Hello friends! I hope you all had a lovely chocolatey eggy Easter! We spent the weekend outside and, because I am constantly looking for the good bits nowadays, I can honestly say that there is a certain joy to be had in being compelled to stay put. We slow down, spend extra time finding pretty bits for the table and generally love each-other more. I hit a bit of a roadblock last Friday though and couldn’t punch through the wall of fatigue to write. Sorry about that. Sometimes telly and bed is the only option. This week has been similarly exhausting but it’s like being a new mother isn’t it…at some point you have to lean in to it all and do ALL the things anyway.
oh dear, it does sound tricky over there, I think you are doing brilliantly and helping others at the same time, don't ever forget that! feeling very protected here in NZ. both my brothers are in the UK, one in London, one in a village near Cambridge, just sent my sister i n law near Cambridge your book to cheer her up, she was delighted. My children are older, so different challenges, one home from first year uni, and so disappointed, was so loving his first few weeks of independence and new friends, the other last year of school and finding this distance learning a challenge. I really really honestly think the younger ones will catch up, and that what they learn from being home with parents will still be learning, just different, and resilience in spades. Can they have two nights a week where they have to plan and do dinner (your oldest sounds very capable!!) from the online shop to making it - could be very simple (would obviously have to be!) and involve some supervision to be safe, Jamie Oliver might have some child friendly options? they would feel so proud, would learn science and might give you a wee break? google Nadia Lim, a NZ cook who is very sensible (is also a nutritionist) also. Maybe fried rice, can be pre-cooked rice, mainly frozen vege like corn and peas.... kids movie night with pop corn and ice cream and make it a special treat, an every dress up for dinner night. a kids early to bed night so you and the rotter can have a date night (might have to bribe them with the movie night first!), a garden treasure hunt for natural things in the garden - for the little two - your oldest could make it eg an acorn, a yellow flower (obviously you might not have those, but just examples), with some questions to answer as well, like how many x's are there in the garden, what side of the house is the letterbox on - age appropriate, your oldest sounds like she would do an amazing job of that - might even give you a few precious minutes to your self!) . Make homemade ice blocks from healthy stuff like yoghurt and fruit - again google them, Nadia Lim has some delicious ones. Get them to make banana ice cream - just frozen banana and frozen berries - if you can get them delivered, great for a picnic in the garden......good luck and I hope one suggestion helpful and if not good luck anyway and be kind to yourself, you are amazing!!!!!!!
Love your newsletter, Laetitia. It helps make me feel I am not alone! Do you think I can grow cobea in a pot? I have some seeds left from last year and am hoping I might get some flowers on it this time. Last year it disappeared in to a huge overgrown jasmine. I’d send a cutting if I could! X
oh dear, it does sound tricky over there, I think you are doing brilliantly and helping others at the same time, don't ever forget that! feeling very protected here in NZ. both my brothers are in the UK, one in London, one in a village near Cambridge, just sent my sister i n law near Cambridge your book to cheer her up, she was delighted. My children are older, so different challenges, one home from first year uni, and so disappointed, was so loving his first few weeks of independence and new friends, the other last year of school and finding this distance learning a challenge. I really really honestly think the younger ones will catch up, and that what they learn from being home with parents will still be learning, just different, and resilience in spades. Can they have two nights a week where they have to plan and do dinner (your oldest sounds very capable!!) from the online shop to making it - could be very simple (would obviously have to be!) and involve some supervision to be safe, Jamie Oliver might have some child friendly options? they would feel so proud, would learn science and might give you a wee break? google Nadia Lim, a NZ cook who is very sensible (is also a nutritionist) also. Maybe fried rice, can be pre-cooked rice, mainly frozen vege like corn and peas.... kids movie night with pop corn and ice cream and make it a special treat, an every dress up for dinner night. a kids early to bed night so you and the rotter can have a date night (might have to bribe them with the movie night first!), a garden treasure hunt for natural things in the garden - for the little two - your oldest could make it eg an acorn, a yellow flower (obviously you might not have those, but just examples), with some questions to answer as well, like how many x's are there in the garden, what side of the house is the letterbox on - age appropriate, your oldest sounds like she would do an amazing job of that - might even give you a few precious minutes to your self!) . Make homemade ice blocks from healthy stuff like yoghurt and fruit - again google them, Nadia Lim has some delicious ones. Get them to make banana ice cream - just frozen banana and frozen berries - if you can get them delivered, great for a picnic in the garden......good luck and I hope one suggestion helpful and if not good luck anyway and be kind to yourself, you are amazing!!!!!!!
Love your newsletter, Laetitia. It helps make me feel I am not alone! Do you think I can grow cobea in a pot? I have some seeds left from last year and am hoping I might get some flowers on it this time. Last year it disappeared in to a huge overgrown jasmine. I’d send a cutting if I could! X