Message for my fans ...

I have to go to bed now so sorry this is

(a) a little early for most of you

(b) late for others such as the Families Bryan and Beep and

(c) very very early for others like Mr, Mrs and Baby Alastair, Grandad and Berndette and Pigeon driving bus man.

Santa's sleigh ride - without Santa - with AJ

We also went round the ghost house and sat in a cabin that moved and made it seem like we were on a glacier roller coaster.

Mum and Granny did not come on any of the rides. AJ only came on this one. As you can see we went on lots but it was very very cold!

The day was Granny's idea. Thank you Granny!

Sledge slide - without a sledge

Being a bauble

Itinery:

1. Skating. 2. Lunch 3. Rides .... and this was the first one. Zill, George and I shared a big bauble and spun round the Christmas tree.

Skate Park

First stop at Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park - the ice rink. Granny was supposed to be looking after Cosmic while the rest of us - and Jules and George - skated. But, Cosmic has a cold so stayed at home with Dad.

Jules is the best skater but George is having lessons so is getting good too. Zill can now go round by herself and i can stand up without falling over. Mum, Jules and Granny all say I have got much better since last year!

All the kings horses ...

We saw these people on the way to Winter Wonderland yesterday. I think they are riding into battle - they had swords and police all around them. Does anyone know who they are?

Paint the house red ....

We have to go to bed early tonight because:

(1) Matt is coming round to play with Mum and Dad.
(2) We're going to Winter Wonderland tomorrow.

But in the hours between coming home from Zal's house and bed we got out the paints ... yay!

Blanket ban

Uncle Zal wants to give Dad his bike.

Mum doesn't want him too. She says Dad will fall off because he's only got one ear.

I have a plan. If people run alongside Dad - when he is on his bike - holding blankets they can put them under him if he falls off.

Zalmas Eve(ish)

Twas three nights after Christmas and all over Zal's house...

Day release

Gareth and Vicky came down today and after lunch we went to the park.

Zill lent me her old heelies but my balance was a little out. Luckily I held Gareth's hand most of the way there ... when I didn't I grabbed on to Mum or Dad ... or fell over!

I changed into my proper shoes at the playground and ran about like a lunatic. We have been inside since Xmas Eve and even though it was really cold we stayed out for quite a while playing on the swings, climbing frames, big tyre and see saw thing.

At bedtime Cosi wouldn't go to his room so he is now in mine. He keps making a noise and getting us told off but it is really cool sharing my room. I have said I will share with Cosi properly if we have another baby but Mum and Dad say we may prefer a dog?

Boxing Day chez moi

And before the day is over ...

... Zill and I have a Christmas message for you ...

I am off to bed now because I have to be wide awake for boxing people tomorrow. I don't have any gloves but perhaps I can lightsaber them instead?

Keep 'em peeled for me ...

Before bed Mum wanted to try out her new video camera - it is v. small and Adam Tinworth uses it for blogging so it must be good.

We helped her try out the camera by singing our mole song from the Hansel and Gretal panto ...

Sing along:

"Keep 'em peeled for me. Wa? Cos moles can't see"

Xmas poll

I have put up a new poll for you guys. I cannot vote though because everything was my favourite bit of today.

Home alone

Christmas chaos

Visitor in the night

T'was the night before Chistmas

TUESDAY 24th DECEMBER

Zevon night

TUESDAY 23rd DECEMBER

Derbie Day

TUESDAY 23rd DECEMBER

Oh Christmas tree ...

MONDAY 22nd DECEMBER

Losing face?

SUNDAY 21TH DECEMBER

Hansel and Gretal

SATURDAY 20TH DECEMBER

I'm so sorry ...

I haven't blogged for ages. I have been so busy this Xmas and Zill and I have had loads of sleep overs ... I am going to fill you in though ... just so you are up to date.

Late poll

This poll has been up ages and finished ages ago too. Only 4 people voted so I have not put one up for a while and am a bit grumpy.

The answers were as follows however ...

What job would you must like your dad to do?


Jedi knight - 1 (25%)

Spaceship commander - 2 (50%)

Hole in the Wall presenter - 0 (0%)

Popcorn seller - 0 (0%)

Dresser-upper - 1 (25%)

No of votes: 4

I am thinking whether to put up another poll or see if there is another gadget people may like ... watch this space. Well, not this one but the one just to the left ...

The Office

We had our Christmas party at the restaurant in Tilgate Park. I had Mushroom Wellington, loads of Xmas veg and treacle pudding and custard.

We pulled crackers and I played cards with Lloyd. Chris (Sarah's Dad) taught us how to yoyo.

Sarah and Lloyd gave us our presents - no not Mia the baby, she was just gatecrashing for the evening. We were allowed to open them early. Zill and I got DS cases and Cosi got an Iggle Piggle blanket.

We got home very late and I'm going to bed now ... thank you for our presents!

Everybody needs good neighbours

We finished school early today because it was the last day and we went to see Cat Cat.

We also saw Andy, Jenny, Lilly and Toby who are staying with her at the moment. They are her old neighbours and we used to see them quite a bit. They live near the Clarksons now.

It was nice to see them - last time I saw them Lily was very small and Toby didn't exsist!

Jenny read with Lilly and Cosmic and I played on the computer. We ALL ate Cat Cat's homemade mince pies.

Hooked

Sarah took us, Lloyd and her mum to see Peter Pan at the Capitol. It was really good and Cosi got really into it - not sure how he managed to mix up Captain Hook wth Captain Jack though...

Who's Monitoring the Monitors?

I was rabbit monitor today.

AND I was the oly person to get a Christmas card from the Dinnerladies. Zillyan laughed, which might explain why the Dinnerladies didn't give HER a card...

Gym'll Fix It

I got my level 8 Gymnastics certificate. I was very excited - I told dad not to mention it to mum as I wanted to surprise her and when she phoed told her before I had even said "hello".

I think she was surprised...

Food Diary

This weeked has revolved around food - Last night Zillyan had a sleepover at our cousin Zara's house and dad spent the night in Winchester at our friends', Sophie and Martyn's wedding. This is what I have eaten:

Saturday Breakfast: Weetabix (yawn).

Saturday Lunch: Cheese on toast, dried fruit and mine pies with mum - Yum Yum Yum.

Saturday Dinner: Fish Pie that Dad made and mum took with us to Aunty Moo's - It was great because it had prawns in it.

Then only Mum Cos and I came home and I was allowed to sleep in Mum's bed as she said she was lonely without Dad. In the Morning she brought me breakfast in bed.

Sunday Breakfast (in Bed): Dippy Egg - it was really good because I like dippy egg!

Sunday Lunch: Maccaroni Cheese with sweetcorn and eggs, it was Grandma's special recipe and she said she made it specially for me. I ate sooooo much that I didn't need any tea!!!!!!!

