Hello Matt

So here we are with your version of then and nearly now! You were helping the girls to play chess in the "then" one. I don't seems to remember any of you knowing what to do at the time, but it kept you all happy! I wonder where your sword was?? The "now" part is nearly 3 years ago taken just after you jumped off the top of an alp with a parachute on. Crazy...... but impressive too! I thought I would share another of your moments of glory. I think your parents aged a few decades at the time.

This could be a new feature of my blog, the then and now part. Hmmmmm..... who shall I do next.........

Hello Diana

ok ok ok...... never say your mother doesn't listen. Then and now , the Diana version.
The one of you when you were about 3 is memorable because you hated wearing dresses. And then the one on the bottom is because this is more "you"....... ! Just think of all the photos I could have posted. The ballerina ones spring to mind, of both you and Kate. Maybe tomorrow. I love you loads anyway!

Hello there, Katherine

............ you are right and I have indeed known you since you were a newborn, and your parents since before the beginning of time. I feel this is worthy of note so here are then and now pictures. I decided to add the one of you and Diana swimming with the care bears too. Just for fun! Oh those were the days...... you were SO cute! You did like chocolate........

Celebrating adulthood!

Yesterday was a long hot day, and judging by the cars and people clutching bright plastic things won on the stalls, the Carnival was a success. The babes went as Jack and Jill, and as a little swiss girl, and they are the perfect age for carnivals. I managed not to go. There is a whole new generation out there which is enjoying it all!

The wanderers have returned, and all the kids away at uni are returning slowly to the village for the summer. It is good to catch up with all their antics and achievements, and Matt got a 2.1!!!!! This is definite cause for celebration. He starts work as a building surveyor soon. Ollie is now a doctor, and about to start work in Huddersfield. Charlotte starts teaching in Sept, as does Matt, who has just moved into his new house. So many reasons to celebrate. Dan is waiting for his results in engineering, and is off to Malawi (I think) next week to work for a few weeks. Kelly is now a director of the company she works for, and is buying a house. Tom is busy with his architecture degree. I had a great evening with Ros and Martyn and Kelly and Lance recently, and I just wish we all lived closer. Angus has a new job, and Beth gets married in September. Tom starts work as a deputy head in September, and he, Adele and Freddie are moving into their new house in the summer. Alex is selling rugs, and planning to have his own business one day soon. Ellie and Megan are still busy with their degrees in Leeds and London, and are absolutely loving uni and everything that goes with it. Kate is doing her PhD in York, and Holly works in Northampton. Jenny has just announced her engagement, and is in the middle of her quest to be a psychologist. Richard is loving uni and has a lovely girlfriend. Julia and David are the only 2 of the assorted children still at school, and they only have a year to go now. Thank heavens. Andrew and Ann are happy in London, and Diana is in New Zealand.

Liz and I are the only 2 mothers in law at the moment, and will soon be joined by Julia and Nicky. Liz and Julia are the only 2 grannies. I remember all the children above as small kids. As in really small. Toddlers, some of them. Now they are flying in all directions, and it is absolutely wonderful to see. Our combined brood range in age from 29-17, and are all so different, and so unique. So many talents and so many abilities. Lots of dreams and enthusiasm.

Andrew

I cannot believe that I am the mother of a 29 year old son. I remember being 29 myself. Quite clearly. On Sunday we went down to see Andrew and Ann, and he did a great BBQ for our lunch, even though the weather was not stunningly hot. In fact the sun was rarely out at all. But this is England, and there was no rain, so obviouly perfect weather for a BBQ. They are so enjoying their home, and are decorating at the moment. It was really lovely to see them.

I have been thinking back to when my kids were small, and all the funny memories I have. Our first children are always experiments in parenting, aren't they. But somehow they survive and so do we, and now I can sit here and see the man he has become, and I am very proud of him. Happy Birthday, Andrew!

Andrew and Ann in Switzerland

The Restauant Boden, in Engelberg. Clearly the best place to eat in town!

Andrew and Ann in the snow. This is meant to be spring.

They had a great 2 weeks in Switzerland and managed to visit Interlaken and Geneva too. The snow was an unexpected bonus.

Another week is here, and the London Marathon is over for another year, and the 2 teams playing for the FA Cup have been decided. Roger Federer lost the Monte Carlo Masters final to Raphael Nadal (gl00m and despondancy here) and while the weather is milder, it has drizzled and there has been no sign of the sun anywhere. Spring? I need sunshine! Diana has finished her holiday club and it has been a great success, and she is now having a few days off to rest and have some adventures. I have nothing much exciting to report. I will be back.