We were all hard at work towards the end of last week readying ourselves for our Unit Celebration - A Medieval Feast! Part of the fun was making decorations, costumes, preparing items to show and then preparing and presenting the food! Crazy as it may sound, I decided to add a roasted pig's head as a table decoration, but these things you have to do yourself, and so what started out as a nice idea, was actually quite a stomach-turning experience. Thankfully Glen bought the head, Rachel cleaned it, Amanda basted it, and all that was left for me to do was get all the praise for making it :-) Well, I did still have to watch it being cooked and make sure that it was nice and crisp and looked it's best!

 

 

 

 

Even though it was quite gruesome, it did make in interesting conversation piece, and a few people did kiss it's crispy snout! What fun it was indeed!!!



This has been our first term of our new curriculum, Tapestry of Grace. Our whole family has traveled the exciting journey together of learning all about the Middle Ages. Here are some crafts the girls made along the way, to help them understand different aspects of art and culture in the day.

 

Here we have a Byzantine icon...

 

In typical Thompson tradition, we all sang 'Happy Birthday' to Jude early in the morning. He was already awake, but was so happy to have everyone fuss over him. The Martins were here, and although Craig and Lara stayed in bed...the kiddies celebrated with him...and had cake for 'first' breakfast. We had a proper breakfast when the adults got up :-)

 

 

We had some visitors during the day...my older sister and mom...with Aydon, of course...who isn't in these pics...but he is getting oh so cute!

 



 

 

Jude - we love you so much, and are so blessed that God gave you to us - our prayer is that you would grow up to love and serve our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and that you would serve Him with gladness and with zeal all the days of your life! You are a joy to us all!

As you can see, our beloved friends are over from Aussieland to visit! Yes, the kiddies are all bigger, and yes, we have a few more wrinkles...well at least the men do :-) but when it comes to some things...they just never change...notice the boys in the reflection!

 

10 points for anyone who can recognize these masked maidens! I'll give you a clue: The first one is related to me, and the second one isn't...well not by blood anyway :-)

 

The girls have been learning all about the Byzantine empire. One of their activities was to cut out a whole lot of Byzantine costumes and dress Emporer Justinian, and Empress Theodora in them. Here you have them modeling their beautiful attire.

 

Last week Sunday we were so blessed to celebrate Eden's birthday with all those that are special to her. I don't think that she fully understood what was going on, but she had a wonderful time all the same. Barney, to my horror has become a favourite, and so we decided to have him be the theme of her special day, although I did keep him to  a minimum :-)

 

Thank you to all those who celebrated her life with us, and for being such a special part of it!

 

 

 

 

I think I can safely say that Jude is Natasha's favourite 'almost 11 month old' in the church! She just loves him so much, and the feeling is definately mutual!

 



 

 

Ag, little Aydon, what can I say...you are too cute! Unfortunately he didn't want to sleep and so his mommy had to take him home - can't wait to see him again!

It was so special to have Eden's great grandparents at the party too - they added so much to her special day!

 

 

 

After loads of sweets, ice-creams, ice-cream cake, eats, games, chips and cooldrink we finally opened presents! She was so blessed with all her gifts that she could hardly take it all in! Thank you all for blessing her so much!