Last Friday

It was a busy week last week. A lot of preparation went into Sam's birthday, cooking cakes and goodies, making jelly and organising his after school party.

As well as Sam's birthday party last Friday it was my friend Yvonne's birthday. I made her a cake too. A delicious caramel mud cake. I never realised how easy it was to make, so here is the recipe to share.

That same Friday was a special day for Ethan too. Along with another class mate from year 2, Ethan was conducting an oratory competition for the year 1's oratory competition final. Ethan gave his talk a few weeks before but didn't make it into the finals, it was a good talk too!! So his teacher gave him another opportunity to shine by conducting for the year 1's oratory competition and introducing the speakers.

Ethan has such a lovely, clear, gentle voice and expresses himself beautifully. He has such a calm exterior and talking in front of a crowd of people comes quite naturally to him. I know speaking in church in primary has a lot to do with his growing confidence as well as the speaking opportunities the school involves the children in during class and assembly. Ethan is such a fantastic reader. I know that reading is a great basis for all learning and growing too. I'm so glad he loves books, as do all my boys (I didn't when I was younger and school and study was a struggle). Always make the opportunity to read to your children everyday, it will make a world of difference.

At the end of the competition they had a brief assembly where class awards were handed out. I couldn't have been more proud of Ethan during his presentation but to hear he had also won an award for "Good work in all areas of literacy", just made the tears start to well up in my eyes. Ah what a good boy you are Ethan, what a wonderful spirit you have.