Trudy cleared her plate in record time - and asked for 'seconds' !!

I know there is nothing between your ears Beth. You might just blow your brains out !

That's not the way to 'pull' a cracker !

Christmas is getting nearer. You should see the shed and the bedrooms !!

Marshies 'At Home'. This is probably what we do every evening..!!

Emily was in her class Christmas play/pantomime - 'Puss-in-Boots'. She was a woodland squirrel. Quite where they came in the original story I don't know, but they were all very good, with lots of songs and speeches. They were full of confidence with their lines, even though there were ten children out sick and they had to change round characters at the last minute.

She knows how to pose for the camera..!!

Emilys' squirrel tale.

Is bamboo supposed to have this much frost on it ?

I thought this might cool you down - taken in the back garden this morning..!!

No snow - just frost ! We have had frost like this on and off for the last two weeks.
We did have a small fall of snow last week, but that disappeared easily. The pavements
and roads are like glass. Mum is thinking about buying some 'crampons', for her boots!!
It's possible this could last until Christmas.

I think Emily is 'gob-smacked' at the amount of hoar frost.

It's cold enough to freeze Hannah into a statute..!

Is this cold enough for you..?

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...!!!

This was the only time the house was quiet at Gill's birthday party.

This crowd of 'ruffians' gate crashed Gill's 70th. birthday party. After turning the house upside down, they scoffed all the food!!!

Two little witches on Halloween night - We'll cast a spell if you don't put some sweets in the buckets.....!!!!

We are much happier when you have put some sweets in our buckets.

Aaron has been given a project to make a Tudor house, by his teacher. As feelings are running high about the amount of homework he has to do at present, I said that I would make the house for him and he could finish it off. It stands 23 cm. high and is 18cm. front to back on the top storey. I was fun to make. It took me back to when I made the doll's house for Trudy and Sarah and the gypsy caravan. The rafters go through the house to support the upper storeys. As I was making it, Emily decided that she would like a rocking cradle for her dolls. It looks like I shall have a few cold days in the garage ahead of me !!

After completing the house, I made a fireplace, a table, a 'settle' bench and a 'four -poster' bed.
When I gave the house to Aaron, he decorated the top room. He drew four very small pictures of Henry Vlll and three of his wives and stuck them on the walls. He stuck curtains all around the 'four-poster' bed. He put a tapestry curtain on the ceiling [as the Tudors used to decorate their rooms]. He also put a fire in the hearth and a small book to go on the table. He made a really good job, very neat and tidy. I was very impressed with his attention to detail and concentration.

Hannah's tenth birthday. It's getting harder to bow out all the candles in one go !!

Hannah's tenth birthday. She had her friend Emily to tea, so it was a bit confusing with that other mad Emily - at the bottom of the picture.

I've watched Robin Hood so many times - I could tell you the story back to front !

A quiet moment with Nanny - learning to sew.

I'm getting really good at sewing. If you want to know how to do it - I'll teach you...

Best mates !!!

Emily - training to be an I T specialist !

Surprise ! - We are here at Auntie Trudys' for Bethany's birthday.

Bethany had a small party for her eigth birthday, with Aaron, Hannah, Emily, and two friends - Harry and Jake.

One very happy little girl.

All together now........

Guess who was first to sit at the table.

I think I've had too much to drink !!

Loaded in both hands! I'm going to have a good party.

Trudy put on a lovely spread - but now she is making up for lost time. I think it was sausage rolls, scones, cakes, drinks, crisps and anything that was left over !!!!

You will get fat on jam and clotted cream scones!!

Beth as 'Princess Jasmine' The 'Wicked witch of the North' - peeping around the corner, is Trudys' friend Haley.

The children ransacked the 'dressing-up' drawer and used everything that Trudy has ever made. The party is in full swing.

Beth - on her 'air' guitar.

Cleopatra - in disguise...!

I wish I could be a film star !!

Full of the party spirit !

First day back a t school - a little nervous, but it all went well.

From all of them - to all of you in NZ - with love!!

We took Aaron and Beth to Avebury for the day. It was very enjoyable. We bought Aaron a 'penny whistle' and Bethany a 'Bird Call' whistle. {you blow at the same time as pushing and pulling a slide in and out of the whistle tube]. Needless to say they were in continuous use. I was taking this picture of them up an the ramparts when a old couple passing behind us said, "that's a strange bird. I've never heard that before". Of course we had to buy the same for Hannah and Emily, so when we got back home, it was total bedlam.

I think they were trying to be The Pied Piper, but nothing followed them !!