Up, Up and Away

A few days late with this one but soooooo much fun.

Last weekend I had the opportunity to take to the skies and enjoy my birthday gift from some great friends - an Aerobatic Flight. It was a totally amazing experience and luckily the weather stayed just perfect. As the aerobatics were not allowed to take place over the airfield my small spectator group were left watching me disappear into the distance for 30 minutes.

The major high points were loops, barrel rolls, experiencing 4.5G and also experiencing a feeling of weightlessness as the pen from the dashboard floated about the cockpit as if we were in the space shuttle.

Before the flight checking out the plane

After the flight my cheeks ached so much from smiling and grinning like a cheshire cat for half an hour. To quote Lewis' favourite word of the moment 'Awesome'

FUN IN THE PARK

Today was a beautifully sunny one and provided the perfect background for 'Fun in the Park' - an event as Lewis' school where the Form 1's started the afternoon of music singing their 'Harvest Samba'.

Lewis could just be seen in the distance in the front row on a vast stage in a huge school field. Having only been at the school 3 weeks they all did very well singing beautifully and not showing any signs of nerves for such a big occasion.

Singing was followed by lots of fun with friends, including inflatable slides, dodgem cars, climbing walls and craft activities.

Yes Lewis is here - in the middle in a white t-shirt, such a huge area I couldn't get any closer without looking like a pushy parent (thankfully my view was better than the cameras!)

Lewis' first attempt at the climbing wall, this was pretty tough but he made it well over half way

A firm favourite of the afternoon, we lost count how many times he tried this one

And we're off - what more can I say

The smile says it all...

First Day of School

This morning was Lewis first day at this new school. He was very excited from the moment he came into my bedroom and for the first school morning in a long time needed no encouragement to get dressed into his new uniform.

The journey to school today only took 7 minutes (there was no traffic today so I am expecting it to be a little longer next week). I think it actually took longer to walk those huge bags to his classroom. Especially as the sports bag contained as much kit as he would take for a weeks holiday (rugby boots, 2 pairs of trainers, 2 pairs of shorts, 2 rugby shirts, 1 p.e. vest, swimming trunks and a towel - oh, and don't forget the goggles).

The class is a great size with only 16 children in total and Lewis was pleased to see that he had been sat at the front next to someone that he already knew. By this time he was showing signs of being a little nervous and so this helped ease the situation.

At the end of the school day he came running over with a huge hug for me and couldn't wait for me to see in his school bag his new treasures of his Homework Diary and Reading Record Book (they did have some funny monkey pictures on the front after all).

The finishing touches to his uniform

All ready to go - check out the size of that sports bag

Still excited on the car journey

Thanks for the offer mummy but I really can carry this myself

40th Party

Last weekend to continue the 40th Celebrations we had a small gathering of friends at home. Lots of fun - way too much food. The freezer is now full of meals that will last us a long time (luckily we love curry so it will save on take-aways for a few months).

Opening a joint gift from everyone - a voucher for an Aerobatic Stunt flight (Tony hopes that after that even Disney may appear a little boring)

Lots of hugs and kisses of thanks all round

I may be 40 but so full of puff I can blow my candles out in one go

Then the evening sunk into Singstar with a few willing (and not so willing volunteers)

Below Gill and Mandy battle it out. Not sure who won but fully charged with alcohol I think Gill would have continued for hours.

Andy and Chris transform to MC Hammer, while Janet prepares for her performance with a glass of wine

Finally 40 and I Feel Fabulous

I know that I am a little late with this one (as well as being behind with the blog posts this summer) but felt I couldn't let the biggest birthday so far pass without a mention. Party details and photos to follow.

I was lucky enough to be brought breakfast in bed before we boarded the train and headed off to London. We had a short look around the British museum after a pancake brunch and then off to my favourite part - the shopping.

We visited almost every store in Hatton Garden to find exactly what I wanted and I was not disappointed. The diamond necklace I chose is fabulous and I am looking for any excuse to wear it.

A few photos below including a fantastic present from Dad.

Lewis making the most of the freedom before we started the shopping expedition

Lewis and I in the distance at the British Museum

Blowing out my candle before desert at Smollenskys in the Strand

This is the great pastel drawing that dad sent me from Australia. It now has pride of place in our bedroom.

Lavender Fields Photography

Yesterday was a beautiful sunny evening (what a difference to recent days) and so we decided to go for a walk to the local lavender fields over in Banstead. My two favourite guys took their cameras and I have posted a few of the photos here:

Tony's photo of Lewis' photo of me

So many bees in the field all being snapped by Lewis, but his is one of the few that made the grade:

Lewis was extremely proud of this one - maybe a nature photographer in the making:

4th July - State Ball

Last Saturday was time for our School Summer Ball. Always good fun but this year exceeded expectations and was even more fun that usual.

As the Ball was being held on 4th July it was given a US theme. The quiz sheets on the table all had US questions to be answered and puzzles to be solved. I am pleased to announce that our table was triumphant in our victory and all thoroughly enjoyed sharing the large box of Thorntons chocolates as our prize (i-phones are jolly useful at times).

Purple did seem to be the chosen colour of the day:

Mr Blake decided not to be outdone on the sparkles:

The Gang (some starting to look a little worse for wear). I have to point out that Tony was the only one not drinking as he was driving!!

Kung Fu & A Day Trip to London

Saturday began the same as any other with Lewis off to Kung Fu. This week he seemed to be having a lot more fun than usual - but being allowed to throw someone on the ground does look like fun:

Then we decided to go on a family day out to London to visit the O2 (New name for the Millenium Dome) and to view the Bodyworlds exhibition.

