Shortly before Robbies 18th, I agreed to wallpaper the hallway, stairwell, and landing. This then had the redecorating of the living room added to the schedule. Well the living room got done, and I had managed the hallway and stairwell, but still had the landing to do. However, having put my back out, I hadn’t been able to complete it. But, my back is much improved, and so yesterday set about the remaining papering. I had to stop about 2pm, as we were off to Matts 18th party, but I found time to finish it today… it feels good to have finally put the pasting table away.

Big week for Ellie

On Thursday, Ellie was part of her school ‘kwik cricket’ team that took part in a 4 school tournament. And they won, which she was thrilled about, and pleased to show her winners medal to all and sundry. On Friday, she was given a ‘certificate of achievement’ in weekly assembly in recognition of her hard work, and her positive attitude to her studies and contribution to school life. Then today she was in a dance competition at Stoke Mandeville. I was a bit concerned as she had been up very late last night, and I thought it may affect her… but, she did very well. She came 4th in the Solo, and then 4th with her partner Jessica in the Pairs, and then a third in Streetdance. So she was beaming when she came in. A few photo’s…The first one with the headmistress, as you can see Ellie is nearly as tall as her ! And then one of Ellie with Jessica, and then Ellie with all her prizes.

Robbie finishes school

Rob has finished his Art and Graphics A Level exams, and just has his Music exam to do in June. However, he no longer has to go into school, other than for his exam, so he has effectively finished school. He has his artwork on display in the school exhibition in a few weeks, which he will go in for, but it is the end of an era for Robbie. He is working at the village pub at the moment, mainly doing kitchen duties. He came in from work Friday evening at about 11pm, headed for the fridge and poured himself a cider. I am sure he deserved it !

Tricia’s Cakes

It has been a busy week for Tricia on the cake front. She made a cake for Matts 18th – his party theme was hats, so the request was for a cake with a selection of the hats he has worn over the years. Clayton, who has worked  for Tricia on catering jobs was 21, and he wanted a guitar cake… and one that was ordered was for a character called Ren 10… here are the cakes…

Matts 18th

Deb and Carlos’ son Matt has turned 18, and so they had a party to celebrate last night. It was good to see all the usual suspects at the party, and to see Debs Mum, and Carlos’ Mum and Aunt. The party had a theme – hats. I wore a fez, and of course the benefit is it hid my grey hair and made me look younger Carlos wanted to do something to embarrass Matt, and came up with the ‘Half Monty’. It defied explanation really, but got a laugh. As Ellie was in her dance competition today we travelled back last night, so it was a late night. Nikki and Rob slept over at Debs and came back today. Plenty of pics… Tricia and Me, then Robbie with Trevor, Ellie and Nikki with Lou, Andrew, Simon and Claire, and then the ‘half monty’… I am the A, the one with the well toned athletic legs..

In what seems like a set of random attacks by a gremlin, the tumble dryer has packed up… well with the washing machine and dishwasher going in the last few years it must have been feeling left out.

Nikki’s car has decided to overheat when she drives it, so it looks like another trip to the garage. I took her back down to Hatfield this afternoon. She is has 4 days work this week. She will also get her exam results… so, fngers crossed.

It has been a beautiful day. The patio furniture has been moved out of the conservatory onto the patio… which normally marks the start of summer for us…. but of course you can’t trust the weather, and the forecast is for high 20’s tomorrow… then down to 14 for Wednesday. For goodness sake.

A busy week ahead (isn’t it always !) certainly at work for me, Tricia has more cakes on order… and is on Brownie pack holiday the week after so will be preparing for that….

Final photo’s for this week, taken by Deb of the Mid Sum Dream performance at Bryans wedding last weekend. First Pyramus takes his life when he thinks Thisbe has been eaten by a lion, then the players watch Lion read a poem at the end, and finally ‘Wall’.