Bed now.

A Good Omen

I have just finished writing Christmas cards to my class.

Here's one I wrote to my friend Owen earlier...


Definition of omen - added by Mum:
An omen (also called portent or presage) is a phenomenon that is believed to foretell the future, often signifying the advent of change. Omens may be considered "good" or "bad".

Bonjour ... je suis Derbie ...

Zill and I had our first French lesson with Eliza after school. It was an experiment and Janet was teaching us, at her house.

During the lesson Mum looked after Matilda and Cosmic.

We played up a little but also showed we can concentrate. We sang songs and had loads of fun. We really hope we haven't scared Janet off and that she will keep up the clasees ....

Oh Christmas Tree

Christmas tree season!

Dad got the trees down from the loft and Zill, Cosi and I decorated the pink one on the landing. This one is very important as we leave our stockings for Fathr Christmas under this one.

We hung lots of decorations including the ones we bought at the school Christmas fete!

We are going to decorate the other, bigger, Christmas trees this weekend.

Christmas receipe

Sarah and Cosmic came to see our school Christmas show on Tuesday it was all about the Christmas receipe and what ingredients you need to make Xmas.

We have been practising the songs at home - see my blog entry here - and Cosi joined in with Ba Ba Bananas when we sung it for real.

Mum and Dad came today. They said it was great. They sat next to Trudie & Joe and Jack's Mum & Dad. Janet and Matilda were there too ... oh, and Max's Mum!

Zilly was a star and I was a snowflake.

Balls to oranges

How to make Derbie's Orange Pomander Balls
You'll need:
- an orange
-loads of whole cloves (they look half splinter/ half drwing pin)
- a skewer thing from the cutlery drawer that Mum says only a grown up can use ... or aparatly a tooth pick but we didn't hve any of these.
- ribbon to tie round the orange when it is finished - so you can hang it on your Christmas tree or wherever you are going tp put it.
Then you ...
- Get Mum or Dad to prick your orange with the skewer - all over.
- Stick cloves in all the holes and make sure they ar really close together so you cannot see any orange left.
- While doing this you can make patterns - for example a face with a moustache like Dad did.
When the orange is covered ...
- Give it to Mum or Dad - you can dip it in a spice mixture as per some receipes OR just leave it for a couple of weeks to dry out. Then it smells yummy for ages.

We are going to put ours on our tree and then invite Grandma & Grandpa and Granny & Patrick to take one away when they go home after Christmas. Cool idea? Zill and I thought of it.

My Cello Recital

I did it!!!! And everyone clapped!!!

Sneak preview ...

Practising my piece before tomorrow ...

Gladrags

Zilly put on her Stagecoach play this afternoon. Every Stagecoach school in the world put on the same play - Gladrags - at 1615 today our time. They were hoping to break a world record and people filmed the play so they could prove they did it.

First the bigger kids performed then Zillyan came on in Gladrags. She was a carnival kid. She wore purple and sang and danced. She also had to say a line all by herself - "I can't wait to go to the park again and skip around on the grass"!

She was really good. Grandma, Granny and Patrick (and all the family) watched her too.

My cello recital is tomorrow so I better go and practise before Merlin.

Rabbit representative

Mrs Etherngton told me I would be represeng rabbits at school council today. She told all my frinds to tell me if they have any problems and then I will make sure people know how they feel and try and make them feel happy if they are sad.

Sadie is the representative from squirrels and instead of going to the hall for lunch with everyone else, we ate our food at the meeting. Sophie from Zillyan's class was there and Joseph from foxes. I think Joseph's Mummy is Emma from Horsham Nursery. The teacher at today's meeting was Mrs Etherington.

Lots of things were discussed. We were told Mrs King would give us 20 then 100 pounds to spend . We also voted on what shape of badge the school representatives should have. I wanted a crest shape but this is what the house captains have so we are going to have a rectangle instead.

Mum and Dad are really proud of me. They said so. They said Mrs Etherington must trust me lots to let me represent my class today. They also said it shows I am a very good listener because I can try to help my friends if they have problems.

I went to bed smiling. I am very proud too.

Decorative decorations

Today was Christmas decoration day at school. We made decorations, labels and cards all day.

I was in stocking group and we moved round classrooms every hour and did a different activity in each one. Zilly was in present group.

Mum helped Zillyan's group in the morning when they were making Snowmen. In the afternoon she helped me when I was aking labels.

Max was in my group. Leah was in my group too. She is a year 2, fox. Leah told Mum I kiss her all the time, but actually she kisses me.

Ba Ba Bananas

A taste of the song from our up-coming school Christmas play!

Wii-crumble

Helen, Freya and Enzo came for lunch yesterday. Ben was ill.

We played playdough and ate apple crumble that Freya made.

We also showed Freya and Enzo how to bowl on the wii .... we weren't working on comission from Ben - honest Helen!

P.S ...

...I also want to send one of my Christmas cards to Sineod .

I asked Mum who was nicer Zillyan or Sineod today. And I asked Dad. The both gave me a strange look but I know the answer.

Cards fit for a President

Mum is sending packets of the Christmas cards we made to some of our friends and family. Then they can send them to their friends and family. I made the Father Christmas one and Zill made the angel/Xmas tree one.

I want to send a packet to Barack Obama but Mum says if I send it to the White House where Presidents live he may not get it until after Christmas. That wouldn't be very good because then all his cards will be late.

Happy Birthday James ...

Well actually it was yesterday but Cosmic and I went to his party this afternoon. Zill could not go because she was at Stagecoach all afternoon. Oliver, Emily's brother, was there and so was Gail.

The party was at Springboard and we all played in softplay, joined in pass the parcel and ate a yummy tea.

I think we gave James the same present as Oliver - luckily his Dad says he can never have too many cars!

I will try and link to some photos when James' Dad, Miles, hs put them up on flickr - hint hint Miles.

We three Kingslea from Horsham are ...

... Derbie, Zilly and Cosi there are.

School Christmas fete tonight and Zill and I had a great time. Cosmic enjoyed it too but was very grumpy when he was told he'd had enough cake and sweets!

I won a party book on the tombola (Mrs Etherington was running it with Jane from my nursery) and bought some books, cakes, an alien in slime and some Dr Who cards. When I got home I found I had an ultra-rare sticker in one of my packs - how cool?

I also saw Sineod. She goes to my ballet and I think she is in year 5 or maybe even 6. She gave me a cuddle. Then I tried to talk to her later but I thought she ignored me .... Mum and Dad told me to go and say hi again to see if she was really ignoring me or just hadn't seen me ....

Phew .... she smiled and said hi. I ran to tell Dad and blushed a little bit.

I like Sinoed.

Twit-Twoo

I am a barn owl.

