Episode 33 - The Orangery - Tea anyone?

[mistlethrush]

The tearoom has traveled back to the Orangery for another visit. There are bluebells in the nearby woods, and Mellors has Earl Grey and Lady Grey ready for some excursions. Mellors has, indeed, been overwintering away from Canada for some reason - I think he's been helping Maud out in the garden. There are tulips out in urns outside, and there are a few tables out in the sunny courtyard for use between showers.

Whether you have one child or several, pull up a chair and share a or a . The only rules remains no fisticuffs.

I'm still grumpy.

Would and a foot rub from Mellors help, Scout?

Or a back rub?

Ouch! I've hurt my shoulder carrying a heavy bag.

::Joins queue for Mellors' Jacksmania's services::

Ooooh, backrubs. I'm there!

I have about ten things I want to do this evening, including wanting to be in bed by 10 p.m. (HA!) but I don't know what to do first.

book recommendation to MC, oxboy age owners...

Billy bonkers

DH and I and boy are all loving the first book.

Thanks Unis - I'll have a look out for them. I've just got reading age of DS back in school report.. that and the rest of the report just confirm how much this year's teacher has suited him compared to last.

He's got a karate grading tomorrow afternoon - after the play that two classes are putting on. Its about the olympics I think.

::clasps and hugs gently for all those in pain or feeling grumpy::

::joins Q for Mellors::

how exciting to have proper books to read - but I wish we could engineer reading time not just in bed when we're all a bit grumpy and its effortsome,,,,
I had an exasperation moment at bath time when Oxboy was just being a small boy who is tired and impy and I fear I was mean....
I need to find my inner playful parent - that sucker is buried for sure!

Its really difficult isn't it when they've been exasperating all day long not to get snappy back. And yet, if when you manage to nudge and coax them along into doing what you want them to do rather than shouting telling them AGAIN to do what they have been asked to do 10 times already, it goes so much more easily. When will I learn? And when will he learn that when I ask him to put his pyjamas on I really want him to put his pyjamas on, to have a dance, or a hug, or a kiss, or a chat, or a pose, or a day dream....

Does anyone else struggle getting enough liquid into their child? I send mc with a water bottle everyday and it normally comes back untouched (although they do get milk to drink at break and water to drink with lunch and I know that he sometimes has several glasses at lunchtime). But its the same at the weekend - he just doesn't drink that much and we have to pester him to drink. Any recommendations?

?

Ohhh, there's a plea for volunteers to steward at the Olympic Torch relay in town next week. I'd love to do it. But I want to take Toddler to it and take pictures. MrScout is very anti-Olympics and is planning on steering clear (as far as I'm aware but he knows that I'm going and taking TS -- after all, it's coming within two blocks of my house!). So... do I volunteer and get clearer access/sight or don't I and I take Toddler and take pictures of it/the run/Toddler enjoying the festivities?

Oh Mistle, thank you for making me feel better. Yes to all that especially remembering to go along with the ease ....
Scout I would go and carry the torch but then I am not a big photographer, I would rather join in and I would make mr scout bring toddler to watch ....

Based on what Donki said, scout, if you're prepared to get there early you might manage to get a good view anyway, without being a volunteer.... and you might not get a good position as a volunteer anyway.

Oxeye - its easy on paper - its when it comes to applying it that the problems occur!

you get to chose where you stand if you just go to watch, as a steward you get PUT somewhere, can't leave that post and may see nothing. I know a first aider who saw nowt but the high st when the torch arrived in nearby city, the torch didn't go up the high st.

what would you like for elevenses?? I have some fresh baked bread here.

Sounds great UniS - yes please! ?

Week booked for hols reasonably near you again - same week as last, so your last week of term. We're staying near the small market town sort of south of you beginning with M. Meet up on the beach at EP could be a potential plan for the Sunday? If it tips down (which looks likely) we could do similar to last year though... or you might suggest something different?

Is that an inland small market town or a near the coast one?

invoices done... what shall I tackle next. its still raining which is putting me off doing garden jobs. Prehaps the washing that needs to go on.

Its a fairly near the coast one - a bit west from the larger town K which we've stayed near before.

Trainers are set aside to come down... we've just got to manage to remember them!

I think its O'Clock. Anyone else? It feels as though its been a VERY long week!

That would be lovely MT

Long week with you too?

Yes, ds has been a toad this week, work has been frustrating/maddening, and my arm is giving me gip. At least I had the pleasure of the dressage results at the start of the week !

TGFI!

Can't get Wriggle to drink either. Today she 'forgot' her carton of apple juice at lunchtime, had nothing at all for breakfast ... I really don't know what she has drunk ....
We have a rabbit. Called Blossom. She was emergency rehomed with us by thoughtless friend and now I find out that it costs up to £100 to spay a female rabbit and if you don't they die of uterine cancer by the age of 5 and Weiggle lives her so rabbit pie is not an option.

Did someone mention ? Yes please.

It has been a very long week but we are on holidays next week - hurray!!!! Small Bean is very excited and has been 'packing' for the last couple of days .

Scout - fwiw I would take TS and just enjoy the occasion. If you can find a less popular spot you could still get close to the torch. We managed to sit right at the kerb and the atmosphere was great - even the police motorbike riders were doing 'high fives' with the crowd and posing for photos.