A Beautiful Day

What a lovely surprise to wake up with the sun shining, the sky blue and just a light breeze rustling the leaves of the large beech tree that stands in our garden. A perfect autumn day to cheer the soul and warm the heart, but it was even better, because today some of the people I love were together. Lucy was coming to Langham to be with us again for the day.

Nothing could spoil a day like this. Emily and Catherine got up and made their pack lunches, had breakfast and were soon on their way to school. The drive in to Oakham with Emily was lovely and the roads were not to busy. When I got back Catherine was just walking down the walk so I gave her a cuddle and a kiss and wished her well for the day. It was just one of those mornings that makes you feel good about life.

After a coffee and shave and shower it was off to get little Lucy from her mummies and bring her back to Oakham. It was a pleasant pick up, for me at least, I said how lovely the day was and wish her mummy well, but I'm not sure it went down well, unfortunately. Lucy was in top form as always and we chatted all the way to the car and all the way home. 

When we got back to Langham we played out in garden for a while before we decided that we would take George for a short walk around the village. It wasn't a long walk we just went to the church and back but we took our time and spent some time with George in the Church yard. While we were there we saw a pair of squirrels that soon ran away when they got the scent of George. Lucy and I waited for a bit and did spot them again but we couldn't get near with the dog in tow. Lucy seemed to love their bushy tails and was completely taken with them. With the squirrels gone I let Lucy have a go at walking George. She did really well and walked him all around the church yard. Back at the road I took over George again and we made tour way slowly home via the Baptist Church. Lucy and George both seemed to have a grand time and so did I.

By lunchtime the morning sunshine had caused some clouds to bubble up from drew on the ground, but that didn't stop us as we headed out to Stamford to have lunch and have some more fun. 

When we got to Stamford we head to McDonald's for a bite to eat before heading to the recreation ground. We were going to Rascals but given how warm it was and the fact the sun had broken through the clouds it seemed a shame to go indoors when Lucy could play in the fresh air. She had a great time playing on the large and small slides, the swings, the roundabout and the bouncy toys. We even played shops for a bit with Lucy seving me all kinds of food from her café and at one point she pretended she was on the television. It was lovely to  be out in the fresh air and I hope we have more sunny days at the park before the bad weather sets in for the winter.

After we had finished at the park we popped into Waitrose on our way back to Langham. I must say that I think it is one of the best supermarkets as far as the quality of food goes and I love going there now and again to pick up a treat for dinner. Lucy, as always, charmed everyone and was really well behaved and helpful. She is a delight to take shopping.

When we got home we picked up Catherine from school with the usual big welcome from Lucy before heading off to Oakham. Emily was going to Toot's Sweets, a old fashioned sweet shop, with her friends after school and we picked her up from near the Church. Lucy was so pleased to see her and it was lovely to have them all together again. Of course there was another reason Lucy was pleased to see Emily she had some sweets left which she shared.

As soon as we arrived back home Emily and Catherine went upstairs to change with Lucy following them into the bedroom. Soon all that could be heard was the sound of playing children, laughing and having fun both inside and outside the house.

While they were playing I switched on the oven and got all the ingredients ready to make cakes as I cooked the dinner. Soon I was calling them all down to the kitchen to help me with the mixing and the pouring of the mixture into the fairy cake cases. They all had a great time doing the mixing and the pouring accept for Lucy who decided to cover her ears from the noise, but she waited for the best bit. Licking out the bowl which she later decided she could use as a hat! What a mess she made of her hair. It wasn't long before the cakes were in the oven so they could be iced and eaten after dinner.

Originally for dinner I was going to do a roast, but given how good the weather was it would have been a shame to waste the day cooking so we had a simple dinner in the end that maximized the playing and cake making time for all three of them. As they ate I got the cakes from the oven and set them down to cool. they were a lovely golden brown colour and they had risen to perfection. They were probably the best I have cooked yet with thier help. 

With dinner out the way and all the plates scraped and ready to be washed, including Lucy's who is now scrapping her own plate, it was down to the last phase of the cake making. The decoration stage. Emily was soon carefully making the icing adding a bit of water to the icing sugar until she just got the right mix. She is really getting good at this now and doesn't need to add extra sugar because she got the mix to wet. Soon the icing was on the cakes and they were drawing on them with a small tube of black icing and making all kinds of crazy patterns and faces. They really seemed to have fun. As soon as the first one was finished it was in Lucy's hands and off she went to eat it. The first of two she had before she left. 

