Catch up

We have been to Belfast to celebrate my niece and nephew's first birthday. ( They are not twins, they are 5 days apart in age). Happy Birthday to Sam and to Lilah.

I flew with 2 kids on my own for the first time. It was ok, a bit of a hassle when you have to take your coat, shoes and belt off and then you have to do the same with a 2 year old who doesn't want her shoes, belt and coat off and you are trying to hold a 9 month old who doesn't like the fact his sister is crying at the top of her voice, and you don't have a buggy to put the baby in as it gets damaged on the plane. So, you put him in the tray that goes through the scanner to wait until the 2 year old stops rolling around on the floor crying that she wants her teddy back and they are not to take his picture. Suddenly you hear, "is everything ok Mrs. McCulloch?" to look up and find a family whose 2 daughters you taught 4 and 3 years ago smiling at you! Yes it all went well... Jamie will be coming with us next time!

But is was such a great visit and it's always nice to see the 5 cousins together, they are very similar yet so, so different.

We had a great time, Emily loves spending time with her cousin and we packed lots into a few days. We had lots of fun at Carrickfergus castle ( or Mr. Tumble's castle from Cbeebies). Sadly Mr. Tumble was not there but the sunshine was which is a bonus in Northern Ireland! We visited the zoo and Emily was pleased that her favourite animal was there. She can see amazing animals that are usually only in books but instead all she wanted to see was a pig!!All is well with us, I am just about surviving work, my class are very challenging. I have only 15 more days and then it will be the 6 week holidays. In September things will be better as I will be able to settle my class down with my job sharing partner and things should be calm from the beginning. (Or so I hope).

Joel is great; he can now sit himself up from lying down- something we have been waiting ages for, his tooth is getting taller and we are waiting for more to arrive. We are at the hospital tomorrow to check he is ok with his weight and to think about his milk etc. He and Emily seem to be adjusting back to life with our childminder and all is well, if not a little busy!

Chilling out at Grandmum's with Lucas on a sunny Sunday afternoon.

Well that is the potted version of life at the moment, Jamie is really busy, end of term stuff at school including his form group leaving, prom, assembly etc. GCSE exam marking online, co writing this book on Functional Skills for Rising Stars, leading music at church for the next 3 weeks, and trying to play with the kids in the spare time. Just busy.