VAR

 At 05:15 Ellie wandered into our room and asked if it was six-thirty yet. I assured her there was still a long time to go and that she should go back to sleep. She duly returned to her bedroom and we heard nothing further until 06:45 when she fired up her tablet (quietly).

Today was sports day. We took Ellie to school (along with Zoe) and then set up some chairs so that we could watch the races. It was grey and overcast. Rain threatened, but was never brave enough to put in an appearance. A cold wind made sure everyone was equally uncomfortable.

Class by class they started to emerge for the school clutching their chairs. They lined up, class by class and house by house within the class.

Parents were streaming in and taking up their positions. The main topic of conversation was the cold wind. Eventually, all the classes were sitting by the track and the Headmistress introduced the event and welcomed the parents.

The first event was for the reception class. When that was over, Ellie's "Beech Class" took over with an egg and spoon race. Ellie came 3rd.

After the egg and spoon race, we had the relay race. Ellie was the second runner in the return leg. Ellie ran a very good leg, increasing the lead her team had developed. Her Unicorns team blasted it, blowing away all the other teams.

The races continued class by class. Finally, they came to individual sprints. Ellie lined up for the sprint. She hurtled off and crossed the line in what appeared to be a photo finish. She relaxed as she got to the line instead of blasting through it. She needs some of Grandpa's competitive spirit. Two steps back she was a clear winner, but on the line, she was joint first. (What a good job Grandpa was recording the whole thing and can now send in his VAR assessment).

Ellie was a winner, however. We collected her from school and she revealed that she had been awarded the Headmistress's "Golden Ticket" for her outstanding project work. Grandpa laminated the Golden Ticket when we got home so that she can save it in her memory box.

Ellie stayed with us for dinner and then Pete came along to collect her for the weekend.