First Falklands Snow

Hi

Had our first proper snow of the season today. It's more like ice but we managed to make a snowman at pre school so everyone was very pleased with themselves. I sent Abi and Jacob off to school in full snow kit so hopefully they were allowed out at playtime. Our car wouldn't start this morning, pain in the bum really but at least I get out of going to the gym this afternoon and will spend my time on the computer and cooking instead. Meant to be phoning the MT (military transport) section to come and have a look at it. Winter may have started early here but I hope, with you, it's getting warm and Spring is in full flow.

Rachael.

Abi's 2nd 5th Birthday party!

Hi

Abi ended up having another party, like mother like daughter! Her 3 best friends from school were all away in the UK for her actual birthday so we did another one today for them. Jacob was on a sleep over at Beavers so it was a good time to do a girls only party with him being busy elsewhere. There were 5 girls, we'd invited Isabelle too (she came to Port Howard with us a week ago). Started off with a girly pass the parcel followed by art activities. They sat there happily for an hour being arty and we then ate lunch. After lunch it was time for musical bumps and statues and finally cake and icecream. It was so much easier with just girls. So I had a relaxing morning really. I've included a photo of the art activities and one of them at the table.

Jacob arrived back at 1.30pm. He'd had a lovely time. I'd been worried as he's been in trouble pushing other people this week, but apparently he was brilliantly behaved. The boys that annoy him at school weren't there so perhaps that's half of the problem.

Jacob and Abi will be in bed by 6.30 tonight, Jacob didn't go to sleep til gone 10pm and Abi was up at 6am. Off out for dinner in Stanley tonight which should be good. Allen's playing golf all day tomorrow so I'm going to St George's Day at church for cubs and then to the cinema.

Have been talking to a farmer today about buying a cow - for eating purposes. Did you know a butchered cow costs 500 pounds (I know that won't interest you Ceri). Am going to see if I can get 5 families to buy a cow. I just wonder what we'll get meat wise as I don't buy beef - until we got here as it's all local. So I may be emailing those meat eaters amongst you when all this beef arrives to get some ideas about how to cook it!

Hope all is well

Rachael.

Abi's 5th Birthday

Hi

Abi was 5 yesterday. She's been so excited about turning 5 and her day was great fun. We started by opening all her presents. We'd laid them out on the table the night before, I've included a photo of her and Jacob at the table around 6.45am! They weren't up any earlier than usual. We then spent the day doing birthday things like finishing the cake, playing with her new things, finishing the pinatas and decorating for the party. At 2pm her party started at the community centre. There's a ball pit there and separate eating area. It was a good party, plenty of games and food. I've added a photo of Abi with her cake. She's wearing a new dress from Auntie Annette. She also wore Grandma's necklace and other Grandma's hair accessories. After the party we had some neighbours come round for champagne and cake as their children were older. So I made 2 cakes and 2 pinatas. The pinatas were a bit strong and it took the mum's to break them open. We videoed the party and all watched it when we got home.

Allen and I then went out, once they were in bed, to celebrate St George's Day - Allen didn't really want to bother but we had a babysitter booked! It was fancy dress, good fun, decent food and too much drinking. Got home after midnight. Allen feeling a bit rough this morning. Off to the Mess for breakfast.

Going into Stanley on Tuesday to celebrate the Queen's birthday at the Governor's house. They all get the day off but school doesn't. The holidays have flown past. Hope everyone had a good Easter.

Rachael.

Easter 2009

Hi

We actually celebrated Easter early when Marion was here by doing a hunt in the garden with 2 of the neighbours as well. First they all made Easter baskets and then Grandma and Daddy hid the eggs. They each had an egg menu to find certain coloured eggs. Everyone had great fun and they wanted to do it all over again once all the eggs were found! We also went up Pleasant Peak with Marion and as we got there we could see the memorial crosses from the car. Abi said that was where Jesus was on the cross, I pointed out that the crosses we a bit small for Jesus so Jacob added that they were for Jesus's small friends! We did walk up to the crosses and I showed the children that the crosses were memorials for soldiers that had died in the conflict. They have obviously been doing the Easter Story at school. Leaving that one up to the teachers as they'll revisit it each year! So no lamb dinner for us tonight, haven't even mentioned the word Easter in our house today! (Except to say happy Easter to Grandma).

Rachael.

Port Howard with 4 Mum's and 8 children!

Hi

Well we are now safely back after 2 nights away on the West Island at Port Howard. Marion, me and the children had already stayed at this location but in very different accommodation. This time we were in a warm, clean and fully catered lodge. Twelve of us in total which meant we had the whole place to ourselves as we took all of the rooms. We arrived and , once the rooms were sorted, we went out for a walk and splash in the river. I've included a photo which was pretty typical of the 2 days. All the children really wanted to do was get soaked in the river and if there was any mud, jump in that too. I'm pleased I had waterproof trousers with me. Jacob managed to go through all of his clothes, Abi was more cautious. The food was great as was the company. The kids were generally OK. Jacob is into fighting, which always goes too far so a few time outs were needed. Have included a photo of Abi and Isabelle hiding on one walk and most of the children playing a running, sliding and then piling on top of each other game! We'd got there by helicopter so when it came today to pick us up it was nice to see Allen at the top of the steps. He'd been over in the West for work. We didn't know he'd be on the same helicopter and the kids were very excited to see him - can't talk on the helicopter though as it's so noisy. So it was a successful few days away although I'm knackered as I spent one night in a bed with Jacob and one in with Abi! Looking forward to an early night but I'm not looking forward to going back to cooking again!

Hope all's well

Rachael.

King Penguins - finally!

Hi

Went on a helicopter to Volunteer Point today. Now done 3 helicopter trips and I am more used to it. Can't say I like them but I can see why we use them. If we'd driven to Volunteer Point it would have taken 4 hours and we probably would have got bogged in as there's been loads of rain over the last 3 days. Only took 25 mins in the helicopter and got to see some amazing rock rivers and whales in the sea too. As we were coming into land I thought I'd seen 4 people on the beach, but no, they were King Penguins. There are very majestic and don't run away from people, like the gentoos ad magellenics. We managed to go right up to the colony and saw the fat chicks too. Jacob and Abi were more interested in jumping the small rivers until Henry (a neighbour who was on the trip too), pushed him in one and we had to change his trousers. Anyway I have included a couple of photos of the penguins, one of the children and a small groups of Kings and the other of a King emerging from the sea. It came right past us and didn't care at all. The helicopter was an hour late picking us up and we were pretty cold by the time we got back. Hot chocolate later and everyone was fine. Abi slept on the ride back to base, don't know how she does it as it's so noisy you wear ear defenders.

Have also included photos of Jacob and Abi with their egg competition entries. Abi did a garden and Jacob did Spider man in his house. Both their own work. Neither won but were very proud of their eggs. Everyone got a cream egg for entering so they were both happy. Jacob's had disappeared before he got home! Abi only finished hers yesterday.

Grandma leaves Tuesday and the children have 2 weeks off. We're going away with 3 other families for 2 nights. It's just the mums and kids to a fully catered lodge. Looking forward to it.

Congratulations to Anne and Pete on the safe arrival of Victoria on the 2nd April. Looking forward to meeting her in August.

Hope all's well

Rachael.