359/365 Rip, rend, tear... !

Another tradition in my family: on Christmas morning, open presents first - before anything else, before breakfast, still in PJs, that's a rule!!! (I remember so many years when I was little of waiting and being so unhappy about it!) Oliver was thrilled to get his top two hopefuls, a phone and a particular PS2 game. Result! His phone has a camera function (I use the term 'camera' loosely here!) and once he found that, he immediately shot his game! LOL! Jodie got a pony game which she has played on the laptop, Playmobil (pony/unicorn!),

lots of arts and crafts things, and they both got lots of books. We had a very relaxed Christmas Day, we all got something we really wanted.

341/365 Oliver, the Reluctant

Oliver was reluctant to sit still and have his photo taken, but patience was rewarded - he sat with his back to me and I kept very quiet until he could not help but turn round to see why I was not hasseling him to turn round :0) Gotcha!

206/365 Oliver's New Bike

Oliver has a new bike. He has had a bike from around 3 or 4 years old, but never properly learnt to ride - we passed it on still with the stabilisers on. Now though, with all his friends calling for him on their bikes, he said he needed a bike - and we're pleased he finally wants to learn - you can buy a kid a bike but you can't make him ride it! Well done Oliver, day 3 of coaching and he's doing brilliantly! Now, will Mark & I have to get bikes??

202/365 Young Bond

The name's Bond, James Bond.

Oliver won joint second prize at his Y6 Leavers' Party this evening dressed as James Bond. The other joint second was similarly dressed but with a black tie and was one of the Men in Black. Oliver and I have both read the Young Bond books written by Charlie Higson (which are brilliant!) and sometimes watch the grown-up Bond films depending if they are suitable viewing for Oliver. (My favourite is Sean Connery, no other actor has come close so far!)

196/365 The Lemonade Kid

Oliver (far right) looks on as 2 of his friends have a slow-mo 'fight' in the Y6 production of "The Lemonade Kid". Everyone dressed as cowboys (and girls of course), and a Mexican with sombrero and poncho. AC was brilliant throughout as one of the main characters with a brilliant American accent! They all did really well.

177/365 The boys are back

They had a long journey, they're all very tired but pleased to be home after their adventures. Oliver's first priority was to play on his PS2 for a while, followed by some TV, then shower and bed.

132/365 Oliver's birthday

Oliver turned 11 years old today and we surprised him with his very own deactivated bolt action Mosin Nagant 1938 carbine. Its the genuine article, the real deal, from Russia, via The Birmingham Gun Barrel Proof House (where it was deactivated) and the arms dealer we bought it from. He was thrilled! So he's got all kitted out for his re-enactment hobby rather swiftly (see 108/365) with help from MC & co from The Russians who have been brilliant. The next event is on the 24th May at Whittington, near Lichfield and Oliver can't wait. С Днем Рождения (Happy Birthday)

108/365 A Russian for the day

Oliver took part in a re-enactment event near York today. We could not have been made more welcome by MC who I had contacted several weeks ago with a view to Oliver getting involved. Now Oliver wants to join, M & C have given him some kit to get him started and Oliver has already been browsing decomissioned weapons on the internet! This shot shows him with a borrowed weapon. There will be an album on Picasa soon of the whole day - we had a fantastic time. Many thanks to MC for everything, and to brothers C & C as well for looking after him all day. See you at Whittington! Brilliant!

See http://www.orlik.org.uk/HOMEPAGE.htm for details of the group, The Russians, a la Dr Zhivago.

99/365 Oliver

Oliver seems to be more willing to have his picture taken recently. Today he was mainly chilling out at home recovering from yesterday's water fights, which tired him out! We did go and buy him a large water gun (can't really call it a water pistol, it would not look out of place in Star Wars if it were metallic tones rather than bright orange plastic!) And Jodie had to have one as well of course.

97/365 Busted!

Caught red-handed, using his finger to get the very last remnants of hot chocolate out the bottom of the mug! So, those of you with older children... how old are they when they can drink hot chocolate without getting it all over their face?? Kids... ;0)

26/365 #1 Son

This is Oliver! He had the day off school today with a headcold and I bribed him to stand still for a photo, then caught him later at the PC as well. Usually he legs it or pulls faces (much much worse than any of these!) as soon as the camera is on him. Doesn't look too unwell does he? Methinks he can go to school tomorrow! (This collage thing on Picasa is fun!)