Stag Weekend approaching..

Well, tomorrow we’re off to experience the Army tents of a Stag weekend in Derby. I have been very nervous about this because I’ve done nothing to help organise this and feel guilty but at the same time I don’t know what to expect, I am going with Paul and 6 of his mates that I have no idea who they are, never met any of them!!

I spoke to the organisers today though and feel better as it sounds like it’s sold out and there are going to be about 55 people there from other Hen and Stag parties, so this should actually be quite interesting I reckon! Need to get all the stuff sorted out this evening and the tidied in the morning which we will then get started at midday.

Watch this space but remember, what goes on tour…

A-Levels all done…

That’s it then, Lewis has finished his A-Levels. Can’t believe where the last two years have flown by. He was quite confident today that it went well so now we just have to wait and see what happens. I’ll make a prediction now and see if I am close:

Physics – B
Maths – C
Physical Education – C

Obviously I hope that I am wrong as he needs much higher grades that what I have listed above but that’s my gut feeling. I am not sure what more we could have done to support him, we hired tutors and all sorts. I really hope he gets what he wants as he has worked hard and wants to go to Uni and this is his chance.

94 and counting…

Went to see Grandma today as we didn’t get a chance over the weekend as it was her birthday yesterday, she’s 94. As is expected with someone of this age she’s struggling with her eyes and hearing and her memory but everything else about her seems to be fine and she’s bearing up really well. She’s not struggling to live on her own and she loves it whenever I or anyone visits so it’s something I should do more often.

I took her round some flowers and a card and she was delighted, she then stood in the kitchen splitting the stems with this sharp knife, I was nervous but needed have been, she was fine.

As long as she can continue to live on her own and be supported by all the family in the manner that she is then I don’t see why she won’t live a few more years as there really is nothing to worry about with her it seems.

It’s great she’s still going. We all love her to bits

Summertown Stars Tournament

Had the annual 5-a-side today and thankfully it was nice weather. Jack played most of the games and was clearly very rusty indeed and he was part of the weaker team but both teams made it to the quarter finals and mine missed out on penalties but the other team made it to the semi final and then when 3-1 somehow manage to concede two shit goals and then lose on penalties, real shame as it would have been great to have made it to the final for once. Ah well

The parents had a whip round and gave me the usual Red Letter Day (worth £200.00) and some whiskey but then also a lovely card which I was really pleased with, some lovely comments in there.

Lewis’s team didn’t do too well but they had a good time.

Saw some old faces down there as usual and it was a good day, a bloody long day as it was from 9.00am until 5.30pm. Went to Sue’s afterwards and worked with Paul on sorting out the Stag weekend, that’s taking shape now and I feel better about that now.

High Ropes…and higher drop!

For the end of season event with the under 12s this year I took 7 of them and two dads (Michael and Nick) to the High Ropes Adventure in Culham where we used to do the Laser Tag gaming. It was very similar to what we’ve done with Go Ape or at Centre Parcs but just as enjoyable. After a detailed safety briefing we were then let loose on the course and it was great fun.

What was pleasing is that the lads were loving it even as we were going round and they were thanking me for it at the time.

We all had a great laugh and it was competitive and supportive at the same time.

We then finished with a drop platform which everyone did I did last, it was only 30 metres high but it was horrible and I really didn’t like it and was the wimp. I took ages to step off into mid-air. I did it but I didn’t like it at all. I don’t think I could ever do a bungee jump to be honest, I was still worried about it when I went to bed! I am pleased I organise the session though as it was great fun and fantastic value for money

Jack’s Parents evening & exams..

Tash did the duty and went to his parent evening, I would have probably gone to this one but I was in Coventry with a customer so didn’t get back until late

Perhaps as expected he got a glowing report, they all seem to love him at the school so that obviously makes us all very proud of him and his achievements. They like his nature and enthusiasm but more than once said he needs to let other people have a chance!

Lewis and Charlotte are working hard on revision and exams and they seem to be doing okay. Lewis has a Match paper today and it made the news as it was a nightmare and was the wrong one etc. Not sure what will happen but it’s a huge balls-up. Hopefully the marking scheme will take this into account or they might have to re-sit, utterly ridiculous state of affairs though. What a shame – the story is on here and it was all over Twitter.

