Warm Saturday

It might have not been the sunniest day of the year but at least it was a warm one, and that meant one thing we could get out and about and enjoy some of the fresh air and the countryside.

So after getting Lucy it was out to the parks. We started in Oakham park, which Lucy loves, before heading to the some shops and then after lunch we went further a feild to the large park we had found a few months ago with the stocks. The park in question is in the village of Witham on the Hill in Lincolnshire. This time she had Catherine to play with and the two of them had a smashing time before we returned home for dinner.

With dinner cooked and eaten, lucy got on with playing with her sisters before it was time for her to go to bed. Soon she was all tucked up and after her kisses and cuddles from the people she loves, and a couple of stories from me and her sisters off she went to sleep. It was lovely to have her home again. I can't say how much I miss her when she isn't here.

Mixed Monday

It has been a mixed day in many ways, and that doesn't only apply to the weather. The morning was what I wanted and it wasn't a particularly good one, although it started off fine, it degenerated until after lunchtime. All I wanted was a lovely last day for Lucy and it just didn't happen the way I planned.

Thankfully the afternoon was a lot better than the middle of the morning and we got outside to enjoy the fresh air and the countryside. We first headed to the church were Lucy wanted to go and play the piano before heading through the village to the park. At the park she played for a while before we both headed off into the fields, looking for the rope swing that crosses the stream. Unfortunately time ran out before we found it and both of us had to return home to get ready to head to the city.

 

I hate driving to the city to take Lucy back and today was no different. It not just the idea of Lucy leaving me it is the city itself. I guess I have had my fill of the places. Nice to visit but not somewhere I would want to live when I know there is an alternative. I was glad to get out of the place but sad Lucy had gone. I don't think I will ever get use to it.

 

I just can't wait until Friday when she comes again. It has just been so lovely to have her for so long and this final visit makes up for all the time I basically missed out by not seeing her for over a month in earlier in the summer. It also the last time I will her before she goes to school and fingers crossed I can make it a little different from the summer day we have had so far. 

Summer Saturday

Summer has returned, that if you thought it ever started, and we have a warm spell. It might be just for a few days but at least we can expect a couple of dry days and hopefully they will be sunny too.

The one thing the warm weather allowed us to do was to get out and about and visit some of Lucy's favourite parks. So in the afternoon we headed out to Someby park which Lucy named horsey park because of the number of house riders that pass by from the local equestrian centre. It was lovely there as always, it is such a peaceful place and Lucy had lots of fun playing.

After had finished in Someby we headed back into Oakham to the park, were Lucy met Emily's friends Anna and Millie. They were just as pleased to see her as see was to see them. Soon Lucy was in the playground trying out all it had to offer and showing off all her skills. She even managed the fireman's pole for the first time all on her own, it was just a shame we had to leave when the parking ran out. 

It was nice to get out and about and enjoys some nice warm weather for a change. I just hope that this is a sign of things to come for a few more days at least.

Park with a Differance

The grey dull summer continued marching on and the only thing to do is to march on regardless and make the most of it with that British stiff upper lip.

Yet again the morning was much like the morning before and it was spent in the house, so again it wasn't until after lunch we got out. This time we headed out for a drive to find somewhere new. We ended up heading into Lincolnshire and there we found a park with a difference in the village of Witham on the Hill. Firstly the playthings were rather good for a village, they were more imaginative and challenging than normal and secondly we found a pair of stocks for naughty children that Lucy posed in. As a park it had a lot of potential for Lucy's bigger sisters too and I can see us going back there for a picnic. It was just a shame we had to go home.

I lovely finding new places with potential and glad we found somewhere new. There are rumours of better weather to come over the weekend and I just hope we manage to make the best of it. 

Out Again

Thankfully it was warm even dull it was rather dull for most of the day, and that allowed us to get out and about for a while to enjoy the fresh air which was good after yesterday.

The morning was spent doing very much other than waking up, watching television and playing. It seems the story of the holidays really. The day really didn't get started after lunchtime when we headed out to the park in Okaham before heading off to Stamford to feed the ducks. It was fun at the park but we were unlucky with the weather and  we had shelter under a willow tree to shelter from a shower. All the same it was nice to be out.

Hopefully we can get out again tomorrow and have some fun. I just hate being stuck in the house and I want us to have as much fun as we can.

Quiet Wednesday

Today was one of those days where nothing really got done and so little positive can be said of it really.

Fun was had in the morning watching television and playing and that was it was hardly a day to remember with the afternoon carrying on in the same way.  Hardly the fun I wanted for Lucy or any of the girls. I just want them to have a nice summer and anything that gets in the way of that is frustrating and annoying.

To be honest I have I been generally rather disappointed with the summer full stop. It has hardly been what I expected it to be and one of the worse I can remember in all the summers I have had. Luckily there are a few days of Lucy being here and another weekend to come and hopefully thing can be turned round.

Out and About

The weather still isn't wonderful, but the aim is to make the best of it when we get the chance and that is basically what we did today.

