Half Term antics
Half term rocks. I think we've knackered the kids out. And if we haven't, I'm sure not what else we could have done aside from knock them out with Medised.
Monday, as you know, was The Gruffalo, followed by the scorchingly hot Surrey County Fair.
Tuesday was filled with a blast from the past. My very, very lovely friend Toby, who I used to hang out with a lot during and after uni, is over from South Africa were he's been living for 10 years or so. So we caught up, hung out at the park with the kids and he regaled me with stories of his extraordinary trip round Africa for ten months. His blog is at www.toby.co.za. He is bonkers for what he's done, but that's why we love him.
On the third day, we rested. Never again will I not leave the house for an entire day with the children. We were all ready to strangle each other by 5pm.
Thursday was football with Terry and then the park with Izzy, Joel and Susi, followed by Joe over for tea.
Friday was a trip to the beach to celebrate the wonderful weather we've been having. We headed off to Hayling Island with Ted, Fred, Billy, Kip and Mike. Ted is Oliver's best friend from school and he spent all week asking if it was Friday yet as he was 'going to the beach with Ted'. I use the term beach loosely, as with most English beaches, it was a shingle beach but for one little person (Pip) that proved a marvel. He spent the days sucking on beach pebbles, not dirt or sand, so that made Mama marginally happier. The boys spent the day rolling around in the surprisingly warm sea, looking for crabs, and scrambling over the enormous granite looking rocks scattered between the breakers. Mama spent most of the day trying to tear her eyes away from the tremendous feast of Englishness that the beach provided - bright white or lobster red skin tones, bellies to rival Pip's and the chav watching at the Beachlands funfair. Oliver could only be mollified from not getting a go on the rollercoaster, by going on the outrageously expensive 'Hayling Island Historic Railway' (£7 return for a five minute trip - even British Rail would be envious of their blatant extortion).
Saturday we had lunch out, then an afternoon of parties. Jeff wisely stayed at home for a spot of gardening while we headed off. First, a brief stop at Matilda's second birthday party, where Mama spent much of the time looking for the keys and phone Pip had kindly hidden for her. Second, a longer stop at my pilates teacher's 40th birthday party. There was a huge marquee, booze, food, hog roast, more booze, band, and most importantly, two enormous bouncy castle type things. A slide which was almost vertical and made Mama think she wouldn't actually stop at the bottom. I learnt three things at this party. One, Pip eats pig. Lots of pig. Second, Oliver is quite prepared to launch himself down a 30ft slide with very little consideration for his, or Mama's, general well-being. Third, Oliver is also happy to run with the (much) bigger boys and at one point was telling them all to "come up here guys, come up here guys, it's fun up here".
Only tomorrow left and then we can crash into the mundane school routine once more. But Sunday may be the piece de resistance. Jeff has a driving day at Mercedes Benz world. Watch this space........!
Monday, as you know, was The Gruffalo, followed by the scorchingly hot Surrey County Fair.
Tuesday was filled with a blast from the past. My very, very lovely friend Toby, who I used to hang out with a lot during and after uni, is over from South Africa were he's been living for 10 years or so. So we caught up, hung out at the park with the kids and he regaled me with stories of his extraordinary trip round Africa for ten months. His blog is at www.toby.co.za. He is bonkers for what he's done, but that's why we love him.
On the third day, we rested. Never again will I not leave the house for an entire day with the children. We were all ready to strangle each other by 5pm.
Thursday was football with Terry and then the park with Izzy, Joel and Susi, followed by Joe over for tea.
Friday was a trip to the beach to celebrate the wonderful weather we've been having. We headed off to Hayling Island with Ted, Fred, Billy, Kip and Mike. Ted is Oliver's best friend from school and he spent all week asking if it was Friday yet as he was 'going to the beach with Ted'. I use the term beach loosely, as with most English beaches, it was a shingle beach but for one little person (Pip) that proved a marvel. He spent the days sucking on beach pebbles, not dirt or sand, so that made Mama marginally happier. The boys spent the day rolling around in the surprisingly warm sea, looking for crabs, and scrambling over the enormous granite looking rocks scattered between the breakers. Mama spent most of the day trying to tear her eyes away from the tremendous feast of Englishness that the beach provided - bright white or lobster red skin tones, bellies to rival Pip's and the chav watching at the Beachlands funfair. Oliver could only be mollified from not getting a go on the rollercoaster, by going on the outrageously expensive 'Hayling Island Historic Railway' (£7 return for a five minute trip - even British Rail would be envious of their blatant extortion).
Saturday we had lunch out, then an afternoon of parties. Jeff wisely stayed at home for a spot of gardening while we headed off. First, a brief stop at Matilda's second birthday party, where Mama spent much of the time looking for the keys and phone Pip had kindly hidden for her. Second, a longer stop at my pilates teacher's 40th birthday party. There was a huge marquee, booze, food, hog roast, more booze, band, and most importantly, two enormous bouncy castle type things. A slide which was almost vertical and made Mama think she wouldn't actually stop at the bottom. I learnt three things at this party. One, Pip eats pig. Lots of pig. Second, Oliver is quite prepared to launch himself down a 30ft slide with very little consideration for his, or Mama's, general well-being. Third, Oliver is also happy to run with the (much) bigger boys and at one point was telling them all to "come up here guys, come up here guys, it's fun up here".
Only tomorrow left and then we can crash into the mundane school routine once more. But Sunday may be the piece de resistance. Jeff has a driving day at Mercedes Benz world. Watch this space........!
posted by Emma Sweetwater at
May 30, 2009
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