just another morning here

Before we get to the manic concert afternoon, a quick catch up:

Friday evening was surprisingly pleasant. Anna went out to a BBQ with a school friend and then when she was reminded about her show rehearsal, dashed over to that as well. The other two children decided not to go to their usual kids’ club as they were too tired, so we popped some popcorn and settled down to watch Pete’s Dragon instead. I’m not sure I’ve ever watched it all the way through!
I got some much-procrastinated-over ironing done, and Steve had a nap And then we waited up for Anna to come home (this is becoming a common occurrence, at 12 yrs old!) Guess I will give up on waiting up after a while, but I always think it’s nice for her to have a little chat with us when she comes in, even if it is only quick!

Had to use my time well on Saturday but I did manage to get everything done. Essential shopping beforehand, then on to orchestra where I was on duty. Josiah joined in with a junk drumming workshop on at the same time as orchestra, which he really enjoyed. He was due to be re-joining orchestra in September and is now prevaricating over whether to join in with percussion rather than playing his violin!

My sister and brother in law popped in to see us on their way down to Cornwall for a holiday (lucky them) so we stopped for a cup of tea with them, but otherwise the afternoon was taken up with cleaning out the guinea pigs and fish, some music practice with Joe, trying to help Abbie with her end of year project (that ended in tears, will have to try again), and Anna did her music practice then sat around looking relaxed, without any homework to do, which annoyed Abbie even more – honestly, I think Y7 has been a doss!

Anna went out to Caitlin’s birthday bash, and after tea the rest of us went out for a walk and found a new local cache, which was much nicer than just slobbing around doing nothing – I like after dinner walks

On to today, which started early with someone coming to look at something we’d advertised in the paper. Thought if I made an early appointment that it would get us up and moving! (sold it, now we just have to take it to pieces and get it downstairs!)
Spent the rest of the morning sorting out a leaving present for the orchestra leader, Hannah’s (messages from the orchestra members framed around a photo montage) and then we had lunch.

Josiah’s concert was first this afternoon. I have grown to love the Suzuki thing over the past four years, and we’ve now known most of these kids for most of that time, so it is really nice to see how they’ve all grown up both in themselves and in their playing. Some of the older ones are *very* impressive these days!

I had tried to encourage Joe to practice a bit this morning because his piece hadn’t been sounding very good over the past few days, but he refused, on the basis that he knew he could do it. I despair, but didn’t want a fight! Steve upheld his refusal and he sat and watched Prince Caspian instead – and then played his piece beautifully. Could do with being louder in the loud bits but the dynamics are there …

During the tea break Steve dashed to drop the girls off at their concert venue, then back in time for the second half, which was all the group performances – enjoyable to listen to although they lost marks for hiding behind music stands, even on the pieces they were playing from memory! Very proud of Joe through all of it, he did really well

The Suzuki concert finished just before 5pm, and the girls’ orchestra concert started at 6pm – couldn’t have packed them in much more closely, but we managed a quick cuppa with Steve’s parents inbetween. Because I knew I’d potentially be fairly rushed, I hadn’t volunteered to help with anything this time, so it was nice not to have to get there early but just to sit and watch Grandma wins lots of grandma points for making it to both concerts; Grandpa joined us for the orchestra one as well.

Stopped to pick up fish & chips on the way home, which was a lovely end to the day. Hustled children to bed rather quickly, caught up on Top Gear (samey) and the news, and that’s about it!

Couldn’t be bothered to go and get a proper camera so the photo’s rubbish but I don’t care all that much any more.

Spent most of the afternoon helping Abbie with her science homework. Just sometimes I am grateful for my folder of home ed links, as we first did this activity over four years ago (when I had an even more rubbish digital camera!).

Had orchestra this morning, and while the kids were there, I showed a friend and her partner around our ‘to let’ house and they have decided to rent it so that was a great result. Their first baby is due in 5 weeks’ time so they needed somewhere to live rather urgently!

Now cooking a roast and getting through the essential housework very slowly … and looking forward to a relaxed Saturday night.

Caitlin really is a Very Good Influence on Anna!

The girls arrived home today with friends in tow, at which point Ruth and I swapped children – I got the good end of the deal I think, by virtue of the fact that I had to take Anna to the doctor to get an infected finger looked at – so I’ve ended up with the big girls while Ruth has the younger girls and Josiah; we’re swapping back after tea

The idea was for Caitlin and Anna to do their homework together – normally Anna leaves hers until the last minute, but Caitlin is the kind of person who likes to be organised – and seems to like organising Anna as well

The two of them are in different school years but because Anna’s in a mixed year group class they seem to be doing some of the same work at the moment. It’s lovely to see, actually – homework is much more enjoyable when you have a friend to do it with

Thrill of the evening is that Anna somehow managed to get 50/50 on her times tables and do it in the fastest time across the two classes. Probably a fluke, but well done to her anyway – might let her stay up for a film tonight