Susan K Mann

Award Nominated Mummy & Parenting blogger. Blogging about the highs and lows of being a working mother of two princes & princess, living out our own fairytale in Scotland.

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Lockdown Week 13, Birthday Cake, High School And Treats Our Weekly Photos – Week 25

20th June 2020 By Susan Mann 54 Comments

Leavers

Treat

High School

Birthday Cake

Another week in lockdown and this week was a tad stressful and I got myself into a guddle, but it ended much calmer. Clearer mind and clearer house. You know that way when you feel so stuffy, you can’t get a breath? You need to throw open the window and gulped in that cool air. That is what this week has been, but we are here, we are healthy and we are together. That is all that matters when all is said and done. The air around us will cool and calm.

How are you doing this week? As always, I have my socially distanced hugs for you all, although I may selfishly be looking for them from you lol.

And here we are at week 13 and what we have been up to since last week’s weekly post. On Saturday it was horrid and dreich day weather-wise. Aria and I went to Home Bargains for some exciting secret party items for Mother in Law’s birthday. We felt it needed to be bright, sparkly and fun. Lots going on there. We bought a few treats too. We do like treats. And some fish food for oldest’s little fish. I arranged an afternoon tea party for during the week and some father’s day deliveries. I started to do some editing and then the dishwasher flooded the kitchen. So that was fun. Half the towels were used to mop up all the water. Tyler and Aria watched some Disney Plus tv in the evening with some fun snacks and had a great time. Robert and I watched some tv in between clearing up the water.

A bit worried the flooding would get worse during the night, we didn’t sleep well. The kids played together and we visited the inlaws. I did some more birthday planning and did the washing. This, in turn, flooded the kitchen further and we ended up under a lot of water. Resulting in quite a stressful me and Robert, who was doing his best to try to fix and repair. I get quite stressed like I imagine we all do when the place is messy and filled with clutter. I hated not being able to wash and dry those towels. I was beginning to think I shouldn’t be editing as I kept breaking things. The water stopped and it was bedtime.

Monday morning came round way too quickly. Having our office in the living room, desks for Robert and I and the kids working in between, it reminded me of all the mess in the kitchen. There was no escaping. Robert picked up some Starbucks treats for us, which the kids had been looking forward to in the photos above. Robert did lots of research and tried all sorts to fix our broken and wet kitchen in between doing work. Poor soul, but even the Frozen hairdryer wasn’t the saving grace. It resulted in a new washing machine and dishwasher. Bin bags of wet towels until the new ones could arrive. In Scotland, there is no fitting so I found out. I did the second part of the writing rejection course, once it finished I pretty much went straight to bed and read for a bit. I was exhausted.

Tuesday, I had a day in the actual office. I was the only one in, but Lucas and Aria came with me. I had some deliveries to get sent out and couriers to pick them up. The kids did their work, played outside, drew on the whiteboard and played football in the office. It was a long day, but all in all, they were good. Lucas may be a little hormonal just now, let’s leave it at that. Aria had some fun in the evening watering the sunflowers with her new watering can and we spoke to quite a few people who passed by the house.

Wednesday so the first of Tyler’s leaving videos. We all watched it together and I did well at hiding the tears. The teachers have done well to try to give the lockdown leavers a memorable time leaving primary even if it’s not how the imagined it. Robert got the appliances outside for pick up the next day and Aria did her gymnastics. Robert and I picked up the afternoon tea delivery in between work and his visit to Edinburgh. We headed over to the inlaws to meet up with the family and give a very special lady a special birthday tea. Check out the chocolate cake picture I snapped. She really enjoyed it and even told me tonight, Friday, how much she loved it and that honestly, made my year.  Just to make someone else happy is the best feeling.

Thursday was always going to be an emotional day. It started super early with the appliances being delivered before 8 am. Then work. Robert fitted the appliances at lunch and in the evening. Aria did gymnastics in between dropping off Tyler to walk to high school with his friends, socially distanced of course for a little induction as you can see in the photo above. It wasn’t what should have happened, but better than nothing. He got to see his teacher too. It was such a beautiful, sunny day too. We watched the second part of the leaver’s video and Tyler won one of the positions of most likely to play football for Scotland along with some of his friends. Of course, this made his day. He enjoyed being at high school and came home with his high school tie and report card. Which was exemplary. I couldn’t be prouder. He hadn’t been keen on being out with others and didn’t want to visit his Gran that night just in case, but it’s hard. They don’t, as we don’t, know what is right and wrong. Today was also 17 years since I lost my Dad. Oh, how I miss that man. He was my rock and there is not a day goes by I don’t think of him. I know my mum does too.  But, I hope he hears my thoughts of him and reads my little sayings to him on social media and feels the love in my heart that floats up to him to the cloud he is sitting on.