I have a spotty front (there are spots on my brown jumper) and fluffy underwings (otherwise known as Zilly's white furry gillet).

I also have furry brown boots that George gave me. They are owlish and will keep my feet warm.


The poncho and hat were Mummy's when she was little!

Poll results 27 Nov

Results from this week's poll:

Who would you most like to be your babysitter?

The Doctor - 3 (30%)

Sarah Jane - 2 (20%)

K9 - 2 (20%)

Captain Jack - 2 (20%)

Martha - 0 (0%)

Mickey - 1 (10&)

10 people voted and the winner is - The Doctor of course.

Not putting up a new poll yet as I'm thinking. Ideas welcome ... you were all useless at ideas for my owl costume tomorrow - in the end Mum and Zill had to come up with an a costume - so try to do better this time!

Teatime Max

Max came round to tea this evening and we
talked about Dr Who all the way home. He is the first friend I have ever had round for tea after school - except Sofia of course but she used to come before I started reception!

Once at home I showed him my room and all my toys. He loves Dr Who (of course) and spaceships like me.

After tea we made cakes for our Christmas fayre tomorrow evening. The best ones win a prize. Last year Zill won the big cake section - she made a heart shaped sponge - well, Sarah did. Mum saw it being bought too - which made her laugh.

After that Max and I went upsairs and watched Dr Who on the laptop on my bed. We watched the episode with cybermen ... and daleks!

A hoot!

School sent home a note in my book bag today saying my class has to dress up as owls on Friday.

Wondering what sort of owl I should be and what I can wear? I have made a headdress at school but need an outfit for my body ... thoughts?

Bizarre Bazaar

Today was our Christmas bazaar at school.

Zill and I each took in 2 pounds and a plastic bag for our goodies and we visited lots of stalls set up around school.

It was in school time and we got to visit the special cafe for a drink and cake too. Zill and I made crispie cakes to take in - I made brown ones and Zill made white and brown ones.

Joe Blogs

We went up to London today to see Than and Helen for brunch.

We went to Joe Allen restaurant near Covent Garden. We came here last time with Than and Helen and Zilly and I really like it. Cosi likes the food and the apple juice but is less convinced by the hand dryers in the toilets. They are very loud and funny looking and he is sared of them.

Than and Helen gave me Star Wars lego for my birthday. I am very excited and Dad says he is going to help me put it together.

Than left early to go to football. He says he will take me at my next birthday. Mum is not convinced because he supports a team called Tottenham but I think it will be very cool and I want to see the giant cockrel.

After lunch Helen walked around Covent Garden with us. We saw men on unicycles and people pretending to be statues. We also splashed in puddles and it rained!

I hailed my first cab on the way to the restaurant and when we were on the way back I tried to get into another. Helen told me I did it really well - like a real Londoner - but someone beat me into it! In the end Helen hailed one - I watched and leanrnt.

M-I-C-K-E-Y-M-O-U-S-E

I'm going to be Mickey Mouse in my ballet show.

Miss Joan has just told me. I am so excited.

I get to lead all the big children out onto the stage !

Excaliber

Sofia and Ostyn came round for tea after school today. We had fish and chips and played until really late.

After they went home we should have gone to bed but Zill and I persuaded Mum and Dad to let us watch last week's Merlin on i-player.

It was great - a dead knight appeared and wanted to kill Uther. The dragon breathed on a special sword which would kill the dead but made Merlin promise only Arthur would use it.

Uther used it. The bad dead knight disappeared. The dragon was cross and Merlin had to take the sword away and put it somewhere no mortal would ever find it. He threw it in the lake where the other worlders lived ....

We we had to watch it tonight so we were up to date for tomorow evening. The trailer suggests Arthur might find out Merlin is magic .... this would not be good for Merlin but would be good for us!

Now then

My sister doesn't have a blog so she has to post her insults on bits of paper ...

Here is her response to my blog yesterday .... she is so old fashioned!

Now

I've just had tea and I am doing my blog now. AND Zillyan is annoying me and being very loud and stupid. She says she is being funny, but I think its only funny when I do it. Cosi is being the calmest.

And that is my blog for today.

The New Poll

So the new question is: Who would you most like to be your babysitter? The Doctor, Sarah Jane, K9, Captain Jack, Martha or Mickey?

Mum is gonna help me put it up when she gets in so watch this space ... well the one in the top left corner to be precise ...

Poll results - wk ending 18th November 2008

Results from this week's poll:

Which High School Musical character would you sell to Jabba the Hutt?

Troy - 2 (18%)
Gabriella - 3 (27%)
Sharpay - 0 (0%)
Ryan - 0 (0%)
Chad - 5 (45%)
Mrs Darbus - 0 (0%)
Coach Bolton - 2 (18%)

Only 11 people voted .... well, it was High School Musical wasn't it.

Not sure what the next poll is yet but I will put my mind to it after my cello lesson (not during of course!) and post something this evening.

Case study

I have a new cello case for my new bigger, 1/8 size, cello.

Grandad bought it for me for my birthday and it arrived by Pareclforce.

It is the same as my last case but has a different handle .... and is bigger of course.

Kay will be very happy as she says my cello gets out of tune easily when there is no case.

Thanks Grandad and Bernadette!

I love my Mum ...

...more than infinity and beyond.

Is there anything more than "more than infinity and beyond"?

I love my Mum more than infinity and beyond plus one.

Medal Medly

Just had lunch and about to go to Miranda's birthday party but thought i'd quickly tell you about this morning.

We had a gymnastics competition and I got a certificate! Mum and Dad said I did really well and I don't want to give up anymore. It was really fun - I did a floor routine and jumped on the vault.

Zilly did really well too. She got a silver medal in her group and Ocean got gold. Mum and Trudie were crying they were so proud.

I have wrapped Miranda's present but am not sure what to wear to the party. Perhaps I will watch a weeny bit of telly while I decide ... after all it is one of my favourites "Timothy goes to school" on Tiny Pop!

Hole in the wall that is letting in water

Zill and I have discovered a strange television programme.

Weird silver people scream and shout a lot and then stand on a board surounded by water. One of the people is a man who was dancing on Children in Need's Strictly Come Dancing yesterday and we didn't know anyone else. He is called Anton.

A foam wall with lots of cut out shapes comes towards them and they have to make themselves into a shape that will fit through the cut out shapes.

If the silver people make the right shape they do not fall into the water. If they make the wrong shape they break the foam and are knocked into the pool.

Zill and I were cheering the blue and silver team today and they won. Anton was not on the blue team. We danced around the room a lot and choked a bit on popcorn.

Dr Knew

I may have just seen the new Doctor on TV.

Children in Need showed a bit of the Christams Special with David Tennant and another actor who said he was the Doctor. Dad says the other Doctor is a man called David Morrissey and some people have said he is really going to take over.

