Going out-out for a cheeky Nando’s

Today Stephen needed a lie-in, so I got up and got both kids ready for the day. Thankfully Grandma Lindsey was being a hero and not only having James all day, but also came and collected him from the back car park (as we’re not entirely sure we were allowed to do this), and was happy to feed him breakfast at her house. All this massively helped my morning to run smoothly. James’s antics for the day are later in the blog.

As soon as I had dropped Genevieve at school, I took myself off for a run. It has been ten days since my last one as my knee was being a little “twingey” so I wanted to rest it. It has also become a little tricky to go for the runs as I’m now dropping Genevieve at school when I would usually be out pounding the pavement. So, in today’s ridiculous heat, I ran 6km! Hurrah!

Once home, the mammoth task of washing and changing all the bedding could begin. The silver lining for the unbearably hot weather is how fast washing dries. But you do have to process it all though the machine like a conveyor belt to get it all done.

Then it was time to get on with the day’s school work. I spent the whole day working while Stephen spent the entire time sleeping and resting.

Genevieve had lots of fun on the walk home (particularly when she found a new hidey-hole) and was super excited to tell me about the gold star she had earned for more “amazing maths work Mummy”. Stephen was very happy to hear this too.

We walked home via Genevieve’s friend Izzy’s house so the girls could play and chat. Izzy even taught Genevieve what a “Foo hug” was. You’ll have to ask her about that!

Once home and bathed, I had a meeting to jump into via Teams so Genevieve sat and had an ice-lolly with Daddy cuddles on the sofa.

Then she asked how Harry Potter and Hermione made their feathers into quills. I was only too happy to oblige showing her with the black drawing ink I had in my cupboard. I haven’t seen her write so much in one go totally by herself with no support or cajoling, coaxing or any form of bribery in I don’t know how long. It was awesome!

Then, it was time for more bedding and bedroom sorting so Genevieve took herself off to build Lego. She’s slowly learning to entertain herself which is great, especially as she has such a vivid and expressive imagination. The downside is that she still manages to lose loads of tiny pieces under the cupboards – nightmare!

Before we knew it, it was dinner time and James was on his way back from his day at Stephen’s parents’ house.

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Today’s record of James’s escapades are thanks to Grandad Lawrie.

James arrived for breakfast and immediately asked if his toast could be arranged in the shape of the letter ‘J’. A strange request, but Grandma Lindsey did him proud and he was delighted with the outcome. We are now ‘looking forward’ to James asking for his full name in toast and hoping that Genevieve does not do the same!

James then elected to play with his garage and cars until he decided it was time to show how good he was at putting on his shoes – he was clearly delighted with the outcome and proud of his achievement.

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After lunch, Grandad Lawrie went off for a game of bowls and Grandma Lindsey decided, as it was so warm, that it would be a great idea for James to play in the garden with water and the garden hose. Nearly every plastic receptacle in the house was used.

James thoroughly enjoyed filling one receptacle with water from another and showed very clearly that he may well become a research scientist one day given the level of thought and attention he paid to the task. He also enjoyed playing with the new hose attachment and its nine different settings!

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With James back home, I took the kids out to see the friendly neighbourhood monkey. James was already in his pyjamas but didn’t seem to care. Today the monkey was demonstrating his handicraft skills – Uncle Ben will be impressed!

We swiftly ushered the children in to bed as I had an exciting evening ahead of me. I was off to an actual dinner date with some girl friends in their actual garden! I left home and headed straight to Nando’s to collect our order.

Chicken, chips and sides in hand, I arrived at my friend’s house (heading straight round to her back garden) and then spent the evening chatting and enjoying some Peri Peri chicken.

I arrived home to find everyone asleep. Although Stephen looked pretty normal, James had fallen asleep dabbing and Genevieve had buttoned herself into her duvet cover. Our children are weird!

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Teeth brushed, face washed and pyjamas donned, I then joined Stephen in bed and swiftly fell asleep as I was beyond knackered. Night all!