It seems there are plans and schemes afoot everywhere!

After yesterday's rain the patio area is still a little wet, but the day is bright and sunny and it seems the girls were first up so that they didn't miss their chance to play outside.

They seem to be on a bit of a mission though...I wonder what is up?

Emily has chosen to ride the skateboard...she is pretty good on it as well.

Little Erica adores Peggy Sue and looks up to her in awe.

Amy is riding the bike whilst there are whisperings between Stevie and Danni who is taking her baby for a walk in the pram.

Cute little baby!

Little Erica is still chatting away.

Peggy Sue is doing her best to answer all the endless questions.

Ziva and Charlotte are waiting for the others to approach as they have something they want to talk about.

Come on!  They call.

The girls all gather round.

Their conversation went something like this....

I think we should have a Halloween party.

But Mum will never allow it.

Yes, but she let us have these dresses...

She said that is 'different'.  We still can't ACTUALLY celebrate Halloween or have a party.

But why?  That seems silly logic to me.

Well you know what Mums are like sometimes.   She said it wouldn't be fair on her big boys if she let us when she never let them.

Well perhaps we could call it something else?  Emily finally suggests.

That is a good idea.   The other girls agree.

I know let's call it a Harvest Party - End of Harvest Party anyway....

They seem to think they might be able to get away with that idea and they all go off to chat about it in their various groups.

Peggy Sue missed out on most of the discussion as Little Erica was too busy chatting to her.

Peggy Sue is very patient.

Emily and Amy decide to continue playing outside on the skate board and bike.

In the meantime.....

Rory is supposed to be helping the boys with their plans, but is too distracted.

He is looking for his frog...but is looking the wrong way.

Turn your head Rory and you will see him poking his head out of the water just behind that greenery.

There he is!

Elsewhere....

There is no distracting the boys though.

Gwilym, Bobby and Henry are busy measuring up.

I think this is the ideal length.  Bobby says.

If we had another four pieces this length we will have a nice flat platform.

Right then, let's get to work.  Both Henry & Gwilym suggest.

Playtime!

Before rain stopped play today a group of boys managed to get outside to ride their bikes, and skateboards.

Rory has grabbed the scooter.  

Gwilym is pleased to have his matching socks that as Henry predicted were indeed knitted up for him last night!

Francis is thinking about riding the bike.  

Looks like Gwilym has abandoned the skateboard and headed off to ride the tricycle that Bobby was riding.

You can't ride it like that.  Bobby tells Gwilym.

Why not?  It is easier like this.  Gwilym tells Bobby.

Henry and Peter discuss skateboards...

...while Peter gets ready to use his foot to get a little speed.

In the meantime James has decided to ride the bike Henry was originally riding.  It seems Gwilym and Bobby are still in discussion about how to ride the tricycle!

Oh okay!  Sighs Gwilym

He tries to get on the tricycle the 'proper way'.

See!  It is too difficult to ride this way.  He tells Bobby.

Bobby reaches out a hand to steady the tricycle.

Connor is riding another skateboard, whilst Daniel and Hamish are still in deep discussion.

Gwilym is still struggling to get on the bike...

I give up!  He cries. I just can't do it.  I told you it was easier to ride it the other way.

Bobby agrees with him.  You are right.  Do you want to ride on the back while I pedal?  He asks.

Gwilym hopes on the back of the bike and holds on to Bobby.  This is much more satisfactory.

Yeah go Bobby!  He yells.

Not in my ear Gwilym!  Remember you are just behind me.  Bobby tells Gwilym.

Hamish and Daniel look like they are getting quite animated.  I wonder if they are discussing the plans for the tree house.

The boys had a grand time outside and Henry's scheme of getting them all together in one place so they could start discussing the tree house building project worked as Daniel and Hamish started discussing ideas straight away.  As the rain started to come down they put all the bikes and skateboards away and sat down with some morning tea, paper and pens to draw up some plans.

Henry & Gwilym make some tree house plans....

I was thinking we should build the tree house somewhere around this area.  Henry tells Gwilym

Either up here....

What do you think?

Or maybe over there.  Henry points to where the trellis is up against the fence.

Well that could be a good place...  Gwilym replies.  What are we going to use to build it?

Do you think this would work?  Henry asks showing Gwilym the pallets of wood from when the paving slabs, concrete and sand were delivered for the patio areas.

Well they are a bit big at the moment.  Gwilym says cautiously.  Do you think we could get them apart and shorten them first?

Sure we just have to get the other lads to help us!  Henry says.  Let's go and check that other tree out and see if we can work out where the best place for it to be built.

I was thinking perhaps up here.  Henry tells Gwilym.

Or maybe over there.  Henry says as he looks along the branch.

Come up here and tell me what you think.  Henry suggests.

Okay, coming.  Gwylim says.

Gwilym climbs up and sits on the branch with Henry.

So what do you think Gwilym?  Henry asks.

Well...  Gwilym says as he thinks.

I think it might be a bit exposed here.  Perhaps we should go further along the branch.

The boys climb along and up the branch.

This is a bit better.  It is a bit more hidden and higher up so we get a better view point.  Gwilym tells Henry.

I think you are right.  Henry agrees.

I wonder if we will be allowed to build it up her?  We could start with just a platform couldn't we? Henry asks.

Let's get started this weekend!   Gwilym says enthusiastically.

The boys climb down the tree to go and find the other boys to see if they want to help build a platform for the start of their tree house in the weekend.

They get a bit sidetracked though.

Rory said there were three frogs in here the other day, but they had disappeared.  Henry says to Gwilym.  Shall we see if there are any in there today?

The boys look in the pond carefully....  

Look there is one!

Having been distracted by the frog they forget they were going to try and find the other boys.  Instead they sit and chat.

I think I heard Mum say she was going to start on your matching socks tonight.  I overhear Henry telling Gwilym.  Guess I better then!