Keeping on the Straight and Narrow...

DancingInTheRain

DS1 had a successful first day back but was a tired little grump when he got home...

Poor DS2 was very confused all day and kept asking for DS1, he was super excited when we went back to pick DS1 up 😊 

DH took us for lunch from his personal spends and we managed to pick up a couple more Xmas gifts, getting quite a stash built up now.

I think I'm sorted for work next week - going to work a longer day in the office on Monday with DH picking DS1 up from school and then work school hours the other days (1 in the office, 2 from home) on the work from home days I can work an extra hour or two if needed after picking DS1 up. DS2 will be happy with one of his Grandma's so DH or I can pick him up any time depending on who finishes work first.

Going to enjoy the last 2 days of my annual leave, taking Mum for some shopping today & she's treating DS2 & I to lunch.

No plans for tomorrow so may take DS2 to the playground and have some fun.

Quiet weekend also planned, although I'm sure the usual chores will keep me occupied 🙂

Hope everyone else is well xx

beanielou

Glad that all went well fo DS1. 

Enjoy your lunch. 

savingholmes

Glad you got your childcare sorted and that your boss was helpful.

DancingInTheRain

Hello all
Trying to enjoy my last day of freedom before returning to work tomorrow, I've picked up a mystery back injury ☹️ so been doing a combination of resting up & a few light chores.
It's been torrential rain here all morning but the sun has finally made an appearance 🌞
We've had a fairly quiet few days, lunch with Mum on Thursday was lovely and DS2 & I had a lovely day together Friday, the first time it's been just us in ages so we did some painting and had a walk to the playground.

DH's car had its MOT on Friday so need to pop in for the bill next week. Fingers crossed that's the last of the annual bills pot expenditure until 1 Jan when DH's road tax is due.

DS1 has had a good first week back at school but has been exhausted coming home, he's not enjoying me making him have a bath or a shower as soon as we get in either but needs must!
I'm sure he'll soon get used to the new routine. I've found it very odd just leaving him to run across the playground to get to his classroom (I got a little teary eyed on the first day 😬) but he's been very grown up and taken it all in his stride. He told me he's been looking after his friends if they looked sad 💙
When I look back to this time last year, when he was still having regular tantrums I'm so proud of how much he's grown up, he really is turning out to be a kind & lovely boy with a cheeky sense of humour 🙂
We spent some time visiting MIL yesterday, DH did a couple of jobs around the house for her while we had a cuppa and the boys played.

Enjoyed a Chinese style fakeaway last night, need to knock these on the head a bit as both our weight loss has come to a standstill the last few weeks, must try harder!
On the plus side I have been achieving my 10,000 steps most days so I am at least moving more than usual 🙂

So plans for the rest of the day - we're going for a short walk after DS2's nap to see if it helps my back as well as ensuring we all get some fresh air. Then it will be getting lunches, bags and clothes prepared for the morning before bath and bed routine for the boys. DH and I might watch a film once the boys are settled.
Ta-ta for now xx

savingholmes

Hope your back sorts soon. Glad you and hubby are getting sometime to snuggle. Your DS sounds a treasure.

DancingInTheRain

Thanks @savingholmes
My back finally feels back to normal, Monday was the worst day for pain but it has gradually eased since then. Have been permanently attached to a hot water bottle, smothered in ibuprofen gel & an evening bath (poor DH may have also helped me to get dressed once or twice 😳).

DS1 continues to enjoy school, it's lovely seeing him so happy & DS2 is enjoying lots of one on one time with his Grandma's.

We seem to have got in to a good routine as a family, long may it last. I still feel like I'm treading water at the moment, I think it's due to the fact I'm a planner/organiser and like certainty but with the pandemic it just feels like a cloud of uncertainty is following me around which keeps making me feel unsettled.

The new restrictions coming in on Monday means we won't be able to visit our siblings as a family as we're all groups of 4 or 5 ☹️ so will have to go without children if we do visit. 

Our Mums both live on their own so at least we can continue to come and go between their houses (for now...)

Have definitely been less spendy now we are all back at work/school which has been much needed. We were a bit free and easy with the budget at the end of August but had fun so no regrets, just need to be a little stricter the next 2 weeks until I get paid.

Shouldn't be a problem as we have no plans other than to get a few little maintenance jobs done around the house and also need to declutter the loft as lots of stuff went up there at the start of lockdown.

DH's car passed its MOT without any issues which was a relief, that's the last of the annual bills costs until January now so a little time to let the savings pots build up.

Hope everyone else is well, stay safe xx

savingholmes

Glad it made it through its MOT okay. Really hoping DH's does the same but we bought an 06 plate a year ago with lots of advisories - and if any one of the needs fixing we will probably have to write it off.

DancingInTheRain

Morning, hope everyone is well.

We've had a challenging few days to say the least, MIL has been struck down with a nasty chest infection then my Mum had a nasty fall & ended up with concussion 😱

As they both live on their own we've basically moved my Mum in with us for a few days & taken turns with BIL & SIL to look after MIL. Both seem to be on the mend and getting back to normal now thankfully.

This has obviously meant we've had to juggle work commitments and looking after the boys, which has proved slightly more challenging given our broadband has been down for a week 🤬 awful customer service too, would like to change providers but locked into this contract until next year. We've had to take turns going into the office or trying to work from home so had a few early mornings and late finishes between us but have managed to get through it. 

Our TV & hoover have also broken so had to replace those. With looking after our Mum's the food budget has gone out of the window a little as we've bought more things for convenience or to try to kick-start our Mums appetites by having a few extra treats. These extra spends also came after we'd booked a couple of days away for half term too although the way the virus is going this might not go ahead.
Realistically I think we'll have to dip into our savings this month as the savings pots are super low, annoying but at least they are there & then we can hopefully get back on track. 

In less negative news, DS1 continues to love school & is absolutely thriving being back in a routine and doing something just for him. He's taking really well to beginning to learn to read, just needs to be a little more confident in his ability and he'll be away.

DS2 has enjoyed a couple of sessions at DS1's school's 2 year old provision. He's super confident & didn't even look back when I said goodbye, little monkey 🐵

A low key weekend for us as we're all tired, I took DS2 to the playground yesterday while DH took DS1 to the cinema - bargain at only £2 per ticket.

Thinking of going out for a little while as a family today, might take the boys bikes so they can let off a bit of steam.
Mum's still at ours so will spend some time with her too, maybe watch a film together if she's feeling up to it.

Hope everyone else is doing well, I've been reading along even if I'm not commenting much lately. 

Take care, stay safe xx

beanielou

Well life has certainly sent you a few curve balls. 

Glad that both the mum’s are on the mend. 

savingholmes

beanielou said:

Well life has certainly sent you a few curve balls. 

Glad that both the mum’s are on the mend. 

What she said plus hugs. You are doing amazing