Can you believe we are onto week 8 of lockdown? I have to say, it doesn’t seem that long to be honest. I think we have just settled in to the new normal now. It is a bit unsettling with the changes, which don’t seem all that clear down south. In Scotland, our First Minister gave us another 3 weeks of lockdown. Our only change is we can go out more than once for exercise. I hope you and your families are all safe and well. The weather has been a bit mixed and certainly, freezing. I think the sunshine helps, but then, Aria is desperate to go out of play with her friends. It’s swings and roundabouts really. How are you doing? Mental health ok? I am here if you guys ever want to chat, vent or just a virtual hug.
So… what have we been up to since last week’s weekly post. It’s starting to get a bit samey, sorry about that. Saturday, I was hoping to get some editing in, but Aria wanted a magical cookbook, just like in the tv show Just Add Magic. She is obsessed with certain tv shows and magic. Anyone who knows me, knows I am the same. I love magic, witches, spellbook anything like that. Together we printed off some of the spells and recipes from the show and pasted them into a book. She designed the cover and was loving punching the pages to put in. Next, she started to make some of the recipes. She was telling Lucas how she was making “Read your mind” popcorn. She was explaining you could only eat one bit for the spell to work as magic can be powerful and you don’t want too much. This totally made my day. Lucas’s face was a picture, but both boys went along with it and ate some of it too. She’s so like me as a child and I have never lost my belief in magic. Tyler staved his finger on Friday, so spent a lot of time complaining about the pain and needed it taped up. He was like that most of the week, but he is ok. We watched some Killing Eve, Blacklist and Dead to Me in the evening. I struggled to get to sleep that night and ended up reading until after 6 am. I only stopped as my kindle battery ran out and it was too dark to read a book.
You can guess I was a tad tired come Sunday. I had a Morrisons delivery in which still a fair amount is missing, but it’s good to get some delivered. I fitted in some editing but been feeling a bit dishearted by the whole putting my novel out there experience. I am sure I’ll shrug it off soon. The boys played Fifa and we visited Robert’s mum. We went for a nice walk and cycle in the afternoon together too. You can see the photo of Aria above. And an earlyish night was had. Also, early evening it was hail and then there was sleet. In May!
Work-wise it’s been a busy week. Monday’s are always busy in the world of IT and are hard going. But, we are lucky to be working and I do appreciate that. I sat and went through Lucas school work and classrooms with him as he had to finish everything before moving up year on Tuesday. He also fitted in a fair amount of spot. I did a 3k in the evening. Not great, but it was a start.
Tuesday saw Lucas move up to S3. I can’t believe he is in the upper level of high school. He got his new online timetable and had to join all his new classes. These are the subjects he picked at the options evening. This is the start of his two years of National 5 exams. Scary and exciting. He’s not keen to go back to school but enjoying not having to do the subjects he wasn’t keen on anymore. For the rest of us, it was work, school and the kids played outside for a bit. Nothing really exciting. I did get a surprise delivery from a lovely friend who’s mum had some condensed milk in her cupboard and saw I was looking for some on twitter. How sweet is that? Now I can make fudge.
Wednesday, I had to take some photos of Tyler for his P7 leaver’s video his teacher is making. This includes the one above of him working from home through his school work. We went for a long walk in the evening. Another 3k. It’s not great, but it is getting late by the time we go out. I am tired, we all are. All working on top of each other, snatching minutes when not on the phone to help the kids with work is exhausting. I don’t know how you guys are managing, but somedays it’s tough. We will muddle through and most days are fine. So that is good. Aria did gymnastics and getting into three days this week.
Then we got to Thursday. It was working. Lucas went to the football fields and ran a 5k. He is trying his hardest to build up his football skills best he can. Aria did gymnastics and made brownies. Unfortunately, I took a call at the end of the brownie making and she added a tad too much salt. They were nice but more salty than sweet. We also made some fudge together. If you ever want to make fudge. I highly recommend What the redhead said, fudge recipes. They are simple and amazing. I tried to make another lot of fudge with carnation evaporated milk and sugar into condensed milk. It tasted ok, but the texture wasn’t right. We clapped for the carers, keyworkers and all the amazing NHS staff in the evening. I am sure there are more on our street each week. It really is nice.
Thank goodness it’s Friday is all I can say. I am so ready for the weekend. Work has been busy. The kids have been busy. They all got their school work done and Lucas is up to date. Tyler did a zoom football session. Hoping to get some reading and some editing in over the weekend. Maybe try to source some condensed milk for fudge. The boys of the house are all playing Fifa Fut Champs this weekend. Now, I don’t know what this is, but it involves a games console, controller and lots of shouting, stomping and almost throwing your controller off the tv. I was hoping Aria and I could get to a hotel for the weekend, but none were open yet. lol. I am only kidding here.
