First Days

Today was a big day; a day of 'firsts'. Lily started her new school this morning. She's been excited about today for weeks now, so dropping her off at the new school gates this morning wasn't too daunting as she was so keen to embrace her new routine. She meet up with many of her new school friends on occasions over the summer, so her new friendships were already partly formed which will give her a head start from a social aspect. It was such wonderful feeling to walk to school too, something we couldn't really do when she was at her old school due to the distance.

The harder part of today was taking Arthur for his first day at play school. It's the first time he has been left anywhere unfamiliar to him. I had taken him for a settling in morning earlier in the summer and I'm sure he recognised certain things this morning. I stayed with him for around 15 minutes and then decided to leave him. There is no pressure to stay with or leave your child. It's difficult to know what to do for the best. I didn't want to set a pattern of staying with him as he'd get use to it, so  with confidence in the staff I left. He cried, calling for me. I kept walking, without looking back. A horrible but eneviftable moment.

Back home, it felt strange. The house had never been so quite. There was so much for me to be getting on with, but I found my mind flitting to thoughts of wondering what Lily and Arthur are both doing. I kept myself busy at home willing for the midday pick up to come around so I could see Arthur and show him that mummy hadn't left him.

Arthur had cried for about an hour after I had left him. That's a long time and hard to stomach. However, he did eventually settle down and apparently enjoyed playing with the bikes and cars in the garden. When all the mums arrived to collect their children, he started crying again, so I was met with red teary eyes. We had a sticker on his t-shirt stating that he'd been a 'brave boy' on his first morning. I hoping tomorrow may be a little easier. Time will tell.

With Arthur back home, I watched the time eat into the afternoon waiting for the moment I could leave to collect Lily and hear all about her day. Lily had a very good day. She loved all of it. It's funny to look back at their reactions of today. It's almost like a role reversal. Lily was the one who wouldn't say boo to a goose, whilst Arthur is the happy-go-lucky confident one. It just goes to show that they both have other sides.

I know that this anxious time will be short lived and that before long, both Lily and Arthur will be settled into their new routines. I will settle to the adjustments too. There will be no time to dwell as I'll soon be back at work for the hours Arthur is away. At the end of the day it's nothing more than the next chapter in family life.

A Hair Cut

It has never failed to surprise me how people, many complete strangers, have felt the need to voice their opinions about the length of my son's hair. He's always had it fairly long, but it's hardly warrants the reactions it has received over the last couple of years. Some family phone conversations can go along the lines of 'Hello, how are you? How are the kids? Have you cut Arthur's hair yet?' Old women at bus stops have questioned why on earth I've allowed his hair to get so long informing me that he will get 'a squint' if it isn't cut with immediate effect.

Well, I bring relief to all those people. Yesterday Arthur had his first proper hair cut at the barbers. It's not his first hair cut. I do trim it now and again, otherwise it really would be too long. But Wednesday night after his bath I decided to do another trim. He would not keep still, so I just had to hack and hope. The result was not great; too short at the back and too long at the sides. The time had come to take a trip to the barbers.

So it was that I found myself in the unfamiliar surroundings of a barber's shop. Through gritted teeth I ask the lovely lady to tidy up his hair, but to please keep it longish. He sat on the plank that laid across the barbers chair like a statue. He almost seemed to enjoy the experience. He likes his new hair. I like his new hair. He looks so grown up now. It turns out the experience wasn't as traumatic as I expected (for me). The best thing is I've discovered he has a really soft spot on the back of his neck.

A Good Day Out

We first visited the Eden Project while holidaying in Cornwall three years ago and we were very impressed. So last week we considered it just plain foolish not to revisit as it was so near to where we were based. Second time around, I expected a certain amount of 'been there, seen that'. But no, it was anything but. I was even more impressed as a returning visitor. Maybe the place has developed somewhat or maybe it's having two kids in tow this time, but it was just the best day out.

Usually I find that purpose built 'tourist attractions' fail to grab me. The Eden Project is so incredibly thought out. It works. For me the gardens (especially the allotment) are so inspiring; I certainly bought a few ideas home with me. I learnt a lot to which isn't a bad thing. The design of the place is well considered for children. There is so much fun laid on for them through which they learn. When navigating around the gardens, children can opt to leave the path and take the willow tunnels - so much more fun! The Biomes are spectacular structures that allow you to explore the Rainforest and the Mediterranean. A hit with Lily armed with her own guide book.