Typical of London Transport the Jubilee Underground Line was closed for the weekend and so we needed alternative transport. We chose the river and it was a great choice on such a beautifully sunny day.

Finally we got to our destination and what a happy little boy we had. The exhibition was fascinating. Lewis wrote in the guest book at the end: "Very interesting - Lewis age 7. I want to be a surgeon".

Weddings & Slides

On Saturday, we all went to the wedding of Richard Preston at Harvington Hall Nr. Kidderminster. http://www.harvingtonhall.com

The ceremony took place at a tiny village church in Dodford, and we made it by the skin of our teeth arriving just moments before the bride. Usual M25 traffic had held up the early part of our journey, so we seemed to fly the rest of the way.

The weather kept threatening to rain but luckily we remained dry, if not always warm! Harvington Hall was an extremely old and fascinating place, and after lunch Lewis took on the role of tour guide showing others guests the amazing nooks and crannies he had been discovered.

On Sunday we purchased a new addition to the garden toys. After selling the old slide and climbing frame on e-bay Lewis chose this huge inflatable slide which takes up most of the garden. The only advantage being it deflates at the end of the day leaving an empty garden again. He can't wait for some extra warm weather so he can have water in the pool at the bottom and make the slide even faster to shoot down!

Yes - it really is 3 metres high!!!!!

Classic Cars

Today was, for a change, beautiful and sunny - perfect for an outdoor outing. Tony was photographing at a Classic Car Rally and Lewis and I enjoyed going along for the ride too. The setting was perfect for car enthusiasts as it was held at the Brooklands car museum. So whilst Tony was busy taking photos Lewis and I also managed to look around the museum at the other exhibits.

Enjoying the opportunity to sit in this MGB

One of the highlights of the afternoon was watching many of these old cars attempt the 1:4 Test Track Hill Climb.

This patriotic looking car was Lewis favourite:

The steep descent at the end of the afternoon:

Dr Blake I Presume???

For some time now Lewis has been showing a very healthy interest in the workings of the human body. He recently watched two operations being performed on tv, one was a brain tumour being removed and the other was for heart bypass surgery!! He was totally fascinated by both of these, the only disappointment being that the hole made in the skull was too small to see much of the brain itself.

After watching he confirmed what we have suspected for some time, in that he would like to be a doctor or surgeon when he grows up but wondered how he could practise in the meantime.

Always parents to give him opportunities we suggested that the butcher may have an animal heart that he could investigate. This was met with whoops of joy just at the thought. When we got to the butchers he went one better and suggested that he could get the whole deal - oesophagus, lungs, heart and liver of a lamb.

Checking out the heart:

So today we went to see and Lewis was sooooo excited and absolutely loved the whole investigative experience. We brought home the heart and the oesophagus and lungs for disection. I can confirm that the kitchen table has been totally scrubbed since.

Lung Disection

Of course as Daddy had tried pigs heart whilst on a trip to Japan (apparently a delicacy over there) Lewis felt that he should try too so I had to cook a little for them to sample. I didn't partake but was told it was very tasty!

Mmmmmmm tastes like lamb Lewis loved it :

School Summer Concert

This afternoon was Lewis' school summer concert. The theme was colours and each child had to go dressed in their own chosen colour - Lewis is on the far side in green.

There were lots of songs sung and poems read. Even a few jokes were told. Lewis' joke was:

'Q - What is bright orange and sounds like a parrot? A - A carrot".

Happy Birthday Grandma & A Long Swim

On Saturday we went to visit mum for her birthday. Before we arrived Mike had been checking out his motorbike ready for his next trip and had left it out for Lewis to see.

Later that afternoon it was time to get back home for Lewis' swimming lesson. This was a very momentous occasion as he was challenged by his teacher to see how far he could swim. They were aiming for 400m but ended doubling expectations with a fantastic 800m swim - we have decided that 1/2 mile is not bad for a 7 year old. It did take a while for his feet to stop tingling when he got out of the pool but boy was he proud of himself.

Say Cheese:

Half Term Fun

May Half Term Holidays came and went in a flash. I really must remember to start taking the camera out and about with us for more photos.

Lots of play dates, swimming, a newly discovered huge indoor play area (a must for a long rainy Wednesday), a visit from Grandma and a BBQ at friends to end the week. Wow, back to work and school for a rest.

Here is Chef Lewis preparing some very healthy, but yummy muffins - shame they didn't last too long:

Lewis' favourite pastime is still playing MarioKart Wii - even better when you can beat Grandma at a race:

The New Tank

After a Blog drought, I have finally been more organised and decided it was high time I published a few more pics of life in the Blake household. A couple more blog posts to follow in quick succession.

Lewis has wanted a pet for a long time now and so we have agreed that a goldfish is probably the best place to start (and finish).

Here are photos of the tank being set up with plenty of loving care and attention:

Admiring his handiwork:

A closer look - fish to follow:

BACK FROM FLORIDA

We had a fantastic time and have definitely come home for a rest. A really busy couple of weeks going to all the old favourite places and trying out a couple of new ones.

The highlight of the trip was a visit to Discovery Cove where we got up close with the Dolphins and even had a ride on one of them - amazing. Lewis is still talking about Dixie his favourite Dolphin.

Hitching a ride - this was the best part of the day

Lewis with his Cheesecake Factory bears 'Cheesy' and new addition 'Creamy"

Never too old to hug a Tigger

A visit to Disney is just not complete without a visit to Mickey himself