Each year, around this time, a little bit of magic happens-grass turns pink with cherry blossom. Isn’t it beautiful? It is starting to fall to like pink snow now. I will be sad to see it go. Wishing you a wonderful weekend.
Oh I did laugh about the brownies! And your comment about every day being the same resonated….although down south our kids can meet up with the one friend if they are socially distanced. While I thought that was madness at first I’m coming to appreciate it’s not the worst thing in the world as they kids can slowly be re-introduced to friends before the eventual return to school so there shouldn’t be a huge overwhelm for them. That said, I’m still not 100% sure about the schools reopening. We’ll see what happens. I generally think Hollyrood is better at handling these things than Westminster so Scotland may show up the English (nothing new there!)
It was funny. That is nice they can meet up. How is that going? I think it is a good thing. Going from nothing to all will be hard. I am not sure about Scotland, it does seem to be clearer and more sensible, but it is weird not to do the same thing xx
salty brownies. I’m not so sure! I really have to try some of Donna’s fudge recipes, she makes my mouth water with her photos and I’ve not made fudge for years…now to get some condensed milk! We have pink snow too, not so much this year and it’s already almost disappeared. It’s lovely to see the green though, and I’m hoping for more flowers this year now we’ve moved our pots to a better area.
I don’t know if you watch Through the Keyhole (I know a lot of people just don’t like Keith Lemon) last night he visited Melissa Joan Hart’s house and me and my eldest daughter got it straight away, we both spent many hours watching Sabrina the Teenage witch. In fact we called our cats Sabrina and Salem. We lost Salem a few years back and it looks like Sabrina is not going to be around much longer 🙁 xxx
They weren’t so good, but we made more. They are so good. I have been looking for condensed milk everywhere. It is nice to see the blossom, but I am sad it’s away. I haven’t watch that, I will have a look. I love Sabrina the teenage witch. I am the same age as Melissa Joan Hart and grew up watching Clarissa and Sabrina. My cat was called Sabrina. Bless. That is shame about Salem. Such good names lovely xx
Life has been samey hasn’t it? I am so envious of the cherry blossoms – they are gorgeous!
They are so pretty. Shame they don’t last very long xx
It is surprising… because I thought we were on week 7! 😉 It really is so hard to fathom and take in, even at this stage! That cherry blossom is gorgeous, unfortunately all ours round about has been blown away now, but am enjoying all the greenery – suddenly seems so much greener!
You just reminded me I needed to take a pic of Liv in her school uniform to send over to school for some Year 6 leaver’s collage they are apparently making. I feel for all the kids, of all ages, they have missed out on so much! I bet the boys are going stir crazy without all their football matches… but it means you are free on a Saturday morning! German football has returned this weekend which has been great to watch, but cannot wait for Chelsea to kick off again! 🙂
It sounds like you have all had a busy week, even during lockdown so hope you are enjoying some relaxation time over the weekend! How are you getting on with the editing… that book has been your baby for many years, keep the faith love and let it grow… cannot wait to have a read! You can do it! Sim x #Project366
It has went really fast I thought. The cherry blossom is beautiful, but it is a shame it doesn’t last too long.
Yeah, it is hard with those in that transition year, they are missing out on so much. I know all kids are, but those graduating nursery and moving to high school or leaving high school are missing more than most.
We are busy and the boys are still doing a lot of football stuff. They are missing the games. I think Robert is missing football more than the boys.
Thanks for your kind words and encouragement. I will keep going. Hugs xx
Sounds like you have all been keeping busy Susan! I love the cherry blossom too, ours is still on the tree here. I hope the nice weather comes back so we can enjoy it before it falls! x
Always busy it seems. The cherry blossom is so nice, I wish they’d stick around longer xx
It is surprising that eight weeks has gone quite fast, but every day definitely does feel the same! It must be a struggle to be working full-time and having to keep an eye on the kids and their schoolwork too. I have it very easy, with working part-time and having kids who don’t need any supervision!
It seems crazy that Lucas is already working towards his final subjects. My daughter will start on hers at the start of June. It wasn’t supposed to be until September, but her school has brought it forward, which seems sensible in the circumstances.
My mind boggles that you were reading until 6am! x
It really has gone fast hasn’t it. It is a struggle some days, but we are used to it and the kids are doing well. I know it is crazy he is at that stage, but it is our term time. I know, you’d be up by that time. I just couldn’t sleep xx
Wow that blossom is stunning, such a bright pink.
Those 8 weeks of lockdown seem to have gone really quickly
Thank you for linking up to #MySundayPhoto
Thank you. I love the colour and really missing it now. It does seem to have gone quickly x
Ahh! I was confused at first with the lockdown changes here but to be honest nothing has changed for us. We’re staying home and staying safe and will be for the forseeable.
The magical cookbook sounds like fun. You can’t help get caught up in the magic when they’re little.
Good luck to Lucas in his new year at school. My youngest will be picking her options in the next school year. Eek!