I don't think he'll really be the Dr Who but I'm worried if he is that I won't like him. Daddy isn't sure who the new Dotor will be either and has asked people what they think on the Doctor Who Magazine Facebook Discussion Board.

He says this makes him cool. Mum says this makes him sad. She doesn't think Mr Morrissey will be the new man in the Tardis. She is still holding out for John Simm.

Happy Baby to Alastair and Mrs Alastair

Poll results 11 Nov & new poll for Georgia

Results from this week's poll:

Who is your favourite old Star Wars baddie?

Darth Vader 4
Darth Maul
General Grievous 1
Boba Fett
The Emperor 1
Jabba the Hutt 3

9 votes in all which is a bit poo really you guys BUT we discovered you can only vote once from one computer so Cosi and Mum didn't get to vote and Dad isn't sure if his vote went through either!

So maybe the poll doesn't really work ... or is rigged .... but I'm going to try again anyway. This week - for Georgia - the High School Musical poll ....

Sister sister

The Star Wars poll still hasn't finished so I'll probably have to wait until tomorrow to post the new one. You'll never guess what it is going to be ... except you won't have to because I am going to tell you ...

Mum went out with some of her work friends after Obama won being the President. One of Mum's friends took her daughters with her - I have met them before at Mum's work. Mum showed Georgia - the eldest - my blog and she thought a High School Musical poll would be good so ...... well, you will have to wait until tomorrow for the exact question.

I read with Mrs Etherington today and I am now on red sticker books. I am very happy and Mum told Zill how good I was getting at reading.

Cosmic is now wearing pants - with Iggle Piggle on them. He is trying very hard and didn't mean to wee on Zill's floor before bed.

Zill sighed a lot tonight - oh, and asked Mum and Dad whether she could have a sister now.

No guest blogging here!

Last night I stayed the night with the Everingtons. I was too busy playing to blog sorry.

I slept over in Zara's room and then spent this morning playing DS and stuff with her. We also played on the Wii - Wii sports and the wii-fit board.

Laila and Francesco came over to Moo's for lunch. Then the rest of my family turned up - Mum, Dad, Zilly, Cosi, Grandma, Grandpa, Uncle Zal and a man called Bruce.

After lunch I went to Jack P's party. We played in soft play and had tea. Max, Owen and Justin were there too.

I was a bit tired and din't really want to write my blog today but when Mum suggested Zilly guest blogged I suddenly found the energy .....

Save Dog

This is what Obama said about the new family dog.

I think they should get a rescue sheepdog. His daughter will probably be allergic to the dog but she should get "allergic pills".

I hope they call the dog "Save Dog". This seems a good name.

Rocket man

We went to see the firework display at my school last night.

The fireworks were really colourful and there were lots of bangs. Mum stayed at home with Cosmic because she thought he wouldn't like the noise.

Zilly and I also got some lighty-up ears so we could see each other in the dark. I took my torch too so I could find my way back.

Get on your bike and search for milk

It was my turn on the bikes today.

The bikes live in the junior playground shed.

I went on the two seater bike with Jack P. We took turns to sit at the front and cycled around the playground.

My other friends in Rabbits went on scotters and other bikes. While we were on the bikes, Squirrels played. Next time it will their turn on the bikes and we will play.

A little time ago Mrs Etherington told us that we couldn't have milk because someone stole it and today we hunted around the playground for clues as to who it may have been.

Me and my friends are going to find out who stole the milk. We are going to stay up at bedtime, go to Kingslea and try and catch the milk snatchers.

Top dog

I was up early this morning with Zill and Cosi to watch the news.

Mum bought us breakfast in the living room and we watched pictures of Barack Obama and his family. They looked very happy because the Americans voted for him to be their next President.

Here is a bit of his speech saying he is happy to be the new President.

Here is all his speech saying he is happy to be the new President.

We also heard him speaking and listened to a lady who said when she was younger black people could not vote in America ... just because they had brown skin!!!! Zilly and I couldn't believe this.

I have just read Cat's comments on my blog entry from last night .... Barack Obama is going to get a dog as a treat for becoming President. If I become President may I have a dog Mum - please?

Election night

When Mum got home from work we finished dinner very quickly then watched the news. We saw Barack Obama and John McCain voting in America. They probably voted for themselves. We also saw Sarah Palin - she has the same colour hair as Zilly.

Mum explained who were guests and who worked for the BBC like her. Lots of BBC people are in America watching what is happening in the election.

I really wanted to stay up because we will only know if Obama has won in the middle of the night. Mum said it would be okay to get up early in the morning though because that is when there will be pictures of the new President Obama ... she hopes.

Mum and Zill talked about Obama and Zill said she would vote for him. I would vote for Ralph Nader - mainly because I don't want to choose the same person as Zilly but don't want to say John McCain. Mum found a picture of him and is going to help me put it on this entry so you can see him too!

Poll results - 3rd November 2008

Results from this week's poll:

Who is your favourite old Star Wars goodie?

Chewbacca 5
Han Solo 1
Luke Skywalker 0
Princess Leia 3
R2-D2 2
C-3PO 5

Total votes cast: 16

V. happy Chewie won ... well joint won anyway.

Mum and Dad say Luke Skywalker didn't get any votes because he is a bit wet ... I don't remember this bit in the films but he does get damp in Yoda's swamp ... perhaps that's what they mean!

New vote ... baddies ...

Doctor in the blog

David Tennant was on telly this monring talking about why he isn't going to be the Doctor anymore ...... thought you might like to see it here.

Numa Numa Yoda relived

Quickly - before bed - I mustn't forget to thank AJ and George for my lovely birthday presents.

We all played with my special new Star Wars projector torch in Zilly's room after our story .... we turned out the lights and made the yoda shape dance while we sang numa numa just like this ... well almost but perhaps we need to practice a little.

Artful Dodger

While we played at George's house this afternoon Mum visited Rob, Anna and Baby James. We were not allowed to go because James is very new and everyone is still recovering.

Mum showed us this picture though and promised we would be able to meet him soon.

Later on we went to the funfair. Cosi went on a flying aeroplane and a train. George, Zilly, Jules and I went on the Dodgems.

We took two cars. I went with AJ - she drove because I could not reach the pedals - we did lots of crashing.

Before we left I made AJ promise to vote in this week's blog poll. I may have asked her to vote for Chewie but I don't want to skew the vote so .... vote for whichever very furry Wookie you want AJ .... I won't mind!

Three pair pizza

We made our own pizzas for lunch - we made 3 - Cosi and Mum; me and Mum and Zill and George. We all voted for the best pizza - but weren't allowed to choose our own. Cosi's won.

After pizza George showed us Spore on the pc. How cool? Just in case Father Christmas, or one of his elves, is reading this:

"I would really like this game in my stocking...please ...pretty please ... I am being very good!"

