Brunei 7-9 Swimming Championships Part II

Ayden and Jack both had a great day at the swim meet yesterday. With the 7-9 competition, all the categories are thrown in to swim together but the results then sorted by category. Ayden was swimming in the 7 year category and Jack in the 8. But as their seed times are very close, they swam in at least two heats together.

Jack came away with a silver for 25m breaststroke and gold for 25m backstroke. 

Ayden finished with golds for 25m butterfly and 25m breaststroke and silvers for 25m backstroke and 25m freestyle.

Both were estatic and as always we are very proud of both of them. They both even got a mention in the Borneo Bulletin.

Swimming right next to each other in their breaststroke heat

Minions everywhere

With Minions in, there was only one theme for Ayden's birthday cake. He absolutely loved it and being KOJ's signature rich chocolate cake, so did we!! Its been a very special day indeed.

Ayden is 7

Ayden's had a great start to his 7th Birthday. He came into the bed twice in the night to check the time. And as he was on the ball, we had an early start!

The top of the present list was a talking Minion Dave - Minions being Ayden's current craze. Iman gave him a T-ball set and Jack a glider plane. And he also got a pocket nerf, a yellow football and small soft balls - a boy can't have enough of these! 

Followed by cards and presents from all in Ireland. He especially loved the card from Tom.

And before school it was a quick trip to the hospital to have the stitches removed. 

And Ayden brought these into school to share with his class!

First Day of School Year 2013/14

Its been one of those rolling summer holidays which we have all tremendously enjoyed. And the kids were all excited to start school today and catch up with their friends. Iman starts Year 6, her last in Junior School.  Jack is chuffed to be in Year 4, in a class with many of his good mates and Ayden is now in Year 2. Ayden was super excited to wake up this morning having had another visit from the tooth fairy. That's 3 visits in two months. Just one more before the "Nanny McPhee" tooth goes!

Mizen Head

On one of days in West Cork when all the kids wanted to do was watch TV, we packed them into the car (almost screaming) and drove south towards Bantry Bay and on to Mizen Head which is the most south-westerly point of Ireland. Mizen Head is home to the Signal Station for the Fastnet Rock Lighthouse and is now also a very informative and dramatically scenic visitor centre. It was so good that the kids even stopped complaining about the long drive! 

We saw some amazing footage of how the Fastnet Lighthouse was manned prior to building the signal station. In rough weather the lighthouse keepers on a change of shift would be hoisted up onto the lighthouse on a harness followed by their supplies!

These family photographs are getting easier!

Iman and I with shaky knees going across the bridge

And the view from the bridge

Iman was the one most excited to be at the most south-westerly point (red marker below) but Ayden was the only one willing to have a picture taken.

And one last complaint on the way home was we never stopped at this lovely beach for a swim. And of course we were to blame despite trying to get them out of the house all morning!!