Hm… wonder where the apostrophe should be in that title?
Well, we had a LOVELY time. I’m always really proud of myself when i make it back from weeks away with my kids without Max. I think i managed better this year than last actually, despite the extra one. However i couldn’t have done that without opting out of most of the work and i definitely needed all those Josie-cuddling arms. But certainly *I* had a better time than last year, i got to talk to people, i got some sleep and i felt like i had a holiday. I also drove my big car safely and managed to feed Josie without my armchair. So all in all i did well. AND i lost 4lbs, which means i am now 9lbs lighter than just before CP, so i am REALLY pleased about that. Those stairs are so good for me :~D
Personal highpoints
Amelie – she had a lovely time and i enjoyed her company (when i saw her) very much.
Maddy – she too had a lovely time and i was so proud of her for not just coping but really, really enjoying herself.
Fran – she had a very quiet week and i don’t think she found her niche, friendwise, but she seemed to know her limits (she was really quite poorly) and enjoyed herself. In one way, i saw again the child that was the reason for HEing, she isn’t good with big groups of children, in another way i saw a child who has slowed down a lot in this last year and is now happy to chat, look at books, play quietly and concentrate, do activities, be really quite gorwn up. Max got his postcard and said it came as quite a shock to suddenly see that Fran is one of “the big ones” – maybe not in stature though!
Josie – just getting repeatedly complimented on how lovely she is. But also seeing how happy she was to be passed around which Maddy could not cope with at all by that age.
All of them – for being able to behave well at bedtime – not having rough bedtimes was reallyt what made the week okay. I was very proud that they could go to bed, stay in bed and be good when it was time. I was also proud that they all tried the new foods that were on offer.
Other highpoints.
The food and the cake!
All of us raising so much money for charity.
Getting to browse all the books.
All the communal buys i partook of and the bring and buy. Love that community spirit.
Dynamic Earth again and seeing my brother and Edinburgh by bus. Have persuaded Max that we should be moving up to Northumberland :~)
Late night chats and being with so many people who i really, really love.
The various crafts/activities that were offered up and how generous people were with time and resources.
Meeting lots of new husbands and being amused by how alike MuddlePuddle dh’s are!
The dressing up – never been in the company of so many princesses before!
The group photo – got to become a yearly thing that one!
Not seeing my kids all week. In the nicest possible way…
Meeting so many more bloggers- although that does mean i now have more blogs to read closely!
I do have photos – i’ll put some up later :~)
Edited to add: Oh yes, add to that Alison toilet training Ammi for me, visiting Hadrian’s wall and Fran’s face as things like Mary Queen of Scots and Robert Burns came up on the Edinburgh tour. Oh, and her being pleased that Sarah had bought her more reading books. And the utter delight with which Maddy has sat looking at the Egyptology book that Alison bought her.
