Right ... where were we?
In November Mamma, Pops, Kez and I went to one of our favourite haunts - Castle Ashby. It's a beautiful manor house in Northamptonshire. It's still privately owned by the family, but you can walk around the some of their lovely gardens. We had a lovely lunch in the little cafe that is close by and then went for a wonderful ramble with all the lovely autumn leaves in colour around us.
Then came the big day we had been waiting for ... Kezia's first ballet exam! I think I was probably more worried about this than anyone else. Kez had to be absolutely immaculate for her exam. Her face had to be a certain way with a little bit of blue eyeshadow, some light blusher and clear lip gloss (it is showbiz after all, dahling!) which Kez thought was absolutely brilliant! Her outfit had to be sparkling and smart and there was not to be a hair out of place for her bun - not easy when you're wrestling with tight little curls! We used lots and lots of Chance's Brylcreem to keep it all in place! I tell you, it's more of a test for the mothers than it is for the children! I'm not sure I'm cut out to be the mother of a ballet dancer! chuckle Kezia did very well in her exam and 2 weeks later we got her results ...
Oh yes indeed - not just a pass, but a merit! Not bad for a 3 and a half yr old I feel. Not quite a distinction (hush now, you pushy mother) but we were incredibly proud of her.
Now then, before I launch you all into our Christmas goodiness, and whilst we are on the theme of ballet, I will fast forward you all to last week. It was the end of the ballet term last week, and to celebrate this momentous occassion parents and grandparents were allowed to watch their last lesson. Much the same as we did in July. I tell you what - she hasn't half come on in leaps and bounds! considering that the last time I was able to film her was less then 6 months ago - and she's had at least 8 weeks off in that time due to various school holidays - her progress can really be seen. And so ... once again ... I give you Kezia Ellowen Hooper: my beautiful daughter.
Oh yes - our autumn shenanigans!
We started off autumn with our Halloween party at the pre-school.
Kezia was very excited to be going to her halloween party and had many practices at being a witch. The big day arrived and I did her hair in a funky manner and then, with a bit of face paint and a halloween costume that was bought by Nanny Hooper, we were ready to go!
She had a wonderful time and whilst she was there I dashed home to make myself up as a witch to collect her from the school. Sometimes I wonder if I take things a bit far ... but then I decided I didn't care and her and I rode her broomstick on the walk back home whilst singing 'whose afraid of the big bad wolf'. We then had a spooky tea - or Pooky tea as Kez likes to call it, before taking some silly photos of our rather dishevelled selves!
In November Mamma, Pops, Kez and I went to one of our favourite haunts - Castle Ashby. It's a beautiful manor house in Northamptonshire. It's still privately owned by the family, but you can walk around the some of their lovely gardens. We had a lovely lunch in the little cafe that is close by and then went for a wonderful ramble with all the lovely autumn leaves in colour around us.
Then came the big day we had been waiting for ... Kezia's first ballet exam! I think I was probably more worried about this than anyone else. Kez had to be absolutely immaculate for her exam. Her face had to be a certain way with a little bit of blue eyeshadow, some light blusher and clear lip gloss (it is showbiz after all, dahling!) which Kez thought was absolutely brilliant! Her outfit had to be sparkling and smart and there was not to be a hair out of place for her bun - not easy when you're wrestling with tight little curls! We used lots and lots of Chance's Brylcreem to keep it all in place! I tell you, it's more of a test for the mothers than it is for the children! I'm not sure I'm cut out to be the mother of a ballet dancer! chuckle Kezia did very well in her exam and 2 weeks later we got her results ...
Now then, before I launch you all into our Christmas goodiness, and whilst we are on the theme of ballet, I will fast forward you all to last week. It was the end of the ballet term last week, and to celebrate this momentous occassion parents and grandparents were allowed to watch their last lesson. Much the same as we did in July. I tell you what - she hasn't half come on in leaps and bounds! considering that the last time I was able to film her was less then 6 months ago - and she's had at least 8 weeks off in that time due to various school holidays - her progress can really be seen. And so ... once again ... I give you Kezia Ellowen Hooper: my beautiful daughter.
