Monday 29 July 2013

Where is the bottle opener this time ?


Izzie....in charge

All the grandchildren, and their parents, and Carole and Peter ( Mark's ex wife, my friend, and her partner), have been with us for a week. Tomorrow 2 grandchildren and their parents leave, Jess and her friend Freni arrive and the day after, Mark’s sister and her husband will be here. So…the full house syndrome continues.

Today, they have all ( except for me ) gone to the beach. Herding 4 x5 and unders, buckets and spades, rubber rings and snacks for the journey as well as ensuring booster seats and child seats were locked into position in the right vehicles, and that appropriate parents were positioned next to whichever infant needed them…….was, to say, interesting.

I have the day to myself, to try to put the house back into some semblance of order, before Jess arrives. Not of course that Jess would worry about a bit of chaos, as she is well capable of causing it herself.

My plan is to sort out toys, reorganise fridges, mop a few floors and generally put things back in the places you would expect to find them. After a week of everyone being here, nothing is in its right place. The kitchen scissors were discovered on the boules court, the bread knife vanishes every time a baguette needs cutting up and “bed time bear” ( Izzie’s) and “Ted” ( Liam’s) can be found anywhere from the pool house to the potager…but no one can ever remember exactly where they were last seen. Bottle openers and the gas thingy that we use to light candles are also items that the Borrowers must have uses for, as they are never where anyone left them.

Carole gets blamed for tidying things up, Kieron gets blamed for not seeing what is right in front of his eyes, and the kids just carry on regardless. They have endless energy, love going up the slide the wrong way, are desperate to discover hidden ( and forbidden and dangerous) parts of the garden and are becoming more and more fish like as they spend hours playing in the pool.

It has been a great week, and I’m not just saying that because at this particular moment, all is peaceful. I can hear birds chirping outside, I can even hear the longcase clock ticking away…something I haven’t noticed for the last week as there has been far too much else going on.

The 4 children have “got on” really well. Izzie, the youngest at 17 months old, has sometimes seemed to be in charge. The bigger boys have enjoyed including her in their games, and Clark, who is still only 2 and a half has been incredibly inventive with his games in the 3 bears house. I found him setting the ironing board for a meal yesterday, as the table was full.

So,  I feel a little sad that I am missing their day at the beach, but intend to enjoy my day of peace and quiet. It seemed a good opportunity to post a blog and I thought I’d share just a few photos from the last week, with our gorgeous grandchildren.


a moment for discussion between Clark and Izzie

an attempt to get them all jumping in at the same time....Clark deciding to wait a little longer

storm watching

cute cousins
3 men in a boat...and Clark trying to make it 4


A Liam throwing contest

 

Liam and Dexter posing for nana 

 

Images from our visit to the lake in the Black Mountains
Clark having a quiet cup of tea in the 3 Bears' house
Bunting made to celebrate and welcome the children to Caunes. I will have to start work on Flynn's flag, as he is due to be born on 21st September....so next year there will be 5 of them.


22 comments:

  1. Happy days, and lovely memories which will be tucked away for the children to remember as they get older.
    When our 5 grandchildren all stayed at the same time when little, I used to worry about the food - mainly would I have enough? Now they are all adult I worry even more because rather than child sized meals they eat adult portions and more. Somehow we always manage to struggle through.
    They need to be enjoyed whilst they are small as they grow up so quickly - in the blink of an eye, and they look lovely, happy children.
    Take care Janice - I do, however, hope that you are receiving lots of help with all of the chores.

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    1. I am getting lots of help with chores Rosemary, although I must admit that today....with no one to feed, is wonderful ! It is lovely to have the children together at this age, and hopefully as their ranks swell, they will continue to enjoy spending time together at our house here in France.

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  2. This is brilliant! I love the photo of izzie and clark in the pool. I think they are plotting against the big'ens

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    1. No doubt about it. Sometimes they look as if they are in their 40s ! It is lovely the way they have got on together. Clark's smile when he sees her is just gorgeous. Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow at the airport XXXXXXX

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  3. I am breathless with admiration for you coping with so many people in the house! And for finding the time to blog about it, too...

    Enjoy!

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    1. Thanks Vanessa, but to be honest, having the little ones with us means we can sit and be entertained with no effort at all.

