Not a lot of it, but snow all the same. About 1cm fell last night. Enough for a snowball fight with the Hobbits before taking them to school this morning.
Not deep enough for the new sledge yet, however Frodo had a sledge like experience at his adventure playground, when I went to pick him up he was enjoying sliding down an icy hill on a large tarpaulin.
Tuesday 30 November 2010
Wednesday 24 November 2010
Back to the '80's RUSH - Time Machine
Back to the '80's in more than one way today.
Nipped out at lunchtime to purchase a Clarinet 'sling' for Samwise, who is starting his first lessons on this instrument at school, and needs a little support when playing.
Found the city centre literally overrun by police - I counted 10 police vans in Victoria square, blue lights flashing roadblocks at every major junction around the city centre, the town hall surrounded by uniformed police, large groups of police patrolling the streets and a helicopter buzzing overhead.
I could hear the chanting of what looked like a thousand or more students demonstrating against the cuts as they marched down Lord street. All very orderly, no doubt due to the heavy police presence, although they kept sitting down every so often as part of the protest.
Reminded me of a similar experience I had down the shops in Wolverhampton in the '80's, - no riot helmets, shields and batons in evidence this time though.
I've just ordered my ticket for RUSH at the Manchester Evening News Arena next May.
They're doing their entire 1980 album "Moving Pictures" live on stage. Looking forward to going back to this with them.
Nipped out at lunchtime to purchase a Clarinet 'sling' for Samwise, who is starting his first lessons on this instrument at school, and needs a little support when playing.
Found the city centre literally overrun by police - I counted 10 police vans in Victoria square, blue lights flashing roadblocks at every major junction around the city centre, the town hall surrounded by uniformed police, large groups of police patrolling the streets and a helicopter buzzing overhead.
I could hear the chanting of what looked like a thousand or more students demonstrating against the cuts as they marched down Lord street. All very orderly, no doubt due to the heavy police presence, although they kept sitting down every so often as part of the protest.
Reminded me of a similar experience I had down the shops in Wolverhampton in the '80's, - no riot helmets, shields and batons in evidence this time though.
I've just ordered my ticket for RUSH at the Manchester Evening News Arena next May.
They're doing their entire 1980 album "Moving Pictures" live on stage. Looking forward to going back to this with them.
Sunday 14 November 2010
Flag Bearer
Remembrance Sunday, and therefore a Church Parade for the local Beavers, Cubs and Scouts. Samwise didn't want to go to a "boring old Church Parade", however I felt that he should attend, since they are a church funded group, so I went along with him.
He's glad he went now, because he got to carry the flag for his Beaver Colony. Felt quite proud of him as I watched him march up the aisle.
Felt sorry for the nervous bugle player, hitting a few bum notes when playing 'The Last Post'.
He's glad he went now, because he got to carry the flag for his Beaver Colony. Felt quite proud of him as I watched him march up the aisle.
Felt sorry for the nervous bugle player, hitting a few bum notes when playing 'The Last Post'.
Saturday 13 November 2010
Friday 12 November 2010
Week Off
Had a busy week off work, sourcing a new bathroom and sorting various things out for the boys. I was meant to be doing some work around the house, and tidying/sorting but that went by the wayside, as usual.
Frodo had a speech therapy review, and he's made some great progress. We also went to investigate a future high school for him (a couple of years off yet, but we have to make a choice soon). We had a tour of one that seems to fit the bill, and have an appointment with the headmaster in a couple of weeks.
A good report for Samwise from a parents evening for his class. "A polite, hard-working little boy who is a credit to you". We think that he may have been replaced by a pod-person on the way to school :)
Frodo had his first riding lesson today, at our local stables/riding school.
This went extremely well, so he's now booked in for regular weekly sessions.
Also swimming lessons booked for both boys on Sunday, to help improve Frodo's swimming ability, and to give Samwise some structured practice.
Frodo had a speech therapy review, and he's made some great progress. We also went to investigate a future high school for him (a couple of years off yet, but we have to make a choice soon). We had a tour of one that seems to fit the bill, and have an appointment with the headmaster in a couple of weeks.
A good report for Samwise from a parents evening for his class. "A polite, hard-working little boy who is a credit to you". We think that he may have been replaced by a pod-person on the way to school :)
Frodo had his first riding lesson today, at our local stables/riding school.
This went extremely well, so he's now booked in for regular weekly sessions.
Also swimming lessons booked for both boys on Sunday, to help improve Frodo's swimming ability, and to give Samwise some structured practice.
Saturday 6 November 2010
Remember Remember...
Looked like it was going to be a washout, but at the last minute the rain stopped, so I ventured out with Frodo and Samwise last night to the firework display at Sefton Park, which was better than ever.
This year they'd flown the sound system from 2 cranes, so the music was a lot louder than I've heard it in previous years. Frodo jumped about 6 feet when the D.J. opened up.
We took torches, wore a glow-stick each around our necks and the boys had high visibility waistcoats on. We were commended on our 'sensible attire' by a motorcycle policeman as we left the park. I'm not so sure as I'm sure one or two motorists were blinded by a strobing LED torch in the hands of a small boy.
This year they'd flown the sound system from 2 cranes, so the music was a lot louder than I've heard it in previous years. Frodo jumped about 6 feet when the D.J. opened up.
We took torches, wore a glow-stick each around our necks and the boys had high visibility waistcoats on. We were commended on our 'sensible attire' by a motorcycle policeman as we left the park. I'm not so sure as I'm sure one or two motorists were blinded by a strobing LED torch in the hands of a small boy.
Doctor Who Live
Spoilers!...
