28/12/2008

Merry Christmas

YES..... its finally here, after months & months of waiting, its CHRISTMAS. The last few days were a nightmare, as the pile of presents under the tree got bigger & bigger, we just wanted to go crazy & rip them all open, but of course we didn't.

On Christmas Eve I just couldn't get to sleep. We'd put out the food & drink for Santa & his Reindeer (and saw him travelling across the world on Daddy's computer - wow!), I just wasn't tired - I even wished I was Alfie (for the 1st time in my life) as he was fast asleep. I got really worried that I might see him & that he'd then not get me anything, so whenever I heard a noise, I hid under my quilt. I must have gone to sleep eventually as the next thing I knew it was 7 o'clock & time for the fun to begin. 

As Nanna & Grandad were coming round, we decided to just open one present each, and what a present - a WII.... just what we wanted, but didn't think we'd be getting - fantastic. Daddy soon got it set up and we were off.... tennis, bowling, boxing, baseball, golf - phew.

We then had a lovely day with Nanna & Grandad, opening all our lovely things - some more WII stuff, fab watches each & roller skates for Alf & shoes with wheels for me (yes, wheels in the bottom of them). The grownups were very happy with their things, although they looked a bit boring if you ask me (except for the chocolate fondue with looks yummy).

Next day (after an early morning workout on the WII) we went for a walk along the beach, and it was freezing - I thought my face would freeze solid - yet another reason for indoor exercise!

Another day, another visit - this time to see Grandma, Grumps along with our cousin's Monty & Connie. It was like Christmas day all over again, with excited children (us) and presents for everyone. I got this fantastic coin sorter that makes neat piles of all your pennies, so they can be taken to the bank and turned into paper money. Alfie got this great Pokemon game that he's been playing on ever since.

Baby Connie was lovely (although she did cry quite a bit) and Monty was very funny (he kept following Alfie round & calling him Hugo - which is his other cousin!). All too soon Christmas had come & gone, but we had a lovely time & big thanks from Alfie & me for our lovely presents - we do know how lucky we are - honest!     

21/12/2008

Incredible, last week two parties, this week THREE!!! But before all that, it was my turn in the school Christmas play,  being a Sheppard dancer. Mum, Dad & Nanna came to watch (Nanna didn't trust the train - after last week's problem so came all the way in her car - hope she enjoyed it).

So, I'm sure you're wondering what Camels have got to do with Brundall & Christmas. Well, just as Norwich had Elephants around the City, Brundall decided to have Camels, and my class (with the help of our arty teacher - Miss Peers) made the biggest one!. It was so big that we had to take it to the church in a wheelbarrow, and we were so famous that we had our picture taken (and were in the local paper).

Finally, the parties - well they're not even finished yet, but I've just grabbed five minutes to tell you about the one so far. continuing the Wintery theme, it was a trip to the ice skating rink, and a fantastic time with my friend Saskia. I fell over a few times but we had a great laugh wobbling around the ice. Mum, Dad & Alfie went on a bike ride and got nice & muddy.

On Sunday I got up early and got ready for party number two, a Hawaiian theme party, so it was out with my colourful grass skirt, and away with my winter clothes. Extra exciting - I'm sleeping over at Kira's house (who's birthday it is). I can't wait, its going to be so much fun - I wonder how little sleep we'll have! Then it will be straight to party number three - phew!

Dad & Alfie are planning to go skiing, and Mummy is going shopping for Christmas food, so when I come back I hope there will be lots of lovely things to eat. Now only FOUR days to Christmas - we're sooooooooo EXCITED, I think we're going to burst!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!         

14/12/2008

Still no word on the name of our new cousin, so all we can say is she is now a whole one week old. We've still not been able to think up anything really suitable with a mountain theme, and gave up after 'Avalanche' was the best we could do!

Whatever she is finally called, she'll need to wrap up warm for when she goes to France cos its been pretty chilly out there recently. Just perfect for snow - look at how much they've had, and its still snowing - yipee!

Mum, Dad & me got to see Alfie in his school play (unfortunately Nanna couldn't make it as her train was cancelled - it was a bit too cold or something!). Shame as he was really good, doing some groovy dancing, and looking really smart in his suit. He was really clever knowing all the words to all of the songs - even the ones that he didn't have to know.

A bit of a lazy day on Saturday, just a bit of drama & a swim, which left me lots of energy for the two parties I had on Sunday. First, something really different - make your own teddy bear. It was really fun as you got to stuff the bear and then choose clothes for them - mine looks really lovely (I'll take a picture so you can see for yourself). Then, just enough time for a quick change and it was out again, this time to the cinema to see Madagascar II, which was really, really good - even better than the first one I think.

Alfie wasn't completely left out as he went skiing with Daddy & then they went for a curry tea when I was watching the film. They didn't even bring me back any Onion Bhaji's, just some Naan bread (I was not impressed). Only four more days at school until we start our Christmas holiday - how excited are we getting.....VERY!!!!!!!  

07/12/2008

Wow, we've got a brand new cousin - Catherine had her baby - and its a girl. No name yet, so we'll have to wait and see what funky girl's name they come up with. I can't think of anything girly with a connection to mountains, like Monty, but I'm sure they can. We've not got to wait long to see her though as Christmas is now only 3 weeks away - 18 days and counting!, and they are coming to stay at Grandma & Grumps house.

Happy birthday to Grumps, who I'm sure had a really crazy day, on his own (as Grandma went off to watch the football - unless she got him a ticket for his birthday present). I think Grandma will be more happy as it was a special match, as Norwich played Ipswich, and won! Hopefully we'll see Grumps soon and can give him his present.

Alfie got to go bowling for his friend Joe's birthday. Not just the little bowling like he did in Yarmouth... no this was the big-boy bowling, with the huge, heavy balls, and the skittles miles away at the far end. He did pretty well and got a high score of 85, which I though was impressive (and as you know it takes a lot to impress me these days!). I got it wrong that Alfie was going tubing (Joe did, but for someone else's birthday) - lucky I didn't say anything as he'd have gotten all upset not going. I had a special treat on Friday night at the ski club - I got to see my boyfriend as he was at the same tubing party. Daddy was really embarrassing as he kept making silly kissing noises - you just can't take him anywhere!

Otherwise its been a pretty lazy weekend really, although we both went shopping with Daddy to get some new trainers. Mine even flash when you stamp your feet - you won't believe how cool they are until you see them.  

30/11/2008

Mmmm, we knew it wouldn't last, but we had no idea Norwich would lose its 'more snow than Seignus' quite so quickly - I think the weather must have decided to have her revenge, and as you can see, in Seignus there is now lots & lots of snow, and in Norwich...... none!

Alf went to see his friend Joe after school on Friday (me & Mummy went skiing) and the lucky boy is going tubing for Joe's birthday party in a few weeks. It looks really great now as they are definitely faster. I can't wait to have a go with Mummy on her birthday in January (when she'll be 40!... shhhh, don't say it too loud or she might get upset.  

I went skiing again on Saturday & Sunday, and guess what..... yup, another gold medal to add to my collection. Now, I bet you are getting suspicious that they just hand them out to anyone, but honest they don't I have to race & go really fast and be the fastest of all - Mummy will tell you, as she was there.

It wasn't as fast without the snow but we still had a good time on Sunday (with Alf splatting into these cones that they'd put out, to warn you of a loose bit of the slope - ouch!). Annalise & Harvey came down and had fun. We couldn't stay for dinner as we were off to see Nanna & Grandad. It was lovely to see them again, and thanks for the lovely advent calendar's, we're already looking forward to opening the first door tomorrow. The candle is really cool as well, and we'll light that every day at tea time.

So, we can get officially excited about Christmas from tomorrow, as it'll be December, and only another 24 days to go.... yipee!l    

23/11/2008

The weather must have got all jealous hearing that one of the biggest indoor ski slopes in the world is going to be built only 30 minutes from our house, as we got a real snow slope all of our own - just for a few hours.

Before we get to that, a story of lost creatures that really had me worried. Out class mascot, Puffles the Puffin, who gets very scared if he leaves his warm classroom, came with us for our weekly swim, but never returned. We looked everywhere, thinking he'd gone diving for fish in the deep or been eaten by something that eats Puffins - we were all very sad. How bad did I feel when Daddy emptied my swimming bag, and found Puffles asleep at the bottom. Clearly he wanted to see some new places, and thought Greenacre Close was a good place to start. To show him that there were lots & lots of other places to see we went through my Atlas, so next time, who knows where he'll go. He agreed to go back to School the next day & everyone was really pleased to see him again.

So, back to the ski story. We woke up on Saturday and were really excited to see a carpet of white on the ground outside. Stephen was just excited as us as he knocked on our door before 8 o'clock in the morning. Luckily Daddy was up & about to let us go out (you didn't think Mummy would be up did you). We had great fun in the close skidding about on our bikes and had a nice walk around the village. We thought that would be all the snow fun, but how wrong we were. Sunday and a bit more snow on the ground, and even more falling from the sky - time for more bike skids & snowballs.

We'd all ready decided to go skiing, before going to see Nanna & Grandad, and got all our things together as the snow fell harder & harder. The roads were really bad, it took us over 30 minutes to get to the ski club, going really slowly (luckily we were otherwise we would have been hit by a spinning car on the roundabout at the top of our road. But we made it eventually, and had the added surprise that Annalise & Harvey had also decided to go, and what fun we had.  The slope was still covered with real snow and it was just like being in Seignus (luckily we weren't as Norwich has more snow at the moment). This was the most fun ever - we could ski over bits we normally can't (or shouldn't), and spent nearly 3 hours skiing, we were completely shattered. Fortunately travelling home was more quick as they'd cleared the roads since the morning - so we had a lovely warm bath, a bit of tea & straight to bed. Hopefully we'll get to see Nanna & Grandad next week.           

16/11/2008

This week we've proven that you don't need to play with fancy, expensive things to have a great time, as what did we have a real laugh with - leaves. Yes, leaves, but not just one or two leaves - lots & lots & lots of leaves. Enough for us to ride our bikes through & have them spray up all around us - the faster we rode into them the higher they went. And plenty enough to be buried in, just like in the sand on the beach - and just as itchy when they went down your back!

All this play on the first of two days that Mummy spent at the ski club - she must really love it there - that's every day for two weeks! We also had a great game of football with Annalise & Harvey after Drama. We were not really wearing the right shoes (especially Alfie in his Crocs) so we were slipping about a bit, while Harvey was skipping about in his football boots - which really hurt if he kicked you (accidentially).

Sunday - abandoned again but never mind as we spent the whole day with Annalise & Harvey (who's Mummy had also abandoned them for the ski club). We went to Splash swimming pool in Sheringham which I don't think we'd been to before. It was so fab, they had a slide (just like Bungay but higher & longer) and they had waves in the pool (which was just like being in the sea but warmer - and not so salty!). We had so much fun we were in the pool for two whole hours - we were so wrinkly when we got out. And starving hungry, so we found a nice picnic spot and had our packed lunch. Then we went for a walk in some woods and up a steep hill to this tower that we climbed until we were above the trees & could see for miles (all the way to the sea). We then had to walk all the way back to the car (we only made it as Daddy had brought some sweets with him that he kept handing out!).

We just kept awake long enough to eat our tea, wash the swimming pool out of our hair, before we fell fast asleep - phew!                

09/11/2008

What a ski-a-thon its been. I've just been for the fifth time in 9 days - it'll soon be second home to both Mummy & me! Why so much skiing? Well you heard about the first bit last week so I won't go over that again. What I didn't get to mention was the Club Championship race day on Sunday. Mummy & me were in both the individual & dual slalom races, and guess what...... yes, another gold medal (unbelievable!). Mummy also did well and got  silver medal. She's now got both Bronze & Silver - so she's obviously building up to her first Gold - go Mummy, go Mummy!

