Picnic Over South Weald Country Park

Finally after months of saying we will head over to South Weald Country Park we finally made it there for a nice afternoon walk and picnic yesterday. It was really nice to see that the deer's are still over there and were really enjoying the attention and being fed before crashing out and sleeping in the hot afternoon heat wave.

We had a really nice walk down by the lake, explored some woodland area, played in the play area and finished the trip off with a nice ice-cream. The 3 kids were even playing together nicely with the bat and ball set!!!!

The deer's over South Weald were looking very lively and healthy.

And were really enjoying the attention and feeding from visitors.

Holly really enjoyed seeing Santa's reindeers'.

Some of the stunning lakeland at South Weald.

Who would have thought that our three children could play nicely together as Holly bowls a ball for Brandon.

But most of the time it was the boys spanking the ball and getting Holly to fetch it back like a little puppy dog!

Not sure what the purpose of these are for????

Brandon wearing joggers on a super hot day!!! At least he took his fleece off (yes he went out wearing a fleece!).

The 3 kiddies by the main lake at South Weald.

The play area is really for younger kids but Brandon still had a little play with Holly.

Holly and Brandon enjoying being spun around by me.

Holly doing the buttercup test.

Scooty Wooty's Pony Riding School

For years I have been saying that I think Holly would be really interested in trying her hand at horse riding but never got around to find somewhere for her to give it a go. Then last week I stumbled across Scooty Wooty's Pony Parties in Battlesbridge where they do 30 min groom and ride. So as the kids have now broken up from school we decided to get Holly booked in for last Friday and as expected she absolutely loved it.

Scooty Wooty's is not just a pony making company that plonk children on a pony and trek up and down a few times. They actually teach the kids the different parts of the pony, teach them how to care for them and groom, how to be safe around pony's and horses and then horse riding skills as well. So Holly was taught how to squeeze her legs when using her voice to give the money a command such as trot on or gallop. 

Holly concentrated really well and although this was her first lesson she actually advanced to a little gallop. The teacher was so impressed that she gave Holly a large rosette as a reward. Once Holly had finished with her pony riding session we had a nice little walk around Battlesbridge and enjoyed an nice cup of tea and cake at the tea rooms.

Now the question is how much is this new hobby of Holly's going to cost me as she wanted to book up another lesson next week!

Holly with her safety helmet on and ready for her first pony riding lesson.

Before riding the kids are taught a bit about the pony's and how to care for them.

They teach the children about correct posture and having your feet turned in to ride.

Then it was time to start learning some basic riding skills.

Holly took to the pony riding really well and progressed rapidly in her first lesson.

So much so that she was given this large rosette as a reward.

Exploring Battlesbridge antiques wearing our face masks which has now become the new normal.

Interesting motorbike bursting through a wall.

Holly wanted a picture taken with all of the antiques.

And this one.

Holly also took a liking to this dog which resembled a baby Gino but turned out to be a 9 year old dog!!

Whilst Holly was riding the pony, the boys were abusing Tina.

Brandon trying to show Holly the carp in the pond outside the tea rooms.

Interesting use of old prams!

Holly with an old steam engine.

Enjoying some tea and cake, finally the masks can come off.

Holly feeding the ducks left over chocolate cake.

The End of Abacus Primary and Juniors for Brandon

Today was Brandon's very last day at Abacus Junior school as he has now broken up for the summer and will then continue his adventure at Beauchamps senior school in September. Obviously due to Covid-19 it was by no means a normal send off and to be honest Brandon really didn't seem bothered or phased by any of it.

As with Holly the school had arranged a farewell picnic for Year 6 leavers but again only one parent could go, so once again I missed out. Some of the usual activities took place such as a year end signing book, writing on each others t-shirts and a tunnel walk through all the parents as they exited the school for the very last time.

Brandon got some lovely cards and gifts from the school including his leavers t-shirt with all their names on it, an Abacus school USB stick, a framed picture with the class as emoji characters, some bubbles to play with and a few other bits and pieces. Then once they had finished school he met up with all of his mates over the park for some food and a farewell play.

Brandon also brought home his school report but as with Holly's there is not much to read in to it given that they have missed so much schooling this year. Brandon appears to be where he should be for his age in all areas except writing (which surprises me as his writing is very good). His report also has some very nice general comments about and how he has flourished in smaller bubble groups as pats of the Covid situation. The report also mentions that he is a keen artist that produces some very good work and also that he loves PE (especially team sports) - no surprise there.

Brandon setting of for Abacus for the final time wearing his class of 2020 t-shirt.

Where did those 7 years go????

Some of the Year 6 2020 leavers.

Tina and Brandon at the Year 6 leavers picnic today.

Brandon with one of his teachers, Mrs Peck.

Brandon with Mrs Lee.

Then with Mrs Fergerson.

And last but not least Mrs Bright.

Brandon exits school for the final time along a tunnel of teachers and parents, side by side with Zac.

Most of the Year 6 kids wearing their leavers shirts given to them by the school.

The "20" on the back of the shirt is made up of all the names of the class of 2020 students.

Brandon was a little lazy getting people to write on his shirt so Tina chased around and did most of it for him!

Can you spot Brandon's emoji character in the framed picture.

A little keepsake to go in Brandon's box.

Brandon's USB stick gift from the school and is class of 2020 autograph book.

Some lovely words to Brandon in his card from his head teacher, Mrs Blakely.

And some equally nice words from his main teacher, Mrs Mitchell.

Celebrating the end of their Juniors and Brandon is smiling for once.

Showing off their Class of 2020 leavers t-shirts.

Chaos as t-shirts are left everywhere for people to be able to sign with some sort of social distancing rather than writing on them whilst wearing them!

Brandon's last ever school report from Abacus.

Some very nice general comments in the report to set Brandon up for his next journey in the seniors.