It was lovely to wake to Lucy's happy smile and then watch television together before starting the day with breakfast. The morning was spent mainly around the house getting on with jobs and playing. This took us nicely to lunchtime and to think about getting out somewhere in the afternoon.

In the afternoon we headed out into the countryside hoping we could find somewhere interesting to play where the sun was shinning. We ended up in Wing looking around the medieval maze and playing in the playground there. This turf cut maze, apparently, is one of a few of it's kind that remain and it is associated with the legend of Thesesus and the Minotau. We had a fun time there and thankfully we found that break in the cloud and had some fun in in sun.

Before retuning home we popped to the shops to pick up some supplies. There Lucy had a turn on the rides before we left to cook some dinner. When we got home I got on with cooking while Lucy watched television until it was time to eat. After dinner there was some time left for her to play before I finally put her to bed with her stories and kisses and cuddles from the people she loves.

I live in hope of some good weather. It feels like most of the summer has been spent inside this year mainly because of the weather.

Parted For the Summer

Today was the last day that Emily and Catherine are at home over the summer holidays. They are both off to stay with their mum until the day before they go back to school. It was a situation that arose when their mum couldn't get the time off work to match Lucy's time here.

The result of this was that most of the morning was spent travelling up and down the A1 to drop Emily and Catherine off at there mums. It wasn't something I like to have to do with Lucy on the car just because the trip is long and boring and that is hardly ideal for an active four year old. All the same it had to be done and after their goodbyes the three girls were separated and we returned to Rutland.

When we arrived back and after lunch was out of the way it was time to let Lucy lose in the parks in the area. In a total we went to three parks over the course of the afternoon, and while at the village park we even managed to do some raspberry picking from some nearby bushes. It was nice to be able just to get out in the fresh air after sitting in the car most of the morning and Lucy made the most of her time having fun and making new friends along the way.

Eventually the fun at the parks had to come to an end and after dinner Lucy went to sleep after her stories and cuddles. As always it just a joy for me to have Lucy at home again. To see her playing in the parks and joining in her games is a shear delight that I will never tire of. It was just a shame that her sisters couldn't join in the fun today and had to leave in the morning, but that is life.

Back Together Again

At last it was time for Lucy to return home to village and the last time of the summer she had to spend some time with her big sisters before they disappeared for the holidays. It was also a day I had to fight for, and fight I did because this one was the last one she would spend with her sisters for weeks and to me that made it a special one, but more of that at the end of the post.

The drive to Leicester to pick up Lucy never seems as long the drive back home after I have dropped her off. I just guess it one of those things that will never change. It was lovely to see her again and she looked so different with her short straight hair. Must say I did miss her curls and her longer hair but former will reappear and the hair will grow in time, I hope.

On the way back to the village we drove back via Melton and popped into the county park. Lucy loved the aerial runway the last time she was there as well as the playground. So it seemed a great place to take her before going home to see her big sisters. Once again she seemed like she had been going down the aerial runway on her all her life. She had great fun and that is what I wanted, I love seeing her smile, it is infectious. A good start to her week at home in the village.

When we finally got home she got and massive welcome from everyone. Everyone was pleased to see her including George the dog her just goes wild when he first sees her. As I was getting on with lunch and the girls were making up for lost time in the family room, after Lucy took her things to her bedroom.

After lunch Emily, Catherine and Lucy spent most for most of the afternoon in the family room playing various games. If one her big sisters left to do her own thing then Lucy would just play with the other until the missing one returned. Occasionally I would be included in one of Lucy's games but mainly she played with her sisters. This was fine by me, and it was what I wanted. It also allowed me to get on with cooking dinner.

In the evening we had a roast Sunday Dinner with all the trimming which we all ate around the table. It was lovely to have everyone altogether for a meal. After the meal Emily and Catherine played with Lucy until it was time for her bedtime and after a story from each of them, I read her a final story and then gave her a kisses and cuddles from the people she loves before she fell asleep. 

After Lucy went to sleep Lucy's big sisters got on with watching television and playing on the computers before they went off to bed. They have a busy morning ahead of them tomorrow. One thing I love is to pop in to Lucy's room before I go to bed to check she is alright, it is just special being able to tuck her in and it a phase that doesn't last forever. 

At the start of the post I said I had to battle with Lucy's mummy for the day and the reason I did this was because it was the last time the girls had together at the end of the summer. What I didn't realise, because I wasn't told, it was that Lucy's Grandfather was over from France having, from what I can work out, brought back her other sister from her holiday. I didn't realise this until he opened the door when I picked up Lucy. At the end of the day I can only go on the information that I'm given or in this case guess at after the event. 

If I had known we could have made a compromise and met in the middle. Lucy could have had the morning and Sunday Lunch at her mummies and the afternoon and Sunday Dinner here. That way nobody would have missed out completely. 

I hate all the fighting over Lucy and everything else, it seems so pointless and always will to me. It is not good that it happens at all and it doesn't make anything any easier. I hate the hate, it is the last thing I want. Having the just simple facts makes things so much easier and allows the middle ground to be found. Hopefully if we find ourselves in this position again where we both want her time we won't be in the position that one of us ends up missing out if it is avoidable. It is so important that we share time with her, after all it is not what either of us wanted for her at one time.

