Day 104 - Weird World

Had a different type of day today.  It started the same as any other with me dragging myself out of bed, into my gym clothes and out for a run.

I got Leo ready for school and then sent him on his way at 8:30am.  He's been walking to school by himself the last 2 mornings.  I'm just trying to get him to do a few little things independently and hopefully build his confidence a little bit. 

I was already organised for the day ahead as I knew that I wouldn't have much time in the morning as needed to go and take Rob's mum to the doctors.  After JW workout I got Oscar started with his school work and made sure Ellis was up and logged in too.

I left the boys about half 10 with strict instructions about not eating, only answer the phone if it comes up with the name on the screen and to not answer the door.  They also know the drill if there is a fire.

Got to MIL and loaded her scooter into the boot, that thing is heavy but luckily with all this exercise I've been doing I was able to lift it okay, much to FIL's surprise.  On closing the boot the heavens opened so I quickly jumped back into the car and waited for it to pass.  We had time before our appointment.  I always get there a bit early as it can sometimes take a while for MIL to get down the steps to the car.

By now I had my mask on and I helped MIL into the car.  It was very strange linking arms with her as no one other than Rob and the boys has touched me since lockdown! 

We got to the surgery on time and everything was set out differently.  There were screens everywhere and everyone was wearing masks.  We waited for a bit and then were called in.  MIL rams nearly every chair and door frame with her scooter so it can take a while to get to the room.

The appointment went well although MIL had a bit of a funny turn and felt hot and sick so we opened the windows, got her a drink and a sick bowl.  I tried to distract her and make her laugh which seemed to work and we were soon on our way.  Next stop the hospital.

We'd been referred to the hospital to get an x-ray, purely investigative.  I'd never been to the hospital before so didn't really know where I was going but we found the right department and I was swiftly sent back out again, leaving MIL to fend for herself.  She had to wear a mask too and I realised quite quickly how much she must lip read as she suddenly became very deaf. 😃👂

While I waited I messed around with Snapchat, Whatsapped a few friends, spoke to FIL to tell him where we were and just listened to the silence.  It was very eery.

I'd been wearing my mask now for about 2 hours and it was becoming uncomfortable.  It's hot and sweaty and it itches and annoys your face.  I don't know how the lovely NHS staff do it for the length of time they do.  Plus I hate breathing in breath. 😁. Would you believe it, there was an actual Snapchat filter today for if you were wearing a mask, perfect timing! 😉😷

I obviously checked in on the boys a few times and they were loving it.  I wasn't there nagging at them to get their school work done.

Because I had said to the boys they aren't allowed to eat when I'm not there, I knew they would be starving so after dropping MIL home I stopped in McDonalds to grab them a meal each which they were both extremely grateful and excited for.  I didn't get a picture as by the time I had finished decontaminating myself by having a shower, it was all gone!

Leo has been trying to learn how to do a back flip from the ground rather than just on the trampoline but he really wanted an exercise mat to land on.  Well it just so happened that the school gave away all their old mats and I managed to get one!  I knew I would need help getting it home though so dragged Ellis and Oscar with me to pick it up.

Once home and I finally managed to sit down with a cuppa I was zonked and feeling very cold.  Even having a shower didn't warm me up and I didn't do much for an hour which was nice. 

Rob came home and I cooked him a mini roast and after a shower he promptly went to bed and I didn't see him again all evening.  He's working way too much and staying up way too late.  He has been in the office 2 days in a row now and I think he said something about being in possibly 4 days this week.  Don't think he's used to it.  Can't imagine what the kids will be like come September! Going to take them ages to get back into a routine.

Just in case you don't know what I look like anymore since I only post pictures of me with a filter on, here is one with no filter, including bags and wrinkles. 😊

Bucket list adding will have to wait until tomorrow now as I'm too tired to think about it.

Highlights from today are getting MIL to docs, hospital and home with no major problems, the boys being good when I was out and even completed some school work, McDonalds and Oscar made Leo a lovely den for when he got home from school.  He worked really hard on it and put thought into what Leo would like.  It was very sweet.

Bed is calling me but I don't want to sleep as planning 7 mile run in the morning and I'm not ready for it.  Totally doesn't make sense that I would then stay up really late making myself even more tired. I'm mental, I know. 😃

Day 103 - Fly by

What actually happened to today!? One minute it's 9:30 am and I'm just starting school work with the boys and the next thing I know it's gone 5pm and everyone is moaning for dinner! I think I must of just slept through it 🤷

I was up early and Oscar was already downstairs as he kept waking up from having bad dreams and decided to just get on with his day.  I did my run, the ironing, dishwasher, fed everyone, cleared up, did 2 loads of washing, spoke to Mum, Joe Wicks workout and then started school work with Oscar, all before 9:35am 😅😅

I pretty much stayed motivated like that all day.  I stripped the beds, tidied the boys rooms and cleaned them all, went through Ellis' wardrobe, used stain remover on some spots on the carpet and sorted out lots of clothes.  Still hardly looks like I've touched the place though!  The house could do with a declutter really and I'll try and start to do that soon.

I was surprised to find out today that Ellis' school week finishes on Thursday! He usually finishes before the other two but I thought I had already checked his term dates but I got it wrong.  He was so excited that he couldn't stop bloody singing, humming, making silly noises and banging the desk! He was driving me nuts!

