Autumn 2008

Daniel was looking forward to the new school year and found the first couple of weeks great fun. The best thing was the Pumpkin Fair where he not only entered the Boys Brigade section by making a dragonfly but also the ‘Sunflower with the biggest head’ and the ‘Tallest sunflower’ sections. Unfortunately he didn’t do well in last two section but got a 2nd position for his Dragonfly. He was very chuffed. He enjoyed watching the various displays, going on the fair equipment and, especially, climbing into the fire engine. He so wants to be a Fireman when he is big. We’d recently joined the Classic car club and were asked to bring our minis to display. The weather was great and we had a super time.

Soon it was Edwin’s birthday and Daniel enjoyed making a big event of it which we all enjoyed.

A couple of weeks later I got a day off when Edwin and Daniel travelled by train to Peterborough to attend a model train exhibition. They had a wonderful time (so did I!).

At half term break we took a couple of days off to spend some time at Snettisham. The weather wasn’t that great, in fact it was freezing. I barely went out whereas Edwin and Daniel took walks to the river and beach. Daniel had a great time flying his kite, otherwise we spent time playing a board game (Rummikub) and building a puzzle. It was just great to get away together.

His half-term homework consisted of him designing and making a vehicle that will travel over the Isle of Struay. This is the an island in the Katie Morag books which they were reading at the time. Daniel decided to make a tractor similar to Katie’s grandmother, Granny Island. He did it all by himself which I was very impressed with.

A little while back Daniel had bought a pumpkin and was keen to make a lantern. Here are some pictures which I think speak for themselves.

Before long it was bonfire night. Each year we join our neighbours, Wendy and Terry who use the opportunity to burn off their garden refuse. We started the evening with a great 3 course meal and then while Wendy and I kept warm inside Terry, Daniel and Edwin went out to light the fire. Once it was burning nicely we joined them for some fireworks. It was very smoky but not too cold and we had a super evening.

The next day Daniel woke with a very high temperature and feeling nauseous. I felt very awkward when I phoned the school to tell them that Daniel wasn’t going to be in, especially as it was his birthday that day. He started the morning opening his gifts and watching a bit of TV but then I sent him upstairs for a little lie down. All I could hear from his room was him rolling around in his bed, eventually he called out to me that he was hungry,” remember” he said, “I couldn’t eat this morning because I was sick”. I felt bad and immediately set about making him some scrambled egg and toast. After a bite Wendy and Terry came around to give him his present and before they left he excused himself to go to bed. He slept for just over an hour. When he awoke he was bright eyed and bushy tailed ready to go out for dinner as we had previously planned but were now hesitating. He really wanted to go, especially as we were going to Pizza Express and Wendy and Terry were joining us. He ate well and had a great evening. We got hope in time for him to have a bath and climb into bed before 8pm. The next day he was ready to go back to school.

Two days later he had a wonderful swim party at the pool in Ely. It was great to have most of his friends and some of their parents join us. They all had a ball!

A few weeks ago Daniel started roller hockey. He’d been going to social roller skating for a couple of months but now decided he wanted to do something more fun. His 2nd week there, half way into the lesson he tripped and hit his stick on his front teeth, breaking one of the teeth in half. The coach said that we should go to our dentist immediately but we could only arrange to see him early the following morning. It is amazing what they can do these days. After cleaning the tooth, our dentist (a South African) glued and sealed it back in place. It is so amazing; you can’t even see that there has ever been any damage. Daniel was very pleased and now wears a gum-guard whenever he skates.

Nearly the end of November and soon it will be Christmas, just 3 ½ weeks to go. Time really does fly! Good thing I’ve posted off my parcels.