Tuesday

We were very much still Ned free.  We didn't really miss him though of course.  Even if I had made a card for him......

It was our last gymnastics session before the competition at the weekend, excitng stuff. 

After tea we had a trip to the park, we had so much time not having to wait for Ned to finish his meal.

Wednesday

I got picked up today, after my most awesome two nights away.  Dad asked if I was ready to come home, I had to be honest and say no, I wanted to stay longer!

So, we'll go back a bit if thats okay with you and i'll fill you in on my Ufton Court trip.......

(Ufton Court Update)

So Mum drove me there, I was so excited when the building loomed into view as we made the approach up the long drive:

Our dormitory was on the right hand side top floor as you look at the picture, and although I didn't have a top bunk I had the best bed view out of the grounds, it was lovely.

The grounds were great fun to explore.  If the outside was impressive, the inside was equally as good, I loved the great hall with it's medieval ceiling.

Our days were packed full of cool stuff, we did brass rubbing, orienteering, stick whittling, making nice smelling posies from the herb garden, archery and tended to the animals in their vey own farm.  Bubble and squeak were my favourites, the pigs!

We also had a simulated raid on the building, I played the role of the lord of the manor, we had to hide the priests from the soldiers. 

There were plenty of fun times as well, like our bedroom fashion show and bed bouncing.

The highlight of the trip had to be the Tudor banquet though:

We had to all get dressed up, including tights for the boys of course.  It was great fun, we had to serve the ladies their dinners first and then afterwards dance with them, I danced with Rebecca.  We even got to drink some special mead, which was very nice indeed.

Once the Tudor business was all done we watched the England football game on telly, very un-Tudor!

Bed times were pretty late in comparison to those at home at 9pm which was well cool.

Then there was the food, being a little bit fussy I was a little worried about this, I needn't have been.  We had sausages and chips, roast chicken and even fajitas.  It was okay too, but even better were the plentiful supply of between meals snacks....biscuits!

You can see why I was in no hurry to come home!

So there we have it, my first trip away on my own done.

By the time we did get home I was quite excited to go and pick Ellis up it has to be said.

Yeah, we had a lovely cuddle when I came out if school, I suppose I had missed him really.

Then the later nights caught up with me......

Thursday

I was not looking forward to going back to school one little bit.  It was okay in the end though, we had to write about Ufton.

We went to the park after school.

Excellent!

Our new thing is doing a 'superman' on the basket swing.  This incolves holding on to it while ot is sent round it's way, then releasing one arm to hsve out in front of you like the caped crusader. I got Dad to give me a push.....trouble is he gave me too much of a push, the sort of push he gives Ellis while she's sat in it.  This was way too much for a superman....I kept hold as best as I could but it was no use and I got flung accross the playground at very high speed.  Several onlookers gasped in horror as I flew accross the grass and landed in a very cringe inducing splits type of manouver and then slumped to the ground in tears.....of laughter! It was awesome!

Friday

We had the sports leaders in for rugby during golden time, this proved to be the final nail in the coffin for my latest pair of trainers though....oh dear.

And I had my first week of the new swimming term, seeing the old gang og myself, Eva and Barney re-united, with the addition of Eloise from school too!

We came home and had a couple of games of Friday night monopoly and then a sneaky game of Catan, which I won yet again.

Saturday

Well we were all primed and ready for my competitive gymnastics debut....so it was a shame that Dad had actually got the wrong day.  We thought the gymnastics club looked rather quiet when we arrived at lunchtime.....because the competition wasn't until tomorrow!

What a doofus.  Still, we hastily made alternative arrangements and had a trip to Donnington Castle with Luca and Matice.

I seemed to get injured a lot....I'll blame the boys I think.

We acted out several battle scenarios, our favourite being trying to get to the castle without being spotted by the gaurds (Mum and Dad)

Sunday

The actual day of the gymnastics competition......

We went to Sainsbury's in the morning to buy food to donate to the food bank for my harvest festival.  It was really enjoyable, even if some of my suggestions were turned down.

We had lunch and then headed down to the gym, which was much more busy than it had been yesterday.  I had to sign in and then wait for my age group to start.  I really wasn't at all nervous and was enjoying myself.  

