Saturday 30 April 2011

Today at the Tate Britain

Our day out in London found us bypassing the lengthy queues for Westminster Abbey (apparently the flowers and decorations from the Royal wedding could still be seen) and continuing along the river to the Tate Britain. I had been there once before as a teenager when in search for the Tate Modern. On realising that it wasn't the Tate Modern I was disappointed and didn't give it much of a chance to impress me. Therefore, I went along today with low expectations.

I couldn't have judged it more wrong...perhaps it has improved since then, perhaps in age I appreciate different things, whatever the reason, I thoroughly enjoyed it today.

It had everything we love about an Art gallery.



:: Kids activities - MJ made a sculpture which began as scaffolding and then became a snowboarding ramp! In order for him to leave it behind (it was 10am and we had a day of walking, buses and trains in front of us, so there was no way I was carrying it around) we told him that they would like to display it in the gallery with the other sculptures!!!

:: Good cafe supplying coffee and cakes.


:: Interesting exhibitions - The Turner exhibition allows you to take part in copying some of his drawings. MJ and M had a go.
                                   - MJ and I loved looking at James Stirling's Architectural models and I even tried to explain to him what a 'drawing in section' was...at which point he ran away and I got the point that I was going on about architecture far to much to a 3 yr old! It did bring me back to pre-children days and made me momentarily long for a drawing board, craft knife and white card.


:: A fun shop - There were so many excellent children's books. I wanted to buy them all. MJ choose a robot badge which I have promised him we will try and make. Watch this space!


Now I am fighting with the network to get my photos uploaded while making a third cushion for the lounge...the same cushions that I first thought about replacing this time last year...I can't believe it has taken this long to sew up a few squares!

Thursday 28 April 2011

Dress rehearsal for the Royal Wedding

MJ had to dress up for school today. They are enacting a wedding and reception class are the guests. He informed me that he would need a bow tie. I considered letting him wear M's bow tie but was afraid he would damage or loose it. He felt he needed a spotty bow tie. So we raided the fabric boxes and decided on this spotty material. He was delighted with our half hour creation.

Thursday 21 April 2011

The past week...

What a busy week we have had...

:: We said goodbye to friends who are moving to Singapore
:: My parents and brother came to stay
:: M and I had a weekend trip to Athens, Greece
:: A good friend from South Africa came to stay

We have just arrived back from dropping Jani at the airport and the kids are asleep in the car. For most of the journey back I have been thinking about blogging so while they sleep I thought I would grab a few moments. We have one day now to repack our bags and plan for a night with M's parents and then the Easter weekend with his sister and brother in law.

But for now I want to remember the last week, reflect on the good times before I get lost in packing and planning once more.

Farewell to our friends...



We had the perfect farewell at our favourite place...the forest. I don't like saying goodbye...I like to remember the fun we had and indeed we had fun...cycling along the canal tow path with our boys on the back, swimming each week in the local pool, walking in the woods, finding shelters and collecting sticks. Recently I heard a phrase on the radio which I don't think I will ever forget...'Friends are for a reason and for a season'. I believe this to be true and remembering it helps me to feel at peace when friends move away or we leave friends behind.


A weekend in Athens...


I have to say that the best bits were the food and the sleeping! We saw the sights but for me not having to cook, change nappies, get up in the night etc etc was what the trip was all about and for those three days, I loved it. Yet, in saying that I was so excited to see my little people again and feel energised once again to cook, change nappies, get up in the night etc etc!

Family...


What a precious thing to have family. My parents and brother looked after the kids while we were away and did a superb job. The kids are so happy and contented with them.

South Mimms services...

Who would have thought you could have so much fun at a motorway services. After dropping Jani at the airport early this morning we set of on our journey home. With Lj a bit unsettled in the back and MJ wanting to stretch his legs we pulled into South Mimms Services. I had a Starbucks coffee which is always a treat for me no matter how often I have one and MJ expored the play park. Lj squealed with delight as MJ chased her through the tunnel in the play ground. As the sun continued to shine we found a path into the country which followed the river and we wished we had brought MJ's new bike to cycle along the path...I also wished I had brought Lj's carrier or buggy and my camera! The lesson learned is that I must bring Lj's carrier and my camera whereever I am going as we are missing to many fun opportunities.


I hear a little shout from the car so I will have to pack away my thoughts til another blogging opporunity arises. So for now...thank you sunshine, mum and dad and Jani for a great week and goodbye to Becca and family, we love you and we will miss you but we know you will have a fab life in Singapore.

Tuesday 5 April 2011

Staying put!

Finally, we have made a decision to stay put! We have been seriously considering a move to Singapore, as M was offered a new job. We like the idea of living in different places, exploring new cities, taking in new cultures, meeting new people and perhaps even learning new languages (I'm very nervous about that one!). So immediately on being offered the job we thought we would like to go but as time went on ( the logistics of the job took forever to be finalised) we became more and more aware of what we would be leaving behind. Then a counter offer of a job promotion, made us really consider what we wanted. After weeks of agonising we finally drew a line in the sand on Sunday and decided that now was not the time to go.

Within hours of making the decision we were at the allotment, digging and planting and it felt so good. We realised that we had put life on hold while we considered the move and if felt so freeing to finally get back to doing what we love.

Now I feel I need to get re organised. Consider what I enjoy doing and what I want to achieve both personally and as a carer (of husband and children!). In a way the old feelings of 'being a mama is not enough' are re surfacing so I need a plan to deal with that!

Hopefully some kid free time next week, when my mum is coming to stay and M and I are going to Athens will be the perfect opportunity for re grouping!