Dancing Day.

Today was "watching day" at dancing, being the last class of the term.

I was surprised to see how much more confident Abigail was this time. They are probably going to have to do an exam this year, but only in August, thank goodness!

We watched them do some of their exercises and barre work. Most of the actual dances are for exams or productions later in the year and are "Top Secret" at this stage!!

They don't make 'em like they used to.

This toy tortoise is 40 years old.

It belonged to this little boy's Daddy when he was a little boy.

It comes from a different century, a different millennium!! (As does it's original owner!!)

It has been played with by 2 little boys and 7 little girls in it's life span and still going strong.

It never fails to entertain and delight.

Any guesses who it was made by?

Post your answers in the comment box below. All you need is a gmail account - it's free!!

(N.B. if you are one of the "2 little boys or 7 little girls" or their parents - you are barred from voting!!) -just kidding:-)

It will be interesting to see how many of the toys we've bought for our children will still be around for their children...

Sleepover.

On Saturday night, my parents had all 4 grandchildren to sleep over! Hey, they offered - and who am I to decline such an offer?! Grant and I could have and should have gone out for our belated anniversary dinner but instead we stayed at home and watched Mama Mia!

Here they are: "Koch" kidlets x4!

Saturday afternoon was a buzz of activity:

With playing blocks,

"shop-shop"

and Niave's version of Hide and Seek- it goes like this: "Ouma, I'm going to hide behind the tree and then you find me"! It's basically all hide and no seek!!

Niave also likes to play this game:

It's called Ring-a-ring-a-rosies, some of you may know it but Niaves version goes like this: "Ring a ring a rosies, a pocket full of posies, atishoo, atishoo, I throw you on the ground"!

Well, after supper and baths it was time for bed, Marley and Niave slept in the spare room and Abigail and Willow got to "camp" in the lounge.

They all arrived for Sunday School this morning washed, fed, dressed and brushed! Niave was so tired she crashed at 5:15 p.m.!! I think my parents might also have been napping at that time!!

Rock pools.

Earlier this week when I walked into the foyer at school I noticed that the grade 2's had a display of a writing exercise they had done about their outing to the rock pools. I looked at all of them to find Abigail's but I could not see it. They also drew beautiful pastel drawings about the outing which were on display outside the classroom, there too I looked for Abigail's but couldn't find it! A couple of days later I asked Abigail where her picture and write-up were and she took me to the board in the main foyer where I found her picture placed in the middle of all the write-ups! And her piece of writing right beside it!

It says:

19 March Abigail

In the rock pool.

I live in a rock pool.

I am a little fish. I eat seaweed. I love to bath in the rock pools.

I don't like it when the tide goes out, because I can't breathe because I need water.

She looked very chuffed that her picture had been chosen and it is just one of the small ways in which her teacher is trying to encourage her and help boost her confidence.

Swimming.

Today was "watching-day" for Abigail's swimming group after school.
She really has become quite the swimmer!! If I think back to a year ago and then look at her today the difference is amazing.
She clearly loves being in the water and enjoyed every minute of it.

kickboards

and on backs


backstroke! (I love the expressions - so leisurely!)

and then it's the marathon, dive in and swim a length!

And did you ever see a girl so in awe of her big sister?!

Frankly, I've never seen a girl sit so still next to a swimming pool!! (still clutching 3 Barney's of course!)

What-a-lot-I-got!

What makes you think Niave likes Barney?!

Poor old Beaky (Niaves favourite bedtime duck) got shelved (literally!) tonight to make space for 3 Barney's!

Guaranteed these are not all the Barney's we have in our house - oh no, we have at least 2 more but that's being conservative.

Student of the week.

Last Thursday Abigail's class visited the rock pools in Hout Bay, I have been on this outing a few times when I taught in Hout Bay so I know it's a really good one. Abigail came home with stories about starfish and anemones and a crab that pinched her toe etc. etc. She really enjoyed the outing.

Then on Monday morning at assembly she was presented with the "student of the week" award for grade 2.

She was very excited to show me her certificate which reads: "...awarded to Abigail Hutton, grade 2 for being an eager, excited, interested participant on our outing to the rock pools in Hout Bay"

She was was also given a badge which she got to wear for the week.

She really needed something to boost her confidence as she's been battling a bit especially with the maths. She sat down to have breakfast this morning and said with a sigh "I wish I didn't have to struggle at school"!