just another morning here

Oh yes, I am finding Easter very restful! Nothing to do with Josiah staying at school, I’m sure ! Ahem.

Easter Saturday was spent mainly preparing for Steve’s dad’s 60th birthday party which was an open house affair from 4pm onwards. In order to help Marg keep it a surprise I did lots of shopping and preparing food earlier in the day. Of course Steve ended up with a customer on test drive as we were due to pick him up at 4pm but we weren’t too late. I think the party was a success, and certainly Russ looked pleased and surprised with his gift of a trip to Paris; Steve took them to the airport yesterday.

The kids came home from the party laden with chocolate from various family members, and I brought home plenty of leftovers too, always good

On Easter Sunday the girls and I left Steve watching the Grand Prix and we went to church. The rest of the day was spent doing normal jobs etc., no family roast dinner as it seemed a bit mean to do that without Joe! We might get one in later in the holidays, if I can be bothered to cook one!

Later in the day our friends Stuart & Liz arrived to stay for a few days. They fancied doing a night cache so we all went out in the evening armed with wellies and torches to re-visit one that belongs to my friend; only Steve & I had done it about 18 months ago now, so enough time had elapsed for us to have forgotten the way!

Monday saw most people having a lazy start; I got up and made cottage pie for tonight while they were all still in bed! Breakfast happened; there was some gameplaying and I think some people had showers, then after lunch we went out for a long walk along the Estuary from Exton to Exmouth, with some caches completed en route.

We got the train back then headed into town for evensong. Not entirely sure what Stuart & Liz made of it – it was much busier than usual due to the annual get-together of the Old Choristers’ Association.

Fab to have Josiah home afterwards, though I did have to wrestle him to the floor to get a hug out of him! He’d clearly had a ball boarding at school over the past few days. After dinner we caught up with Dr Who, then the children went to bed and we watched a film (well, I blogged and faffed around with photos while the rest of them watched a film. Having fallen asleep during Dr Who at 8pm I thought I’d better keep myself awake somehow!).

Lovely first day of holidays here. Steve went off to work relatively early, while the girls and I got up a bit later, but in time to go to town for a little bit of shopping, and to see the re-enactment of the Crucifixion on the Cathedral Green. We successfully bought Abbie a dress for her Y6 prom, and dashed to Tesco for rolls for lunch, then watched Jesus being crucified – I find it very moving. Some small children behind us really did get upset when they nailed his hands and feet as it was very realistic.

Anyway, after that we dashed home and I made some rather nice roast parsnip soup, so there was a choice of that or Heinz tomato soup from a tin when my parents and brother came for lunch. They’re down to look at a car or two at the garage this afternoon but decided to come and see us too

As I write, Joe’s singing his way through a Passion Service; I did want to go but I’ll have to save it for next year. Hoping to pop in for evensong instead. In the meantime, the girls are baking simnel muffins for when Grandad and Nanna come back for a cup of tea, and I think I might watch The Sound of Music!

Must admit I quite like this newfound enthusiasm for baking; she made a rather nice looking Easter Bunny lemon cake yesterday, and we haven’t been allowed to cut into it yet!

As an aside, I was surprised to find that I haven’t used Good Friday as a post title before now, in 7 years of blogging – strange, but I haven’t!

Steve’s mum is really good at making little treasure hunts, and today’s was no exception. We had a big cooked breakfast, an Easter egg hunt in the garden, and then a relaxed day doing nothing much.

Feeling a bit heathen as we didn’t get to church at all – mainly because Steve and his dad left at lunchtime so we only had the morning for family things. They are off for a track day tomorrow (Steve’s idea of a great b’day pressie for Russ – see, I’m not the only one round here who gives presents with an ulterior motive!), so I’m in for a quiet evening once we get home.

I have really enjoyed having Easter outside of the school holidays; I know some people have moaned about it but to me it’s felt like much more of a treat!

We spent the morning mainly at home, I took Steve to work, everyone did some music, Anna went out to meet a friend, and I had a friend round for coffee.

After lunch we went out for a walk at Haldon with more friends; I fancied doing a geocache and they have a GPS so they were the perfect companions We actually found two, on different trails at the Forest Park, and it was good fun. The rain had stopped and there was even some sunshine!

Afterwards we picked Steve up from work; Rich, Becca and Josh came back for a curry, bringing pudding and wine with them, so it was a lovely afternoon. Early nights all round before school/work tomorrow.