I am having a sit down after spending the day trying to work while the older two flicked manically between tennis and cricket. Tense, no? I put my headphones on periodically with some nice rain/cafe noise to drown them out. I think the whole street could probably hear us yelling at the end of the cricket though.
The littlest boy had a match himself. I was told that he hadn't eaten much at tea and would need more food. I duly fed him, but although he tried valiantly he said in the end he actually wasn't that hungry. I casually asked him later on what the tea had been like. 'Quite good. I had two donuts, you know, the big ones.' 'Nice.' 'Yes. And one of those tiny miniature cakes.' 'Oh yes, I know.' And two sandwiches and some grapes because they're good for you and some strawberries. And a packet of crisps and three pieces of pizza.' I fear he may have had an apple and a samosa from home as well. Sigh.
Greed got the better of me too and I shinned up a ladder to pick cherries yesterday and made some jam. There's a glut of fruit at the moment. Strawberries, tayberries, blueberries, raspberries. The jam was a mixed bag. Some set, some didn't. I always find it a bit of a lottery, but it'll be fine for going in rice pudding. Mostly I'm just happy that I didn't fall off the ladder. That's always a bit of a lottery as well.
I am bracing myself for the littlest boy's last seven days of school. Everything is being packed in. Sports Day, school play (three productions), Oscars night, Moon Landing Day (no idea what that involves), skipping competition day, picnic day and the leavers' service. After ten years of having a little person at little school, I am about to leave for ever. I am trying to be brave.
Hooray for you not falling off the ladder, that is a win in my book. Be brave. I cried and cried when my older two left little school, then middle school then high school. I am rejoicing as they leave college, the cost alone is killing me. But here I am back again in little school with Little B. The first day he was in pre-k at the age of 3 I found myself feeling as if I was in a time warp. My oldest in college, Mr 22 was in high school and I was sitting in this wee little chair listening to the teacher with a bunch of really young parents around me. It was so crazy, it still is! Be brave my friend.
ReplyDeleteDear CJ, loved the photos. I don't recognise the mauve flowers in your photos. What are they called?
ReplyDeleteSo you did climb the cherry tree...... I'm glad it ended the way it did with loads of fruit. How's the pain levels from your previous fall? Hope you are feeling much better, although climbing ladders show that you must have felt O.K to do that.
I'm afraid that I never missed making school lunches and was glad when that part of school was over, despite enjoying cooking for my family. Years later my neighbour told me that some times my son would throw his lunch into her garden behind a large tree. This was after telling me what he wanted to eat. I do feel I failed in that way as a mother, however he has survived.
Regards, Robyn
Love the rain and cafe noise idea. Is the cherry tree in your garden? We have one but never get a look in because as soon as they're even remotely ripe the birds descend. It's the same with my strawberries, except with those it's the squirrels who pick the fruit then run down the lawn, turn and eat it at me as I look on in despair. I think I'll have to invest in a job lot of netting. That sounds like quite a cricket tea! Good luck with that last week of term. xx
ReplyDeleteYes its always hard when the last one travels that particular path. I think its harder for us mums than it is for them. Realising that you know longer have a baby chick in the nest. Be brave CJ.
ReplyDeleteMx
Love your beautiful photos and am very glad you didn't fall off that ladder! Homemade jam is the best but it is a bit of a black art - mine seems to swing from sloshy to solid even though I do the same thing every year - still it always tastes nice as I'm sure yours does. Good luck with the end of a school era - I was an embarrassing mess, even surprising myself with the extent of my ugly crying - thing is I don't think you can know how you'll be until you are in the moment so go prepared: plenty of tissues; water to re-hydrate; leave off the mascara and plenty of wine chilling in the fridge at home for later xxx
ReplyDeleteHope you’ve got your tissues ready for this week, always emotional when the youngest finishes primary. Well done on the safe fruit picking! I keep saying it’s jam making this week, maybe it will come true this time😹. B x
ReplyDeleteI laughed at what the littlest boy had eaten. I'm relieved to see that you didn't fall off the ladder.
ReplyDeleteHave a good week, it sounds like it's going to be a busy one. xx
Ahhhhh, enjoy the last week of little school. How quickly they grow. Goodness, littlest boy sure can put food away!Love the poppies.xxx
ReplyDeleteLittle boys and food, eh? They seem to be able to burn it as fast as they eat it. If only I could, too. Successful jam making is entirely dependent on the moon cycle, or some other mysterious force. On Saturday, I was boiling redcurrant jelly for almost 45 minutes before it set. A previous badge took about 10 minutes.... I am sure that all your jams taste delicious. Cherry jam! Such a treat. Glad you didn't fall of that ladder xx
ReplyDeleteI do adore cherry jam and cherry pies.. I hope your jam sets up and you enjoy it. I had raspberry freezer jam on my morning English muffin and it was delish. It is a sad thing your young men are growing up from being little guys.. but my advice is to love every moment while they are home with you as in a blink of an eye they will be off on their own and making you a grandma.. :-) ((hugs)), Teresa :-)
ReplyDeleteGood luck
ReplyDeleteBe strong for the end of term. I was rather glad when L left his primary. Well done that boy on consuming all that food (and fruit). He is going to be tall! Xx
ReplyDeletePoor starving child....I'm surprised he didn't collapse from hunger. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm in awe of your jam-making...we had a bountiful strawberry harvest which probably could have been converted to jam had I been more organized. Every year I say, this will be the jam-making year....
I had the startling revelation the other day that my children were teenagers - they have been for a couple of years now, but it only just hit me. Not only that, in January, the oldest one will be tipping over past the halfway to not being a teenager anymore. It goes too fast.
xoxo
xo
A milestone for littlest .... and you. Hope it all went well x
ReplyDeleteOh heavens CJ, what a momentous week for you! Also, what a busy one! Have you come up for air yet? I hope you're ok and enjoying the spectacular weather. My jam is always a lottery too, and if it's runny then we have it on pancakes and yogurt and I tell everyone it's compote. xxx
ReplyDeleteAw, I remember when my youngest left the little school and I suddenly realised it was the end of an era. There would be no more of my children at that school. Sad but exciting too. It sounds like you're going to be cream crackered by the end of term.
ReplyDeleteBe sure to take some time out, even if it's only a long bubble bath and a read.
Love your images.