How I spent my Friday morning

Wow. I had a bit, just a little and not too much, breathing space today. The boys were back at school for the first time since Christmas but because its Friday they were only in until 12 o'clock. Round here schools work on a 4 1/2 day week. Which is fabby. I love our Friday afternoons. Right now the boys are having Quiet Time (i.e. reading - and fidgeting - I'm quite convinced its good for them, and perhaps me too, and mostly they enjoy the chance to wind down a bit) and Islay is asleep. Once she wakes up we'll be off out for a play in the snow.



But I was going to tell you about my morning. If I had known 7 1/4 years ago, in the last few days before Finn was born, I would have been utterly shocked at how much I could enjoy such very very simple and mundane things. I remember mum phoning me a couple of days before he was born and me telling her how bored, bored, bored I was - I had only finished work 5 days previously! Thankfully, for my sanity and probably mum's too, he was born 2 days later on his due date - clever little lad. Now, of course, I would relish every minute of such time to myself. Just as I enjoyed pottering around with Islay this morning.

So, what did we do? We took the boys to school. Which was an adventure in itself given the depth of the snow. I was rescued by my lovely friend L who pushed the pushchair while I tackled the dogs...Moray's lead broke en-route (I really will explain about him sometime soon) which was somewhat of a handicap but luckily he's ginormous so I didn't have to bend too much to drag him by his collar at the same time as keeping grip of Kipper's lead as she forged ahead. They never, ever walk at the same speed when on the lead. Kipper pulls ahead and Moray hangs back. My left arm is probably getting longer by the day. I'm quite sure L has to rearrange her expression when she passes us some days especially when I have my niece too. Imagine passing a mad-woman with 2 dogs on leads, 2 boys running around, one child in pushchair and one on the buggy board. OK, now imagine one dog has a poo. Then the crazy-lady has to get dogs to stand still, park pushchair, scrabble for poo-bag, pick up poo while preventing dogs and children from standing on it and then continue on her way - all the while trying to look cool and unflustered. I usually manage pretty well except for the cool and unflustered bit. Anyway today we got to school on time and then I relaxed a little.

Next Islay and I took the dogs for our usual walk along the river. Its beginning to freeze over which I haven't seen before. And I think the swans and ducks are very hungry. We'll take them some bread over the weekend.

Once home I shovelled some snack into the ravenous Islay and tried, ineffectually, to do some cleaning. Then we headed out again....and here the fun really began. I hit the shops.



First up was our teeny tiny knitting shop. I decided a couple of months ago that now was the time to learn to knit. I have been attempting to do this since I was very small. My Grannie was a fabulous knitter and showed me what to do countless times. Mum tried too. And I tried to teach myself a couple of years ago. But somehow I never 'got' it. But this time it sank in. I bought a beginner kit from Rowan (I can't find it anywhere to link to - it came from John Lewis but they don't seem to have it on-line) and managed to knit a chunky baby cardigan (see pic above). I'm not sure it will ever be used by a baby, its not exactly perfect, but I am very proud of it and it served the purpose of getting me through my mental block. Next project is a short-sleeved cardigan for Islay. I reckon its best to keep to small projects for now. I fell in love with an alpaca wool in a beautiful green which is perhaps not the most usual colour for a little girl but I love it! I started worrying that my three balls of wool weren't enough. So today's first purchase was one additional ball of wool - Exciting Activity Number 1.



Exciting Activity Number 2 was a trip to our local book shop. It also has great coffee and scones. So one latte for me, one fruit scone shared between us (not too piggy) and one orange juice for Islay, plus lots of important 3 yr old talking, and we were ready for Exciting Activity Number 3.

This took place at the sewing shop. I bought my first ever pair of proper scissors - now that really was a thrill (especially as John will be hugely horrified if he ever discovers what they cost...I think its best not to think about the scorn and disbelief that would radiate from his every pore).



And now there's a whole weekend coming up where hopefully I can make a little time to use my scissors and get going with my knitting. If I'm really industrious Islay's top might be ready to wear next winter.



We did also have an Exciting Activity Number 4. It followed closely on from Number 3 and was, wait for it, picking the boys up from school. It was lovely to see them running out. Finn was talking non-stop to his friends and Angus was just happy to see his mum. What more could a Friday morning hold?