Life's a beach!

The pictures tell it all ... there's fun in the sun when life is just a beach!

The Happy House family went down to the beach yesterday afternoon and what a great time they had -  flying a kite generously sent by sponsor Lesley Pidcock to Janet,  playing beach football, making sandcastles and splashing in the waves.

Jane, who was celebrating her birthday, was presented with her gift by Papa Dave and there was cake , prepared by cook, Habel,  to eat and juice to drink.

Uncle Billy says: "Then, as the kids assembled on top of an old canoe, Janet took the podium and pretended to be Mama Sue greeting them, as she would : " Happy House kids!"  to which they shout "YES" and then Janet  continued as Mama Sue would have done "Are you Happy?" and they all screamed "YEEES!"  - loud enough for  people in the next village to hear!

"It was lovely as she went on asking just as Mama does ..... who would like some cake?  They all raised their hands.

"To me it meant only one thing, Mama, who is visiting the UK,  is terribly being missed!"

The girls then played football against the boys and, I guess it must have been Girl Power in force, as Uncle Billy adds:

 "I won't share the results now because you won't believe it, it's a bit of a disappointment....."

After a swim, they all wnet happily home - tired but happy after two hours of action!

 * There will be more pictures of this lovely day on our Happy House, Watamu, Facebook group page over the next few days - you may spot your sponsor child having fun!

Playing out

School holidays are a time for fun and games and it is no different at the Happy House.

After such a desperately sad and hard start in life, our children now, at last,  have the freedom to play every child deserves and it fills our hearts with joy to watch them!

Welcome guests

Sue was a very welcome guest at Fylde Soroptimists Club's annual meeting and dinner last night at Old Links Golf Club, St Annes.

The club has always been so supportive of Sue's work and it is through this club that other Soroptimist clubs in the north west have also become involved.

When they heard that Sue was back on her old home turf they invited both her and Elizabeth along to their special evening and were thrilled to hear all the latest news from the Happy House straight from Mama Sue herself.

Thank you ladies for your hospitality and a lovely evening.

Getting fruity

A healthy diet is crucial to our children's development and we are making sure that's what they get.

All are malnourished when they come to us, so by making sure they have good, fresh, food and multi-vitamins, we are catching up on lost time and turning them into strong and healthy little minds and  bodies.

Fruit, and luckily we have so many delicious fruits to chose from, is always on the menu and the babies love tucking into a chunk of banana, mango or pineapple for their mid-morning snack!

Sound of music

The sound of music echoes through the Happy House as children enjoy daily music lessons.

A visiting teacher comes in to take classes in the nursery school and visits at weekends to ensure the older children do not lose out.

And some are showing a real talent , including one of our older boys who seems to be a natural on the keyboard.

We are lucky to have three keyboards donated by Lytham St Annes High School, plus recorders, some local drums and other small instruments.

All the kids love to sing and dance and even the shy ones are eager to join in!

Almost ready

It's a race to beat the rains as the roof goes on the walkway linking the indoor and outdoor kitchens.

And the workmen are winning, ensuring that cook Habel will be able to walk between the two without umbrella and wellies by the the time the clouds burst and the heaviest rains bring the annual deluge!

Just strolling

When morning holiday tuition is over for the day, the older children enjoy playing out or giving a hand in the laundry or the kitchen.

The babies get plenty of attention and yesterday  some of the big girls decided to take them on a on a nature walk with Mama Prescha, some of the aunties going along too.

They had a lovely time exploring the grounds beyond the Happy House gates, laughing and chattering as they strolled along.