We were split into four groups and made our way around the different disciplines.  We had a practice go at each and then we were judged.

We did the beam (did well), the trampet (faceplanted on landing), the floor (did well, personal best handstand I reckon):

the vault (did okay):

And my favourite, the bars (loved it loved it loved it):

I didn't stop smiling throughout the whole thing and barely gave Mum, Dad and Ned a glance.

Yeah, it wasn't actually that boring Ellis, I did have the Ipad though....

We got to watch some of the older girls do their stuff while the scores were being totted up, they were pretty awesome!

And then it was results time.  I was wishing so hard for a medal, so equal third place for my floor routine was just brilliant:

Not bad seeing as I only started going in February!

Once I was home though I wasn't bothered about it, I didn't march around the house parading my medal or anything.......

I would have done!!!!

Monday

Our last week before half term, hooray!

With it being our last dance session before halloween, it was of course thriller week.  Cue zombie dancing all round, great fun.

Hope we do it on Thursday......

We've been a bit slack on the reading front at home lately, so we both had to do some with Mum after tea.....groan!!!! She's such a hard task master, Dad's a pushover.

October 21 edit from Part Time on Vimeo.

Tuesday

I was tired out after school and all set to give gymnastics a miss, until Dad pointed out that it was only two weeks until our competition.  I decided I ought to cram in all the practice I could get and to get down there quick smart.  It went really well and I really enjoyed myself.  I'm still practicing my splits and i'm starting to get pretty close to pulling it off.

Wednesday

I got my school photo back today, it's actually pretty good too!  Much to Mum and Dad's surprise.

I'm doing harder spellings still, I still haven't been found out.  This weeks were particularly difficult I think, all on a shape theme (rhombus, parallelogram, equilateral, you get the picture).

It was my first week of indoor team Kennet as well, I loved it, the rest of the family arrived early top pick me up and were very impressed with my running.  I love the confined space and the turning boards we used propped up at each end of the hall.  I always make sure I never look round and dip for the line, even though we're only training.

Thursday

I got my school photo back too, again it's a really nice shot.

In my after school dancing the final part involved getting a willing accomplice from the crowd, in my case Dad and Ellis were on hand.  They were both more than willing to get involved too, in Dads case maybe a little too willing?

Our rooms for Ufton Court were announced too, I was well pleased as i'm in with loads of my mates.

After our bath I asked Mum to give me loads of little platts so i'd have curly hair in the morning...

And I got to try out my new 'Ufton Court' destined dressing gown:

A little large maybe, but so snuggly and soft.  I've barely taken the thing off since i've got it.

Friday

Well the hair worked out a treat:

Curly as a curly thing! I went off to school proper pleased but got rather bored of people asking me about it after a quite a short time.

It was fun week at swimming, brilliant it was too!

I had my school disco, I was buzzing.  I danced all night and came home pink as usual then watched the end of the England football match.

Saturday

Swimming, Bracknell.

Awesome, it was really nice, it really is a lot less grotty than The Oasis it has to be said.  My biggest achievement was going down the super fast slide....twice.  Even though you apparently have to be 8 to go on them (as we found out after i'd been on them already)

I did the good big brother bit and went up the tower with her, i'm good like that.

It was a swift Mcdonalds for lunch.

And then a quick play on the park before heading for a spot of shopping...

Before coming home for strictly and snuggling.

Sunday

What a horrible, grey, wet day.

We decided the best use of such a day would be to stay in our pyjamas, eat well, watch telly and play board games.

We did indeed, although I did get packed for Ufton Court!

Have I mentioned my trip to Ufton Court yet at all?  Ha ha, it is seriously exciting.

Monday

Ned was up early and full of Ufton excitement, quite honestly i'm pretty glad he's going today as i've just about heard enough about it now!

Mum took me to Ufton in the car once we'd dropped Ellis off at school.  I took a load of snapshots when we pulled up the drive, it was certainly a lovely looking Tudor building. I was glad to see Robert and Ben were already there when we arrived.  I was the envy of them with my smart wheeled bag which I dragged carefree accross the gravel while they struggled with their holdalls. Mum gave me a kiss and I told her in no uncertain terms it was time for her to leave now.