We had to go up and be presented with our medals at the end of the day in front of lots of people which was really cool, rather than scary. Mummy's team also won the dual slalom race (that's where two teams race down the slope together). However, Mummy had to drop out of her team just before the start, and why do you think that was? - yup another crash (not really sure what happened, we both skied down to check the course and I turned around at the bottom & Mummy was lying in a heap. She must be a special case or something as immediately lots of people came to see how she was (which they didn't do for anyone else) - bizarre. Anyway, undisturbed I won my heat, but unfortunately my team lost the last race and didn't go forward to the next round.

Afterwards we watched some really good fireworks which they set off from half way up the slope. It was really good as it wasn't raining, so you could actually see.

Then with school over for another week, it was back to the ski slope for two sessions of racing practice. Then it was Daddy & Alfie's Big Air challenge, and we really did do some massive jumps. Mummy came along and was definitely impressed by both how fast & high we went - much better than her!

So the results of the Big Air Challenge were:

• Smallest Jump - Mummy

• Most Spectacular Crash - Alfie

• Longest Jump - Edie

• Highest Jump - Daddy

With everyone a winner we celebrated with a delicious dinner at the Ski Club, a relaxing afternoon, a quick bit of homework & bed.                

02/11/2008

Our week off school has gone so quick - but wow, its now Christmas next month!!!!

Saffron & Sammy came round to play, but poor Sammy was a bit tired as he'd not adjusted to the change in the clocks, and was getting up at some crazy time in the morning - so by lunchtime he was nearly ready for bed! I did overhear Mummy saying that they might be moving back to Brundall - hope so as it would be lovely to have Saffron back in my class, and Sammy in Alfie's.

We went to Yarmouth with Robert & Rowan and had some delicious chips from the market - yum, yum. Then it was off to the funfair, and the caterpillar rollercoaster, but boo-hiss, not the big one like last time we went with Daddy - lots of fun anyway though.

Next it was my boyfriend Jo's birthday party and we went to his house to watch some DVD's & play in his huge garden - we all had a good time munching popcorn & slurping our drinks while watching one of my favourite films - Alvin & the Chipmonks.        

The fun continued the next day with a Halloween party with Robert & Rowan (even though it was really the day before Halloween). Robert looked fab as Harry Potter and Rowan was a really funky witch. We had a special tea, which tasted loads better than the names suggested - Blood Soup & Worm Cakes. On to Halloween proper and we got into things early with a trip to Salhouse Broad where we followed a puzzle trail & had our faces painted - ready for our night-time trick or treating - which we got all dressed up for - pretty cool eh! There were a few other scary looking people about, and we filled our buckets with lots of lovely sweets - thanks everyone.

Onto Saturday - another ski race, another medal. not that I expect to win or anything, it just seems to happen! That's four medals to Mummy's one, although we are both racing again tomorrow so she might be able to win one then.

Lastly it was off to school (yup on a Saturday) to see the fireworks. We didn't know if they'd be able to have them as it was windy and raining, but Annalise and Harvey still wanted to go, so we went (and got soaked). We got so wet that we had to come home after and change our clothes, before going to Annalise's to play on their Nintendo Wii. They've now got this fab skiing game, and this Wii Fit thing that you stand on & do hula hoops & stuff which is really cool - I really hope that Father Christmas reads this - as please, please, please can we have one - we've been really good all year honest.      

26/10/2008

6 Years Old

After weeks of waiting, it was finally Alfie's birthday - a big, grown up six years old! Strangely, it was still a school day when he had his birthday (normally we're on holiday, but this year its next week). He had some really groovy presents (boy's stuff obviously, but fun.... especially the crossbow. Yup, a toy crossbow that fires these plastic darts really fast across the room at a target. A skateboard from Nanna & Grandad with these really funky wheels that flash. We've had great fun outside already sliding down slopes on it. Daddy 7 Alf went to the skate park when I was skiing & came back with a valuable lesson (and many bruises) - its not as easy as it looks - especially if you are nearly 40!

On Saturday we had  visit from cousin Monty who was really funny (going around everywhere shutting doors and making sure everywhere was tidy). Grandma couldn't be there as she was watching Norwich play football (I  think they won again). Alfie can now look really smart in a real Norwich City football shirt & scarf. We both spent the afternoon blowing lots of bubble gum bubbles thanks to Uncle Ben buying Alfie a bubble gum moneybox that has proper bubble gum in it - fab. Auntie Catherine has got a really huge tummy as Monty's new Brother or Sister, and our newest cousin will be born in about 6 weeks. So, of course now they are back in England they are taking it easy - no, of course not, Uncle Ben is going back to France to take some stuff back for the Winter & Ben & Catherine are going to some country called Slow-vakia, or something, on a train which takes a whole day & night to get there - completely bonkers if you ask me.

On Sunday we went with Alfie's friends (Jo, Harvey, Ben & Stephen) to watch Igor at the cinema. We we're going to watch Wall-E but Jo was playing Tennis so we changed. We had a great time eating pocorn and watching Igor help save his world from evil inventors. We also saw a clip of Madagascar 2 which we'll definitely have to see as it looked really funny. We all came back to our house for a party tea, some party games and a crossbow shooting competition - well, a birthday wouldn't be complete without one!

We're on holiday next week, and hopefully we'll get to see our old friends Saffron & Sammy, as well as Robert & Rowan who are staying with Nanna & Grandad - so, hopefully we'll have some dry weather so we can have lots of outdoor fun!   

19/10/2008

A week of unexpected surprises (when are there!), first news that our teachers were having another training day - does this mean that things are not going well, after only 5 weeks - yikes! Well, the good news for us was that we had an extra long weekend, as we didn't have to go to school on Friday - and that's where the fun started.

'Nothing really happened round here today', just like in our once upon a time book (until the evening anyway). Me & Mummy went to our skiing round poles thing as usual, but this time it was going to be a race to see who got the fastest times. I had a go down and didn't do too badly, then Mummy came down and....... crashed!!!! Was it the new skis that she was trying out, her all-or-nothing racing style, or just another mystery? Anyway, Mummy had hurt her shoulder (luckily not her head - again), and it was hurting a lot, which made me upset. As Mummy couldn't move her arm much they decided to take her to hospital, just to make sure it wasn't broken - have we been here before? I got taken home to a surprised Daddy, who found out that Mummy was going to be ages, and that we might have to go and pick her up at Midnight - oh man!

Next thing we know its Saturday morning & Mummy is soon up and not feeling too bad - just a bruised shoulder - phew. As Mummy still can't move her arm too much we have to help her with drinks & snacks - just like Mummy does for us. Poor Daddy then has a nightmare trying to get Mummy's car back from the ski club. First he gets a puncture on his bike & has to walk for a mile, then Mummy's car won't start as the battery is dead! Luckily A kind man uses his car to start Mummy's - don't ask us how, just through these wire things - amazing.

Onto Sunday, it was my school friend Sam's birthday and we went bowling - proper bowling, with the big balls that you have to put your fingers into. Its really fun, and I did quite well scoring 80 points (and we didn't have the barrier things up the side so if you went off course - into the gutter!). Alfie and Daddy left Mummy home alone - probably doing some knitting - and went skiing. Alfie came back (without injury) but with tales of his huge big-air jumps. He has now challenged me & Mummy to a Big-Air competition, which us Girls clearly cannot refuse - bring it on!     

12/10/2008

The Italian theme continues from last week (did you work out what we were saying?). Our friend Harvey reached the grand old age of six, and so began a feast of film watching, on the giant tele which we now know is called a cinema (strange word - fun place!).

But before all that, as usual a skiing story - well, where would the diary be without one? No medals this week, just a fun session on the funpark with some really funky skiers who could do all sorts of amazing tricks. I did get told I'd done the highest jump off the kicker (luckily I landed it otherwise I'd have been in a heap on the floor - splat!). So I can't wait for Daddy & Alfie to start coming on the slope again so I can show them all my fab new moves & tricks - trouble is Alfie will try and copy me, and anything could happen!

So to the films - as I was doing my crazy stuff on skis, Alfie was off with Harvey & Annalise to watch a film called City of Ember which he said was pretty good (with a few scary bits which made you jump!). It was all about these boys who had to get out of an underground city to find something to fix the machine that made their electricity - couldn't they just change a fuse of something, or call Annalise's Dad, that's what his job is I think! - anyway, they got it fixed and everything was OK.

On Sunday we were going to go sailing with Annalise & Harvey in their boat, but there was no wind at all, so no point in paddling a sail boat around. Instead it was my first film treat & Alfie's second - Mamma Mia, which I'd been asking to go and see for ages. We've got the music (which we always listen to), so it was great to see the songs on the film. Just me, Alfie & Mummy - Dad didn't want to come (not his thing, he said) - besides he's been painting the lounge over the weekend and had a few jobs to finish off - good job. So the Mamma Mia CD has been on non-stop since we got back, and we've been doing all the moves - if only we were old enough for the X Factor - Simon would love us!

05/10/2008

Brrrrr.... what's happened with the weather! - one minute we were biking around in just a t-shirt (a Norwich City one in Alfie's case) - as you'll know if you read last week's, now its thick coats, or freeze! Just ask Alfie, who nearly lost all feeling in his hands (they went orange he reckons), after biking all the way from our house to Blofield and back, not once but twice, without gloves!

At least it wasn't raining at the time (although it started later in the afternoon, and hasn't really stopped since), if it doesn't stop soon we'll have to swim to school tomorrow!

Luckily, we'd arranged to see Grandma & Grumps, so we didn't have to stay at home all day staring out at the rain (just like the two children in the 'Cat in the Hat)' - which is lucky cos if you've read the book you'll know what happened to the house - and we thought we made a mess!!!!

It seems this rubbish weather had done some good, it had knocked loads of Conkers out of the trees, and Grumps had collected them up, ready for us to play with. What fun we had, and its much harder than it looks, especially if you want to give the other person's Conker a really good whack - most of the time we ended up smacking ourselves with our own Conker, which really hurts after a few times. Grumps & Daddy had clearly done it before, but sometimes you just need to have the right Conker, and in the end Alfie had a real tough-guy which smashed Grumps Conker to bits - making Alf the 2008 Wright-Nutter Champion. No medals like my skiing ones though, but a prize equally special - yummy chocolate.

Only 3 weeks to go until Alfie's birthday and we have to tell him every day, how many days are left - only 17 and counting, even less for Harvey, who'll reach the grand old age of six before him. Grandma won't see him again until he's had his birthday as she's going on holiday to Italy, which I've seen on the map is close to Ben & Catherine, so I'm sure she'll abbia una festa bella. 

28/09/2008

This weeks stories both follow on from last week, First, Alfie & his football. He has been talking about wanting a Norwich city top for ages, but when Daddy finally gave in and went to the shop, they didn't have any - disaster. Anyway, Daddy sort of made up for it this week as he came home with a Norwich City t-shirt (not quite the proper top, but pretty smart anyway). Alfie definitely likes it as he has worn it every day since he got it - even to bed on the first night! Strangely, you'd think the top would have made him want to go to the football practice with Harvey, but no, Saturday morning came and Alfie want interested in going - weirdo. So what happens next is anyone's guess - has his football career finished before it has started, or will it suddenly come to life.... mmmmm.

The other bit of the story is all about Mummy & her hats. After our photoshoot (that you got exclusive pictures of last week, we've now gone global! - yup, me, Alfie, Annalise & Harvey are now Cyberspace Supermodels, with Mummy's hats now having a name & a website all of their own. Check out the hats and the gorgeous models at www.Scallyrags.co.uk.

