The summer 2008
Hi Everyone
I know, long time since my last post but here I am. Better not talk weather, and lost summers.
As I told you all in my last blog I had to plan the summer childcare carefully. And the good news is, it worked out really well.
Iona went to Edinburgh at the start of the holidays, and then stayed with Helen & Andy for a week in Southport. Iona enjoyed every minute there. They did lots of activities, from the Zoo, Liverpool and the great Super lamb Banana hunt, Duck tours and cooking ( nice touch Helen getting a six year to cook for you ! ).. Great Helen & Andy thanks.
From that week I picked Iona up and we flew to Portugal from Edinburgh with Anna, Ed, Ewan and Catlin. Stayed in the Algarve. Very hot, very lovely apartment. A week of chilling out with no phones, targets or stress! Sooo needed.
I stayed in Edinburgh on our return for a week. Took in a few shows with friends at the Fringe. Thanks Emma. Ed and I had planned to watch the 20/20 International vs South Africa in Durham. However,the summer had other ideas. But we’d already booked our hotel and train so we had a night out in Newcastle instead.
Joan took Iona to see High School Musical Theatre show, which even Joan said was a great production and was almost singing along.
Iona had her Birthday in Edinburgh. I flew back up especially just to spend her Birthday with her. So in between Joans, Anna's and holiday we all made it through the summer holidays.
Now Iona is in the juniors!! Her new teacher is Mrs Randell. Iona has been with the same group of children since nursery but this year they split both classes up. Iona was a little apprehensive to be joining the newly mixed class, but her nerves were short lived and she’s made some new friends and the invites for tea after school are flowing! She gets homework now and still gets spelling tests each week. Boo Hoo she’d say. She’s such a book worm. Its pointless going to Waterstones and getting a book, unless it’s going to take her more than the journey home to read it! She's such a speedy reader.
Iona’s Birthday party in Bristol went well. Hawks gym again. Vicky and I had agreed last year it was such a success we’d do the same again this year. 23 children running wild all over the equipment having a great time.. Joan, Anna and Ed helped with the Gym party, but I was on my own for the ‘sleepover’, not just any sleepover but the mother of all sleep overs. In the weeks prior Iona started with inviting 3..then 4.. then got me to agree to 5 (very weak moment, show these kids a glimpse of weakness and they’re in).. Anyway after the gym party, 5 of her friends came back to Woodstock for a sleepover. I know a few thought I was biting off more than I could chew. I was confident (well I didn’t show any nerves or weakness to the parents or children about the impending mayhem). But with 6 seven year olds, pizza and a DVD the night past off without drama. I bought some pink helium balloons and got the girls to decorate the labels and we had a Birthday Launch Party. Still hasn’t had a response, if any of you find one you’ll see my email address let me know please, there is a prize. By 10.45pm all the girls were sound asleep.. phew and by 11pm so was I...
I’ve been injured through the summer and haven’t been running much. Achilles tendonitis to be exact. Just starting to get back into the running now actually. I’m going to run the Cardiff Half Marathon in a few weeks with a few parents from Colstons. http://www.justgiving.com/colstons4stpeters if you can help?
So here we are, September and fast approaching the first anniversary of our loss. It does hit home the firsts? For you all too I’m sure. First Christmas, New Year, holidays, summer and Birthdays without Vicky and any poignant date that you’d remember her by. I take strength from you all, supporting me. Thanks for the comments, messages, phone calls and letters they mean a lot.
More soon
Martin x
Hi Everyone
I know, long time since my last post but here I am. Better not talk weather, and lost summers.
As I told you all in my last blog I had to plan the summer childcare carefully. And the good news is, it worked out really well.
Iona went to Edinburgh at the start of the holidays, and then stayed with Helen & Andy for a week in Southport. Iona enjoyed every minute there. They did lots of activities, from the Zoo, Liverpool and the great Super lamb Banana hunt, Duck tours and cooking ( nice touch Helen getting a six year to cook for you ! ).. Great Helen & Andy thanks.
From that week I picked Iona up and we flew to Portugal from Edinburgh with Anna, Ed, Ewan and Catlin. Stayed in the Algarve. Very hot, very lovely apartment. A week of chilling out with no phones, targets or stress! Sooo needed.
I stayed in Edinburgh on our return for a week. Took in a few shows with friends at the Fringe. Thanks Emma. Ed and I had planned to watch the 20/20 International vs South Africa in Durham. However,the summer had other ideas. But we’d already booked our hotel and train so we had a night out in Newcastle instead.
Joan took Iona to see High School Musical Theatre show, which even Joan said was a great production and was almost singing along.
Iona had her Birthday in Edinburgh. I flew back up especially just to spend her Birthday with her. So in between Joans, Anna's and holiday we all made it through the summer holidays.
Now Iona is in the juniors!! Her new teacher is Mrs Randell. Iona has been with the same group of children since nursery but this year they split both classes up. Iona was a little apprehensive to be joining the newly mixed class, but her nerves were short lived and she’s made some new friends and the invites for tea after school are flowing! She gets homework now and still gets spelling tests each week. Boo Hoo she’d say. She’s such a book worm. Its pointless going to Waterstones and getting a book, unless it’s going to take her more than the journey home to read it! She's such a speedy reader.
Iona’s Birthday party in Bristol went well. Hawks gym again. Vicky and I had agreed last year it was such a success we’d do the same again this year. 23 children running wild all over the equipment having a great time.. Joan, Anna and Ed helped with the Gym party, but I was on my own for the ‘sleepover’, not just any sleepover but the mother of all sleep overs. In the weeks prior Iona started with inviting 3..then 4.. then got me to agree to 5 (very weak moment, show these kids a glimpse of weakness and they’re in).. Anyway after the gym party, 5 of her friends came back to Woodstock for a sleepover. I know a few thought I was biting off more than I could chew. I was confident (well I didn’t show any nerves or weakness to the parents or children about the impending mayhem). But with 6 seven year olds, pizza and a DVD the night past off without drama. I bought some pink helium balloons and got the girls to decorate the labels and we had a Birthday Launch Party. Still hasn’t had a response, if any of you find one you’ll see my email address let me know please, there is a prize. By 10.45pm all the girls were sound asleep.. phew and by 11pm so was I...
I’ve been injured through the summer and haven’t been running much. Achilles tendonitis to be exact. Just starting to get back into the running now actually. I’m going to run the Cardiff Half Marathon in a few weeks with a few parents from Colstons. http://www.justgiving.com/colstons4stpeters if you can help?
So here we are, September and fast approaching the first anniversary of our loss. It does hit home the firsts? For you all too I’m sure. First Christmas, New Year, holidays, summer and Birthdays without Vicky and any poignant date that you’d remember her by. I take strength from you all, supporting me. Thanks for the comments, messages, phone calls and letters they mean a lot.
More soon
Martin x
