Well in early March we had parents evening, Joan was down here then, and it was good she came along to. Mr Jarman said Iona is doing very well, and he has noticed not too much of a change in her. Which was surprising considering? He even said she’s started to get more vocal in class discussions.
I did the Bath Half in a respectable time, nobody in fancy dress beat me which was pleasing! Got some races lined up for the summer.
Easter was fun. I visited a friend in Leighton Buzzard and then went up to Helen & Andy’s in Southport. Helen did a wonderful Easter egg hunt through the house! Leaving little clues all over the place, Iona loved it. And went to Chester Zoo. What a Zoo that is! Spent the whole day there. Lovely.
As you know Iona and I have been visiting the Bridge Foundation. Iona just listens whilst drawing.. but takes it ALL in... You know children, they pick things up when they’re not even in the same room usually don’t they?... I talk about things, every now and then Iona pops up and corrects me if I get the slightest detail wrong.
St. Peters hospice also has a children’s group, spread over the next 8 weeks. It’s for Children who have lost a parent or someone significant. The first day was in March, about 14 children their ages from 4- 16. Iona really didn’t want me to leave but with a little help from Judy Marshall I managed to ‘escape’.Its a all day event, and they go on a ‘journey’ through what they’ve all shared in one way or another. It’s nothing to heavy of course, lots of art work, music, dancing and playing. Iona didn’t complain when I picked her up anyway. Above all it’s helpful for Iona to see she’s not the only child who has lost someone and there are other children going through what she is. They all placed a picture of the special person at a ‘memory tree’ at the end of the day. Two more dates are planned.
Had small drama a few weeks ago. I had a call at one o’clock in the afternoon from the school. The school secretary told me Iona had a bad fall and hurt her head. She said it was really quite bad and could I collect her. The strangest thing happened as she finished telling me.. I remember thinking to myself (albeit for a second) what’s wrong with calling Vicky to collect her? Why call me? Then felt very silly for thinking that. She was still crying when I got there. Iona doesn’t normally cry for that long unless it’s bad. I took her to the Doctors for a check. Iona just couldn’t remember how it happened or who she was playing with and was wobbly on her feet... anyway no lasting damage.
I took last week off and spent a lovely week with Iona. Actually looked after Ella, one of Ony's school friends for a few days. Horse world, horse riding and swimming. Legoland for a couple of days. Laura came to which was nice.
My brother and I helped out with the London Marathon, whilst Ony stay with my sister in law in Cambridge for the weekend.
Joan is down this week and has been occupying her all week. Joan is keeping the flat for a while longer.
I’ve got two Stags do’s..This weekend and next! Get in! Mountain biking this Saturday in Wales and strangely enough the next Stag weekend is up to Edinburgh. Hannah Marsh & Rich are getting married late May and Sarah & Andrew (Skip) in a few weeks.
Hope all you I don’t speak to regularly are all fine.
Oh I called this entry ‘Someone wants to wear sandals’ because I have got some new sandals for Iona (Boden of course very Vicky) and she’s just so desperate to start wearing them, I get asked every day Very soon I hope!
Love
Martin & Iona x
I did the Bath Half in a respectable time, nobody in fancy dress beat me which was pleasing! Got some races lined up for the summer.
Easter was fun. I visited a friend in Leighton Buzzard and then went up to Helen & Andy’s in Southport. Helen did a wonderful Easter egg hunt through the house! Leaving little clues all over the place, Iona loved it. And went to Chester Zoo. What a Zoo that is! Spent the whole day there. Lovely.
As you know Iona and I have been visiting the Bridge Foundation. Iona just listens whilst drawing.. but takes it ALL in... You know children, they pick things up when they’re not even in the same room usually don’t they?... I talk about things, every now and then Iona pops up and corrects me if I get the slightest detail wrong.
St. Peters hospice also has a children’s group, spread over the next 8 weeks. It’s for Children who have lost a parent or someone significant. The first day was in March, about 14 children their ages from 4- 16. Iona really didn’t want me to leave but with a little help from Judy Marshall I managed to ‘escape’.Its a all day event, and they go on a ‘journey’ through what they’ve all shared in one way or another. It’s nothing to heavy of course, lots of art work, music, dancing and playing. Iona didn’t complain when I picked her up anyway. Above all it’s helpful for Iona to see she’s not the only child who has lost someone and there are other children going through what she is. They all placed a picture of the special person at a ‘memory tree’ at the end of the day. Two more dates are planned.
Had small drama a few weeks ago. I had a call at one o’clock in the afternoon from the school. The school secretary told me Iona had a bad fall and hurt her head. She said it was really quite bad and could I collect her. The strangest thing happened as she finished telling me.. I remember thinking to myself (albeit for a second) what’s wrong with calling Vicky to collect her? Why call me? Then felt very silly for thinking that. She was still crying when I got there. Iona doesn’t normally cry for that long unless it’s bad. I took her to the Doctors for a check. Iona just couldn’t remember how it happened or who she was playing with and was wobbly on her feet... anyway no lasting damage.
I took last week off and spent a lovely week with Iona. Actually looked after Ella, one of Ony's school friends for a few days. Horse world, horse riding and swimming. Legoland for a couple of days. Laura came to which was nice.
My brother and I helped out with the London Marathon, whilst Ony stay with my sister in law in Cambridge for the weekend.
Joan is down this week and has been occupying her all week. Joan is keeping the flat for a while longer.
I’ve got two Stags do’s..This weekend and next! Get in! Mountain biking this Saturday in Wales and strangely enough the next Stag weekend is up to Edinburgh. Hannah Marsh & Rich are getting married late May and Sarah & Andrew (Skip) in a few weeks.
Hope all you I don’t speak to regularly are all fine.
Oh I called this entry ‘Someone wants to wear sandals’ because I have got some new sandals for Iona (Boden of course very Vicky) and she’s just so desperate to start wearing them, I get asked every day Very soon I hope!
Love
Martin & Iona x
