Day 191 - CCF

Another week has gone and still nothing really to report here.  Boris put in some new restrictions for the next 6 months, pubs have to shut at 10pm, need to work from home if you can,  can't meet up with more than 6 people at any time and that includes children and indoor sports.  Thankfully it hasn't really affected us that much other than as a family we can't go and see Mum and Dad, or meet up with any other family for that matter.  Not sure what we are going to do for Christmas!  Sad for the boys to not see their cousins.

I managed my long run last weekend and got Ellis some boots so that he could go and do his Combined Cadet Force.  He was a bit worried about it, didn't like the trousers and the boots felt weird.  I thought he looked ace.

I dropped him off and went to see my friend Lou for a couple of hours, took something back to Sainsbury's and then went to pick him up.  He was buzzing! He came out so happy and said how much fun it all was.  They built dens, learned how to stand, march and hide.  He's looking forward to the next one. 👍

So Covid feels a little bit closer to home as a pupil at Ellis and Leo's school has just tested positive. Luckily they weren't in the same bubble so they can still go to school, although Ellis was sent home today because he has a cold.  He still finished off his lessons at home and he seems to know what he's doing.  We've been here before though so I need to try and keep an eye on him and make sure he really does know what he's doing and that he's doing it!

Mother-in-laws physio appointment went well this week although she wasn't as confident and I think that's going to take time to build up again.  It's so tricky seeing someone's potential if only they did the work.  Fingers crossed she will practice and get stronger.

I'm thinking about booking some things up for in the future, something to look forward to.  I've just booked a theatre trip, which isn't until October next year but still, I'm looking forward to it.  We also have Jimmy Carr which was moved and Billionaire Boy next year. 🤞 Also planning on an adult only weekend maybe, a small holiday in the half term and just some stuff like that.

Don't know why I can't finish my bucket list.  Maybe because if I finish it then I have to start it and I'm putting it off for whatever reason. 🤷

On Sunday, Ellis and Rob managed to have their first Nandos! I was so happy for them as it's been a long time coming.  I suspect that will become a regular thing for them on a Sunday after rugby.  I could take the other two with me after theirs this week 👏

The Hello Fresh meals are still going well, even though it's only me doing them now.  I've been trying to get the boys to eat a little bit healthier too.  It's easier with Oscar, Leo is very tricky and is just very stuck in his ways.  As for me, I'm eating baby poo.  It looks gross I know but I love it.  Thick carrot and coriander soup.

Planning on a long run in the morning but my leg is a little sore.  I should go and see a physio really.  I think it's the ITB which runs down the side of your leg.  I will try and do some exercises to help ease the pain and maybe drug myself up a bit.

Shauna is doing really well at settling into her new home.  I'm so pleased it is working out, so far.  You never quite know with Shauna what the day will bring.  Lucy had an update today filling her in on all the lovely things that she is getting to do/make.  Lucy and Craig have even had a Skype call with her which worked out much better than they thought it would. 😍 The college certainly still has a lot of learning to do but it's still early days.

 Still struggling to get Leo up and ready for school.  He is trying so hard and doing quite well but this week he forgot his rugby boots and jumper which were actually on top of his bag!  I'm going to do a laminated list this weekend and see if that helps him to stay focused.  He's happy at school though and enjoying all his lessons so far.  He particularly likes French and Spanish and is practicing with us all the time.  I say us, I mean Rob.  He wants to be fluent at Spanish by this time next year.

I still haven't found a car yet but I'm going to go on a mission over the next couple of days and see if I can pick one.  Will be such a relief to get that sorted out.  I've really enjoyed having my Mum's AMG SLK where the roof comes down too.  We've been lucky to have the right weather to use it and me and the kids have enjoyed the novelty.

Still having trouble with sleep, although I slept through last night which was great.  I think it helps to get an early night, which I intend to do tonight.  Rob is watching the rugby and the boys are all chilling currently.  I'm going to go and watch a film with Oscar for a bit before getting the others to bed.

Hope everyone is well and keeping safe.  It's hard sometimes to remember that it is all still going on all around the globe.  It's not until I see someone with a mask on that I'm jolted by the memory of what we are currently living through, and we are the lucky ones.

