Non-uniform day. Friday 11th July. This is what Miss Leah wore. Cool or what? I’m not really into the whole skeleton thing I have to admit. Probably the whole association with death thing. But t-shirt is a funny mix. It’s got the whole skeleton thing going on. But in happy jolly colours. And with the stripy wrist warmers and multicoloured necklace, it doesn’t have quite the same ‘emo’ feel that I find so distasteful. It’s all sort of cheery really. And I love the shiny silver shoes.

Almost the end of year 4. And Leah’s school report was brilliant. The headteacher’s summary said:

“She has a  super attitude towards all aspects of school life and is a polite and well mannered girl who is always eager to give of her best…….Keep up the good work Leah”

She’s done really well this year and her confidence has grown a lot. But what I like most about Leah wouldn’t be in her school report. It’s not something teachers would see. I love her attitude towards her friends. I’ve watched Leah with other little people on many occasions. She is a very kind girl. Recently, I watched her with a friend who was telling Leah all the good things a teacher had said to them. I didn’t quite believe her if I’m honest. It sounded a little bit made up. Or at least exaggerated. It was definately said in an “I’m better than you” kind of way. Leah surprised me. She confessed to struggling in that area herself and basically said well done (in her own words). And she sounded like she actually meant it. No hint of jealousy or annoyance. Wow! I still struggle to be pleased for people who do loads better than me. And I’m 36. Another thing she did that made us all really proud was when her friend got a merit at school. She updated her MSN to read well done so-and-so on getting a merit. How lovely is that? She’s funny. She sometimes admits to finding such-and-such a person annoying or a bit rude but then when she next sees them, she treats them as well as the people she really likes. I think she’s turning out lovely!

Leah went to Brownies yester-evening. Emma and my good self collected her. There were lots of small girls in brown standing in a very large circle around a small collection of tents. They had been constructing the tents. I presume this was to develop their survival skills should they ever find themselves alone in a faraway forest and just happen to have a tent on them. Or it may have been more of a confidence-building exercise.

Either way, this prompted Emma and Leah to set up camp in the garden last night…..

Erecting the tent went well. It was of the pop up variety. The airbed was inflacted in seconds with one of Emma’s many gadgets. Watching Leah put on the double duvet-cover was highly entertaining. Emma rescued her in the end. They did indeed sleep in said tent all night long. A variety of cats came and went at leisure. As you can see a good time was had by all. I think Leah is proud of herself. I think she jolly well should be. Well done.

xxxx

After a lovely birthday meal for granny, I stayed at Emma and Elaine’s house. In the morning (after a very good night’s sleep) we got the acrylic paints out and a spare canvas and I set to work. I wore Elaine’s jama’s because my mum wouldn’t have been too impressed if I got paint all over my lovely puffball dress. I drew on paper first to get the creativity going. I didn’t want to ruin the canvas. It all went fairly smoothly and I like the result. What do you think?

It was all good fun!

Leah’s doing her pica. It’s pretty good. She has to type sentences using the right fingers for each letter. There are five lessons each week and one test to send off. The full course lasts four months and finishes with one final test. She’ll then get a certificate. Sometimes she gets a bit bored with it but, bless her, she does it anyway.

The other night me, Leah, Jeanette and Ian nipped out to the painted lady. We had the two meals for six quid deal. I had rare steak. It was lovely. Leah’s friend Grace was there with her family. Grace sat with Leah for a while and they acted daft. As you can see.

Leah made this at Brownies yesterday. It’s cool. The snout unscrews to pour out the dosh! She says: 

“We got a milk carton. We cut the handle off and then we wrapped it in wrapping paper. We stuck the eyes on. We did the legs out of orange pipe cleaner. We stuck them on with white glue. We stuck the ears on top last. Once we had wrapped it up before we had stuck the eyes on, the leaders cut the hole in the top for us.”

Hope you reading this plip

How’s you been? You coming home to your house opposite our house on Thursday, I can’t wait to see you, gonna pick you up and spin ya round til one of us is sick   Then I gonna pick your mum up and give her a big kiss and maybe even pick your dad up.

Things have been quiet here without you, Laine has missed you as well and is really looking forward to seeing you. 

I have been feeding the birds in your garden so hopefully they will all still be there when you get back, I remembered to put the christmas tree away (just).

I bet you’ve had a fantastic time and are all Australian looking, do you have an accent now?  

Will see you you very soon my lovely lovely  

The Pooles have been away for 20 days now.  I am missing my little Plip hugs and the big cheesy grin Net always gives me when she see’s me.  I miss the random reasons Ian and I find to use the trailer to break things or cut them down.  But I’m holding myself together they’ll be back soon and I’m sure they are having a fab holiday

I have been to their house to make sure it still standing, I have eaten most of the minstrels that were left out on the bed.  I haven’t used their phone to ring random people and haven’t turned the water back on and had lots of showers.  I also haven’t had a party and made a mess of the place.  Laine hasn’t eaten the turkish delight either.

I am looking forward to them coming back, but am glad they are having such a nice long holiday.

Leah love you lots and hope you gonna have lots to tell us when you get back.  Big hugs and stuff

 Em x x x x x

It wasn’t the same without you

Hope you are having fun, playing nice, enjoying the weather, that kind of thing.

Big hugs Leah xxx