So I came from scool to a Nedless house.  I got sole custody of the telly remote which was rather nice.  We also had a really civilised evening meal, plenty of pleasant conversation and no waiting for hours on end for Ned to finish........

Tuesday

Full bore on the castle project for me this week.  I've really been putting the hours in chopping and sticking and slicing to create my masterpiece.  It's taking shape very nicely.

Netball is going really well after school, we're really starting to enjoy it and get the flow going.

Wednesday

I took my castle to school, even though it wasn't finished.  Everyone was very impressed with the size of my creation.

In the evening we went to visit St Barts school for their open evening.  The head teacher's speech was pretty boring it has to be said.......

There wasn't quite as much hands on stuff to get involved in as Park House but I loved mooching about anyway.

I warmed to the place considerably during our tour it has to be said, the sport looked good and I got to have a go at batting in the cricket nets which was cool.  The free biscuits were very pleasant and in plentiful supply.  We missed Trinity's so maybe i'll have a look at that next year, i've still got a while to go before any decisions have to be made thankfully.

Thursday

I'm really enthusiastic about school at the moment.  So much so that when I got home I decided to write a poem about the dragon rollercoaster at Legoland, and very good it was too.  It just so appened it was also national poetry day, what a coincidence eh?

Games Workshop...at last.  I bought my Warhammer starter set with my saved up birthday money after a lot of thought.  I was so excited about it and spent ages building my figures up. The instruction book for the game itself though is huuuuuuge!

Friday

Had our friday spelling test, the homework has obviously paid off....how about a 10 out of 10 this week then?  Yeah, impressive stuff I reckon, especially as i'm now in the top group and the words are rather hard.

I took my castle to school, now complete with working port-cullis, drawbridge and various royal family members dotted around the battlements.  It may not have been as well coloured in as some of the others but in terms of size and functionality it was top of the class I think.

Still not allowed to ride to swimming....booo!

I haven't passed the course this term sadly.  Neither has Eva though so thats okay.  I did get some very good comments on the report though, saying I was a pleasure to teach.  It also said I would do a lot better if I wasn't almost always underwater between swimming activity so I could listen to what i'm being taught a bit more.

Saturday

Mum went to work today, a bit of a rarity.

It was okay though, Dad had booked the cinema in the morning for Monsters University.

We still love the cinema big time.

In the afternoon I skateboarded off to Hugo's for a bit.

Dad and I snuggled up on the sofa watching gymastics on the telly, it was pretty impressive stuff.

In the evening we went to Max and Leo's, so that was a late night and lots of fun!

Sunday

A great team effort, 10 o'clock lie ins all round.

Thn pancakes for breakfast.

Then off to the beach with fresh bread rolls, bacon and the camping stove.

The smell of bacon wafted all along the prom, we drew many an envious glance from passers by and even a few comments.  Bacon rolls taste so much better down the beach, I couldn't praise them highly enough.

We were drawn to the water of course, especially when the tide went out a bit

We were happy paddling for a bit

But the water really didn't seem that cold

And the sun was so lovely and warm, it was only a matter of time before we were stripped off and had a proper swim

It was lovely in there

We dried orselves off using Mums cardy, thanks Mum we really appreciated that.

We tounded off our trip with a visit to Tesco for some sweets before heading for home.

Monday

Back ro school then, refreshed from an ace weekend.

There was no dance perforance for the parents today, we're deep inpreparations for John Rankin's got talent.

I headed straight down the park after school on my skateboard.  Its a good route, gently dowwnhill all the way.  I just carry it home.....

Our very own version of the card game Sleeping Queens has arrived (seeing as Laura actually wanted hers back, what a shame).  So we've been having a good few games of that!

Tuesday

Our Tudor project is still full on at school.  We spent a good part of the day doing Tudor art, drawing wooden artists dummies and then adorning them with authentic period costumes, I loved it.

Mum had a meeting at school in the morning, all about what we'll be learning this year.  Bit of a shame, means I can't really fob her off about what we're supposed to be doing.