Soon it was time to get Lucy changed and back to her mummies house. She didn't want to go at first, but she had some sweets to take back with her and with them as the incentive to get changed she was soon ready. After cuddles and kisses from Emily and Catherine we walked down the walk hand in hand to the car and after the short drive she was back with her mummies. As always she gave a super cuddle and she told me she loved me, and I told her I love her too and to be good for her mummy, which I'm sure she is.

With Lucy gone, Emily and Catherine set about their home work. With Catherine now in year 6 she is starting to get a lot of homework in preparation for her STAT's test at the end of the year. I know now she not looking forward to them but I know the school will prepare her the best they can and she will get a lot of support from me. After the homework they relaxed in the family room until bedtime and off they went to sleep. It's an early start in the morning for both of them, so they had an early night. 

It has been a super day and the weather couldn't have been better. I wasn't going to let anything spoil it and nothing really did. There was a minor hiccup but that didn't change a thing. Something, I have had to learn is nothing or nobody can change how you feel, you feel what you feel and their is no use denying it. After all, everyday has it's ups and downs, so try and look at the bigger picture and see each day for what it is, and this was a super day. 

A Sunny Autumn Friday

When I woke up this morning a noticed what date it was I noticed it would have been my Mum's birthday today. I still miss her so much as I do the all other people special people in my life that mean or have meant so much to me. It makes you realise how important it is to care about the ones you love and cherish every moment you have with them, however short. Caring about the people we love is the most important thing we do in life. Thankfully nobody can stop us loving the people we do in our lives.

The day was already lovely when the Emily and Catherine got up for school. The sun was shining and the temperature was rising. It was all set to be a fine autumn day. As normal girls made their own packed lunches and soon I was driving Emily to school in Oakham and on my return I made sure Catherine got off school in time. The only different today, from a normal morning, was that Emily took some extra clothes to school. She is staying overnight with a friend and having a her first sleep over since she change school.

When I picked up Lucy I dropped off the rest of her mummies books from our home. Unfortunately one of the boxes broke as I was walking down the walk but thankfully I managed to save the books before they fell on the ground. I did feel bad about the box breaking but the books were just to heavy for the plastic box. Picking up Lucy was rather pleasant today, first I heard Lucy behind the door before it was opened and then I managed to help getting the books inside the house. Being friendly again was nice and it is good for Lucy to see us like that. I hope one day we will be able talk again. It was great to see Lucy knowing I have her for two nights again. I have been looking forward to it all week.

When we got home Lucy showed me all the things she brought with her from her mummies. She is so proud of her new yellow car. It was lovely to see and hear her glowworm again. I can still remember her as a baby listening to her glowworm as she feel asleep. It was nice to think back to those times when she was smaller. Catherine said later it was one of her first birthday present from her mummy and me as far as she can remember. I'm not sure who gave what but I still need to give Lucy a picture of me for her talking photo frame. For most of the morning we just played and had cuddles except for the occasional sitting on the potty time. Which reminds me I really should get a update at how she is doing at her mummies with the potty, but I don't like to bother her.

For lunch Lucy had some Heniz alphabet pasta shapes before we headed out for the afternoon to make the most of the sunshine all rapped up against the cool breeze. Today we headed to Stamford although we knew have much time there as we had to get back for Catherine, but we were determined to make the best use of it.

Taking some old bread with us we head first for the river to feed the ducks. Lucy had a lovely time feeding them. She was laughing and giggling away as she watched the ducks chasing and fighting over the bread she dropped. She even feed a few pigeons who came to see what was on offer. Some of the ducks there are so tame that one family were feeding them off their hands. Lucy was most disappointed when she ran out of bread, but with the promise of the park next she was soon back in the car seat with a ice cream. We will have to take more bread next time so we can stay longer.

We went next Stamford recreation ground near the police station. It is great there for children of all ages as I have said before. The first thing she went on was the single person roundabout. She ran to it as soon as she got through the gate to make sure that nobody else could get it. After while she moved on to the big slide. She can't get up there herself but with a big of help she can manage it. She just loves it and she is so careful crossing the bridge and watching where she put her feet. 

Today was odd in that a little girl a little bit younger than Lucy got stuck at the top of the slide and wouldn't come down. Lucy was waiting behind her and we tried to get Lucy to show the other little girl how to do it but she wouldn't move out the way to let Lucy down. The little girls mother was heavily pregnant and couldn't help her down, so in the end I went up the slide to rescue the her by getting her to slide down with me as I held her hands and slid down backwards. 