This summer we were there for the 'Festival of Play'. Lily and Arthur had a go at the Circus Skills workshop. Lily is an impressive sight with a hoola-hoop, but Arthur's plate spinning still needs some practice. Then there was the den building project where families were invited to use the poles, frames, fabrics and blankets provided to make a 'proper' den. There were some pretty impressive structures going up with competitive dad's taking the lead. Ours was built in the chaotic panic one enters when the kids are tired and you're trying to reignite their interest. Needless to say we have no photographic evidence as we were too ashamed to capture the result.

The food was another point worth noting. It was really good. We ate in the Eden Bakery. It's a canteen style set up where you help yourself to what takes your fancy. We had mid-morning coffee and pastries and went back for lunch. The choice was generous and healthy; pizza and salad, big bowls of salad, savoury tarts and thick vegetable soups all with tasty bread baked on the premises. We're glad we didn't pack a picnic that day. 

Back On Home Turf

Doesn't time fly? Our annual holiday gone in a flash. We're now home and settling back into our usual routine with a familiar ease. I must say though that I do feel somewhat rested; or as rested as you can be after a holiday with two children. We had a lovely time, the weather was mostly kind and we managed to fit in everything we wanted to do. In my last post I spoke of returning back brimming with creative ideas for the blog. I really must have relaxed as I've come back with nothing but a blank note book and a lot of photographs. So to get back into the swing of things, I thought I'd share with you some of my photographs. I hope that is not too naff ... it's like the modern day version of inviting friends over for a slide show of your holiday snaps isn't it?

Our base camp in Cornwall was a lovely barn conversion / cottage called 'Rowan' which is on South Tofrey Farm in Golant, near Fowey. We stayed there last year and it ticked every box, hence our return. David and I enjoyed the solitude and views (the sunsets were amazing), whilst Lily and Arthur enjoyed everything the farm had to offer. Our day's soon took on a holiday routine. Every morning after breakfast the kids would go to the hobby farm with bread for the ducks and chickens, salad leaves for the rabbits and any leftovers for the pigs. They'd then find their much-loved new friend Sparkles the farm cat. Once we had torn the kids away from the animals we would either head to Polkerris Beach to enjoy the sand, sea and ice cream or take a short trip out to Fowey for a boat trip, an indulgent cream tea and some time on the quaint little beach there. We had days out too, such as a trip to the Eden Project, but I'll save that and more for another post.

Are We There Yet?

This will be my last post for a couple of weeks. We're heading off for our family holiday tomorrow; a week in Cornwall with a long weekend tagged onto the end with my parents on the Isle of Wight. The kids can't wait and neither can David and I to be honest. Eleven days of family time. All four of us together at any one time; such a rare luxury. Eleven days of having four hands rather than the usual two and a chance to slow the pace and just be.

Today I've been working through my 'to-do' list of packing, preparing food to take with us, and packing up 'entertainment bags' for the car journey in a bid to delay the inevitable chorus of 'are we there yet?' from the back of the car. Then there's the final bits of washing and carefully selecting which of the kids toys to take. I'm also cleaning the house, so I don't return home all refreshed to a dump of a house. That would be completely counteractive.

Not one to be completely idle, I will use the break to plan some future posts, many of which I'm sure will be inspired by our holiday. I look forward to sharing them on my return.

Here's Four I made Earlier

Well, I actually made them last week. I had a sudden creative moment when sorting through my collection of scrap fabrics. Cats are very much the rage with my kids at the moment, so cats I made.  I have noticed that a little bit of sowing machine action gets me a few brownie points from Lily and Arthur, which can be nice. My starting point and inspiration for the cats was a gorgeous fabric cat by Jane Foster that Lily gave me the other Christmas. I used the shape as a template for a simple paper pattern. Then I just paired up some patterned fabrics and used felt and embroidery thread for the detailing. Arthur is now the proud owner of the blue cat, which he named 'Blue Cat' and Lily was naturally drawn to the pink and orange cat, which she named 'Pinkie'. Very original names don't you think? The remaining two are gifts in waiting for a couple of special little people. They will for now remain nameless so not to spoil any surprise. But I know that they will be warmly received and loved which makes the little effort involved well worth while.

A Tune for Tuesday No.10

This week my Tune for Tuesday is by way of Crosby, Still, Nash & Young. I like quite a few of their tunes, but after a bit of deliberating, I settled on the track 'Our House'. It's a simple song that warms the ears making for a very pleasant listening experience. I can't quite hit the nail on the head, but this tune has such familiar nostalgic tones to it. Maybe it's the subject, maybe it's the era, maybe it's because it bares an uncanny resemblance to the songs that Rod, Jane & Freddy would sing on Rainbow? Whatever, I like it. Enjoy.