Still thanking our lucky stars for all we have at the homestead and beyond. Feeling even more thankful after a gorgeous sunny Bank Holiday where we celebrated (and we know how to celebrate round here!) the long-awaited 12th birthday of the Grandest Sproglet and the not so eagerly anticipated arrival of 6 decades and two years for Mr G. He didn’t cry..much..for long.
The sun shone, the bbq crackled, fizzy pop popped, Giant Wotsits stole 1St prize in the fave snack category of both the ancient and the juveniles and the pool was well and truly bathed in. The two youngest of the Crew who are both beams of light that radiate joy and love in abundance were happy to be swaddled, cuddled, cooed at and chased, in no particular order but the chasing only refers to our blue-eyed boy who definitely takes after his male cousin when it comes to shaking adults off when he’s on his walkabouts.
Watching the crazy antics as well as beautiful friendships amongst the GS Crew is both heart-warming and at times overwhelming in it’s simplicity and naivety. If there was a way to pause time just for a little time to take in and take stock of who they already are with their growing personalities and thirst for knowledge and adventure, then this would be the time I’d choose. They are the greatest gift. When I said we are lucky, I wasn’t exaggerating.
Our blonde, beautiful, clever, kind and beauty obsessed 12 year old chose Westfield, Stratford for her birthday outing of choice. She memorised the centre map, worked out the quickest route and decided she wanted to be there pre-opening time. Mum and Dad being the proud parents making this momentous event happen went along with her every request and they dutifully and magically (given the sometimes, scandalous tail-backs at the Blackwall Tunnel), arrived at 9.58, phew! She had the birthday of her dreams and very well deserved it was. She even managed to wag herself a free gigantic ice-cream roll (I know, I’d never heard of one either), from Pan-n-Ice (hadn’t heard of them either!) for happily obliging them with a nifty dance routine for their TikTok. Happy happy birthday to you our gorgeous 12 year old. Keep on doing what you’re doing, you are amazing in every which way.
One of the things I hadn’t anticipated happening around here was the ever-growing need for a Croc-Station, they’re all wearing them; light blue, navy blue, green, white, lilac, multi. Our 12 year old opened a new pair on birthday morning; greige (is that a colour?) Mr G never saw himself as a dedicated follower of fashion, now he has his own tribe of Croc mates, who’d have thought it? The Golden Hound doesn’t know which one to pick up and parade anymore, his choice is vast and sends him into a tail-spin. A familiar cry around the homestead from varying sizes of persons these days is “Have you seen my Croc/s?” instead of just the one Croc-devotee.
On a much more serious note because I can’t help but link the similarities…..My thinking since the BH weekend has been all consumed by thanks and gratitude. Having been around for a host of decades, I’m all too familiar with how to live for the moment. Two incredibly sad and touching stories in the last few weeks have heightened that emotion further. The first being someone the very same age as me with loving family and grandchildren going for an appointment and never coming home. I cannot get my head around leaving home and not knowing you won’t ever come back. The second is a tragic accident that turned the life of a beautiful 12 year old and that of her family around, for ever. Our family are incredibly close; aunties are more like big sisters and uncles like big bro’s, all friends and allies, looking out for each other, always. When an old school acquaintance of one of our girls reached out and told her story of her incredible niece, our hearts as a family went out to them and you will understand why celebrating this weekend as we have done has never ever felt so important. Each and every day we are on this planet is a day to be celebrated with thanks and gratitude…. https://justgiving.com/crowdfunding/grace-tutt-12
Have you seen my Crocs? 