Meanwhile at home…..

I realised today just how much time/energy/thought I?ve been expending on the house sale/move preparations, for what is literally months. I?ve not been able to feel I could relax into a day without thinking, must do this, should have done that etc. I think my time with Stringbean has suffered a bit because of this. So it was good to have all that behind us (I can ignore all the stuff that still needs unpacking/sorting?.) and just enjoy the day. I?ve not really been responsible for them both all day yet except for a couple of occasions, and then H wasn?t far away. So it will be interesting how that works out.

Morning of course saw Helen off for her first day back at work, so that was on the whole a bit sad, though also a bit exciting, as it really marks the start of a new period in our lives. It?s a real shame though that we didn?t get moved earlier and Helen have more time at home down here. Packed Nanny and Grandad off a bit later as well, leaving me and the Beans to our own devices. Butterbean had some Pear puree for breakfast, seems to be happily starting on the weaning so far.

After 4 days of moving, sorting etc. decided it was time to get out. So went round the corner to the village library to join up. The library was closed a few years ago by the County Council, but then taken over and run by volunteers from the village (mostly it seems, as so often with these things ?ladies of certain age?). Not entirely sure of the setup, they have their own stock, as well as some from the Library Service, but also still use the same cards and computer system as the County Library service. Anyway seems a nice little library, the Beans got plenty of appreciate comments, they had their monthly coffee/tea/booksale thing on, and also a Storytime for the kiddies. So that was good, Stringbean enjoyed that, got to play with one of the other little girls, and I got to meet a few other parents, including another Dad. Half a dozen stories read, and then a little craft activity.. Stayed at the end (we were going to get some books anyway) and helped tidy up, got chatting to the women who had done the readings and another dad – who lives just down the road from us. Got a ?pop round for coffee? type invite, so will follow that up sometime.

?Came out? about our HE intentions, as there was some discussion regarding the position if you don?t want to send your child to school ?early? when they are 4 but defer the place and wait until they are 5. It had been suggested that the school/LEA would just want to put them into the year 1 class, bypassing Reception anyway, which may miss the point of not sending them early, and then there is the issue of getting a place ? yes you could just wait until the relevant time, but then they might not get a place in the school they wish ? hence the desire to get a place and then defer it. Of course discussion came round to what SB would be doing, so I just came clean Apparently there is someone else in the village HE?ing.

So books got, headed home via the local shops (Butterbean in ?big? pushchair + Stingbean with her dolly pushchair = chaos in small shops?..) Picked up a ?treat? for us all for later in the rather-to-convenient bakery opposite our house ? will have to try to avoid making a habit of that Had lunch (mostly carrot sticks and olives for SB, Butterbean had a bit of bottle, but not that impressed with it all really). After reading all the library books took them both for a visit to their new nursery they will be attending 2 days a week, as expected they both got on fine, so that was good. It seems a nice place, staff are friendly, but they have plenty to live up to in our eyes compared to the last place I used the time for various boring shopping tasks ? like a whirly gig thing for the washing then home to meet Mummy, cue much feeding from Butterbean, and reading, Webland etc. for Stringbean while I got tea etc.

All in all a good day, though I at least need a time of adjustment here while I settle into things. Tomorrow (well today) we have two going out options, but I think one will do, some time ?just being? in the house will be good as well.