Pillow fights and Ice Skating

Yes, after Thursday's disastrous evening things did improve. I still felt pretty fragile on Friday, but as long as I didn't move my head too suddenly, I could function mostly normally. Migraines are HORRIBLE things and I am very thankful I only get them a few times a year at most. They are not normal headaches at all...

Anyway on Friday I managed to get home at a reasonable time, and we got an early start to Quinn's School's Family Fun Evening. They had one at the beginning of the year, which we had enjoyed a lot, and so we had been looking forward to this one too. It turned out to be just as fun as the previous one.
I really can't say enough good things about this school, it is wonderful. Firstly the focus of the event is to get everyone there, to socialise and have fun. They do not over inflate the prices, and as a result I think we end up spending way more anyway, because we don't feel like we are getting ripped off. Some other schools seem to focus SO strongly on fund raising, that you end up with a bit of a bitter taste in your mouth.

Then the teachers and especially the headmaster is always around, and always friendly and approachable for parents and kids alike. There's a feeling of gentle firmness from them. Yet again I was struck by the maturity and responsibility shown by the children on duty. While there are teachers around keeping an eye on things, they are very hands-off, the games stalls are almost independently manned by students, who takes their jobs very seriously. Ensuring that safety and fairness is maintained throughout. I like that they take pride in what they are doing, and make sure to do it properly, rather than acting like it's something they'd rather not be doing, or trying to be silly or dangerous when no one is looking. All the boys are really lovely and I haven't seen any thuggish or hooligan behaviour at all. Yet these boys are all still hip and cool at the same time. It's like all the boys are confident and self-assured and there's no need from them to put someone else down to make themselves seem better.

Quinn is very comfortable there, and is as comfortable talking to a Grade 7 as a Grade 1 or teacher. when I was at school the older grades would kick you or take what you had if they wanted to, and it was best just to keep out of their way. There doesn't seem to be any of that here.
Anyway we had a really fun time, and even Griffin was able to fully participate with the boys allowing him to stand closer to the dart board, because he was smaller and getting a chair to kneel on for the marshmallow 'fishing', to help him. They both ended up winning far more prizes (of sweets) than they needed too :)

I took some photos.

On Saturday I had a late start to the morning, and then walked to Cavendish to watch Thank-you for Smoking. It wasn't quite what I'd expected. I thought it was a documentary, but it was more of a fictional story, but it was pretty thought provoking, with admittedly compelling arguments.

I then walked home and loaded the kids up to head to the gym, where they had a long swim, while we drank coffee. After their swim my friend and I did some treadmill walking (I think I walked over 12km on Saturday!) etc and then we all went to our respective homes. We watched a movie we had taped ages ago about the Australian swimmer (can't remember what it was called, it has Geoffrey Rush as the father) and both boys watched it through to the end. I am sometimes amazed at the kind of movies they will watch.

On Sunday we suddenly decided to go Ice Skating! I had hoped that would mean I would get to Ice Skate too, but we just sat at the mini rink at Grand West and let the kids try it out. we got there at 12:30 and when we told the boys it was time to go at 17:00 they moaned that we were staying for such a short time 'only ONE hour!'. LOL. So yes they enjoyed it, and I am sure we will be back. I am sure by next time I will be able to convince them to try the big rink, so that I can have a go too.

Here are some photos of that.