Pool and puppets

Christmas Day.
Brendon and Rachel worked a bit this morning but where home in time for us to still manage to get to the pools before it was too hot. Asher just loved the water.

We had the pool all to ourselves.

And Hezekiah had the small pool to himself. Although Asher did go between the two pools quite a bit. Everyone was thrilled to be at the pools again.
The pool had a leak and so it only opened this week. We are very pleased it did.

Saturday 26th: Brendon worked again this morning.
Cuddle time with the kittens.

Shadow so wants to love the kittens. It was good to see Puss feeling so relaxed with the kittens out and Shadow so close. Puss often rubs up to Shadow. She has been a lot more affectionate since having the kittens, and it's very sweet to watch.
Today we headed down to the pool in the afternoon.

Combining two of Asher's loves. Water and balls.

Asher discovered this box of photos and toys this afternoon. She hasn't played with them for months. She spent ages arranging them and packing them away.
So happy.

After lunch Rachel and Ruth helped Brendon with moving more of the branches from the hedge trimming. I forgot to get out there to take a photo. They worked really hard and got so much done.

In the evening, I took the older 4 children to friends to enjoy a puppet show.
A lizard had been discovered, so the show's start was delayed a little as photos were taken.

That gave the children time to enjoy the go-cart.

The family has done these puppet shows for many years. They had done the show before Christmas, but had a few people who missed it. So we were really pleased to be included in this second performance.

It was lovely to see Hezekiah sitting so spell bound by it all. Afterwards he asked me how they did it and the children were happy to show him "behind the scenes".

A lovely production and wonderful to have the real meaning of Christmas presented in a different way.

Sunday 27th: Asher getting a little kitten cuddle time.
And then back to the pools in the afternoon.
Someone had left a pool noodle there and the kids really enjoyed using it (so we bought one ourselves the next week). Hezekiah had this jacket on and even got into the big pool with the jacket on and the pool noodle in front of him. Something happened though, and once he was out, he wouldn't get back in. So I didn't get a photo.

Hannah is working hard at her swimming and asked me to let the air out of her togs today. She is pleased to be able to swim on her own for a bit.
She was disappointed when she got out and realized there was a little bit of air still in the back. We encouraged her that she has made great progress though, so must just keep practising. Soon she won't need any air at all.
This evening Brendon was preaching, so I decided I would try and attend too with Asher. Thankfully she coped fine with the late night and the whole aspect of being in a new place for such a long period. I had a few of her favourite repetitive games with, and that kept her busy for most of the service.