Football's Coming Home!

At the time of going to press we are awaiting kick off in tonight's World Cup semi final with England facing Croatia. Our Rachel Keeling family are fortunate enough to come from the four corners of the world and many nations have been represented in this World Cup in Russia. With England, France and Croatia still standing we are behind England (we do have French connections too it has to be said!)
Children have been enjoying football this week, with new nets Maria picked up. They have problem solved sharing the footballs and kept a tally of the number of goals scored. Children have also been supported to prepare refreshing snacks for friends to share in the garden: with watermelon, apple and orange being most popular. Some children and many families have shared their experiences of watching the matches so far - the joy and the pain (Russia, Japan, Brazil, Spain.)
Just as we were preparing for the big match, we were visited by Rachel Keeling regular Penny, our local police horse and Regal Blue (RB for short). They were out exercising before the match and awaiting a call out to Hyde Park later this evening. We enjoyed observing the giants up close and children and staff who wanted to were able to stroke them. After a few apples, we bid them farewell.
​Today we have enjoyed singing football songs, the national anthem, our Police horse visitors and England face painting. 
This has been a long time coming and having enjoyed weeks of blistering sunshine, yesterday's fly past of the RAF, we simply cannot contain our excitement and optimism about tonight's match - come on England!