The girls went to their friend's gymnastics party at the week end.  It involved an hour of using some fab gym equipment at a huge gymnastics centre.  Having spent 6 years at weekly gymnastic lessons themselves, it was lovey to see the girls putting their skills to use.

Here are a  few more extras from our week:

Our annual safari park tickets mean we can nip there whenever we feel like a break - and going during term time means we have it all to ourselves!

Panda Girl did some lovely sums on her number line.  She used teddy to do the jumping.

Outside break during some early spring sunshine.  The Boy and Ballet Girl did some necessary trampoline bouncing, Panda Girl had fun with chalk and Monkey Girl...?  Well she took her book, as she does wherever she goes.  She can't even brush her teeth without reading a book, apparently.

On the Farm

Our Farm project was cut short but it was a fun thematic unit for the two smallies while the elder two carried on with their daily curriculum.

Face painting.... The Boy chose to be an elephant for his farm animal...

After piano lessons this morning we set up a farm..

...with straw bedding...

...a pond...

...some cow milking (butter and cheese making)...

...egg collecting, horse riding and sheep shearing.

In the afternoon The Boy had a good nap so we knuckled down to some Earth Geography, Maths, English, Science and World Costumes. Then it was books away and dancing shoes on for Tap Dancing, Modern Dancing and an hour of Gymnastics each.

We started our Farm project during the half term last week, with some plaster animals.  This particular thematic unit is aimed more at The Boy(2) and Panda Girl (6) but the other two are enjoying themselves too :)

The Boy loves scissors - just trying to teach him what he can and can't actually cut...

Farm Shop

 Books for the Boy and Panda Girl

The Farm that Grandad made

The kiddies each bought something fun from our local Farm Shop this morning.  Monkey Girl spent the day munching through carrots.

 February: a week after the snow melted, and suddenly we're apparently talking no coats and a pic-nic lunch.  True Brits (with a bit o' French :)

Making butter with Uncle Anthony.   A good excuse for some loud music and a bit of jumping.

Shrove Tuesday = Pancakes!!  And when Mummy's brother is visiting it's just completely awesome :)

I have 3 exhausted daughters after they completed 12 hours of rehearsals on Thursday and Friday and then 4 full ballets and 4 tap dancing shows over the week end.  I witnessed some of the back-stage frantic costume changes, including my Panda Girl changing from Fairy to Christmas Tree in seconds and my two eldest changing from tap-dancing Pyjama-ed Girls into Rockin' Robins  - and with over 60 children performing, the organisation and production was no mean feat.  They performed beautifully and I was a very proud Mummy.

Today my gorgeous ballerinas/tap dancers spent 6 hours rehearsing with their dance school, for their forthcoming ballet and tap&modern shows this weekend....

...while The Boy helped Nanny Mo feed her ducks and chickens...

...and brought an old nest home for our nature table.

This morning we shopped for new ballet shoes and The Boy bought himself a plastic snake with some money I gave him.  He later demonstrated to his sisters how to 'eat' it a la Bear Grylls much to their amusement.  This afternoon  he watched the plumber at work and napped a much needed nap before we had friends over for dinner.

Craft time

Watching/helping Papa gut a rainbow trout.

So far, half term has consisted of...

...playing with cousins...

...a craft session at the Forest Centre...

...story-telling...

...and a visit to the safari park.