Finally, after Nanna & me had helped Mummy to sell some of her hats at the ski club, we went swimming - and what a crazy time we had. We were in the pool for nearly 2 hours and had a wild time on this giant float with Daddy pushing us along, or trying to tip us over - it really was kids crazy!.                 

21/09/2008

Mummy did manage to get herself out of bed, and us to School, but definitely seemed to be suffering from a lack of sleep (even more than usual - ahhhhhhh!). No such problems for us as we went full-on into another week at school, with just the usual stuff - learn-a-bit, play-a-bit, eat-a-bit, then repeat. Fortunately, this seems to suit us as we both got Golden Tickets (which you only get for doing good things - mine for helping clear up lots of other people's mess, without having to be asked, and Alfie for some extra good reading & writing). These tickets get put in a big box and a winning ticket drawn out every Friday which wins a prize. Sadly neither Alfie or me won the prize, but it was really exciting on Friday, waiting for the ticket to be picked. Another week maybe - we'll just have to keep working hard.

If hard work doesn't pay, then we might just have to rely on our good looks to earn our fortune, and what better place to start than modelling Mummy's hats, for her website, which will be called Scallyrags. As you can see, we both look pretty groovy, and so do Annalise & Harvey, who also got to be Supermodels for the afternoon. We all did our best to show our 'best side', and didn't really have any tantrums of outrageous demands - which seems all too common (if you believe the stories in some of Mummy's magazines anyway).

So the weekend arrived and I felt the need for speed, so went to the race training on Friday & was wizzing down through the course, which was great fun. Saturday I went off to Drama & Alf went to watch football training which Harvey goes to) to see if he wanted to do it next week - which he does. So he's already been talking about what sort of football boots he wants - only the best I'm sure. Mummy then talked me into going to the ski club as it was another one of those races to see what group you go in, in Junior Club, and guess what - ANOTHER GOLD MEDAL. Not only did I beat all the other Girls, but I was faster than all the Boys as well - I even had to do one of my runs again as I caught someone up and it messed the timer up.                 

Sunday, Mummy abandoned us all day for some skiing stuff, so Daddy took us swimming & we had a good time with our sinkers, in the deep end of the pool. Alfie managed his first expedition to the bottom of the deep end and came up with two of them - well done. On the way back we picked some Blackberrys (Alfie ate far more than he picked), and Daddy made a lovely crumble - how clever.                

14/09/2008

We've adapted quickly to the school routine, although poor Mummy is still struggling with these 'early mornings' as she calls them! - she's even had to have Daddy ring her up from work to make sure she's up, as the batteries in her alarm clock were running out, so fortunately we've not been late yet. Back to swimming at school which was really good fun as we got to do some jumping in the deep end, which I really liked. not to miss out on sporty stuff, Alfie is going to try the football training after school on a Friday, which I think Stephen used to go to, but I don't know if he still does - maybe the deadly duo can go together - poor teacher!

Another weekend, another abandonment. This time Mummy & Dad were going to the wedding of someone Mummy used to go to school with, but I don't know that I've ever met them - Lisa, I think her name is. Funny thing is that I heard she's got a daughter called Lily, and as you know that's our cat's name - do you think she liked our cat, she called her daughter the same thing? You might laugh, but I saw in one of Mummy's magazines that someone was called 'Peaches', and someone else was called 'Apple' - weird world eh!

Anyway, while they were driving to Retford or somewhere, we were having a great time with Nanna & Grandad, going to the Treasure Island indoor fun place and the Oasis Camel Centre which was really good. We got to stroke some Camels, who didn't spit at us (I've heard they do that if they don't like you), and I was really, really brave and held not one, but two snakes! I thought they'd be all slippery and slimy but they're not, they are really smooth and dry. Alfie didn't fancy getting up close & personal with a snake, so stuck to feeding the Camels and other animals, who'd take food out of his hand, which was just a bit too much for me - I like my ten fingers & I want to keep them.    

After two great days - thanks again Nanna & Grandad - it was time to meet Mummy & Daddy, who'd driven back from the wedding very late at night and only got to bed at 1 o'clock in the morning!!! - what is Mummy going to be like on Monday - maybe we'll have to go and wake her up!              

07/09/2008

We were both really happy to be back at school this week - Alfie to see his mates (particularly Jo & Farris), and me to see my boyfriend - another Jo (common name, not common person - steady!). We've both got nice teachers, and have got right back into it - I'm sure that It'll soon seem like we've never been away. All this learning is really tiring, and we've been happy to go to bed at a more sensible time (I think we even suggested that we wanted to go to bed one day - unheard of during the Summer holiday).

Otherwise, the main event was my annual dance show - this time the them was the Wizard of OZ. Me and Annalise had quite a few different things to do, as not only were our Chart Hits & Ballet classes doing something, but Musical Theatre was as well. So, we had lots of dance routines to remember, costumes to change in & out of - but fortunately no lines, or songs to learn - phew. First we were part of a tornado that takes Dorithy to the Land of Oz, then we danced with the Scarecrow, followed by being bats in a dark wood, and finally Lions.

Not only did we have to do all of this, but we did it twice, both morning and afternoon - oh how popular the show is! Everyone came to see us (Nanna & Grandad - straight from their caravan, Grandma & Grumps - all ready to go & do some more painting at Grandma's shop in Eastborn, and Mum, Dad & Alfie - who got to see it first. Everyone said they liked it, so it must have been OK. It was really good fun & fortunately I remembered most of my moves, and hopefully didn't play with my hair too much (as the bunches were getting on my nerves a bit!). Thanks to Nanna & Grandad for the lovely picnic lunch & to Grandma & Grumps for the car ride home.

Alf is tired out from play fighting Harvey & I'm just drained after a tough day in the theatre - darling.           

31/08/2008

So the Summer holiday is almost over (already) and we are still waiting for some real Summer weather - although we've still got out & about. Daddy had an extra day off work, a bank holiday or something - even though I'm sure he doesn't work in a bank - confusing! We all went for a bike ride, past some of the smelliest farms we'd ever smelt - poo-eeee! Past a sugar factory, then some people who were catching birds & putting tags on their legs, so they could tell where they came from if they were found in Africa - which I know is a long, long way so they must be really strong little birds. After that we stopped for some food and drink in Reedham, past Pettits (we could hear the people having fun, but just biked straight past. Back past more smelly farms & back to our car, with our legs feeling like jelly & about to fall off. First we though we must be getting unfit, until Daddy said that we'd biked over 12 miles - that's nearly half way from Brundall to Lowestoft!

We had no time to rest as the next day, after an overdue haircut (Alfie can now see again!) we met Nanna in Beccles & went to Lowestoft, while Mummy went out for a curry with Daddy. We went to Walberswick the next day & tried to catch some crabs. Did did OK (the ones we got were bigger than at Wells, but we didn't get as many - too many people, not enough hungry crabs - still great fun.

Next day we went to Yarmouth and the circus, which was fantastic fun. The Clowns were so funny, making so many people soaking wet. The acrobats were spectacular and the swimmers amazing (yup swimmers - you've got to see it, if you've never been), the floor goes down and becomes a pool - wicked! We also went to the funfair and went on the dodgems (great fun bumping into the other cars), and the caterpillar roller coaster. We saw the big wooden roller coaster that looked really mad, but we didn't have the time or the money - boo. 

Back home, and a couple of well deserved lazy days, then with Mummy enjoying some time on her own, we pestered Daddy to take us back to the Yarmouth fairground - and he finally gave in. As a warm up we went on the dodgems again (I got to drive my own car while Daddy helped Alfie drive his - great fun). Then we decided that we just had to go on the big-one (yup the big wooden roller coaster). In no time we were strapped in and off...... up & up & up, then....... weeeeeeeeeee, what a ride (down & round, up & down - fantastic). We came off and saw a picture that had been taken when we went down the biggest drop - our faces looked really crazy (we looked so scared, but we actually loved it!). Now those little ones that we used to go on seem so tame, what we want now is one that goes upside down - bring it on!            

24/08/2008

As promised at the end of the last diary, more about our fun with Cousin's Robert & Rowan, who'd been lucky enough to stay with Nanna & Grandad for a whole week (I suppose that we do get to see more of them, as we live nearby, so its sort of fair-ish!). Anyway, after our rainy days in Yorkshire, what do we decide to do - yup go to the beach, cos of course its going to be lovely and sunny!!!!

Well, it actually wasn't too bad, a bid windy, and still some clouds, but not the grey skies & rain that we'd had only a few days before. As you can see we had a great time playing in the lovely sands of Gorlstone, near Yarmuth, and Rowan really enjoyed the trampolines, but not quite as high as some of our mad efforts in our garden - which have been really crazy.

A few days of boring nothing after that, not doing much but getting on each others nerves. Finally something good, my boyfriend Joe came back from his holidays in Jersey and we went to Bewilderwood for a great day out. It was great to see him again, and I must be a really lucky girl as he bought me this lovely necklace as a present, and I made him this heart picture, and will let him have his favourite fossil from my collection. He's really nice & I can't wait til we're back at school so we can see each other every day again - ah! Must move on as Alfie is making strange noises like he's going to be sick or something - funny boy!

The last thing to say is the newest bit of garden play stuff, a huge blow up punchbag, to replace the one that Alfie had which only lasted a day on holiday. Its great fun as you can hit it as hard as you like and it bounces back so you can whack it again. Hopefully we'll both take out our anger on that rather than each other - maybe that's part of Dad's plan!

We've been swimming, cycling & skiing in the past two days, rather than one after the other, as they do in this mad thing that was on the telly - tri-athlon or something - it was bonkers. First you swim miles, then you bike miles, then you run miles, without even stopping in between - me & Alf were worn out just watching - crazy, crazy people, just like the Olympic BMX & Mountain biking - they were wicked - maybe we'll have to go an see then in 2012.       

17/08/2008

Hello again, we're back - from not so sunny Yorkshire. I think we've just about dried out, but just like our tent, it took a while! At least we had room in our new tent to do stuff as the rain came down - like play computer games & watch films, as we had electric in our tent for the first time - why didn't we have it before? The new tent is massive, and there is lots more room for sleeping, playing and cooking - an 8 person tent for 4 people, perfect.

The drive to Yorkshire was long & boring, and with the campsite being on a farm, the welcoming smell of Cow poo was not what we'd hoped for. Fortunately we were in a different field away from the smell, and soon made friends with a girl in the next tent called Feebie who was on her first camping holiday, so we were able to tell her all about things, from our past trips - good & bad.

We did have some nice weather & went on some really good walks, climbing over rocks by rivers to see some really cool waterfalls. We were also lucky that the beach was just down a path from our campsite, and we went hunting for fossils, which we found by smashing the rocks open with a hammer - great fun.

We weren't always so lucky, on one of our walks we got absolutely soaked, but fortunately we found a pub to shelter in. It was good that we were only little as the pub was so small that there was only room for ten people, and that was a squeeze! - it really was the craziest pub we'd ever been in - and as you know, we like our pubs, so we speak from experience. We had a couple of very windy & rainy nights, when Daddy thought the tend might blow down, but it didn't. It was strong enough to crack some of the poles which Daddy had to mend after we got back home.

One of the places we'd been told to visit was all about World war II, which I've been doing at school. At his place, were lots of huts with stuff inside that made it feel (and smell) like you were in the war - some of them were really scary (especially the submarine one, where people were drowning) - not nice at all. It was really interesting to see all of the things that people had (and didn't have) in the Wartime - especially how little food people had to live on - it made us feel bad that often me & Alfie throw away as much stuff as people had to eat, which is really bad - we must try harder to eat up our food.

