just another morning here

Can’t really think of how to sum up our weekend as we did loads – as well as having a fair bit of time to relax with family which was lovely.

On Saturday the girls had Orchestra as usual. While they were there Josiah and I went to a little art cafe in town for an Easter Egg making workshop which was great. The cafe itself was lovely (although I can imagine if I start going too much it could get very expensive, especially if the girls were there!), and the workshop was good too, as was the time spent with friends

After that came a manic hour and a half where I dashed round town picking up my sister and all her stuff from her Uni halls of residence, Anna from Orchestra (Steve had picked Abbie up an hour earlier), we came home to drop off the cello, pick up an extra seat for the car as well as our overnight stuff, sleeping bags etc., and have a hurried lunch, then drove back out to the sports club where the kids have swimming lessons for their Gala Presentation. Very important to be there as I’d had inside information that Joe had won some medals so we couldn’t miss his moment of glory! He was pleased with his two bronzes and we were really proud of him, although he did whisper to me later that he would rather have won silver or gold (wonder where he gets that from?!). Next year!

From there we drove straight to my parents’ house in Oxfordshire, where we had a lovely roast dinner and a nice evening of tv and games. Steve and I woke up at some unearthly hour to watch the Australian Grand Prix (well, I didn’t stay awake for all of it but I showed willing!), while the others slept. More time for chatting and eating (croissants etc.!) this morning before we left. Really love having a young brother and sister – not only are they lovely people for me to spend time with but it’s really nice to see the children relating to them too, there’s something special about having an uncle and aunt so close to your own age, as opposed to those who are nearer your parents’ age, I think.

We planned to stop at Cribbs Causeway on the way home, having failed to remember that this would add about two hours to the journey just sitting in the queue to get in! Still, I found some shoes for work (like these except black – boring I know but practical!) and Josiah found some new tracksuit bottoms. We couldn’t decide on sheets (the other thing we’d been looking for) so have put that off until another time. Left fairly soon after that as we really can’t stand being aimless in shopping malls, and it was really busy and noisy. Give me Princesshay any day, so much nicer for being outside. And having the Apple Store

Home by 4pm so time for some tea, sorting out stuff for tomorrow, and all that general Sunday night stuff. Like blogging, and scrabulous

You are meant to have Nothing Days on holiday, right? It was a day of hazy sunshine … we woke up late and after breakfast took the children to experience the delights of Carrefour. Bought buckets and spades for some more serious sandcastle building, so after lunch spent hours trying (and failing!) to build a decent sandcastle.

The children swam in the lake again, and we rented a pedalo on another lake for a while as well. The girls had showers, then we all met back at the tent for dinner (various BBQ bits under the grill, chips from the Frituur onsite, and salad bits & bobs) and games on the field – ball tag was their favourite I think.

Very chilled out

A beautiful start to the day, sunshine and completely clear skies. Everyone played and enjoyed the surroundings, and I was very relieved as it would have been awful to be on that wonderful site but not get to swim in the lake etc.

We mooched around near the tent all morning, played tennis, sunbathed on Anna’s campbed, then de-camped to the swimming lake in the afternoon, and swam, played, watched the world go round, and ate ice creams

And parcels arriving on the right day! Steve and I were worried that our present for Joe wasn’t going to get here but then it did

He’s had a lovely day, lots of presents this morning so a big thank you to everyone who got them to us in various ways (more photos on flickr). Have made time for lots of lego play between activities today

We went to Crealy and he spent a happy few hours racing around with another little home ed friend, then I treated him to lunch.

When we got home his parcel was here and he was really happy with a grown up scooter of his own, and went down the road on it to meet the girls from school.

We’re off out now to swimming and then taking Gizmo to the vet, so he’s having to come to the pool with us as well – should provide some extra changing room amusement! Steve’s dashing home to get Anna to ballet on time, and eventually we’ll all end up at home together later on.