Ice magic

Zilly and I went ice-skating at Lee Valley ice rink this morning with George and AJ.

Mum and Cosi watched because Cosmic was a little small. There was another 2 year old skating - parantly she has lessons - but Mum wasn't convinced.

I skated way better than last time - even managing to stay up without holding on to anyone. AJ and George took me round - Geroge is getting really good too and AJ has always been a bit of an Ice Queen.

They took Zill round the rink too but by the end she was was skating round by herself!

After ice skating we went back to George's house for lunch.

Trick or sweet ....

Yesterday was very busy .....

Nicci and India came to play in the morning and then Sarah took me to Tully's Farm in the afternoon with Jake, Josh, Phoebe and Josie.

It was a special Hallowean visit and there was a really scary Spooky House. Phoebe thought everything was scary and when the people went "Ahhhhh" I was rally frightened too.

In the evening I went trick or treating with Lara, Zilly and Cosmic. Lara and Zilly were witches. I was Darth Vada and Cosmic was the Hallowean Donkey ..... what you haven't heard of the famous braying monster?

I can feel your presents ...

Dad's just got home from work and we are about to watch Merlin. Dad recorded it off the telly at the weekend because he and Mum were at a wedding.

Before I get comfy though I just want to say thank you to Cat, Alex,Torrin and Lara for my birthday presents. They were away for my birthday but Torrin and Cat came aruond this evening for a cup of tea and to wish me happy birthday.

Torrin helped me open my books and Star Wars top and mask.

Doctor New

David Tennant has gone. He isn't going to be the doctor anymore - well, after some special episodes next year.

Mum and Dad both want John Simm to be the Doctor but no one seems to be writing about him.

This list shows some of the people that may be doctor. I like the look of Paterson Joseph best out of these choices. Mum says he is the favourite at the moment so that is good.

Who do you think would be a good doctor? If people are interested I could do a poll on it soon ...?

Numa Numa Yoda

Mum and I have just spent ages looking at funny youtube star wars videos. This is my favourite and the music makes Mum laugh lots.

Jam today ...

... jam tomorrow .... although there isn't very much left!

We all had Rachel's blackberry and apple jam on toast for breakfast - except Cosi who was given jam on brioche because he doesn't do toast - then he stuck his head in it.

It was really yummy ... thank you Rachel!

"Calling the Fowlers ... over"

The Family Robinson are not Swiss

Okay so I am now back from Tilgate Park with Zill and Cosmic - I shall put my photos up later... The Family Robinson left today, they came to see us yesterday which is why I was too busy to blog.

Yesterday I went to Buchan Park with Felix and Maddie Robinson and their parents. Felix & I battled with Sonic devices all the way round the lake. After the battle we all went swimming at K2 and Zill & I each went off to do our lessons and then came back. Which means that Dad, Warren, Cosmic and Felix were in the pool for an hour and a half which might explain why they were a funny shade of blue when I returned.

After a pasta supper, Felix slept in my room and Zilly looked after Maddie.

Don't let the pigeon write a blog!

Mum found this blog .... the author Mo Willems writes it.

Mo Willems writes Cosmic's favourite book "Don't let the pigeon drive the bus" and the one about the hot dog ... and Knuffle Bunny ....

I really want to learn to read so I can show Cosmic Mo's blog and read the pigeon book with him - just like Zillyan.

For now though I am going to show him the picture of all these children in America dressed like pigeons - "Don't let them drive the bus Mo"!

00Zevon - to Jayne with thanks

When we were in Cheltenham the author Simon Bartram signed our books and Mum's friend Jayne took away some posters for him to sign for us.

Jayne sent the posters back yesterday and Sarah put them on our bedroom walls. They are so cool - thank you Jayne!

Thanks too for the fab poetry book and the secret spy pen - very useful tool for 00Zevon methinks ....

Poll results - 27th October 2008

Results from this week's poll:

What do you like watching most?

Doctor Who 11
Ben 10 3
Star Wars 1
Power Ranges 10

Total votes cast: 25

For lots of the week Power Rangers were winnng but Doctor Who caught up at the end. I voted for Doctor Who. My second choice would have been Star Wars and I am really surprised it only got 1 vote!

To serve you Star Wars deniers right, this week my poll is about Star Wars goodies. Enjoy!

Guide to half-term

First day of half term and Zill and I quickly fell back into our holiday ways....

1. Up early playing with William but dressed late. Always stay in your pyjamas as long as you can get away with it.

2. Went to dentist - Zill and I have great teeth but Dad thinks Cosi's are full of holes. The dentist said she thought Dad was wrong but couldn't be sure because Cosi didn't actually open his mouth. Always make a fuss about going to the dentist and then gain great praise - and hopefully teeth-rotting sweets - afterwards for being so brave.

3. Go-karting with Zill at Broadbridge Heath. We were divided into two teams and my team peddled fastest and won. Do loads of fun holiday activities organised by the Pavilions and Broadbridge Heath leisure centres BUT avoid art (sticking things with teenage lifeguards who grunt is one to miss) and always lie about your age .... the activities for younger kids are sooooo boring.

4. Gym was good but I am not sure if I want to do it anymore. I must talk to Mum about this. I like it when activities stop for halfterm to give us a break but, if they don't, try and go out on a daytrip so you get to miss them anyway!

Vlogging - behind the scenes

Latecomers

When all my friends had gone Nicki, Miles, James and Emily came round.

They ate cake and gave me a fab Dr Who top ... thank you!

Will was still around too because he is staying the night. Will, Tim and Di are going to see Will's Granny tomorrow as they are on holiday!

Granny and Patrick drove all the way from Wimbledon in their new car for a piece of cake!

They gave me a General Grievous transformer and a poster showing all the Star Wars baddies.

Granny looked at them with me and I showed her some of the ones I know.

There was General Grievous, Bounty Hunters, a bad looking Yoda ... later on I watched Clone Wars so next time I will be able to tell Granny about all the baddies.

Potty choas

Party went soemthing like this:

1. Utter chaos as everyone arrived.

2. Utter chaos as Potty played pirate party games with us for half an hour.

3. Utter chaos as we stopped for a drink and the loo ... which no one needed .... they said!

4. Utter chaos as Potty told us his fab story for an 3/4 hour

5. Utter chaos while everyone who said they didn't need the loo did.

6. Utter chaos while Potty drilled a hole in Dad and made him wear a blond wig.

7. Utter chaos as Potty finished his story and I flew on a magic carpet.

8. Utter chaos as everyone ate pizza, cakes and sweets.

9. Utter chaos as Potty played Happy Birthday on his guiitar and I blew out the candles.

10. Utter chaos as everyone went home and no one could find their various pirate accessories and coats.

Secret handshakes

Cool - got up this morning with Zill, Cosi AND Zara and Amy who had stayed the night.

