New Years Eve - Happy New Year!

 Hannah received this brilliant book for Christmas from her nanny and since we were at home today she decided to try a couple of projects from it. She most wanted to make a sword, so after finding just the right stick she set to work with her trusty Swiss army knife!

 The end result was surprisingly sturdy and effective, she was really pleased with it!

 
Then she found a page on charcoal pencils, and since we didn't have a fire she improvised with a candle,

 and made a great blog message!!!

Happy New Year everyone!!

Outdoors

Yesterday was a beautiful day, cold, frosty and sunshiney and a perfect day to get outside and blow the cobwebs away.

 Hannah was up early and ice-sliding on the pond in her pj's.

Then she had a morning riding lesson on Smudge. She rode really well and is getting much more confident and determined.

After lunch we used our Culture All Passport to visit Staunton Farm.

 Hannah fed the animals,

 ran around with daddy,

This is what you see if Hannah looks down in her pony hat!

 climbed trees,

 and rode a donkey!

A fun end to 2014.

Christmas

Christmas morning gift opening extravaganza!

Boxing Day lego play!

Merry Christmas And A Happy New Year!

                         Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year xxx

Visiting Santa

Today Hannah has been to see Santa at our local garden centre. She is so excited for Christmas now and took all her Christmas creatures with her for the visit!

She also loved meeting the donkeys and goats who were there collecting for Brooke Animal Hospital .

Santa was very friendly and chatted to Hannah for quite a long time, they even talked about her being homeschooled! Then she chose a jigsaw puzzle as her gift before saying goodbye.

Carols By Candlelight

Last night Hannah and I went to the Carols By Candlelight service at St Thomas' Church.
 St Thomas' Church is a beautiful historical church in Bedhampton, the oldest parts of the building  (Chancel Arch and Lower south and west walls) dating back to 1132AD!

St Thomas' Church

Waiting for the service to begin

The church was filled with candles and looked beautiful and very festive.

The service was very traditional with all the carols I remember singing as a child.  Hannah enjoyed it as well and was pleased that she knew most of the carols so she could sing along.

 Not long now 'til Christmas!

Tales Of Winter Magic - Butser Ancient Farm

On Friday Hannah, Dean and I went to the Tales Of Winter Magic celebration at Butser Ancient Farm . We have been to this event a few times in the past and Hannah always really enjoys it. The stories are told by Red Phoenix, sitting around the fire in the Round House, to celebrate the winter solstice.

First we had a look around the farm and Hannah learnt a little about how people would have lived in Iron age and Roman times.

Exploring life in a round house,

 trying some chalk bashing,

View of the village

 and finding out how things looked in a Roman villa.

At twilight we gathered in the Great Round House to wait for the stories to begin.

Hannah in her solstice crown

 The stories were fantastic, funny and interactive, with lots of the children taking part. Hannah had a really good time.

She even came away with a solstice gift which she is planning to open today December 21st.