Another Celebration Assembly.

Hi Everyone

We've had another busy week which finished with Jacob and Abi's school Celebration Assembly. These are get togethers at school when the parents come in a see what the children have been doing and the certificates are given out. Jacob and Abi's topic has been about the Great Fire of London in 1666. They have learnt a lot and so have we! Did you know only 6 people died in the fire, even though most of London had to be rebuilt. Anyway, they were both in a play written by the children about the fire. Jacob was Thomas, the baker who was responsible for the fire, and Abi was his wife. They were brilliant and I've included a photo from their performance. Abi was brought in 2 days before the performance as 2 children suddenly went on holiday, so she was given a certificate for doing so well. They both got their smiley certificates - an ongoing reward system in their class. Jacob got his number 5 which meant he got a dib in the treasure box. He came back with a packet of jumping beans! Abi got her number 4 smiley. There is a photo of them getting these certificates too.

On Saturday afternoon we went to a Fun Day at Port Harriet - a field on the way to Stanley. It was very windy and strange. Not what we had expected. It was literally a big gathering with a BBQ, sheep and lots of Falkland Islanders drinking. Jacob did a potato and spoon race and won. Abi just jumped up and down on a big blue mat. We lasted 20 mins and then went back to the cafe on base for cakes! That night Allen and I went to Trafalgar Night in the Mess. A good night. I sat next to a Naval Officer called Alan Wilson and an Army Officer. The Navy bloke was nice to chat to but the Army officer was very Army. He's itching to go to Afghanistan even though he has 2 young kids and a wife, I don't understand it, but as he said, it's what he's joined up to do. He doesn't want to be down here, so funnily enough I found him hard to talk to. Had a fun evening though, never been to a Navy night before, lots of booze and singing. I was good and stopped drinking at the end of the meal unlike Allen who has suffered today. Allen has been good though as he took the children swimming with a hangover while I went to pre school. Had lunch altogether at the Mess and ended up in the cafe again!

Abi and I had an arty session this afternoon. We made plaster of paris magnet things and windmills, there's a photo of Abi with hers.

Busy with pre school stuff this week, half term the following week when we are off staying at 2 different farms.

Rachael.

Gappy Abi!

Hi

Abi has 'lost' her top tooth. It was loose but, with a helpful hit from Jacob, it stuck at a weird angle. It kept bleeding when she ate anything and looked very strange. Allen phoned our dentist (I have his 2 little boys in pre school) and, luckily, he had a free hour. So Allen took her up, I was actually in the gym, and he decided to pull it out. They did numb it but he pulled it out with his finger so it was pretty wobbly. Abi was very brave, Allen not so much - I learnt this from the dentist who I phoned to see what had happened. Allen and Abi went to the cafe afterwards and Abi managed a whole big cake so I wasn't too worried about her! I've included a photo of her on a friend's trampoline, dressed as a wizard with her gap showing.

Have also been to the Conservation Ball since updating the blog. It was a fun night. We even got our picture in the Penguin news = the only paper printed in the Falklands. I've been to book club, read one about a Chinese Dancer, very good, especially as I thought I would hate it! Also had a ladies dinner that was good too.

Had children for a sleep over on Saturday. They were very well behaved, except Abi. The 3 boys did as they were told but Abi was Abi really. She was up at 4am and, after I gave her a cuddle, went back to sleep until 6am - great fun. We were then at a 4th birthday party the next day and Abi lost it because she was so tired. Jacob went to the cinema with Allen; Allen had organised a Dad's day to see Transformers 2 - mainly for the dads I reckon.

Had parent conferences today. Their teacher gave them glowing reports. It was nice to hear that about Jacob as his behaviour at school last term was a problem. The worst thing about Abi was that she takes a while to get in from playtime because she is so busy talking to everyone on the way - wonder where she gets that from??!!

So Allen's out tonight with work, I'm off to a ladies drink thing Tuesday and it's Trafalgar Night Saturday so we're busy as ever.

Hope all is well

Rachael.

I've pulled a Tornado!

Hi

Well today I managed to pull a Tornado, not on my own of course, with a team of 10 ladies. It was a lot harder than I thought for, but we did the 30 metres in 2.07 mins. There were two ladies teams and we beat the other team. To start with the rope was very thick and rather wet. Next we were all a bit close together and I was worried I'd be treading on people's feet and thirdly it was extremely heavy! I've put in a few photos of the day. It was all for charity and was good fun. There's a party here today to say goodbye to the Tornado's as that particular type of fast jet has been decommissioned. The new type of jet (not allowed to put the name according to Allen) arrived last week, just another fast jet to me but everyone seems very excited about them.

