Chatting Like We Used to Do

Okay, so yesterdays post was a bit of a bummer but I'm leaving it there because it's how I truly felt right at that moment.  I am scared.  I am a lone parent so the buck stops with me.  If I get wrong footed that's it, that's my kids' futures messed up and it's all down to me.  In 2 years time Jack is at school leaving age and it scares me silly that if I get this next two years wrong I've wrecked things for him. I can understand why so many people choose school, there is such a huge responsibility when you choose to educate your child yourself and I think it's only just dawned on me quite how huge. 

Add into the equation two teenage boys who quite frankly don't give a monkeys and we're in a bit of a bad place...

Anyway, out of yesterdays bit of free speaking on my part came good.  Both boys read my heartfelt words and I think it made them think a bit.  It also made me think a bit.  Jack and I had a really good chat this morning whilst sitting on a gorgeously sandy beach in the sunshine (like you do).  We talked like we used to do and it was really good.  I'm hoping we've sorted stuff out a little bit but can only wait and see...

Playing catch up

I cannot believe that I haven't been blogging again for five minutes and I'm already paying catch up!

I never seem to have enough time to do everything - and then find myself taking something more on...

Last week, we had a couple of fabulous days out, Thursday we went to Crealy and the boys ran wild with one of their friends whilst I entertained the little ones.  Apparently the new water rides are fun but I didn't get to go on them (or anything else) because I was working.  We'll go back another day and I'll give them a try...  On Friday Max and I took the LOs to Lyme beach and had a truly lovely day without spending a fortune (once I'd gotten over the fact that he'd come out in filthy clothes and bought a new T shirt and new flip flops for him!)  There were some serious digging competitions going on with holes dug as far down as children could actually reach and absolutely no fuss when for safety's sake they had to be filled in again...

Jack and Max spent the weekend days at River Cottage HQ.  Jack really idolises HFW and can often be found glancing through one of his cook books looking for something to make.  Sometimes he even goes as far as to actually make something. If only I could get him to clean up the kitchen after himself...

Today and yesterday both boys have apparently been poorly, too poorly to get on with any work,  They had the whole of half term off after I said they couldn't because they were behind with their work, had most of the week before half term off cos they just skived and now seem to be just totally ignoring me when I tell them they have to get on with their school work.  In fact if I'm honest they've skived most of the bloody year.  They have nearly pushed me far enough and I'm seriously reconsidering school as an option.  The way they are going they will have no futures and I really don't want that for them.  It's all very well saying that can catch up with college as adults but the reality is they probably wont bother, just like their older brothers didn't bother.  I know I shouldn't let it worry me if their lot in life is serving up burgers, after all it's their own choice to slack off, but it does.  I know that everybody will blame me, including the boys themselves, they won't stop to think the kids had a choice, they won't think of all the hard work I've put in and all the money I've spent getting them lessons and courses for this and that which they've just thrown back in my face and not bothered to practice or do any of the work, people will just say it's my fault cos I chose to take them out of school.  Maybe it is...

Bicton With the Pink Ladies

We had a pretty good day today.  It could have been better but I'm trying very hard not to dwell on that...

As it's half term I have big mindees in as well as little ones so we decided to go somewhere that suits all ages: Bicton Gardens near Exmouth.  It's a bit of a hike for us to be honest but usually well worth it.  Today the mindees were all girls and nicknamed 'The Pink Ladies' simply because they like pink, *really* like pink, not because they resemble in any way the Pink Ladies from Grease! ;)

Getting 5 children up and out of the door on time to catch a bus can be hard work, when none of them are used to deadlines, but we work together pretty well and were out of the door on time despite a certain young man not tumbling out of bed until 15 minutes before we were due to leave!  No hassles with catching buses, none missed or run for and we were lucky enough not to have to dismantle the pram which had all the day's junk in whilst the tiniest pink lady snoozed away in the sling.

The children had a fabulous time playing in the indoor play area after we had a good look around the museum.  Max and Jack delighted in showing the bigger PLs around the museum giving them information about this or that exhibit and bringing the whole display to life for them.  Meanwhile the tiniest PL snoozed in the pram having gotten rather too warm in the sling ;)  Max very kindly pretended he was under 12 and raced around the indoor play area with the bigger PLs, can just imagine him doing that if he was a schoolkid - not!

Jack was getting bored in the indoor play area and I have to admit I wanted to be out in the sun too so we wandered off to the outdoor play area.  Tiniest PL enjoyed some sling time and 'helped' the bigger ones play there for a while.  Have to say I totally love this sling and wish they had them when mine were small.  It's so comfy and no danger of baby falling out when you bend over. No idea how you're supposed to get them in when it's on your back, but tiniest PL is only a few weeks old so no need to worry about that for a good long while yet.  Perhaps any fellow sling wearer out there could advise?

On the way home we called into Sidmouth for an hour to get some fruit and veg etc.  I bought a huge amount of strawberries which got mushed into pulp on the way home :(

We managed to get in the door a few minutes before parents came to pick up so it really was a 'day' out for them, hope they sleep well tonight!  Jack, Max and I relaxed, "Bertie the 'bot", hoovered up for me whilst I chilled.  Already loving having him!