Back to school

 

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 plays to ask who she was and whether she's like to join their league. We are told there is a waiting list so we aren't sure whether she will have to wait until there is a space, or whether by being picked up by a coach she'll be able to jump the queue but no matter - she loves playing so hopefully she'll be able to get in one way or another. This would mean practice on a Tuesday evening and matches on a Sunday so it will certainly fill her week up!

Abi on the other hand has of course been spending all her available time at the stables with Nula, planning for the day when she can bring her home. We are also looking forward to that day, we are very tired of the constant driving backward and forward to the stables. We will have so much more time in the day when we aren't chasing back and forward either via lanes or the A358 to drop off or pick up. Apart from the obvious drag on our time, it is killing the car as well. Between muddy lanes, pot holes the exterior looks dreadful, but this is nothing to the interior which is battling the onslaught of Abi getting into it day in day out smelling of horse wee. I recall Amanda saying months ago that keeping a horse is fine until you hot the winter and everything smells of horse wee. Who knew it could smell so bad a linger so long. Ugh. Roll on summer, although we are at that stage in the year when it feels summer will never come and we will never feel the sun on our faces again. 

In reality, after weeks of rain, we did get a day of sun this week (shame I was working of course) and it was glorious. I walked around our field soaking up the rays, watching the dogs play and feeling so much better for the warmth on my face - good for the soul. It's days like these (well most weeks in fact) that I look forward to the point where I have a bit more time on my hands and can enjoy these moments more easily.  I guess that's the reality of this time of year - it really does feel like the days will never lengthen and the the warmth will never come. It does though and it will. 

This weekend has flown by. Izzy and I got a sneaky trip to Street together on Friday (she did well - new coat, new trainers, more Haribo than you can eat), Saturday was yoga and netball and then today was work in the morning (its a busy time of year) and then a lovely Sunday walk with Mum and Dad, one of my absolute favourite weekend things to do. I hope in years to come my kids get as much pleasure spending time with me as I do spending time with my parents. 

No dogs on the bed rule going well!