Gratitude Sunday

It's been a while since I did one of these, but I do have so much to be grateful for this week:

Last weekend Dave was "blue lighted" to hospital with all the signs of a heart attack, needless to say it has been a very worrying time.  The medics are still baffled as to what really happened but as a result of all the numerous blood tests, they were able to detect inflammation in his blood and for the first time ever he was offered a three day steroid infusion to dampen down any possible MS relapse.  Hooray for Dr Seth and the team on the acute medical ward!

Whilst waiting for the paramedics to arrive, Benedict was also having a crashing hypo, I was so grateful that Sara was around, she took charge of Benedict whilst I stayed on the phone to ambulance control.

Our gardener turned up Monday and did battle with the lawn.  Whilst chatting to him it became apparent that, his partner was in fact the named nurse caring for Dave on acute medical ... small world.

Having lost several hours sleep on the weekend, I slept on Tuesday whilst the world carried on without me.

On Wednesday I collected Pip from forest school and we made our way to the garden centre in the village.  I've part cheated this year and aswell as Sara and the kids growing from seed, I also bought some ready established seedlings to bolster our sparse crop of veggies.  Sara, Pip and I spent some time in the garden after tea, it was cold but lovely.

We had a visit from my parents, Kath and Gracie.  Kath had an appointment in town and I was on Grandma duty, yay!!  There was a whole lot of snuggling going on, she is the sweetest baby I know.

On Friday we made a visit to my friend in St Helen's, it's been quite a while since we've had a chance to meet.  She is currently struggling with major health problems, so we decided last minute to stop over and help her sort out some practical issues.  Benedict and Pip had a great time rambling around the house and cuddling Simba the Lionhead rabbit.

Today, I have just crashed!  I finally had a full night's sleep last night and also slept for several hours this afternoon.

Despite being in pain with the fibromyalgia and totally exhausted I've managed to cope with more than my ususal share of chaos at this end!  I know for sure that my faith has sustained me as well as the prayers from family and close friends and for that I am truly grateful.

Art

Pip has had some fun these past few weeks during her Friday art time with Erika:

Making Charlie Caterpillar, using pre-cut circular shapes and cardboard tubes.

 

 

 

 

3-D effect hands ~ Pip had to draw around her hands, use a rule to draw the straight lines and also colour in each individual band.  She did have a tiny amount of help from Erika, but in the main most of the work was her own.  She worked solidly for an hour and a half.

 

 

 

Well done Pip!



Clitheroe Castle

We took our learning out of the four walls last week and visited Clitheroe Castle last Tuesday.  The kids had a great time, Pip especially enjoyed the museum trail and the obligatory cafe stop was very reasonably priced and coped well with our whacky dietary needs:

Tomato and Basil Soup, Chunky Chips and a Toddler Platter for Pip.

 

 

 

 

Following the trail, brass rubbing, dressing up area and reading corner.

 

 

The museum housed a geology section, a victorian study complete with a variety of collector exhibits, a local history section as well as the story of the infamous Pendle Witches.  After a good look round, Benedict, Pip and I made our way to the Castle Keep:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

They then had a good run around in the play area at the bottom of the hill and I then attempted to complete the labyrinth; true to form like all areas in my life it was completed at break neck speed whilst keeping one eye on the kids!!  I think God was having a laugh with me that day!!

 

I'm determined to visit this place again, only next time I'll leave the sproggles with Dad in the cafe! 

Visiting

Kath and Gracie came to stay this week and a whole heap of fun was had by all:

Snuggle time.

 

 

 

Two sister out for tea and Mum and Dad Gracie sitting!

 

 

Filling out nicely!

 

 

Gracie - wearing.

 

 

It was also my Mum's birthday toward the end of the visit, so we organised a bit of a surprise party:

 

 

 

L-R Mum, Colin my brother, Me, Gracie and Kath.

 

 

 

 

Pip, Gracie and Heather my sister -in - law.

 

 

My Dad and Sara are missing from these photos as they were on washing up duty in the kitchen!