I think I broke Summer

The first day of Summer went amazingly well.  We all managed to get out and to the train station (on time) and get ourselves to the Country Park.  We had enough food that it didn't matter about the refused food.  The weather was beautiful and I even managed to hold off Maia's incessant repeating nagging to go to the play park whilst we enjoyed natures play park. We didn't get home until 5pm.

We were DOING summer. It was happening!!!

We were all on track for the second day and a trip to the West End for a lovely singing event in the park.  I was feeling really good about our abilities to get out and do summer stuff. I didn't even care that lunch was basically fruit.  I was actually starting to look forward to our many planned and unplanned days.  Clearly I was being too smug about it all because BAM! I crashed into the car in front.

After copious amounts of swearing, I checked everyone was ok, which they were thank G-d. I checked the car which wasn't and swapped details with the lovely other driver.  Three older people. Oh shit, I hope I didn't break their summer too.  I then called hubby to come and rescue us and broke down crying.

We needed the car for moving house at the weekend.  I was supposed to pick up the keys from a few towns over.  We have a gazillion boxes which we were going to start transporting. 

We needed the car to explore our new countryside.

We needed the car so we were not isolated in our new rural home.

We needed the car for our summer of busyness.

We are supposed to get a courtesy car, but there is currently a problem with a missing photo licence and also the car will be a very small one that doesn't take Riley (or lots of boxes).

It's all going to work out though, summer is still happening. There will be walking and buses and trains and more home days.  Today thought I'm feeling lacking in coping and ability to actually get going but....

It's all good.  

We also got to see the big big lorry take our car away which was pretty cool fun!

Meltdowns - none :)

Losing the Plot - yes.  quite a bit already :(

Breastfeeding - I need it to cut down, someone pass the message to the Millster

Summer lovin' happened so fast

It's summer again. I'm going to make it count this year. It's going to be SO summer holidays that winter holidays will be wishing they could join us. I really am. It's going to be chock full of fun and summery type things. There'll be summer happenings and summer stuff and summer nights and summer lovin' and summertime.  There will be nature and excitement, sports and energy, seaside and ice cream. It's all happening. 

 It. Will. Rock. In a totally Summer way. 

Tomorrow (today) I'm aiming to get everyone out of the house and to the train station for 9.36am. We will have a big bag of food which I will now prepare in the morning because I only just noticed at 1.21am that tomorrow's NIN was a time scheduled train catching day trip. I will do all this because it's summer and it will not be stressful in any way shape or form noooo sireeeeeee because it's not like getting up for school and because it's summer.

On Tuesday I will get everyone to the West End by car for a sing song in the park. That will also involve outdoor food that I will have to sort. This is not like school at all either since they are packed lunch and I don't usually have to organise lunch for three entirely different tastes.  

On Wednesday we may frequent the local Jewish group and dabble in some arts and crafts after that. Food will be horned in somewhere or during these activities or perhaps biscuits and humzzingers will suffice. 

On Thursday there is another opportunity for outdoor nature play. Food will be arranged by the magical summer fairys who also incidentally will go shopping for said food because we are far too busy enjoying summer to be doing that kind of shenanigans. 

We will start to move house next weekend. That will be super fun. 

We are possibly going camping the weekend after. I will find suitable clothes, food, camping gear and accoutrement in the relevantly and organisedly packed boxes that I will have already unpacked and sorted. This will happen because it's summer and things happen in summer. 

There is also the bigger camping trip next month which will involve a wonderfully summery 7hr drive with a car which will be suitably packed by different summer fairys. These are hardcore badass super organised ones that have infinite energy and the will to live through summertime.

I am fairly optimistic that I have plans for summer. OK, I definitely have plans for a happening summer. Bring it on! Summer starts now!

After I've slept. 

 

Who's with me on my insane summer of insaneness?? No pressure!

Meltdowns - decreasing due to summer

Losing the Plot - gone on holidays for summer, sort of

Breastfeeding - summer timetable (lots)

Don't tell the SS

First Monday of the holidays and I have great intentions to get out the house but its already nearly midday and I've been asking/nagging the girls to get dressed since 9.30am. They actually were dressed then but whilst I was making breakfast, they decided to have a bath???!! 

I had had a discussion with them last week about the fact that the dog WILL need walked every day and because we are no longer dropping Ellie at school, it means we need to make the effort and actually get dressed and go out. 

It would be SO incredibly easy for me to say 'fuck it' and not bother, stay at home, veg on the sofa with the girls and chuck a ball in the lane for the dog but I want things to be different over the summer. I want to make the effort even though I'm exhausted. I want the girls out and about in nature.  Even though they are moaning and refusing, I *know* they will love it once out. 

I chat to my friends online about what's happening and they suggest various ideas....just go to the door and say I'm going everyone in the car...good idea, but they are in the bath! Next idea is grab their clothes and say the same thing. This, would have actually worked but given the issues we have had with the SS and nakedness, I am under strict instructions from hubby not to take them out naked again :(

Eventually after reminding Ellie of our discussion, she gets dressed, I get Millie dressed and as Maia realises she won't be staying home alone, she does too. 

And we're off to our first Nurture in Nature of the summer. Our first NIN as a family of four for months and months. The girls have a ball, rolling down hills, climbing trees, hugging trees and playing in the wonderful outdoors.  THEN, the sun comes out! 

No sooner had the sun peeked out of the clouds and filled the park with warmth, than the whole group was naked and the girls took full advantage of the situation!!! YAY for NIN!!

Run up to summer

There are 5 days left of school. Last week I was rather excited with the prospect of another year of school being over. This week I'm already feeling quite unmotivated, really really tired and kind of overwhelmed with everyone's needs. I can't really muster up the enthusiasm for final week of school. The final push is upon us and I can't be bothered. 

BUT...

It will mean no more stressy mornings for a while of herding everyone up, dressed and out the door with something, anything (yes tobelerone is breakfast) in their tummies which will be amazing.

It will mean no more shouting at Ellie who has recently decided not to get into her seat so when I leave the driveway, she shrieks and freaks because she is not strapped in, doesn't have her school bag and forgot her shoes (school not gym), even though she has had plenty of time. 

It will mean no more 6 trips a day dropping and picking up various kids. In fact it will mean no more for at least two years!!!! Yes! Maia is going into primary one! It will be just Millie and I for the whole day!! I won't know what to do with myself!!! And no it's not time for another one.....yet!

It will mean no longer even attempting to make it to school on time. I can count on one hand the amount of times we've managed it. 

SO...

I'm looking forward to all of the above not happening. I'm looking forward to having more quality time with my girls. I guess, yes, I am looking forward to the summer!!

BRING IT ON!!

Just let me catch up on some sleep first and maybe get a wee massage before the full on full time wonderful holidays start!

YAY!!!

Meltdowns - frustrated due to tiredness ones

Losing the Plot - frustrated due to tiredness ones

Breastfeeding - too much for me at the moment, must be teeth