Day 184 - Grandma

So it's been a while, even though it only feels like a couple of days.  The week has just flown by and I find myself on a Friday evening again looking forward to the weekend.

We have all settled into the new routines now although nothing has really changed for Rob.  He's still doing the same days in the office and working from home on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Monday was Grandma's birthday.  Think she was 92!  I had arranged for a card and a bottle of champagne to be delivered to her, at her request I might add, and I was sent this picture of her enjoying a glass of bubbles.

She lives with her youngest son and daughter but was lucky enough to have a visit from her 2 other sons too!  Her eldest son Virgil sadly died a few years ago.

Uncle Roger, Auntie Kris, Uncle Robin, Grandma and Dad.  I love pictures like this. 💙

Monday morning I went to see the in-laws with my laptop in tow as MIL was supposed to have an online physio appointment.  I waited and waited and nothing happened.  I eventually received a phone call from the medical centre saying they would send me a link on my phone.  The video call was very small and quiet on my phone unfortunately so I had to tell MIL everything the lady was saying as she couldn't hear her.

She did really well and managed to do all the exercises and it was great to see some colour in her cheeks and a smile on her face.  She needs lots of encouragement but think she was pleased with herself by the end.

It was agreed that we would do the same thing every week and I said I would be there to help with the camera and the relaying of information as I could see it would be a nightmare with just the two of them doing it.  Also MIL needs to be kept safe when doing the exercises, which unfortunately we learnt the hard way this week, as on trying to get up from her chair she grabbed the wrong support frame which moved and she ended up falling onto the floor quite badly.  She hurt her arm and knee.  I managed to get her back on the chair and supported her until she felt calmer and safe to move.  It was quite a shock for all of us but obviously harder for her to deal with.  I just hope it doesn't put her off for next week. 🤞

Ah this time last year I was in Marbella with the Mummy Lot celebrating mine and Sally's 40th.  It was one of the best times in my life!  I'm going to have to do a separate blog entry for it as there are so many photos and videos I would love to share.  To mark the occasion we actually managed to meet up in the local park.  The first time seeing each other face to face since the day before lockdown back in March.  I can't believe it took us that long to get together.  Unfortunately Naomi couldn't make it as she was working and Sarah lives overseas, and is currently stuck there due to bloody Covid.

This photo makes me smile so much 😄

A little bit different but still nice.

 

Leo is a nightmare to get out of the house on time to get his bus.  If I didn't get up with him and nag him he would definitely miss it.  He just wanders off and loses track of time, well actually he doesn't even look at the time.  I quite often find him lying on his beanbag looking at his phone, or sitting on the toilet with his iPad or flopped on the sofa watching TV! I wouldn't mind if he was actually ready to walk out the door, but he's usually not even fully dressed!  It's going to be a while before I can leave him to do it alone, maybe never.😐

Met up with Lucy for a lovely walk this week.  We've been so lucky with the weather.  It's really nice and sunny but the wind is cool.  I love it.  Clear, bright skies but it isn't too hot.  We went for a walk around Kelston and stopped for cuppa on the way back to the car.  It was lovely to hear how Shauna is doing and how it has impacted on all of them.  There is still lost of adjusting to do and I'm sure it still hasn't really sunk in but I really am happy for all of them. 💕

As for bloody Covid it's really kicking off again and we're heading for a second wave.  Our area is very low in comparison to others but still it is worrying.  The virus is now being transmitted within the community and not just hospitals and frontline workers and is spreading fast, especially among the younger age groups.  Thankfully there hasn't been a high rate of deaths and I hope it stays that way.  There are local lockdowns and restrictions but nothing for us yet, but there is lots in the news about some sort of nationwide changes about to happen.  Sounds like schools will still be open 👍 Although if they get a cold they get sent home!  It's going to be a long, long winter.

Oscar is out for a sleepover with his friend Jake.  He was so excited to be going, but also nervous too and I love that he can tell me all about it.  We worked through all the different things that he thought might happen and I did my best to put him at ease.  I hope he doesn't sleep walk with them although it is quite funny, also a bit scary sometimes.