On the last day, rather than being showery rain, we woke up and it was raining, after breakfast it was raining, after lunch it was still raining, so we decided that we'd pack up and go, as the forecast was for more rain the next day. Lucky we did as on the way home there was the most amazing storm, with rain so hard that Daddy had to crawl along the road through the growing puddles. If this had reached our campsite I think out tent would have floated away!

Our first couple of days back were nice and relaxing, getting everything dried out and packed away. Hopefully we'll get one more camping trip in before the weather gets too chilly. It was good to see Stephen again, and we spent lots of time playing outside and telling him of our adventures (he's going camping at the weekend so I'm sure he'll have his own stories to tell us next week).

So, Costa Del Yorkshire it was not, our suggestion, if you want sunshine, go somewhere hot. However, if you want rocks, fast flowing rivers and waterfalls, then Yorkshire could be the place for you. Mum & Dad are already talking about next Summer's holiday - thinking about Summer skiing in France somewhere, where you can ski in a t-shirt, how mad would that be!

Phew, all that in the past 10 days, and I haven't even mentioned our beach fun with Cousin's Robert & Rowan. More of that next time.  

03/08/2008

After the hectic few days last week, it was nice to take things easy for a few days - see a few friends, splash about in the back garden & get some of the pictures off my camera from last week, which I'd just not had a chance to look at before. As you can see some beach action from Alfie, clearly trying to impress the ladies, while Monty just plays it cool!   

I'm sure we've mentioned before, Daddy always tells us to stay still and not go mad whenever there is a Wasp about, as it won't sting you - well, now we wonder if he still thinks that after one flew straight at him and stung him just under his eye - while he was doing the washing up in the kitchen. Clearly all this stuff about Wasps only stinging you if they are scared is rubbish, as this one just attacked, without warning. Poor Daddy's eye was very sore and Mummy had to pull the sting out of his skin, as it was still stuck in - yuk! So, Daddy you can say whatever you like, the next Wasp we see and we are going to go mad - wave our arms, run & scream - and we bet we don't get stung!!

To get us in training for our holiday, a back-to-back skiing & swimming session - phew. It could have been more exhausting had I not been accidentally kicked in the face in the pool & had to rest for a while as I had a nose bleed - luckily not in the pool itself, just all over the side - gross or what!

Today we've been getting ready for our holiday - loading the car to bursting point with all our things - including the new tent, that only Daddy has seen made up - so it'll be exciting to see what its like (if Mummy & him can work out how to put it together!).

With that, we'd better get off to bed as it'll be a long day tomorrow - with a 4-5 hour drive to Yorkshire. Hopefully we'll have a good time, and we might even find some fossils to bring back - exciting stuff. Have fun everyone and see you all in a week or so.       

27/07/2008

We were hoping for better weather for the Air Show and our car boot sale, and we certainly got it, it was roasting hot for both. Our ears still haven't fully recovered from the noise of the planes (it wasn't just the big ones that were the loudest - this little one nearly shook our insides out!). As long as you put your hands on your ears it was really great - seeing the Red Arrows, on the beach for two days & a sleep over at Nanna & Grandad's - what a great start to our Summer holiday.) Once home, it was straight into the preparations for our carboot sale. We tried to sleep but it seemed like Christmas Eve -  we were so excited and as we were up early, we persuaded Daddy to get up and go to the early one - lucky him eh! Fortunately it worked out OK, as not only did we miss the hottest part of the day, we then had time to enjoy the afternoon with Cousin Monty (more of that in a minute).

So, the carboot then - the car was unloaded and all our stuff laid out - now all we needed were people to buy it, and luckily for us they did, and we made a lovely lot of money. I got £33 (yup, over thirty whole pounds) as someone bought my wooden playhouse, and Alfie got £23. Daddy got a bit as well but it was really our stuff that people wanted - they clearly had an eye for quality!   

After nearly 3 hours of hard selling it was back home with the few remaining items, and straight to the Argos book to see what we could buy with our newfound riches. The answer - loads of things, we've never had so much choice.

The advice to all our friends & readers is this - someone, somewhere wants your junk - all you have to so is find them, or hope they find you!

Hardly time for us to rest our feet before we were off again, this time to Lowestoft as we'd heard reports that Cousin Monty was on another brief visit the the region before heading to his hill station to avoid the worst of the Summer heat - flashy git! He was having a nap when we arrived, so we quickly turned the garden into a cricket pitch and had Uncle Ben & Daddy running everywhere after the balls that we were whacking about.

When Monty got up, we decided to walk to the beach (our 3rd beach visit in 4 days!), hoping to see the motorbikes that we'd seen near Norwich in the morning. Motorbikes cruises must be like car boots (morning things) as they'd mostly gone by the time we got there. The fountains were however on which gave us a lovely soaking after our long & warm walk. Me & Alfie went for a swim, while Monty had a paddle with Daddy. It was cold at first, but once you'd got your head under water it was lovely - honest.

Finally, we've found the ideal way of cooling down in the current hot weather - nude trampolining! Mixing exercise and fresh air cooling - the next Olympic sport?   

20/07/2008

Unless you've been living on Mars (and we don't know anyone that lives there) you can't have not heard people talking about the credit crunch. At first we thought it must be some new kind of tasty sweet or breakfast cereal, but how wrong we were - there is nothing tasty about this! From what we've worked out its all to do with a couple of people with the really weird names of Fanny Mae & Freddie Mack, who must really not be very nice people. Anyway, whoever they are, and whatever they've done, things are getting more & more expensive. We'd not really noticed, although we don't have a car to fill up or have to buy the food - we just eat it, so we'd just been asking for things as usual. But now its our turn to feel the crunch!, and what are we doing about it - a car boot sale for lots & lots of our old toys. Not just a few old broken items, this is a proper clear out which we hope is make us some serious holiday spending money!

So today we've been through our bedrooms, up in the loft, and out in the playhouse - no toy cupboard has been left untouched, and we've got boxes of things to sell. We got so excited that we wanted to go out there & then, but surprise, surprise it rained!

We've agreed that it'll be next weekend, and somewhere near Norwich so we don't have to travel too far. Fingers crossed for some nice weather & a car boot sale that doesn't start too early, as we've heard that there are now ones that start at 11:00, which seems much better than 8:00.

Lots to look forward to before our money making extravaganza. First, our last couple of days at school which should be more play days than anything, then off to Lowestoft to see the Air show, and hear all about Nanna & Grandad's holiday. Some people couldn't wait until school finished before starting their holidays - Stephen, Daniel & Adam are already in Scotland. hope they are having better weather than we are. 

Six weeks of holiday starts in two days - yippee!         

13/07/2008

Only a week left at school now before the Summer holiday, which will mean that Alfie will have done a whole school year, and I'll only have 3 more until I go to High school - scary stuff!

The week just sort of drifted past with nothing really to say, other than we both got to find out who our teacher will be next year. Alfie will be with one of my old teachers, Miss Bonham. My teacher will be Miss Platt who is the art teacher, so hopefully we'll do lots of drawing & painting stuff, and not just the maths & writing. We both got our end of year reports which were pretty good, with our teachers having some nice things to say, and some ideas of things we can do better on. Mum & Dad seemed pleased so they must have been OK.

As usual we saved the major madness for the weekend. I was at the ski club on both Saturday & Sunday (I'm getting as bad as Mummy!), and have added to my medal collection with a Silver one. The race this time was even harder as it was a more advanced group that I'd not yet been to, so to get second place was pretty good - if I say so myself. I nearly did a fast enough time to go up to the next group (above the one that I've not been to yet), but missed out by under one second - never mind eh!

Me, Alfie & Daddy went to kids crazy again, but this time the little pool was closed as someone was having a birthday party. Never mind, as we got some of these sinkers that you put in the pool & have to dive down & get which was really good fun. Alfie did a bit of swimming, but spent too much time standing still so he got a bit cold - move about more, you'll keep warmer that way.

Sunday, and me & Mummy had to be at the ski club for half past 8. Not a problem for me, but I think Mummy will be a tired girl tonight as this is hours before her normal Sunday get-up time! We spent all day at the club practicing & racing, which was really fun, doing races on our own, in pairs, and the relay. It was Mummy's turn to get a medal, which completes the collection, with a Bronze one.

Daddy & Alfie had to go out and get some bits for Alfie's bike which got broken in a crash with Daniel yesterday. They then got to go sailing with Annalise & Harvey in their boat - lucky them. There was just enough wind to get them going Alfie said, but he'd like to have gone faster as it got really fun when the boat started to lean over when they caught the wind just right. I hope the next time I'm about to have a go, as it seems like fun. Alfie said the boat is a mirror, which I think is the same as Grandad's - I'll have to ask him the next time I see him (which I hope is soon, so we can hear all about their holiday, as their postcard was really nice.

Last week at school then, before six weeks of holiday - bring it on!         

06/07/2008

Our brains might have been ready for another week of full-on fun, but clearly our bodies couldn't keep up and reacted by making us all sick. One-by-one we got ill.... first Alfie was struck down and was off school for two days, then me & Daddy (yes the-one-that-never-gets-ill, was really sick - unbelievable, quickly followed by Mummy who seemed to get just a bit of it & didn't seem as sick as the rest of us. We were not alone in our suffering - Annalise & Harvey had already been unwell when Alfie got sick, and Kerry was sick when me & Daddy were. Then over the road it went,  to Stephen, Adam & Daniel - aren't we a kind, sharing lot!

Anyway, we all seem to be just about back to normal now, and as you'll now learn, it didn't completely wreck our sports days, but who knows what might have been if we were both fully fit!

So, first it was my sports day and I was in three running things - the sprint, the hurdles & the relay (where you have to pass this tube thing to the next person in your team, while supposedly still running - tricky. I'd already decided that I couldn't go bonkers in everything, but I'd do by best & see what happened. The sprint went OK, I finished 3rd and didn't feel too tired. Next was the hurdles, where you have to jump over these things as well as run, which I really like. The race seemed to happen sooo fast and just at the end I thought I might just win - but noooo, I was 2nd, only a foot behind my friend who won - next year eh!. We were all getting a bit tired when it was time for the relay race but again managed to come 3rd. I had a really good time, and even got an award for taking part, and some sweets from Mummy (which was probably better than winning). The next day I got sick, so whenever someone says exercise is good for you - I'd say, not always! 

Alfie had recovered in time for his sports day, but unfortunately Mummy & Daddy were ill & couldn't come and watch. Luckily Stephen's Mum came to watch and cheered Alfie on - thanks Jen! The Wrights are clearly a family of sprinters as Alfie was also in the fast running race. He was racing against his best friend Jo, who is normally just a bit quicker than him, and he's saying that his sickness also took the edge of his speed. He did manage a really good 3rd place only just behind Jo (who won) and the person in 2nd who he can't remember - well done Alfie on your first school sports day.

With energy levels returning at the weekend, we went off to see Annalise & Harvey who'd gone camping (we were supposed to be going but as we weren't well, we decided not to). It was a nice quiet site where we did some fishing & had a general mess about. Sunday, after a wasted morning (after 10:00 when Mummy got up - tut, tut), Daddy took us swimming at Riverside, to the Kids Crazy thing, which we've found is better in the baby pool, as its both warmer & you get some toys to play with, as the big kids aren't hogging them all!. Finally, skiing in the rain - it made us wet, but the skiing fast, which meant BIG air jumps from both me, Alfie & Daddy. Mummy still needs to fight the fear and get some extra speed over the jump - remember you can't hurt yourself in the air!!!!    