After the rescue and playing shops Lucy went on the large swing that Emily and Catherine like so much. Although she didn't want to go high she did smile all the time she was on it and had fun. Before we left she went back to the smaller children's area to play there and on the way out she pushed me around the ring roundabout laughing every time my weight made me speed down towards it's lowest point. We had a great time. 

Before we left Stamford we popped to the Waitrose to get a few things in for dinner. I must say I really like Waitrose and if it wasn't for the cost of the food there and it being so far away I would use it all the time. It is one of my favorite supermarkets. The food quality is so good compared the other supermarkets.

When we got home Catherine was waiting in the garden for us. Lucy was so pleased to see her and beamed from ear and sat down next to her and gave her a cuddle. They both played in the garden for a while before coming inside when the sun went in which put the end to the idea of an after school trip to Langham park, as with the sun gone the air temperature dropped quite a bit. Indoors they watch a DVD on the sofa after they made some cakes with Lucy occasionally getting up to play on her own with her toys. Before long dinner was ready and they both sat down and chatted away together as they ate.

After dinner Catherine and Lucy played together. First they played dressing up and then they went bouncing on the bed for a bit before coming downstairs to play. I think they both enjoyed having some exclusive time together without Emily. I always think with children it works better with even numbers of children rather than odd when someone often gets left out. Talking about children, if she can be called that any more, I do hope Emily is having a nice time. When we phoned her to find out where to pick her up in the morning she said she was busy so I guess that means she is having fun.

Soon it was time for Lucy to go to bed. With Emily being away Catherine helped me with in the bath. Seeing Lucy was having so much fun Catherine put her swimming costume on and got in the bath with her. After we washed her hair and I dried her off Catherine got changed to read her some stories. Finally I read her last story of the night and gave her all her usual hug and kisses from the important people that are close to her. Soon after she was asleep and she looked so lovely and restful. 

Once Lucy was in bed Catherine went off to play on the computers and to catch up on the television she has missed. While she was at school today she went on a trip to RAF Cottesmore for their family day and just before bed she was telling me all about it. It sounded like she had a great time and really enjoyed the air display. I must say i wish I could have gone and seen the base before it closes in a few years time.

Last thing for today, without the books in the downstairs toilet there are big gaps on the shelves. Although the gaps will soon be filled again from the other bookshelves in the house it does look strange without them. They have been there for so long that you know everyone and there existence links to memories of the past just like the small reminders of my Mum which turn up now and again in unsorted boxes. 

Fun at Rascals

With the uncertainty in the last weather forecast I heard it was nice to find that he day turned out sunny in the morning even after the grey start and the threat of rain when I awoke. Somehow the sun managed to burn away the cloud and keep it a bay.

Emily and Catherine both got up at seven thirty, got ready for school and set about making their own pack lunches while I had a coffee and woke up. It is rather nice now that I don't have to hurry them along and they are finding there own feet. The school run with Emily went well. While I was gone Catherine had fed George and taken him for a short walk round the village. I was back in time to make sure Catherine wasn't late for school. 

I picked up Lucy at ten o'clock from her mummies in her new Peppa Pig shoes, she was very proud of them and was showing them off in the car. We both headed off to the supermarket to get some more pull-ups for Lucy. We had used the last one when we had her on Sunday so we need to go before we did anything else and in any case I love shopping with her. It just more fun and we make a game of it. With the shopping done it was time for the rides. The Thomas the Tank engine ride was broken again today, it always seems to be out or order, so Lucy went on Thunderbird Two today. She was smiling from ear to ear.

The rest of the morning was spent in and out of the house. We played all kinds of games, had lots of cuddles and fun doing the things she likes to do. As always George followed her around all over the place. They really are partners in crime.

Just before lunch we headed off out in the car to Stamford with the satellite navigation system replacing the speedo since the dashboard is still not working and the replacement part has still not arrived at the garage. When we got there the first thing we did was to pop into MacDonalds to get some food and before we headed off Rascals, a soft play area for under tens.   

Rascals is great place for someone like Lucy. She loves it there and when I told her where we were going, before we left the house, I never seen her get her shoes on so fast. There is nothing there she can't tackle now and she loves interacting with the other children. It as a nice place to relax and have a coffee even if it is instant.

The first thing she played with was the cars. She loves the police cars and races around making police car noises. The speed she get out of those toy cars and the control she shows is quite amazing. She never seems to crash into anyone or anything. Her favorite of the police cars is the black one and as soon as she saw it was free she swapped it for her blue one that she started playing in when we arrived.

