A mystery moth. But very pretty, all fluffy cream body and beautiful pale colouring. Anyone know what it is?
The littlest boy's birthday is done. Oh the excitement. He had a pogo stick, but to be honest he really doesn't need one, he bounces up and down all day long as it is. I had to stop him pogo-ing off of a wall earlier on. Sigh. Pogo is not enough, it has to be extreme pogo.
Friends came round for football and pizza and I filled them full of sugar in the time-honoured tradition. It was an INSET day, so no school and no brothers either. Doesn't get much better than that. I made Nigella's ice-cream cake, which is an homage to sugar. Did we care?
We took the pup down to the river first thing for a sprint with his whippet friend. A bit of a last hurrah for a while, as he is scheduled to have the Operation this week and then he'll be limited to gentle strolling for a while. I am very conflicted about it, but probably overthinking it all. Here is his dear little face, which will be all sad very soon.
I am absolutely beastly, I know it.
The middle boy has exams this week and has done zero revision, which makes me anxious. He's only in Year 7, so he has a while to get it together before the serious stuff, but I still worry, what if he can't ever be bothered??? None of them really show much inclination to study. I feel I should be doing more. And maybe teaching them to cook and other useful stuff while I'm about it. What if they get to adulthood and I suddenly realise I haven't done it all properly? I wake up in a cold sweat. It's all very well being able to do extreme pogo, but how will they survive in the big wide world? And will the dog still love me tomorrow? Oh, questions, questions. I am a wreck.
Yes, he'll still love you. And I doubt you've raised boys who will not thrive as young men and adults. You do the best you can and then they have to take it from there. Think positive. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)
ReplyDeleteI can't help with the moth but it's very sweet. Yes your beautiful dog will still love you tomorrow (although he might feel differently about the vet) and your boys are going to be just fine - with or without extreme pogo. Jxx
ReplyDeleteGetting your dog fixed is the best thing you can do ...he'll become the 'beast' if you don't and I'm sure he'll forgive you. Now extreme pogo, that could be a future Olympic event, so littlest boy better keep practising!
ReplyDeleteThey’ll all still love you tomorrow, I promise x . Funny how we agonise as they grow about every little thing. I was the same with all my three boys. One now loves to cook, two don’t. I know I didn’t I put enough encouragement at the time. Parenting is a knackering process, you’re doing a brilliant job. As for Bertie's face, what can I say.... Glad littlest has a great birthday and an inset day too. Win win. B x
ReplyDeleteI agonise over parenting, too, but we can only do our best with the energy and resources we've got (and so that might be not very much sometimes!). Things generally work out – my parents were very hands-off and even neglectful at times but I turned out ok :-) I'm sure your boys will be more than fine and I'm sure Bertie will still love you (but he may be very wary of the vet afterwards). Hang in there buddy. S x
ReplyDeleteNot sure that I did much cooking before going to uni but it's not exactly rocket science, they'll pick it up out of necessity. Extreme pogo - maybe it could be a new Olympic sport?! Bertie will still love you - he'll just remember that you came and rescued him from that nasty vet! xx
ReplyDeleteWell, I think there is a future in extreme pogo. Happy belated birthday to your youngest boy. A sugar fuelled party is exactly what little boys love. I bet it made for some extra extreme pogo bouncing. If Bertie is anything like Jack, he will love you as much as ever. He doesn't have an understanding of the purpose of testicles and that he may be less virile without. Not all testosterone is produced in the testicles, some is made in the adrenal glands. Enough for that manly feeling in dogs I boldly state her (without any evidence to back it up). I am confident that your boys will be just right, each in their own way. A happy childhood sends them in the right direction, the rest will follow. I am amazed that my oldest is such a fine man. Well, I can see the fine man on some days. I thought the oldest child would be like the first pancake but he turned out ok so far. Have a lovely day. Keeping my fingers crossed for Berties' operation. xx
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday and Littlest Boy Mom Day to you all. Definitely a sweet occasion worthy of some sugar. Ice cream cake sounds fantastic.
ReplyDeleteDon't get me started on worrying you won't have the kid(s) prepped for adulthood. I keep yelling at my husband to not do everything for our one and only privileged son. I overcompensate. Now I might include a few items of his in my wash, but he is responsible for kit cleaning, gear prep, his own laundry. With academics, I am some days gentle reminder and others the harbinger of doom.
Happy Birthday to your boy!
ReplyDeleteAnd birthdays are made for sugar, right???
Precious puppy.
Lovely photos.
And no worries about your parenting.
I have found that love conquers all.
What I don't teach them, they will learn.
But the love I provide will outlast anything.
At least that's what I tell myself. : )
I have a boy doing GCSE's this year and zero revision. Unlike his older sister (now 19), who wouldn't stop studying. It's a bit of an eye-opener, having two such different approaches. I have spent all year saying 'you need to revise' and he just didn't believe me. At this point I'll be happy if he just scrapes through to sixth form... And who knows when pogo skills might come in useful in life? ;-) Love the photos of the dog!
