Whilst the children spent the bank holiday weekend with their father, Builder Bloke suggested that he and I get away for a romantic break, given that everything has got excessively stressy of late. There is nothing more attractive than a cheapy cheap short haul flight followed by free accommodation thanks to the most amazing family members you could ever hope to have.
However, it didn’t quite work out as a romantic break for two. This time I came as a slightly larger package than usual – not just me, but my two brothers, two sister in laws, my niece AND my mother – not quite what he’d had in mind but he understood our desire to all get together and take my mother somewhere – make her feel part of the team, a little less alone in the world without our father by her side.
We went back to Portugal where the sun shone (mostly) and everything was just lovely and easy.
Where the days looked like this:-
and the nights looked like this:-
JUST what the doctor ordered. Except, as usual, in my absence things don’t seem quite right in my house. Not too many empty bottles and fag ends giving much away, no filthy looks from the neighbours (yet), but the fog machine that my brother gave my teenage son for Christmas, together with the laser lights (which were in the shed) are now in the house. He is trying to claim that he got bored of revising and decided that a little dry ice would make things a little more interesting. Yeah. Right.
In addition, there is all the usual STUFF to deal with. My kids are all a bit frantic for different reasons:-
I put my 10 y/o on a coach this morning for a three day school trip. We went through the list of items required and he shouted “CHECK” each time for every single item. When we got to the “Marigold” gloves he was clearly disappointed to be putting them in his bag. “I think you must be doing some work in water – probably you’ll be sifting through mud and stuff” – “OH PHEW” he said, “we’re not expected to be doing the washing up then?” We’ve had to do two pre-addressed envelopes to send letters to. As I waved him off in the coach this morning I could see that he didn’t get to sit next to the boy he had planned to sit next to. That would have ruined the entire expedition for me. My heart sank. Hopefully he’s bigger than me. Not such a girl.
My teenage son has now finished school FOREVER. Bollocks. Why does that make me feel SO old? He is now on “study” leave. Mysterious, this “study” business and revising for his A levels. He’s getting it done, I’m sure. Somewhere. He seems way more interested in filling in his university application for accommodation and sorting out his summer holiday and arranging his university loan. “Am I blind, partially sighted or need a wheel chair?” he is saying in the background as he fills in a form. Am I expected to answer that or is he just reading out loud? I’m letting him get on with it – it’s all very exciting for them, this stepping out into the big wide world a little bit more but do they actually have any idea (even though the money doesn’t have to be paid back until they’re on a certain salary) that they will saddled with a debt of around £30K before they’ve even started? Is it any wonder that the average age of first time buyers is now around 40?? In my day we had a grant and that was that. Job done. Then we could get on with the matter of earning our own money.
My daughter is revising for exams too. She seems a little bit too distracted by her interest in Olly Murs (see previous post).
I am back at work. It’s quiet though. Half term. Everybody seems to be away. Or they’ve got bored of my class and gone to another one. Will have to spice it up. Wear a leotard or something. That ought to put everybody off.
So what have you all been up to? MUST find the time to pop over and see. Apologies. Life. Gets in the way.
Expat Mum
June 1, 2011Well, let me see. Little Guy is 8 tomorrow so had to rush out and buy cupcakes for the class. His party is on Saturday so also ordered cake. (Everything else is there when we get there – to see Kung Fu Panda 2 with 14 of his friends.) He has a piano recital tonight so I’m going to that (must remember to take a plate of cookies for afterwards) and husband is going to the Man-Child’s sports banquet which is at the exact same time.
Oh yes, and the Queenager graduates next week which means several outfits, (for me, not her – she has her clothes. I neglected to think about myself), two parties on Thursday, one on Friday, the ceremony and another party on Saturday, and then a family party at home on Sunday. Not quite sure when I’ll get to shop for that but I’ll leave it till after this weekend. I still have to buy goodie bags and things to go in them.
Phew!
Family Affairs
June 1, 2011Good grief!!!! R u coming over soon to chill and hang out with all of us bloggers?? Lx
English Mum
June 3, 2011Sounds lovely. I’d love a few days with my family… oh wait, that’s my news – I’m moving back to England! Oh and I went to Dubai. And the kids have broken up for the summer here. Apart from that? Not a lot x
Family Affairs
June 3, 2011R u?? AGAIN?? YAY. That’s vg news for me – how is it for you? Lx
Kelloggville
June 4, 2011My life seems to have got in way of blogging. Guide camp last weekend, taking brownies to London next week immediately followed by party for 50 family members the week after. Busy busy busy. Oh and received a letter from the mother on law saying shes coming to stay for 3 weeks in July. Saints preserve us. Nice pictures.
English Mum
June 4, 2011Very excited! Will be hoping you’ll be my London restaurant buddy 🙂 x
Family Affairs
June 4, 2011YAY!!