The promise of Christmas...

...the stirring of the Christmas cake.

Roman Day

Following the children's interest in things Roman, we decided to have a Roman Day. We chose to celebrate the holiday of ludi plebeii, as it was conveniently located on our calendar.

The day began with "Roman baths". Our version was not as complicated an affair as the Romans would have experienced. First, we had the scented hot bath, followed by a cold plunge (quick cold shower), followed again by the scented bath. No photos...

Next, a trip to the massage room.




Then the kitchen slaves got to work preparing the feast. Here is a whole fish waiting to be cooked....



...while the children of the household waited in the shade of tents.




Roman maiden (with tunic and bulla).



Roman boy.




I had nothing like a stolla, so wore my summer dressing gown. Brendon spent part of the day resplendent in a toga made out of our sheets. No photos.....!

The first part of the feast was eaten outside. Pickled fish, mussels, flat bread, greek olives, goats cheese and Italian cheese.



The main course was served indoors - chicken, cold ham, fish, lentil and carrot soup, bread, cucumber with honey.




And cheap Italian red!



The whole fish looked less appealing now....




Reclining after the meal.




A bit of dessert - mint tea with honey, honey and date cake (no sugar), one orange to share between the family.




Then on to the games! We had gladiator contests.



(Including a junior division).



We had chariot races...




...which could be hazardous!



This was followed by some music and dancing.

We weren't 100% authentic, but it didn't really matter. It was fun researching what we would do - and what we might do next time!

Zac

Zac Power is a big hit in our household. Aidan is the main consumer of all things Zac, but Isabelle enjoys the books as well.

Mostly I like the books - they get kids reading which is generally A Good Thing. Then I don't like the books, as I notice typos or repeated words in the obviously hurriedly published paperbacks that are cashing in on the wave of popularity. Then I like them again when Aidan brings them to me saying "Look Mum! A spelling mistake in my Zac Power book!".

And role modeling obviously works:





And once you're in spy mode - you see evidence everywhere.....

Art splash

I recently updated our art walls.

Here's some figures by Orla, showing people and some lovely hand prints.



Another from Orla, with text:"This is a big girl and it's me".



Marine themes from Aidan.



And a shot of one of our walls. You can tell which two are by Ewan - they are the ones painted just in the lower right hand quadrant (by short right-handed person!).

Orla envelopes