Of course she wasn't about to miss out on any other the things to do and was soon climbing, sliding, rolling and generally wearing herself out. At one point she had me building her a house out of all of the soft play blocks she had collected for me. We were there for most of the early afternoon. She had a lovely time and it was a shame we had to leave but she didn't complain and put her shoes on like a good girl and left.

On the way home we came into Oakham to pick Emily up from school. Lucy was so pleased to see her and equally as pleased to see Catherine we at last we got back inside the house. They had a lovely tine together playing in the family room for the rest of the afternoon.

It was just before dinner Catherine found out her best friends dog was hit by tractor and later we discovered it had died. Catherine, bless her, wanted to get her friend something to cheer her up and I got her some chocolate to give her tomorrow at school. 

We did have one little mishap before Lucy went home. I had seemed to mislay Lucy's top she came from her mummies in. I was sure it was in the washing machine. I always return her in clean clothes, and had put it in wash earlier. Thankfully we found it in Emily's duvet and the problem was solved. It was like the duvet had eaten it. I'm glad we hadn't lost it, I don't want anything to rock the boat as the water can be very choppy! 

As always the time to take Lucy back to her mummies came to soon. The drop off was much like the last, so the least said the better. I just don't know why it has to be this way when it could be better with some understanding.

When I got home the Emily was on the computer and Catherine was on the phone to her friend. They both watched Eastenders together had some quiet time before going off up to bed. They must have both been really tired, because they both fell straight to sleep.

I had a lovely day with Emily, Catherine and Lucy. I can't wait to have them altogether again. It is just three sleeps as Catherine pointed out to Lucy as she was leaving. Until then there is fun to be had with Emily and Catherine who live here with me. 

There's the Sun

At last a sunny day and just what we needed to get out of the house after all the rain of the last few days, but before we could go out there were a few things to do first in Oakham. 

The first of these was to pick up Lucy from from her mummies. This time I had Emily with me and it was lovely to she Lucy go hand in hand with her back to the car chatting away and asking were Catherine was. It was lovely to see her as always.

Emily was with me today because we needed to sort out her school uniform for next week when she starts her new school. She is getting really excited about it now and really looking forward to the new challenge. We went to the small children's clothes shop near the park. It's interesting the first thing Lucy said as we crossed the road was are we going to the sweet shop. Unfortunately it looked closed. Lucy was very good in the shop while Emily tired on the different sized clothes and picked the trousers she wanted. Emily looked so grown up in her uniform and I know she felt it too.

Once we had finished at the clothes shop it was off to the supermarket. Lucy wanted to go the the Thomas the Tank Engine ride and luckily I had a fifty pence piece. She really seems to be getting into Thomas the Tank Engine which gives me some idea's for Birthday presents. I know she has one Thomas the Tank Engine which she brought with her the other day with a pink toy car. In the supermarket we got Lucy some more princess pull ups, food for lunch and of course a few small sweets as a treat.

When we got home Lucy got a wonderful welcome for George before she went off to find Catherine to give her a cuddle. During the morning we played a postman game and her driving game in the garden with us filling her tank with petrol and fixing her car. Lucy also helped me by watering the plants and later she listened to some music with me. It lovely to watch them all playing together although they won't be together for another week.

For lunch we had ham with lovely fresh baked rolls. A firm favorite with everyone although I'm looking forward to the cooler weather of the autumn and having the same rolls with bacon and mushrooms. While they ate they watch Horrid Henry on DVD. Lucy's choice I might add. Good thing it is liked by all. And finally they had pudding, had another treat, this time donuts. Yes I was spoiling them but it the last time they will be together on a Friday for quite awhile with school starting next week.

After lunch it started to cloud over but that wasn't going to stop us as we headed out to Stamford to play in the park at the recreation ground. Even though it wasn't the warmest of days there were a lot of people there. I guess it was because it was the first chance to get out after all the rain and they didn't want to miss it, like us. Emily and Catherine were over the moon at being out of the house again and Lucy had a super time, especially on the big girl slide. The best thing for me was that we got Lucy back in the swing again, and instead of wanting to get straight out, we got her to smile and be pushed gently. I'm sure if we keep at it she will love the swing again. Emily and Catherine of course ended up on the big swing going as high as they could.

On the way home we popped into a supermarket to buy some drinks and while we were there we got some pizza for dinner. All the girls love pizza especially Lucy. Of course while we were there Lucy had to go on the Bob the Builder ride which loved so much the last time we visited the supermarket there. There was one difference this time for some reason Bob got a kiss from Lucy.