All Good Things

As they say all good things have to come to an end, and the same was true of Lucy's time with us. Today she went back to the city for a while before returning home again next Sunday morning.

Once again the weather was far from ideal, but that has been the story of the summer. It was another day spent mainly indoors, but we managed to make the most of the time we had and had some fun along the way. Eventually came the rush and we got Lucy ready to return to the city. Both her sisters gave her massive hug before she was finally gone from the house, which seemed to fall quiet in her absence.

It has been great to have Lucy home gain. It really has been super having her for so long. She just settled in so naturally to life here after the initial excitement had subsided after a couple of days. She was a joy to have around and it was great to have all my girls in one place for a while.

More showers

Everyday I wake up when all the girls are here hoping for good weather. There isn't the money for fancy days out and indoor play area's, but there are lots of free parks and lovely countryside to explore, but only if the weather is right. Today the weather wasn't right yet again.

Most of the day was spent inside from the morning through to the afternoon. The only exception was a brief trip to the supermarket to pick up supplies for everyone. Other than that we spent the day playing, having cuddles, watching television and DVD's. It was fun but nothing exciting.

It is just a shame we haven't had the weather the we wanted for Lucy's stay with us, and what made it more disappointing was it was her last full day with us. Let's hope for something a little better tomorrow before she returns to the city.

Stormy Saturday

Yet another those wet and sunny days that have made up the summer. This one however was slightly different as a sunny early morning was replaced by storm clouds and heavy rain. So much rain in fact that some of the local drains were overwhelmed and some of the roads showed signs of flooding.

The weather once again made a mess of the day. In the morning I got up with Lucy and we snuggled together watching television until she wanted breakfast. Then after breakfast we played until we were joined by her older sisters, and they all went off together into the family room.

The storms hit around lunchtime. What surprised me was how scarred Lucy was of the thunder and lightening, I only ever seen that once before, no reassurance could settle her other being cuddled. Thankfully they didn't last too long and once the worse was over I distracted her with play as the rain fell outside.

The rest of the afternoon was once gain spent indoors, much to everyones disappointment. It's not that we didn't have fun, it just this is the time of year for getting outside and having fun. All kinds of games were played to try and make the day exciting. 

After dinner, came quiet time and Lucy settled down to watch a DVD and the older two girls caught up with there friends online, exchanging gossip and stories of the day. Then came bedtime and after her stories from everyone, her kisses and cuddles, she fell asleep, to be joined later in the land of dreams by her sisters.

I just hope we get at least one more good day before all three girls are parted again. I'm not sure if this summer is any worse than any other but it feels it, and I can't remember another like it.

Out Again

Well, it wan't the sunniest of days, there was the odd shower but at least in the afternoon turned out fine and sunny. It was just what the Doctor ordered as they say and we all broke free from the house and had some fun.

The morning was like many others so far, I got up to the happy little face of Lucy smiling away and we gathered her things and went downstairs. As we woke up we watched TV and snuggled up together before I made some breakfast for her. She has really taken a shine to boiled eggs and today was no exception. Then the morning started for us and the play began with people joining us as they appeared, which took as through to lunchtime.

In the afternoon the weather settled down. The ground had dried out and everyone wanted to make the most of the day in whatever way they could. This for the older girls meant a trip into town to met up with friends and enjoy the sunshine and for Lucy a trip out to the country park in Melton where she had a grand time on all that was on offer, especially the aerial runway. It was just a shame it all had to end and we had to head home. It was so nice to be outside in the sun.

Once home it was time to get on with dinner as the Emily and Catharine arrived back at the house. The girls spent the time before and after dinner having fun and enjoying each others company before it was time for Lucy to go to bed. She was shattered after her day, and after her stories, kisses and cuddles she fell straight asleep, with her big sisters following her into the land of dreams a few hours later.

It was nice to be able to get out of the house for all of us and have some fun. I know how we all love to get out and about and I hope we get another chance soon. Let's hope for some more sunny afternoons before the summer has passed us by.

Home Sweet Home

Another one of those mixed bag weather days that have made this summer what it is. It's not something anyone wants but what we have been given for some reason. The result was the plans to go out in the afternoon were foiled yet again.

I had a lovely early morning with Lucy until eventually until I gave in and let Lucy wake up Emily in the middle of the morning.  At this point Emily took over playing with Lucy for a while until Catherine turned up from her sleep over and had her turn before lunch.

The afternoon was much like the others. A mixture of playing, games and watching videos together, with the rain preventing trips to the outdoors. We did anything we could think to do to pass the time and to have some fun. This all took us through to dinner, more play and bedtime for little Lucy and then everyone else.

The thing I have gained most about the time we have all had together, so far, is that families make homes. Having little Lucy here is a delight and she certainly makes the place come alive with her chatter. I just love the way she has fitted in and found her spot within the family, she just seems so at home.