Early Easter egg hunt...

Our friends S & L and their girls Anna and Faith arrived yesterday and it's been happy chaos since!

Normally they'd come and stay at Easter but they took an early week's holiday as sadly Katrina, a good friend of their's, passed away and today was her funeral in Edinburgh.

We looked after the girls while they attended the funeral and Ele brought Esme up for a grand reunion with her pals.  I love that Esme and only sees them a couple of times a year (usually Easter and the October school holidays) yet they have formed such a strong friendship and take up with each other after months apart, as if they'd only seen each other a few days ago.

Esme, Ele and Jen arrived, we all had lunch then it was time to head into the garden to find the chocolate eggs.  Lola came too of course but their little dog Lily chose to stay indoors, probably glad of some peace!  :-)

The girls were hyper racing round the garden trying to find the eggs.  They were much quicker than I expected.  They also played on the swing which David had to shorten, a sign of how much they've all grown since last autumn.

Back inside to enjoy some of the chocolate eggs then a range of activities to keep them amused and hyper!  Finally a film to watch!  

Jen is so good with them.  It's clear to see what a natural teacher she is when she's around young folk.  So patient but firm and fair, and very funny.  And completely on their level.  I couldn't stop laughing when I looked up to find her chatting away to them whilst feeding Faith's baby! :-))

Takeaway pizza for dinner (the line of least resistance!) then it was time for Ele, Jen and Esme to head home.  Sadly I think this is the only chance the girls will have to get together this visit.

S and L had an emotional time at Katrina's funeral but said she'd been given a very good send off.  

Anna asked if she and I could do some drawing so we did.  Subjects were flowers, animals, houses, unicorns and butterflies.  She is a very good little artist.  Great observations skills and a very good sense of composition.  I am sure drawing and painting is something she will get great pleasure from as she grows and develops her skills.

A final cup of tea and they all headed off to bed, tired from their long journey yesterday and the emotion and fun of today.

Thought I would get my backblips up to date tonight but too tired.  Maybe tomorrow :-)