Comberton Village Show

Last year, new to the village we entered the children into a couple of the classes at the village show, and enjoyed seeing all the exhibits on the day. Though it must be said we completely underestimated how serious such events are! The children wanted to stay right to the end ( we are often the last to leave places! ) and so were present for the prize giving. Sophie had wanted to know how you won trophies, so we explained the points and that the child with the most points got a trophy. " I'm going to get it next year" she declared to which our reply was probably a non committal we'll see!

So when the brochure dropped on the mat this year the kids were on it, the fact it was a busy weekend just before our holiday didn't seem to worry them! Lists were made and plans drawn up, this time they were going for it big time! Several items were started in the middle of packing.

 

Some items they had already made as homework projects, and some such as the photos were taken on holiday.

But on our return with just over a week to go after our holiday there was a lot to do if the were to complete their plans!

Sophie was a girl on a mission and worked really hard to get all she wanted done, in fact we didn't quite finish her list, the vegetable rocket and fruit bird were abandoned! But finally getting her in to bed at 9:30 the night before the shown it was clear she had done all she could. In fairness the other two worked really hard too, and I was really pleased that not only had they produced good items, but that the things they had made reflected their personalities.

 

So Sophie managed 13 exhibits! ... And yes she won the trophy!

It was a great lesson in determination!

So next year we can take it easy ......

 

Oh no ...Now she needs to keep the trophy!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Love hurts...

I am by nature a problem solver, a fixer, contingencies stacked up in my head for every conceivable crisis but some things just can't be fixed, they cannot be made better they must simply be endured.

This summer my sister-in-law died from cancer, too young and too soon, the pain and heartache could not be fixed it could not be made better. Grief must take it's course, the pain from losing someone you love cannot be removed even by the kindest words and yet those words bring comfort, we weep together and hold on to each other through the storm.

The Sunday after we lost her was so hard, but activities put out for the children - chalk and a piece of sugar paper were for me the way to find that peace, to put expression to the pain. Gods love will win through, His peace amidst the storm, and for those who have to continue the journey, hope because death is not the end.

 

Carol is at peace now - her suffering over - her battle won.

 

 

Tea party!

Rebecca requested a mid - week party this year so that her friend who is unable to do weekends could come. Mid-week is not the best time for a full blown party so we chatted through the options, and essentially came down to a small group of friends coming to tea.

Rebecca loves being in owl class so chose Owls as her theme, which gave lots of opportunity to be creative!

Rather than games the girls were sent on a treasure hunt - it followed the form of a story, with Ginger a little pink and brown owl, looking for some friends....

Each clue had a problem to solve - a crossword, riddle or code and held a challenge for the girls to complete.

They made some paper friends but they were no good in the rain!

So they made some clay friends but they weren't very cuddly!

Eventually after wraps, and ice cream factory ... The clues led them to some cuddly owl cushions....

Each cushion had a pocket containing a journal

It was just lovely as the evening came to a close sitting with the girls as they filled in bit of their journal together.
It was very different to parties we have had in the past but it was great fun and just right for a 10th birthday!

Sidney's super secret science!

As you entered the church for this years holiday club you might think that you had entered the wrong building as you found yourself in a child's bedroom....

But lurking behind the bookcase....

Lay a secret tunnel, leading to ....

Sidney's secret lab!

 

 

Here the children, explored the miracles of Jesus through drama, music and stories. Sidney tried to do experiments but was sabotaged by the evil inspector Munch!

Each room also had a science theme - my group was the hazardous lab!

In our groups we managed to do some experiments that did work! Exploring paper chromatography, reacting acids and alkalis to produce CO2, secret writing and caramelisation, water tension, ph scales and

Slime!

We won belly flops ( mutated jelly beans!) for contributing to the group and for learning daily signs and memory verses.

I love being creative in prayer so we explored ways of talking to God, flip flop prayers, glo balloon prayer,

Thank you fish, even chromatography prayer!
We explored the stories we had learnt about ....

Using a scientific approach - what should have happened , what did we expect to happen. What actually happened and so what - what can we learn, what relevance might the story have for me?

We made crafts,

Kaleidescope

Weaving

Glass painting, as well as log boats and bead fish!

Mad, noisy, fun!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Still baking!

But time to blog that's the problem! So here' s snap shot of the last few months - cakes for all seasons!

Black Forest cup cake with fresh cream

Owl cup cakes for owl class obviously!

Pudding in the park! Just a few of the 600 cakes served at the village picnic!

Experimenting with chai latte!

Treble chocolate cookies - they don't hang around long!

Rocky road - just yum!

Baby shower - for a boy obviously!

I forgot to photograph them in the mayhem of school mornings - so no single shots I'm afraid!

Off camping Sunday and have the urge to bake, nothing like freshly baked cakes - however with the instruction to pack less I might have to resist!