HAPPY NEW WEEK! I hope everyone has a wonderful week! Enjoy the new month!
Sonoran Desert Tortoise, Arizona USAU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service photoLabelled Public Domain (Copyright Free)
I arrived for nanny duty to find twins about to “sand play” – indoors. Dau laid large plastic sheet on floor, then table with the kit of a tray, funnels, rollers, various shapes and special sand (everything these days is special, not natural!). The tray about 12 ins square just big enough for 4 busy hands. Dau dashed off food shopping & school pickup. Periodically I swept up sand from floor sheet & returned to tray. After ½ hour two wee ones’ skivvies had sand wrist to elbow& all down front; leggings & socks too. Clothes off, send them to wash hands, find clean clothes. Then I multitasked as washing machine called, sand mess needed to be packed away, divert twins to a puzzle elsewhere. MissJ toilet trained herself recently. But she needs an audience, while she climbs unaided on to seat, MissL assists by producing yards of paper for a wee twinkle. I am only needed for praise. Attempt to read 2 different books at same time, sing long-forgotten nursery rhymes, Dau returns briefly before Guides delivery, I peel potatoes, set cooking, luckily she returns ‘cos I forgot about them. Keep Little People amused while Dau preps tea. Right on 5 pm, MissJ melts down and wants Mummy. By time tea is served Little People are cranky, so I stay to encourage their eating and allow Dau to scoff hers. Escape to find sun has set. How time flies when one is having fun. This morn I’m meeting Chauffeur Friend for coffee only as I could not think, in a hurry, of somewhere to go for photos. Most places are now at least 1½ hours drive from city. I shall take map & discuss over coffee.
PS I collected lots of cuddles to fill my "happiness bucket".
AQ: Sounds hectic! Any way to arrange for that sand to blow away? Cuddles are lovely; a medal would be good too. Hope you manage to think up somewhere nice to go - with a church of course. When is Ms L going to follow Ms J's example I wonder? Surely she can't be immune to all that applause. :-)
MissL is not far behind, she is becoming aware. She has always been months or weeks behind MissJ while still within whatever is considered “normal” development. Like most siblings.
Friend & I have sorted the world over coffee. Now I'm too hyped up to do anything LOL.
Good Morning. Cloudy here, after a hot night.
Enjoyed your colourful description of a hectic nanny duty, AQ! Well done to MissJ on starting on her milestone effort, it will be a help to your daughter if they can both manage to be 'dry' during the day. The sand must have been fun for them but quite a mess to have indoors! Hope you can continue to find places to explore with your friend.
Here's today's pic:
"I'm a dog, arn't I?"
Thank you, AQ, for making me smile first thing in the morning! I really enjoy reading about your nanny duties - but couldn't cope with as much patience and efficiency as you do. And it always sounds as though you have fun as well. You have my great respect!
Pat - I’m glad I brighten your day. I must admit there have been times when I thought I could not keep on nannying, especially when my back ached, etc. OK I am blackmailing myself by being afraid of what would happen if Dau cracked. I really have it easy as I have friends who provide child care for grandkids 2-3-4 days each week. Anyway the Little people are so cute when they crawl into my lap for a cuddle.
Your meal sounded good OG.
Hope you have a dry day today so that the decking work can progress.
AQ - there's nothing quite like a cuddle with a small person....
My forehead has a red slash on it, only small but noticeable. I've combed my fringe over it :-) My OH has gone out golfing, so I'm trying to tackle lots of things which I seem to have half started. Good intentions, and all that!
Hello to you all. Firstly, I have read this weeks messages from Sunday to date and was touched and strengthened by all your wonderful messages, Thank You all very much.
Well we all got through yesterday with some tears but lots of laughs and retelling of family stories. Plus I had my Sister and husband over from France and my Brother and wife from Yorkshire, so lots of catching up with everyone.Also numerous nieces and nephews and cousins etc so it was just family as Katie wanted. It was such a hot day and the hotel where we went to have the gathering afterwards had no air con and it was all set up in a conservatory type building. I was so tired and emotionally drained that I retired to bed at 8pm but the rest of the family carried on until past midnight. Today seems strange with nothing to check or organise. Tomorrow we will finish clearing Katie's flat and I will return to Suffolk on Saturday with some friends who are going to help me get the house straight and empty some boxes.
Thank you all for the prayers and thoughts - it really helps reading them all.