Breakfast was porridge then I put my pirate costume on and Potty the Pirate arrived. Zilly and Za dressed as pirates too and Cosi dressed as Serjeant Pepper.

Potty was so cool. When he was setting up I showed him my birthday presents and we did the pirate handshake!

Don't feel like dancing ... dancing

No dancing yesterday so I went to Soocatots with Dad and Cosi while Zill went to Stagecoach with Mum.

Cosi was really funny doing Soccatots - he didn't really do what he was told but had loads of really cool tantrums and loved playing with all the equipment at the wrong time.

We bought things for my party in the afternoon and met Grandma and Grandpa for a box in Marks and Spencer. I saved my biscuit for Zilly and Mum said that was a lovely thing to do.

The Everingtons came to babysit because Mum and Dad were going to Annie and Troy's wedding.

Thank you and goodnight

I am sleeping in Mum and Dad's bed.

Tomorrow I am going to write lots of thank you letters ... 1 letter,2,3,4,5,10,100 .... I'm even going to write one to the person who sent me the lovely mini dalek and cyberman which are on my mantlepiece ... if you own up!

Dad asked me what it feels like to be 5. So far it feels like being 4.

Curled up in bed I have just thought - I love all my family and grown up friends. I like my children friends.

Not fork handles - 5!

Grandma and Grandpa arrived next and then the Everingtons.

I received lots of lovely presents including a camera and an inflatable Dr Who chair. Kai bought me some boys' toys too and Mum looked unimpressd. One thing was a pea shooter - I can be like Dennis the Menace!

Thank you everyone. I love my presents.

Everybody sang happy birthday to me - again - and I blew out 5 candles on top of my sweeties cake.

Before Allie and Si left I showed them my blog. Simon says he is going to read it at home and comment on it. He then helped me find some doors on my new lego indiana jones ds game. It is cool. I have to do lots of turnng with my thumb and blowing on the screen!

Darwin 2

My next guests were my Darwin Mummy, Allie, and Simon.

Dad bought some more bits and pieces from the supermarket and was busy making a BBQ when they arrived.

He cooked baby sweetcorn, sausages and burgers ... mainly veggie but there were some animals for the meat people.

Allie and Si bought me a Dr Who operation game that looks really fun.


Mum says we can play with it this weekend and as it is half term I can play with it lots next week.

"Thank you Allie and Simon!"

They stayed the longest and didn't leave til really late - about 8.30!

Darwin 1

School was great - all my friends sang happy birthday to me and i gave them all maltesers to take home.

When I finished school Mum, Dad, Cosi, Gareth and Soraya were all waiting for me. I went home in Gareth's car and we had a snack and play before Gareth had to go home.

Gareth is my Darwin Dad. He bought me a Dr Who sticker book and giant judoon captain for my birthday. Strangely the Judoon is bigger than the spaceship Mum and Dad bought for me. Does that mean the spaceship will have to fly through space in the Judoon?

After they left i had some quiet time with Mum before my next guests arrived. I stuck stickers in my new sticker book. I did 5 pages and there are 3 left - Mum suggested saving some for tomorrow so it wasn't over all at once.

I'd like to start by thanking ...

While I had breakfast in bed I opened my first present. Zilly gave me a Rose Tyler and an Ood in Dr Who wrapping paper. She had written a lovely present label and card - thank you Zilly.

Cosi bought me a Ben 10 bag and toy and Mum and Dad bought me a Dr Who Top Trumps DS game (Dad) and a Lego Indiana Jones DS game (Mum).

Then we came downstairs and I opened some more lovely presents and cards while Zill and Cos had their dippy eggs.

So far today I would like to thank:Zilly, Cosi, Mum and Dad, Grandad and Bernadette, the Clarksons, Granny, George and AJ.I have also seen the cake Grandma and Grandpa have bought me for this evening and I know they have bought lots of food .... so thank you to them too!

I really want to play with my new judoon spaceship from Mum and Dad but I must get dressed now because it is schooltime .... except when I say I must get dressed I mean Mum must get me dressed. I may be a big boy of 5 but it is my birthday ....

Breakfast in bed

Phew I've got my blog back .. it was touch and go for a minute but it is my birthday.

I woke up at five past midnight calling for my tray. Mum made me go back to sleep. 7 hours later I turned up in Mum and Dad's bed and so did my tray ....

HIJACK

OK DERBIE ... THIS IS A HOLD-UP.

MUM,DAD,MARTHA AND THE DOCTOR HAVE HIJACKED YOUR BLOG.

WE WILL LET IT GO BUT ONLY WHEN YOU'VE WATCHED THIS ...

READY?

PRESS PLAY.

Tonight was parent's evening ...

... and Mum and Dad weren't very nice to me. They did not let me into Mrs Kemp's classroom. They did not even let me into Mrs Etherington's classroom.

I had to play in the corridor but it wasn't very fun. I looked at a pumpkin and took its lid off. That's about it really!

Mum and Dad told me that Zilly and I are good at school. Cosmic does not go to school but Mrs Kemp said to him that the lego model he made in the corridor was really good - so he didn't feel left out.

Before parents' evening Sarah gave me some early birthday presents - Hans Solo, a frog and a joke book. Thank you Sarah and Lloyd!

Tomorrow's my birthday. Dad says I'll be very grumpy if I don't go to bed now so I'm going upstairs ...

But first let me just tell you about ...

My new Daddy

Dad: How was swimming?

Derbie: Good.

Dad: Why was it good?

Derbie: Because I swam right the way across the pool without putting my feet down. I used a woggle.

Dad: Did Mum kiss Barry?

Derbie: Yes

Dad: But Mum wasn't there.

Derbie: Mum creeped in and kissed Barry on the back and then creeped out.

Mum: What do you want to call today's blog entry?

Derbie: Mummy and Barry about to marry.

The greasy poll

Every week from school I get talk homework. A sheet of paper is put in my bookbag and it gives me a suggested topic and questions to discuss with my family. Everyone in Kingslea gets given it .... for example this term we have had:

* LANGUAGE: - Can you say hello in any languages other than English? What language would you like to be able to speak?

* WORDS: - "What is your favourite word?" - "Why do you like it?" etc.

Sometimes the talk homework is chosen because it is about a special event (Harvest, World Book Day or something) and other times the subject is totally random.

I have decided every Monday I am going to put up a poll. Sometimes the question will be based on other stuff going on and sometimes it will just be because I fancy it.

It will be a bit like voting on the Wii which Zilly and I love.

I have just put up my first poll. Vote now!

Great new game

I ask everybody for 8 things they love about Derbie and they tell me.

Anyone can play ...

