Advance

21 comments

One of the best parts of summing my week up in a word is writing a list of all the stand out moments we’ve had in the last seven days. You know. Those events that make you stop and reflect. Stand back briefly and watch it going on. Hopefully, appreciating that you are part of it. Admittedly, not all events fall neatly into that box, but enough.

This week, we moved into the “two teens in the household” category. Middle turned 13. It suits her. She is a social butterfly like her sister, with a wide group of friends. So instead of offending any by leaving them out, she opted for a family day out, which will happen later on.

Her older sister and I had fun making the cake for her. The leaves are made from fondant and we used my favourite leaf pressing cutter.  I’m pleased with the effect. There was also pizza and a DVD, to finish off the day. She seemed happy.

I love seeing them all grow, but sometimes it is so hard. Toughest of all is seeing them make choices about their futures, that at the end of the day is their choice to make. We can just offer guidance and be there.

Eldest is starting to make her A’level (Advanced Level) choices for next year. (I know. Oxygen seems to forcibly evacuate my lungs every time I think of it. Already?) She needs to choose three subjects and this has sent her into complete indecision mode. Lots of throwing her hands up in the air. There have been moments, I have secretly envied the parents of children who already know their career path.

So this week she has surprised me by narrowing it down to four subjects. Two science and two languages. With the submission date looming, I forsee a moment of breath holding, as we wait to see which side the coin will land. It is tough. Really, really tough.

As for the rest of the week, it has been full. We went leaf peeping at Stourhead and lit the fire in the wood burner for the first time this year, which helped to confirm that the year really is advancing at its usual fast rate. We seem to have made our decision to replace one of our cars with an electric car. Advancing our green living mission massively. It feels like a huge, positive change.

I’ve had a fair bit of waiting around for people this week, so I’ve made inroads into  The Snow Child. I am loving it. The story is familiar and wonderful, but the writing is delicious as well. You know how you find yourself savouring the words and not wanting to rush? This is one of those books. I find that the way it is written makes me think about mindfulness more too.

This week, I’ve made a point of moving away from my screen at lunchtime and reading a bit more, while enjoying pumpkin soup and homemade croutons. Yum.

So that was my week. How about you? What have you been up to?

Linking my word of the week – Advance

21 comments

  2. A very full week, with lots to keep you busy. I’m glad your daughter had a lovely birthday, and I hope your eldest manages to narrow down that four to three. My nephew’s in Y11 so is thinking about what he wants to do, too, it is difficult. I’ve read The Snow Child, really enjoyed it, glad your are as well. Funnily enough, I am getting through work this morning and plan a lunchtime break with my book before returning to the screen, it it nice to have that break x Thanks for sharing with #WotW

  4. Happy birthday to your girl….That cake is fantastic!
    Good luck to your eldest with her A-Level choices….I thought it was bad enough helping my girl choosing her GCSE options. I hadn’t even thought about A-levels….Eek!
    Yum! Yum! That soup looks so good x

  5. My daughter has no idea what she wants to do either although she does have another year before making A level choices. Assuming that she decides to do A levels! My son turns 13 next March so a little while yet until I have two teenagers in the house although sometimes it doesn’t sound/feel like it.

    1. So difficult for them to choose at this stage. The world is their oyster and then we tell them to choose three. Yes, it has felt like more than one teenager for a while, to be honest!

  6. Hi Cheryl, the older the children get the faster time seems to fly. My daughter is in her last year at school and is studying really hard to get into her choice of university next September and I have no idea where the time has gone. I still see this chubby, plump creature that could shoot you down with one look. Now I see a woman, who can still shoot a look, but it’s far more controlled.I do hope your new teen enjoyed her birthday, that cake must have taken ages to decorate… For me homemade soup is one thing I do enjoy in winter.

    Thank you for linking up with the #MMBC.

    xx

  7. I need to take a leaf out of your book and move away from the screen more often to indulge in a book. Happy birthday to your newly teen girl, I hope she enjoyed her cake. Have a wonderful weekend x #WotW

  8. Love that cake, hope your daughter had a fab birthday. Thanks for the comment on my blog post about Bob’s preschool assessment, yes the pool is part of the facility, they have an indoor one also

  10. I love the leaves on your cake… I am going to have to remember that effect for future use. I also like the look of the book you are reading so I am going to be researching that one! #MMBC

  11. I’m catching up a bit! Your cake looks amazing, happy birthday to your daughter. One of mine will be turning 13 next year, they grow up so quick (I often tend to disregard that my eldest two are 28 and 29, they are still my children.) I’m not keen on pumpkin soup though, not sure why, I love pumpkin pie. You’ve intrigued me with The Snow Child, I’ll have to check that one out.
    #wotw #MMBC

  12. Time is flying …… deep breath, deep breath.. I think the total absorption in a good book is a very good idea and I rather fancy a bowl of that soup please gosh those croutons look yummy!

  14. Its so odd as they grow up isn’t it? Bittersweet, the pride in how they are growing and adapting to adulthood. But the not wanting to let go xxx The cake looks amazing! I am going to have to check out that book it looks intriguing x

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