29/06/2008

8 Years Old

Yippee, I'm eight years old - am I grown up or what (well sometimes, when I want to be!). What a completely mad few days its been, just thinking about it makes me fell all tired - I'll not be able to keep up this pace all the time (does it mean I need to slow down a bit? Am I getting past it already?)

A real surprise on my birthday (Mummy had be lying & had bought a giant garden trampoline for me & Alfie to share. It is fantastic, you bounce so high, we can say hello to our next door neighbours, although a real conversation is difficult as you can only talk to them at the top of each bounce! Me and Alfie have been on it this week at breakfast time, all through the day, after tea & just before bed - its become our second home!.

The week seemed to fly by, and soon it was Friday and Alfie's class's assembly, which both me and Mummy went to watch. He was very good, playing the part of 'nice fish' who was surprise, surprise a very nice fish - no, not to eat, he was nice to all his other fish friends.

Then to the manic weekend. Saturday was my birthday party, and also Stephen's 8th birthday. We went to Bewilderwood with a few of my friends (sadly Saffron was not very well & couldn't come - hope to see you soon). As most of us had been before we could show Stephen & Emmie the best bits, which this time we all agreed was the den making, which as you can see was a magnificent creation with all the comforts needed for a long stay in the woods. The slides we also a big favourite, and once we'd persuaded Stephen to go down once, we could hardly get him off them!

Sadly, all good things come to an end, and it was time to drop everyone off & head back home for some more bouncing, before a well earned rest.

Sunday ended up being just as full-on, with me going to Stephen's birthday party at the Inspire Science Centre, where were got to do all sorts of groovy things, and came away with a funky party bag, with this mad bouncy putty stuff.

Just before I went, not only did Grandma & Grumps arrive, looking tanned from their recent holiday, but they were also joined by Ben, Catherine & Monty (who had grown loads since we saw him in the Winter) and was walking and playing with everything - me & Alfie remember those innocent days so well. I got a groovy High School Musical game from Ben & Catherine, which we'll have great fun playing - thanks.

I'm glad that I wasn't the only one having fun, and that Alfie & Monty had a right laugh on the trampoline & in the sandpit, making loads of wet sand castles - sounds like a right giggle. That wasn't the only thing. We learned that Monty is going to have a new brother or Sister, so we'll get another Cousin, who'll be born a few weeks before Christmas, so if we got skiing with them we'll get to see the new baby - cool.

See what I mean - exhausting eh, and what's next? only the school Sports Day on Tuesday!!!!!      

22/06/2008

Phew, what a busy week we've had. Only just time to tell you all about it before it all kicks off again - that's right, well remembered, its my birthday very soon. Before all of that, (if I can keep the excitement in for just minute), last week. First there was my school trip to Sheringham, and a trip on a real steam train, all dressed up in our wartime costumes, with our gasmask boxes. Thanks Dad mine was really cool, it even had a proper looking label on it! It was strange to think that children our age had done this for real. I'm sure it was just like an adventure or holiday to start with, but they must have missed being at home after a while. Then, continuing the war stuff, it was my class assembly, which Mummy & Alf came to watch. I had to play two different people & do a quick change of costume to become an English soldier, after starting as an evacuee. All this and a bit of recorder playing - multi talented or what.

A bit of a change at the ski club this week as there were people teaching us how to jump and slide sideways - as you can see I was getting some really big-air & had a great time. It was good to see that while I was getting some exercise, Alfie had also been working-out, although I think he needs to spend more time on his arm muscles & less on his legs now - what do you think?  

Its clearly the time for holidays, as both Grandma & Grumps & Nanna & Grandad are either on, or going on holiday. Grandma & Grumps are sailing around the sea on a boat (hope its warm & not too rough). Nanna & Grandad have got to take their car on a boat to get to a little iland called Gurnsey, which is near France, and they are going camping - lucky devils.

Talking of lucky, that'll be me. Nanna & Grandad came to see us on Sunday & I got to open my first birthday present. It was those fantastic magic pens I'd wanted, and they are fab. They change colour when you draw one colour over another and all sorts - its amazing. Boo hoo, it was only one present I was allowed to open & not the big one in the kitchen, which I've no idea what it is. Never mind, only one more day to wait, so I'll know soon enough - good night chums (I'm not sure how much sleep I'll get tonight, so if I'm a bit tired tomorrow you'll know why). See you again when I'm eight!

15/06/2008

I'm sure you've been waiting all week to hear about the amazing thing that happened at the ski club last week - well the waiting is over - I won a medal, and not any old medal, a GOLD medal. I'm sure its not real gold but it doesn't matter, its mine. And how did I get this fab piece of bling? Well, we all had to ski down this special course, going round cones (which my Friday practice had definately helped with) under some hoops - no problems for bendy Edie, and a bit of speed to finish, and I was the fastest girl!!!!!! I couldn't believe it when they announced my name over the speakers, so everyone could hear, I was so surprised and really excited, and so was Mummy!.

Another unexpected treat, just like Annalise the other week, we had a day off school - no the teachers hadn't gone on strike again, they were having some training (how to become better teachers we assume, so we'll all be keeping an eye out on Monday to see what is different!). I was however a bit of a boring day, as Mummy had forgotten about our day off & had lots of bags to finish, ready for the School Fete - more on that in a minute. So we played out a bit and watched some telly, (yup Alvin & the Chipmunks again - but its still sooooo funny.

On Saturday it was our school fete, when its about the only time we don't mind going to school at the weekend. We went there early as Mummy was trying to sell some of her lovely bags, with Octavia's Mummy who makes bracelets & things. We had the whole place to run around in until it opened and everyone else came in. We spent lots of money, won a few prizes, and ate lots of sweets. The really best bits were seeing a real Dalek from Dr Who & these planes that flew over really low down & fast, making such a noise I thought my ears might burst. Sadly when it was time to go we'd had a good time, but Mummy had not sold any of her bags. It just didn't seem that people were buying things, unless they were sweets or guns for their children. Never mind Mummy, we all love your bags, and the people are silly for not wanting one for themselves.

We've been to see both Nanna & Grandad, Cousin's Naomi & Sophie (who was 6 years old today - Happy Birthday), and Grandma & Grumps - phew. We had a great game of cricket in the garden, with me & Alf hitting some great shots off Daddy's bowling. Grumps showed us how to shoot his cat-er-palt, which was really fun firing stones at the hedge. We also made a film of the house, with me doing the names to each room, and Alf just messing about as Daddy was filming. I hope a comedy was what they were hoping for!

08/06/2008

Back to sleeping in our own beds & back to school. We can't believe that we were actually camping last week, it just doesn't seem possible. Now only 3 weeks til my birthday now, and the invitations to my party at Bewilderwood have gone out - I do hope that everyone is able to come.

Not a lot to speak about during the week really, just the same old school week, although lucky Annalise & Harvey had an extra day on holiday, and didn't have to go to school until Tuesday - lucky devils. Anyway, at least the weekend was a bit more interesting, otherwise it really would have been a dull week, and we'd have nothing to tell you about. First, a rainy Saturday which forced us into the car for the trip to Drama & the Library - luckily though we were still able to fit in a stop at the shop for some sweets, despite getting pretty wet. Me and Annalise went skiing in the afternoon and something pretty amazing happened (but I've decided you are going to have to wait until next week to hear about it!). Afterwards we all went swimming in Norwich, which wasn't as good as Bungay as there isn't a slide, and you can't dive in, so I'm afraid next time it'll just have to be Bungay. Alf did some good swimming, after lots of encouragements & was doing really well until he tried to empty the pool, by drinking it - cough, splutter!

Sunday was a lovely day, and we were outside most of the day, other than for another viewing of Alvin & the Chipmonks, which our friends Stephen & Adam really liked as well. Then it was time for me & Annalise to get into costume & do our drama play about children during war time who were going to live in the country, away from their Mum's & Dad's, which must have been really sad. We put on our play for the people who live in the old people's home just down the road from our house. As it was a such a nice day, we were all outside, and although we had to pretend to be sad, we had a really good time - especially the drinks & cakes afterwards - yummy.

01/06/2008

Thanks to everyone who was thinking sunny thoughts, you managed to get us one nice day & most of the rain at night.

Wow, what a crazy start to the camping. After getting to Wells at tea time, quickly putting up the tent & scoffing some well deserved fish & chips, we were all looking forward to a lovely nights sleep in our new blow up beds..... wrong! At about 3 o'clock in the morning we were all woken by flashes of lightening & massive bangs of thunder - right above our tent! It was really mad, and so loud, but we weren't too scared (probably cos we were sooo tired). We made it through the night alive, and with the tent still standing & not full of water, a pretty good result, all things considered.

Luckily we'd brought our bikes, so it was off into Wells for a spot of shopping - mainly things for us of course. Alf got himself a toy gun that made proper banging noises when you put these special cap things in (he called them bullets, but I know they weren't - as he shot me at close range enough times!). I got some sweets & a t-shirt decorating kit, with just one problem - no old t-shirt to decorate, damn, I'll just have to have one of those as well then.

Another bike ride, and a pub stop the next day (with a bit more shopping thrown in - more bullets & sweets). Back at the campsite we got to go on the biggest, most bouncy trampolines ever, they were crazy. We thought we were pretty good, but there was this boy and he was doing back flips, twists & everything - amazing - so much we need to practice on. Must speak to Annalise & arrange a session at her house. 

Then a trip to Sandringham (which I'd be learning about at school in Norfolk week, and what a big posh place it is, just to spend 6 weeks in over Christmas - very flash. We sat on the steps to the Queen's own church, so actually sat when the Queen had walked - how about that.

Next day you Sunny thinkers gave us a lovely day, just when Annalise & Harvey came to see us, so it was lovely and warm for a trip to the beach - but yikes that sea was cold! We had a great time, especially as the tide was coming in and we'd dig holes the sea would fill and we'd jump into and get covered in muddy sand - fantastic.

A trip to Wells would obviously not be complete without a bit of crabbing, so we had an hour or so and got about 40 or so crabs (mostly small ones though). Not bad given there was hardly a spare space on the quay side. Back to the tent for some tea, cake and football, before it was time for our friends to go home & us to go to bed.

Sadly then, all that was left was to put everything back in, or on the car, I still don't know how it all went in, and the car still move - but it did, and head off home. For us it was time to put our feet up and watch a new DVD, Alvin & the Chipmunks (if you haven't seen it, get your Mum or Dad to get it, its sooo funny), while Mum & Dad put everything away - good work you two. After that we all went to bed early, ready for school or work, and the chance to tell everyone about our adventures, which as you can see, we really enjoyed. Now only 8 weeks til the Summer holiday & only 4 until my birthday - I'm getting more excited by the day.

25/05/2008

Well, what did I say..... that it would take something special to beat my Royal Garden party, and how right I was (Right by name, and all that!). My garden was voted as one of the best six, and was proudly displayed in our very own 'Norfolk Show' in the tent on the playing field. Mind you, I'm not sure who was more excited that it got picked.... me or Mummy (I wonder if she went round telling everyone that she made it?.... cheeky!).  So with one artistic success under my belt, we both turned our attention to the sporting arena. First, Cricket. I wasn't sure I was going to like this as much as rounders but its pretty similar really, so it was good, especially when you bowl & you hit the sticks down behind the person with the bat - its just like scoring a goal in football. As you can see my team did pretty well. We were only beaten by a year 4 team who could throw a bit faster than we could, so with a bit of practice, maybe we'll win next time.

Next sporting action was at the ski club with all four of us going for some big-air. It was a close one between me & Alf, with me just going a bit higher, although it did make me scream! Daddy was definitely higher than Mummy, who seemed to want to slow herself down on the way to the jump, when we were trying to get some extra speed up - scaredy cat or what!.

