Bouncing Ben

Trying out the new trampoline centre in town -

I think we may be here a LOT!

Three Teens

Kathie and I have been friends now for over ten years - 

back when we met - we had a 2 year old, a 3 year old and a 6 year old -

some how {in the blink of an eye} out little children are now 13,14 and 17!

Eleanor is now as tall as Megs {she's in a pair of heels in this picture}

Love these girls!

At least the sunflowers are blooming {in the rain}

So far I've spent 3 of my precious summer mornings in school -

hoping that now I can get away with just the odd pop in to drop stuff off-

at least I got to see the first of the sunflowers in the Nursery garden in bloom -

though they have proved to be the most rubbish sunflowers ever -

about a metre tall - they were meant to be Russian giants!

Ben.... meet Ben

We went to see Ant Man at the IMAX Liverpool One

{Ben, Al and myself had seen it last week when Megs was away -

she sulked - we didn't object to another viewing - and Jamie came too!}

After the film {it's good} Ben was delighted to find a "life sized" Thing.

Some say that our Ben was named after the gentle giant Ben Grimm - 

and they'd be partially correct!

Bikes on a Saturday

Trying out Ben's new bike at the park 

I grabbed Megs helmet in a hurry -

adjusted the internal fit - and thought it fine.

It was only when i saw this selfies that I realized that i looked like a numpty 

with a tiny helmet on my big head!

I won't be doing that again!

Meeting baby Leo

We all had turns cuddling the gorgeous Leo - 

Laura and Wayne's beautiful 4 month old baby.

He might of been rather unimpressed when we went to the local carvery for lunch -

but be was mostly really happy and well behaved!

It was just lovely to see him for the first time -

as well as Wayne and Laura - 

it's not like we can just pop over to Aberdeen for a visit!

And with a flurry of cupcakes.....

..... another school year is over.

Of course, Megs finished a couple of weeks ago - 

but today Ben left Year 9 behind -

and I said goodbye to most of my Nursery classes as they headed off to big school.

The last day of term is always exciting, and sad in equal measure -

this year - as I question how long I want to keep teaching -

I received some of the kindest and most heartfelt words from parents.

I know how much difference I've made to these children and to their families.

If I could just be left alone to do what I know is right then I would teach forever.

But as things stand, I am going to have to move on.

Another teacher will be leaving the profession

{not just yet - but I have a plan - an exit strategy that excites me,} 

But for today - there are cakes!

Megan's trip to London

Last week Megs had a solo trip to London to stay with Jonathan, Karen and (of course) Katharine!

On Saturday they spent the day at the Queen Elizabeth Park

{the former Olympic Park}

A bit quieter than the last time we were there!

MIF15 - The Skriker and Wonder.land

Every other year our July is marked by Manchester International (arts) Festival -

At MIF11 we were immersed in the world of Doctor Who - 

chased by a weeping angel and finding the key to the TARDIS during the wonderful

CRASH OF THE ELYSIUM by Punchdrunk

{there was an awful lot of running!}

At MIF13 I wept at the beauty of Mikhail Baryshnikov's movement in THE OLD WOMAN

We were mesmerised by Maxine Peake's performance of THE MASQUE OF ANARCHY in a candle lit Albert Hall

And of course we were just blown away by Kenneth Brannagh and Alex Kingston in MACBETH

{and to top it all I "met" the god like Tom Hiddleston!}

And so to MIF15 - 

Two days - two very different shows.

Saturday night saw us meet up with Kathie to experience the

 powerful and disturbing Skriker-

Maxine Peake yet again - a stunning lead performance - 

but the set and soundscape and ensemble were all breathtaking -

Megan kept muttering about verfrendungseffekt and Brecht -

and i will never think of faeries the same way again!

Don't be fooled by the smiles in the photo - we were still in a state of shock!

For a complete change of pace on the Sunday -

Megs, Ben and I had a sunny afternoon in the city -

and saw the new Damon Albarn musical wonder.land

The reviews had been mixed - 

but we really enjoyed the mix of traditional musical and multimedia -

with a a clear message for teenagers and virtual and real worlds.

Well worth a watch when it transfers to the National in the autumn!

Let loose in London

Megs and Jamie's day trip to London - 

surviving train delays and  tube strikes -

to see their hero Carrie Hope Fletcher in Les Miserables!

Megan's 17th Birthday

Church in the morning - then an afternoon/evening party at Gma's house

It was meant to be outside affair - 

but the huge storm at 3pm rather put paid to that -

 so there was a quick Plan B move to the living room!

Just look at him

Kitted out for a day of sports at school

CHESS!

After weeks of hearing about very little from Megan but the latest goings on at Chess rehearsals -

it was finally show week.

I saw it twice - Thursday and Friday and it was truly brilliant!

Some amazing solo performances -

and the ensemble was spot on!

Well done Megs and the Centre of Excellence - roll on November and......

Copacabana!