ReplyDeleteThe moth looks like a female Pale Tussock (Calliteara pudibunda)
ReplyDeleteAs always an enjoyable post and good pictures.I agree with the above comment that the moth is a Pale Tussock. I think that extreme pogo-ing was always way beyond my capabilities.
ReplyDeleteThe thought of exams gives me the shivers, so I'm glad my days of doing them are long past.
I'm sure Bertie will still love you, but perhaps not for a few days. xx
We're in the midst of GCSE's with a supremely casual attitude with our boy and I am trying so hard not to nag. I can hear myself muttering "I hope to Goodness you know what you're doing" as he prepares to go out with his mates to kick a ball around instead of swotting up on his facts and figures. Sigh. I think they will just do it their own way regardless of what input we have, we've just got to love them unconditionally, which is a pretty easy parenting skill xxxx
ReplyDeleteCJ, the dog won't care and your boys will be fine. From what you portray in your posts about yourself as a parent, your views on nature and the environment, your boys interests, the outings you take as a family - you're doing great. Experience in life is just as important as the book stuff. And a parent can only push them so far - a person has to want to do something themselves to really excel at it.
ReplyDeleteIf Bert is anything like Ted he won’t notice the difference and if your boys are anything like mine they won’t revise until they absolutely have to 😘 xx
ReplyDeleteOh, how I can identify with your situation - both regarding your Biggest Boy and his laid back attitude to the fast-approaching exams, and That Trip to the vets. My daughter coasted through her school years with bursts of frenetic activity, usually a mere 24 hours before the actual event, throughout primary/junior/secondary school/university. She assured me she could not function any other way, despite us both being rigid with stress, and the odd bald patch, on The Day, and me invariably having a sherry with breakfast after she'd gone off, still revising as she walked. Now 28, she has two good degrees, a job, (and a better house than mine), so who am I to judge ? And as the single mother of seven, all to different fathers, (and I only sometimes remember to add that six of them have fur), I can fully appreciate the pain and angst You will be going through when you drop off your doggy boy at the surgery. All I can say is that it won't be as bad as you think. He will sleep through most of the initial discomfort, be happy to make the most of your guilt-ridden extra snuggles, fervent apologies, and special treats, and if mine were anything to go by, will not be any quieter, any less bouncy, or more sensible, as a result. He will be just the same - although with a reduced risk of taking off after the ladies at the slightest hint of opportunity, 'shaking hands' (legs) with certain unappreciative human guests, and several male cancers. The Sad Eyes thing, however, he's already a past Master at that one, and I'm afraid there's no escape. Can't help you with that one !
ReplyDeleteI think a laissez-faire attitude is best; recognising what's important is a learned skill which he'll apply to exams in due time. For now, it must be so hard to study when the sun is shining and there's happiness to be had! But, maybe, a bit of negotiation for a little bit of study, just to keep on track. PS. Am v envious of littlest boy's pogo-ing ability, I could never keep my balance. x
ReplyDeleteI love your sweet dog...so cute....love Ria x 💜
ReplyDeleteOh, pup is looking so cute and you have to do what you have to do. My dogs recovered extremely fast after the procedure.
ReplyDeleteI understand your feelings about your boy and how he will manage his schoolwork as he approaches more serious lessons and homework. Its a fine line to walk with them...too much pressure could be rejected. A lack of interest on your part may be taken advantage of. Sometimes when one of my four didn't focus on the homework, I sat down at the table with them and worked on bills, catching up on letters and cards to friends, sometimes just writing in my journal. It worked in a lot of ways...the camaraderie...the company. My example of focus. Share a bowl of popcorn, make it pleasurable. Maybe it will work, just a suggestion. Yes, we question our mothering, but we plug along and do our best. Kids will sense our nervousness. Be calm, live in the present, don't forget your own needs and sense of adventure. They follow your lead.
Geez, I hope I'm not sounding preachy. I felt so much like you are now, and I want to tell you it will all work out.
Sending love and hugs, my friend. :)
Jane x
There’s no right or wrong way to most things but most find their own way. It’s always a worry when a pet has to undergo surgery but Bertie will still love you. Dogs seem to be very forgiving creatures.
ReplyDeleteThis is only year 7. He has to work out his own strategy for approaching exams and hopefully will have got one that works by the time it gets critical. Hopefully the school will have guidance on that one - everyone is different. I remember my daughter had her first exam 'scare' in the middle of A levels when she met an Economics paper that didn't go according to expectations. Boy did she revise for the second one!! And got an A!
ReplyDeleteThe dog will still love you. He knows when he's well off!
ah, he'll barely remember what happened...just one big anaesthetic blur.:)
ReplyDeleteparenting has to be one of the biggest exercises in white-knuckle-eyes-closed-leap-and-the-net-will-appear. or maybe that's just how it feels in my house. :)
xo
I taught my boys to cook simple meals, how to use an iron and made them change their sheets... all gradually through their teens so you'lve plenty of time. And of course they will still love you... as will Bertie. He won't remember a thing!
ReplyDelete