So the latest craze is stones - painting up pebbles then hiding them in parks for people to find. So we went hunting in Southchurch Park... and found one.
Lily has also started making some and hiding them as well.
(Here's a message on Facebook when somebody found one of Lily's stones on the beach!)
After a hard morning's search, we deserved a treat in Rossi's.
We welcomed Aunty Sarah to Essex with a curry (and a stone).
Then we wrapped up warm for a nightcap in the summer house.
All aboard the camper van.
We strapped in tight and headed off to the seaside.
It was Miggsy and Marley's first walk along the beach.
Where Lily found another stone.
And here's Lily pretending to be Miss Spider with a bit of help from Mummy.
Another triumph for this year's Roald Dahl Day.
She's hardly been back at school any time at all, but Lily has already earned a certificate. This time, for being Maths Champ.
Here she is at another school. A High School. She's been looking round to see which one she'd like to go to next year.
This one even has a special hairdressing class.
They were kind enough to give Lily a demonstration.
We visited the Arts Department (not including actual art).
Then on Saturday afternoon, we took a football over to the park. A helicopter flew overhead. RIGHT overhead... and landed just a few hundred metres from where we were playing.
And took a few snaps.
Here's a video of it taking off again.
After all that excitement, we enjoyed a cosy night in under the duvet.
Next day, we went for a walk in the woods.
We had a fab time and caught the weather just right (it rained all afternoon when we got home).
Wait, what's this? Another stone!
And another.
So what can you do on a rainy afternoon? Why, an enormous Lego set of course.
Three and a half hours later, Lily had created an entire fairground.
A quick selfie break...
...then it was bath time.
Lily investigated another High School. And I do mean investigated.
Here she is as a forensic officer, getting clued up on the facilities.
Then yesterday, Lily and several of her school friends sat the 11+ exam. Here they are celebrating after it was all over.
Lily was welcomed by Mummy's specially prepared party car.
Well done, girls.
Straight off to a birthday party at Rolla City.
This morning, thanks to a surprisingly sunny day, Mummy put some finishing touches to the Summer House. And finally took the green plastic off the windows.
We loaded up the doggies into our little car...
And spent the afternoon walking along the seaside again.
Not sure who was the most tired out, us or the dogs.
Here's a cool snap of Lily walking barefoot on the sand.
Time to soak all the adventures away.
