This week has been a bit up and down for me, with worries about work and finances.
We have had emails that the kids swimming will be resuming from 25th July, which means we will have to start paying the fees again, even if they cannot attend the available sessions. I am still waiting for a timetable, but with my husband and Kian working full time and my hours I have a feeling it is going to be a struggle.
The announcement that everyone will have to wear masks in shops from 24th July surprised me, it feels a bit late now. I am still waiting to see if it will be compulsory for staff, as I struggle to understand and hear what customers want through the screens, especially when they have a mask on, so when it is two way, it’s going to be a nightmare!!
Here is my week:
Sunday 12th July
I did a full shift at Tesco today and I thought it would be busier with the nice weather. When I got home, Hubby fired up the barbecue for dinner, which we rounded off with a Dip Dab ice lolly – OMG they are amazing!! The ice lolly is strawberry flavour and then you dip it into the sherbert.
We all enjoyed relaxing in the garden in the evening sun.
Monday 13th July
The kids last week of school before the summer holidays, so I took advantage of some time to myself and went for a walk around Longham Lakes, which I have been wanting to do for ages.
It is a stunning location, with lots of wildlife to spot, but in hindsight I should not have walked 7 miles before a shift at work as my feet were killing me!
Kian got some good news, Splashdown are re-opening on 25th July, so his furlough is ending. He sent me his shift pattern whilst I was at work and it the realisation kicked in that he has full time hours until September which means he cannot help us out with childcare any longer. He has been a real lifesaver for us, during lockdown, stepping up to look after the kids if our work patterns clash and I have to admit there were a few tears from me.
Tuesday 14th July
Today we broke up from pre-school. It was odd not having a party and leaving ceremony for our school leavers, but we made a fuss of the kids and got some really lovely presents from them.
Most of them will be attending the primary school attached to the pre-school, so we will still get to see them, which is nice.
Wednesday 15th July
Abbey came around with Lilah and we headed out to Tesco to buy some baby clothes for her whilst I still have a staff discount card. On the way home we decided to have our first McDonalds since before lockdown.
Sadly, it didn’t really live up to expectations as it was luke warm by the time we got home and the chips were rubbery. Once we had finished, we attached Lilah’s new swing to our swing set and she adored it, especially when Kian was pushing her.
The evening was another work day for me and I have to say they have been amazing and have adjusted my hours so that I can work around my husband. It means we will be like passing ships in the night, but it is a relief to still have two wages coming in. Abbey has also offered to help with looking after the kids if we need it.
Thursday 16th July
I totally failed at getting any pictures today as I spent the morning in pre-school for our end of year toy sort / clean. It was lovely seeing all my colleagues again, as most of us haven’t worked together since March.
I left pre-school and headed straight to Tesco for a 9 hour shift. It was safe to say I was shattered by the time I got home, but I have finally got my uniform!
Friday 17th July
My husband and I took advantage of our last childfree day for 7 weeks and went for breakfast in Haskins.
They have a really good system in place for test and trace, where you leave your details and they then offer you a card, which you can scan when you visit again, rather than having to re-register.
It was lovely and quiet and everyone kept their distance from each other. Once we had finished, we had a look around the garden centre which always looks immaculate. I could have spent a fortune!!
The kids last day at school went well and even though they have only actually been back in school for 4 weeks, they all came out bouncing at the thought of 7 weeks off!!
Eliza headed to the park to celebrate with some of her bubble and bumped into Abbey who was there with her friend, who lives locally, and stole Lilah away for a cuddle.
Saturday 18th July
Why is it that I struggle to get the kids up for school, but they are wide awake and arguing at 7am on a Saturday?
We have some reviews to catch up on this morning and then it is work for me this afternoon / evening.
How has your week been?
Oh no! So sorry you are worrying about work and finances, no fun at all.
Yes! I feel the same! I understand wearing masks but why now? Why not when everything started opening up again.
Lovely photos. It looks like you had a gorgeous walk but I don’t envy you doing it before a shift at work.
That’s great news for Kian but a shame about the childcare situation. Sending hugs.
That chocolate is such a lovely gift.
Ahh! I’ve not had a Mcdonalds in over a year. The nearest one is a couple of bus rides away. x
Tricky to balance everything isn’t it? Finances, childcare, work… Sounds like you have reached a reasonable compromise even if it will be a bit of a slog through the summer – should be easier in September when school goes back.
Glad that everyone’s work is getting sorted out. Childcare is such an issue this year for so many people. We haven’t had a McDonalds yet, it’s definitely something to eat in the car to get it hot, but not v fun.
That does sound a worry about work hours, money and childcare. It’s good that Abbey can help out of if you need her too. It must be lovely that you can see her and Lilah now. The photos of Lilah are beautiful.
It is hard to balance everything isn’t it? Sounds like you have reached a reasonable compromise. I hope things improve xx
Lilah is absolutely gorgeous, what is her relationship to you all? Great that Kian is back in work, but oh dear to the child care arrangements. Fab end of school gifts and great the kids will see all their friends again soon. Hope Eliza had fun with her friends also.
Lilah is my Granddaughter 🙂
Absolute madness that face masks weren’t introduced months ago! We went to get a McD a few weeks ago but the queue made us give up 🙁 #project366
Oh wow I’ve not seen Dip Dab lollies before. My husband would love those. Longham Lakes looks like a beautiful spot. What a beautiful happy photo of Lilah on the swing – her smile is just gorgeous. Love the photo of Eliza cuddling Lilah too. #project366
I didn’t know Dibdab did lollies. I must get hold of one? Money worries are tough, same issue here at the moment. Wish I had something helpful to say, it’s not easy, I know. I worked for Tesco when I was a student and quite enjoyed it, they were fairly good to staff and I was sad to leave (I moved out of the area)
Don’t get me started on mask. Wearing them, but it all feels haphazard doesn’t it?
Haven’t heard of DibDab lollies, I imagine my kids would love it. We haven’t been to McDonald’s yet, though my younger one keeps asking. I also think that the masks should have been introduced earlier. It’s not easy to understand/hear what someone says behind the mask. I had to pull the mask away to repeat my requests when talking to the sales assistants behind the glass partition.
The chocolate is a lovely gift!
One of the benefits of lockdown is definitely not having to worry about the childcare! I am sure this will hit us hard too when the time comes. So good that you have been able to adjust your hours although it sounds like you will be full on working going forward I hope you manage to juggle it all and that you still manage to enjoy some of the school holidays. xx
Sorry it has been a bit of an up and down week! Have to agree I feel like the mask thing is a bit late too.
Our swimming is still on hold as it’s done in a local schools pool…and they haven’t said they are going to open yet. They have a another venue which is a 30 minute drive and I refuse to go that far for just a half hour lesson.
The ice lolly has a nice red colour. The lake looks beautiful. The chocolate box is very sweet, especially the paragraph written. Lilah is so adorable! Delicious looking breakfast, good that there was social distancing there.