Full On Family

Wow! What a day! One big, fat family day from start to finish.

The Kenilworth Newbies had slept over last night, so it was an early start this morning. At 6.30 two snuggly, wriggly little boys were cosied up in my bed. “I want my breakfast,” said one. “Is it time to get up yet?” said another. I told them we’d get up at seven which, in my book, is a civilised get-up time. “Another half an hour,” I said and closed my eyes, hopeful that my stillness might rub off. One of them started chattering. The other followed. “What do you think, Grandma?” I groaned. Clearly, we weren’t going to get to seven o’clock before it was get-up time.

We bustled downstairs and had our breakfast. But the early morning start had a purpose. “Shall we make the cake now, Grandma?” I gave them my stock answer which was, “We’ll do it in a bit.” We were going to make Paul a birthday cake. Grandpa had to get up to help ice it. “Let’s get the things ready,” said William, excitedly.

We made the cake and left it to cool. “Shall we ice the cake now, Grandma?” Well, no, I was leaving that to the expert – Grandpa. “Can I go up to see him, Grandma?” Yes, we’d take him a cup of tea. And so it was that I left William chattering away to Grandpa to keep him company.

After about fifteen minutes, just before 9 o’clock, a message from John pinged into my WhatsApp chat. ‘Can you come and rescue me. I need to get dressed.” Made me chuckle. Poor John has so many medical things to attend to in the morning that he does like to be a bit private.

Michael and I left the children behind to ice the cake with Grandpa and we went to visit Mum. She was on top form and delighted to see us. She wasn’t quite sure who we were to start with but knew she was comfortable in our company and enjoyed our visit.

We browsed through an album of photos that had been taken during lockdown a year or two ago, which she thoroughly enjoyed but, from one page to the next, she puzzled as to who everyone was – including herself! Bless her. We had fun though.

When we got back home, we set the table and all sat down to the brunch that Danielle had prepared while we were away. Paul and Freddie arrived, having been to church this morning, and Harriet came a little while later, in order to join in, and we had a very yummy meal – bacon and eggs and all the trimmings! It was lovely.

Next up was the prep for the special Sunday Roast for Paul’s birthday. John went for a nap, having got up so early this morning, while the rest of us all milled about either looking after the children, making cups of tea, peeling potatoes, hauling the old table up from the ‘Man Shed’ or pouring glasses of wine. Harriet fetched Ellie and, just as we were about to serve up, Andrew made it home too. Ahh……. what family bliss…..

Mind you, the bliss soon turned to chaos as the children finished their meals before we did and there were choruses of “Please can we get down from the table?”. They went off to play, and our conversation got a touch louder as the wine flowed. Grandpa felt a bit overwhelmed. He still hadn’t quite caught up on his beauty sleep.

Birthday cake, with candles, was presented in a darkened room, accompanied by the traditional ‘Happy Birthday’ singing and Paul obliged the tradition by blowing out the candles in one breath. As per usual, I was too busy enjoying myself to take photos……ah, well, maybe next time?

And then it was time to go home. A mad rush around to try and put a few things back into place so that we weren’t left with a big job tomorrow and lots of lovely kisses and cuddles as the family left.

We are knackered but full of family love. Can’t beat it, can you?

I am hoping that all that family love is healing. John hasn’t felt to so well today and struggled with his breathing in particular. Fingers crossed he feels better tomorrow.

Take care everyone. God bless.