Another day, another week

Hello

HAPPY FRIDAY THE 13th!!!!

I realise that my blogging is getting further and further apart. I think the reason for it is that I am trying to wean you off me (or because I am getting lazier, or because I'm doing less during the day...). Well, that is my excuse, and I'm sticking to it!!!

I can't believe it is the end of the week again.

I have had a lot of ups and downs this week. As you know I continued where I left off in Westcliff-on-sea (i'm not sure if that is an up or a down...)

Saturday was like every other day here. Dancing in the morning, karate in the afternoon. I went with to karate to supervise Corley and Jai in the swimming pool (even though Paige was there and Rachael and Mark, and later, Bethany). Once Bethany had arrived, I even managed to get away and perv at the karate instructor (who has his 2nd dan!!! - naughty I know =( ). Got home fed the children and put them in bed. We then ordered Indian (it was quite good, if I say so myself).

Sunday was much the same, get woken up early, drink coffee. Followed by getting the house ready for the BBQ (braai). It turned out that Bethany had invited some of her clients around for dinner because they were visiting the area from London (SOOOOO far away!!!!). Her client sent a text (an sms, to you and me) saying that they were still at their hotel eating breakfast at around 12h00, so they would be late... They arrived around 14h00, and went straight down to the beach.

I stayed home, and chatted to Shaun online, whilst doing the usual boring household chores.

When they arrived home, chaos reigned. The braai was started. In the meantime, I had spoken to Carl. We organised that we go out later in the evening. This limited what I ate at the braai.
The guests were on their way out the door when I was collected by Carl. We went for a drive to the seafront (2 minutes or so away). We parked, got out and walked along the coast. Eventually, we stopped at an Indian restuarant and ate MORE curry (I am getting bored of eating curry all the time now!!!!! - and picky too!). By the time I got home Bethany was in bed and Nick and Paige were just about ready to go to bed. So I made a cup of hot chocolate and snuggled up into bed.

Monday came and went without incedence. Took the boys to school, came home to clean, (Paige stayed over, so had to spend some time with her too) fetched Corley and took him home for dinner (our lunch). He was rather tired, so I let him just sit around and play with Paige whilst I cleaned some more. Bethany got home at the same time as Nick, she took Paige home and Nick went to the gym, so I took Corley in the pushchair (fondly called the buggy here) to fetch his brothers (he tends to fall asleep in it... so there is method to my madness!) By the time we got to the top of the road he was asleep. I really felt the short nap would do him some good (he is a nightmare to live with when he is tired, as he tends to throw A LOT more tantrums!!!!!)

We fetched the boys and came home. Nick got back in time to take the kids swimming (Jai has a swimming lesson), so I got stuck in ironing and making dinner. I ironed and ironed and ironed and ironed... the washing never decreased. They got home, we ate and did the bath/dinner run. I was exhausted, so waited a few minutes, and went to bed.

Tuesday came, same routine. Took the boys to school, cleaned, ironed, ironed, ironed, ironed. Fetched Corley from school. Once we got home Corley helped me make lunch (he wanted tuna, tomato soup, cheese, cucumber and yogurt, so I let him have it). Whilst we were sitting down to lunch the cat stole the last quarter of tuna out of the tin on the unit (I was annoyed). Corley and I sat and played games (well, he played whilst I ironed, cleaned, vacuumed....) Needless to say, the lounge was in a bit of a state! By the time I looked at the clock (sorry, my cell phone - the clock in the lounge does not work, which is a little misleading!), we were late to fetch Jai and Kailum, so I shoved Corley in the buggy and raced down to the school. We got to the school and Corley was asleep (so there is a drawback to the buggy too!)

We walked home via the park, so by the time we got home Bethany was home. As we walked closer to the house, I spotted Bethany's car, so I said to the boys that there is a surprise inside for them (they LOVE when Bethany comes home when it is light). They guessed and guessed and guessed. We walked into the house and I said to Kailum to shout 'mummy'. He did and they lit up like christmas trees. They ran upstairs so excited, only to be blasted from here to high heaven because their rooms were a little messy... I was VERY UPSET with her.

Next, she unleashed her wrath on me. As I mentioned earlier, the lounge was in a state (ironing piled high, toys, blankets.....) I attempted to explain that Corley was playing... but to no avail. I was made more upset by this, as I had been doing all her work all morning... but as usual, I smiled and nodded vigorously and left the room.

Turned out there were people coming over, for yet another play date (which I had not been told about). Her friends stayed for dinner, then they took Jai and Kailum to Scouts and came back.

