So 2015 is drawing to a close as 2016 beckons. It is the time of year when we make promises to ourselves which if we’re lucky last a couple of days, maybe weeks or months!
Big news- as you can tell the site is refreshed and up and running again.
I end the year feeling blessed, the kids have had a fantastic Christmas and been very lucky thanks to generous friends and family. We have been to see Elf, the little Match girl and Disney on Ice as well as the New Star Wars film. Lots of dog walks in the woods and country parks and visits to family. The kids managed to fit in a trip to the pantomime as well with bowling and more dog walking to come before they return to school next week. I am lucky to have such wonderful friends and family around me and as I wandered through the local high street today with Pixie we saw man hunkering down in the doorway with a sleeping bag and another lady opposite struggling to sell the big issue, not everyone is as blessed. A couple of hot sandwiches and coffees later and I hope we made a small difference to those particular people today and they realised that they were not invisible.
This year seems to have flown by! Hpops and Pixie have both started new schools and Imp has moved up to the upper juniors. They all seem so small and yet are growing up quickly and as a parent I have found this the hardest thing to adjust to. How to be there when they need me, let them know they have my support whatever without crowding them and taking away their growing independence. Another challenge which never really faced my parents is keeping them safe online. All three of our children are adept at using computers, tablets and phones and enjoy playing games such as Minecraft and, understandably perhaps, want to share the experience with their friends! This can lead to problems though as they want to join other games. Despite several warnings and us checking regularly Pixie in particular wants to chat and join with others when she shouldn’t – this has led to us taking away all internet access at times.
Imp has been getting to grips with life post surgery and has loved being back doing fencing, football and rugby and is regaining his pre-perthes fitness levels. He is coming along at school although needs some help in some areas to fill in the blanks where he missed blocks of time. Pixie is going from strength to strength and seems to be doing really well with Maths, something that definitely doesn’t come from me!
Hoops has begun to settle and is not taking more responsibility for sorting herself out for school and has even managed to fit in and pass her violin exam. It has been a busy time of year and in many ways I am looking forward to 2016. Not because of any resolutions to keep fit or eat better or any of those things; ‘ life is for living and I want to enjoy it so a little bit of everything for me please!’2016 is the year I hope Imp continues to improve and has a great time, Pixie begins to realise hard work pays off and, for hpops just a happy school life. I am especially looking forward to a great holiday in the summer; a cruise with Mickey Mouse and seeing the sights of Italy and then a relaxing week in Portugal with fab friends!
I am hoping to get back in the writing habit, the ‘new’ writing journal is on the desk with the creative writing prompt book and I want this to be the year I realise my ambitions in that area alongside teaching and studying psychology! I have also agreed to try and complete my piano grade 1 before Hpops does her grade 2 -eek!
Then there are the concerts to come and plays, so far Strictly, The Cursed Child, Aladdin, another Disney on Ice and I am sure there will be more added as the year goes on. Not to mention the Science Museum sleepover and days out with the dogs and family. This year if there is one resolution I want to make it is to take opportunities when they come, don’t put it off- for tomorrow may never come! As my kids keep telling me when I do say no ‘YOLO!”
