Beaver Canoe and Garden Camping

Well today has got to be one of the busiest Saturdays I have had in a while. It now looks like I will be coaching both Brandon in his Under 7 team and Joshua in his Under 8 team for next season. So Saturday morning started with two lots of football training and then we had to quickly dash over to Barleylands lake as the two boys had heir Beaver Canoeing event. Today was my third training session with the Brandon's Under 7's and I came away from there feeling really good today having had an excellent training session. And to make it better Brandon for the trainer of the week award and took home out little Golden Boot award.

 

Brandon wins trainer of the week, must be the Dutch kit that brought the best out in him.

 

The canoeing over at Barleylands was really enjoyable today. With 26 degree weather and minimal winds it was perfect conditions for the kids to me out and having fun on the water. Of course Joshua and Brandon are experts as we take them canoeing on a regular basis anyway.

 

Joshua with his Beavers canoeing at Barleylands.

Getting brave and standing up in the boat to wave to parents.

Brandon with his friend Harry standing up in their canoe.

The lake is in a lovey setting and just perfect for the kids to mess around in the sun.



With that silly hat anyone would think Uncle David was in the canoe!!!!

Brandon getting ready to raft up and swap boats whilst afloat on the water.

And he makes it, successfully swapping from one boat to another without falling in.

Getting more daring as Joshua has to do the head, shoulders, knees and jump in the boat.

Then it is Brandon's turn to stand up and jump in the boat whilst chanting the song.

Lovely picture of Brandon enjoying time on the water.

All the canoes raft up into one big group and have a mass "head, shoulders, knees and jump!". Can you spot Joshua and Brandon.

Brandon learning how to row with the Uncle David look-a-like again.

All the Beavers on a high after a very fun hour out on the water.

 

 

Once we got back from canoeing we had a spot of lunch, did some shopping and then decided it would be a good idea to set up Nanny's old tent in the garden so that me and the boys could have a garden camping night in preparation for the Beaver Family Camp in 2 weeks time. I think me and Joshua did a pretty good job at setting the tent up considering it was our first time. Holly absolutely loved messing around in the tent and the air beds were like giant bouncy castles for her. Of course the million dollar question will be what time will the boys actually get to sleep, it is now 10:25 and lights are still flashing in the tent and they are both still talking. Somehow I think they will struggle to make tomorrow mornings park run!

 





Joshua and Brandon with Nan's old tent. She would be proud that we are getting use out of it for her.



Brandon all tucked up in bed with his Lego Emit alarm clock.

Holly pretending to be asleep. She really didn't want to leave the tent but there was no way we were letting her sleep out there tonight.

So instead she just jumped around on the beds like they were bouncy castles.

 

Assitant Beaver Leader

As a father of three it seems I barely have any free time these days and as such my list of DIY jobs around the house just seems to get larger and larger. When I am not chauffeuring the kids around or helping them with homework etc I try and keep on top of my own training. I am already a part time karate instructor to the boys, I coach and manage their football teams and now I seem to have been promoted from a parent helper to an Assistant Beaver Leader at Brandon's Beaver Group. So I guess that little bit of spare time that I did have has just been eaten into and that list of outstanding DIY jobs is destined to grow! To be honest I wouldn't have it any other way though as it gives me quality time with the kids and I am learning and developing my own skills all the time as well. Also I think Scouts/Beavers was something I always wanted to do as a kid but was never given the opportunity, so now I can re-live my youth!!!!

 

Of course I started getting involved in Brandon's Beavers to sort of balance out the fact that I coach Joshua's football team. However with recent events it now looks like next season I will step aside from Joshua's team and take over running Brandon's football team instead. By some miracle I still have Wednesday evening free with no kids clubs to attend, however the boys are now saying this should be our golf night! Maybe I should keep Wednesday night free for when Holly starts going to her clubs. Who knows, maybe next I will get roped in to helping her out as an assistant ballet teacher or gymnastics teacher!!!!!

 

Me wearing my new Assistant Beaver Leader T-shirt with Brandon.

Photo bombed by Holly.

 

So I now need to embark upon something like 26 modules of Beaver Leader training and then in the coming weeks I have to go through the Investiture just like the two boys in order to get my scarf and woggle. The boys are so going to give me some stick when I get invested!

Priory Park Pavilion with Southend Vox

As the boys both got very good school reports I decided to take them to the cinema last night. As it was Friday then it didn't matter too much whether the boys stayed up late, so we went to Empire Basildon to watch the new Jurassic World film. I think this was the first time I have watched a more grown up movie with the boys in an evening showing. I think up until now it has always been early morning animation type films. So it was really nice to have a boys night out and both Joshua and Brandon absolutely loved this film. Before we entered the cinema Brandon wanted to get his picture taken with some of the Minions.

 

Spot the Minion.

Brandon riding a Minion bike.

