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!