Hi peeps....how are you all? Me, well I'm shall we say 'a little exhausted', a little more freckly and slightly frayed around the edges.When I last posted I was just off to the cottage with the girls. I planned to stay just a few days at first to test the water and see how we went....two and a half weeks later I left!!!
I feel a little proud of myself that I managed that long on my own with no TV for the first half of our stay (until I succumbed in week 2 and sent for the sky man to come poste haste), no telephone (had mobile, but signal very poor), no adult company and no Internet! I have since discovered the 'dongle' which will no doubt become a firm friend of mine for our next extended stay next week.
Most would probably think I was a little crazy to even entertain the idea of keeping a 3 & 4 year old occupied for so long, somewhere other than 'home' with no help and to take them to the beach most days putting my revolving head to great use and failing to make the shrimps understand that I was physically unable to split myself in two to ensure they (that most of the time would insist on heading for opposite ends of the beach), remained safe at all times. In fact I only managed one drama during our time away when most of the beach, including the life guard went running to the sea to 'rescue' my 4 year old that had been told (probably about 50 times) not to go into the water as the water was too rough that day, but ignored me none the less........my heart was ever so slightly in my mouth as I yelled "LEAVE the bucket...LEAVE THE BUCKET"......as I watched her lunge back into the waves to rescue her new pink bucket!!! I tried not to cry along with her as the nearest woman threw her back on to the beach!!! I think it taught her a lesson though to maybe listen to mummy when she tells her not to go into rough waters until she's a stronger swimmer at least! I told her I could buy another bucket but not another of her.
The next few trips I took to the beach on my own with the girls I made sure were to beaches with life guards and gaily plonked us all smack bang in front of their hut for a much needed second pair of eyes.....
How could I not visit the beach though? with so many gorgeous beaches and hideaway coves on our doorstep, the draw was far to great, fresh air, sand castles and paddling in the inlets. Me hyper-ventilating as they played around the rocks (have I ever mentioned just how accident prone little shrimp is)?..............
Most would probably think I was a little crazy to even entertain the idea of keeping a 3 & 4 year old occupied for so long, somewhere other than 'home' with no help and to take them to the beach most days putting my revolving head to great use and failing to make the shrimps understand that I was physically unable to split myself in two to ensure they (that most of the time would insist on heading for opposite ends of the beach), remained safe at all times. In fact I only managed one drama during our time away when most of the beach, including the life guard went running to the sea to 'rescue' my 4 year old that had been told (probably about 50 times) not to go into the water as the water was too rough that day, but ignored me none the less........my heart was ever so slightly in my mouth as I yelled "LEAVE the bucket...LEAVE THE BUCKET"......as I watched her lunge back into the waves to rescue her new pink bucket!!! I tried not to cry along with her as the nearest woman threw her back on to the beach!!! I think it taught her a lesson though to maybe listen to mummy when she tells her not to go into rough waters until she's a stronger swimmer at least! I told her I could buy another bucket but not another of her.
The next few trips I took to the beach on my own with the girls I made sure were to beaches with life guards and gaily plonked us all smack bang in front of their hut for a much needed second pair of eyes.....
How could I not visit the beach though? with so many gorgeous beaches and hideaway coves on our doorstep, the draw was far to great, fresh air, sand castles and paddling in the inlets. Me hyper-ventilating as they played around the rocks (have I ever mentioned just how accident prone little shrimp is)?..............
..........then screaming that they were cold after playing in the sea and trying to dry and dress 2 children at the same time.... or changing them into the 5th swimming costume of the afternoon as they would whip off any costume that came into contact with the tiniest bit of water only to have to take it all home to wash and dry for the next day...was a small price to pay for the smiles on their faces and the memories we were creating.........
We even found time for a little beach combing too for driftwood to add to the ever growing collection!
I was cunning enough to do a little research before I arrived for our little girlie holiday. I found out that the local Arts & Crafts shop, that was only a few minutes from our home, ran a craft morning for the local children. It was marvellous and the girls couldn't wait to get there each morning. They made masks, decorated bags, threaded beautiful wooden beads onto cords to make bracelets and necklaces, decorated cards with ribbons, buttons and sequins to send home to daddy....they made egg cups from clay then returned a few days later to paint and varnish them.....oh, the list was endless. Of course I nearly bankrupted myself paying for them to take home their creations in the mean time, but it was worth every penny...wonderful place.
So you see, we got into a little routine, us girlies, arts & crafts in the morning, beach in the afternoon and a walk along the quay and a trip to the park before heading for bed. Sometimes for a treat I'd paint their toes nails so they felt really grown up!
Tucked up in bed, peace and quite descended on our little cottage...pure bliss....a comfy sofa and a chilled glass of white....at last I was able to relax and for a teeny tiny part of the day have a little 'me' time curled up with a good book......
