just another morning here

We’ve had a busy old weekend – though with plenty of nice things in it. Saturday morning was orchestra as usual – busy, with new kids starting and lots to do; all good though I really don’t want to give it up, though just not sure I have time to do it justice. Dithering!

On Saturday afternoon, Josiah went off to evensong, and I took the girls out to Creative Stitches. They were incredibly lucky that I’d just been paid and was feeling in need of retail therapy! We had a nice time – it wasn’t as expensive as it could have been, either. They both came home and got on with their new arty stuff while I cooked dinner – my favourite Cottage Pie … comfort food! Steve came first in his class at the new hillclimb at Manor Farm so he came home in a good mood too.

Today I was up early to take Joe to his morning services – then came home and worked (huge ironing pile plus school work) while the girls did more arty bits and bobs. After picking Josiah up we rushed off to Charmouth to watch the hillclimb – it’s the last race of the season and the first time we’ve managed to go and spectate! The venue brought back happy (and some not-so-happy!) memories of Hesfes, and actually it was a good hillclimb venue too – not too steep, and not a long hike from the paddock to the spectating area! Not as much fun to watch as Wiscombe though, although Steve said it felt fun to drive. (nb turn speakers off before watching video otherwise Abbie’s annoying cheering voice will grate somewhat – I did tell her not to do it but she thought I was joking, apparently )

Anyway, after the race we stood around chatting for a while, then went down to the town for a cache, then to the beach for an earthcache where we had to find fossils, something the kids love doing. Steve found a whole ammonite which looks like we could polish it up – so have been googling that this evening – anyone know anything about that?

Now home and trying to fit too much ‘finishing off’ into one evening – there’s ironing to finish, school work to finish (all four of us schoolies have some!), not to mention a shopping list that needs making and other general tidying up …

LOVEFiLM, that is. If anyone out there is thinking of signing up to a postal DVD rental service soon, we can recommend Lovefilm. Please use this lovely link and if/when you subscribe we’ll get some freebie or other.

Right, now that’s out of the way. It’s been busy here as usual over the last few days. On Wednesday and Thursday we spent some time looking around the two secondary schools we were considering, so that was interesting. Thankfully Anna and I agreed on which one we preferred, so our first choice on the routine application form is decided. Home education again may yet be an option but we’re all unsure at the moment so we’re applying for a high school place and we’ll make a final decision about taking it up or not nearer the time.

On Wednesday Josiah and I went to home ed group; Joe played with a bunch of boys which was good. Thursday saw us back in school making more momos with another group of children from a different class as the school didn’t get enough volunteer helpers. On Friday we had a trip to Creative Stitches with some friends, who then came back for lunch/chatting/playing, so that was a lovely day. The boys especially enjoyed the sugarcraft penguin they made – Josiah ate his before we even got out of the exhibition hall!

Today has been Orchestra for Anna (can see why she likes it, looked like loads of fun, I was jealous!), a trip into town for the rest of us, Kids’ Club film at the Picture House for Abbie, and a Happy Meal for Joe (compensation for my mistake in thinking over 5s could stay at the Picture House, then finding out it was only over 8s). Got home to do the uusal Saturday chores which aren’t finished yet so I must get back to them.

I am knackered, the house is a tip, why am I blogging?

Feels like the minute you tidy something up it’s in a mess again the next day, so futile … I’m going to the office tomorrow so hoping Steve will be able to get on top of things.

Had a busy day today doing most of the stuff I thought I would. Taunton trip – left home around 8.15am and got back to Exeter around 10.30am, having dropped off a car and a book in two separate places!

Creative Stitches was excellent as usual, we came home laden with more felt pens and a few gizmos to use with them, some Christmas card supplies, and other stuff.

Anna had a go at a flower arranging workshop which she really really enjoyed, and while she was doing that, the other two did some knitting … and were given a ball of wool and small pair of needles each, so that was cool.

Yummy food to taste as usual, although I was restrained today and didn’t buy any of that. Josiah behaved abominably all the way round, but apart from that it was good. I suppose a craft resources exhibition is hardly interesting for a 4yo boy, especially when all you can see are other people’s legs, in any case. Most pleased that the magic pen man remembered us from last year!

Visited Martins Caravans (interesting fact, Martin as in Chris Martin of Coldplay – it’s his Dad’s business. Lush site, huge amount of stock of vans and motorhomes) but found them to be fairly unhelpful in terms of helping with the awning – will try Reimo next week. Never mind, my free trial copy of Practical Motorhome arrived today, might get some more ideas there too.

Didn’t get to Start Right, I’m increasingly thinking maybe we won’t bother with this book swapping business, as it’s too much hassle to fit in another 4pm appointment in the week. I’m tempted to post the books we have back with a letter thanking them for the offer but explaining that we’ve found we’re able to find enough reading material for Josiah at the library after all, or words to that extent.

Anna was thrilled to find a letter of acceptance from Stage by Stage here when we got home

Kids are now eating tea and we’re about to go out to Friday Fish, a bit early as Anna has to practice the short dramas she’s doing as part of the Narnia theme there. She learnt her script this morning, I do think she’s pretty good at stuff like that. Might even stay and watch, it should be amusing – she’s being Lucy and one of our friends is being Mr Tumnus (and *that* will be the funny part!).

Planning to cook a relatively romantic (well, in that no children will be present) dinner for Steve and I later, and spend the evening together. Still slightly euphoric from my win at poker last night, if only Steve hadn’t lost so badly I would have been rolling in it. Ah well, he bailed me out last time when I lost, as long as one of us does well enough to pay the other’s debts we’re okay

Louise, in her great organisational capacity, had organised us a home ed group trip to Living Coasts today. The group had been once before and we were gutted to miss it, so this time decided not to miss out.

Haven’t got time to blog properly yet (will catch up later or tomorrow) but it was an excellent day.

Followed that very long day with an hour’s violin lesson for Steve and I – as predicted, Steve enjoyed it far more than me! Got home around 7pm, made some soup quickly, kids are justabout in bed now, and we’re playing poker

Tomorrow will be equally manic – work-related trip to Taunton first thing, then I’m planning to get to the Creative Stitches Exhibition (a tradition, here – anyone remember last year’s visit, featured on a Different Life?), followed by a visit to Start Right to get some new books for Josiah, possibly fitting in a visit to Martin’s Caravans to talk about awnings as well. And then the girls need to be at Friday Fish a little bit early as Anna is acting the part of Lucy (from the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe) as part of the story-telling there …

Anyway, better go, as lack of concentration will lead to losing even more than usual