We've just turned Ellis and Leo's lights off and it's gone 11:30pm so late nights for them and a very late night for me too.  I've been going to bed well early recently as I'm having terrible trouble going to sleep, staying asleep and waking up early.  Last night was the first night I slept through and woke up to Leo's alarm.  I also struggled to get up.  I'm not setting an alarm for tomorrow but do plan to get up and go for a long run before taking Ellis to the army surplus shop for some boots.  He's starting his cadet training tomorrow.  Poor love, he has so much on!  Good to keep him busy I suppose.

Day 179 - Walkies

I literally have no idea where the time is going, but it's going!  The boys have all settled into the new routines and although tired, have generally been in good spirits, which is great.  They couldn't wait for Friday afternoon so they could just flop and chill.

It's Shauna Pops 18th birthday today! See what I mean about time just going. I remember snuggling her when she was a newborn baby where she proceeded to vomit down my cleavage. 😂. She seems to still be doing well at her new college but has been asking for her Mum a bit so Lucy and Craig met up with her for a little dog walk this weekend which is lovely.

Sleep is still in short supply and I've been trying to get to bed earlier to do a bit of catching up but that isn't always working as last night Oscar had me up a few times, Rob couldn't go to sleep until the early hours so that unsettled me, I got too hot in the night, needed the loo and was awake at 4am again!  I'm sure it's just a phase and will pass soon enough.  Will just keep trying with the early nights.

Mum and Dad came over yesterday and we all went for a lovely walk.  The boys didn't moan once which was refreshing and we all enjoyed it.

I cooked Dad and Rob some Hello Fresh burgers for dinner, Mum brought her own salmon and ping rice and the boys all had pizza.  Then I put loads of naughty nibbles on the table and we played cards for an hour or so.   Mum and Dad left around 9pm and I went straight to bed.  It was a lovely afternoon and something we won't be able to do again for a while.  It's so unfair. 😤

I met up with Saskia this afternoon and we did the same walk that I did with Mum and Dad and then we both agreed it was a lovely day to be sitting in a pub garden, so that's what we did.  Haven't done that in a long time and there was a bit of an atmosphere too.   A nice refreshing drink and a chat about all things other than Covid.

Got a busy one tomorrow.  Going to get out early for a run, quick shower and get all 3 boys off to school on time, then need to get down to MIL's with my laptop as she is due to have a video physio appointment so need to set that up for her.  It's at 10am which doesn't sound too early but it is.  Hopefully it will all work out.  Need to collect food shop and get on with sorting out Oscar's room which has been bugging me all weekend.

Netball training in the evening which I'm really looking forward to.  It's great to see the girls and to be able to actually play a game of netball has been such a good thing for me.  Also my Ellis recently received a merit for his netball ability.  He said he scored 3 out of 4 shots and was very chuffed that he knew all the rules of the game.

I realise I haven't finished the bucket list yet and I'm in no rush, I'll get there.  Right really flagging now so off to snoozville for me hopefully.

Rule of six commences tomorrow and I bloody hope it helps to reduce the speedy spread of the virus.  What a time to be alive! 😏😩. I know it could be a lot worse and I count my blessings, daily.

Stay safe and sensible everyone.😷  We will get through this, maybe not by Christmas but hopefully by next summer. 🙏

Day 176 - Clean

I don't know why but I can't seem to sleep past 4am! I lie awake just staring at the ceiling until about 6am and then I contemplate getting up but then I doze off and I get woken up at 6:30am by the boys alarms.  Maybe I'm just worried I'll miss getting up with them. 🤷

Leo went to his piano lesson last night without too much hassle, helped by the fact that I let him push the button that lowers the roof on my mum's car.  Bit of a novelty for him.  He loved it but wanted to stand up above the windscreen to have the wind in his face. 😃

I've invited Mum and Dad over on Saturday seeing as we won't all be able to be together again for the foreseeable and the plan is to go for a little walk, followed by dinner and maybe a game of cards or something like that.  I'm looking forward to it.

