The Fall Out

Ok, confessions first.

My blogging is sparse at the moment, I know. And I really don't like to visit here in such a patchy disjointed way, but we are having some serious technical issues. Our old faithful laptop decided to lose all its memory, and become seemingly unable to store anything about a month or so ago. This meant that I not only have no way of accessing all my stored photos and info, but  I also have no way of putting photos on to the computer to add to the blog. This has posed a big problem as I strongly object to posting without pictures. And I have a whole memory cards worth of stuff to share with you, just as soon as I can get our old old pc back up and running again.

Ok, explanations over.

Spending a whole weekend painting the house and neglecting the children has taken it's toll on our usually fairly energetic and physical boys. It has seriously tipped them over the edge!

I have been on damage control all week. They basically did nothing but watch tv and fight for nearly 3 consecutive days and now they have forgotten how to calm down. This ties in interestingly with a post about children's exposure to the media on Bending Birches. I can't believe what 3 days over over exposure has done.

Fin and Fred are similar in that they are both very physical, testosterone laden boys who love lots of loud noises and roaring about the place, and they have both been volatile and aggressive since the weekend. Jack is sensitive and easily overloaded and has basically fallen to pieces, particularly with the increased noise and fury levels at home.

I could feel myself running out of strength for the fight earlier. I could feel all the resolve slipping away and that inevitable, end of the rope, wild eyed and shouty Mummy moment edging ever nearer. So instead I decided to have a Time Out. Not for them, for me.

I wrote a note that said 'Dear Boys, There is so much noise and rumpus in the house that there isn't enough sound left for me to keep on talking, so I have decided to be quiet and not say a word for the next half an hour, and there is so much charging around and running about that there isn't enough movement left for me so I have decided to sit still for the next half an hour. You can come and sit still and quietly with me if you like, but please don't use up any more of the sound or movement around me, or it might take even longer for me to start talking and moving again. Lots of love, Mummy'.

Then I went and sat very still and quiet on the floor, and just observed my breathing.

It took a while, nearly the originally allotted half an hour. At first they just shouted at me, then Jack read the note (useful thing, a six year old that can read like a 9 year old!!), then they tried to hassle me and keep on with the shouting, but eventually they all came and sat quietly. Fred on me, Jack reading on the sofa, and Fin taking the opportunity to go and play his guitar in his room.

It really felt like the calm after the storm. If we are going to get through this renovation, I am going to have to come up with a better plan than tv and biscuits.

Scaffolding Update

I am shattered. Really truly done in.
The scaffolding went up on the front of the house on Friday, and came down about an hour ago. We have replaced all the guttering, fascias and soffits, and have cleaned off over two decades of filth and moss and lichen.
The painting is nearly all done. I just have the lower part of the house to finish off tomorrow, before the rain comes in.
I wish I could put some photo's up, but we are having some major technical issues with the lap top, and our pc is being fixed.
I must just say though that I am amazed at the house that has emerged form under all that. It looks amazing, far better than I could have ever hoped. I can't wait to show you.
And now, finally, to bed.....

The First Beaching of the Year

Have you ever seen bullocks released out into the fields for the first time in the spring? Sunday was a similar experience. We made our first beach visit of the year.

It was blissful. Like drawing a big lungful of air after holding your breath for an age.

It might look sunny and glorious but it was still very cold. The boys and I agreed on the walk down that it was still too cold to go in the sea, but that a few rock pools would be fine. That didn't last.

They stayed out of the sea for almost the exact length of time it took them to lose all unnecessary layers of clothing and run at full tilt to the waters edge.

We weren't there long. They all got soaked and cold and hungry, so we walked barefooted back up the hill as it started to rain. I love the first barefooting of the year, with feet so tender and soft from a winter of socks and boots.

Definitely a hot cross bun day. Too cold for ice creams and too short an outing for full blown doughnut action.

I have been absent for a while I know, and I have so very very much to post about and I will, all in good time. But for now, maybe a little clue from our beach day as to what we have been so busy doing....