I spent Thursday evening gutting the house. I got those towels washed twice, dried and folded and boy did it feel good. No messy floor and no water to step around. Waking up on Friday morning felt so good no longer to be in a guddle. We started work, then watched Tyler’s last Lockdown Leavers video and it was all the goodbyes from the teachers. That was heartwrenching but lovely. He is so different from his brother and he is ready for this next stage of his life. We got the information from both primary and high school on how things will change when they go back after the summer and lockdown was eased a little by our First Minister. It feels quite different. Any spare, fleeting moments, I have been working hard on the line edits, but is it the right time to even consider sending it? That is another question for another week.

I am hoping for a calmer weekend. I hope you have a wonderful weekend and sending lots of hugs.

project-365-2017-badge

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Filed Under: Parenting Tagged With: Boys, Childhood, Family time, Girl, Health, Kids, lifestyle, lockdown, Mummy Blogger, My Sunday Photo, mysundayphoto, Our Summer, Parent Blogger, Parenting, Photography, School Days, Scotland, Silent Sunday, Sky, Teens, Tweens

Comments

  1. Emma T says

    21st June 2020 at 6:53 am

    Glad you got the washing machine issue sorted. Never good when that’s the item that goes wrong.
    Sad times leaving school virtually but at least they did get some kind of celebration.

    Reply
    • Susan Mann says

      25th June 2020 at 2:44 pm

      I know, it was such a stressful time. It is a bit different to be honest x

      Reply
  2. Darren Coleshill says

    21st June 2020 at 11:03 am

    Glad the hear the weekend ended better than it started.

    Hope the birthday went well.

    Thank you for linking up to #MySundayPhoto ❤️

    Reply
    • Susan Mann says

      25th June 2020 at 3:50 pm

      Thank you x

      Reply
  3. Carol says

    21st June 2020 at 11:53 am

    Glad the week ended well and wishing you a great week to come. #MySundayPhoto

    Reply
    • Susan Mann says

      25th June 2020 at 4:09 pm

      Thank you x

      Reply
  4. Gail Brown says

    21st June 2020 at 12:42 pm

    It sounds like you’ve been really busy, Susan, and I’m glad your week ended on a good note. Hope you’re having a nice weekend with the family. Good luck with the line edits – sending virtual hugs! x

    Reply
    • Susan Mann says

      25th June 2020 at 4:18 pm

      Thank you lovely. The line edits are done xx

      Reply
  5. Kim Carberry says

    21st June 2020 at 1:49 pm

    Sorry you have had a stressful week. I hope things are better soon. Sending hugs. The flooding doesn’t sound like fun at all and sounds like the Starbucks treats were needed.
    I hope you have had a nice weekend x

    Reply
    • Susan Mann says

      25th June 2020 at 4:32 pm

      Thank you. They were needed x

      Reply
  6. Erica Hughes says

    21st June 2020 at 2:18 pm

    The water sounds very stressful – glad it’s sorted now. Glad Tyler enjoyed his lockdown leavers video.

    Reply
    • Susan Mann says

      25th June 2020 at 7:22 pm

      It was very stressful. He did, thank you x

      Reply
  7. Cheryl Pasquier says

    21st June 2020 at 2:29 pm

    Wow, what a week ! When you said that the dishwasher AND washing machine were leaking, I thought you were going to say the pipe was blocked, so at least it’s sorted now ! The Starbucks treats look good. Pierre’s finishing up at primary school too, but they don’t have anything planned to introduce them to secondary school. They did go and do a project in the secondary school library in the first part of the year, at least. Sending big big hugs to you for your dad. I lost my mum when I was really small so I didn’t really feel the difference. But since Mike (my husband) died, I never know what to do for father’s day with the kids – is it better to make a big thing out of it or just let it go? I don’t think there is a right answer, to be honest. Here’s hoping next week is a happy, calm and totally stress-free week for you all ! xxx

    Reply
    • Susan Mann says

      26th June 2020 at 10:33 am

      Oh I know, it was a nightmare. That is good he has at least been there. It is such a big step and feels like they have missed an important milestone in their lives. I am so sorry about your mum and I wish things had went differently for you with MIke. It is hard. Big hugs xx

      Reply
  8. Mel says

    21st June 2020 at 9:52 pm

    Blimey – that sounded like a tough week but you made it through to the other side! Funnily enough we also experienced a lot of machine fails too particularly with the internet. Perhaps something in the air? Hope you’ve had a lovely weekend xx

    Reply
    • Susan Mann says

      26th June 2020 at 10:33 am

      Thank you lovely. It hope yours wasn’t too bad xx

      Reply
  9. Sonia says

    22nd June 2020 at 11:16 am

    WOW you have been a busy bee. I really want a Starbucks now 🙂 haha.

