playing Ketchup

This past week I have been fairly busy- an improvement! We met with Doug on Monday and headed up the North Coast, Tuesday I spent the morning at Newington Day Centre, then headed up to The Vine Centre for afterschools. I really have enjoyed my few days at the Vine, the kids are pretty funny and the set up they have is great- the kids from the community are allowed to come for one hour one day a week, so the group of kids each afternoon changes twice. So basically by the time the kids have had enough of an activity, it is time for them to go. It works well. I will be working with them for two weeks for their summer scheme from 10-2, beginning 16 July. I am looking forward to it! Today Michelle took me out to Jordanstown to see where she goes to Uni. It was pretty crazy, one HUGE building, including shops, restaurants, the book store, library, and tons of computer labs and lecture halls. I mean huge. Think of a whole university in one building. Pretty cool to see how it can be done- especially somewhere that it rains all the time and is cold!

Two big events have passed with any mention on my blog, so I thought I would fill you in as they were pretty fun for me. The first fell about a week ago, our end of the year BBQ for the point. We cooked up some burgers and sausages (which I am awful at cooking) and had junk food to eat along with it. We took a walk down on the beach and just hung out. I gave each of my youth an award for the year- silly paper plate ones, like the what are we doing next week award and the best impersonation of libby award. Overall it was a good time. We will no longer have youth group on sunday nights but I am already planning up some stuff for them each week, so they stay connected and I still get to see them between their holidays!

On Saturday past, the Anchor boys of the Boys Brigade that I work with had their outting! It was great to see them again because I hadn't known the last time I saw them would be the last. Plus, to see how much some of them have grown and changed in just three months was amazing! taller, more grown up, slimmed down. We went to the Arc Open Farm in Newtonabbey. It was a great trip. We started by feeding some of the animals, the chickens and the cows and horses. Pamela was terrified of the chickens and hid behind me squealing the whole time, which was highly humourous! The kids were pretty good with the animals, a few a wee bit nervous to feed them, while others were sticking their hands in their mouths! On our tour of the farm, we saw and got to hold a chick, a puppy, a kid, and a bunny. We also saw piglets that were only a few weeks old, goats, horses, sheep, and cows! The kids were so cute with their different reactions to things. Some of the pictures are classic. We had our lunch at the farm, then called in for ince cream on the drive home! Overall, a great day. OH and I'm 100% obsessed with this first picture of me and my boys! Who says I didn't meet a great boy in Belfast and fall in love.... I've met 10....


Tomorrow I have real work to do- office work, and then tea with Rosemary and family to get a wee bit more done with some postcards. There is a festival in town this weekend, so that should be good fun! And woah, next week is the 4th! we gots to get goin on some plans! At least I have sparklers! YESSSSSS