Minion landing on Brandon's head.

 

 

After football training today we headed over to Priory Park to watch Lea and Michael singing an outdoor concert in the Pavilion with their Southend Vox Choir. It was an absolutely lovely afternoon sitting in the sun listening to the shown. Luckily we arrived just in time for Brandon to hear Uncle Michael rapping one of his favourite songs, "New York". Joshua and Brandon sorted out some chairs and set themselves up with front row seats. Holly was getting in to the show and having little boogies every now and then. She was also enjoying clapping with all the crowd at the end of each song.

 

Can you spot Joshua and Brandon with their front row seats?

There they are.

Auntie Lea and Uncle Michael with Josh, Brandon and Holly in the pavilion.

What a lovely afternoon. Kids really enjoyed the show.

 

Once we got home it was time to fire up the BBQ and cool off in the paddling pool. However our conservatory was invaded by the biggest monster dragon fly I have ever seen (OK slight exaggeration, but it was big). The dragon fly had some stunning markings on it and I managed to show the kids and get this picture of it before it finally escaped through one of the windows.

 

The monster dragon fly that invaded our conservatory today. Surprised to see it so far from the lake.

 

Finally for today's blog Brandon wanted me to post on here a picture of our new front door mat which he proudly chose himself today.



 

Brandon's new camper van front door mat.

Breakfast for a King

At the weekend Tina got up early and went out with Joshua to do another car boot sale to sell off a load of old baby stuff. So when Brandon got up, me him and Holly went down for breakfast and he asked me if he could have a "Mothers Day Breakfast"!! I think by this he was referring to a big English cooked breakfast, anyway I didn't disappoint.

 

Brandon's "Mothers Day Breakfast".

Can my little man eat that plate full of food? Not likely?

 

 

After breakfast me, Brandon and Holly went out for a nice 3 mile bike ride around the Wick. After about 2 miles Holly just about started to doze off so we stopped off in a park for a while. It was hilarious watching her and Brandon having races running up the slides (obviously I was helping Holly). 

Brandon chilling in the park.

 

 

After the cycle ride we went home and did a little bit of housework. Holly has really taken to helping out with the hoovering and the moment she hears the hoover noise, she darts into the living room and grabs her Mickey Mouse hoover to help out. Although having her under your feet and chuckling every time she rams her hoover into yours probably isn't helping as much as she thinks she is!

 



Holly giving her Dad a helping hand with the hoovering.

"Right what should we ram next?".

This week we have seen some of the highest temperatures in a long time for the UK and the kids have been loving spending time in the garden. We finally invested in a new swing chair with shade for the garden. It is absolutely perfect for chilling in the summer heat and watching over the kiddies as they play in the garden. Of course my challenge now is teaching the kids that it is a chair and not a swing!!! Holly has already fallen off of the chair and onto the decking once.

 



Holly enjoying her first try on our new swing chair.

Such a little cutie. Loving Holly's flowing blond locks.

Me and my kiddies enjoying some time in the sun. So much for the swing chair being a 3 seater.

Holly enjoying her first time in our paddling pool. Tipping some cold water over her head.

The paddling pool is almost big enough to be a swimming pool for Holly.

An interesting photo of Holly from underneath the water.

Put that tongue away!

Keeping cool playing in the pool.

 

 

Finally for today's blog I have a picture of Brandon from tonight's swimming lesson wearing his new swimming goggles. Just how freakish are these???? Joshua's swimming lesson went well tonight and having spoken to his instructor he is right on the border of being moved up a group. He just has to work a little harder on his breast stroke legs (which he has always struggled with) and then he can be moved up to Stage 6 dark blue hat.

 



Brandon with his freakish new swimming goggles.

School Reports for 2015

Both boys brought home their annual school reports and it looks like some treats are the order of the day. Very glowing reports for them both. Joshua has seems to be excelling in P.E. (especially team sports) and maths - can't imagine where he gets them from. Talk about like father like son. Brandon is not quite as mathematical as Joshua but seems better at his phonics and you can see from the final page of his report, 40 out of 40 correct!!!! Although where he gets his cricket skills from in P.E. is beyond me as I hate cricket! Both boys have good progress reports with Brandon being at Stage 6 reading and a reading age of 7 years and 9 months, whilst Joshua 8 years and 5 months.

 

 

Joshua's school report 2015 - Page 1.

Joshua's school report 2015 - Page 2.

Joshua's school report 2015 - Page 3.

Joshua's 2015 progress report. Next year he has a new teacher Miss White and is in White class.

Brandon's school report 2015 - Page 1.

Brandon's school report 2015 - Page 2.

Brandon's school report 2015 - Page 3.

Brandon's progress report for 2015. Next year he stays in red class with his current teacher Mrs Lee.

Brandon's phonics screening test, 40 out of 40. Well done boy.

Now to get thinking on how to treat them both for such good school reports.