Snow and consequences

Last week was a hard one for various reasons.

We dont usually have much snow round here, but last week we were given serveral doses of it, making travel into work "interesting" and for some people who live in more rural areas, impossible.

When the snow first falls, and you see it out of your house windows, it looks so pretty, a perfect white blanket covering the greys greens and muddy bits of winter, but then its time to step out into that wonderland, and try and get on with your daily routines.

I still remember deep snow in Leicester as a kid, making huge snowballs in the garden that got so heavy we could barely roll them. We loved the snow, and had such fun in it!

My little brothers kids, quite naturally were so excited to see a decent covering of snow. Martha and Leo are 9, and Carlo only 4, so this fall of snow was the biggest and "best" they had ever seen. Quite naturally, the kids were all terribly excited by it, and were desparate to go toboganning. Sadly, disaster struck, and Martha came off her sled, breaking her leg quite badly.

As the poor darling has broken the same leg before, this time she has had to have an operation to sort things out. Shes had some special bits of metal put in to help it mend back together. Martha now faces many weeks of being immobile in a big plaster cast whilst the bone slowly knits back together.

I will do all I can to help my dear brother and his wife KT look after Martha during her convalescence. Will talk to them and also to my work and see what can be done.

We had already booked in with Thos and Kt to have all 3 kids this weekend, so we decided to continue with that plan of action. We picked the boys up after we had finished work on Friday, and had them overnight.

this morning Douglas, Leo, Carlo and I went - by tram - as the roads are still quite icy - to see a new 3D movie called BOLT about a dog who thinks hes a super hero. I think it was Carlos first 3D film! We all enjoyed it very much, and reccomend it to Children from the age of 5 - 85!!

We trammed home, walked up our steep hill and had pizza for lunch. Carlo was being grumpy so I sent him off to his bedroom to play with his toys for a while. This had the desired effect and he went to sleep for a bit ;-) Leo and I watched Grand Designs, and Douglas read one of his new books.

At about 4pm, I herded the boys into the car whilst Douglas called the cats from their hiding places, gave them the all clear to come down, and put their food out for them. I was very grateful to him for making sure both Billy and Lilly were happily noshing.

When we were all packed and settled into the car, we set off for the local swimming pool. I think we spent just over One and a half hours there. All that time Carlo played in a pirate ship type thing that has a small waterslide on it. He is now very confident in the water, and had a smashing time!! Leo played with him for a while, but then went off and had fun with Douglas in the pool and the big flume.

The pool has a "body drier" which the boys love.. Imagine a cubicle with hot air being pumped out, and infra red lights shining on you. Its a great way to warm and dry skinny bodies that would otherwise cool down very fast in the drying process.

After a quick tea, we packed the boys and their things into bags/car and drove them round to my parents who are looking after them for the night and some of Sunday.

Carlo fell asleep in the car, and then very quickly fell asleep again on being put to bed at the parents house.. I'm sure by now Leo will also be out like a light :-)

We had a wonderful day.. and now we are exhausted too!!!

zzzzz