KETCHUP

Man, it's halfway through 2016 already, and I haven't blogged? I blame f*ace*book in part, because I tend to slap pictures up on there. But FB isn't truly a blogging platform, so in a few years I think I'll regret having only pictures with brief captions, whereas a blog provides a place to put thoughts/pictures/experiences in longform.

So without further ado... 2016, a catchup:

School continued to go well. E enrolled in dance class and drama for extracurricular clubs. C, in Reception (Kindergarten), did not, although she might in Y1, depending. She's expressed interest in dance and karate. We'll see closer to the time.

Sadly, Grandpa sickened considerably after Christmas and was no longer able to leave his room or walk anywhere. In and around care, we managed to travel.

We went to Blu*estone in Wales during Easter break (pardon the asterisks, I use them to prevent G*oogle from picking them up as keywords, dunno if it still works but worth a try). The cousins (aged 4 and 6) came too, staying with my brother and sister in law in a nearby cottage. Lots of fun as usual: jeep safari driving, indoor playground, swimming pool, tree climbing, and a lovely huge swimming complex with an inside-outside water slide that we went down while it was hailing!

Here's E climbing a really tall tree. His older cousin S climbed too. The girls were too young (min age is 6).

There were also zip wires (the kids were all too young for that) and a high wire obstacle course system that the older three were able to do. And we roasted marshmallows over an outdoor fire pit too. Hoping to go again next year! It really is a fantastic site and the electric golf carts to get around in are a wonderful bonus.

In late May/early June, we went to Hawaii (the big island) because B was being sent there for work purposes, so we combined it into a holiday. We stayed in Hapuna, on the beach, in a fantastic hotel with a great swimming pool that we still dream of wistfully! The most marvelous buffet breakfasts with an omelette bar, and sea views because we were right on the beach... I could go on! Suffice it to say it was a little slice of paradise. The jet lag was the hardest part of the trip.

Outside, the beach had waves that rivaled the ones I remember from my childhood trips to Makaha in Oahu. The kids even got the partial hang of boogie boarding.

We did a road trip to the other side of the island (Hilo) to go up the volcano. That night, we stayed in the rainforest in a treehouse, and made further memories by watching Swiss Family Robinson before bedtime. The kids still talk of that night fondly. Mostly because we poked fun at the (very old fashioned) style in the movie. But we all enjoyed it. The next day we checked out of the treehouse and toured some botanical gardens, saw lizards, amazing plants, and a "Beware of Falling Mangoes" sign. Then we hiked to Akaka Falls which are over 400 feet high. After Hawaii, we managed to spend a two day layover in San Francisco and go visit Grandad at his house. It was a tantalizingly short visit but we managed to see a few people and cram in some good times!

Sadly, Grandpa passed away in June, not too long after we got back, at the age of 79. It's strange to be without him in the house.

That brings us to July. I've left out details, but I feel vaguely caught up. Next week, we leave for Greece. First Crete, then Naxos, then home via Athens. We're all really looking forward to it. And E will turn 8 in August.