Jack back!

Picked Jack up from his weekend away at Kilvrough this evening and unsurprisingly he was buzzing! He had such a good time and was so full of all the stories etc, he absolutely loved every minute of it

Sounds like he's made some new friends which is obviously important. It was great to have him back home but he's like a whirlwind at the best of times and even more so this evening. Didn't think he'd go to sleep at all!

We also had a nice afternoon at the Risinghurst fete which was the same as last year. Had a few drinks and silly chatter as the norm!

A decent weekend all in all

Rewarding the kids..too soon?

We took Lewis and Charlotte out on Saturday night because they have been working so hard with their exams and revision and I’ve been working my nuts off as well so I think Tash felt we could afford the treat.

We were umming and ahhing over where to go and plumped for Joe’s down in Summertown. Lewis drove, we’re very lazy like that, and went straight there

Had a really good meal, it’s nice and relaxed there and Lewis had his usual rack of ribs – greedy git!

They’re both getting on really well which is nice and Charlotte just jokes all the time, always on a permanent high it seems.

Saw the Brimelows and also Thomo and Paula turned up and it was good to catch up with them. Paula had done the Triathlon at Blenheim Palace

Anyway, a very nice treat for all of us. We don’t do it enough!

Charlotte’s joined the gym

She’s so like Natasha is my daughter, it’s like having a clone in the house. She’s very focused, gets things done and likes lists. Not being critical, it’s great and it’s certainly helping her to be organised, productive and independent.

She’s now joined the gym up the road in Barceló and is disciplined enough to going there three times a week whether with Rose or on her own. It’s her own money and they all like her there so that’s great and she feels quite important I think as they greet her and know her name when she’s there. But she’s up and out at 8.30am on a Sunday morning as planned and does some swimming and in the gym.

Good on her. I’m especially pleased as she’s confident enough to do things on her own which is quite unusual for girls her age.

Free Wi-Fi

When we went to London to see Charlie & the Chocolate Factory (which was excellent by the way) we stopped at Prezzo for dinner and it was advertised that there was free wi-fi for users. The kids all have gadgets and wanted to get online so Charlotte asked the waiter what the password was to connect, this is the conversation:

Charlotte: Excuse me, what’s the password for the wi-fi please?
Waiter: It’s freewifi
Charlotte: Yes I know but I need the password
Waiter: It’s freewifi
Charlotte (showing him her phone): I need to type in a password
Waiter: The password is ‘freewifi’

I twigged when he’d said it the second time but we didn’t have laugh! Perhaps you had to be there, but it was bloody funny and we still tease her about it now whenever we’re near public wi-fi hotspots!

Jack back on his feet…

Thankfully the plaster came off today. We were worried that they would decide he needed longer for the healing process to complete but it was with relief for all of us that they cut it off him!

He can now go to Kilvrough and be involved and more importantly…do his bloody paper-round! That’s been a chore every morning arguing with Lewis and Charlotte over who’s going to do what, but it’s now back with Jack.

Not surprisingly he is walking around a little nervously but I am sure it won’t be long before he’s back to his normal self. He’s been great during this time but it must have been frustrating for him, he has so much energy to burn!

Good news anyway!

Weekend at Wendy’s

We took off on Saturday down to the South Coast and stayed at Wendy & Grahams for the night. They were obviously expecting us as it was planned and we were well and truly spoilt by them. They’re lovely and we had a very relaxed few hours there enjoying all the food Wendy loves to make – she’s an excellent cook as well so that helps! Cakes, lasagne, cheese cake…the works!

So the diet was well and truly on hold until the weekend finished!

We stayed until almost 5.00pm on Sunday, having had more food and also going for a walk along Weymouth front. We passed the Eco Campsite we stayed at with Wayne & Kerry and that bought back memories! We didn’t realise we were so close to them!

Graham and I chatted about my business and he was providing loads of advise which was really appreciated and I have taken that on board for going forwards in the next quarter for my work

Drove home and it was fine so we were well and truly refreshed for the week ahead. A nice way to end the kids half-term