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| Let’s go fly a kite, up to the highest heights… |
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| I wish I could put into words how hot I was in this photo. Denim on a beach. Just, no. |
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| Dug me a hole! |
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| The superb Belle Isle in Southsea. Nom. |
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| The food was so good, I actually want to lick the screen. |
This summer, although short and pretty sporadic, was a goodun. We spent hours on beach trips (mostly impromptu, hence the jeans and ridiculous last-minute hat), wandered about discovering odd little shops, saw yarn bombing a-plenty, ate heaps, did a spot of seasonal baking and visited the Natural History Museum in Portsmouth, which consists mainly of models of cavemen and the butterfly room *shudder*. I stayed outside for that one, hence the picture taken through the viewing window. Butterflies, moths, birds – anything that flaps gives me the right heebie-jeebies.
But all good things have to come to an end, the rain has arrived for good, the heating is on (don’t judge me – our house is pretty drafty) and I’m stocking up books, yarn, recipes and knitwear for the Autumn and Winter. Things have been a bit difficult over the last few weeks, our eldest is being tested for Aspergers, and I don’t mind saying that his behaviour has reached epic awfulness. I realise as a blogger, I’m meant to bang on about how wonderful parenting is, but truth be told, it really hasn’t been that great lately. Two children is, frankly, hard work, and even more so when one of them is displaying challenging behaviour. I’ve read parenting books, from Sears to Supernanny, I’ve done the naughty step, distractions, punishments, staying calm, getting angry, and even crying – but nothing seems to work. He’s being assessed at his pre-school next month, and I’m looking forward to getting some answers – whether he’s on the Autism spectrum, or just being a little so-and-so. What doesn’t help is that my lovely Dad has been diagnosed with Alzheimers – I know now what people mean when they say it never rains, but it pours. The absolute only way to get through everything is to thank our lucky stars that he doesn’t have vascular dementia (much worse), and to realise that in actual fact, we all have each other, enough to eat and a roof over our heads. And in this day and age, that makes us pretty lucky.
Love the photo of your sweet boy in his sand hole. I hope things start to look up for you soon – very wise (wise owl!) to stay positive and think of the ways in which you are lucky x
Sending positive thoughts (and hugs) your way Xxx p.s lovely photos 🙂
Your summer looks and sounds lovely (but doesn't it seem a long time ago now already?).Sending heartfelt best wishes to you and your family at this difficult time. Rest assured life is pretty tiring, bonkers and far less than perfect at mine right now too. Anyone who makes out that child-rearing is easy is telling porky pies.Come what may, I'm sure you will cope brilliantly honey xxx
Oh sweetie I'm sorry to hear you're having such a rough time! I sincerely hope you find some answers for your son (HOW much does he look like his dad, by the way? Clones!)I didn't know Portsmouth had a Natural history Museum! Although the one in London is my favourite museum ever, so it will have some pretty high standards to live up to!Hang in there, we're all rooting for you x
I just want to thank you for your honesty about parenting a tricky-but-beautiful child and I'm so sorry to hear about your father. That's so terribly sad for you and your family. You have an absolutely beautiful wee family and your pics in this post demonstrate that although parenting can be truly demanding and confusing, a day in the sun, delicious food and fun parents mean you're giving the four of you some wonderful memories to cherish:). xo