Thursday 11 September 2014

A bit of company

I kept the biggest boy home from school this week.  It was his Year 6 camp, and everyone in his class has been off having a big adventure, while he is stuck with his leg in plaster.  Sending him to school to sit in the Year 5 class and read all week seemed like adding insult to injury.  So we've been at home and round and about.  I've tried to give him a few treats, although of course it doesn't make up for missing camp.  I've really been quite upset that he's missed out, there was so much that he was looking forward to.  He's been such a star though, no complaining at all, no sulking.

We went to Bath for a little light wandering.  On Pulteney Bridge there's a lovely little stamp shop, so I bought him some bird stamps for his collection.  We popped up to the American Museum as well, and spent some time sitting on the grass in beautiful late summer sunshine.






We went for a sit down in Bath library.  They were holding a competition to see what people could make out of old library books.




Look at this turtle, isn't he amazing.










Yesterday we went to Slimbridge, the biggest boy's favourite place.  We saw three new-to-him birds, which made him happy.  We ate chips outside the cafe, a bit of a treat, not something we normally do.  When we got home he got an ice-cream as well.  I can't say no to anything this week.







Today he was a bit tired so we stayed close to home.  We did have a short trip down to the community orchard for a few more windfalls.  Then we made this windfall jelly.  I got rid of the grotty bits, and he did the chopping.  We were quite the team.  I threw in a few pears and a handful of strawberries that I happened to have.  The strawberries turned it a nice pink colour.  I had a bit of an incident when I was straining it, honestly, I'm hopeless.  Juice all over the counter and dripping down the side onto the floor.  (Caro, I haven't forgotten the jelly bag, it's on my wish list).  What was left looks and tastes pretty good, although I say so myself.  Hurray for windfalls.


Tomorrow there are chores to do, but we'll make a little time to sit down together and play games and chat.  He's good company, this biggest boy of mine, and it's a pleasure to be with him.  Next week will be hard for him when he goes back to school and hears tales of all he has missed.  My heart hurts for him, although of course it will pass and things will move on as they always do.

27 comments:

  1. At least he has a wonderful mother like you to take him on adventures and make sure he feels loved. I'm sure he really appreciates all of this, and you're right that next week will be hard but it will pass as things always do. Those displays made out of books are beautiful! It's amazing how creative people are. Hope you're having another great day, CJ:)

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  2. I love that paper art.
    I know your biggest boy has missed out on something, but I'm sure he's gained in many other ways, and there will be other camps to go on I'm sure. Wishing you a happy weekend. I'm going to try and make some jam at the weekend - there's quite a lot of fruit I can reach easily - that's the plan anyway! x

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  3. I am sure he had experiences this week that they won't get to have. I really like that library book exhibit, the things they made are so creative. I especially enjoyed the way the pages were folded to create the turtle's back. It must have been tons of work. Your jelly looks great, the color is very pretty and reminds me of fall. Have a good weekend. :)

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  4. He missed out on some, but he did special stuff too. Love the duck wishing for a bite of biscuit.

    The book show is amazing.

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  5. I am sure he missed his big adventure with his class, but all of your adventures have sure made him feel special. I think he deserves all the chips and ice cream he wants, he has to be burning lots of calories walking with those crutches. You are a wonderful Mom, I hope he knows that.
    Hugs,
    Meredith

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  6. Yes it will pass..... the memories you are making with him are the ones he will look back at really appreciate! Those book art projects are beautiful! So glad you are enjoying his company before he heads back! Happy weekend to you lady! Nicole xo

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  7. The artwork made from old library books is amazing! I've been to Bath a few times but have never been to the American Museum; it's on my 'Places to Visit' list. I love the look and name of your Windfall Jelly and can definitely recommend Lakeland's jelly strainer - it looks like a bit like a red, plastic rocket but does the job a treat. There will be other school trips for your son to go on and he'll always have the memories of a fun week with his Mum. x