Although we only saw the sun briefly in Stamford it was out when we got home and it was turning into a lovely late afternoon and promising to be a nice evening. We started playing a phone game in the garden that spread into the house with Lucy making everyone talk to her on her toy phone. Finally I played the postman game again with me answering the mail Lucy sent me in funny voices. It was great fun. They all had dinner and then off Lucy went to play with Catherine until to it was time for her to get ready to leave.

Today there wasn't so much of a rush to get Lucy ready and just before she left and she asked Emily to read her a story. Emily read her Q Pottle 5 complete with voices. It was rather sweet. After finishing her milkshake the she spilt on her clean top, it was off to Oakham. We were welcomed by her sister Mary looking out the window for her with a white rabbit in her hand. It was lovely to see Mary's huge smile it warms your heart. I really hope Lucy has super long weekend with her mummy.

In the evening we had to go the hospital to sort out my thumb. Unfortunately there can't do anything yet and all I can do is wait for the nail I damaged to fall off. I think Emily and Catherine were rather disappointed in not seeing it taken off. That is children for you. I just wanted the pain to go away when I keep catching it.

I have had a smashing with everyone. Tomorrow the Emily and Catherine are going off to there mums in the morning. With me not having Lucy this weekend there is a chance to have some grown fun and get out and about and enjoy the last weekend in August.

All Change!

Well the overnight weather didin't look good, as I went to bed the rain was falling again and the promise of the red sunset was gone. On waking the ground was wet and the sun was gone. It was not what we needed for our picnic or our trip to the country parks. 

With plans changed, I went and picked up Lucy. It was lovely to hear her voice excitedly calling daddy as I knocked on the door and even better to get a cuddle and a kiss as I strapped her into her car seat. All the way home she just chatted and chatted.

The morning was spent playing indoors and waiting for the ground to dry out. thankfully the sun kept trying to poke through and the rain stayed away. At one point emily and Lucy were watching television together, it was lovely to see the way they cuddled up together with George by their side. I'm not sure what Emily had found for them to watch but in the end Catherine joined them and they all really seemed to be enjoying it. 

Not to miss out totally on the picnic we got the blanket out of the car and put it out in the family room and the girls all sat on and had there lunch, minus George of course who had to be kept in the living room to avoid him pinching all the food. It might have not what we were expecting but the best we could do given the weather.

After lunch we were going to head out to the park to salvage something of the day out that the weather spoiled, but just as we were about to go out it started raining lightly. All the same we headed out to Stamford with some bread just in case the rain cleared to feed the ducks. 

When we got to Stamford the rain had turned into a torrent. Emily and Catherine got out of the car and fed the ducks from under a tree. They still got soaked but they said the ducks seemed to appreciate it. Lucy stayed in the car her coat didn't seem to be up to duck feeding in the rain. 

We next headed off to the large Morrisons for some food shopping. It was there that Catherine lost her phone, the problem was, however, she didn't notice it was gone until we are just about to leave Stamford. Catherine was quite upset, she loves her phone and waited ages to get it for her birthday. She said she left it in her bag on Emily's seat, but when we searched the back of the car it wasn't there. The whole searching process wasn't helped by the fact that my phone was out of credit so I couldn't call it. We turned the car round and headed back through Stamford to the supermarket. I went to the cash point to put credit on my phone while the car was being searched again, it wasn't until I got back to the car and rang the phone that we discovered that the phone was inside the shop. I'm so glad it turned up.

When we got home it was straight on with the cooking dinner. Tonight's menu chicken tikka masala, pilau rice and nan bread with a special treat for pudding yum yums. The only problem was there wasn't time to cook it and eat it all because of the lost phone. A quick text sorted that out and Lucy got to eat her pudding with her sisters, rather than having to take it home to eat it later at her mummies, however, Lucy still went home eating. She had a half an apple with her as well as the bag of sweets for Mary and herself that she got at Morrisons. 

Tonight Catherine came with me to drop off Lucy, it is the first time in ages that either of her two big sisters had come with me. After Lucy was back at her mummies we popped into the shops and then head off back home just as it started to spit with rain.

When we got home we discovered that Emily's sleep over had been moved to tonight and so Catherine is the only one of the three of them sleeping here tonight. It was nice to spend some time with her alone after she got home from seeing her friend.

All I hope tonights sunset brings better weather so that we can get to the country parks in Northamptonshire before the school holidays are over. It is a shame that little Lucy can't come with us but there is nothing that can be done about that.