With the new lockdown rules in place, Grandma Lindsey and Grandad Lawrie had offered to have the kids from today all the way through until Sunday. As much as we love and adore them, we are in desperate need of a break (me because I’m still recovering, and Megan because she’s been looking after everyone for weeks on end). We were very, very grateful, particularly as this gives us two nights of solid sleep.
Genevieve was picked up by Grandma Lindsey just before breakfast and was whisked away for her weekend of fun. However, James stayed with us for another couple of hours as he had something exciting lined up for later in the morning.
James is starting big school in September and, normally, he’d be going in for a quick meet-and-greet with his new teacher. With all the lockdown madness and social distancing, unfortunately he was not able to meet his new teacher in person… but we had arranged a video call with her instead. But that’s for later in the blog – first he had to have breakfast.
Today James made his own toast. He made a very good attempt at spreading both the butter and then the jam, and only a small amount ended up on his fingers. He was exceedingly proud of himself (and rightly so), although he needs to work on getting more of the jam in his mouth rather than on his face!
With breakfast done, it was then time for James’s chat with his teacher. She already knew James as he makes himself know whenever we drop Genevieve off at school. Some people’s children are shy and retiring, but our two are loud and proud! James was wonderfully forthcoming with answers and observations as the chat progressed, and was most excited when he realised that he recognised the classroom assistant as she’d looked after Genevieve’s reception class. I hope she knows what she’s letting herself in for with a second Smith child!
And just before the end of the call there was a surprise visitor that nearly blew James’s mind. Mrs Jolly, the Assistant Head, appeared from nowhere to photobomb the teacher. Mrs Jolly is always at the gates in the morning and James always says hello to her, so this was the icing on the cake. We’re so happy with the children’s school and the fact that they both love it so much (even though James has yet to officially start).
With the call complete, Megan drove James over to my parents’ house and I cracked on with some work before going for a nap.
This part is written by Grandad Lawrie.
Genevieve arrived first as James had an online meeting with his new teacher. She immediately asked for a cup of hot chocolate, which Grandma Lindsey was happy to provide – with squirty cream and marshmallows on top. It’s a pity that her selfies are not as perfect as her hot chocolate making!
Genevieve then played with the Lego/Mega Bloks pirate ships as enthusiastically as James had on Wednesday but, when James arrived, there was clearly a difference of opinion about who ‘owned’ the cannons. Luckily, as there are several to play with, the skirmish did not last long and nobody had to be asked to walk the plank or was hung from the yardarm!
James was so fixated with the pirate ships that, in the middle of his game he asked if his duvet cover could be changed to the pirate themed one his cousin Fonzie used to use and that was mentioned in one of our recent lockdown letters to the children. So, it was out with the dinosaur duvet and in with pirates.
Genevieve debated whether she would like her duvet cover changed as well but, after some consideration, decided to stick with princesses.
As the sun was shining after lunch, the children asked if they could go in the garden and specifically requested to play musical instruments – Grandad Lawrie’s favourite activity (or not!). Typically, and having a box full of musical instruments to choose from, both Genevieve and James chose the loudest recorders available and paraded around the garden as though they were the Pied Piper being followed by a hoard of rats.
Breaded teddy bears were served for dinner, with both James and Genevieve arguing that they had the longest chip in the world on their plate.
We decided it was a draw.
Megan arrived home and was excited to find that she’d received some post. The letter from HMRC and random junk mail was quickly dealt with before she got to her parcel. She’d finally received her “Retro Run” medal and top to celebrate her completion of a 10km run back at the start of June. It’s her first ever running medal and she was, quite rightly, as pleased as punch. I’m also extremely proud of her for going the distance and improving so quickly. We’ll have to find somewhere for her medal collection now!
In the afternoon Megan received her COVID antibody test results. Quite amazingly they came back as negative. Neither of us can comprehend how that’s possible – although I was self-isolating in the playroom for the two weeks I had a temperature and bad symptoms, we weren’t distancing prior to that point and I would have been contagious. There’s just so much we don’t know about this damn virus – it’s all very confusing.
We had hoped (and expected) that Megan would be positive as it would give us some comfort about her going back in to work (having already had it), but, alas, that’s not going to be the case. She’ll go back anyway, but we’ll both make sure she’s doubly cautious and follows all the guidelines.
We then did very little with the rest of the day. We took full advantage of having no children and just relaxed, watched some rubbish on the TV, and ate a chilled and delightfully calm dinner.
I’m trying to do a small amount of exercise each day in July, so before bed Megan kindly accompanied me for a few loops around the block. It’s just over 2km of walking, but it’s enough to wear me out in my current state. Onward and upward though – I’ll get the fitness back in the end!
With the walk complete and the house nice and quiet, we took that as our cue to go to bed for some uninterrupted sleep. Bliss!
The Smiths Family Blog 
Well done running daughter
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