spring break

The school holiday is going ok so far. I am off for the first week, back at work next week.

On the first day I went shopping with my teenage boys. This is not an experience I wish to repeat anytime soon but it was a reasonably successful (and very expensive) expedition. We bought four pairs of shoes, one denim jacket, two backpacks and two manga books. Also a football and new goalie gloves. Because shopping is tiring, I could not face making dinner. I took the boys to Kimchi Cult, not much more than a hole in the wall on Chancellor Street, with a touch screen kiosk for orders and two small tables. Their bibimbap is to die for and their kimchi cheese chips are also excellent. I had neither on this occasion, just soy & honey glazed tofu cubes and plain chips. I know, tofu and chips but believe me, it works. 

James spent two full days at school for supported study in the run up to exams. Alistair went on a Duke of Edinburgh practice expedition. I enjoyed the time I had to myself and finished sewing my denim jacket and blouse. Even the buttons. I also went for lunch with a work colleague who I work with often but never meet. 

It went all a bit pear shaped on Thursday, when Alistair attended a holiday club at school. I received a call at lunch time asking me to pick him up as he had injured himself. I found him crying, but with a friend hugging him and with two tightly bandaged middle fingers. A crush injury, the result of messing around. One finger was a right mess, the other not so much. To cut a long story short, Alistair went from getting it checked out at minor injuries to emergency surgery in a few short hours. We'll find out next week if he needs further interventions. 

Things improved considerably once we were back home and had caught up on sleep. I spent Saturday with my volunteering group while at home Alistair was recovering by playing Roblox all day long. It was hard work down by the river, clearing bramble, snow berry and invasive wild leeks to prepare the ground for more wildflower meadow seed mix. I love the scarifying, seeding and stamping the seeds in. Very physical work all in all and as usual, I was all sore and exhausted. 

Sam and Annie visited for the Easter weekend. It was nice to have all four children back for a couple of days. Annie made the most delicious hot cross buns and I probably ate more of them than anyone. I burned some calories in the garden, clearing up the larger of the flowerbeds and I prepared a raised bed to be used as a salad growing area. I have yet to clear up the smaller flowerbed. For this I have six forced lily-of-the-valley plants in full bloom on the window sill, soon to be planted out. I ordered some more as they did really well and happened to be on sale this weekend. They have such a beautiful scent. 

And with that, Tuesday is just around the corner. Back to work unfortunately. Thanks for visiting 😊