What a busy Half Term we have had..

Half Term and school holidays always seem to arrive very quickly. We had several activities and outings planned to fill the days with a little excitement thrown in. Raffi's first excitement came when Eric surprised him by bringing home a mini motorbike..

but his excitement soon turned to crossness when he realised he would not actually be riding it as the bike was just TOO big! (Besides, mother would not allow it and mother was truly thankful it was non functional!!!)

Fortunately grumpiness does not last long with Raphael, he is quite easily distracted, but has a painfully good memory when it comes to promises. I am careful what I promise! Thank goodness I was able to tell him we had all been invited to a Bouncy Castle/Barbecue Party the next day, he was hugely excited about that thought and was soon smiling again!

Bouncing Party Day finally arrived and he bounced for 5 hours flat!!! totally exhausted on that hot afternoon.

The Barbecue was delicious, Eric cooked the meats and I had prepared and taken a Tabouleh (Middle Eastern Salad). Everyone enjoyed the food especially the younger members at the party. Raffi tucked into garlic chicken kebabs with great gusto!!

Bank Holiday Monday (surprisingly) dawned with exceptionally clear sky's, just right for a walk at The Humber Bridge Country Park, Hessle.

We all enjoyed our walk, although having Raffi's bike with us was a nuisance, we spent most of the time pushing it!

Raffi and I enjoying one of those cuddles (they get less as they get older)!

Just Eric

Back in the car-park after our walk, Raphael's Scooter came out of the boot of the car, he just loves this Pooh Bear Ride on Scooter and can get some amazing speeds up. He was wonderfully happy to have so much space and freedom to scoot in.

Friday of Half Term saw us pack up for the day and travel to Hornsea beach, this is our closest beach, about an hour up the East coast from Hull. We arrived at lunch time to buy the BEST fish and chips ever, ate them in the car with tomato sauce and wooden forks, looking out on the breezy North Sea!

Once we got settled on the beach, Raphael immediately started collecting stones, to build a house!


then....digging holes, for chairs!


After digging and playing Eric and Raphael took an amble down to the waters edge, just for a very short paddle in the super cold water!!

Home time and an hours drive inland back into Hull where the sun was shinning 5 degrees hotter. Ah well, it was great to see Raffi enjoying himself so much, worth it for the smiles. It was an excellent but exhausting day on the beach.

Amazingly the sun shone again early on Sunday morning. Just right for The Race For Life for cancer research. Raffi and I planned to cheer our good friends Hannah, Etta and Nicola on in an all female 5K race.

Below, one of many pictures of the staggered start. Runners, joggers, walkers, wheelchairs set off on a brilliant pink fund raising cause, competitors of all ages and abilities negotiated the 5K course with the winner finishing in about 18 minutes!!!

Most participants were dressed in pink or original costumes providing a moving train of spectacular colours around the course. Fantastic! If you would like to see many more pictures of this event please take a look here
http//hullisneverdull.blogspot.com/

This crazy woman started, walked and finished in those wild stacked shoes, nice one!

Raphael has had an exciting week off nursery school. He now enters his final nursery term, I am a little sad, (needless to say, he isn't) about him starting primary school. He is great company and I shall miss him at home every afternoon. He keeps telling me "I am a big boy now" and he is so impatient, wanting to join the older children.....and run as fast as them!!!

Not long Raphael, not long.