Well I am back, in one piece, tired but happy. Five days, 24/7 is the longest I have spent at one stretch with Florence and Beatrice and though it was exhausting, I loved it and feel the bond between us is now sealed and that both girls trust and love me completely. Felicity and Hugh, the paternal grandparents, are marvellous and Felicity and I have a great friendship which we are both so grateful for as it makes life easier and more fun. We both seem to have exactly the same views on bringing up children so there are no difficulties whatsoever.
The children bounced back and forwards to nursery, school, home and other grandPs house with aplomb and it was all great fun but oh my goodness me, shatteringly tiring. There is a reason why older people should not have children, I mean those who decided to have them in the fifties and sixties, it is purely a physical matter. Children wear you out and you need the energy you have when you are young to look after them.
One example, I was walking the two girls round the corner to the Other Grandparents and suddenly Beatrice, who has a will of iron and a determination to do what she wants come hell or high water, suddenly took off and ran out into the middle of the road. My bellow of STOP not only brought her to a grinding halt, but half the windows in the road opened, and a bloke who was doing some painting up a ladder nearly fell off. I am surprised I did not shatter glass. I really told Beatrice off and she stood and howled and all was mayhem. Luckily the road had no traffic at that time but if there had been one car coming she would not have stood a chance. I tucked her, still howling, under my arm and arrived breathless at my destination. Florence had already run on ahead and reported Beatrice's transgression, looking very smug I might add....
But a lot of fun was had, particularly at bath time when I ended up wetter than them and had to chase them round the bedroom to get them into their pjs. This morning Florence was curled up next to me, Beatrice came in like an Exocet at 6am and got into bed with me as well and they both cuddled down and Bea gave me lots of little kisses all over my face and snuggled up. I tell you I lay there and thought Elaine you are one lucky woman.
Kathryn home in a month and all together for Christmas. It doesn't get any better.
So today, easy drive home, cup of tea, soak in bath, doze on sofa, and that is is for the day. Tomorrow I start trying to get on with some of the books awaiting my attention. I did take a book or two with me thinking I would have time to read.
HAH!
