not so fresh anymore

Have a good luck at these no longer fresh, no longer beautiful peonies.

I feel just how they look. It has been a busy few days and I am only just now sitting down for a few minutes of reflection (and breakfast).

It was one of those weekends when life was unusually hectic. I should probably specify "my life". As the designated driver for a whole load of children I feel like I spent the weekend driving. Here a short summary of my Saturday: From home to football to the nearby country park for a party drop-off back to our neighbourhood for another party drop-off. Next stop the shops to find a sports top for Annie. Back home a quick count of heads followed by another rushed expedition to the shops because I needed a top, too (forgotten earlier). After a 30 minute break and a quick change of clothes, Richard and I went to a dinner party (thankfully not at our house), leaving the children in the capable hands of a babysitter.

Did I mention that I had to inflate one of our car tyres twice? With the foot pump. I think that tyre needs replacing.

Sunday was more quiet with only one child to be driven to ballet rehearsal but I had to start thinking about two presentations I need to prepare for Thursday and Friday, when I will be interviewed for two posts, one of which I really really would like to have and the other one I am not that bothered about. I sweet talked Richard into talking the remaining children for a swim, which was apparently fun but James had to be fished out of the water by the life guard. He is fine. I got the ideas for my presentations on paper and identified suitable literature to back my ideas up.

Monday I went to school. I spent all day shadowing biology classes at our local High School. This was fun but also very tiring. Sam did acknowledge my presence with the slightest of nods when walking past me but otherwise pretended not to know me. I had asked not to be in his class because apparently, I am quite embarrassing. Recently I did a small dance of victory when Annie did really well at an interschool athletics tournament. I have now been banned from attending any further sports events involving my older children. Which suits me just fine (don't tell).

After an early dinner, I resumed my driver duties and took Annie and two friends to the Mitchell theatre for their ballet show. I then dutifully joined the queue of parents to fight for the best seats, defend those vehemently from other lion mums (impatiently waiting or my man to arrive later), and then enjoyed the annual ballet show and the G&T at interval. Richard was the designated driver home. It is always nice to see the girls and few boys perform at the end of term and Annie was of course particularly beautiful. She always dances with a smile on her face.

So, for the rest of the week, I will be busy worrying about job interviews, and those presentations. But just now, I am dashing off to the French Café that primary one organises, complete with half a supermarket brioche and a glass o diluting juice.

Before I dash off, apologies for the moan above. Life is not always all camping and photography. Which reminds me: Thank you very much for all the wonderful comments, I am so happy to read them all. I'll try to reply to all of you this evening. One question that I was asked more than once was if I made the paper heart I photographed. I didn't. I wish I did. I bought it in Truro in a teeny weeny shop near the cathedral.

Have a great week! Cx

Edit: fast forward a few hours. I feel utterly useless. I was one hour late for the French Café, leaving Alistair to eat his brioche without a parent present. To add insult to injury, I also failed to remember that it was a non uniform day for Alistair. Luckily, there was one more French Café to go when I arrived (they do one class at the time) and Alistair was allowed to join this last class to see me.