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.

[Scout19075]

I remember a scary amount from ages 3 to 5. Scary amount. Things that aren't stories I've been told because I've been the only one in the room or awake or the dreams/nightmares I used to have (I had a recurring nightmare from about 3 until around 8/9). MrScout also seems to have a large number of memories from about age 2 (though I do question some of them, but not always to his face).

I've just done the math -- if I start when I anticipate I will I will finish just before my 40th birthday. Gah!

[mistlethrush]

I remember bits and bobs. Mc can remember various things - like his birthday cakes from his 3rd birthday (he had one on the day and another at a party) and building a snowman on his birthday (beginning of April, in Oxfordshire!!!) and a few other things... However, he will also be old enough to understand that you're ill and that you're having the medicine for a specific reason and that whilst it might mean you're not going to be 100% for a while, you will get back to normal. And if he's anything like mc he'll bring you his favourite toy to cuddle. Which will make things feel a lot less awful because you'll have a lovely warm glow from that....

And you know what 'they' say about that particular birthday? Well you have a good reason to believe it if its all done and dusted before then.

[Scout19075]

What? That at 40 you're over the hill?

[mistlethrush]

No!!!! Life begins.... (and a high proportion of the tearoom ladies can at least vouch for it not being over!!!)

[Scout19075]

Ahhh, that one.

Soon after I'm 40 I will be the proud "owner" of a five year old. EEK! We're also going to Disney World (Florida) that Thanksgiving to celebrate Toddler's 5th, my 40th and my dad's 65th. MrScout will only be 36 so not worth a Disney party.

When my brother was three he used to say "When I was a little boy xyz." Used to crack us up. I talk to Toddler about being a baby and sometimes he likes me to carry him up to bed "Like baby."

[JugglingWithPossibilities]

< Ooh, comes across lovely Orangery for the first time as strolls round the gardens on slightly chilly but bright autumn morning. >

< Pulls up a chair ... " A slice of lemon drizzle and a Lady Grey tea would be lovely thank-you, Mellors" >

< Mellors takes 40 candles out of cake and cuts everyone a slice >

[beanandspud]

:: passes and lemon drizzle cake to Juggling ::

Welcome to the tearoom Juggling! Make yourself at home, we are a friendly bunch, honest.

[JugglingWithPossibilities]

Ooh, thank you - that's lovely after my trip into town to get DS a new skate-boarding helmet plus picked up a large bottle of soya sauce, crystallised ginger and other goodies in the health food shop. Later I'm dropping DD at the cinema for a night out with her friends. Such a hectic social life I lead ! Though I'm looking forward to catching "Strictly" on the telly, between dropping DD off and picking her up again
What's everyone else been up to today besides welcome tea and cake here ?

[mistlethrush]

Hello Juggling, I see you've got the measure of Mellors

It does become a whirl of social engagements at times... DS is learning to skateboard but itsn't very good yet - and wears his bike helmet at the moment (no going up or down slopes on it as yet) I hope this isn't too much of a no-no?

for a Saturday evening anyone?

[UniS]

Hum, social whirl for sure. Today boy and were having a bike bike bike day. He passed his Bikeablility 1 test - Hurrah. Only 3 years to wait till he is old enough to do level 2 :-( that was in the morning then he spent the afternoon riding 11 miles round and round a closed road circuit AND practising unicycling.... busy , now tired boy. I fear there will be tears tomorrow. Last bike race of the season- dreadful weather forecast and DH does NOT want him to go racing. Its about an hour drive each way, the race is 10 mins.... I sort of see both sides. I think I come down on boys side more. Its his last race and he COULD do well. Or of course he could slide on a wet corner and hurt himself and lose . Or it could all be called off....


Hi juggling... nice to see you. May I have slice of that 40 cake too? my birthday was in the summer and I'm def NOT past it.

[mistlethrush]

Unis - how do I find out about races near here? Googled and came up with nothing....

Ds came back from a more rigorous bike ride today complaining of backache - I think its because his bike is really much too small for him.

[UniS]

MT- its pretty much the end of the season for closed circuit road races now. Cyclo cross carries on thro the winter, ditto mtb. Take a look at www.britishcycling.org.uk/events filter with region and rider category ( MT will be an E cat) . Also look for "go-ride" .

For non competitive rides you might both like to try a breeze bike ride or a sky ride local. Same web site.

[Scout19075]

Hello Juggling!

ScoutCamp got to see a (low flying) Spitfire fly-by today -- ScoutCamp loves spitfires so it was a good day here.

[mistlethrush]

Unis, that's great, thanks, I will have a poke around. There's a local cycle club that has Sunday rides for parents and children which might be a good way into cycle club riding... I would need to improve though!

Scout - there's a really good museum up here that you can sit in various planes and the like (and if you are not particularly in-season its virtually deserted) which mc wants to go back to with DH... they have a spitfire and a lancaster there. Just in case you're venturing north at any stage.

[beanandspud]

? Yes please!

We have had a fairly peaceful day after a hectic week.

Small Bean had his swimming lesson this morning and is doing really well. He does however spend a lot more time exploring the bottom of the pool than the others. He also needs new trunks - we discovered today that the elastic seems to have gone in his current pair and he spent a lot of the lesson flashing his bottom and bits to the gallery . I feel a trip to large shopping centre coming on tomorrow (MT - you will know where I mean) and a nice lunch somewhere.

I still keep lusting over Isla bikes for Small Bean, we have said that once he can ride his current bike to the tree without stabilisers we will get a new one!

[Scout19075]

Cool, I'll keep that in mind MT. My soon-to-be BiL had a flight in a Spitfire while I was pregnant with Toddler -- I didn't know I was pregnant and MrScout & I went to spend the day with him and my SiL. His father flew Spitfires in the war and he was able to recreate a picture that his father had of himself & his plane. It was a great day.

[beanandspud]

We need to think about moving! Where should the tearoom go next?

[Scout19075]

New England (in the US) -- take advantage of the Fall Foliage. ?

[JugglingWithPossibilities]

Ooh yes ! Beautiful New England in the fall

• Boston could be good for a tea party

[UniS]

oh yes, new england in full plumage- is it maple syrup time yet? is that a new england thing?

Parents and kid ride for 6/ 7 year old shouldn't be leaving any one behind. Breeze is Ladies (and kids) only and def don't leave any one behind, we ride at the speed of chat mostly.

[beanandspud]

Get packing everyone!

We have moved to New England - here...

[Jacksmania]

[Jacksmania]

[Jacksmania]