FG5's 2016 Part II

So on to day 2 of the FG5's and this time it was the turn of Brandon's team and the Under 7's. We were missing two of our regular players (one of which was our goal keeper) and therefore I offered two new lads a chance to join us for the tournament, Oliver and Charlie. The two new boys did really well and the whole team were playing some good football. But it was just one of those frustrating days where despite playing good, the results were just not coming.

 

The first 4 matches were all close losses but out of the four of them, really we only deserved to lose one of them. In the final game I really got the boys fired up as I wanted them to at least come away with one win. Anyway they played their absolute socks off in the final game and gave me 200% pulling off a 3-1 win. So despite four losses the boys finished the tournament on a real high and were subsequently awarded their medals. What made the final game even more special wad that Lewis made a run down the wing and crossed a stunning ball in to the box where Brandon ran in and caught it on the volley to score a stunning goal. What a finish.

 

Brandon getting physical with a player from Le Chapel.

Brandon on the ball and with no one pressing him.

Brandon makes a run on the ball.

Another action shot of Brandon.

Brandon getting ready for a throw-in. The kids had to do underarm as part of the 5-a-side rules.

Meanwhile I am not sure what Tina and Holly were up to. I hope thats a football up her shrt, if not this is a real low even for an Essex girl!

Me and the Under 's finishing the FG5's on a real high with a 3-1 win and medals all round.

The pro photographer picture that Brandon bought as a souvenir of the day.

So tournaments over until next weekend and then one week after tha is presentation day!!!

Forest Glade FG5's Part I

This weekend marks the annual Forest Glade 5-a-side football tournament which means a very busy weekend for us. Tina and Holly were over the grounds all Friday afternoon helping set-up and then we have been over there all day today with Joshua's under 8's team playing. Tomorrow we are back there again all day for Brandon's under 7's team and then to help with the big clear up.

 

The weather has been a bit up and down today with a mixture of blistering sun and a little down pour. Fortunately for us we took our football gazebo to use as a base camp for somewhere to sit, to meet up, to have lunch and to keep everything dry.

 

Joshua's under 8's did very well with 1 win and 3 draws out of their four matches. 2 of the draws really should have been wins as we scored clumsy own goals in each of those games. The other draw was a genuine draw against our very own Forest Glade Leopards team and to it was a fair result given the way both teams played. No goals for Joshua as he was predominantly defending today and he did a great job making some good challenges and some good passes.

 

The kiddies all enjoyed a BBQ burger lunch and an ice cream. Joshua also managed to get himself a nice souvenir picture taken by the professional photographer of the day. So roll on the final day and lets hope Brandon has a good tournament.

 

Tina, Holly and Leanne helping out on Friday setting up all the new wheelie bins.

 

When Holly's little legs get tired walking up and down lengths of football pitches......

 

My cheeky little monkey sticking her tongue out.

"I'm a celebrity - get me out of here!!!!".

 

"Oh well, maybe I'll just sit in here and have a drink".

 

Joshua doing what he does best in defence.

Great action shot of Joshua on a volley.

Again Joshua holding the back line and stopping another attack.

Joshua made some great little runs and passes to set up some plays.

Another action shot of Joshua on the ball.

A little break in between matches and I spend a bit of time with Holly.

Love this picture of Joshua. He isn't the most gifted footballer, but he does enjoy his football and loves being part of a team.

The picture the Joshua decided to buy from the pro photographer.

 

 

Cubs @ Norsey Woods and Holly on the Climbing Wall

Joshua had a recent Cubs trip to Norsey Woods in Billericay for a hike. It looked like he had a fab time and participated in lots of tree climbing. Perfect preparation for our camping holiday next week and a planned visit to Bewilderwood.

Holly is also becoming a little monkey in the garden with regards to her climbing. Talk about needing eyes in the back of your head. Last year was easy as she couldn’t get up on the trampoline or the climbing frame by herself. This year is a completely different story. She can climb up and down the trampoline on her own and then tries to practise head stands on there because she saw me do it. Even worse than that, she can also now climb up the climbing tower on her own using both the ladder and the climbing wall. She gives me a heart attack on the climbing wall, but is completely fearless.

 

 

Joshua's Cubs group enjoy Norsey Woods over the watchful eye of "Scary Mary"!

 

Joshua having fun climbing some trees.

 

Hiding in a log den.

 

The is Josh all over, he is such an outdoors person.

 

Cheeky Holly, no stopping her as she hits the climbing wall.

