Photos

(There is a more recent post below this, but I wanted to post these pictures, even tho they are a couple of months late)

I have had these photos sitting in a draft folder for ages. They are from our trip to the Royal Albert Hall to watch the Classical Spectacular.

We had amazing seats, facing the stage front on, and the children LOVED the show.

On the train into London

This made me laugh, Max was browsing through the football pages of a discarded newspaper, pretending to read it :-)

May update

I've not posted here in ages, I guess I tend to use Facebook a bit more.  . . .looking back, what have we been up to for the last month?

Well, Max turned 8 and the day after, Julius turned 9.

I got them a surprise birthday present, it arrived a few days early. They had no idea and were (and still are) thrilled.

Two non-pedigree kittens. One is bigger and long haired (she's called the Gruffalo); the other is smaller and very short haired (she belongs to Julius so is called Caeser). They are both sort of tortoise shell tabby coloured.  And adorable! (And generally adored)

Apart from that, the big news is that Lucy, Constance and Alexander have college places and funding in Grand Rapids, and will be "leaving home" soon.  (I say "leaving home" because the four oldest - RJ is waiting to hear about he application - will be staying in GR for the next year, God willing, living in the home we own there.)

So I try to kid myself they aren't really leaving home, just going to a different home of ours :-(

I am sure I'll howl when they leave (J and six children leave June 22, Const plans to leave in August, she's busy with exams and work)

But with Skype etc, they really aren't that far away, right?  And America is not really a foreign country, and they do know lots of people and have a church family in GR. . .

Such a long time

Since I last blogged! Time has flown, we are into Spring (almost Summer) properly now, and, seriously in need of rain.  We already have water restrictions in place and there has been little or no rain (nor snow) for months.

We do pray for rain.

Since last post we've redecorated one of the bedrooms, been to the Royal Albert Hall for the Classical Spectacular, and continued enjoying watching the wildlife in our garden.

The young wood pigeons are quickly turning into grown-up pigeons, and lots of birds are building nests.

The older children are busy working and studying - in various ways.  Our plans for the summer are not yet completed, so that is something we have to work at.

This week it is "school holidays" so that gives me a bit extra peace and quiet.

Photo updates

I've not posted pics in a while. We've not taken any - other than the er hundreds the little children take of the wildlife in the garden (never easy getting pics through windows, and the squirrels are not quite sure enough of us yet to let us too near without glass between us.

And our best friend the Cat is not happy at all. . . 

Who says squirrels don't need bicycles!

LJ did some baking with the children . . . .

LJ did some baking with the children; and the older children did some skyping - as usual! 

Chats on the Porch

Late as ususal: this week's questions. . .

1. What did you have for breakfast this morning?


Same as every morning. Two 500 ml cups of coffee, Instant coffee, mostly water and a dash of milk. And cream, which is a terrible habit I learned from my one and only trip to the US.  Sounds like a lot of coffee, but it is only instant and sets me up for the day.


2. What's your favourite kind of juice?


Does Irn Bru Count?  I am not a fruit juice drinker, unlike dh who gets through at least a litre a day of fresh orange juice. I drink lemon squash sometimes, or diet coke, but not fruit juice, ever really.

3. Have you tried Pinterest yet?

Yes and I totally didn't understand it. I am probably too old (at 39 . . . ) and I am not artistic or crafty in any way, so I didn't get it.

4. I can't wait for __________ from my garden (or farmers' market).


I'd be happy if grass grew in the garden! We don't have a farmer's market, though we have a really cheap and excellent local fruit and veg stall that we visit almost daily.  The kids are hoping to see some birds' nests/fledglings in the garden soon,

5. The worst job I ever had was _________________ .


I really don't know. I liked work. I did have a summer job cleaning 80 toilets (plus showers and hand basins) twice a day (on a camp site in Holland) (along with other miscellaneous cleaning) but I didn't really mind it. Rubber gloves and a cheerful spirit can make many things bearable.

I could never have a job as a salesperson, I so can't do that sort of thing (never tried).  I used to work 2 - 3 hrs a day before school delivering newspapers, but again, I didn't mind that.  I never had a grown up job long enough to get into the office politics stuff - that might have been tough, since I am a follower, not a leader by nature.

Till next week . . .

Employee of the Month

Constance was recognised as "Employee of the Month" for her willingness to cover other people's shifts at short notice, to do endless hours in any department (poolside, cleaning, creche, reception, gym) to keep the leisure centre running smoothly.  (It's called "Employee of the Month" but they don't award it very often - this is the second time in a year)

Well done Constance! She does work incredibly hard; I'm glad her efforts are being recognised.

Friday round up

It's been great to have a week off lessons. I've managed to get through quite a bit of tidying up and sorting out (big thank you to my three big girls for their help), as well as do some fun things with the younger children.

We went to a friend's birthday party on Wednesday - I didn't manage to get good pictures of the birthday boy.

 Seb and Max; below, a friend Anne

 The moms

 Seb and Martin

 Max (sitting) and Martin

We've also been busy bird watching and feeding the squirrels. And Anni and Seb have been learning to bake - they are actually quite good by now, so can make muffins, shortbread and biscuits with minimal supervision. It's a hobby that keeps them popular with the rest of the family!

Next week, back to work as usual, God willing.