    Funny how dependent we have all become with our tech isn’t it?

    Thanks for linking up to #SilentSunday x

    Reply
    • Susan Mann says

      26th June 2020 at 11:02 am

      Working in IT we are glad people are so dependant on it in a way x

      Reply
  10. A.Rrajani Photographer says

    22nd June 2020 at 12:13 pm

    NICE POST!
    THANK YOU FOR SHARING..

    Reply
    • Susan Mann says

      26th June 2020 at 11:02 am

      Thank you

      Reply
  11. Jenny @thebrickcastle says

    22nd June 2020 at 2:43 pm

    Glad you got the washer sorted – total pita. It is the sort of thing that drives you over the edge.
    I do’nt know how you can possibly hold back the tears. I have mine even thinking about it 😀

    Reply
    • Susan Mann says

      26th June 2020 at 11:03 am

      It was a nightmare. Thank you lovely xx

      Reply
  12. Kara Guppy says

    23rd June 2020 at 4:28 pm

    Happy Birthday to your MIL. I love that sign on the cake – not seen one before. Hope you get your kitchen sorted – a flood is no fun for anyone

    Reply
    • Susan Mann says

      26th June 2020 at 11:03 am

      Thank you. I am sure it’s from Amazon. It wasn’t fun x

      Reply
  13. Sarah MumofThree World says

    24th June 2020 at 5:54 am

    Oh my goodness! What an emotional week for you! No wonder you were stressed about the dishwasher and washing machine, it sounds horrendous. It must be very strange to have all the leavers’ stuff online. I’m glad Tyler enjoyed his trip to the high school and is feeling ready to go. How lovely that the mother-in-law enjoyed her birthday too. So sorry to hear about the anniversary of your dad’s death. x

    Reply
    • Susan Mann says

      26th June 2020 at 11:04 am

      It wasn’t fun. Thank you xx

      Reply
  14. Donna says

    24th June 2020 at 9:00 am

    That birthday cake looks great and it’s so lovely that Tyler’s school are marking him leaving but it’s so sad that he can’t do everything they would usually do x

    Reply
    • Susan Mann says

      26th June 2020 at 11:07 am

      Thank you. It is sad, but everyone is missing out on things just now. xx

      Reply
  15. Soma @ whimsandfancies.com says

    25th June 2020 at 4:37 am

    I know exactly what you mean my gulping in the cool air. Such a busy week, but very happy to hear that the week ended much calmer. The kids look happy though and the birthday cake looks delicious!! Hope you are having much better week.

    -Soma xx

    Reply
    • Susan Mann says

      26th June 2020 at 11:09 am

      It is a bit like that isn’t it. Thank you. Me too xx

      Reply
  16. Charlotte says

    25th June 2020 at 11:31 am

    Gosh the flooding sounds very stressful! We had a similar issue a while back and it wasn’t fun. Hope you’re having a calmer week this week x #mysundayphoto

    Reply
    • Susan Mann says

      26th June 2020 at 11:09 am

      It was so stressful. I am glad too. Thank you x

      Reply
  17. Fozia S says

    26th June 2020 at 12:08 pm

    Oh does sound like a stressful week with the flooding but glad it is sorted now.

    Happy birthday to your MIL – the cake looks tasty.

    Hope this week is calmer for you.

    Reply
    • Susan Mann says

      26th June 2020 at 3:20 pm

      Thank you x

      Reply
  18. Andale Seaworne says

    26th June 2020 at 2:22 pm

    OoOOo Starbucks! I’m loving the birthday candle lights with the cake; cool idea! Good to hear your week ended calmer. Socially distanced hug back. A lot of partying and party planning this week. Oh God, water in the kitchen that’s dreadful. I hope the writing rejection course is going well. Very thoughtful of the school to give their students a good send off. Congrats to Tyler for winning the award. May your Dad rest in peace.

    Reply
    • Susan Mann says

      26th June 2020 at 3:21 pm

      It was a nice idea to keep away from blowing our candles. Thank you xxx

      Reply
  19. Sim @ Sim's Life says

    26th June 2020 at 3:59 pm

    What an absolute nightmare with the dishwasher and washing machine flooding the place! Glad you managed to get it sorted swiftly though! I didn’t realise installations weren’t available in Scotland!
    The leavers video sounds like it came at the right time and hope you all enjoyed it! Not sure it one is being prepared for us, but I have been frisked today to buy a leaver’s tshirt by one of the mum’s who thought this would be a nice idea for the final day. This is on top of the leavers hoodie! Gah!
    Those Starbucks treats look nice and refreshing, certainly very jealous now! Hope you are having a lovely week! Sim x