The last sporting challenge was indoors on Curly Megs Nintendo Wii. We played lots of different games, doing some crazy running, jumping, boxing & sword fighting - really crazy fun. I just can't wait until we get one of our own - we'll just have to keep crazing Daddy until he gives in!         

As expected the weather on the first day of our holiday is meant to be rubbish, and hardly the weather for camping - which we are still hoping to do later in the week. The bit of extra good news - Annalise & Harvey might be coming for the weekend. Now we need everyone to think sunny thoughts so that we don't spend our time in the tent listening to the rain - fingers crossed.   

18/05/2008

Wow, how European we are, 1st speaking French, now Italian. Ok, so its only basic stuff, but don't forget I also speak Latin - not bad for a 7 year old eh! Not too hard to guess that we had pizza, and this time the real-deal, no out of the freezer one, this was made fresh in a big oven right near our table in the restaurant, and it was delicious. Me and Alf ate it all up, and still had room for the most scrummy chocolate fudge cake we'd ever had - Alf just couldn't help himself & had to lick the last few bits from his bowl - how common!

We'd worked up a good appetite having both gone skiing - me with Annalise & Alf with Daddy (as Harvey was at a party). Mummy & me went to watch the boys for a bit and Alf was certainly getting some big-air off the jump in the fun park. I'll have to go up there with him sometime & have a competition.

Sunday was a garden day, in more ways than one. First, we were outside playing in ours, as Daddy rearranged some of the plants & cleared up the skiing stuff from the day before, slowed down by our friend Adam from over the road wanting to have a ski - lookin' good for a 3 year old! - see you down the club.

Then, as its Norfolk week next week, and my class is doing things connected with Sandringham, which is one of the Queen's houses (why does she need more than one - it certainly looks big enough to me). Anyway, we had to make a model, and Mummy helped me make a Royal Garden Party, which I think looks really fab. As there is a prize for the best ones, I recon its going to take something really special to beat mine. Don't know what the prize is - a visit to the Queen house perhaps - who knows.

Only a week left until our half-term holiday, and a few days camping somewhere, which we are really looking forward to, and the weather is supposed to get warmer by then. I hope so too, as I've been a bit chilly in bed the past few nights, and I'm indoors!     

11/05/2008

Phew, definitely feels like Summer has arrived. We've been roasting in the sun, lucky for us Mummy got the water slide out so we could have an after-school cool down... well fun! Even Daddy was feeling the heat and had to admit defeat in the hair growing competition he was having with Alf, and when Mummy had finished cutting his hair, just look at what was left behind - wow. So congratulations to Alf on his stunning victory, and his prize..... a haircut!, as the front bit was getting in his eyes.

It was too hot to go skiing on Saturday so we went to the beach and had a lovely time playing & digging holes. The sea was much too cold to go in - even our toes took ages to warm up again when we put them in - brrrrr.

We'd decided (Me, Alf & Dad that is) that we were going to Thetford Forest on Sunday for a bike ride, but it was a mistake not telling Mum. Not cos she didn't want to go - it was just that we were dressed & ready, Daddy had pumped all the bike tires up, put the bikes on the car, and Mummy was still in bed!!!!!

Regular readers will know that Mummy does not function in the morning, either properly, or quickly, without at least two large cups of coffee & around half an hour of time in the conservatory (its like a bear coming out of Winter hibernation!). On this occasion, we were out of the house within an hour, a near record we believe & were soon on our way.

This was the first time Alf had taken his big bike to Thetford and he was looking forward to the bumpy forest tracks. We had already decided we'd do the red run, just like our skiing (not quite the baddest, but pretty fierce). We all had a great time with all the bumps & twisty forest tracks we could have hoped for. Even though the whole route was about 7 miles, we still had enough energy to go on the adventure playground, as you can see.

So, an action packed weekend, and time for an early night, as tomorrow Alf gets to play with Harvey while I do some dancing at ballet & chart hits - I think its going to be warm work!.     

05/05/2008

We went, had a mad time & have the scrapes & bruises to prove it! BeWILDerwood certainly lives up to its name. A wild place on our doorstep. We only had to go through Wroxham, and the next minute we were being taken on these bright coloured boats into a magical world in the woods. There were tree houses, rope bridges, and some of the longest, steepest slides we'd ever been on, which were soooooo fast - as you can see.

After hours of crazy tree top fun, with just a quick stop for a yummy picnic lunch, we went to a special den-making part of the woods and all helped to gather wood which the Dad's made into our groovy den - cool, or what! Afterwards there was just enough time for us to have another go in the maze, which we did in the morning, getting lost loads of times before we found our way to the tree-house in the middle - 2nd time was easy, straight to the centre, no problem.

All we could do when we got home was crash out in front of the telly - luckily Spiderman II was on, which we just got to the end of before falling asleep on the sofa.

Next day, another adventure - Tubing at the ski club. Just like our blow up snow tubes, except these are bigger & heavier, and of course there is no snow, just the plastic stuff. It was fun with me & Annalise going down together, and Alf & Harvey doing the same. Things got really interesting when we got going from the top of the slope, rather than half way down, which wasn't nearly fast enough, and no where near as quick as on snow, but at least we had the water from the slope sprayers to cool us down as it was a really warm day.

We weren't the only people there as there was a big race going on with people & skis everywhere. The people were really fast, going round the poles like me & Mummy do on Friday night, just quite a bit faster! After lunch we swapped our ringos for bikes and went for a high-speed, mud filled ride around the Whitlingham Lake. We went so fast that to make it worthwhile, we decided to go round again (after stopping for a well deserved ice-cream) - just look how far we must have gone - impressive eh!. Alf & Harvey had a competition to see who could get the muddiest. Alf won the messy legs bit, with Harvey being more dirty on his back & arms - you should have seen the colour of the bathwater after he'd been it - disgusting! 

We woke up the next day, and almost forgot that it was a Bank Holiday & that we didn't have to go to school. After a whole hour of Horrid Henry on telly (if you haven't seen it, or read the books, you really should. Not only are they very funny but there are some great tips for naughty stuff in them), we went to see Nanna & Grandad. We had a lovely afternoon playing games in the garden - going on the swing, football & rounders - just the hitting the ball bit, no running (we didn't have the energy). All was well until I hurt my toe, which felt like it was broken, and worse still, it started to bleed - yuk. So I has to hop about for the rest of the day, feeling pretty sorry for myself.     

Oh, and how could we have forgotten to mention that it was Dad's birthday last week (probably cos Dad didn't really want anyone to know, or make a fuss - now he's as old as Mummy!). We got him some lovely pots & plants for the new bit of the garden, Grandma & Grumps got him a beer kit (which I'm sure we'll get to drink some of), and a book that he'd asked them to look for - Brave New World, or something. Give us Horrid Henry or Charlie & Lola any day. Continuing the garden theme, Nanna & Grandad got a new stand for our big garden umbrella, as the other one broke, so it will really real smart when everything is in and planted..

27/04/2008

No wonder life is so confusing when grown ups say one thing and do the other, and then they moan at us when we do it - who do they think they are?

Now, I'm sure you're wondering why I'm having this little rant, and you won't believe it, its about school. Yup, that place that we all know and love. Yes, me & Alf really do love it, so why am I going on?

Well, who hasn't been told that we go to School whether we like it or not, because we have to, that the law, blah, blah, blah - whatever!

So, I thought that the teachers, who obviously have such a lovely time teaching us also had to be there. While I'm sure they'd do it for the love of it, I'm sure they get paid as well, just like everyone else who goes to work. So imagine my surprise when I was told that our teacher wouldn't be coming to work on Thursday and that we'd have to stay at home. Now even weirder, Alf had to go to school as normal - what was going on?

The answer it seems is something called going on strike, which seems nothing more than grown ups not wanting to do something, and making a bit of a fuss about it - and you call us childish!

So, while Mummy & me had a nice girly day shopping, while my teacher was on strike, I've been thinking, can school children go on strike if we don't like our school dinners, or the spelling tests are too hard, or the playtimes too short? I'll have to do some investigation - watch this space chums. 

The other highlight of the week was a visit from Grandma & Grumps who got to see Mummy's newly finished patio area in the garden - very smart, and play swing ball and skittles in the garden, just before the rain came down. Grandma & Grumps then helped us with our homework, so hopefully we'll get top marks.

Next week we've got Annalise's birthday party at Bewilderwood which should be fab as we've not been there before and Annalise says its great - can't wait.   

20/04/2008

Mmmm... interestingly, we've not yet had an email of call from either Grandad or Grumps to say that they've taken up our marathon challenge - must be they've just started to train in secret!

Talking of exercise, I now get to go swimming every week with school. As we've not got our own pool we have to go on a bus to Thorpe School in Norwich, which is where me & Alf will go when we get too old for Brundall school - a few years away yet though. It was good fun to swim with my friends, and we all did well except for [blah] who got out of his depth, lost his float & sank - oops!

Mummy finally managed to talk me into going skiing with her on Friday night - learning how to turn really fast round poles, just like the racers do - I'm sure after all the nice things people were saying, I must have looked better than this!

Not wanting to be left behind, Alf went skiing with Daddy on Saturday, and went bonkers on the funpark. First getting some big-air off the jump, and landing it. Then going almost to the top of the half-pipe before coming down backwards, managing to stay on his feet once, and a few speedy runs down the mogul slope, with one spectacular spill at the bottom as he tried to get some more air off the last bump. I'm sure he's making most of this up, but Daddy says not and he reckons he looked just like this.

More swimming fun on Sunday with a trip to Bungay & the inflatable slide in the pool. As usual we were the last ones out of the pool at the end with just enough time for some sweets on the way home, a quick tea, bath & bed - hard life eh!  

13/04/2008

The first week back at school wasn't all that bad - maybe we should have a four day week all the time, perhaps I'll ask my teacher, see what she says.

A surprisingly quiet week really, obviously we were putting so much effort into school, that we just had nothing left afterwards - well, that's our story & we're sticking to it!

Saturday was more fun though, a bit of drama, with Alfie making a guest appearance (and thoroughly enjoying himself) - why doesn't he come more often? Then as me & Annalise went skiing, Alfie has Harvey over to play while Dad climbed ladders, and walked on the conservatory roof, to move the satellite dish, which hopefully means I'll have TV back on my computer soon - groovy. The other good thing was we've now got another TV, for the kitchen, which also plays DVD's - cool. So, maybe, just maybe we'll no longer have to Mummy complaining that we are hogging the TV, as someone [Mummy] can go into the kitchen & watch her stuff - sorted!

Talking of TV, did you see Dr Who - wow, wasn't it fab, exploding volcanoes and what's more amazing, Dad says that the place is real, and that the volcano really did explode, and you can go to Italy & see it - we'll have to go there when we're a bit older.

The other thing was the London Marathon, did you see all those people running. And not just running a little way, no 26 miles!!!!, Dad says that's from our house nearly to Lowestoft - they must be bonkers - especially the people who are in fancy dress - there were clowns and acrobats - what a circus!. The really crazy thing, and something for Grandad & Grumps to think about, they were talking to a man who was nearly at the end, and he was 70 years old. So, Grandad's what's stopping you, your turn next year?  

06/04/2008

So to the second week of our holiday & if we'd told people who weren't here a week ago that we'd had snow, they'd never believe us! Lucky really, as we've spent our time out & about, which wouldn't been a bit chilly in the snow.

First stop was Gressenhall, the olden-times place, which we've been to a few times before, and this time it was with the Youngs boys from over the road. We had a fun time in the playground & walking around the park collecting the stamps to get our 'I stamped around Gressenhall' badges.