The day went smoothly and quickly and I felt productive which was good and it always makes me happy putting the boys to bed when everything is all clean and tidy.  Leo hates it.  He much prefers to have litter on the floor, bedding everywhere and his pillows must smell of dribble and sweat or he isn't happy.  I've also told him we have to go through his boxes of stuff to get rid of some things.  He is a bit of a collector. 

I love how the boys are all so different with so many things.  It does make it tricky at times but they are definitely very unique individuals.  Oscar doesn't like to keep hold of anything and throws away certificates, old pictures, school books etc, Leo keeps literally everything he has ever found, stones, precious gems, bits of paper, rings from cans, dirty old coins, bits of string and anything else you can think of.   This morning I found an empty yogurt pot and spoon under his bed.  Ellis likes to keep things you would normally expect like certificates he has earned, photos he likes, little keep sakes from holidays and gifts from people.

Rob was in the office today but as I said yesterday I think it was we tidied up the study a bit so that he wasn't sitting surrounded by junk.  He also ordered some brackets to hold his screens up etc and it's looking better already.  I still want to get him some plants and pictures to go around him.

How sad is it that I'm excited that the charity bags are being collected tomorrow.  I was worried about the charity shops opening and being over run with donations that they wouldn't be able to take mine but I had a bag though the door which said it would collect anything so yay, 4 black bags going out tomorrow! 👍👏

It's nearly midnight and I can hear Oscar talking in his sleep.  It's usually about gaming or his brothers being mean to him.  Bless him. 💙

Right I am done in and I'll soon be getting up again!  I have to take Rob's mum to the doctors tomorrow.  I have a mask ready but not sure if she will need one too but we don't have one so will have to see how we go.  Going to be very strange having her in the car.   She hasn't left the house for weeks and weeks though so the main worry is if I was to pass anything on to her.  I'll be very careful and hopefully it will go smoothly. 🤞

Highlights from today are Ellis getting caught up by 3 lessons, Oscar telling me that if he ever has a daughter he will name her after me, having a good tidy up and clean of the boys rooms and watched the end of Line of Duty which was good.

Bucket list entries today are...

16. Take a piano exam

17. Learn to sew

18. Grow my own vegetables

19. Grow some fruit

20. Go for some singing lessons

That's all folks x

Day 102 - Walkies

Woke up at 9:30am feeling groggy and not ready to face the day and Mum was the same when we FaceTimed first thing.  We tried to jolly each other along but I'm not sure how much help I was.

After sorting everyone out for breakfast I organised to meet up with Saskia and she drove to our house and we went out for a walk.  It was really windy, it rained and the sun came out but we both enjoyed blowing away some cobwebs, getting away from the same faces and chatting about different things.  I burnt my tongue on my tea I took with me though.

Did lunch once back and pre-warned everyone that we were going out for a walk in the afternoon.  The weather was hit and miss.  Showers, lots of wind and then some sunshine but I knew I needed to get the kids and a man off their bums. 

I watched a bit of Line of Duty, little bit of blogging, talked to friends and did a couple of chores.

Then I dragged everyone out just as we had a rain shower.  Some of them moaned but not long into the walk they are playing, chatting, running, holding hands, joking about and I love it.

I grabbed some bananas from the shops and the boys had a mess around on the scooter ramps.  It was so nice to see them burning off some energy and actually using their muscles for something other than gaming!

The walk home was just as nice with everyone still talking and playing games.

Close to our home I noticed a lady trying to carry a bike and a huge bag.  She stopped not far from us and I approached her and asked if she needed any help.  I then very kindly offered Rob's carrying services so that she didn't have to struggle anymore.  I took the boys back and we set up the Xbox in the living room for some family gaming time.  We only played for half an hour as everyone was starving so I did dinner.  Can't wait to eat out again!

Think Rob is in the office tomorrow and I'm already organised for Oscar's school day.  Will sit with Ellis in the morning to make sure he knows what he needs to get done and then it all starts again.  Leo will be doing 4 days and then that will be the end of his time at Junior School.  Can't believe it and so sad how it all ended for him.  I really hope we manage to put something together at some point for them all but I kind of think the moment will pass once they've all started at their new schools.

Speaking of new schools, Leo and Ellis' school have announced in the recent newsletter that they'll probably be allowed to wear casual clothes until the first half term.  First of all I thought great but then quickly realised that although they have no uniform yet, they also don't have any casual clothes that fit either!!!  Leo is pretty much living in pants and Ellis wears stretchy waist shorts.  There is a lot of shopping that needs to be done but I'm not taking them to the shops and online stuff just takes so long!  Grrr!  I'll just have to suck it up and sort it, but they can wait a bit longer.  I suspect it could all change again by September anyway.

So bucket list entries today...

11. Book a weekend away for just me and Rob

12. Go canoeing with the boys

13. Book our indoor sky dive session

14. Do a photography course

15. Learn how to apply make-up

That will do for today.

I'm on the final episode of Line of Duty Season 5.  It's been really good and I'd love to watch it now but it's 90 minutes long and it's already gone 11pm.  Need my beauty sleep these days so off to bed I go.

Highlights from today are, helping a lady with her bike, lovely family walk, family gaming time, lovely walk and chat with Saskia, watching some TV, enjoying bedtime snuggles and conversations with my boys. 💙💙💙