It's that time of year again, and I nearly forgot!
Sat 1 Nov
We were all travelling back from our big family trip to Efteling in the Netherlands for my youngest sister's 30th birthday. 11 of us including 3 kids. Had a lovely time despite some rainy days and me having a stinking cold. So woke up on the ferry at some god-forsaken early hour, after a not bad amount of sleep. Convinced kids to get dressed, then met up with the family in the cafe on the ferry to await disembarkation at Harwich. Crossing had been pretty calm which was nice. I was driving my car, with my mum and Phoebe as passengers. Tom had Lydia, my dad and Ellie, and my brother-in-law Sam had my other sister Vee, my other brother in law Andy, and my neice Aoife in his car. No issues getting off the boat, long queue for passport control. Reconvened in the Starbucks just outside the port to swap people into the right cars for the long drive home and to get a coffee before heading out.
Said our goodbyes, with mum, dad, Vee and Sam heading back to Wiltshire, Andy and Lydia travelling with Tom, and Ellie, Aoife, Phoebe and I in my car. Phoebe and Aoife entertained each other for most of the drive which was great, so Ellie and I could have a good chat. Stopped at Fleet for a wee stop, and made it home just before lunch time. Spent rest of day pretty chilled, unpacking, starting the washing and letting the kids veg in front of the telly.
Sun 2 Nov
Egg cakes and sprinkles all round for breakfast, keeping the holiday vibe going. Kept things pretty chilled again. I took kids to church, was all age service much to their chagrin as it was half-term, so no clubs for them. Did have loads of activities round church so I was mainly supervising them rather than paying any attention, but glad they had fun. Roast beef and yorkies for lunch courtesy of Tom, and then he took them to the park on their bikes whilst I did more unpacking and washing. Helped Lydia plan out this term's homework project on the Egyptians, and supervised her piano and times tables practice.
Mon 3 Nov
Working at Micheldever on Mondays at the moment to work in person with some of my team who live locally. So did school run then drove up there. Traffic a big gnarly at the moment due to the big junction improvement roadworks at the Winnall roundabout. Spent day working on various things like recruitment and Christmas emails. Traffic bad again, just about got home in time for dinner. Sharp turn around for Tom and Lydia as she has Beavers now at 630 on Mondays. Put Phoebe to bed and listened to her read, she's doing so well with that. All that playing schools with Lydia the last three years paying off. Was getting ready to go to dance as Tom and Lydia got back, she came up to brush her teeth with me whilst I finished off, she likes to watch me do my hair and makeup. Lydia not happy with my leaving, but Tom managed to distract her. Arrived at dance in time to catch the end of the first freestyle, intermediates class had some pretty moves, but freestyle quite quiet later on in evening. Back home for midnight, pottered about for a bit as feeling a bit wired.
Tues 4 Nov
Working from home today. Had docs phone call that finished just in time for me to do school run, but was bit of a mission getting everyone out the door. Trying to get some help for what I'm not sure is PMDD rage just before my period starts or the perimenopause. Going to try some antidepressants for the week before my period and see if that helps. Worked on Christmas emails again today, then finished up at lunch time. Walked up to the gym, was mainly leg day today. Felt pretty weak as had missed a couple of weeks. Then walked back to pick kids up from school. Both very grumpy on walk home. Perked up when we got in. Got them all started on their various homework, but found them very overwhelming having them in kitchen whilst I was trying to cook dinner. Dinner nice - crispy chicken in bao buns. Bedtime hard work all round. Managed to get them in bed whilst Tom went to home group. Then did some of my own piano practice before tidying up and bed.
Wed 5 Nov
Working from home again. More Christmas emails, finished a bit later as trying to sort a few bits with a colleague who's leaving next week. Went to chiropractor at 12noon, then worked from Wetherspoons for an hour to catch up and get some food before going to gym again. Arms day today, feeling it the following morning! Grabbed some food we needed from Sainsburys, then went to collect Phoebe. Lydia going to friends house for tea after gymnastics club. Took Phoebe up to ballet, and caught up with some banking admin whilst she was in class, as all my regular savers needed renewing. Drove her home, Tom had made us dinner which was nice, and then had phone call from Lydia's friends dad asking if he could drop her off early as they'd had a grandparent emergency. Said of course, and to bring the friend as we could watch her till her mum got back from work. Gave all 3 kids pudding once they'd arrived and set them up watch Elio as a chill calm activity. Tom went out with some mates for pizza at a local pub. Worked well till friend's Mum arrived to pick friend up, when Lydia got completely dysregulated and Phoebe decided to join in. Storm passed once friend had left, and managed to do bedtime and allow them 10 mins watching fireworks out the velux windows in my loft bedroom. We have a great view across the city from up there. Bedtime slow, Lydia not asleep till 9:30pm. Went downstairs and flopped at that point. Tom back from pub about 10:30, chatted for a bit before bed.
Thurs 6 Nov
Everyone in a mood this morning, giving myself a parenting gold star for deciding to leave the room when Lydia started kicking off about not having right clothes. Left her to calm down, and Tom eventually got her dressed. Got Phoebe dressed and breakfasted, then went to get myself dressed. Drove to school as I was off to a meeting at Slindon today. Lydia very dysregulated in playground, trying to mouth Phoebe's ponytail. Not sure why. Upset one of her friends by not very discretely giving her the present she'd picked out on holiday, tried to make it better by giving the upset friend the keyring she'd made for her and left languishing in her school bag for weeks. Need to work on those friendship skills. Apologised to all the parents, very glad when bell rang. Walked Phoebe up to her school, then drove off to Slindon. Sad handover meeting with colleague who's leaving, went out to lunch with her and the other colleague. Very pretty on the estate this time of year with all the autumn leaves. Left at 2pm to be back in time for school pick up in case Tom's called out as he's on call today. Just about to go make a salad and put pizzas in the oven. And need to go heat up my tea as I've made it and forgotten about it yet again.
