The circus

Thanks to two new classmates at James and Jennifer's school this week, we have been learning all about life in the circus.  We went to support them this evening at the Hop Farm where we were treated to a fantastic evening's traditional circus entertainment, including acrobatics, contortionists, foot juggling, balancing acts and knife throwing.  Last chance to catch the show is tomorrow afternoon before they pack up and move on.  Highly recommended.

Building recommences at Sunnyside

And so it begins again.  The building works recommence in an attempt to smarten up the outside of Sunnyside.  The footings are for an oak framed garage, slightly more respectable than its predecessor.  Behind the house will be a patio bordered by a retaining wall with steps up to the garden.  In a few weeks time this house will no longer look like it belongs to the Dingles.

Here come the girls

It's been a while since our last chicken met her sticky end.  We are getting through eggs like nobody's business, so we thought it was about time to introduce some new ladies to Sunnyside.  Introducing, from left to right, Florence, Princess Layer (no prizes for guessing whose chicken she is), Ruby, Darcy and Myrtle.  We are looking forward to our first omlette from these pretty ladies in a few weeks time.

Posing

Whilst James spent one of the best days of his entire life at Duxford Imperial War Museum, Jenny and I made the most of the glorious weather on the big wood walk.  Anxious not to be outdone by her brother, she'll use any excuse to show off her gappy grin.

Toothless McGraw

Poor old James is begining to remind me of some of my most disturbing dreams.  As yet another tooth bites the dust, we continue to wait, impatiently, for the arrival of the elusive two front teeth.  This week I will mostly be making soup.

Den building at Tarn Hows

The four cousins are together again, and today we took them to Tarn Hows for a bit of good old fashioned adventuring. 

There was den building, log balancing and oodles of fresh Cumbrian air.

An attempted visit to Wray Castle was thwarted when we discovered it was closed for the winter, but we had good fun in the adventure playground, and then headed to Ambleside to spend our pocket money from Grandma.

Let half-term commence!

School's out and it's not raining!  Scotney Castle had advertised "kite-making for kids" which sounded like a great way to kick off the half term hols with our lovely friends Helen, Martha and Fraser.  As it turned out, it was more like kite-making for Mummies as the design was somewhat fiddly even for grown ups, but the kids were pleased with our efforts and they ran down to the castle kites "flying" behind them.  Thanks Helen for a lovely day :)