It sounds like a busy week for you x
I think that sounds like the sensible option. It really is wonderful to get caught up. It is an enjoyable change so far x
How thoughtful that you ended up with the condensed milk! Such kind people in the world 🙂 The cherry blossom is absolutely gorgeous! Gosh that was a late night reading, I don’t think I could function after going to sleep at 6am.
I know, it really was lovely. I love the Cherry blossom and sad now it’s gone. I don’t mind, but couldn’t sleep xx
I’ll never get tired of seeing those blossoms! #MySundayPhoto
They are lovely, aren’t they? x
I love cherry blossom, the pink snow 🙂 hehe. They are so pretty. We are staying at home, but we know we can now exercise a little more. We are trying not to drive anywhere, when we did at the weekend the car park for our local nature reserve was completely full up! So, we turned away.
I cannot believe we are in week 9 of lockdown, its absolutely gone so quickly.
Thank you so much for linking up to #SilentSunday x
It is lovely. I am sad to see it leave. Glad you are staying well. It has gone so quick x
I always love reading your posts because I’m spending most of my time working too, and I always feel like I’m “abnormal” because I’m not having time to just sit around and get bored ! It’s so nice to not be the only one lol. 😉 I did have a giggle at your salty brownies and the magic popcorn story is lovely too ! Keep going with the book – it will all be worth it in the end ! xx
Aww thank you. I know what you mean, I feel the same about you. I am certainly not bored and think I might like to be for a bit. Oh the brownies. They made knew ones. xx
I can totally relate to it all getting samey. Every week seems to merge into the next at the moment! x
It is isn’t it? xx
cherry blossom is very pretty on the tree but a nuisance when off it.
glad they are all playing away nicely and keeping up with their fitness levels.
I am still hoping England has not had a jump in death rates so we have more reassurance we should not have either.
Nice to be getting pout on the bikes
It is lovely, but I will miss it. I was thinking the same too. It is hard with it being so different x
Sounds like a busy week. It is tough trying to juggle everything, isn’t it? I’m glad you are able to get out for walks even if they do sometimes end up being late in the day. I love Aria’s imagination with the magic cookbook – what a fun thing to do together. Good luck to Lucas with the move up to S3 and the leaver’s video for P7 for Tyler sounds like a great thing to do. Love the photo of the cherry blossom – so pretty. We keep meaning to make fudge. I will have to check out Donna’s recipes. #project366
Thank you. It always seems to be busy. We do our best. She does enjoy. Thank you, it has went well. You should definitely make the fudge x
Such pretty cherry blossom! Salty brownies made me smile. And I want some fudge now too. Haven’t made nay fudge in ages, but we did bake choc chip shortbread twice this week. I like the look of the book your son is reading.
Aria’s idea of creating a magic cook book sounds wonderfully creative.
The blossom is so pretty isn’t it? You need to make the fudge it’s soooo good. Oh that sounds nice. It is a really good book. It’s The Nowhere Emporium. She is very magical and creative x
What an incredible week Love the images too The pink flowers are absolutely gorgeous Enjoy and happy weekend xoxo Cris
http://www.photosbycris.com.au/?p=6040
Thank you. I love the blossom x
Eliza used to love Just Add Magic, sadly seems to have grown out of it now. It does feel samey doesn’t it, we have been lucky enough to venture a little further out this week
Bless, that is a shame when that happens isn’t it? xx
Life sure is a bit ‘samey’ at times… I wish we were in Scotland as our PM has literally thrown us into the deep end with no life rafts.
What a beautiful cherry blossom, such gorgeous colours! Thanks for linking up with #MySundaySnapshot and for sharing x
Yes, it does seem to be a little different down south than up here. I am not sure how it will go moving forward. Hugs x
If it helps at all we are totally muddling through as well. Some days are good others less so! I am sorry to hear about the brownies I keep meaning to try fudge. Unfortantley there is not much blossom near us but I do love it.
I think we are all doing the same. Thank you x
I can relate to posts sounding ‘samey’ but when i think about it, mine don’t actually differ that much anyway. The cherry blossom is long gone down here in the Midlands. I love the idea of Aria’s magical cook book and how lovely that Tyler’s teacher is putting together a leavers gift for the children. Don’t forget if you need to off load, my ears are always open for a chat also
It is hard isn’t it? Our blossom is away now too. It is nice isn’t it? xx
The flowers look AMAZING I want to dive into them! I honestly have no idea how many weeks have passed. I go by months (2 months have passed? wow). We’re safe, I hope you and your family are as well. Aria is adorable, i’d love to see her cookbook. I hope Tyler is ok. OOOoOoo brownies and fudge!
What a lovely magical week you’ve had
Aww thank you, they are pretty. It has gone so fast. Glad all is well. Thank you xxx
Love cherry blossoms! SO pretty!
I get what you mean about settling into the new ‘normal’. However the days seem to merge into one and I find myself often on the wrong day!