School Assemblies

The girls' school holds assemblies every Friday (or when something important happens) and this week both of the girls received awards. Each time a student is especially kind or helpful they are awarded a smile and Princess was the smile winner of the week.

And Peanut earned a merit badge this week for academic achievement.

Also this week, Form 1 put on a special assembly for Guy Fawkes day, 5th November. In case you're not familiar with the story, Guy Fawkes was a Catholic who was fed up with the Protestant king and became part of a plot to blow up the Houses of Parliament in 1605. He was caught before the plan could be carried out and now Britian celebrates the Houses NOT being blown up every year with a big bonfire and fireworks. If you would like to read the whole story, click here.

Princess's class made bonfire pictures.
This is a poem the class learned for the assembly...I missed the first part but I will post the whole thing below.

Gunpowder Treason & Plot

Remember remember the 5th of November
the gunpowder treason and plot.
I see no reason why gunpowder treason
should ever be forgot.

Guy Fawkes guy was his intent
to blow up king and parliament.
Three score barrels were laid below
to prove old England's overthrow.

By God's mercy he was catched
with a dark lantern and lighted match.
Holler boys! Holler boys! Let the bells ring!
Holler boys! Holler boys! God save the king!

Half-Term

The last week of October marks the half-term for all English students and they get a week-long break. Of course this strikes fear into the hearts of all mums and dads who have to find entertainment for their children. Here is what we found to do during our week of "rest and relaxation"...

Before MDH headed to London for month-end closing, we carved pumpkins that the girls designed. MDH had NEVER carved a pumpkin before! I think these are my favorite pumpkins ever =)

On Monday we went out to Red House Farm up near Manchester. It was a nice drive and pretty country scenery.

At the farm they have pumpkins and other autumn veggies for sale, plus fresh cheeses, meats and all kinds of homemade sweets. This is an enormous turkey we met called Trevor.

We had lots of fun going in the bounce houses, going on a spook hunt and riding the tractor train.

Peanut coughed all night after all the fresh air so Tuesday we had a quiet day inside. Board games, crafts and grocery shopping were all the excitement I felt she could handle until we got the cough under control.

After a great night's sleep we made plans to go out to the Cheshire Candle and Craft Workshop. Here you can make your own candle and candle holder, design a keychain or paint a model.

All around these craft stations are booths where you can buy homemade soaps, sculptured candles, decorative items for the house, jewelry, etc. And there's a cute little cafe attached where you can get yummy ice cream!

It's a pretty neat place, set in some beautiful countryside and the prices are extremely reasonable. We will definitely be going back to do some Christmas shopping!

Peanut has been asking me for months to visit the "hole in the ground". By this she means the Roman amphitheatre ruins down the street from our house. So on Thursday we packed a picnic and walked down to the "hole".

The girls searched for Roman treasures.

And we had enough of our lunch leftover to feed the ducks.

On Friday we were going to go to a giant indoor playplace but when we went to the garage I found I had a boot on my car! Apparently you need a permit to park in your own spot in a private garage. We were all disappointed (actually, I was REALLY mad), so we walked to good ole McDonald's for ice cream cones instead.

The week culminated with Halloween and a party at the neighbors'. Cutest witch and astronaut EVER!