Another week and another week of lockdown, week 16 complete. Although there is quite a lot of changes happening this weekend as we enter phase 3 in Scotland. Mandatory masks in shops for one and Aria is literally loving life being able to go out to play with her friends in the street again. Hail, rain, sun, she is out and no getting her in. Which is good for our little ones. How has your week been? I have my social distanced hug ready for you. HUG.
Since last week’s weekly post, it’s been a manic week and I’ve been struggling to keep up with stuff for the kids, work, house and those things I sign up for thinking I’ll have tons of time and I have so many emails to reply to. I am sorry if I owe you one, I will get to them asap. I feel it like I am struggling to keep my head above water and have hardly been on social media, just though sheer lack of time. I don’t feel down or anything, just too much to do and too little time. It will pass, things can wait and it’s all my own doing. We know how it goes, don’t we?
On Saturday it was a crafting day. All three kids made somethings with the air clay. We had loads of fun doing this. You can see a few of the creations above and my very own David the gnome and nordic gnomes. They all turned out well and they dry to your chosen creation. I watched the first half of Hamilton, but not had a chance for the second part yet. I know! We had a family movie afternoon with popcorn and watching Frozen two. We all loved it. Aria and I went to see it at the cinema when it came out, so we couldn’t wait to watch it again. It is such a good film. Later on, I made some masks, which, yes sounded like a good idea at the time, since we are now mandatory for wearing in shops, etc. Now, I need to make them asap. I made a couple but then ran out of time. Aria had me make one for Parker. Remember Parker the doll? Well, there he is with his new face mask too. We visited the inlaws. In the evening we had a takeaway and Robert and I watched the rest of The Sinner. Wow, that was disturbing, but an intriguing season.
Sunday was another exercise bike day, although that is every day at the minute. I wasn’t feeling 100%. My mum and her partner briefly visited but stayed outside. We got the sunflowers new canes to help hold them up. I need to get some new photos of these to see how they are growing. Arai was having the best time out in the pouring rain, running around with a winter jacket and wellies on. Honestly, it is not summer weather right now. And freezing too. I have been reading a friends book and finished it and it’s awesome. I really hope she gets a publishing deal or agent at the very least. Twilight has been a bit off recently, she is biking and casting a lot, I think she might be a bit stressed with everyone home. My mum gave me some drops for calming her that you put on her head. Hoping that helps.
Monday the boys had some 121 football training and for the first time ever it wasn’t pouring, but only for that hour, so that helped. The grass in the street that isn’t in garden’s is so long. Like so long Aria and her wee friend have been playing hide and seek in it and you can’t see them. And Aria has gotten so tall too since lockdown. I am sure she’ll be bigger than the boys. I had a busy day at work as usual for a Monday. I worked really late in the evening too. I did win a writing event ticket for this weekend, so I can join in with a couple of sessions. I also booked onto a zoom illustration class. Remember what I was saying above? Yeah, I’m my own worst enemy. Aria had some issues in the evening I think with rolling around in the grass all day. She’d been wearing shorts so her legs were itchy and rashy. Her eyes sore too. She doesn’t have hayfever, but this being outdoors is a new thing. Nothing a bit of anti-itch cream and antihistamine didn’t solve.
The school holidays have seen the kids going to be later and getting up later, now, who knew that would happen. I am up before them. Another busy day working for Tuesday. The kids out playing on bikes. I entered the Scottish new writer’s award, not that I stand a chance, but got to try. Another later working evening and some exercise bike in the evening.
Wednesday Aria did a 121 gymnastics via zoom for her bronze badge and passed three parts. She’s been practising hard, but because it’s just her and her instructor she can get the recordings to practice further at home before her next one in a few weeks. I had a busy day at work. Robert’s mum is very poorly just now and it’s been hard on Robert and the family. I took a couple of hours out in the evening and did my first zoom Illustration Class. It was mythical monsters this week and we did Medusa. I am not quite finished my rough piece, but I’ll show you it next week. It was really nice to do something creative. It made a lot of difference when I came off to use that side of the brain. I’ve been editing so long, that writing doesn’t feel creative, so this was nice.
Working, again, Thursday. I did the cleaning of the house in the evening after Robert made a bit of a mess making the most delicious chicken and flatbread dinner. The kids were out playing and it’s been quite quiet at times. I struggled for the first time to do my 5k on the bike, but I was tried. I have been trying to catch up with things today, but not doing so well. It will improve. Kids have been enjoying some downtime of playing, eating, screen time, running, football, bike time and lots of fun with their cousins.
Friday was a little quieter work-wise. I’m hoping to catch up a bit this weekend, although I plan to join in to listen to some talks at the writer event. I am just feeling tired. I can hear the kids outside in the front grass laughing away and it’s really nice to hear. They have missed this, especially Aria. She never understood why she couldn’t go out and play. It’s been a really tough day today for the family and will be a few tough days ahead. Not my place to chat, but I wish I could change things. I also need to make some more masks. I may have said I’d make my mum and her partner one too. I want to make them for everyone.
What are you up to this weekend? I hope you have a good week and hopefully, we’ll have some sunshine next week. Lots of love x
That craft looks like loads of fun! Very creative.
#MySundayPhoto
It was fun. Thank you
So Scotlan’d heatwave didn’t last? I feel for you as that must make it harder with the kids. Glad to hear Aria is getting outside with friends though. We’ve had a little of that as well. Greta pics and love the face mask! Not compulsory in indoor spaces yet in England, but we’re all gearing up for that to change very soon.