Another day, another outdoor play session, this time as we hinted at last week, with our Cousin's Robert & Rowan who were staying with Nanna & Grandad. The place for this long overdue reunion (as it was well before Christmas the last time we saw them) was another old favourite - Pettits. So it was the usual craziness of the spinning teacups, the rollercoaster,  the pirate ship (all to jiggle up your tummy, ready for some climbing & sliding fun in the adventure playground  - phew, we're both whacked out just remembering it!, but fun-for-all as you can see.

A well earned day's rest followed, just long enough for us to get our energy back ready for skiing (and an unexpected visit from Annalise afterwards, as her Mummy was helping to teach Alf & Harvey)  - good luck!

We were going out for tea & I really wanted to have a pizza, but we tried two places and they were both full, or said they were - maybe they didn't like the look of us! So, we had to go for an curry instead, which Mum & Dad seemed a bit too pleased about for our liking. It was really nice though, and Alf was so hungry we had to order some extra Onion Bhaji's for him. Best of all, the nice Man who brought our food gave us both some extra chocolates as we left, so we had five each, and Mum & Dad got none - as we ate theirs as well.

Last day of our holiday tomorrow, so we'd better do our homework, then it'll be back to the old routine (for at lest another seven weeks, until our next holiday - nightmare!       

30/03/2008

What crazy weather, we went to bed with our bellies full of chocolate & woke up to our garden full of snow - yes snow.... at Easter - completely bonkers!

We just had to let Daddy know straight away, even though it was only just after 6:00 in the morning! He didn't seem too impressed, but was awake enough to stop us going outside in our pyjamas & welly's at 6:30 - spoil sport. Stephen over the road couldn't wait any longer and was ringing our doorbell at 8:00 - we were already dressed & were having fun in the snow before breakfast!

It was great - just like being in France again, and it was lovely snow for making snowballs & snowmen - just look at this fab creation - taller than us.   

After it stopped snowing, and we'd used up most of the nice snow in the close, it was time to see Grandma & Grumps, who had some more lovely, untouched snow in their garden, so what did we do...... yup, more snowballs & snow creations - as this time it was not just snowmen, no, there was also a snow armchair complete with snow tv & remote control (showing the film Ice Age no doubt). As we hoped, we added to our Easter egg collection - thanks Grandma & Grumps, and after a yummy tea, did something unusual.

Rather than go home, we went to Nanna & Grandad's house, not itself strange - no, the unusual bit was that Mum & Dad then went home, leaving us for a bit of peace & quiet with Nanna & Grandad (if you believe that, you'll believe anything!)  

There was still some snow left the next day to finish a 3rd snowman, the 2nd in Lowestoft. We're not sure which one is best, as they are all impressive creations, and we're sure would win prizes in any East of England Snowman building Competition, if there ever was one.

It was strange to go down to the beach and still see bits of snow about, as often you go to the beach to enjoy the sun, sand & sea - not the snow! We then had an adventurous day with much craziness at the Treasure Island indoor play centre, followed by a McDonalds feast to re-gain our energy.

All too soon it was time to go home and see what Mum & Dad had been up to, and you know what, all they'd done was go shopping, to some place called IKEA, what sort of a name is that! Anyway, at least they didn't completely forget about us, as they got some things for our bedrooms, so that was OK.  

So a big, big thank you to Nanna & Grandad for looking after us, and hope we weren't too much trouble. Hopefully that was good practice for when Robert & Rowan come to stay next week (and hopefully we'll get to see them somewhere).

Well that's the holiday half over, where does the time go?    

23/03/2008

What a strange week, only four days at school, skiing (but not on snow), then Easter (with real snow). Now forgive us for being confused & a bit suspicious, we'd heard all this stuff about Global warming (which said that things would be getting hotter), and then we get snow at Easter - what do these grown ups know? - nothing we reckon!

If we are honest, we've not exactly been preparing ourselves very well for the Easter chocolate onslaught, but we are ready to face the consequences, which shouldn't be too bad, as Alf won an indoor Egg & Spoon race at school, so he can't be too unfit, but what did he win - yes, a chocolate egg!

Holiday Friday (we'll call it that as Good Friday would be slightly misleading, as it was raining most of the day) came & went with us trying (not very successfully) to help Daddy with painting Mum & Dad's bedroom. Never mind, as we had more fun running behind all the furniture that had been moved so he could decorate.

On Saturday, Dad was obviously in some painting zone, as he'd nearly finished painting the Dining Room before Mummy got up, while we watched our favourite programs of the week on TV.... Basil Brush's Swap Shop & Hider in the House - brilliant. Just enough time for me to have my dinner then it was off to the ski slope, which didn't look like fun, as some nasty hail was coming down. Thankfully it stopped & me and Annalise had a good time in our first week of real Junior Club - we got a welcome leaflet & everything - cool.

As we came back Daddy & Alf were then leaving for their turn skiing, and by this time the hail had turned to sleet & rain - lovely. Alf & Harvey had a good time despite the sleet / snow and Alf got a packet of Salt & Vinegar peanuts as a treat after, the lucky boy!

Amazingly Daddy got both his bedroom & the Dining Room looking smart again before Nanna & Grandad came round for Easter lunch. We were very good in the morning, and were happy to wait for them to arrive before we did our Easter Egg hunt. Normally these would be outdoors, but our topsy-turvy weather meant that the snow put a stop to that, although we did manage to make a small snow person sort of thing, before it got too slushy again.

At last it was 3-2-1.... go, and a race around the house to collect our long awaited chocolate stash. In the blink of an eye it was done, and we both returned with our bags full of about 20 small Easter eggs, and some Polar Bear teddies, that will make lovely camping pillows. Nanna & Grandad also brought us some lovely eggs, with toys with them - thanks very much.

We're off to see Grandma & Grumps tomorrow, so maybe we'll add to our chocolate collection. Then we're off to stay with Nanna & Grandad for a few days, to give Mum a break - although she'll still have Dad to put up with! Happy holidays chums. 

16/03/2008

We said it was going to be windy, and it was - lucky we haven't got any tall trees near our house that could have fallen on us. We are just beginning to realise that the weather in England is a bit bonkers really. Why..... cos Alf has been running around outside in either a t-shirt or no top & hasn't frozen to death, while near Cousin Robert they've had more floods, and in Scotland they are still having snow - how are our little heads supposed to work all that out!

So I can't understand the weather, but I can speak Latin (did you work out this week's diary title?), and I've got a certificate to prove it. I'm not exactly sure when I'll get to use it (outside the classroom, but it fun to learn as some of the work are a bit silly, like Ratus Ratus, for a rat.

This week at Drama we had to act like children being evacuated in the War, and it was really sad as we had to leave our Mummy & Daddy behind, and were only able to take our favourite Teddy & a few clothes into the country - I hope we never have to do anything like that.

Annalise & me passed our skiing test and can now join junior club proper. Alf & Harvey are doing really well in their group and I'm sure will get to take their assessment soon - It seems Saturday afternoon's will never be the same again.   

Lastly, to complete the physical exercise theme of the weekend, as it was such a miserable day, we went swimming in Bungay. Mummy didn't come as she thinks she's hurt her ribs when she tripped over carrying some of the rubble for the dump - we hope she's all right and feels better soon (especially as there is still quite a lot of rubble to take!). We thought it would just be a few goes on the slide, but no, how lucky were we, the inflatable shark thing was in the pool, and so we had that to go mad on, as well as the slide, the diving, jumping and splashing - crazy!!!!!

Only four days at school this week, then its the Easter holiday! We are both looking forward to eating our own bodyweight in chocolate, so we'd better have a few healthy meals this week.... bring on the veg!  

09/03/2008

Ok, so moving on from last week's shock of the Gruffalo really existing, it was fortunately a quiet week, giving me a chance to mentally recover.

School was just.... school with nothing really to mention - guess that's just how it goes sometimes.......pretty deep eh!

Well, at least the weekend improved, otherwise it would really be a short diary. After an early morning wake up knock on the door from Stephen (it was I suppose about 10:00, but we were still in our pyjamas & Mummy was still asleep - shhhhhh!) it was time for his brother's joint birthday party. Adam had his real birthday a few weeks ago & it was Daniel's turn to join Alfie in the world of the five year old, so two more of the Youngs (that's their last name if you didn't know) are not so young anymore. Off to one of our favourite places..... Jump for Joy, and 2 hours of full-on craziness! Mummy had made them both a lovely hat for their birthday, so now there can only be a couple of people in the whole of our close that hasn't got one. We'd just had time to catch our breath & it was off to the Ski Club for some more practicing, before we can properly join the Junior club. Daddy was again painting walls - what a good boy he is, and couldn't be there to see us doing some fab stuff, and actually listening to what the people were asking us to do - aren't we good. Annalise & Harvey's Daddy wasn't there either, but he wasn't painting - no, he'd gone back to France to do some more skiing, only this time just for a few days - lucky boy.

Our good skiing was rewarded with a lovely Chinese tea - yummy rice, noodles & prawns - delicious. Sunday was a play outside day, while Daddy painted some more. This time the shiny white bits around our bedroom doors - lookin' good. It seems we've been pretty lucky to be able to play outside all weekend as we've just seen the weather forecast & it says that it is going to be very, very windy tomorrow - its going to feel like we are the 3 little pigs & the big bad Wolf is going to try & blow our house down - could be scary.

02/03/2008

As we mentioned last week, Alf went to see the real Gruffalo (yes, that's right, the Gruffalo out of the book - cleverly called the Gruffalo  - genius, even we could have come up with that one!

But, did me - lovely little Edie get to go? - no just about everyone else did (well in reception & year one anyway). He'd been looking forward to it all week, especially that he was now seeing so well with his new glasses. So after a pretty boring week, with just the usual mix of dancing & Mummy abandoning us to go skiing (3 nights this week - outrageous!), it was Friday & the Gruffalo trip.

Not only was it a show to watch, but it was in Norwich so there was also the added fun of a coach ride to the Theatre - not fair. Alf had a great time, the afternoon off school, but still with his friends, and seeing the real Gruffalo, right there in front of him - look, here is the picture he took with my camera (because I wasn't going to believe him without the proof either!). 

After that it was my turn to be lucky, Daddy brought me some new skis (well they were someone else's before, but they are too tall for them now. They must be good though as they won the Championship race at the club with these skis a couple of years ago - go Edie, go). Luckily I didn't have long to wait to try them out as we went to the Ski Club on Saturday while Daddy finished painting the walls up the stairs - how did he reach those high bits? - probably don't want to know as its likely to be dangerous! The skis are nice and fast, and really easy to turn - I'm going to have sooooo much fun.

Lastly to Mother's day & our best efforts to be good. Let Mum have a lie in (tick), Make Mum a card (tick), Get Mum a present (oops). Luckily, Grandma & Grumps arrived for a long overdue visit & we were quickly distracted by full-on play fighting - which clearly wore Grumps out as he had a little snooze after lunch. We were not so lazy & went for a long walk / scoot, all the way to Braydeston church, up to Blofield & back - phew.

No wonder we are now so tired.................     

24/02/2008

One story dominates this weeks events - Alfie's new look, thanks to his glasses.

It was back to school after our week off, only to learn that we are only at school for another 4 weeks until we are on holiday again - how mad is that! Then it'll be Easter, so we'd better start thinking about what yummy eggs we'd like - they've been in the shops for a few weeks now, and this Rabbit one that I saw in Tesco's recently looked tasty.

So, after a not to interesting week, it was time to return to the glasses shop for Alfie to collect his new glasses. I missed the big moment of the first trying on as I needed a wee really desperately so had to go with Daddy to a nearby shop. We returned to see them making the last final adjustments (until they go back to be mended - which could be often!) - and then..... the transformation was complete. I know last week's picture was just an artist's impression, but I think it was reasonably accurate (ish).

