekend he also played in the Kidlington  Music Centre Christmas Concert, where he performed with a Jazz band, Senior Wind Band and Senior Orchestra. He has to get up early on Saturday mornings to rehearse, which is quite a struggle!

He's also passed the audition to play in the morning services at our church, and plays in the church Pathfinders (11-14 year olds) Worship band.

 

 

 

 If you like the James bond theme click on the link here to hear Jonah playing it with the Jazz Band:

 

 

Jemima's 10th Birthday

 

 

Birthday morning before school:

 

 

  Skyping with her favourite German friend:

 

 The end to a birthday tea:

Saturday is party day...10 girls (plus one brother) for a craft extravaganza:

 

Jemima demonstrating how to make paper boxes, German style,

 (to be filled with sweets as a take home treat):

 

 

Presents...

 

We ran out of time and only did half the crafts we had planned! We didn't start eating until 10 minutes before parents arrived for pick up!

 

 

  Of course there was a birthday cake...

 

Great fun , with a lovely group of girls.

Half Term in Cornwall

After five years, I finally got back to my home region of Cornwall.

 

 

Home for the week was a caravan near Illogen.

 

 

 

Jonah's mission was to master the Rubik's cube...

 

 

The British tradition of Bacon Butties as well as Cornish Pasties featured regularly throughout the week!

 

After two and a half years we saw my Dad again. He helped with Jemima's homework about

World War II....

 

 

 ..as well as a soggy game of football with the boys!

 

We visited the new Heartlands adventure playground:

 

 

Portreath beach was nearby:

 

 

 Flambards Theme Park:

 

 

 

 

 

 Including the 'Demon Drop'!

 

 

Next we visited my Auntie Dorothy, who also helped with the World War II homework:

 

 

Finally we made it to the Eden Project:

 

 

 Grinding oats, to take home for breakfast!