Next thing I knew everyone left. Apparently they went to watch Kailum and Jai get sworn in at scouts. Bethany came home in between to get some money and invite me to the beach for some ice cream to celebrate (as you can imagine, I was not in the mood). So I stayed home and did some cleaning. They got home and the bath/bed run began.

Around 20h30 I heard Corleys voice in the front room. Curious, I went through to find out why he was up. Bethany looked at me and said it was because he slept on the way to fetch Jai and Kailum, and because he is 'just so cute'. I turned and left the room. Once I had gathered my strength, I went back in and told him it was bed time. Nick went off to bed at the same time, and Bethany and I stayed up chatting until 23h00.

Wednesday arrived. I was disappointed as I had had the best nights sleep in a long long time and had to get up... The school run was handled by Bethany, so I had time to get dressed (so I could have slept later had there not been so much noise and light!). Before Bethany left, she gave me a list of things she required me to go and buy from Tesco's. I was excited because I was going to shop alone for the first time (granted, with her money... but it's easier to part with her money than mine!!!!) After Bethany left, I went online to get directions to the 24 hour Tesco here. Once I had located it, I went shopping!!!!!

It took me one and a half hours to do the shopping (there were 15 items to buy). I know, I know... But I have an excuse!!!! The tesco was HUGE and to find 15 obscure items is really really really hard and time consuming! I also spent some of that time looking around (through their clothing section, their shoe section, their computer section, their phone section, their 30 odd aisles of stuff...) I got home having spent around £30. All-in-all, it was very productive.

Bethany got home shortly after me (I had already begun to bake a banana and carrot cake). She told me that Corley was playing at Rachaels house, so I should collect him from her at the school when I collect the other two boys. Bethany then took her car and went to work. I finished baking and then began dinner. I made roast beef, roast potatoes, carrots and broccoli. So by the time I had to get the boys from school, everything was prepared. I took a leisurely walk to the school, collected the boys from their various classes, and waited for Rachael. I waited about 20 minutes and phoned Bethany to find out where she was. An hour later I got told that Rachael and Nick had organised that Nick pick Corley up. I was left out of the loop. I was fuming. I then to the other two boys to the park.

We spent a little while in the park and then came home. I warmed dinner up and as I was dishing up Nick got home with Corley. I fed them all, gave them pudding and left. Nick later apologised, to which I smiled and nodded. The bath/bed run then began.

Thursday morning was much like the other mornings. Got up, drank coffee, got my orders, followed them through.....

I walked Kailum and Jai to school early because Kailum was going on a school trip to Colchester zoo. I was in half a mind not to let him go (he kept on about how boring it was going to be...) On the way back from dropping them off I stopped to buy some envelopes for Bethany. Got home, ate quickly and then followed Bethany to Corley's school.

We then went to Southgate Mall (yes, you read correctly, Southgate Mall). We did some toy shopping for Corley's 4th Birthday (Bethany spent and spent and spent...) we stopped at Starbucks for coffee and a muffin and then I did some shopping. I bought three pairs of shoes for £10 (yes, mommy, three pairs!!!!!). Then we stopped at the Early Learning Centre (an 'educational' toy store) where Bethany spent and spent and spent. We then left there to fetch Corley.

Bethany left me with the car so I could pop (no laughing shaun) home then to the bank then to the post office and finally back to the school. I tried to open a bank accout, but I need a NI number, and I need a bank account for the NI number (so catch 22 once again!). I did however manage to post off my drivers license...

Went back to Corley's school, where they were having the summer fair. Bethany was face painting (she tried to rope me in, but I told her I can't do it....) I opted instead to take Carol (Nick's mum) home. Having done this, I went back to Corley's school to wait for Bethany. Once the fair had ended, we went shopping for sweets for Corley's party bags (he has his birthday party on Monday). Later, we went home.

As we got in Nick arrived home. Bethany and Nick then walked up to fetch Jai and his friends Jonathan and Matthew. They got back and I served them all spaghetti bolognaise. An hour later Nick went to fetch Kailum from his school trip. They got back, and I fed them too.
Later, Bethany went out to Tescos to get some more stuff for the party bags, whilst I did the bath/bed run. She got home and we began making the party bags. Kailum came downstairs to help (he was supposed to be sleeping, but Bethany let him stay and help anyway).

Today everyone woke up early, excited (including me). They were all going on holiday!
They left for their holiday at 10h00 this morning, and only return on Sunday evening... which means I have peace and quiet for the next few days... (see why I was also excited?)

To end on a lighter note: before they left, Kailum asked me if they were going to have slaves where they were going. Bethany, looking rather sheepish, said to him that there will not be any slaves there, followed with an explanation of what a slave is. He nodded, understanding.

He then turned to me and asked me if that makes me their slave???