Mandarin, good friends, and time flies.

1) With sponsorship from the Confucius Institute, M’s class have been learning to speak some Mandarin. They will also be performing a couple of songs at a concert in a couple of weeks time.

The other morning I discovered that M has obviously teaching A some of the words – as they got ready for school, I had the joy of listening to the pair of them singing together in Mandarin!

2) Friends came to visit last night. It was lovely to catch up and spend time together, but even more because they know us well, and love us anyway. Neither of us were feeling completely well and we both found ourselves struggling to concentrate, but it was all okay πŸ™‚ .

3) I really wasn’t looking forward to going bag-packing today, but we needed all hands on deck and, as Chair of the committee, I felt compelled to lead by example. I was pleased to discover that the experience wasn’t as bad as I expected, and the time flew by!!

Views, scooting, and tea.

1) We live on one side of theΒ (river) ForthΒ Valley, and on clear days we can see from Stirling to Edinburgh and further. Today was such a day, and I deliberately walked home from school a way that I knew would afford good views.

As I appreciated the scenery, I was reminded of a little incident that occured when I was coming down the front stairwell in the kids’ school last week. From the top of that stairwell, you can see over the top of all the houses across to the other side of the valley and, as I was coming downstairs I happened upon two little boys who had paused in their errand to admire the view:

“Wow, you can see the whole world from here!” said one to the other πŸ™‚ .

2) On the walk home from school, I turned the corner away from the school into a quieter lane. Away from all the people, the dad who had been walking a little ahead of me pushing his child’s now empty scooter, suddenly jumped on it and sped off into the distance.

3) I very much enjoyed a cup of steaming hot tea, after a cold walk through the winter sunshine.

Photocopier, helpful, and sleep-walker

1) To find out that the photocopier was able to copy both sides, and had a stapling function – before I started creating the eighty-two four page, double-sided booklets!

2) A has been exceptionally helpful today – not just doing his regular chores, but noticing other things which need to be done, and just quietly doing them. Very proud of my boy πŸ™‚ .

3) As I was writing, a small purple (yes, she’s moved on from pink!) person appeared in the doorway. Not a word did she speak, just stumbled across the room, curled up on my lap, and cuddled in. We had a nice cuddle, and now Daddy has carried her back to bed.

Quieted, good use of time, and cast on.

1) This morning I was visited by (amongst others) by a very small fractious boy. Cuddled in his mummy’s arms, he eventually succumbed to sleep.Β  When he awoke, he was a much happier baby!

2) I was doing Parent Help this afternoon, and had several jobs to do. Frustratingly, for a time, I was stopped on all the tasks the teacher had asked me to do. Then I realised that I could put the time to good use, and completed a task of my own (photocopying flyers for the Christmas Fayre!). By the time that was done, the people I needed to talk to had returned, and I was able to complete all the teacher’s tasks too πŸ™‚ .

3) To finally cast-on for a wee project for my boy – he asked me to knit him a cover for his mobile phone πŸ™‚ .

Tea? Impromptu, and celebrations.

1) I’ve been up at school a lot over the last few weeks – doing PA related things, or parent help related things. I happened to be doing a lot of photocopying last week and twice one of the helpers offered to make me a cup of tea!Β  I really must be becoming a part of the scenery!

2) An impromptu dinner with friends on Saturday.

3) Some of my friends took me out yesterday for Afternoon Tea, thus my birthday celebrations started a whole week early πŸ™‚ . I feel very blessed to have such lovely friends! We all appreciated a child-free afternoon – and those who made said child-free afternoon possible!

Coffee, happy day, and new faces.

From Tuesday:

1) My Dad arrived a bit early, and we had time for a quick coffee just the two of us πŸ™‚ .

2) The kids arrived home full of news and excitement about their first day back at school.

3) We had some new committee members join us last night, and a new secretary was elected. It feels as if a huge weight has rolled off my shoulders.

 

Walk, homework, and chat.

1) I decide to take the time for a quick walk this morning, before getting on with the rest of the day. I’m glad that I did, the rest of the day was quite full on!

2) The house is silent as A and M diligently work away at their homework.

3) I pop over to deliver something to my parents. It was lovely being able to spend time with them both away from the demands of everyone else πŸ™‚ .

Just enjoying, new shoes, and last one.

1) A and I sat together knitting, and watched the tennis. It was very companionable.

2) My old walking shoes finally died a death, with multiple holes and soles worn flat – they’ve walked many many miles in their time. Today, my new shoes arrived (found a really good deal online at the weekend)… They’re very comfortable, and I can’t wait to try them out properly πŸ™‚ .

Old shoesBefore

New shoesAfter

3) To make the last packed lunch of the school year. School is out for the summer on Friday lunchtime…

 

One of “those” days, golden ticket, and triple rainbow.

1) The man in the shop was remarkably cheerful for first thing on a Monday morning. He couldn’t have been more helpful, found and checked my package without delay, and I was on my way with all possible speed.

In sharp contrast, the girl in the next shop was battling computer, phone and card reader as she tried to sort out the customer at the front. With a weary sigh, she turned to the next customer, who wanted to return an item. Finally, she turned to me, apologised for the delay and remarked that it was already shaping up to be one of those weeks. I smiled at her “no problem”, and was glad that I was buying one item, with cash. I hope her week improves.

2) M bounced out of school “I’ve got some very exciting news Mummy… I was awarded a golden ticket today!!”. It transpires that golden tickets are given by the playground monitors for acts of kindness and helpfulness.Β  M had been very helpful in closing gates, and tidying up, and she had also gone to the aid of one of her classmates who had hurt himself. That’s my precious girl!

3) On my way to pick up K this evening, I spy a beautiful bright rainbow – a perfect bow in the sky. Upon looking closer I see there is an almost-complete double rainbow, and a barely-visible third rainbow at the left hand side. Wow!