The morning started with another Munchkin Sport exercise routine – the kids absolutely loved dancing along to the routines and it was a great start to their day. However, I’ve just noticed that the sessions are called “Shake Off The Crazy” – both Genevieve and James were still just as crazy once they’d finished, so perhaps I can make a claim under the Trade Descriptions Act?
There was a bonus treat for Friday as the wonderfully energetic Boppin Tots Vicky put on a live event on Facebook. There were songs and stories, shakers and pom poms, and a giant monkey in a tutu. The kids had a superb time dancing along – we can’t wait for the next one!
Uncle Ben accidentally left his beard comb when he visited on Sunday. The children were concerned that his grooming routine would be suffering so they wrote him (and Auntie Daisy) a letter and posted his comb back to him.
Genevieve and James went on an adventure to the bakers with Megan and bought some yummy granary bread (my favourite) and two gingerbread men (who didn’t last long after dinner).
The children received letters from Grandma Lindsey and Grandpa Lawrie. The envelope had barely touched the doormat before it was ripped open by four excited little hands. The letters contained stories about tigers and “tiger” masks that needed colouring in (Megan and I are convinced they’re actually zebra masks, but one stripped animal is as good as any other). The kids busily and excitedly coloured in the their masks and wore them with great pride around the house (which got a bit disconcerting after a while to be honest!).
In the afternoon, Grandma Lindsey read Little Red Riding Hood to James and then Genevieve through the magic of FaceTime (isn’t technology great). The wolf became a tiger in James’s story and the first thing he said to tiger/grandma was “you’ve got big teeth” somewhat ruining the punchline of the whole exchange. He thoroughly enjoyed the story though, as did Genevieve, and we’re looking forward to more stories in the weeks to come.
The rest of the afternoon was whiled away playing with the Hot Wheels track (or with the “ramps” as the kids call it). I worked out how to secure the tracks above the sofa giving them an excellent spot to launch them across the room. There were arguments about who got to play with certain cars (especially the Bat Mobile), but otherwise it was a lovely couple of hours.
While the children finished dinner and got ready for bed, I crept out of the house to go and donate blood. I was so glad that the NHS are continuing to run this vital service, but it was very odd compared to a normal donation. Having arrived I was asked to stand behind a taped line on the floor, scrub my hands with a massive antibacterial wipe and answer some quickfire questions. It reminded me a bit of the prison scene in A Clockwork Orange (without the nakedness). Once I was in the process was broadly the same as normal apart from the waiting area seats being further apart. Life goes on!
After giving blood you’re told to go home and rest, and also to not do anything strenuous. I’ve got a bad track record of ignoring that advice and today was no different as I ended up cleaning the garage until the small hours. It was a long overdue chore that’s been on my list for some time. It had become particularly pressing as we’ve got a turbo bike and weights bench that will become exceedingly useful in the upcoming weeks. I’m not ashamed to admit that I found the whole process both satisfying and cathartic. By the time I was finished there was a lovely clear spot in the middle and neatly organised shelves around the edge. Bliss!
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