First week back homeschooling originally posted September 11 2006

Fraser and Kirsty officially started homeschool last week (see first day of homeschool photos). We've started them with Jolly Phonics, Kirsty loves it and wants to do extra, Fraser's happy but needs lots of breaks. Kirsty loves writing and colouring while Fraser is passionate about cutting and gluing.

Cameron is also very enthusiastic about his schooling. This year we're doing a different subject each day in addition to the daily Maths, English and Bible study.

Mondays: History
Tuesdays: Science
Wednesday: Music and Art (assisted by our friend Rowena who is a music teacher)
Thursday: Geography
Friday: Cyprus day where we'll take trips learning more about the island, it's people and (hopefully) the language.

Every morning (except when he's on day-shift) Paul takes the children (minus Maisie) for half an hour of exercise. I enjoy this time too, it's lovely and quiet after the hustle and bustle of breakfast, and allows me to take stock and prepare for the day ahead. I also get to spend time with Maisie on her own before her morning nap.

Last Friday we went to the old port area of Limassol, where we found a weather observing compound. We also saw lots of Cyprus cats and had our picnic by the sea then finished with an ice cream at a café.

The children's clubs and groups start up this week, they all go to swimming lessons on a Saturday morning, Cameron has youth club on Wednesday afternoon and he's thinking of trying hockey on Tuesday evening and perhaps golf Monday afternoon. He occasionally volunteers at the cat sanctuary, he's mad about cats.

Kirsty attends Ballet lessons on a Thursday afternoon, which she loves, in a couple of months she'll start Rainbows. Fraser doesn't do anything yet (groups wise) but when he turns five he fancies football and maybe St Johns Ambulance.

When Paul's not working I take Maisie to Parent and Baby group, or Musical Tots. I also go to a Wednesday morning ladies bible study. This week we're starting a Beth Moore course called "Believing in God", which I'm really looking forward to, however I can't attend every session.

Paul is such a blessing, he's so supportive and is brilliant with the children. He's returned to regular squash and badminton and has also volunteered as a youth worker at the base youth clubs (initial training course tomorrow afternoon).
Heather xx.

Here are some photos of the children and photos of Cameron, with his friend Jake, at the Cat Sanctuary this afternoon.

Our day at the water park originally posted August 24 2006

More photos. I'm sure the novelty will wear off and i won't be posting so frequently.

Yesterday we went to the waterpark, great way to keep cool in this hot and humid weather. We all had a great time. Cameron said his favourite bit was the water bubble and the slides. Fraser loved the slides, Kirsty liked going on the slide with Daddy best. Maisie loved crawling about in the water, quite often she would crawl out of her depth, this didn't phase her in the slightest. Paul's favourite was going down the slide with Kirsty. Me I liked the ride round the lazy river except when Paul steered us under every waterfall.

Today has been a bit quieter, Paul's been working all day (7am to 7pm) then went playing badminton. At 6pm it became cool enough for the children and I to go outside and play in the garden. The rest of the day we've been playing hospitals and watching the "Rescuers down under".

Our trip to Kyrenia originally posted August 22 2006

Here are some photos of our holiday in Kyrenia (Girne) last week.

We were supposed to be staying in Famagusta but arrived to find they had double booked us. We had a swim in their pool then dinner before driving on to Kyrenia. That was some journey, we were following our friend's (Jason, Rowena and their 2 girls Cerys & Iona). The road, if you could call it that, was single track with huge potholes, sometimes the road disappeared and it was just a dirt track.

Kyrenia is in the Northern part of Cyprus and comes under Turkish rule, it's a very picturesque town. We were staying in a villa at Ambelia Village hotel, it was within walking distance of Bellapais Abbey.

We went into to the town one evening, walked around the castle and had dinner by the harbour.

The children had great fun in the pool, once they were in bed we (the adults) played Rummycub or cards.

Coming back to the South we got a little lost, it's not sign posted for the border crossing. We went into Nicosia (Lefkosia) first, then realised the crossing is on the outskirts of the city.

We're hoping to go back again in October when my parents come to visit.

First ever blog originally posted August 22 2006

I'm aware that I'm not the best at keeping in touch with friends and family back home, even worse at sending photos (my Mum will vouch for that). Also I'd like this to be a digital diary of our family life for the years ahead

New Blog site

After waiting for about a month for our other blog site (http://arbucklefamily.blogspot.com/) to be unlocked, I've decided to create a new one and copy over the posts.