As much as the first week of the school holidays dragged, this one has gone in a flash. We’re not back to our usual levels of chaos, but we’ve started to get out and about a bit more. Most notably, the children have finally been swimming. Not quite in the nice warm swimming pool they were expecting, but the river was definitely a good alternative. Revisiting old haunts Up until Lia went to school, we went to National Trust Croome most weeks. Lia and I would often go while Libby was at school for a walk, a drink and a…

Isn’t it funny how things that are long-awaited tend to pass by in the blink of an eye? Libby was told a few weeks ago that she would have half a day in school this week. After much anticipation, the day finally arrived and went. She loved seeing all her friends, being with her teachers and grasping onto that little glimpse of normality. And now the countdown begins for September. The news we’d been waiting for With all the things everyone has missed out on over the past few months, it has been easy to divide activities into things we…

As lockdown restrictions ease across the country, it is difficult to know what to do for the best. Local businesses reopening need our support, but at present, going to many of the places that have been allowed to reopen doesn’t feel right for our family. Attractions across the West Midlands are gearing up for the summer holidays. But swimming pools and leisure centres are still closed. Days out and restaurant meals I am very keen to support local businesses wherever possible as things start to get back to normal. For me though, that is likely to take the form of…

It seems odd, when so many freedoms have been taken away from us, but I find myself more grateful in day to day life than I was before lockdown started. I have always appreciated being able to work from home. Now though, I have even greater respect for parents who are coping without being in such a fortunate situation. Cutting back I find myself wondering whether, when all this is over, our lives will really go back to normal. Will the girls go back to all the activities they have stopped? They will definitely go back to swimming, they are…