Stand off

The kids played schools again this morning. Ella wrote stuff and read it to znathaniel who had to read it back. She was a very encouraging teacher.

We met #2 daughter and Thomas and James at Bolam Lake where Marion’s daughter was having a birthday party for her 3 year old. It was pretty chilly having a picnic but then everybody headed off for a walk. Our lot didn’t get far as they spent most of the time lying in the mud, poking the ice with sticks. I have never seen them so filthy but they had great fun.

Here James and a swan are having a stand off. He wasn’t pleased we’d not allow him to go any closer. He loves birds and animals.

The cousins came back to Ella’s with us till she had to go for her swimming lesson. She is not confident, so instead of the group lessons, she’s now getting a few one-to-one. Matt was great, and she tried really hard, though she’d not let go of his finger when she was on her back. However she was able to swim a good way. He said she was a good listener and wants to do it - when he wanted her to dive down to get something from the bottom she told him “I HAVE to do this”. She has now got as far as putting her face just under the surface to look at the object. It is much braver to do something when you are scared than when you have no fear.

It’s been a great weekend - but I’ll not say no to a large G&T.