Despite yesterday’s indulgences, Megan was up and out for a run early in the morning. Another 6km under her belt, and a quick hello to the friendly neighbourhood monkey too. As much as I’m missing being able to run at the moment, I’m loving watching Megan enjoying it so much.
Just after breakfast, the children arrived home from their adventures with Grandma Lindsey and Grandad Lawrie. They’d had such a lovely time and were keen to fill us in on everything they’d done.
In a bid to calm the excitement, Megan took the kids up to see the friendly neighbourhood monkey. Sadly, this backfired as he was celebrating someone’s birthday and the children started jumping around like lunatics!
I was booked in for a much-needed haircut at the local barbers. Megan kindly dropped me off and then took the kids home while my flowing locks were being tended to. All of the barbers had full-face plastic visors covering their faces and there was a great amount of fuss made about wiping down every surface before I sat down, but otherwise it felt like any other haircut. I couldn’t help but feel sorry for the bloke cutting my hair though as it’s unbelievably thick and wavy – it must be a nightmare to cut! As a result, we overran my allotted 30 minute slot but he didn’t seem to mind.
While I’d been having my hair cut, Genevieve was apparently launching her future career in narrating audio books. For quite some time she’s been able to recite all of “Ready Steady Mo” by Mo Farah from memory, so I’m not surprised that she chose this as her first book to unleash on the nation. However, she was unceremoniously and rudely interrupted by Megan as I’d finished at the barbers so they needed to head out to collect me. Plus, Genevieve had “borrowed” Megan’s phone to make the video which was rather naughty of her – the cheeky little so and so!
While I’d been at the barbers there had also been much excitement in the garden as Megan had spotted a massive dragonfly. There’s not much water near us so it was quite a rare sight in the garden.
The family came to collect me but we weren’t back at home for too long as James was also booked in for a haircut shortly afterwards. I wasn’t allowed in there with him, but thankfully he’s exceptionally good at having his hair cut. We’ve witnessed many a screaming child being tended to by various barbers and hairdressers, but James is cool as a cucumber when it comes to having his hair done.
I let James know that I was just outside, set him up with a film on the iPad, and then took up position leaning against a lamppost just outside the shop window. Rather than head home again, Megan and Genevieve also set up camp just over the road in the car. So I was watching James through the window, and Megan and Genevieve were watching me from the car. It’s a funny old world at the moment!
James was finished in much less time than it had taken for my mighty mane of hair, so we headed over to the car and then drove home.
Lunch was something unusual today as Genevieve was involved in a virtual picnic with her Rainbows. James was excited to be joining her for the meal too. Megan dutifully laid down a blanket to catch the crumbs and muck that both children would inevitably drop, but there was still a significant ring of detritus around the blanket once they’d finished. Impressive yet disgusting – well done kids!
While the children ate, I went for a sleep as all the talking in the barbers and then the standing outside had worn me out (pathetic but that’s how things are at the moment). However, I woke up feeling rejuvenated and keen to do something. Call me mad, but I was feeling up for a family walk. It was long overdue and I’ve been missing out on all the family fun.
So we drove to Keston Ponds for a bit of a stomp around the woods. My heart sank as we drove down Fishpond Lane as there were cars parked almost back to the main road, but thankfully we found a space right next to the ponds.
There was an almighty queue for the ice cream truck, so we avoided the crowds and headed straight in to the woods. Once in amongst the trees, the children started exploring. When they weren’t arguing about who was “the leader”, asking that we carry yet another “interesting” stone, or dangerously waving sticks near each others faces, they had an almighty time scrambling up and down muddy banks and generally messing about.
Deep in the woods the found some abandoned dens and played a not very impressive game of “King of the Castle” on top of the world’s smallest “cliff”.
Of course, it wouldn’t be a Smith family trip without posing for a mandatory family selfie.
And in addition to the selfie, we paused to record a quick message to send to our siblings and parents. It was a delightfully jumbled stream of consciousness from the two children, but both Megan and I couldn’t stop smiling throughout.
Against our better judgement, we also attempted some other family shots (with mixed success) as the scenery was so nice. Getting both children to look at the camera at the same time without pulling a face or holding up a random twig is proving harder as they get older. Just stand still – that’s all we ask for!
As we were on the last leg of the walk, James started trying to write his name in the dirt. It’s like he knew we were nearly done and was doing anything in his power to stall us! He did very well with the writing though.
Genevieve wanted a go too – she did remarkably well given the length of her name and the medium with which she was working.
The ice cream queue was significantly smaller when we got back to the car, so against our better judgement we indulged in an ice cream each. I don’t normally go for sweet things, but they had mint Feasts and I just couldn’t resist. It took me straight back to my childhood!
We’d barely covered 2km over the hour’s walk, but it felt so good to be outside doing something with the family. I can’t wait for more adventures like this.
We were home just in time for family bingo with Grandma Lindsey and Grandad Lawrie. It’s such a lovely tradition that’s developed over lockdown. There are unique little calls for getting all four corners, a diagonal or a line, and there was much excitement when Genevieve was first to call “bingo” for a full house.
By this point, everyone was tired so we swiftly worked through dinner, pyjamas, stories and bed for the kids, and Megan and I weren’t too far behind them as we were exceedingly tired. What a fun weekend for all!
The Smiths Family Blog 
Haircuts and Keston plus dirty writing – interesting
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