Catching up and getting my head straight
So, arrived home on Friday night with 3 sound asleep children – Fran escaped the sick (so far) – the other two thre up once and then carried on eating. Scruff was sick again today but other than maintaining her stance of complete and utter grouch bag, she has been fine. Why do i always remember about the terrible 2’s too late! Still, irritating as she is its nice to a) have the experience not to take it too much to heart (last week excepted!) and b) not have to cope with the heart wrenching angst Moo used to portray – Scruff is just being a cowbag and i can deal with that, in my own home!
I’ll do a proper run down of camp once i get my other hard drive back as it has all the programs i use on it. But it really was a great week – Fran forged some very important friendships and was hugely at home. And i forged some too – Moo really branched out, was happy and relaxed for the most part and so far has not collapsed on return. Now THAT is good :~) Scruff didn’t really have a good time BUT when we got home she walked in, saw Max, burst into tears and threw herself into his arms. I think (possibly) she missed him :~D I did make sure she spoke to him every night but he is very much her favourite and i think perhaps she just thought he had gone for good. Makes my heart go out to kids in marriage break ups, it really does :~(
Things of note that are not directly camp related have happened too. Fran has suddenly figured out she CAN learn to read and has been really trying, picking out words and asking for help. She chose a phonetic ladybird book at the library cos it would help her read (along with one on expressionist artists! lol! Excellent – another phase i know nothing about!!!!!!) She is enjoying “Alice” too She loved travelling, loved seeing the Angel of the North was very excited to drive through Sherwood Forest just as we were listening to a tale about him from a Barefoot cd and was intrigued that i grew up in the (reputed) town of his origin. She watched a history channel story about him today. Both of them really enjoyed the Roman museum (i was MOST amused by Moo pointing at the model of the Roman Fort and saying “Look mummy, its Chicken Run!!!”) and Fran also got several books out on Roman – so we will be doing some of that this week too. Dynamic Earth really tickled her and she also took out books on Earth and on volcanos – i have some ideas for a project there too.
It definitely helps that Uncle Rich is a geology student and most into volcanos – had a great time seeing him – Durham is gorgeous – we had a quick look in the Cathedral (visited the Venerable Bede) and saw where they filmed Harry Potter and walked down by the riverside on a very gorgeous morning. What a place to spend 4 years of studenthood! *jealous, jealous* Admittedly the place i turned down at Royal Holloway would have been “similar” but even so – bit nippy in Durham though!
On the way home Fran was awake for the border and we talked about that for a while – its funny how kids minds work she was mulling over Scotland being “attached” to England and suddenly said “Is daytime attached to night-time?” – so we talked about how even though the earth went round it was sort of more like still being in a room and tuning the light away – on reflection i think her description was sort of better actually! Then we had ANOTHER conversation about Jesus and the resurrection – i obviously haven’t convinced her yet – it was sparked by The Northern Lights and Daemons – we got as far as souls/consciences and bodys being separate and what heaven might be before i got slightly worried she had Jesus and Jiminy Cricket a tad confused. However!
This weekend we have been winding down and recovering. It was Moo’s 4th birthday on Friday and daddy had birthday tea ready along with pressies. Fran made her lego technic helicopter for her (took her 3 hours and she did it almost all herself – first ever lego set too!) and Moo flitted around in one of several fairy dresses. She was very happy and is very pleased to be 4! We went to the library and to the toy shop where Moo spent birthday money on pink plastic shoes and a leap pad maths pooh bear book – way too easy for her but she was thrilled.
Today was general tidying up, processed the washing, kids did some pootering, drawing, sticking etc etc…
Life returns to normal :~)