Everyone thinks he looks really cool, and I suppose I have to agree. He is doing really well, not only wearing them, but looking after them...... I think they've been cleaned nearly 100 times already - it'll never last!

Also, our friend Adam (Stephen's littlest brother) had his third birthday on Sunday, and got a groovy new bike (although strangely his older brother Daniel seemed to be riding it more than he was??). We're looking forward to a party with some fun & games (as well as some cake hopefully).

Lastly, lucky old Alf is going to the theatre to see the Gruffalo play (which is one of our favourite books), which sounds like really good fun. Hopefully with his new glasses he'll be able to see everything really clearly and tell me (who can then tell you) all about it.    

17/02/2008

Another week, another holiday... oh how tough the life of the 5 & 7 year old is! The week started strangely with Alf having to see an eye doctor at the hospital, as he'd had an eye test at school and they thought his eyes might not be working properly.... might explain why he's sooooo clumsy! - more on this later.

Next it was off to Wells by the Sea with Nanna, which was really a wool shopping trip disguised as a trip to the seaside - sneaky! Luckily it was a lovely warm day (it really didn't seem like Winter at all. There were lots of people on the beach & we even put our toes in a bit of the Sea that had been left behind when the tide went out - and that was cold.....brrrrrrrr!

A trip to Time & Tide in Yarmouth with Stephen, Daniel & Adam (which was a bit mad as the boys just wanted to mess around & I wanted to make something - so Mummy & me were glad to get home - exhausted.

Off to drama on Saturday with Alfie joining us again (he could become a regular member of the gang). We had fun making up some funky free-style Charleston dance moves, with Alfie being our very own Billy Elliott!

So to finish off the Alfie eyes story. He needs to wear glasses to help him see things better close up, like books and stuff, so off we went to look for some. We never knew there were quite so many different colours, shapes & sizes to choose from, and we both had a great time trying lots & lots of different ones on. Alfie finally chose a pair & I must say he looks really cool in them, and I'm just a little bit jealous. As they have to be made specially for him, he hasn't got them yet, but I think my artists impression will give you a good idea of what to expect the next time you see him.        

10/02/2008

Was it really only just over a week ago that we were still skiing? - it already seems so long ago. Is that really the effect that five whole days at school has on you?

As things were a bit quiet during the week, me & Alf had another look through some of our pictures, and came across another couple that we think you'll like. The first proves that the Beast of Brundall can be found lurking in the chalets of France - in a pre-teenager mutant ninja Tiger style! - scary stuff.

On a calmer note, I just managed to snap this picture of the Wright Cousins (with Monty proudly wearing one of Mummy's hats & new Christmas present jumper) in a rare moment of them both being still.    

Our teachers were really interested to hear about our holiday, and I think they'd be even more amazed to see pictures of us actually skiing - maybe we'll have to sort something out.

Incredibly, we are now on holiday from school again, and at last we've been able to go outside without four jumpers & two coats on, as it has been warm and Sunny - so obviously just the time to start smashing up your garden with a pick axe! Yes, that is really what we've all had a go at doing, getting the area at the side of the house ready for the Summer.

Finally, as tradition demands, on return from holiday the Wright's eat curry. So off we went to our favourite Indian restaurant and had our lovely Naan, Popadom, Onion Bhaji & Coke - not forgetting the lovely chocolates at the end - delicious. 

03/02/2008

Bonjour chums, we're back & its freezing.... it seems much colder here than up in the mountains of France. It's either the wind, or that the sky is grey instead of a lovely blue colour we've been used to.

We had a fantastic time. We skied until we thought our legs would fall off. Slid on snow tubes until we thought we'd end up in Allos, ate Catherine's lovely cooking (some of the time) and failed miserably in our challenge to get Monty walking. He cruises around the furniture like a pro, but let go & walk he will not. Its down onto the floor, a quick scuttle across and then back on his feet again, while holding on the next piece of furniture. He seems such a contented little chap that we expect he'll need a few days of peace & quiet to get over the invasion of us mad ones - four charging about wild-e-beasts (when we weren't playing Super Mario on Harvey or Annalise's Nintendo).

Being seasoned flyers, the journey was pretty boring really... same old airport, same old plane... one difference in the transport to the chalet... you can now hear it coming from half a mile away - sounds like its going to be some big engine sports car, not a slightly rusty white van. Now, whether Ben has been watching too much 'Pimp my Ride' - one of our favourite tv shows, as you know, or whether he just misses the sounds of cruising Yarmouth seafront is unclear - either way, that exhaust needs fixing.

So after a long day, and a reasonably short sleep, we were ready to do battle with the slopes. Ski passes at the ready we headed off into the relatively crowded sloped (it was Sunday which meant there were at least another 10 people in the queue - tut, tut). A quick ride up the chairlift and we were back, at the top of last years favourite run - Champions. A few turns later (just to get our legs used to the slippery white stuff, and we were off. Everything came flooding back - the turns, the jumps, the fast bits, the slow bits, and best of all there was loads of lovely snow, which wasn't too hard or icy - just right for high-speed cruising.

After a couple of days we were all skiing a mixture of Blue & Red runs, which had some really great jumps & steep bits in them, which made us go so fast that sometimes Mum & Dad had to go at full speed to keep up with us - you've just got to see the video.

We then had a day in the next village - Foux d'Allos and went up in this little bubble lift thing to the very top of the mountain (above the clouds) and skied down this amazing run that was the best ever - even though I did go a bit too fast at one point and crash into a net, which stopped me falling down a steep slope - phew. We saw this amazing igloo, that we could all get inside, and made the one that the Dad's made in the chalet garden a bit tame by comparison - harsh but true Dad's I'm afraid.

In an attempt to repeat our top of the mountain feat in Seignus, Alfie tried & failed to master the drag lifts (which are pretty fast & bumpy). So while he went off with Daddy, Mummy & me went right to the top of the mountain & I skied down a black run (which is the hardest sort of all) - and I didn't fall over.

All too soon it was the last day and we all did some fab skiing, very fast, but in control, with some neat jumps & tricks thrown in - just because we could. The Dad's really should look where they are going, as they somehow managed to crash into each other at high speed, with my Daddy spinning off into the snow, while Annalise's Daddy just managed to stay upright - boys eh!

Typically, the weather saved the best til last, and snowed all night on Friday, so on Saturday there was loads of lovely new snow, but we had to just stand and watch as people had great fun making their own tracks in the snow - boo hoo. To add insult to injury as we lined up on the balcony to have our photo taken in Mum's hat's, what should happen - a big load of snow fell off the roof and went all down our necks - brrrrr!

We're all sad now, remembering all the great things we did last week, but would say to anyone who hasn't skied - get out there its not cold, its fab & you are never too old to ski - there was a lady of nearly eighty getting her lift pass, so Grandad, no excuses!                     

20/01/2008

The old (or should we say old-er), Mummy reached the grand old age of 39 this week, and got a new pink dressing gown & a new pair of boots (to go with the other 5 pairs that she's already got - how many feet does she think she's got?). We had a nice party tea, although Daddy did forget to get a birthday cake - naughty boy! We didn't think being 39 was such a big deal, not like next years milestone, but clearly we were mistaken, as Mummy had to have Nanna come over and look after her for a couple of days afterwards - weird.

So, the new. Well, we can now play all the fab games on the CBBC & CBeebies websites from any room in the house as somehow Daddy's laptop can get the internet anywhere - fab. Me & Alf have been having a great time, making our own Butterfly collection with Charlie & Lola, and flying about with Tommy Zoom. We have no idea how it works, and don't really care (as long as it does). Daddy is going to set my computer up so Alf & me can play games against each other - how mad is that!

Less than a week to go to our skiing holiday now, and we are getting more excited every day - especially as we have started to get all our things out, and get them ready to be packed. Its only then that you realise just how much stuff you have to take - before you even think about the clothes you will be wearing.

We were watching some of our skiing from last year which really made us laugh - what will it be like with all four of us mad kids this time? We just hope that no-one has a big crash like this man skiing on the TV today. He was going at over 70mph, crashed so hard that his crash helmet flew off and he skidded to a stop on his head - ouch! A helicopter had to take him off the mountain to hospital and they said later that he will be OK.

If we don't get a chance to write again before we go on holiday, then you'll have to wait another whole week until we get back, with lots of stories & pictures, of our adventures - au revoir.          

13/01/2008

Less than two weeks to go until our ski holiday, and the excitement & the snow mounts (they had another 10cm in just one day.... and the forecast is for more.... see for yourself - here.

Back to reality this week, with a return to school & a good chance to catch up on what our friends got up to over Christmas. It definitely seems that the Nintendo WII was the present most people's Mum's & Dad's got, but as a few people were suffering from WII shoulder, we just wonder how much time the grown-ups actually got to play on their new toy.

Alfie is feeling very pleased with himself this week, and why not, he was called up to the front in school assembly and received a certificate for being at school every day in his very first term - well done brother beast! I was cruelly denied an award myself by one day, when every bone in my body ached & I could hardly move from the sofa all day. I wonder if the week that we'll be away from school skiing will count against us, or not, as we have been allowed the time off (or I hope we have)!

Finally, it was goodbye for now to two of our friends, Saffron & Sammy, who are moving away from Brundall, to some place called Fret-en-ham, wherever that is. The good thing was that to help their Mummy, they spent the day with us, Saffron came shopping with Mummy & Me, while Alf & Sammy went with Dad to buy some tiles -boys, get a life!.

Just as they were leaving, our next guests arrived - Curly Megs (who's not so curly anymore, but the name has stuck (with me anyway). We had a good time, dancing to my Pop Party 5 CD, and playing on Alf's wobble board which is really tricky, but great fun.       

Last, but by no means least, a trip to Nanna & Grandad, without Dad, who was already busy tiling the kitchen with the tiles he'd only got the day before - where does the near 40 year old get his energy - phew.

Talking of aging, we must just mention that its Mummy's birthday tomorrow, so we'll try & be nice to her. Who'd think she'll be 39.... to us she still looks like 29!!!! (that's got to be worth a sweet of two)!    

06/01/2008

Its amazing how quickly things seem like ages ago - just like Christmas, especially now all the decorations have been taken down. One bonus, the conservatory looks much bigger again - so more space to play in.

We recovered quickly from our lack of sleep on New Years Eve (more like a nap really), and have been filling our last few school free days with really fun stuff - like trips to the dentist!!!! Mmmm, what do you think, one of Edie & Alf's little jokes, or has our week really been that dull, that sitting in a chair with your mouth open (and not eating yummy things) was fun? Well a bit of both really, we've not done much, which has been OK, as we needed a rest, and the dentist is nice & gave us some groovy stickers for being so good (I reckon the only way you wouldn't get a sticker is if you bit his hand!) - maybe I'll get Alf to try this out next  time.

We had a good time skiing with our chums Harvey & Annalise, and got both the boys on the fun park (which is where the jumps are). I won the highest jump competition (although the landing didn't quite work out) - splat! Fortunately I was OK, unlike a girl a bit older than me who fell over on the bumps and had to go to hospital in an ambulance. We think she has just bruised her back as she landed on her ski - ouch. We all hope she's OK, and if she's going skiing soon, that she is well enough to go & has a great time.

Talking of skiing holidays, only 3 weeks to go for us now, and lots of lovely snow in Allos, so it is looking good for a week of full on snow fun.             

We must go now - Alf now comes into my room to help me write the diary, but I hear Mum or Dad downstairs, and it seems like they might be coming this way & he needs to sneak back - bye.