just another morning here

Steve and I both worked this morning; him at the garage and me at home – getting a few chores done, with the girls’ help, and putting together a few job applications. I have the option to extend my temporary contract at work for one more year, but if I can get a permanent contract somewhere then that would be even better. I’d quite like to try working with mainstream children too – I do really love special needs kids, but I’ve never really tried the alternative, as a proper teacher, so I haven’t got anything to lose by applying for a couple of other posts. If nothing comes of it then I will stay where I am for another year, I guess.

This afternoon we all went out to the Northcott Theatre – using my birthday theatre vouchers, another treat from Steve’s parents – to see Jesus Christ Superstar, put on by the Exeter Musical Society. None of us had seen it before or even really heard any of the music – we all enjoyed it, and the girls have come back singing every song from the shows that they can think of. Thankfully Dr Who is on in a minute so that will shut them up. I hope they’re showing it at the school boarding house too

Meanwhile, Steve has come home wondering if there are different rules for selling ice cream in theatres, because he couldn’t find a best before or use by date on his tub of ice cream. Honestly, sometimes I despair. I bet he was thinking about that through the entire second half of the show

Just got home from another great Theatre Alibi play, Lost & Found, enjoyed by all of us

The whole thing was brilliant, the way the story was put together and the way the actors switched between characters to tell a story that spanned generations was very clever, as well as being amusing enough to hold the attention of a hall full of primary school aged children (all bar the group of cubs, who had obviously had too much to drink beforehand ) for over an hour.

We were particularly impressed by the cellist, Raphael Munton, who did the musical accompaniment, all very simply on the one cello, but lots of it was done by live layering and looping of little riffs (is there a proper term for that?) which was just fabulous.

Found another review on The Stage.

Settling down to watch the last episode of Classical Star now

Ahem, having got a nice fat refund yesterday from SWEB for overpayments on our gas bill, I’ve been concentrating on our arts curriculum this morning ;o). We’ve booked tickets for the London Community Gospel Choir (Abbie’s choice) and Ballet Extravaganza (Anna’s choice) during the Exeter Festival this summer. Steve and I are going to see Evelyn Glennie, as well. The girls get to choose which adult they want to take with them! I was tempted by this, but had to stop somewhere so this one got bumped.

Now, I’m umming and aaahing about booking seats for the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang musical when we are in London in September – it will be pricey, and I wasn’t going to do it because we are going to see HDM in December, but I’m tempted. Anyway, I’ve posted the link because it’s a nice site with games etc and I know there are a couple of other Chitty Chitty Bang Bang fans out there reading the blogs ;o)

Today has been nice so far and due to be good this afternoon too – took Steve to pick up a car this morning and listened to Roald Dahl’s ‘The Magic Finger’ in the car en route (tick literacy). Back home we did some wordsearches and puzzles from comics, they’ve watched some of The Children’s Bible on DVD (tick RE) and Anna has made a card and necklace for the HE friend we’re going to see in Honiton for lunch/this afternoon – she’s just had a hernia operation so is recuperating at home – apparently we’ve been invited over to play gently (!!). Then the girls have music lessons back in Exeter, so we’re busy, but it’s all good stuff.

Wahey! Peace and Quiet! Josiah fell asleep just before Grandma came to pick us up for swimming, so she offered to take the girls herself and leave Joe here with me! He’s still asleep and it’s bliss! Suppose I should go and clear the draining board of the washing up Grandma did while she was here babysitting last night … or something equally useful that I can do with one hand.

We’ve had a reasonable day, the girls have played relatively nicely with Abbie’s birthday pressie games – Magic Cauldron and Slug in a Jug. We went to the library and Anna rented herself a couple of stories on tape and started listening to one of those this morning. Abbie’s enjoyed looking at a Winnie the Pooh annual she was given and done a bit of reading. Josiah is generally being 2 (nuff said) but he did join in with some collage this afternoon while the girls decorated little gift boxes. He’s also getting really good with numbers, he loves having the discard pile when the girls play Magic Cauldron, and sits there rubbing the cards then telling me what the numbers are. He’s counting well too, these days – quite reliable one to one correspondence most of the time!

Just can’t wait to have the splint off my hand now, it’s really annoying me again. For the first couple of weeks it was nice to hang around at home more than usual, but now it’s getting a bit boring for all of us! I have another physio appointment tomorrow so we’ll see what they say.

Also the girls are excited because Grandma & Grandpa are taking them to the Pantomime tomorrow! I don’t think I’ve ever been before, but it’s Grandma’s work’s Christmas do and they had spare tickets so the girls got invited at the last minute! I think the children and I are very lucky to have such wonderful grandparents nearby (and I’m not just sucking up because I know she reads this – it’s true)!