Christmas 2016

Our first Christmas without my dad, and he was missed a lot, but we still managed to have a lovely time, especially Hannah who was thrilled with her gifts this year. My mum, my sister and her partner came to us for Christmas day, and Dean cooked a lovely Christmas lunch followed by a nice afternoon all together.

Hannah and Dean baked cookies on Christmas eve, and Hannah made a special one for Santa which she left out for him,

We put the family presents around the tree on Christmas eve and put the tree lights on, it looked so pretty!

On Christmas morning Hannah found two stockings and a pile of presents from Santa by the fire.

She had a very exciting morning opening all her gifts, which included a saddle, a historical American Girl doll (Maryellen) and a ticket to go to the ballet to see The Nutcracker.

Happy Hannah

My sister and my mum on Christmas day

Dean is on holiday until January 3rd so we are enjoying a family week this week.

Christmas Eve

Hannah spent Christmas Eve at  her favourite place, the stables. She said that was the best Christmas Eve ever !

Merry Christmas to everyone xx

The London International Horse Show - Olympia

We had such a great day yesterday. Hannah, my sister and I all went up to London to the Olympia Horse Show. My sister bought the tickets as our Christmas present and it was awesome!

We watched the Santa Stakes show jumping,

the Kennel Club dog agility,

the Shetland Grand National (my favourite part of Olympia),

The Portuguese Lusitanos,

and the terrifying extreme driving! Hannah loved the driving and found it really exciting. I watched half of it from behind my hands lol!

Then it was time for the finale with dancing, riding and Santa in his horse drawn sleigh.

After the performance we went around the shopping area as Hannah had some money to spend and was keen to check out the Breyer models. At the Pony magazine stand she discovered that they were selling a book she had been after written by Clare Balding, and Clare Balding was actually there signing copies! They had a lovely chat about riding and the performance we had just watched, and a picture.

It was a really, really good day!

Forest School

This week I organised a forest school session for Hannah and some of her friends as Hannah had been wanting to try one for ages. It was a really damp, foggy day and I was a little worried the weather would spoil it, but it was so much fun. Hannah said that she loved the misty trees, and the campfire under the shelter and the wet woods. Everyone seem to have a really nice time, and Hannah has asked to go again, so i think it was a success.
The children learnt how to make a fire with flint and steel, and all helped with lighting the main campfire. They were able to go off into the wood to explore and play. There were rope swings and trees to climb. They made hot chocolate and toasted marshmallows for s'mores, and, as it's so close to Christmas, they all  made some natural wooden decorations to take home.

Arriving in the woods

So still and misty and beautiful.

Shelter!

Learning how to use the flint and steel

Success :-)

The campfire is alight

and the kettle is on

heading off to explore

Rope swings in the mist

Hannah's Christmas robin

Hannah and Faye making their reindeer

Finished!

Toasting marshmallows

It was run by Releasing Potential who were absolutely brilliant, friendly and really flexible. We will definitely be booking more with them.

Riding, Home Ed Group and Staunton Farm

I'm so behind with my blog! 

Hannah has ridden a few times since my last post, she rode a new pony called Mylo and thought he was fantastic!

And has ridden her favourite pony Murphy.

Hannah and her friend Faye ran a vlogging activity at home ed group. They are currently editing it ready to post to the home ed group.

 Here is a sneak preview screen shot of them.

And we have been to Staunton farm with some friends that we hadn't seen for ages. It was a lovely day despite the rain.