Mum the nit

I hate nit combing.

Dad put yukky stuff on our hair and Mum attacked us with a rally small scrathy comb ... just for a change.

Cosmic screamed.

I threw water in Mum's face.

Zillyan told Dad she wished Mum was a nit. Then Dad could kill her with goo and wash her down the plughole.

Mum loves nit combing.

Let us eat more cake

Zilly went to Megan's party today and Lara, Cos and I played in Horsham Park and had lunch at the Conservatory Cafe.

Before Lara went home we ate more cake at our house. It is Alex's birthday tomorrow and we got to sing Happy Birthday all over again ...

Let us eat cake

Dori babysat for us last night because the grown-ups were going out for Grandma's birthday.

Before they went out we all ate cake and sang to Grandma.

We're breaking free

We went to Nymas Gardens again yesterday with Lara and the Family Ross. Dad stayed at home because he has been working really hard and needed a rest.

We looked inside the house this time and Zill, Lara and I did the quiz. We had to find things and shapes around the house. We filled in all our sheets and then we were given certificates. I cannot wait to show Mrs Etherington and Mrs Harris!

It was a lovely day and we played tag outside. Home was the centre of the little rose garden outside the house. We were only allowed to stay
there for 10 seconds though and then we weren't safe anymore.

We also went into the vestibule and pretended to be statues. Nobody blinked. I took lots of photos includng very nice ones of Cat and Torrin. And we jumped on the grown-ups backs and pretended we were flying .... soaring ... there wasn't a star in heaven we couldn't reach!

The Family Iris

THE FAMILY IRIS

Synopsis:

The friends gather in the living room for a gymnastics show with tinsel. The friends introduce Little Aunt Iris and Medium Aunt Iris joins in too. They cement their friendship with a song and dance and we learn that they have someone special looking over them. It is of course the omnipotent figure of Great Aunt Iris. But there is a twist at the end .... might the friends have to get together all over again.

Cast:

Little Aunt Iris - Cosmic

Medium Aunt Iris - Derbie

Big Aunt Iris - Kier Hardie

Zillyan - playing herself

Emily - playing herself

Does my bum look big in this?

Mum showed me this picture of Barack Obama and John McCain.

They both want to be President of America but only one will win the competition.

People who live in America will decide who is going to be President. They get to vote for their favourite.

I think John McCain looks silly in this picture. He is trying to cuddle Barak Obama's butt.

I think Barack Obama will become the new President. I think more people will vote for him because John McCain isn't very nice (Mum says she wants everyone to know she did not write this bit and blames Alex Ross).

Tiny pop

Mum and Dad cancelled Sky because they didn't want to pay for it anymore and they thought we watched Tiny Pop too much.

Dad bought a BT box and package and it does not show Tiny Pop.

Mum and Dad were pleased. We were cross.

Now Sky has gone it appears we can still get Tiny Pop. It is a free channel and even though we don't pay anymore we still get it through our old Sky box.

We are pleased. Mum and Dad are cross.

So that's why Mum and Dad hate clowns...

Zillyan & I watching a Sarah Jane Adventure with scary clowns:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRANDMA!

Park with deer

Look what Mum found out today .... the true meaning of Derbie.

And there's more ..... click here.

Cheltenham revisited

Now I have caught up on my sleep I am going to tell you a bit more about Cheltenham.

I really enjoyed seeing the authors. My favourite author was Simon Bartram because he writes about aliens and spaceships which I really like.

My favourite show was Wizard Magic though because Zilly and I got to make a potion that turned into chocolate.

Zilly and I would like to go to the festival again next year. I would like to meet the author that writes Harry Potter (Mum says she is called JK Rowling. She also says that she is very famous and might not be free to come to Cheltenham but I hope she is!).

I also want to meet the person that writes the books about King Arthur and Robin Hood. Mum says she is called Marcia Williams and she bought me one of her books from the bookshop Waterstones tent!

A couple of years ago Zilly, Zara and I went to see Julia Donaldson. I would like to see her again too but not the Gruffalo because I know that very well already. Julia Donaldson wrote a book called "Paula is a vet". It is a learning to read book and it was part of the show we went to before. Mum bought this book for me too - it is the first time we have seen it in a bookshop and we were all very excited.

I told Mrs Shadbolt all about Cheltenham today. She asked me questions about the weekend and seemed very interested.

Round and about in Cheltenham

Dad and Matt went to see Captain Jack and the man that writes Doctor Who after "Wizard Magic".

Mum took us to play in the local park and Zill and I made friends with a boy called Charlie. He was cool. We all spinned very fast on the roundabout, climbed tress and went on a huge climbing frame with bigger kids.

Charlie asked if we lived in Cheltenham. We said no and asked Mum if we can move up here. Mum said no.

Then we went for pizza and Mum bought us some books to read when we get home. I am very tired now but will write a bit more tomorrow if I can keep my eyes open ......

"Wizard Magic"

All change after Pugwash into our wizard outfits for "Wizard Magic" - also at the Queen's Hotel. Dad took Zill and I to this while Mum went for a walk with Cosi and I think it was my favourite.

The author who spoke to us is called Sue and she writes books about a boy wizard called Oliver Moon. Mum is reading us one from the library at the moment and it is about the time Oliver's Dad becomes a teacher at the school and messes up all the potion preperations. It is very funny.

Sue made spells with us and she chose Zilly and I from the audience to help her. We made a chocolate spell and at the end got to eat it.

We also made door hangers and sue signed some books for us at the end. We also bought books for Lara and for Mum and Dad's Godson,Oli, in New Zealand because he has the same name as Master Moon !

Captain Pugwash

Before Captain Pugwash we changed into our pirate costumes - even Cosi!

Dad and Matt had spent the morning learning how to write short films and Dad, Mum and us three small rustoms were all going to Captain Pugwash at the Queens Hotel - very near the tents.

When we arrived a lady read us a pugwash story and then we played loads of pirate games. There were loads of other kids dressed as pirates and it was really good fun - we played "Captain Pugwash says"; "Walk the Plank" and pulled funny pirate faces to scare everyone.

Present

Time:1215 Loc: Outside the Times tent, Cheltenham
Current status: eating our lunch.

Past and future

Time:1200 noon Loc: Outside the book tent (Waterstones), Cheltenham

Position: What we have done and where we are going.

Meeting Bob

First up this morning was the Book-it Tent and Bob.

Bob is the Man on the Moon. Bob was invented by Simon Bartram.
Simon told us all about Bob's old adventure and then all about his new one - and Bob's new best friend.

Cosi missed it though because he started crying at the beginning and Mum had to take him out!

Simon was helped by Mum's friend Jayne. After Simon talked to us and showed us pictures from his stories on a big projector, he signed our books.

