My Week Off So Far

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Good day to you all. I have taken this week off work and invited some family up for the week. They are some of my husband's south coast family. Sadly, they can't stay with us because we don't have the space. Our eldest daughter (C), her husband (T), and their three daughters (Baby1, Baby2, Baby3) are staying with my in-laws. Our other relatives are cousins. They're not first cousins but we refer to anyone related to a cousin as a cousin. I'd sometimes refer to those as second cousins, although that's not technically correct. The actual relationships, in case you're interested, are my husband's first cousin once removed (I'll refer to her as Blue), her daughter (husband's first cousin twice removed. I'll refer to her as BabyCousin), and the partner/dad of the aforementioned cousins (I'll refer to him as J). The cousins are staying in a nearby hotel, which is about halfway between us and the next town (which is where my in-laws live). My week so far has been like this: Monday morning- spa day with my best friend. It was sort of a post-birthday treat and 'bestie day'. We've been friends for 35 years but it was only 2 years ago that we had a day out together. We'd intended to do it every year from then on but, of course, this year was the first we've been able to since. It was enjoyable. We both had a full body scrub and other treatments, and we each spent time in the pool facilities while the other had the treatments. Monday afternoon - got back from the spa in time to meet the girls (I refer to them all, including the two gentlemen, as 'the girls'). We were meeting them at the station in the next town. We met the cousins first, who explained there had been a mishap on the train - they'd got on a train in London but the train was too full for the others to get on so they had to wait for the next one. While we waited, we (that's me, cousins, my husband (D), and my eldest son(Midi)) went for a drink. We sat outside a bar that we'd not been to before. I think it's quite new, although I'm sure husband and I must have been there when it was a different bar. After about half an hour or so, we got a message from daughter asking where we were. D and Midi went to meet them as they'd finished their drinks already, and the rest of us followed. D said the two older grandbabies ran straight to him. He said Baby2 almost knocked him over Baby1 willingly came to me for a hug, but I had to make a bit more effort with Baby2. Baby3 was in her pushchair. All of us then went for a soft drink at a nearby cafe. Baby1 did some colouring, Baby2 was being shy. D got some cuddles with Baby3. BabyCousin did come to me a little bit but was mostly clinging to her daddy. Once we'd had our drinks there, daughter took her family in a taxi to my in-laws. We took a train with the cousins to where they are staying. We helped them get checked in and settled then had a drink in the bar with them. D, Midi, and I then got the train back home where we ordered a McDonald's for ourselves and our youngest (Mini). He hadn't wanted to come with us earlier. He said he'd meet us to go out to eat but then decided we were too far away There was nowhere with availability anyway, so it worked out alright. Tuesday - I didn't do a lot in the morning. I think the boys did some tidying and things. In the afternoon, we all went to a country park. C and T walked up with their little ones. They were later than expected as Baby3 had been suffering with Hay fever, and C had been instructed to take a nap We (me, D, Midi, Mini) met up with the cousins at the station again. We then went to get a bus to the country park but the bus we should have got had broken down. When the next one came, that driver had to help the broken down driver. The 7 of us ended up going in a taxi - which turned out to be cheaper than getting the bus anyway It was also better because we could go all the way there. Had we got the bus, it would have been another 15 to 20 minutes walk from the bus stop. My big sister (Dory) drive up with my little niece and nephew (not Dory's children, they belong to little sister, Rie, who I think was working that day). Niece remembered Baby1 and Baby2, but they were a bit young to remember her. It had been well over a year and a half since they last met (in fact, I think that last time was the only previous time they'd met). Niece and Nephew hadn't met the cousins before, though. All the little ones got on well, and played really nicely together. Their ages range from 2 to 10 but they were all quite happy playing in the mud and collecting pine cones. BabyCousin played in the play area while we were waiting for the others to join us. Cousins then left us, as did T and Baby3, because of being tired/poorly/needing to go elsewhere. The rest of us then went into the play area. I thought we'd be enjoying the open space but the play area equipment, I was pleasantly surprised to find, was suitable for all ages (youngest was 4 year old Baby2 by then) including 15 year old Mini, who often seems to get left out with being the only 'in between' age - not quite being an adult but being too big for most children's things. Mini did go on some of the equipment but he mostly pushed Niece and Baby1 on a big swing. He pushed them so high that I thought they'd fall off, but they were very much enjoying it! Apparently, Baby1 (she is 6) loves that sort of thing. C said there's a new rollercoaster at the seafront where they live, and Baby1 had enjoyed that. I've said it would be nice to take her to a theme park when she's a bit bigger. I might have to take her on her own as D can't go on rides because of health reasons, Mini doesn't like them, and I don't know about Midi. After a play in the play area, Dory had to take Niece and Nephew home. Once they'd gone, those of us who were left (me, D, Midi, Mini, C, Baby1, Baby2) went for a walk around one of the shorter park paths. It's a huge area, and I'd forgot how lovely it was as it had been years since I'd been there. We all wandered and chatted. The little ones saw some horses in a field, and we had a chat about horse riding. I've never done it myself, and I don't think the little ones have either (although I think they will) but D, C, and the boys have all done it. C said the first horse she rode was one in this area, and the horse had the same name as her. We then took a walk down to the in-laws. Mother-in-law was there with T and Baby3. Father-in-law had taken the cousins into town. We stopped for a chat the D, the boys and I came home. Wednesday - we hadn't planned anything. We were quite tired from the previous day's! Midi went to see his dad. I went with him. We walked there along the canal, which took about an hour and a half. He had intended to go on the train but it was a lovely day for a walk. I had a cup of tea (actually, I had two) with Midi and his dad and grandparents when we got there. They invited me to stay for lunch but I declined. Midi stayed there for a while while I did a bit of shopping - it's Mini's 16th birthday in a couple of weeks. I'd got him a few bits but wanted a little bit more. I was going to come home on the train but I just missed it. I thought the bus would be more expensive. Most of them would have been, but there's a new(ish) service that's cheaper just not as regular. I got myself a takeaway cake and cuppa then got the bus home. Had a quiet couple of hours not doing much. D had a delivery he'd been awaiting. We had spent 2 years saving for a computer, which we ordered about a month ago and was delivered Wednesday. It was very expensive - the most expensive thing either of us has ever bought - but it's even better than he wanted, came with some free stuff, and he got a better graphics card because the one he wanted was out of stock. He's hoping to get back into graphic design work for computer games. He's good at it, and experienced, but a lot of things have changed in the time he's been out of the market. In the evening, Mini went to Explorer Scouts. They were bike riding. Mini doesn't have a bike and can't ride one. Someone took a spare one for him and tried to teach him. He said he tried but only rode for about a second. I said that was good because he had tried, and it must be over 10 years since he last had a bike. Mini travels by bus on his own to get there but I pick him up. Midi came with me this time. We walked up a little early, had a drink at a pub in the village where the Scout hut is, then the three of us came home in a taxi - just in time for the rain to start Today is Thursday. I'm not out of bed yet, but need to get up. The four of us are meeting the cousins to take them to the in-laws. I know the girls will be there, but not sure about anyone else. I was hoping that everyone would be able to see some other family members but it's been a bit tricky with their work schedules. The plan for today is to do that and then take the cousins out for dinner. There is a pub/restaurant by where they're staying. They have been there for two meals this week, so this will be their third it'll be nice for us as it's been a long time since I've taken the boys out for a meal. D and I have been for a meal with friends since the last time I came on here but the boys haven't joined us for a meal for maybe 2 or 3 years now. Not sure what Friday's plans will be. The girls might come to our town and explore some of the countryside/nature spaces but we won't know until later. They might have other plans. Saturday, the cousins will be doing their own thing - possibly meeting up with other family. C and T are going into the big city for shopping, and we're taking the three grandchildren to the zoo. The girls will then all be heading back down south on Sunday. I'll be back at work on Monday, Mini will have an exam (but that's his last school thing until he starts 6th form in September), and Midi will be back up north for uni (unless he can start a placement around here). We've been quite lucky with the weather so far. A bit cooler today but still rather sunny. The image is one I took of my eldest son and eldest granddaughter. He had to carry her because she had an itchy foot How has your week been? Any plans for the rest of it?