Wednesday

It's that time of year again, school council elections!  I really need to work on my manifesto for next year as apparently being a good listener and not being afraid to voice the concerns raised by my fellow classmates is seemingly not enough to get you elected in the face of an offer of Ipads for everyone to use at school.  Needless to say I didn't win, and the Ipad promiser did, lets see how he delivers on that one.......

It was aslo Maxim's last day as he's moved to Falkland school.  Although we didn't always see eye to eye (probably down to our competitve sporting nature) i'll really miss him.  Still, i'm sure our paths will cross frequently enough what with team Kennet and the various schools athletics competitions.

We had to have a quick dash to the sports shop after school as well, football club starts at lunchtimes on Thursdays instead of after school, meaning I can go!  Exciting stuff eh?  I had to get some shinpads and some football socks.  The socks were hilarious, they were soooooo long.

Right, maybe I can get a word in now Ned?  I was awarded a marble for my writing today, one and a half sides! That must be a record?

I also made a lovely present for Owen, comprising some bubble wrap, brightly coloured pipecleaners, some folded strips of coloured paper and a healthy dose of sticky tape.  Dad gave it to him that evening when they went out, he was apparently very pleased with it.

Thursday

Even though lunch itself was a bit of a rush, football club was really good fun.

We also had a few extra viewers for our our after school dance club, with a selection of teachers having a watch.  It was cool to see my teacher among them.  Especially as after the dancing had finished she told Dad how brilliant I was at our P,S,H & E workshop earlier in the day.  Apparently I was very enthusiastic, very poite (it was with teachers from outside the school) and I had a lot of valuable input to the session.  Predictably, Dad asked if she'd got me mixed up with another pupil somehow.

Friday

We went swimming by bike.   

Brilliant!

The lesson went by in a flash as usual and we made sure we had time for a few laps of the wafty pump track at the top of the hill....

....and of course a high speed trip whizzing back down the hill.

Once tea was done and dusted we decided to have a game of monopoly.

It didn't go too well and ended up with Mum losing the plot and us getting packed off to bed rather earlier than we woud have liked.

Saturday

Off to Newbury show, with the lure of the animals I was well up for it,

I on the other hand did not want to go at all.  After the pure drudgery of the craft tent, my fears appeared to be justified....dull city.  But, then there was the food tent, with all it's delicious freebies.  From cheese and marmite bread, to chocolate, to fudge to chili sauce I was all over it.  I was converted to the show there and then.

Then there was he animals of course, starting off with these doggies:

There was hundreds of them! I then got to help in a sheepdog show too.

Then there was the slightly not so real piggies:

But the real ones were much more cute it has to be said:

We really wanted to buy a piglet, although seeing the full grown versions made us reconsider this idea, they were massive!

There were all orts of other weird and wonderful things to see:

And one of my favourite things of the whole day, this little dog, who worked for the Fire brigade:

He loved a game of fetch and never seemed to tire of it at all.

Another real highlight was the sports area.

We got to bounce:

We got to climb:

We got play some football:

And then we picked our own specialist activities, I went for badminton.

And I went for wrestling.  It was totally brilliant, the emphasis was on technique and skill rather than brute force and mindless violence with games involving snatching a tag from each others ankles or belt loops.  I took on various challengers and lapped it up, the chaps teaching it were super cool as well.

And while he was grappling I got a baminton lesson, which I was really into.  I'm stimll a bit too young for their club but i'm dead keen to go when i'm old enough.

I think my real highlight of the day was our Land Rover ride though.

Yeah, fortunatley the man let me on even though I wasn't actually tall enough.  Good job I was wearing my Reading Football club crown to give me a few extra centimetres.

We got to pick where we sat too, I couldn't believe I got the front seat uncontested.

Me and mum sat in the two seats right at the back, leaving Dad in the middle on his own.

Our driver was really cool, apparently he made the special edition versions in the week and then got to drive them at the weekends.  He revved it up and took off around the test track route, it was steep, deep and pretty wild.

I couldn't believe how crazy it was and I think Dad was terrified we were going to tip over sideways on more than one occasion.

It was awesome, me, Ellis and Dad would have gone and bought a Land Rover right there and then given half a chance.

We rounded out the day watching a cattle parade in the main ring. I loved all the baby cows and bulls.

