Edible snowflakes

Edible snowflakes for our post-school snack - left over tortilla wraps, folded into 6 and cut, painted with melted butter, sprinkled with cinnamon sugar and popped under the grill for 2 mins. They are a big hit! Thanks Mad Magic Hatter for the idea!

Jellyfish

I took a jellyfish to school today.

Duathlon

The Mancub did his first Duathlon today, at the Brownlee Tri, Harewood House. He's less excited about having had the Brownlee brothers autograph his certificate than by the fact that his medal is a real metal one and that he got a faster time than his classmate.

Our great Orcadian trip

Had a lovely evening and morning with friends in Perth en route. Then on to the Flow country for a night in a B&B

Forsinard RSPB centre - the Goldern Eagle we built (jigsaw) is bigger than Daddy!

Braving the midges to explore the peat bog habitats

Kids loved the boardwalks

Relaxing on the beach by Dounreay before catching the ferry from Gill's  Bay

We see Burray. Can we spot Uncle G's house?!

Definitely one of those ones

Safely arrived and enjoying Auntie Y's books on pebble mosaics... Kitty and Mr B are now planning one for our garden...

Our ferry

obligatory holiday sunset shot

This one's just to make Granny and Grandad jealous... looking round the dig at the Ness of Brodgar

And the Ring of Brodgar - no it's not a huge Van de Graff generator, just a windy day.

Kitty

Yesnaby: the Mancub asked for cliffs...

And lots of time on the beach - cousin D helped us identify all the shells and we found some Groatie Buckies!

We visited the Italian Chapel and also some less famous relics from the war

 Lots of fun with Godparents in Glasgow on the way home too. All in all a lovely holiday!

Enjoying le Tour de France

prime viewing spot by the minster (with free coffee and sweets courtesy of St Michael-le-Belfrey church)

Le Caravane - kitty is sporting a 'skoda' hat thrown from one of the floats.

Mancub enjoying Sports Day

Mama's birthday cake

Rummaging round the kitchen drawers, Kitty managed to locate enough candles...

so if you count them you'll know how old I am.

Mr B in his element - playing with fire

Climbing wall

Thursday saw the kids trying a climbing wall for the first time. Loved it!

Fun with Grandma today

Cycling in Dalby Forest, exploring Pickering Castle and finishing in "Poppies" - a combination tea and knitting shop - where we enjoyed great slabs of homemade cake surrounded by shelves full of beautiful wool.

Finally...

...we have time to enjoy some birthday presents from earlier this year.

Kitty's electronics kit (she's just pressed a switch to make the yellow helicopter fly) - thanks Grandma!

and a Build Your Own Firing Canon  - epic! Thanks C&S

Fossil hunting at Dane's Dyke

On Monday, with Colin's visiting South African colleague Jonathan and some other friends.We saw the seabird colonies at Bempton too - stinky but fun!

Mallorca - early May

Field Trip supervision for Mr B, relaxing break for Mama B. Granny and Grandad sat the kids for the week - THANK YOU!!

Smart red knobbed coots and other nice southern things!

Dunes were pretty and sea sparkled!

Early evening with wine and nibbles and a lovely view

Ahhhh