Surviving Summer

Surviving the six weeks of school holidays 24/7 with Mole, Hedgehog, Beaver and Wombat was interesting. It was helped a lot by frequent chocolate breaks, wine breaks, and changes of scenery.

Our first scenery change was to darkest Wales, as per the usual pilgrimage to see Granny Purple Hair. Granny Purple Hair is great because she 1 - provides wine, 2 - cooks for us, 3 - provides wine. The daily beach trips were heavenly, and when inland we were mostly in the garden. I enjoyed napping when Wombat did, and generally not having to get up early for work.

Mole spent most of the trip begging me for a smartphone, watching youtube on any device she could get her hands on, and showing off different faces, hair styles and nails in the mirror. 

Hedgehog mostly played with her pencil, a simple toy that’s kept her busy since the age of four. This was interspersed with watching series on Netflix; Sweet Tooth and Wednesday being some of the favourites. 

Beaver spent a lot of days having meltdowns about nothing in particular, having bedtime stories, then refusing to go to bed. 

Wombat mostly stuck with my boob and toddled about outside when he fancied exploring further afield. 

A later trip to Yorkshire and Cumbria followed, to see nanny and the cousins. This involved some more active hill walking (Ingleton), cave exploring (White Scar), and paddle boarding (Lake Windermere). It was like something out of Swallows and Amazons. I loved all the free nature, the new skills that Mole, Hedgehog and Beaver were learning, (like paddling while I lay on the board and sunbathed), and the fact the weather was like Spain for the whole time. 

It’s always good to come home again after being away, especially to all the DIY jobs around the house that eternally need doing. So we celebrated this by getting some rabbits to live in the garden. The rabbits came as a trio for Mole, Hedgehog and Beaver, and the idea was that they would take charge of all the care. So far the only thing they’ve done when prompted is to top up the drinking water. The housing, the mucking out, the feeding, the vet visits, and protecting said rabbits from the dog - has so far fallen on me. Despite the extra work, they are very rewarding to keep, and exceptionally cute. I think we’re at capacity for pets now. 

My last project for the Summer was an attempt at some home ed with the children, so their brains wouldn’t turn to total goo by September. This consisted of a chart I drew up and stuck in the kitchen. It had four sections called academic, creative, outdoors and life skills. The idea was the children had to pick one activity from each section per day to do. For example: a maths game, painting, the swings, and washing up. It should have been simple but getting them to follow it was like flogging a dead horse. 

I guess the best laid plans don’t always go to plan, but it’s fun trying anyway. That sums up our Summer really. Me trying to execute a plan in my head, and the reality coming out differently. Mole, Hedgehog and Beaver didn’t want to leave the house unless it involved shopping, swimming or a cafe. Wombat was the exception as he loves the outdoors. He was happy with the swings, carrying the dog lead, and blackberry picking. In fact, everyone loved the blackberry picking, probably because it was a bit like a cafe.

Now it’s autumnal and the school year is begun again. I’m glad of having some structure back, while still keeping free time at home. All the extra-curricular clubs have started again, including one of my own, in the form of the local am dram group. The line learning and the show will be over by Halloween, meaning I can relax for Christmas. 

I’m feeling the familiar urge to hibernate for Winter, but that’s ok because Wombat is happiest when in bed with me, and I’ve realised there is plenty of space in life, without needing to cram it with activities.

Happy Autumn!