And Mum and I laughed our heads off at the bulls massive nadgers!

Auntie Trish was on babysitting duties in the evening, we were suitably tired out for her.

Although we managed a rather late night of course.  We wathched the war film the great escape, which we totally loved, especially the motorbike jump!

And then we also managed to watch Through the Keyhole with Keith Lemon who we find totally hilarious.

Great night, thanks Autie Trish.

Sunday

We had Alan, Hayley and Anne round for Sunday lunch, we do love having visitors round.

Even if I did manage to sneak off down the prk with Hugo shortly after lunch.....

Monday

After a few days of complaining on and off about my ear hurting, I finally succumbed to it big style.  I was in tears when Dad came to get me from dancing after school. It was not a good nights sleep on Monday it has to said......

Tuesday

So after last nights ear related trauma, I had the day off school.  Oh dear.

So I had to go in alone.  I had a good day though, my Tudor art was deemed so good it was paraded around in front of the class.  They must have been impressed with it, most of them copied it!

I went to the doctors in the afternoon, ear infection confirmed.  Nasty banana medicine given, not that nice orange flavoured stuff Ned had!

Wednesday

Our last outdoor team Kennet session of the summer.  Just as well really, it was pretty dark by home time.  Dad reckons I was on fire this week though and was looking faster than ever in the running he saw me do.

Thursday

We may be a year early with this but we decided to vsit the Park House open evening.  It was seriously impressive.  We listened to a talk from some pupils and the headmaster and then got a guided tour by a current 6th former.  Wow, what a load of cool stuff you get to do at big school. We got to try all sorts, from setting fire to stuff in the science lab, tasting food in the cookery area, playing keyboards in the music room, watching dance performances in the studio to test driving sewing machines in the textiles area.

I loved the gym too, exercise equipment and loud thumping music.

It was quite an eye opener thats for sure.  I need to see what St Barts has to offer now.

Friday

After last weeks Monopoly row being put down to tiredness after riding to and from swimming after a busy week at school, we were back in the car.

Yeah, we weren't happy about that at all, but on the plus side we did get to play a couple of games of monopoly in a much better frame of mind!

Saturday

We had an early-ish appointment for Mums phone to be looked at in Basingstoke.

So we hit a few shops as well, got myself a lovely new purple winter coat.

And I bought my black tights for Ufton Court.

The Apple shop was next, we'd never been in one before and it was pretty snazzy it has to be said.  I got myself a little bean bag thing and got busy on some low level Ipads.

There were computers, Ipads, Ipad mini's and Iphones all over the place, I loved it and geeked out big time.

It was a bit of a shame Mum got her phone sorted out quite quickly really.

We let Mum try a few items of clothing on in a few shops beore heading to the golden arches for lunch....it's been a while.

In the afternoon it was Luca's party.

I got an invite too, as a friend for Hugo.

It was at Eddie Katz, we had a great time as you can imagine.

For a second week running, Auntie Trish came round to babysit!

I know, we couldn't believe our luck either.

We played Monopoly, ate sweets and enjoyed some Saturday night telly and conversation, brilliant. 

Thanks again.

Sunday

Legoland! 

For a full day out this time, we wrre pretty excited about it as it may well have been our last trip of the season, it closes next month. 

It was the usual fun and games, even though mine and dads boat breakingdown on the boating school was a bit of a low point, still, we got another go as compensation.

A very pleasant surprise in the afternoon, we ran into the Halfords on Leo's birthday outing.

We had a ride on the pirate ship with them:

We also had a wander around the model village with them which was cool.

We headed off in our separate ways after that though, Leo had some birthday money to spend in the lego shop.

And we had to go on the dragon rollercoaster, right at the front:

We decided to round our day out in a soggy way, two goes on the Viking river rapids and a trip on the log flume made sure we were very soggy indeed.

Monday

No after school clubs for either of us today, just some quality sofa time with the telly.

And then some homework.  I'm making a castle, I have some very grand ideas for it so hopefully it comes to fruitionthe way I want it to.

I've got noticably more this year.  Spellings, sentences, maths problems and our learning log projects.....grumble, grumble, grumbe.