Skipping Sad News...

Sadly this March my wonderful Mother in Law, Joan passed away.

We were broken hearted, 

she was a very private lady and it simply hasn't felt right to create a post here about it.

That is not saying we did not love her or that we do not miss her, it is just respecting the person she was.

After such heart-ache we spent April quietly at home but in May we needed something to lift our spirits.

I have a firm belief that the sea has theraputic properties...not just the actual waters but for me the smell of the sea, the sound of the waves and the feel of the sand.

So we took a Day Trip to Bournemouth.

We arrived and it was chilly, very cloudy but we were happy enough

And then the skies began to clear

We had the beach to ourselves and we splashed till every single one of was wet through!

Loopy our very own mermaid was the wettest of all and had the best time in the shallows

Bob took on the hard job of keeping watch

we all felt the sun on our cheeks, the sand in our toes and joy in our hearts

We wandered along the beach front to the town and I couldn't help but day-dream about spending a summer living out of one of these

Just to prove that I really was there!

We had a lovely day, we wrote names in the sand for the sea to wash out and headed home tired n happy.

***

Moving on...

This is one of the humbling things about blogging...

the on line support from others.

We are busy people, you are busy, you have lives and yet you took time to stop by and give me a cheer from the sidelines.

And from my heart I thank you.

  

For me it's a blip, yet another curve ball but one that knocked me sideways by surprise.

I will try my absolute darnedest not go on about it anymore.

So moving onto the things at home...

Fonzy is still in his creative, making things stage.

  
He loves Angry Birds, I can't remember how he found them as we don't have it on this and my phone is a brick {talk/text only}  Saving pennies from Nanny and finding odd pennies around the house he is growing a little collection but he doesn't have them all by a long shot.  He spends hour upon hour each day creating his very own versions, mainly from empty cereal boxes but if there are no empty cereal boxes he simply makes his own paper box!  Playing with them now seems to be second to the actual making of them. The house resembles part paper shredding area part paper recycling centre, although I am trying hard to move it to the dining/play/craft room but it does like to migrate.

RV has finally found his confidence to play outside again.  We took tiny steps at a time, sitting with them outside while they played, each time spending longer and longer.  His little buddies from the estate spotted him and have been amazing...I've lost count of the number of times I heard one of them say in their own way how great it was to have him back among them.  Some of the older rapscallions have taken him under their wings and the biggest step has been that he managed to stay outside playing whilst the boy who hit him was 'around'.  The boy is a lover not a fighter, he'd rather have a hug than argue and I know how brave he has been to get back out there.

My lovely Loopy is having a bit of a time at school, we have a tummy ache almost every morning but especially on the days when there is an assembly.  I've been in twice to speak with her teachers and we still haven't managed to find a solution that works for them and her.  I know she enjoys school days as she comes out with a huge grin almost every day, telling me what a fab day she's had.  She has lots of friends, not one special one but lots of lovely mates.  She is now also worrying what class she will go into, there are 2 teachers for year 3 and she is dreading one.  I will once again be speaking with her teachers this week to ensure they are also aware of her worries and hope they can work towards helping her.

My eldest Abba has finally moved into her very own flat!  I'm still trying to work out how I feel about this.  I was looking forward to her moving out, getting the space and not having the constant arguing over everything with everyone.  But now she is gone there really is a huge gap in the home, what frustrated me before I miss now.  I am really proud of her, I'm happy she is happy, happy she is comfy in her little home.  Thankfully the car died the day after we moved her stuff to the flat.
Turns out Ikea deliver furniture to the door for a very reasonable price and considering how far from the car park and the 2 flights of steps to her flat it was even better value for her!!

Once she clears the last of her stuff little man {Fonzy} will be moving into that room, giving the girls a bit of much needed space...watch this space for more changing rooms.

Inspiring graffiti

The others are all well and good.  I always feel the need to touch wood when I say things like that, not wanting to jinx it.

H had his 18th last month, really doesn't seem possible that I can be the mother to this strapping 6' 3" lad.  
One of his tattoos

...designed by Abba

Lolly has had exams and has had a bit of reality kick in that she is going to have to actually work on some subjects to maintain her grades.

The garden is still in it's awful state. 

It's not beyond hope but it needs top soil to level it off which I will need a lift to get home.   

My strawberries are growing rather nicely, flowers on almost all the plants, little fingers are crossed for strawberries.  

I watched Gardeners World last night and the lovely Monty Don gave a 'recipe' to make your own plant food which I'll be popping into brew this weekend. 

Fill a bucket ram full of stinging nettles 
{we have an abundance of these} 

and cover with water, leave for a month, drain the water/brew into a container and use as plant food!  Sounds ingenious!! 
{and free}

We are ticking along, getting into new grooves.  The house will never be show worthy {some days it looks presentable} but it will always be a home and as we all know that is what really counts. 

I'm off to dream of mowing the lawn {who'd have thought I'd miss that chore?}, the smell of freshly cut grass...hmmmn

xxx