after the weekend

Can you believe that we are already starting our second week of school? This summer holiday came and went and I barely noticed.

This term, just three of four are going back to school. Sam will be starting his university course in September. I thought I'd post the usual beginning of term photograph but Annie pointed out to me that the school logos are very clearly visible on this year's photo so you'll just have to imagine a smily group of three and one dog on our front steps.

It was only a three day week for the children, not a bad way to start a new term. James is now in P7, his final year of primary school. Alistair is not far behind in P6. Alistair's new teacher has the dubious honour of having taught all four of our children.... She'll be pleased to hear that he is the last of the famous four. Annie is studying towards her National 5 qualifications.

Our weekend was pleasant but the dread of Monday morning always lurks at the back of my mind.

We finally celebrated James' Birthday with his three best friends. Richard took them swimming, I made a cake and organised some treats. It was really just a play date with additional cake. After the swim and snack, the four were playing independently in and around the house. I think this type of party is better suited to James' personality. He gets easily stressed when he is at the centre of attention and he doesn't like party games much. The poor old chap was so exhausted that his bedtime was brought forward to 7 pm.

I spent some time playing with fabrics to plan Alistair's quilt. I mentioned previously that I don't like the chequered flannels I bought specifically for his quilt and I have moved the stack of fat quarters to a far corner of my sewing room so I would not be reminded of my failure to understand my youngest's fabric preferences. Alistair doesn't take much interest in the planning stage, unlike James and the older two. I put together a selection of not too crazy prints that I think Alistair will like. I feel the need for something a little calmer than the riotous colourful crazy prints that James chose. Alistair also doesn't seem to care much about the pattern and I decided to challenge myself with a curved design... Some ten years ago I bought a drunkard path acrylic template on impulse and I have done my best to ignore it since then. I am not sure why it is called that, it seems silly. I thought cutting would be challenging but it is fairly straightforward as long as I don't cut too many layers at once.

I have started building up my daily walking. I injured my left foot on a hill walk back in late May and it took ages to heal. It is now mostly pain free but I need to remind myself not to overdo it. I really want to go out jogging but I will not - not just yet. Added bonus of the enforced rest: my right foot plantar fasciitis seems to be under control. I started walking to work instead of cycling to get my feet back in walking mode. It doesn't take long to walk to work, maybe 30 minutes. I walk through the woods on the way there then along the canal on the way back. I took some photos along the canal. I think I might need to clean the lens, the photos seem a bit dreamy!

Days pass quickly. Just four more early starts before life slows down for the weekend once more. Have a lovely week. xx