Not at all, not that I’d expect it. It really is making it harder with the weather. I think the masks are a good idea, although I can’t say I am a fan of wearing them x
Those gnomes are so cute! Well done to Aria for the gymnastics #sundaysnapshot
Thank you xx
I love the little gnomes and I’m glad the kids are having more freedom, now all you need is some sunshine x
Aww thank you x
Those gnomes are awesome.
I find it amazing how differently the two countries are dealing with the virus.
Thank you for linking up to #MySundayPhoto
Thank you. It is strange isn’t it? xx
Aww! How lovely that Aria is getting to play with her friends again. My two have been out and about more too and it really makes a difference.
It sounds like things are really hectic for you at the moment.
Making masks is such a good idea and how cute to make one for the doll too. x
Thank you. She is enjoying it and not having to worry about being too close helps as she’s too young to always remember. Thank you xx
Love the little figures they made especially gnomes! #mySundayPhoto
Thank you x
Wow, I’m not surprised you were tired, reading all that ! It’s lovely that Aria is getting out and playing with her friends again – hope the rash was a one-off though ! The gnomes are great and I’m looking forward to seeing your Medusa. I’m not artistic at all ! lol. Good luck with the mask making – hopefully you’ll get quicker the more you make ! xxx
Aww thanks, it seems like that all the time. I am sure it is just the really long grass. I hope you like it xx
The gnomes are cute and the doll with face mask made me chuckle 🙂 X #mysundaysnapshot
Thank you x
I’ve just ordered some fabric for masks – I’ve bought a couple for me, and got a bandana to use for a makeshift one but thought I’d better get one made for N in case children need to wear them at some point. well done Aria, on her gymnastics.
They were quite simple to make. Thank you x
The clay toys are adorable. Hope you had a great time at the writing event and good on you for entering the Scottish new writer’s award.
-Soma
Aww thank you xx
So sorry to hear that Robert’s mum is so ill. That must be so hard for everyone.
I love reading about how much Aria is enjoying her freedom and being able to play with her friends. It’s fantastic that the boys have been able to do some football training too.
Thank you. She is really enjoying it x
Those masks are the cutest! I love your idea of a whole craft day. Crafts are things we tend to not think about or just do when we remember. I think dedicating a day to doing different crafts would be lovely for the kids x
Aww thank you. You and the kids would love it x
Sorry to hear Robert’s mum isn’t well. It is always hard when someone isn’t well..hope she feels better soon.
So nice that kids can now play with their friends.
Those gnomes are cool!
Thank you. xxx
Love Parkers mask. I was going to make some but decided at 3 for £5 I would just buy them. Pure laziness but hey ho.
Shame you have not been feeling to well. hope it does not come to anything.
Lovely to hear they are out playing with friends and being children again.
Aww thank you. I think it is easier to buy them. I kind of wished I’d done the same x
The 121 sports sessions sound good and I used to love playing in the long grass when we lived in the countryside. Good luck with the competition, you have to be in it to win it as they say. Love the masks and good to hear you’ve been busy but happy with it all also
Thank you. I guess. Thank you x
OOOhhh these are the gnomes you all were making. Awww so nice to go out. Socially distanced hug back. True, sometimes all that work becomes too overwhelming. OoooO I really want to watch Hamilton but it’s only on Disney+. Heard it’s amazing. I was drenched in rain with my dogs a few days ago. It was a bit annoying but fun. Good luck on getting that writer’s award. The meal sounds delicious and the mask looks cute. Good to know Aria is happy
Yes, they are fun. It is nice. Thank you for the hugs. You can get a 7 day trial if that helps. They weather sucks just now x
The gnomes look such fun. It’s lovely that children can play with their friends again. I think the Scottish release of lockdown seems to make a lot more sense than ours.
They are lots of fun. It is nice. I am not sure to be honest. xx
How lovely for Aria to be able to go out and play with her friends again. Love the gnomes you made and the face mask for Parker. Sorry to hear that Aria’s legs were all itchy and rashy after she was rolling around in the grass and glad the anti-histamine helped sort it out. Well done to her for passing three parts of her bronze gymnastic badge. The Zoom illustration course sounds like fun. Sorry that Friday was a tough day. Hope that this week has been gentle. #project366
It has made a difference for her going out. Thank you lovely x
The air clay creations look fab. Will have to make some clay creations with mine. We have had so much bad weather lately its thinking what to do with them to keep them occupied without too much screen-time!
Thank you. I think it is important, but not always easy x
Good luck with the award – I’m sure you have excellent chances of winning! Such gorgeous gnomes too – Thanks for sharing and for linking up with #MySundaySnapshot.
Thank you x
The gnomes are so cute. I love that teeny mask too. Good luck with the award. Well done for entering. We are also wearing masks now, the English haven’t been as good at managing things, though. Wish I could move us all home to Scotland.
P365 and MySundayPhoto
Gnomes look super! Great idea of a craft day for the family. Glad to hear that Aria is enjoying her freedom and meets up with friends, and sorry about Rovert’s Mum, hope she is feeling better.
An illustration class sounds fascinating, would like to see your Medusa.
Thank you. Yes, she is enjoying being out x
Have you seen the rest of Hamliton yet? I’ve still not got around to watching it all – I’ve heard it is meant to be so good though!
It is really good, give it a go if you can x
Wow those gnomes are so cool! And that face mask on the doll hahaha 🙂 that is brilliant xx
Thank you xx
That dolls facemask is so cute and I adore their little animals they made. I have not watched Hamilton yet, it’s on my list
I am totally with you chick, feels like you cannot quite reach the top of the water. There is so much going on and not enough time to do it all at the moment! Those clay gnomes are ace! Hope you are all having a lovely week and you have been able to relax x Sim
It does feel like that. Thank you x