Abi & Izzy - the next 5 years

Another win for Izzy & team! Well that's January pretty much done - a whirlwind of school, work and play as ever. I'm trying not to wish the time away, but I'm only too conscious that February is a short month and then it's March and then forget it... summer will be upon us and then it will be 2023!!   This week we have been looking forward to the summer and decided to throw Covid caution to the wind and book a holiday. Glenn and I have been determined that we would find somewhere new to stay, with the girls equally determined that we go back to Jerry and Pauline's again. While we absolutely love them, we are more than ready for a bit more luxury than it offers, not least for someone to have cleaned under the bed and put some sheets on the bed that are less than 25 years old! Knowing the pressure was on, we spent a few evenings looking for the perfect place - same area but more modern - preferably with enough room for others if they chose to join us. We finally ...

  Back to school and back to normal - whatever that is these days. First week back didn't start until Thursday which helped, but now they are fully back into the swing of things. Izzy's successful hockey season has now moved to Netball, and after a disappointing narrow loss away last week (in Bristol, didn't get home until nearly 6pm!) she was elected captain this week for their home game against Blundell's. Abi, Kerrie, Elsie and I all turned up to watch her bring the team to a stonking 31 - 7 win - the other team didn't stand a chance! By half time the teachers were discussing how they could even things up a bit - they were very clearly the best team on this occasion. Izzy is loving her netball, even though she says her heart is still in hockey. As well as school (Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturday matches) she plays in a practice league (Helen's Hoops) on a Monday with our neighbour Sophie. This week she was picked out by one of the Galmington coaches who also ...

Elsie, growing up SO fast! And so the year turns yet again and I am teetering on the edge of being back to work after a lovely 12 days off work. It feels like I've had a good break, albeit it also feels like the time has passed in a flash - quell surprise! Despite the constant crappy weather (incredibly mild but very wet with occasional bouts of wind), I've managed to get out and about for lots of lovely walks, with the dogs being spoilt by the fact that any of these have been with others.   One of the things we had planned on was catching up on some house admin over the holiday and we have managed to do pretty well. Glenn has continued with all of the little DIY jobs that still need to be done to get things straight and to the standard we would expect of a new house. This includes everything from sorting the gutters out (not big enough), to redoing the mastic in our shower (not done properly first time around), to changing light fittings (poor quality and hence falling to pie...