The Children Cheer Up Their Grandparents

Let's be honest, I woke up feeling a little bit flat on Saturday morning. I should have been greeting the dawn from a hotel room in the South of France. But we both determined to get over it, and get on with life. We enjoyed a proper English breakfast, and then I finished off seven more aprons. 

"We're on our way!" Liz messaged us. Their plans had changed, so they'd decided to make a lightning trip to Norfolk to cheer us up. I hadn't see Jess since August - how has she grown so much in 4½ weeks at school. She likes maths best, and she knows all about phonics, she told me!

Liz suggested that as we had a 'free' week, we should try and go out places, perhaps find somewhere different to enjoy a coffee."Perhaps with a cookie?" volunteered Jess, adding "or maybe a cupcake?" then, triumphantly "You could even have a macaron!"

In August we took Rosie to an art exhibition in Norwich - paintings by Thelma MacFarlane, the late mother of my Fiona. Fiona was enchanted by Ro's appreciation of the pictures, and her ability to explain what she liked, and what she thought the artist was trying to portray. Bob had a favourite. So he bought it - and Rosie stood for ages in the hall, looking at it and telling me about it. [I made a video to send to Fiona] I loved listening to her critique - sounding just like her Auntie Steph did 30 years ago.

That really cheered me up. And Jess and Rosie came in the kitchen with me to make three chocolate bars from a craft kit. For Grandad, Mummy and Daddy. Sadly the 'leave in fridge for 40 minutes to set' instruction was wrong. Grandad was presented with a very sticky offering. We left the parents' bars chilling overnight, and they were fine on Sunday,

Lunch with the family here was delightful. Can you believe that stack of marshmallows on Ro's Hot Chocolate? Jess was unstoppably cheerful, didn't stand still long enough for a photo. But we did get lots of hugs from them both.

And up in Manchester, George and Jacob went to Tatton Park with their friends, and sent us pictures of all they were doing.

I feel very blessed to have this loving family around me - we had lots of laughs and good conversations. And plenty of time just to sit and relax. "Mummy says we have to cheer you up, because you couldn't go on holiday!" they told me.

I am cheered, and feel greatly loved. "Your friends are so kind" said Bob, reading all the lovely comments and good wishes on the blog. 

Thank you family, thank you friends! Or should I say "Merci beaucoup!"