Sunday 5 December 2010

Going for Gold

My 11 year old (H'Boo) took up karate earlier this year with GKR (a club HonieMummy's Pop used to be a Sensei with). She attends classes with her Dad every Wednesday and has enjoyed it ever since she started. It has raised her self-esteem, confidence and I'm glad to say, has calmed her down (a bit) - after all pre-teen tantrums take a lot of calming, right!

She attented her grading a couple of months ago and this is her receiving her orange belt.

Just prior to this she attended the Regional Finals and attempted Saifa (a green belt kata 3 grades above her as a yellow belt) - she came away with the GOLD medal and it gave her the confidence to enter the National Finals.

And so the day of the National came, I couldn't be there as Sheffield was a long shot at 6am with the other kids, so her Dad took her and he entered also.

Shortly after lunch my phone rings and I see it's her. I thought this was my chance to once again wish her luck now that she was there and settled.

"I did it Mum - I'm a UK Champion now" came the response to my answering the phone.

"I got the GOLD"

'Proud' does not go even half way to describe how I felt and still feel. HonieMummy was overwhelmed and the wet stuff visible.
So what;s next - Black belt kata?  Who knows?  But HonieMummy is proud whatever her H'Boo does :o)

Check out how to join GKR Karate on their website:  http://www.gkrkarate.com/contact/join.asp


Time Out for Mums Blog: http://timeoutformums-honiebuk.blogspot.com/
HonieMummy Blog: http://honiebuk.wordpress.com/





Christmas Tree Treats - personal, time-saving and inexpensive


Christmas seems to come earlier every year and in the busy worlds we live in and the non-stop lives we lead, there never seems to be enough time to put in place all of the amazing things we intended to do, to make the season magical. For most, the intentions we had are still in our ‘to  do list’ or on the fridge door behind the You are What You Eat magnet marked ‘must do’ – yeah well who looks at that fridge magnet anyway!
Here is a time-saving idea that looks fabulous, is personal to you, is inexpensive and could end up being your new family tradition at Christmas.
** Christmas Tree Treats**
They are little organza bags available in various colours (to suit your theme) that are ready to go with pull tie ribbon. They look great on the tree, are filled with what you want, for whoever you want.


  

Who they are for is entirely up to you and could be: your own children; visiting children; dinner party guests; visiting family.
What they are for could be: Christmas day treats; advent daily treats; good behaviour treats; replacement for Christmas crackers; just to look good on your tree!
The colours can be; Christmas colours; colours to match ‘your’ theme; simple white or silver to show off the contents.
The contents are your choice, but be careful to make sure you have right size organza bag (various sizes available), but could include: Chocolate (of course); colourful sweets; small toys; Christmas cracker contents; messages and Christmas wishes.
Order right now for just in time for Christmas  http://stores.ebay.co.uk/newworldsm/GIFT-BAGS-/_i.html?rt=nc&_fsub=2559068&_sid=206694772&_trksid=p4634.c0.m14.l1581&_pgn=3   (1062 gift bags in various sizes & colours)
or
Alternatively you can get similar (but not the same choice) from local Hobby Craft (or similar large chain). You may be lucky to find them in your local craft store.
If you can’t or don’t get them in time – order them anyway! Put them away with the Christmas decorations for next year and be ‘well prepared’.
*** This very personal, inexpensive idea could be your new family tradition
 & puts Christmas back into your hands. ***

** MERRY CHRISTMAS **


Time Out for Mums Blog: http://timeoutformums-honiebuk.blogspot.com/

HonieMummy Blog:
http://honiebuk.wordpress.com/








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Wednesday 1 December 2010

Celebrating Friendship


This is a picture of my daughter H'boo and her friends from Primary School. As she would not be there for the final week of her Primary School life, I let her have a bit of a party with friends. They got to eat what they wanted- so burgers, chips and cakes (decorated by themselves!!!).

I think of it as a celebration because good friends are worth celebrating and this collection of 6 girls (+ one more, as one is already on holiday) managed to 'stay' friends and were a regular part of celebrations and sleep-overs at my house. The latter part of the Primary years is an important part of their lives - we have already had blogs about 'party upsets' recently, which is something that they go through in the transition to this period. But, it is the latter Primary years that they seem to be sure of who their friends are and feel comfortable with themselves and the company they keep.

The day was an important one to mark, as after this day, four of the entire seven (and of the six shown here) were not going to H'Boo's chosen school and so I thought it important they had one last Primary celebration, to show their loyalty to each other. One of the girls in the pic has moved on to High School with her and also goes to Guides with her, another two just go to Guides. The girl on holiday and so obviously not in the pic' has moved onto the same high school also.  And now they are 5!

High School comes with a new set of 'settling in' and finding your feet social rules and so the party/sleepover debates start again!!!!!  I love this pic' because it shows that for at least a brief time in their young lives, they know their place and like it (no pressures, no social worries, no-one to impress or level up to). This is what children's lives should have more of these days - I wish they could stay 'this young' for longer than the world demands they 'measure up' to.





Silent Sunday