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  8. I'm so sorry the biggest boy missed the camping adventure. But you are making up for it by having special mom time with him and showing him how much you love him. You're a super duper mom. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  9. He will always remember this special week he has had with you - just as many memories as if he had gone to camp, just different ones. Sometimes the most special thing in the world is to have that one to one time with one of your children. You do such lovely things with your boys CJ, and the exhibition at the Library looks quite amazing I may just have to pop down the road and have a look.
    Have a lovely weekend,
    Kate x

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  10. It looks as though you created a wonderful week of memories for your biggest boy, hopefully they should see him through while his school mates reminisce over their week away! x

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  11. it's so lovely that you tried to make his week special for him. xxx

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  12. Hey CJ,
    a lovely Mum you are. I can see you both trotting around Bath and Slimbridge together, hands inclined towards each other, chatting away. I would have kept mine off school too. Bath is one of my most favourite places in the world. If we didn't live here I would want to live there. I adore the paper art. It's just amazing. And I have written down the Secret Garden quote. I hope you have a lovely weekend.
    Leanne xx

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  13. It's such a shame that he's had to miss camp, but you've done your best for him and taken him to some lovely places. Those books are amazing, there's some truly talented people about.

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  14. Your poor boy, missing camp. That must be a major bummer for him, but he's had a great week, the best possible in fact, considering his injury. That display of art made from old books is really wonderful, there is some talent there. Thanks for sharing it. I do hope you have a lovely weekend. x

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  15. You two are having a lovely time together! You know, this will be a week your biggest boy will remember, not because he didn't go to camp (well, a little maybe) but because it was just the two of you. How wonderful. I want you to me my mum, too. There are some truly crafty people out there! Love the book art very much. Cx

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  16. Lovely post and terrific photos. Those reused old library books look amazing. Good to see that you partly compensated for biggest boy not going to camp with the stamps, three new birds, chips and ice cream. Flighty xx

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  17. This I know to be true...one day when you are old and perhaps a bit grey, and when he is all grown up, he will reach his hand out to yours and the light will shine brightly from his eyes, and he will say to you, "Remember that time when I.....". And you will both smile and be filled with joy for such an unexpected week you spent together. A gift given to both of you.
    Wishing you a lovely weekend and many thanks for showing me places I've never been to, and the beautiful art from books.

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  18. Hope you've had a good week together. It's hard being on crutches. You don't realise how much energy it takes to move yourself around (the ABO broke his ankle 10 days before LittleR was born - it was not fun). here's hoping the cast is off soon. Beautiful photographs once again CJ :-) x

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  19. I do hope he's had a good week. Those library book sculptures are brilliant and Slimbridge.. what can I say!

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  20. He is such a trooper - that cast looks so heavy! I'm sure missing the school trip with his friends was a real disappointment, but it looks like you guys did some good sightseeing. That book art is amazing!

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  21. You are a wonderful mother, I hope you enjoys his week with you not as a replacement for camp but a special time just the two of you :)

    The book art if amazing!

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  22. The book sculptures were fantastic! I'm sorry he missed his camp that must have been hard for him, at least he had some fun with you instead. Sarah x

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  23. He's a lucky lad having you for his Mum. I am sure he appreciated the time you spent together and there will be other camps he can go to next time. Lovely places you visited - I love the Museum at Bath and those books you found in the library are amazing I am going to tell another blogger who I know will love them in case she isn't a follower. Hope school will go well for him when he goes back and that he won't feel he's missed out too much for those other boys won't have had special tiume with their mums will they?

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  24. Ah, I can understand exactly how you feel but while it seems a huge issue now it will pass and it will be just one thing your son missed out of all the things he didn't miss. And he has had a great week with you - I love seeing photos of your trips, the books are AMAZING. Hope you soon feel better about it all.
    Caz xx

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  25. Beautiful, beautiful photos. You live in such a gorgeous area scenery wise and with very unique things to do haha

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  26. I keep meaning to say this ... no idea if it would work for you but I hang my jelly bag off a kitchen wall cupboard door knob, you just need to remember to slide the bowl along the counter to keep things lined up if you need to open the cupboard door.

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