Chats on the Porch

This week's questions: That

1. Did you do anything special for Valentine's Day?


That would be a no. It's not something we've ever done, much, and I hate that flowers and chocolates become so much more expensive around the 14th. I like treats as much as the next person, but I don't like the commercialism.  I did give J a pair of gloves, but that was because he's been needing them (it has been very cold here and he walks part of the way to work in the early mornings, and he has lost the pair he had last winter). But it wasn't because it was the 14th. . .

2. What was the last craft item that you made?

I am not a craft-y person at all. I do some simple crafts with the children, as home school projects, but other than scrapbooking, I've never really done anything artistic or creative. Even scrapbooking has fallen by the wayside, the busier I get.

I used to hand make cards for a friend who was unwell. . . but that is a few yrs ago now.

3. Are you planning a garden? Are you swamped with seed catalogues?


The only seeds I am interested in is grass seed!  Our garden is used as a football pitch by the boys and tends towards a mud bath (think Battle of the Somme) unless we plant new grass each spring. I need to start thinking about that.

Other than that, I have the least green fingers in the world and most things I plant (or water!) die inexplicably very soon after. If we were subsistence farmers, we'd starve to death: real soon.


4. What cosmetics do you have in your purse?

I am guessing you mean in your handbag, since in the UK you only keep money or credit cards in your purse.  I hardly ever wear make up, but I do keep a cosmetics bag in my handbag  - not entirely sure why. It has emergency money, painkillers, a mirror, Rimmel Stay Matte pressed powder, No. 7 lip gloss, Elizabeth Arden sheer neutral lipstick, and perfume  - Oscar de la Renta, in a travel spray.

I remember the days when my bag would be stuffed with diapers, wipes and changes of clothes for the little ones :-)

5. When there is a room to be painted in your home, who does the painting?


One or other (or several) of the children. They are quite good at getting paint on walls rather than themselves. They painted the outside of the house a couple of yrs ago (with dh and scaffolding). We have to repaint  the hallways every year since the wear and tear of twelve children is considerable.

Till next week . . .

Weekend

Ben, a friend who we first me 15 yrs ago when he lived in Oxford, came to visit us today, en route from Inverness (his family moved ten yrs ago) to visiting his grandparents in Oxford.  It was good to see him again, and he and the boys enjoyed their afternoon together.

(The boys were a bit squashed trying to get on the sofa for a photo!)

In other news, the little children are still reallly enjoying their bird feeder. We bought a "build it yourself" bird table from ebay, and they did manage to put it together themselves. It is outside the classroom window and we have fun watching the birds and squirrels. We've learned a lot about birds - and still have lots to learn!

Happy Birthday

Happy 200th Birthday to 

 

Charles Dickens.  I have to admit that I find his books extremely boring, but most of the family are big fans. The younger children have been doing some project work about him this week, as well as reading (a child's version of ) David Copperfield aloud.

I did like the pictorial version of Oliver Twist when I was a child, and I've seen several productions of Oliver! which were amazing.  And I liked A Christmas Carol as a child. But that is as far as my interest goes. I know, what a Philistine. 

While researching with the children I was interested to find out that Charles Dickens had ten children. He had a Henry, and Anni, and a Tennyson (as do we!)

God Save The Queen!

Wishing our dear and very much loved Queen, Elizabeth, every blessing on her Diamond Jubilee. She has been an amazing example of devotion to duty, to family and to the nation.

The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: the LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: the LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace"

" . . .long to reign over us - GOD save the Queen!"

Edited to add this amazing picture from Facebook

Chats on the Porch

Time for another chat on the porch, with Patrice.

1.Joyful Keeper asks, "What makes you smile a happy,content smile in the course of a day?"
Like a few other bloggers have said, my children make me smile. Esp when they are asleep (only kidding!) The three little boys, esp Julius often make me laugh out loud, but even when they are just pottering around, they make me smile. No

2. My Kid's Mom asks, "Are you married, single, or divorced?"
No surprise to regular readers - I'm married. Since July 4th 1990. (To an American. Good date to get married. He's not really American, except by passport)

3,Empty Nester asks, " Do you have any home remedies for allergy or the common cold?"

No. I reckon if you treat a cold it will go away in a week, whereas if you leave it alone it takes seven days. . .. we use over the counter meds to treat cold symptoms. But generally it is not a big deal here. We did have amazing success in using Evening Primrose Oil to treat chronic and acute eczema a few years back, and I always recommend it to other sufferers.

4,Stephanie asks, "How many different addresses did you have growing up?"

Only two. We went from living in rural Skye - lots of space to run around, play, explore, roam free until I was 12, to living in Perth  - a town in Scotland from 12 - 17. (At 17 I left home for Glasgow University, and then at 22 left for London). I liked Skye as a child, but by age 12 I was growing out of it. I loved Perth. I still prefer towns and cities.

5. I've just recently realized_____________________.

The other day I realised that it is as (if not more) important to do things *with* my children as *for* them. Moms of many get bogged down in doing all the things our children need us to do. (You know, the cooking, cleaning, sorting, helping, teaching, organising.) Sometimes it is important to take time out to do unnecessary things *with* our children.

Great Fun

The three little boys have been having amazing fun with this: a bird feeder from Lidl.  We get several types of bird, and of course squirrels jumping up and playing/squabbling most of the day. It is really exciting for the children, they love it. Esp Julius who is a great fan of creatures of every sort.

Another view of the garden

One of the visitors in the tree

The garden, with our old tree stump - it was a stump when we came here 10+ yrs ago. And we've never wanted to get rid of it, since the squirrels love it so much

And the little guys watching the birds, through the French windows.