A matter of choice

I realise it may seem a little late to be sharing summer highlights for my readers in the UK, but for those in Cyprus I'm sure you can understand.

Apart from the fact that the sun still shines here and the days are warm (I say warm I mean around 25 to 27 degrees so jeans and duvet weather now)  the summer 'season' runs till the end of October so it's about now that we all take a breath and change gear for the winter. 
 This year was very different for us as a family, extra work  as I started a part time seasonal job in addition to our other commitments, and for the first time, the boys went to summer school. 
I was a bit apprehensive about it and hoped they would enjoy it, although I didn't want to force them to go if they really didn't get on there for some reason.  Our school holidays are very long, almost 13 weeks, so the chance for summer school is good for everyone. 
Luckily they really enjoyed it,  so from when school finished in mid-June, they got a sho…

When you get a new piece of furniture what do you do with the box? 
If you are 7 years old the answer is surely 'Get straight in it'

Louka was overjoyed to see this big box on the balcony when he came home from school and he threw off his shoes and got straight in. 
He lay around in it for a while and then got out for lunch.  I did suggest he could eat lunch in the box but apparently that would be silly. 
The idea to paint the box however was much better received.
I realise that I hovered over the boys way too much when they used to paint, worried about them getting paint everywhere (on marble floors which are easy to clean!)   or on themselves or who knows what, so I gave him paints, brushes and refused to have any more to do with it.  
He asked me what to paint, I didn't give him any suggestions,    (other than 'the box'  as I'm just so easily amused)  
He asked me about the colours to use,  I told him to surprise me. 





He spent ages happily painting in his b…

It seems rather strange to be writing a blog post about about autumn when it's still around 30 degrees  but it is now October and therefore it must be close!
The boys are back at school of course, although it doesn't feel as different as in previous years now they walk there and back by themselves.  They have not yet had there timetables for the year and homework is very little when they actually have any! 
We have still been using the pool but there is a distinct chill to it now that doesn't wear off after a length.  I was in last week but there is a chance that might be my limit now for this year.   Louka thinks it's freezing, Leo is still powering on trying to convince us all it's lovely.  
I have been enjoying going down there though and being able to sit in the sun,  in the height of summer I do all I can to get out of it and find the shade. 

I love this time of year in Cyprus, the temperatures start to drop  - it's still hot enough for the beach but no n…

I love a party when I get a theme I can work with and Leo has given me some great ones over the years,  Harry Potter, Star Wars and my favourite.. Doctor Who. 

This year Pokemon was his choice.



I'm not a Pokemon expert but we had been playing Pokemon Go for almost a year by the time of the party, on the way to and from school and on adventures out and about.  It's a great way to get two tech obsessed boys (and their Mum!) out and walking about.

Because of that, and of course aided by Pinterest I was able to come up with lots of bits to suit the theme and have a very happy birthday boy.

The Decorations

I didn't go overboard and apart from buying new bits to make the Pokeballs I recycled what I already had, hence the fact we had a blue tablecloth. Ideally I'd have got one red and one white to make a Pokeball table but I do try to draw the line somewhere.   I like to think I'm enthusiastic rather than obsessed!

When it comes to crafty homemade decorations they have t…

Can you believe that today is the 1st September?
It really doesn't feel like it!
Apparently it should cool down by a degree or two from tomorrow, and as much as I love the summer we are so ready for a little respite. 
It's been a great summer but I'm looking forward to the routine and the gradual winding down of summer.  We have one week left of the holidays before school starts and 8 weeks left of the summer season. 
I'm sure it will start to really feel like September soon enough

Dear Louka,

Happy birthday little dude!



So now you are 7 years old, and we should probably stop calling you the 'little one' but as Dad says, he's in his 40s now and is still the little'un according to Auntie Bek so you're going to be stuck with it too.


You've had a great year,  started big school and you have enjoyed it so much more than your little school.  You like going to school with Leo for the first time, and now even walking together without me.   I hope you enjoy 2nd class just as much and do even better this coming school year.

What else can I say about you,  you are a contradiction - very loud and crazy and very quiet, such extreme opposites!



We are proud how you talk to many more people these days, even if you don't really want to it makes such a difference when you answer questions and acknowledge the fact that you are being spoken to.

Your swimming is amazing, you have definitely nailed that now, jumped straight in at the start of summer and …