Last night kids had decided they wanted to sleep in the same room. Having said no for the last few days I thought we would try and see what happened. I know they are both feeling uneasy about what is going on and they can tell that Daddy is very poorly so I thought this might help. I was wrong. They looked all cuteness and light to begin with, but after over an hour of silliness and games we separated them again. Maybe we’ll try again when they’re a little older.
The day started again with lovely cuddles from James in bed. He was quite happy to watch TV for a good hour before we headed downstairs which was nice.
Breakfast was much easier than for the past few days. James had cereal (very low maintenance) and Genevieve had whole toast (so no cutting or carving needed).
After breakfast the kids watched a film while I did lots of tidying. It was very cathartic and necessary for me today. I’ve been feeling totally out of control of everything with Stephen being so unwell and not able to do anything about it except wait it out. That combined with the kids being 6 and 4 and cooped up in the house does not make for a pretty mental picture.
Then we hit the crafts. We did magic water painting, made Easter crafts, coloured magic unicorns, painted an alicorn (a unicorn with wings, don’t you know), and painted dinosaur plaques. So busy and crafty. I was impressed with the way Genevieve attacked the magic painting. She was not content to paint one page at a time and let it dry, but painted five all at once and kept the pages apart with one hand whilst holding the brush with the other. Multitasking like a boss!
Once we’d finished crafting we had scrambled eggs on toast for lunch (very fitting for Easter). Then James and I built the last of his birthday Lego while Genevieve danced to music and coloured. James went off-piste and made a magnificent mechanical pirate called “Metalbeard Fart Farts” and Genevieve drew a beautiful mermaid called Ella (very much her name of the moment – she’s also got an alicorn and a teddy both called Ella, and it’s what she named a huge spider she rescued with Stephen).
While the children played, Stephen and I had a bit of an emotional heart-to-heart about what we’d do once he was better. Kids being kids, this was soon interrupted quite unexpectedly and unceremoniously by Genevieve who came bursting in wearing false glasses, nose and moustache. You couldn’t make it up!
After lunch the kids were happy to play so I sorted washing out and then we watched a new film called “Valley Of The Lanterns” about turning back time. We also attempted a 300-piece jigsaw featuring all the country flags of the world. I wrongly thought it would be appropriate for the kids but I soon discovered it was far too tricky.
I’ve gently been trying to sort out kids’ toys (without drawing their attention as they immediately want to play with anything I get our, and without disturbing Stephen who is sleeping in the playroom). No mean feat I can tell you! But slowly I’m getting there.
The kids are super excited at the prospect of hot chocolate, marshmallows and squirty cream for tomorrow’s treat. I’m not sure if I’ve thought this through fully as I’m now dreading the inevitable sugar high that will follow. Containing them will prove interesting.
The day ended with a lovely video chat with some of my girl friends. It was great to talk to them.
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