#SilentSunday

Kendal Community Roots Open Garden

It may have been very cold and even snowing slightly but that didn't deter us from getting on our bikes and heading out:

My son was very nervous having not cycled for weeks due to the weather but after a few tricky moments he did manage some proper riding:

Our destination was the Open Day at Community Roots which is a new project combining students and staff from The Queen Katherine School, adult volunteers and young people not in education or employment (NEETs). The full project started in January and today was a chance for the gardens to be shown to the community plus recruiting new volunteers. There was plenty of things to see and do.

Wood Carving

Andy Levy is a local craftsman who carves wood using a chain saw! It makes for an impressive demonstration and my children were very impressed with his work:

Can you guess what he is making here:

Science Garden

There was also plenty to see in the gardens that are used by students from QKS for science projects:

Bird Spotting

Bug Hotel

My son can't wait until he is big enough to go to QKS (only 6 years to wait!) and go in the gardens more often.

Wetheriggs Zoo and Animal Sanctuary

This was the bit I lost my daughter to! Any chance to meet and touch cute furry animals at the minute... She was in seventh heaven holding mice and rabbits:

They gave me plenty of advice about future ownership of rabbits and guinea pigs and are looking forward to going to visit the sanctuary itself sometime. 

Fortified by wonderful soup and cakes my son and I checked out some of the lovely mosaics that can be found in the garden:

We came back to discover my daughter had dragged herself away from the animals and was learning wood carving with Sam Robinson:

After a while her little brother was persuaded to have a go too:

Story Telling

One of the highlights of the afternoon was a story telling session with Grasmere based Taffy Thomas. He had an audience of children and grown ups entranced with his tales:

There was a fair amount of audience participation too:

All in all a fab day out for the family despite the cold and I hope the project does well - maybe we will get to volunteer to help it all. Meanwhile here is my video of the trip:

 

Funny Friday

The things that happen when you leave your 9 year old alone with your iPad:

 

 

 

Reasons to be Cheerful: week 8 #R2BC

As Michelle is on a break the host for this is now Seasider in the City so please pop over to say hello! I missed last week as I was away but that takes me straight into my reasons to be cheerful this week:
1) Butlins
We had our first ever family holiday to Butlins after getting a great discount as our half term was earlier than everyone else's! Despite my son being ill for our entire trip we managed to have a great time. I haven't yet fully written up our stay but I did put together a YouTube video:

It was a fab break for primary aged children and it was bliss for me to not have to make breakfast or cook tea! Watch this space for more..

2) Sunshine

Since we got home we have had so much blue sky its been lovely, it really lifts my spirits to look out to see this:

It has also made for lovely sunsets so let's hope it hangs around for a while..

3) Parents' Evenings

Both my children had parents' evening this week. Always nerve wracking as a parent but it was good news. My daughter has jumped up in her maths after coasting last term and is in the top set of her class with the year above. Her creative writing is especially impressing her teacher who says she always does it differently to everyone else! Great to hear she is doing so well.

My son had impressed his new teacher last term and has done so again. His writing and literacy are improving quickly and his reading is well above expected levels. He scored really well in his numeracy although some areas he could have done better on. Just so glad he is carrying on doing well and long may it continue.

What is making you smile this week?

#WordlessWednesday Cumbrian Sunsets