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  4. A perfect set of photos Janice--wonderful capture of the Liam throwing contest.Your house in France seems the ideal place to be sharing so much love and entertainment.I am sure they will all be sharing with you their beach adventures from today----which will be the best story i wonder? x Maria.

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    1. Yes, the beach trip was not without its adventures....whilst I spent the day clearing the house, and then sitting by the pool, reading...quietly ! Jx

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  5. I think a quiet day to sort things out is just what you needed, Janice, and this lovely post is one great result. The photos are wonderful and worth all the effort that the adults must be putting into making things run smoothly. You are creating a lot of very happy memories for them and for yourself. :-)

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    1. The quiet day was brilliant...now I'm ready for another week of chaos. The children really are having a good time. Liam was very tearful last night at the thought of having to go home. This has been his second trip out here this year, and he clearly feels completely at home. Jx

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  6. Memories!! David (almost 26; home from Oman for 8 weeks) is meeting us in Wisconsin (Laurie's) on Wednesday; traveling with us to Michigan (my mom's family reunion and Lee's sister's and brother's families) and Illinois (John's family). What requests has he made? Could we stop in Sheboygan to see my house there and the anniversary brick on the pier? Can we take pictures of the Mackinaw Bridge? He went on this trip with us when he was 5 years old. Remember: take care of yourself each day!!

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    1. Well...the brick on the pier trip is always a must for us too ! How can David be 26 ???? crazy. Do I know why he is in Oman, and have I just forgotten ? Forces ????
      Having all the children here has been lovely...not sure we'd manage if we had 12 though ! Lots of love Jx

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  7. Wonderful... your nest is nearly full. Enjoy every minute, although a few to yourself means that we can all join in the fun!

    Take care x

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    1. We're having a great time Gaynor. I hope you are back in France by now, and able to relax after such a busy school year. Jx

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  8. Happy days, memories and so much fun for the whole family to be together like that.Gorgeous and cute kids.
    Yes...I'm glad you had a peaceful day to yourself....

    Love the Bunting...you now I've never seen them here or even knew their name. But I have seen them around in magazines and so.

    Take care.

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    1. The peaceful day was lovely, and now its back to playtime ! Thanks for the comment about the bunting. I have enjoyed making it, finding the perfect little bits and pieces to sew on to represent each of the kids.... a bit of gender stereotyping though |I'm afraid, with Izzie's being pink and floral. Jx

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  9. As someone ftom a very small family,this sounds wonderful to me. I'm sure you are enjoying them all.

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  10. It is brilliant having them all here.....and mildly exhausting ! Jx

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  11. Absolutely wonderful photos - memories in the making. What a lovely brood you have, Janice. I am so enjoying seeing them growing up with you - their personalities shine through your pictures. I know it's exhausting, but as you say, seeing them have so much fun is entertainment for you all.
    And a lovely day to yourself as well - you are very well organised, I think!
    I do understand that 'where is the ... this time' though as Cesar's mum has found new homes for just about every bowl/knife/implement/ in the house! They left this morning and we're missing them already!
    Enjoy your next bunch of visitors.
    Axxx

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    1. Carole & Peter left this morning, Jess and Freni ( Fran's daughter) arrived on Tuesday, and Mark's sister & her husband arrived on their bikes, having cycled from Surrey ! ( all 770 miles). I have given up trying to find things, although poor Carole has got the blame for most of the tidying things away to strange and interesting places. We shall see, whether now that she has gone, things start appearing in their normal spots. So glad you enjoyed your honey moon trip...I haven't commented yet, will read it again and appreciate the gorgeous photos properly..lots of love... I really am looking forward to seeing you ( and now it's August, it is next month ! ) Janice xxxx

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  12. Well, Janice, we've just seen our brood off after only a few days, and I'm exhausted - contentedly so - I can only imagine the bittersweet feelings you were having with a quiet house for a spell. What a series of beautiful photos and a family journal to look back on as time goes by. The one with Clark and Issie is adorable (well, the all are, but, that one reminds me of one with our Jennifer and her cousin Louie, who had on a straw hat and looked like a politician out to get the vote).

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    1. It is so good to just manage to snap the children when they are completely unaware of it isn't it ? Izzie and Clark have had a wonderful time together, and now Izzie has gone home, Clark is at a bit of a loss. We have another 6 days of lots of visitors and then we head back to England for 3 weeks, which includes a trip for Mark and I up to Northumberland, just south of Scotland...and we are really looking forward to our "English" vacation.Jx

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