Thank God Its Dinnertime

This is exciting as I am blogging from a restaurant - TGI Friday in Cheltenham. I am using dad's telephone!

We are staying in a hotel because we are going to the literary festival tomorrow.

I have ordered Oreo Milkshake but I am not convinced. Perhaps I am too excited!

Oli

After school yesterday, Mum and I went round to see Sarah and Lloyd's new kitten, Oli.

I have met him before but it was the first time for Mum. I played with him for ages and watched him chase his toy round and round in circles! He even tried to pounce on Mum's camera cord!

Cosi was going to come too but he had to go to the doctor with Dad. His ears and throat are sore. Zill went swimming with Ocean and had tea at her house ... she also won the "round the world cup" again ... ! Mum says she's building up enough airmiles for us all to go and visit uncle Brian in New Zealand .... keep practicing your times tables Zill!

When I grow up ...

I like talking to Mum when she is in the bath. Mum says this is because she is a captive audience and I like talking.

Tonight I told Mum what I wanted to be when I grow up. I want to be a shopkeeper and a starship commander but I focussed on the shop part ...

I am going to have a shop and cafe. It will sell vegetables that I grow and meat. The meat is for any carnivorous dinosaurs that want to visit - I draw the line at dinosaurs who eat people though. They will not be welcome.



I will sell seeds when it is the seed season. Onion, garlic, leeks .... to name but a few. When it is not seed season I will sell toys.

I will also have a room full of computer games -Wii and DS games especially. I will open this room when it rains as people will want to play these games in bad weather.

My shop and cafe will proabaly be called "Shop and Cafe" ... I decided against "Baddies" or "Shop and cafe with seeds and DS games and ....". It will not be in Russia, America or Germany. It will be in Scotland - near our house.

It may be in the woods with the squirrels and the rabbits. Mum said no one would find it there but Zilly shouted out from her bedroom that I could put notices telling people in the papers. She was evesdropping.

People may get lost on the way to the woods though so maybe it won't be in the woods ... or in a cave - another fleeting thought.

If a bomb goes off on earth I will take my shop and cafe on my spaceship.

Zilly want to be a shoe shop lady.

Ear you are Nick

Ear you are Nick
Originally uploaded by VeggieV

Nick came after school to give our garden some love and attention.

I helped him by pulling up some weeds and putting them in his bucket. I also helped him harvest some more of our sweetcorn and brussel sprouts.

Nick took some of our plants to Grandpa's so they can live in his greenhouse now it is getting cold. He took the chillies, aubergine and peppers. Nick and Grandpa have VERY green fingers.

Catch me if you can ...

Owen gave me a cuddle when we got into school this morning and he can come to my party - yay!

Owho's Mum gave me lots of kisses .... she said that served me right for shouting "can't catch me" at her and chasing her around the playground! Not sure I've learnt my lesson ..... wait til tomorrow Trudie!

Kisses are yuuuuukkkkkkkkyyyyyyyy!

Going to buy some food ...

Zill and I were really good today.

At school Zilly dressed as a girl from 1666 and watched people act out scenes from the fire of London.

Mrs Etherington put my invitations in my friends' bookbags and all of rabbits danced and sang with Mr Sexton in the big hall. Here is the song we sang:


After school we had our music lessons. Michelle (Zill's piano teacher) and Kay both told us we had practiced really well and it showed. Sarah gave us ice cream to celebrate.

Cosi had a good day too - he went to the Bluebell Railway with Sarah and Lauren (Sarah's friend who is also a nanny). They met Thomas.

Once an ugly duckling ...

Swimming last night and Sarah picked up my certificate - Duckling Award grade 5. I worked really hard to achieve this and my I think my teacher Barry is pleased too.

This is what I had to do :
- Show the sequence -jump in the water, turn around, swim back to the point of entry and hold the rail or side
- Submerge completely and blow bubbles under the water
- Push and glide achieving a distance of 2 metres on the front or back
- Float on the front or back and regain standing/vertical position
- Swim 5 metres on the front OR back using an over water arm recovery
- Exit safely showing correct use of the ladder (or steps if no ladder available)

Mum put it in my certificate folder when she got home from work.

Ahoy there!

Mum finished making my party invitations last night and Sarah laminated them and added the finishing touches today.

I think Potty the Pirate will be proud.

All fired up!

All fired up!
Originally uploaded by VeggieV

Zilly is studying the Great Fire of london at school so after the party we went to the Museum of London in the Barbican.

They have a Great Fire exhibition and we saw lots of cool stuff and played on their 1666 computer game.

William, Di and Tim joined us and afterwards we went for hot chocolate and biscuits.

We walked down Fleet Street and saw a couple of buildings which survived the fire. We also saw the Monument which was put up to remind people that the fire happened.

Party people

DSC01677
Originally uploaded by VeggieV

Later yesterday morning we headed up to High Wycombe for Freya's 4th birthday and Enzo's 2nd birthday party.

We played on a bouncy castle and I got to open 2 layers on pass the parcel.

The party was at Freya's nursery and there were lots of toys to play with. Cosi really loved the dolls including a scary half person/ half lion baby.

I sat next to Enzo at lunch and afterwards Zill and I watched the two birthday folk blow out their candles.

Happy birthday small BenHelens!

Mr Spoon

We are about to leave to go to Enzo's bithday party BUT before we go I just want to share my party trick with you.

I was doing it at breakfast while we debated which the Pevensy children we (a) liked the most and (b) was most sensible (footnote 1). Dad said I had to blog my talent. It seems to make my family laugh a lot.

footnote 1 - I think Peter is most sensible. Zill thinks Susan.

Tonight Matthew I'm going to be...

Tonight Matthew I'm going to be...
Originally uploaded by VeggieV

..Tom Thumb.

This is my outfit for Thumberlina which I am performing as part of the Petit School of Dancing show at the Hawth next May.

Miss Joan bought this shirt especially for me and Dawn helped Dad pick me out some jazz pants.The girls are wearing blue skirts with stars on.

I thnk the shirt is very pretty but it itches around the neck!

Dad says I look like Disco Stu and Mum says the shirt matches my eyes.

Kung-Fu Fighting

Star experiment
Originally uploaded by VeggieV

Zilly was star pupil at school today . She used great vocabulary in a story and was given a certificate signed by Mr Goodhall. She was also allowed to chose a little present - she came home with a small cuddly rabbit.

She also won a trophy for coming first in "Around the World". This had something to do with her two times table - she has to give it back on Monday though.

To celebrate we all had takeaway fish and chips for dinner and watched Kung Fu Panda. It is a great film. After we watched it Zill (clearly the Tigress) and I fought on the sofa; Cosmic fell down the stairs trying to be Kung Fu Panda and I slipped off the bathroom stool pretending to be the famous five monkey.

Everybody was Kung Fu Fighting.