just pictures

Of our recent holiday. Sun, sea, beaches, trains, room to run - what else do 2 small boys need?

Monothematic

  I have been looking at my last few posts and detected a sad and maybe monotonous theme running though them.

And it's a bit misleading really, because our life is going on here despite the fact that Dad is missing from it.

  The kids are as hyper as ever. Tigs excelled himself yesterday by throwing moonsand ALL OVER the kitchen, then tipping a bottle of linseed oil out all over the summerhouse floor (at least it wasn't anything worse - we store our old paint pots in there!) He is full of destructive mischief at the moment. He writes on his bedroom wall and furniture (his 'job' this morning is to wash down part of the wall). This morning I walked into his bedroom to find he's ripped all his posters off the wall. Fine, he'll have to do without them. He's torn a massive hole in the wall of the trampoline doing a somersault - thankfully it did its job and he didn't fall off. He really needs school! not that I want rid of him, but I feel I'm not giving him enough; that it's partly boredom that is making him like this. At least I hope it is . If not I may just have to accept the truth - that that I am rearing a vandal!

   It's only 3 weeks until he starts school. Only 3 weeks holiday to go. I was really looking forward to this holiday, but now I approach each day thinking 'what will he destroy or break  today?' :-(

  Both boys are banned from their bikes for riding them in the road without supervision, so they can't let off steam that way. And the trampoline's not safe. And the slide has been condemned, it is getting old and unsafe. Oh dear.

   Nothing for it but the paddling pool today. He will get 'stuck in', and have a great time as usual. I do enjoy seeing his energy, and the enthusiasm with which he throws himself into everything. May that enthusiasm extend to school!

Most Days

I can just jog along.
But some days I feel really exhausted physically and emotionally.
Some days the kids get a bad deal, as I can be on a very short fuse.

Some things just set me off crying. Like visiting Osbourne House on the isle of Wight last week, Queen Victoria's 'country cottage', I saw the bed where she died, and the plaque her children put up over the bed . The curator must have been surprise at this weird woman crying over Queen Vic's death.

I guess it's all part of grieving. It gets me in the strangest ways and at such odd times.

losing the plot

Yes, I did.
On Sunday morning I couldn't find any clothes to wear to church. I mean any clothes that were clean, ironed and fitted me; I don't just mean something smart co-ordinated and 'suitable'.
So I lost it. Threw clothes around the room, emptied my drawers onto the floor. Scared the cats. And the huisband (kids of course were impervious to it all.) Himself was walking on eggshells for the rest of the day. And my fuse was very short for the rest of the day - and still is.
We had a friend coming to lunch that day. Fortunately (for the situation, not for her), she had lost her father recently and understood how grieving can take you in the most unexpected directions. One direction it has taken me in is comfort eating. Not good for the wardrobe. Anyway friend has volunteered to take me for a clothes shop in September - can't wait. Need some therapy.
And w are off on holiday soon - a week of just us and a tent. No hi tech stuff (except for my camera which I cannot do without these days.)
Time to relax. We all need it!

Tigs

 My wild boy.

 

Four years old, and as cheeky as they come. I just heard him telling his brother he had smelly socks. That's about normal for him. Full of mischief, noisy, active (not hyperactive, he can be still when he wants to) Sometimes you might think he is as subtle as a brick.

 But the same kid won't watch any programme or video with even the mildest violence, hates it if anyone play fights. Gets upset if his brother is told off. Loves music.

Is a very effective learner - if he's interested in something he will sit and watch and listen until he feels he has 'got' it. If he's not interested - forget it!

He's taught himself to do somersaults on the trampoline.

He doesn't know all his letters confidently yet, but the ones he knows he can use very effectively to make words. Can count up to twenty ten, and in tens up to a hundred. Talks for England and is superbly self confident.

Is a total anarchist.

Tigs. My very favourite four year old.

Ginger shadow

Wherever I go, he is.

He may be sleeping in in another part of the same room. Or doing his mad kitten routine, persecuting his toy cat, or killing a sweet wrapper. Or begging (if  I'm in the kitchen.) Or on my pillow (if  I'm in bed.) Or if  I'm here at the computer he's usually 'helping'. Or asleep on the mouse mat.

If he's scared he'll run to me, and stand by me, so we can face the danger together.

It's good to be one little cats special 'people'.

He has got a little more venturesome recently, and will sometimes go off on his own. He's been 'treed' twice this week.

And another adventure......

 

We think this is a result of falling in next doors pond - after their newts or frogs? He appeared on our shed roof dripping wet and shivering. Took a lot of cuddles and towelling dry before he was his normal mischievous self.

He shows every sign of becoming a really adventurous cat, and already at 4 months we can see he'll be a big cat. He's a delight.

He's my light relief. Life is pretty hard work at the moment. We have just buried Dad, and have got Mum into respite care. Meanwhile we have to empty and sort their house ready to sell, and find Mum somewhere to live.

We is my sister and I. We've both got kids and live quite a way from the parents house. So lots of commuting. And some unsettled kids. When your kids are adopted they unsettle pretty easily.

The girlcat still hates him - or pretends to. She uses some very choice language whenever he goes too near. But I've seen signs of a thaw - he chases her and she doesn't object, she has been known to sleep a few inches from him. Trouble is, she thinks she's an old lady (At 9??!) and he is really upsetting her equilibrium.

Hope

Sorrow may abide for a night, but Joy comes in the morning.

We spotted this in our garden one morning about ten days ago. It's a circumzenithal arc.