Summer holidays: Half way through

Six weeks sounds like a long time when you're at the beginning, doesn't it? But it's a lot less long when you're halfway through, wondering where the time went. Here's what we did with some of it.

The males of the family (including my dad) went to see the truck racing at Donington, the first Saturday. They came back full of truck excitement - and with bigger hands than usual! Meanwhile, my mum and I went for a nice peaceful walk.

Next day, Theo was a little tired.

Later that week, we drove to Dove Dale and climbed Thorpe Cloud in the rain, which helpfully and unexpectedly ceased just as we got to the top. We were able to have lunch with a view and without getting soaked. A kestrel came and hovered nearby, looking as if it were hung from the sky by an invisible string.

Coming down, the boys decided that running was the way to go. This is my new favourite picture of me with them.

We also went to a tractor festival (oh yes, we know how to have fun!) where Toby had his first go on a quad bike. He was cautious while driving but fizzing with excitement afterwards.

The second week, both boys went to a holiday club run by a couple of local churches. Toby loved it; Theo endured it rather; they both came home with an enormous bag of craft activities, and entertained us for days afterwards by dressing up as knights and acting out scenes from a play.

I took advantage of my free time by picking blackberries for my yearly batch of jam (the hedges were overflowing with berries!) and getting myself a new haircut. Now I just need a better photo of my new haircut.

Last week, Toby went to a tennis course, and Theo and I went shopping, entertained friends, bounced on the trampoline and watered the garden - endlessly and repeatedly, owing to Theo's current obsession with the hose. Still, it seems to be doing some good, judging by the size of the carrots!

And finally, Toby has been getting rather good at Mariokart Wii. He was so pleased with his first place trophy that he and Theo had to celebrate like Formula 1 drivers do - by tipping champagne over their heads. Or rather, firmly-closed bottles of squash. The champagne will have to wait for another day.

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