Heliver's Tales

Today we went to Kirkby Lonsdale, a gorgeous village just outside the Lake District. I have been going there with John and the kids for a few years, and before that with my mum and Garry, my stepdad.

We went totally unprepared, we even had to duck into a chemists for some sun cream, we had a scorcher of a day (as did everyone else)! Thank god we managed to park up near Devils Bridge, and under a tree too so the car was nice and cool when we went back to it. We walked along the river into the village and went to the deli for some scrummy food. Loads of different olives, stuffed vine leaves, feta cheese stuffed peppers, oatcakes and lavender cheese (!!!) which is actually goooorgeous but very expensive. We took all the grub to the picnic area and the kids were so well behaved. The food was lovely and didn't break my diet! We carried on our walk back down the waters edge to where the kids could paddle (and Jade could use her new 'barbie' - ie. pink fishing net) and here are the pics...

And we sat and watched the complete nutters jumping off the bridge into the river, as you can see on this clip. You should have heard the noise as they hit the water, sounded mega painful!



...and here is one of John with Joe and Jade having a splash!



We managed to bribe them away with a promise of taking them to Toys R Us for Jade's pressie for getting her good report. She nagged us all the way home for a doll she can dress and take around in a car seat. Joe was more than happy to leave the shop with a 'diggit', yes he is a member of the 'Babycentre-I-love-diggers-club!

Right I am off to bed now, I am completely knackered, so not used to all that fresh air living in deepest, darkest Blackburn! Night all!!!

Posted by EG at 11:32 PM | Permalink | Comments

Well... this morning was prizegiving assembly at school as they finish for the school holidays 7 weeks - eek!). I went and sat with my new friend Michelle, who is Ben's mum (Ben is Jade's 'boyfriend' he was in line for a certificate. We we like a couple of naughty schoolkids ourselves giggling at the headteacher who is very strict. She had to drag 'B' (B for bully, and also his name!) out of the front row because he is sooooo naughty.

The first awards were for Outstanding Achievements during the school year. I couldn't believe it when Jade's name was called out and I let out a little 'yaaaayyyy'! Both me and Michelle were filling up as Jade and Ben were stood there proud as punch. There were 5 kids out of Jade's class (of 15) who got certificates so I was well chuffed!

One of the teachers is leaving tomorrow, Mr Ford. He has lead the school football team to the national championships in London. They came first in the northern league, and all 11 team members got 4 medals this morning for something or other. Maybe that could be Joe in 8/9 years time!

I was a bit emotional, and when I got home I felt awful because John was looking after Joe while I took Jadey to school so he missed it all. I keep looking at her certificates and thinking how proud my Nanna and Granddad would be of her, whenever Jade gets something like that, I always used to ring Nanna first to tell her the good news, so this morning, I told her, just quietly in the back yard.

Posted by EG at 11:34 AM | Permalink | Comments

When I went to pick Jade up from school today all the mums were walking along the street with their faces in a load of papers, either with huge smiles on their faces or giving their children the bollocking of their lives! Just have a guess which one I was...

Personal & Social Development
Jade is a lovely girl who is always interested and motivated to learn. She responds well to new challenges and tries things with a smile upon her face. Jade has made lots of friends and is a popular member of the class. She knows the difference between right and wrong and follows instructions the first time. Jade always shares the things in the classroom and is willing to take turns when playing within a group. She has a sensitive approach to the needs of others in the class and has a wonderful sense of humour. She has been a pleasure to teach this term and I am sure she will so well in year one. Well done Jade!

Communication Language & Literature
Jade has made excellent progress in all areas of communication, language and literature. She is able to name all the letters of the alphabet and is able to write the initial and final sounds in words. She shows a good understanding of stories and all the different elements from character descriptions to the sequencing of events. Jade enjoys rhyme and is able to continue rhyming patterns. Jade has a good sight vocabulary and is becoming a confident and expressive reader. Her hadwriting is controlled and neat and she attempts writing for a variety of purposes. Jade contributes well to class and group discussions and she explains her thoughts and feelings with enthusiasm.

Mathematical Development
Jade has a sound grasp of numbers and she is able to recognise, order and count numbers to twenty. She understands which numbers are bigger and smaller and can sequence them knowing which comes before or after another. In practical activities and discussions she can use the relevant vocabulary involved in addition and subtraction and can read and write simple calculations understanding the process. Jade can recognise and describe the properties of shapes and has experienced weighing, measuring and comparing qualities in lots of practical activities.

Knowledge & Understanding Of The World
Jade shows a natural curiosity and interest in the world around her. She enjoys investigating materials, objects and living things. She asks thoughtful questions about why things happen and how things work. Jade is able to build and construct with a wide range of objects selecting the appropriate tools needed. She has learnt many techniques to assemble and join materials. Jade enjoys using all the technology withing the classroom and is confident with all the programmes on the computer. She shows a sound understanding of the difference between past and present and likes to find out information from stories and pictures.

Creative Development
Jade likes to be creative and enjoys all aspects of art work. She has a good understanding of colour and chooses different colours for different purposes. When drawing Jade produces clear pictures that include lots of detail both on a large and small scale. She has had a lot of experience of working with different textures and techniques such as splatter printing and straw painting. Jade really enjoys musical activities and can name some of the instruments. She enjoys the different sounds they make. Jade particularly likes to engage in role play with the other children initiating ideas in the different areas that have been created. She is able to articulately express her ideas, thoughts and feelings, listening carefully to what others have to say.

Physical Development
Jade enjoys all physical activities and her movements in dance show good control co-ordination and an awareness of space. She is working hard on developing her skills when using the small apparatus such as the bats and balls and is able to handle these objects in a variety of ways to roll, throw catch and retrieve. She demonstrates good fine motor control and is able to handle construction and malleable materials safely.

Headteachers Comment
Well done Jade! You have made super progress and all with that lovely smile!

Posted by EG at 8:32 PM | Permalink | Comments

Please cut and paste the questions into a comment, feel free to nick it, I nicked it off Jodi, and she nicked it off Nic!!!

01. Who are you?
02. Are we friends?
03. When and how did we meet?
04. Do/Did you have a crush on me?
05. Would you kiss me?
06. Describe me in one word.
07. What was your first impression?
08. Do you still think that way about me now?
09. What reminds you of me?
10. If you could give me anything what would it be?
11. How well do you know me?
12. When’s the last time you saw me?
13. Ever wanted to tell me something but couldn’t?
14. Are you going to put this on your blog/journal and see what I say about you?

Cheers me dears!

E. x

Posted by EG at 5:34 PM | Permalink | Comments