Old MacDonald's Farm

I took Beth and Heather to Old MacDonald's Farm yesterday. They really enjoyed it, especially feeding the animals, They have some deers there, a stag the spitting image of Bambi (with horns), and the girls fed by hand.

Fresh produce

Fresh produce
Originally uploaded by BigBadJock.

After a disappointing strawberry crop, we've had our first crop of broadbeans. This year we're growing strawberries, leeks, tomatoes, brussel sprouts. Next year we're planning on growing even more vegetables.

We're also on the waiting list for an allotment.

Bread Making

I do enjoy cooking, and on Monday I got the girls to help me make some bread, they loved the mixing of the dough, and kneading it. I let them make little mini loaves for themselves. They were amazed when we left it to raise, and how big it got.

We ended up with their two little loaves and three focciata loaves, and very nice they are too.

Speech Therapy

Because Beth had really bad ear infections, she had gromits fitted in June, and had her tonsils and adenoids removed. Since then we've been going to a speech therapist to help her improve her speech. She's doing well, and has been working hard on her 'snake sounds' s..moke etc. I can really hear the improvment.

Weekend

We had a good weekend, took the girls swimming on Friday night and Sunday, they are both really coming on, and are really enjoying it.

I've been working with Beth on her reading, and she's now finished the first of the Ladybird 'Peter and Jane' books, and is starting on the next one. I'm very proud of her.

More swinging fun

IMAGE_00042
Originally uploaded by BigBadJock.

Beth's getting to grips with a homemade swing at our local park, and Heather's giving her a little push. I took this on my phone.

At the park

While we were at the park, we discovered that someone had tried to burn down the kid's fort. This is a big wooden western style fort, complete with jail cell.

I think that its pretty safe to assume that it was the teenagers, who regularly shelter there of an evening to get up to whatever teenagers get up to.

The fact that they would deliberately destroy the fort, which they were probably playing on themselves only a couple of years ago, leaves me mystified.

I just can't understand their mentality, what makes them want to do it.

Having a swinging time

Having a swinging time
Originally uploaded by BigBadJock.

We took the kids to the park last week. Heather loved the swing and the zip

line.

Donating Platelets

Yesterday I donated platelets for the first time. I have to say that while a slightly uncomfortable experience, the staff were excellent, friendly and professional.

I've been donating blood for a while, and a month or so ago they asked me to go in for a test to see whether I could donate platelets.

I can, and yesterday I did it for the first time. It took around an hour and a half, and was only mildy uncomfortable. A machine takes the blood,spins it round a centrifuge to extract the platelets and returns the remaining blood to the body. Because you are not donating whole blood you can donate more frequently.

Platelets go mostly to people being treated for cancer or leukaemia, people with sever infections or who are recovering from major operations.

I think everybody should give blood, and if you can donate platelets then you really should. It really does save lives. It's easy to be selfish and not have the time, but what about when it's you or your family, your children, your parents. You would be shocked if a doctor turned round and said sorry, there's no blood.

It may be an inconvienience and it may be uncomfortable, but it is worth it.

Driving Miss Daisy

Legoland Windsor 012
Originally uploaded by BigBadJock.

Beth burns some rubber at Legoland

Wow

I'd almost forgotten I'd set this up, and looking back at it, I'm sorry I didn't keep it going, it's a brilliant record. Therefore as of today, I'm going to make a concerted effort to post as often as possible.

On the drawbridge 

By the moat 

At Hever Castle  

You Lookin' at me? 

Smiling Sisters 

Heather in her new (tiny) pool 

Beth and her new horse 

Visit to Hever Castle

We took the girls to Hever Castle on Saturday. Enjoyed the lovely weather walking around the beautiful gardens, had a picnic by the lake. Enoyed a jousting competition. A very nice day out.

Beth's Chatter

Beth's talking has improved massively in the past 3 weeks, she has gone from 2 words like : 'milk daddy'  to longer sentances of 5 or 6 words. It's really amazing to watch her trying to work out how to articulate what she wants to say.

She comes out with statements like 'Ann, Beth own home' when asking Hannah's friend Ann to come to our house, and 'Ann Pram Ann own house, Beth pram Beth own house'.

She really is improving daily