Kara's birthday

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Kara is turning 9 tomorrow, wow where has the time gone. We had a lovely old fashion party. The kids basically did there own thing with a small amount of adult instruction.

All the friends that came are special to Kara and have come to play on a regular basis so very personnel which was wonderful. Lovely to see Kara with a really nice group of friends.

The birthday cake

Pass the parcel.

Crazy fun!

Leon in charge of the music and games.

The birthday girl

Kara and Evelyn share the same birthday. It was Evelyn's birthday party yesterday.

Good friends

Van Gogh

I have a friend who suggested lets go to Philadelphia to see the Van Gogh exhibit. I was very keen, always up for an adventure. Tracy was wonderful and chatted to the art teacher at the school and asked for suggestions on getting the kids motivated and ready for the trip. WE read Starry night, we looked at the art work on line and chatted about moods and brush strokes. It was so wonderful to be surrounded by someone who was very knowledgeable. The kids were actually quite interested.

The train ride was 2.5 hours and back, so quite far.

The museum of Philadelphia.

Having a laugh

City view of Philadelphia

The steps Sylvester Stallion, in Rocky did his training.

Tracy

The cherry blossoms

Grace playing. Tracy's daughter

Thursday was the kids swimming day. With the weather been 24 degrees who wants to be inside. Tracy invited us all over for a canoe ride and pizza. The kids had a very quick dip. Leon and I took the canoe out. Leon went up to Vermont for two days to ski.

Tracy is looking after Sparky or as Victoria calls him Sparkles. They walked the dog up and down the street on their own. What a fantastic and very relaxed dog.

News from America

I cant believe the four weeks of my moms visit has come and gone. We had a good time together.

Leon built me a new computer. I can now make DVD's and edit ll our home videos. Victoria was fascinated with all the goodies in the box. Leon was having heart failure as all she wanted to do was touch.

Our last ski trip. The sun was so bright, hence no eyeballs

The deck where we eat our sandwiches when we need a break.

Naughty smile. Yes they had enough skiing and were sliding down the hills where you exit the chair lifts.

Enough skiing so playing on a mound of snow.

Victoria dismantling an old remote control airplane. She is now reassembling the bits to make a robot.

Kara made caterpillar decorations for our international Friday night meal.

I made Cornish pastes. They were so delicious

Everything bigger in America, even the Lays chips.Behind the chips is my Woolworth's shopping bag.

I swan a masters fun swim on Saturday. It was so much fun. We had to swim with rubber chickens, who can swim with the most toys, wet t-shirt swim. So good to laugh and have fun.

The pool where I train

We went to Joanne and Gareth's house to watch the England / Ireland game.

All the kiddies having pizza