Told the boys that we were going for a ride in the new car on Tuesday night.
We parked up and went for a short walk in the rain - into the Echo Arena. They started to twig when they saw the merchandise on sale. Bought a program and a couple of souvenirs, showed the tickets that I'd hidden away 6 months ago and then went to our seats on the floor of the Arena.
Samwise was absolutely gobsmacked. His mouth was wide open from start to finish. Frodo was a little put out that we'd tricked him, but perked up when he saw his favourite monsters.
The theme of the show was based on an old Jon Pertwee episode that I first saw on TV when I was 9 years old - Carnival of Monsters (and here I am taking my 9 year old son to see the sequel!).
Nigel Planar (Vorgenson) played the son of the chap (Vorg) who was shrinking creatures and putting them inside a machine for entertainment purposes. Vorgenson was up to much the same thing, giving an excuse to have several different creatures from the last series in one place.
Matt Smith wasn't there, but played his part from 'inside the Tardis' on a video screen, with the characters on stage interacting with the projection.
The monsters came thick and fast, entering from all sides of the arena and moving amongst the audience. We were in the back row, and most of them marched in right behind us. Ood, Silurians, Judoon, Clockwork Robots, Weeping Angels, Scarecrows, Vampires of Venice, Winders, Smilers, Cybermen and of course Daleks. Everyone was twisting and turning in their seats to see what was coming next and where from.
The Judoon scanned members of the audience to see if they were 'Hu-man'. Winston Churchill marvelled at a mobile phone, and asked the children of the future if they all had 'internets' at home. Queen Liz ran around the crowd firing her pistol. The Scarecrows shuffled around during the interval, posing for pictures, and staring at small children (most of whom' fended them off with the latest sonic screwdriver they'd brought with them).
The Weeping Angels (Frodo's favourite) were superbly presented. The Doctor told everyone 'Whatever you do Don't Blink!' and two Angel statues appeared. 3 'policemen' came in to investigate. The audience was then blinded with white light. When the light faded the Angels had moved, and a policeman had disappeared. This went on until the last policeman had gone and the image of a giant menacing Angel was over the audience.
Samwise loved the Cybermen, who marched in step right beside us, dragged an 'unsuspecting parent' out of the audience and deleted him, and then battled with the new Daleks onstage. We were treated to one of each of the new Dalek types. Samwise pointed that the white one hadn't appeared, then it did, flying overhead.
All of this was played out to the musical accompaniment of an orchestra conducted by Murray Gold - who was dressed like Matt Smith, but with David Tennant's hairstyle.
Speaking of which, when a montage of all the Doctor's was shown, there was a huge cheer for David Tennant's image!
More info at Doctor Who Live
In all, a superb family show, mind you there were plenty of adults there who hadn't brought any children along. Just wish we'd brought a sofa with us to hide behind.
Told the boys that we were going for a ride in the new car on Tuesday night.
We parked up and went for a short walk in the rain - into the Echo Arena. They started to twig when they saw the merchandise on sale. Bought a program and a couple of souvenirs, showed the tickets that I'd hidden away 6 months ago and then went to our seats on the floor of the Arena.
Samwise was absolutely gobsmacked. His mouth was wide open from start to finish. Frodo was a little put out that we'd tricked him, but perked up when he saw his favourite monsters.
The theme of the show was based on an old Jon Pertwee episode that I first saw on TV when I was 9 years old - Carnival of Monsters (and here I am taking my 9 year old son to see the sequel!).
Nigel Planar (Vorgenson) played the son of the chap (Vorg) who was shrinking creatures and putting them inside a machine for entertainment purposes. Vorgenson was up to much the same thing, giving an excuse to have several different creatures from the last series in one place.
Matt Smith wasn't there, but played his part from 'inside the Tardis' on a video screen, with the characters on stage interacting with the projection.
The monsters came thick and fast, entering from all sides of the arena and moving amongst the audience. We were in the back row, and most of them marched in right behind us. Ood, Silurians, Judoon, Clockwork Robots, Weeping Angels, Scarecrows, Vampires of Venice, Winders, Smilers, Cybermen and of course Daleks. Everyone was twisting and turning in their seats to see what was coming next and where from.
The Judoon scanned members of the audience to see if they were 'Hu-man'. Winston Churchill marvelled at a mobile phone, and asked the children of the future if they all had 'internets' at home. Queen Liz ran around the crowd firing her pistol. The Scarecrows shuffled around during the interval, posing for pictures, and staring at small children (most of whom' fended them off with the latest sonic screwdriver they'd brought with them).
The Weeping Angels (Frodo's favourite) were superbly presented. The Doctor told everyone 'Whatever you do Don't Blink!' and two Angel statues appeared. 3 'policemen' came in to investigate. The audience was then blinded with white light. When the light faded the Angels had moved, and a policeman had disappeared. This went on until the last policeman had gone and the image of a giant menacing Angel was over the audience.
Samwise loved the Cybermen, who marched in step right beside us, dragged an 'unsuspecting parent' out of the audience and deleted him, and then battled with the new Daleks onstage. We were treated to one of each of the new Dalek types. Samwise pointed that the white one hadn't appeared, then it did, flying overhead.
All of this was played out to the musical accompaniment of an orchestra conducted by Murray Gold - who was dressed like Matt Smith, but with David Tennant's hairstyle.
Speaking of which, when a montage of all the Doctor's was shown, there was a huge cheer for David Tennant's image!
More info at Doctor Who Live
In all, a superb family show, mind you there were plenty of adults there who hadn't brought any children along. Just wish we'd brought a sofa with us to hide behind.
Monday 1 November 2010
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