She scares the hell out of me, one slip and her face plants into the wall.

She even has time to pose for a photo as she nears the top.

After conquering the wall she comes down the bumpy slide.

 

Joshua gets Star of the Week

Obviously Joshua's crossfit classes are starting to pay off as last week he was "Star of the Week" and the reason was for his fantastic effort in P.E lessons. Like father like son. Also last week he received a medal from school for his participation on a quad athletics event.

Joshua with his "Star of the week" certificate and quad athletics medal.

Holly's Gymnastics

This last week Holly's "Little Abs" club was cancelled so a load of the Mum's decided to take the kids down to the Sporting Village for the toddler gymnastics session. Holly absolutely loves a bit of gymnastics and given the chance will hang from any bars and rings that she stumbles across. She is pretty fearless and seemed to have an absolute blast as you can see from the pictures.

 

Holly about to launch herself in to the foam pit.

In she goes, must have been fun trying to watch her try and climb out of the pit.

By beautiful little girl ditting up on a spring board.

Some soft play for Holly.

What a cheeky, lovely smile.

Holly patiently waiting in line for her turn.

Climbing over the bridge.

King of the castle.

Anyone seen Holly? Don't you love it when kids hide and think you can't see them because they can't see you?

Peek-a-boo!!!!!

  

Back in the sponge pit.

After all that gymnastics Holly is knackered and needs a good rest.

West Ham Fan Holly No.2

The 2015/16 football season drew to an end this weekend and despite West Ham having a blinding season (by their standards), they dropped to 7th place. Such a shame when at Xmas time it was looking like a Champions League spot might be on the cards. Anyway next season they can move forward even stronger with their new stadium at the Olympic Park, but more importantly their newest fan wearing the 2015/16 home kit. We say this today and as the season is now over the kits have dropped in price by 50%, so Holly has her first proper football kit.

 

Holly with her new No.2 West Ham kit. Starting her young ready for the West Ham ladies team.

Despite being size 2-3 years it looks like she will get some wear out of the kit. As you can see she is very happy with her football strip.

Canoeing at Papermill

With temperatures this past weekend soaring to over 25 degrees I had two options. Option 1 : carry on with the decking extnesion in the garden, or Option 2 : go to Papermill Lock for our first canoeing trip of 2016. It was a no brainer for me and of course I opted for the later.

 

Before heading over to the Lock the boys wanted to do the Park Run again and we met up with two of their football buddies, Ellis and Max. Ellis is a year older than Brandon but pretty much similar in stature. The two of them had a blinding race and pushed each other all the way to the very end. Ellis is a great little runner and he paced Brandon to a massive PB of 9:02, knocking 40 seconds off of his previous best and smashing Joshua's PB of 9:39.

 

After the Park Run we headed off and set-up our canoe by the usual bridge near the triathlon lake which is about a mile away from Papermill Lock. Me and the kiddies then row up to the Lock whilst Tina takes the car and finds a parking space. For the first time, Holly came with us on the row up to the Lock. She has been on the canoe before, but only messing around by the Lock, never the long row there. She was such a good little girl and sat still really nicely just enjoying getting the odd cooling splash and watching all the dogs and birds etc.

 

Once at the Lock we had a nice picnic followed by a special cake from the Tea Rooms. Then we just messed around in the canoe around the Lock area. The two boys were also enjoying having a good swim in the cool Chelmer water and even Holly was having a little splash in the water to cool her feet and legs. Holly was also learning how to use an oar and she was also enjoying leaning over the edge of the boat to get her hands wet and then wipe her face with the cold water to cool herself down.

 

Brandon, me and Holly enjoying some time out on the canoe at Papermill Lock.

 

Holly seemed to get the hang of what you need to do with the oars.

 

Holly helping her Daddy row the boat and also enjoying doing some rock-rock-rock the boat from side to side.

 

Lovely picture of me and H.

 

Joshua being flash and standing in the canoe, about 2 seconds before falling overboard!

 

Holly looking very dashing in a summer dress, life jacket and her Minnie Mouse sun glasses.

 

A very wet Brandon after jumping in and our of the river Chelmer to keep himself cool.

 

Holly and Tina chilling at the side of the Lock.

 

Joshua and Brandon jumping in the river.

 

Its not the clearest of water, but it is relative safe, minimal currents and nice and cool on a hot day.

 

Joshua enjoying the water.

 

Double trouble. Surprised Brandon was jumping fully in the water as normally its too cold for him and usually leaves it to Joshua.