Le Weekend

What a cracking weekend we had! On Saturday it was full-on with the Kenilworth Newbies’ children – babysitting them for the day; and then, on Sunday it was (almost) full-on family celebrating Michael’s birthday, only Andrew missing the fun and games.

Michael and Danielle were meeting up with their college crew on Saturday and so were not keen to have three boys in tow. We arranged for them to drop the boys at our house while they went on their trip to Rutland. “Are you sure you’ll manage?” asked Danielle, anxiously, “all three boys and the dog?” Yes, of course we’ll manage, I replied confidently.

And we did. We had the most lovely day with the children who were as happy as sandboys playing with the toys, making birthday cards, napping, icing birthday cake with Grandpa, watching a bit of TV and playing with more toys. No trouble whatsoever. Until bedtime……

Oliver had had his nighttime bottle, but didn’t fancy a lie-down in his cot. I spent the time getting the other children ready for bed with a baby hitched on my hip. Both William and Thomas were fine getting ready for bed but, when Thomas arrived in his cot, he suddenly said, “Daddy………” and burst into tears. That was it then. There was no consoling him. Grandpa did a sterling job of telling him a bedtime story and lay down on the floor alongside the cot to cajole Thomas to copy him – which he did, eventually. Poor John, he was there nearly an hour…….but he did the trick.

Meanwhile, I thought I couldn’t read William a nighttime story with a baby clamped to me so I had an inspiration and popped him in the pram, in which I rocked him to sleep. Ah…….and breathe……. William and I did the bedtime story and a bit of patting. “Sing me a lullaby?” he wheedled. Favourite was The Animals went into the Arc, 2 by 2 (twice).

It was all quiet then, on the western front, when Michael and Danielle got back! We greeted them, wearing our halos.

On Sunday, it was Michael’s birthday. The cards the boys had made were presented to Daddy in bed, where all the glitter sprinkles were shed. Naturally, Daddy loved the cards, but wasn’t so keen on sharing his bed with the glitter.

A Sunday brunch was in order, with a full English and croissants to follow. Fabulous. Oooh, we do love a brunch! It was delicious.

Meanwhile, John was feeling the effects of Saturday’s excitement and the effort he’d put in to entertaining the children. He was tired, and struggling to catch his breath. Getting the Sunday Roast ready, he valiantly peeled the potatoes, but really couldn’t manage anything more. “Mind if I go and have a lie-down?” he said. Of course we didn’t mind.

Just before four o’clock the Kenilworth Originals tumbled in through the front door and everyone congregated in the kitchen. I wove in and out between them as I prepped the meal and set the table. It was lovely. Everyone chattering away, imbibing an aperitif – in Michael’s case, some kind of cocktail he’d concocted…….until I found I could not work out how many plates I needed, how many small knives and forks were required, where to sit the children at the table. In the end, I abdicated the responsibility. I called out over the hubbub: “Can someone tell me how many people there are, please? Can someone set the table? Can someone tell me how many children’s plates etc I need, please?”

Everyone mucked in and dinner was served. We went to wake John up and, with a sigh of relief, we all sat to the table to tuck in. Lush, eh?

Family. Just the best!

Take care everyone. God bless.