I had my first full day home, alone, today.  It was wicked and I loved it!  I managed to get out early for my longer run, showered and got Oscar to school on time for 8:50am.  Then Kelly with a Pug popped in for a cuppa and after that I started working.  I had my music on and I just set about doing things around the house.  I ended up deep cleaning my bedroom and didn't finish until 8:30pm after I'd done everyone's dinner and cleared up.  Phew! 😅 Long list of jobs to do tomorrow too.  I like to be busy. 😊

Tomorrow should be pretty similar as Rob is in the office and hopefully all the boys will be at school.  I say hopefully as Covid is going nuts again and I think it's only a matter of time before one of their year groups will be sent home for 2 weeks! I told Leo he would still have to do school work from home and he cried and informed me that he wouldn't be doing any. That will be fun then!

Rob's going to drop the boys into school in the morning.  Their bags are just ridiculous and I really hope the school do something about it soon. 🤞

I will finish the Bucket List by the end of this week and I'm going to start trying to work on it next week.  I'll post any results that I have.

Right going to go to sleep in my clean bed, in my clean room. 😆

Day 174 - Report

I realise it's been a while.  I'm not really sure what I'm doing with my evenings now but they certainly go! It's already gone 10:30pm and I'm only just starting to blog.  That's okay though and I've removed the pressure from myself about having to do it on time, in line with a set day etc.  It does also mean that I'm not taking as many pictures or videos though.

All is good here.  The boys have taken going back to school in their stride and I couldn't be more proud of them.  They are all tired and struggling a bit with physical aches and pains but generally they are happy.

Rugby is back in full swing too and Oscar and Ellis have both started at new clubs and have settled in well and are enjoying it.👍 Ellis has also started his Bristol Bears program on Monday evenings and I think he's going to love that.🐻

Leo is trying so, so hard at his new school.  So far he is doing amazing and is receiving lots of merits which helps to keep him motivated.  He is an emotional wreck by the end of most days, not eating very much and his bag, which is ridiculously heavy, is causing him back and leg pain, but other than that he is really proud of himself and us even prouder.  I do have to get him to a piano lesson tomorrow night though, so that will be interesting. 🤔

Ellis is going to be the busiest by far.  He has school, Bristol Bears, 2 x club rugby, homework, guitar lesson DofE and will soon be starting CCF (cadets) on a Saturday!  He's doing okay so far.  We had a lovely snuggle this evening and little chat about how it was all going and he seems reasonably content, which is amazing for him.👏

As for me, I'm loving it.  I love getting all their stuff organised and slowly working through their old kit and ordering new stuff.  I've taken MIL to an appointment today and I've been catching up with loads of friends I haven't seen to talk to, uninterrupted, in a very long time.   I'm sure all that will settle down soon and I will make a start on deep cleaning the house and furniture shopping.  Car shopping is the priority though and I am still looking.

Went to netball training last night and we actually had a go at a bit of game play with the new netball rules.  It actually worked ok and I didn't find the new rules got in the way at all really.  The league won't be coming back until after Christmas and it won't be "competitive" it will just be friendlies, which aren't always that friendly and are definitely competitive! 💪 I'm enjoying being back, even if it is a little odd in this new normal world we're living in.

I'm still exercising regularly, running, hiit workouts and netball training.  I smashed my PB for the 5k again which I was pleased about.  I knew I was pushing myself at the time as I was in a bit of a rush to get back home as I needed to help Oscar get ready for school. 🏃

As for Covid, it's all kicking off again.  We've been floating along with about 1,000 new cases a day for a while now and only a few deaths but I think that figure has over doubled in the last 48 hours so the government announced tonight that social gatherings of 6 or more are banned, by law, as of Monday.  It's all these young uns heading back out to party! 😄

Shauna Pops seems to have settled in to her new college really well and Lucy has received some positive messages which is great.  I'm sure it hasn't quite sunk in properly yet, but Lucy, Craig and Ashlee are all doing well.  I met up with Lucy yesterday and we went for a cream tea.  Think it's my first one this year!  It was yummy.😋

Leo hasn't been sleeping that well, he's had a wobbly tooth, which is now out, which stopped him going to sleep and he seems to be having a lot of bad dreams, 2 nights in a row now and so I've gone in with him for snuggles.  This morning was a 5am start and I just couldn't switch back off again! It was so frustrating but brain was away and running!

Can't think of anything else to report on right now.  We're all doing okay.  Looking back over the last few months feels like they went by in a bit of a blur, like they never happened.  Strange.   I don't miss homeschooling that's for sure!!!!!