Anyone wanting to know what Tom has been up to at school and to see very cute pics of his class see their blog at
http://afmpreschool.blogspot.com/2009/02/week-twenty.html
Sarah
Friday, 6 February 2009
Thursday, 5 February 2009
fire drills and haircuts
Today we had another fire/lifeboat drill. We were in our cabin when the initial alarm sounded, followed by a notice that it was a drill and that the 'fire' was in the mid-ships lounge and coffee area. Tom looked petrified and had his fingers over his ears, saying Mummy there is a fire but its ok its only a practice, but there is a real fire in the coffee shop. Joshua was saying 'fire, fire, fire' , although looked a little more excited about the idea, maybe in the hope that they would call on the services of Firefighter Joshua Farrell. Once we got to our muster station they were both very good and put their lifejackets on without any problems and Tom told the muster station leaders that he was 'here' loud enough for them to hear this time.
Since then we have played on the climbing frame on deck 8, Joshua was fairly intent on practicing for his future role as a firefighter and repeatedly went down the fireman pole. The only trouble was the only way to reach it is across some monkey bars which he attempted with complete confidence (but not quite long enough arms to make it across unassisted) when I was not looking, so when I noticed him he was hanging in mid air waiting patiently for some help. I paid more attention after that!
Tommy and Joshua have been to the hairdresser so they are now ready for Africa, with significantly less hair! The hairdresser had started Joshua's hair a couple of days ago but had to abandon it because he wouldn't sit still, anyway, since discovering the sweets she had in the pot we found that bribery worked and his hair was finished.
Today sailing is smooth, the water is so flat right now that it almost looks glassy. It is warm but has been foggy and a bit more grey today. Tommy saw a whale swim past his classroom yesterday but we haven't seen any marine life yet today.
Sarah
Since then we have played on the climbing frame on deck 8, Joshua was fairly intent on practicing for his future role as a firefighter and repeatedly went down the fireman pole. The only trouble was the only way to reach it is across some monkey bars which he attempted with complete confidence (but not quite long enough arms to make it across unassisted) when I was not looking, so when I noticed him he was hanging in mid air waiting patiently for some help. I paid more attention after that!
Tommy and Joshua have been to the hairdresser so they are now ready for Africa, with significantly less hair! The hairdresser had started Joshua's hair a couple of days ago but had to abandon it because he wouldn't sit still, anyway, since discovering the sweets she had in the pot we found that bribery worked and his hair was finished.
Today sailing is smooth, the water is so flat right now that it almost looks glassy. It is warm but has been foggy and a bit more grey today. Tommy saw a whale swim past his classroom yesterday but we haven't seen any marine life yet today.
Sarah
Wednesday, 4 February 2009
it's getting hotter!
We are really noticing that we are moving south, it is getting much warmer when we play on deck now, so much that the boys were getting sweaty and requesting to go back to the cabin for a drink. The air conditioning is now turned on - it was quite a suprise last night when it suddenly went cold in our cabin after we had put the boys to bed in their (under)pants only!
Dinner out on deck wasn't quite as successful as the nice relaxing time we had yesterday because of a fly which FREAKED Tom out (as he is still traumatised from being stung by a bee!). So the major success we can report for today was making sure Sam knew how to use the washing machines!! (to be fair we didn't really have to do anything but I'm sure Mum will be happy thinking we are looking after him :-)
The boys got to open their 'sailing presents' from family today and have had a lovely time doing puzzles - very useful for passing the time - thanks! They have also had fun pretending to go to sleep on their bedroom floor and sitting in the toy box.
Sarah (who will appreciate any prayers that Joshua will settle in nursery the sessions I am not there leading/helping so I can get some jobs done!!)
Dinner out on deck wasn't quite as successful as the nice relaxing time we had yesterday because of a fly which FREAKED Tom out (as he is still traumatised from being stung by a bee!). So the major success we can report for today was making sure Sam knew how to use the washing machines!! (to be fair we didn't really have to do anything but I'm sure Mum will be happy thinking we are looking after him :-)
The boys got to open their 'sailing presents' from family today and have had a lovely time doing puzzles - very useful for passing the time - thanks! They have also had fun pretending to go to sleep on their bedroom floor and sitting in the toy box.
Sarah (who will appreciate any prayers that Joshua will settle in nursery the sessions I am not there leading/helping so I can get some jobs done!!)
Monday, 2 February 2009
Sailing: the next day
We have been blessed with beautiful blue skies and calm seas today. It is very relaxing being in the middle of the ocean. It is lovely and warm and we are not missing the snow back home, Tom saw a picture of someones snowman today and was convinced Nanny had built it for him to look at - he was happy about that, even though I tried to explain who actually built the snowman.
We have not experienced any sea sickness (which I am so grateful for, still remembering experiences of sailing in the past which were less fun!!) and life carries on as normal; school, nursery, meeting friends, eating... although sleeping whilst moving is more interesting! Last night we slept in our lounge and put the mattress the other way round so that we didn't feel so much like we were about to roll out of bed at any minute, although Joshua still managed to fall out (despite a bed guard now in place on his bed!)
As anyone who knows Tom can imagine he has been looking at google earth to see where we are going. We will pass Dakar tonight if you want a rough idea of how we are doing.
Sarah
We have not experienced any sea sickness (which I am so grateful for, still remembering experiences of sailing in the past which were less fun!!) and life carries on as normal; school, nursery, meeting friends, eating... although sleeping whilst moving is more interesting! Last night we slept in our lounge and put the mattress the other way round so that we didn't feel so much like we were about to roll out of bed at any minute, although Joshua still managed to fall out (despite a bed guard now in place on his bed!)
As anyone who knows Tom can imagine he has been looking at google earth to see where we are going. We will pass Dakar tonight if you want a rough idea of how we are doing.
Sarah
Joshua
Joshua started nursery today with 3 other boys and 1 little girl ranging from 19 months to just 3. They have a little room to meet in and made use of the play deck too. Joshua loves being outside and can usually be seen driving a tractor. He is getting the hang of remembering lots of names and loves seeing his (mostly grown up) friends around the ship and going to say hello.
Joshua is settling in to ship life probably the most easily of all of us (except maybe Tommy who is loving teaching again!!), he copes fairly well with the millions of stairs but will request to be carried when he can't be bothered with them any more. He loves Fireman Sam more than anyone else in the world right now and is either playing with his fire engine, pretending to be a fireman (including pretending to slide down the table legs at dinner shouting fire, fire - goodness knows what people think he is doing) or wanting to watch Fireman Sam on DVD (which he doesn't often get to do as Tom thinks it is too babyish!). He is great fun to be around, but is a challenge to have in a confined space for too long - we might be spending a lot of time on deck during the sail :-)
Sarah
Joshua is settling in to ship life probably the most easily of all of us (except maybe Tommy who is loving teaching again!!), he copes fairly well with the millions of stairs but will request to be carried when he can't be bothered with them any more. He loves Fireman Sam more than anyone else in the world right now and is either playing with his fire engine, pretending to be a fireman (including pretending to slide down the table legs at dinner shouting fire, fire - goodness knows what people think he is doing) or wanting to watch Fireman Sam on DVD (which he doesn't often get to do as Tom thinks it is too babyish!). He is great fun to be around, but is a challenge to have in a confined space for too long - we might be spending a lot of time on deck during the sail :-)
Sarah
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