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| Tring Natural History Museum |
In February we marked Brian's Dad's 90th birthday. We had a lovely family get-together, followed by tea and cake with some of his friends. At half term we visited the Natural History Museum in Tring and attended 'Butler School' at one of the local stately homes, where much fun was had learning to lay tables correctly and carry trays of drinks!
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| Lucy and her medal |
In March, Adam turned 10 and celebrated with a pizza making party. He also gained his Chief Scout's Silver Award at cubs. Lucy had her annual theatre school show and was awarded a medal for star student in her group.
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| Smores! |
During the Easter holidays we visited friends and family up North; first, a surprisingly sunny weekend with the kids' godparents near Durham, resulting in our first BBQ of the year (complete with smores!) Then a few days in Dunbar with Fee's Auntie Isobel, from where we visited the sights of Edinburgh and climbed Arthur's Seat. And finally a night in Whitley Bay, with friends Emma and Steve and Winnie the Pooh icecream!
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| Indoor surfing |
May and June were action-packed - crabbing with friends in Southwold, a day trip with friends to Kidzania in London, (a fab pretend city where kids get to try out different jobs), a 10 year reunion of Adam's friends from ante-natal classes, a school residential trip for Adam, a weekend with Fee's family, a day at the Eden Project in Cornwall, a sunny day on the beach with over 20 friends at Hunstanton, a catch up with Fee's cousin Nikki and family, and Mums & cubs pirate camp! For Brian's birthday we went indoor surfing, which was great fun. Brian was annoyingly good at it, and wowed everyone with his tricks and spins!
In July, Lucy entered her first canoe slalom competition and really enjoyed it. Fee also entered and won the Division 4 event, gaining promotion to Division 3. Lucy did try and point out that she had the same overall course time as her mum but Fee was quick to remind her that this was because she had missed out all the difficult gates!
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| Mt Canigou in the Pyrenees |
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| The pool at the campsite in France |
In the summer holiday we spent a glorious 2 weeks in sunny France and Spain, at 2 different campsites, sunbathing, swimming, enjoying waterslides, cycling and chilling out. We also spent a night with our friends Sian and Usman in the Pyrenees.
Fee had taken an online beginners Spanish course earlier in the year so was keen to practise some Spanish. However, she was very grateful that our encounter with the motorway police due to problems with our bike rack was in France (rather than Spain) where she could speak the language properly!
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| Monster Truck at Santa Pod raceway |
September was Lucy's 13th birthday and she celebrated becoming a teenager with a foam party. Fee and Bri celebrated with a large Gin and Tonic and a little apprehension as to what the next few years would bring. Fortunately, we haven't experienced too much of the teenage attitude yet!
October and November have been fairly quiet months, with a visit to Bristol, a visit from Fee's brother Keith and family, and Fireworks at Santa Pod raceway.
Of course, in between all the above, we have been to school and work, (all the same as last year), Adam is still playing cricket and playing the guitar, has moved up to Scouts and joined Lucy's theatre school, Lucy continues to enjoy drama, gymnastics, netball, dance, cheerleading and Guides, Brian is still running and Fee is playing canoe polo, doing pilates and swimming.
Life is always busy but we wouldn't change it for anything. We're looking forward to a nice, quiet Christmas season with both sides of the family. We hope you are all well and wish you a very happy and healthy Christmas and New Year.
- The McCuskers. xx