    Reply
    • Susan Mann says

      26th June 2020 at 4:13 pm

      It really was a nightmare. It was nice. Oh dear, we just had a leavers hoodie. x

      Reply
  20. Mudpie Fridays says

    27th June 2020 at 8:20 am

    Oh wow what a stressful and emotional week. I hope that this week just gone was kinder to you. I am the same I find I am more stressed when the house is a mess. Although tbh its a mess most of the time! Sounds like a lovely leavers video and experience. xx

    Reply
    • Susan Mann says

      7th July 2020 at 11:06 am

      It has been, but it has got better. thank you xx

      Reply
  21. Karen Langridge says

    27th June 2020 at 10:24 am

    Sounds like you have had a tricky week with the dishwasher and the flooding. Mess soon gets me down too. I think I would feel emotional too but its nice the school managed to do something like that to make it more special. It is a tough year for the school leavers I think. Lockdown has kind of thrown a big spanner in the works for them especially x

    Reply
    • Susan Mann says

      9th July 2020 at 8:47 pm

      Oh it was a nightmare. Glad things are back to normal. It has been a hard year for leavers and movers x

      Reply
  22. Louise (Little Hearts, Big Love) says

    27th June 2020 at 4:44 pm

    Oh no, how stressful to have the kitchen being flooded. Hope that the new appliances are all good and that you don’t have any more flooding to worry about. Glad that Tyler enjoyed his leaver’s induction and managed to see his friends. I can imagine the anniversary of your dad’s passing was a tough day. Mine died ten and a half years ago and I still miss him too. #project366

    Reply
    • Susan Mann says

      9th July 2020 at 8:48 pm

      It was a nightmare. Glad things have eased up now. Sorry to hear that about your Dad. I am always here if you want an hear to talk to xx

      Reply
  23. rachelswirl says

    27th June 2020 at 7:11 pm

    I would like to reach through my Macbook and give you a big hug my lovely – you sound as if you need a cuddle (BIG VIRTUAL CUDDLE). Well done on coping with things being in the wrong rooms and the chaos that is ‘life’ when things flood and go wrong – been there done that and didn’t have enough tea towels at the time! I literally cannot cope with mess so I soooo understand how you must feel.
    Big hugs all round and well done for getting through what has been a hugely difficult week.
    Thanks so much for sharing and as always for linking up with #MySundaySnapshot – the linky wouldn’t be the same without you!

    Reply
    • Susan Mann says

      9th July 2020 at 8:50 pm

      Aww thank you lovely. I would give you one right back. How are you doing? It was a nightmare, but past us now x

      Reply
  24. Galina V says

    27th June 2020 at 10:19 pm

    Big hugs! Your week sounds very stressful. The dishwasher and washing machine breaking in the same week, and dealing with the flooding sounds like a nightmare.
    The Starbucks treats is a good idea (though I’m a Costa girl). The cake looks delicious.
    Sorry to hear about your Dad. My Dad died 20 years ago, and I miss him a lot, especially that he’s never met any of his grandchildren.
    Hope this week was less stressful.

    Reply
    • Susan Mann says

      9th July 2020 at 8:52 pm

      It was quite stressful. Thank you, all dealt with now. I do like Costa’s too. I am sorry about your dad it is hard and yes, not meeting grandkids is something I wish they’d got to see. Hugs xx

      Reply
  25. karen says

    28th June 2020 at 3:20 pm

    The washing machine sounds a nightmare, glad you got it sorted, what a pain. I know what you mean about the teen hormones, I have that here too! I am glad school could do something for them, what a strange time for the kids!
    #mysundayphoto and #p365

    Reply
    • Susan Mann says

      9th July 2020 at 8:53 pm

      Such a nightmare but glad it’s sorted. Teen hormones are the worst. Big hugs xx

      Reply
  26. Sarah Bailey says

    28th June 2020 at 3:31 pm

    Oh my goodness what a week for you – sending socially distanced hugs back! I think I would have lost the plot, you poor thing!
    It never really gets easier losing someone does it 🙁 I’m so sorry.

    Reply
    • Susan Mann says

      9th July 2020 at 8:54 pm

      Thank you for the hugs. xx

      Reply
  27. chickenruby says

    29th June 2020 at 2:15 pm

    Oh dear to the kitchen drama and flooding, glad you managed to get it sorted even if you did have to buy new appliances. Love Tylers nomination for most likely to play football for Scotland, lovely to hear Aria is enjoying her gymnastics. The starbucks sounds like a well deserved treat, hope the anniversary of your fathers death passed with happy memories

    Reply
    • Susan Mann says

      9th July 2020 at 8:55 pm

      Thank you, it was a stressful week. It was a lovely treat x

      Reply

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