Every year the suddenness of spring – whether it comes early or, as this year, weirdly late – makes me think, constantly, of Dylan Thomas's "force that through the green fuse drives the flower". Or leaf. Because the tiny new leaves pushing out are so amazingly urgent! There's such huge energy curled up in those little… Continue reading I’m having a lot of Feelings right now: 5 things 16.4.18
My get up and go got up and went: 5 things 9.4.18
Spring has finally, definitely, absolutely sprung, and it is glorious. It even happened on the weekend, cunningly timed for Pfadis (scouts) and lakeside wanderings and such. Very nice. Very nice indeed. I am, however, decidedly lacking in springtime bounce. Mostly, I think, because of all the great uncertainty hanging over me. Which is silly, since… Continue reading My get up and go got up and went: 5 things 9.4.18
Growing up reluctantly: 5 things 2.4.18
Although the kids are by and large delightful these days, M has a fun new phase of throwing major tantrums any time someone does something he even slightly doesn't like. Usually that's me, telling him it's time to go somewhere. One night last week it was C, quite reasonably saying she could go away if… Continue reading Growing up reluctantly: 5 things 2.4.18
Happy birthday to me! 5 things 26.3.18
Once again my good intentions fall victim to the proximity of my birthday to C's birthday, and I have totally failed to make myself a cake. I deserve cake! I want cake! I have no energy to make cake. Maybe at the weekend. You'll note there has been an echoing absence of #52recipes for, um,… Continue reading Happy birthday to me! 5 things 26.3.18
Well that’s nice: 5 good things 19.3.18
Survived another birthday! Was super excited to think it's Elf's last kid-style party, as she's agreed to celebrate differently from next year. Movies or sleepovers with two best friends, rather than games and balloons with 8 of them, sort of thing. Told A how wonderful it was to be able to count my remaining kids'… Continue reading Well that’s nice: 5 good things 19.3.18
Panic in all the wrong places: 5 things 12.3.18
I started the week with great overwhelm, coming out of nowhere after just one week away. Staring into oncoming birthday (daughter's) and other deadlines, passports expiring and sudden job applications, and oh gods, flailing flailing. This despite having kids booked into holiday programme at the community centre from 10 to 5 every day. (It was… Continue reading Panic in all the wrong places: 5 things 12.3.18
Nice ice baby: 7 things about Sportferien, 5.3.18
The problem with Sportferien – the Swiss school holiday specifically intended for skiing, and I'm pretty sure the whole reason we have five school terms – is that it comes late in February, after 6-8 weeks of, well, hibernating weather. Even as someone who can find plenty to like about winter, even when I know… Continue reading Nice ice baby: 7 things about Sportferien, 5.3.18