I've also put in a couple of photos from Jacob and Abi's assembly on Friday. It was the school's 21st birthday so they had a party day. Jacob got another certificate and they both got one to commemorate the 21st birthday. Off ten pin bowling later as Jacob got his 20 star stickers. Tomorrow we are going to our first Conservation Group meeting. Jacob has joined for the year and it's a meet and greet session. Abi's off swimming with Allen. So lets hope the snow stops for our drive into Stanley tomorrow, yes it's been a snowy day here today. Hoping for sun again soon.

Rachael.

Planting and parties!

Hi

I have just finished doing some planting with Jacob and Abi. It's coming on for Spring now so as it's difficult to get lettuce I decided we should grow some. So today we planted tomatoes, from seed, a variety of lettuce, cornflowers, marigolds, basil, coriander and poppies. We don't get many flowers here either so I thought it'd be nice to try and grow some. I'll let you know what happens! It took us an hour and everyone and everything got very mucky. There's a couple of photos of the planting.

Jacob and Abi have been to a couple of parties recently so there are 2 photos, one of Jacob and Abi playing a games at Ben's 5th Birthday and one of Abi singing at Cara's 5th Birthday. They had fun at both but have got to learn that they can't win every game as we had quite a few tears after each game was played. They are now banned from the next party invite for being so silly.

We also went and saw Cloudy with a chance of Meatballs. It's an animated film, 3D in the UK but not in the Falklands. Jacob's been doing a behaviour chart at school and, if he got all of his stickers this week, he chose to go to the cinema. I was very cross after their behaviour at Ben's party but I had to take them to the cinema as Jacob has been a very good boy at school. Anyway I really enjoyed the film as did the children. It only came out in the UK cinema's this weekend so it was good we had it down here.

Abi's off in a minute for Smokoes at Darwin with a friend and Jacob and I are going into pre school to set it up for tomorrow. Looking forward to seeing Allen back tomorrow.

Rachael.

Well Done Jacob and Abi

Hi

Jacob got a certificate at the Celebration Assembly for a great start to year 2. He is now the eldest in his class and we're hoping his behaviour will remain as good for the rest of the year! Abi has learnt to ride her bike without stabilisers, she now hares around the circle we live on and is covered in bruises and scraps. My task is to now persuade Jacob that he too should be able to ride without stabilisers. He's fallen off a few times and it has really put him off. Any good ideas to get him going on his own??? Allen flew back to the UK today for a week, he hasn't got too much on his shopping list. Pre school is as busy as ever, up to 12 which is quite hectic! So the photos are off Jacob and his certificate and Abi on her bike.

Rachael.

Ascension in Winter

Hi

Allen met us in Ascension. It was great to see him, 2 weeks felt too long for all of us. We went for breakfast and then headed put to the beach. The first one we visited was English Bay. All of the beaches were white sand and blue, blue sea. I've included photos of English bay - a bit rough, Long Beach - quite open and the black fish in Comfortless Cove - my favourite. We fed the fish fruit and crisps, I was worried as the fish went mad but the children weren't bothered. Jacob and Abi went in the swimming pool on base too. It was lovely and hot and not too buggy. We also went up Green mountain and saw bananas growing - I've put in a photo of J,A and Allen with a view from the top of the mountain. It was great to have a break between the flights and to relax on the beaches too. Allen did go into work but it was easy to entertain the children. We have booked to go again for a week in April and I am looking forward to it already!

The flight back was much emptier and non eventful. I had the pleasure of entertaining Abi for the whole flight although I did manage to watch most of The Hangover - very funny.

Landed to a few flurries of snow but it has been sunny, if freezing, since we've been back! We put up a trampoline in the garden today so I've put a photo of them on that too. Preschool starts back tomorrow, have already been in twice. As I stopped this to finish off cooking tea it started snowing which made Abi and Jacob rush outside! Now time for our favourite family TV show Total Wipeout and then bedtime. The clocks went on an hour here today as it's Spring so only a 4 hour UK time difference but a one hour DC difference. Oh yes, I got a Wii for my birthday, as I type Abi's busy playing golf on it! Jacob's banned, don't ask. I will do the yoga once they are at school. I'm the hula hoop champion of the family though, which I found entertaining.

Rachael.

2 Birthdays

Hi

On our return from Cranwell we spent some time with my family. Over August it is Amy's and my Dad's birthdays so we had 2 celebrations. I have included a photo of Amy blowing her candles and one from Dad's day too. For Amy's BBQ we did pass the parcel which was enjoyed by everyone. We had 4 days in Holwell. Annette, my aunt, did a lunch get together. It was lovely seeing everyone, I've put in a photo of me, Annette and mum. We also had a park trip and scarecrow hunt with Matthew and Amy. On the flight day we had a BBQ for Dad's birthday and then mum and dad took us over to Brize for the flight. I was worried about flying on my own with the children but they were great. There were 3 other families that we knew so everyone was kept well entertained. Jacob and Abi slept most of the 8 hour 50 min flight. Next blog is about Ascension.

Rachael.