The Photo Gallery: Sport

My 10 year old is never going to let me forget we were away for the Olympics. He is mad about sport, ANY sport - and I know he'd have been glued to the wall-to-wall coverage at home. Instead he's had to make do with a few snatched highlights on iPlayer. I do have occasional pangs of guilt; and then remind myself it wouldn't have been TV heaven for the other two.

Football is his first love. And from what I can gather, the more time spent diving, sliding or basically throwing yourself to the ground during a game, the better.

This is apparently called an overhead bicycle kick.

It just looks painful to me, but I'm reliably informed it's how Wayne Rooney scored the winning goal in the 2011 Manchester derby. 

This is the other thing: my eldest has an encyclopedic knowledge of football and soaks up any sports facts or news like a sponge. It's given me a glimpse of what he's capable of learning...when he puts his mind to it.

The Gallery theme this week is Sport.

The Gallery - Planes, Trains and Automobiles

I got my love of old cars from my dad. He bought this 1936 Lagonda in a poor state, back in the 60's, and would be the first to admit he's been working on her ever since. His never ending project. She's unreliable, temperamental and high maintenance; but when the Lagonda's running smoothly and polished up, she really is something else. A true beauty. 

I remember going to vintage car rallies with dad years ago. It took us ages to get there, and by the time we did I'd look like a scarecrow - hair everywhere, with the engine noise and the wind still singing in my ears. Even parked up beside the other gorgeous vintage cars the Lagonda shone, and it was fun basking in all the admiration. That said we regularly broke down on the way home. My dad kept some old nylon tights in the glove compartment so he could fix the fan belt if he needed to. And he often did. A trip in the Lagonda was always eventful.

But my happiest memory of her is the journey from the church on our wedding day. I looked like I'd backcombed my hair by the time we got to the reception, and remember that familiar hum in my ears.
I wouldn't have had it any other way.

This week's Gallery theme is Planes, Trains and Automobiles

The Gallery: Hands

When I watch him play, I think of the long and bumpy road we've travelled since he started piano; how his confidence has grown as his fingers found the right notes.

His hands aren't big enough to stretch an octave, and yet he's already left me behind; better than I ever was. No longer apprehensive about lessons, but finding his own way and striding ahead.

I think of all the other journeys we've started together: how tightly he held onto my hand when he first went to school, or a party, or swimming lessons or just tried something new like going on a zip wire - and how, slowly the grip loosened until he let go. And I want him to, even if sometimes I feel a touch of sadness when he does because he's growing up so fast.

Of course I'll always be here to hold his hand when he needs me, but I know he has to let go to learn, just as I have to learn to let go.

This week's Gallery theme is Hands.

The Gallery: Family

Betty & Co

I think this is one photo that says family to me: out camping with just what we need - time and space to enjoy being together. Couldn't find any of us all in the same picture though.

I grab hold of family time when I can because my husband is away so much. It's made both of us appreciate the moments we have.

He's not quite as enthusiastic as me about Betty the camper, but I know when we get to a site he can see how much we all gain from keeping it simple for a day or two - away from distractions and the daily grind. Nothing to do except play and explore with the kids.

1978 - Looking thoughtful in flares...

For me it's also a strong, happy link to my family and my childhood. I have such a wonderful mixed bag of memories of camping trips when I was growing up.

I'm hoping our three will too.

The Gallery theme this week is Family.

The Gallery - Sunshine

The sun shines and out go the toys, bundles of them, ferried to the perfect picnic spot, not far from the back door. There's always lots of enthusiastic to-ing and fro-ing; gathering every possible plate, cup and random thing that might come in handy.

Once it's all laid out, she's back in wanting more suncream on - still can't believe she asks. SO different from the boys: I have to chase them round the garden with the bottle, pinning them down as they squirm and twist so it ends up in their hair.

Cream on, she's out, then in again looking for picnic food this time, because Bella and Stella are VERY hungry, and they only eat biscuits.

Fussy Bella and Stella. 

Though they do seem partial to a spot of mashed up daisy and grass tea....

I can see her from the kitchen window - busy, happy, in a sunny world of her own.

The Gallery theme this week is Sunshine :)

The Gallery - Morning

It doesn't seem to matter how tired he is or how tightly I tuck him in - by morning my 7 year old often ends up hanging out of bed like this. 

He's my restless sleeper and my night owl. And he has a habit of quietly rearranging his room after lights out - so I'm never quite sure what I'm going to find when I check on him. My little darling is going through a stage of setting traps, after watching Home Alone (again). This usually involves his paperweight collection, books piled up by the door and loads of string wrapped around the handle....

I wouldn't have a chance of taking a photo of the other two sleeping in the morning unless I set my alarm. They are my larks. Always up bright and early, no matter what time they go to bed. These two take after their dad, who is cheerful and coherent from the minute he wakes up. 

I am not. 

I am not cheerful 

and I do NOT want to have a conversation about whether we should put lawn feed on the grass, as soon as I open my eyes.

But he's not here at the moment and I'm on autopilot with the kids in the morning until I get them on the school bus.

By the time I'm ready for a chat, everyone's gone....

This week's Gallery theme is Morning.

The Gallery: Action

Pedal power!

A special moment last week...the stabilizers came off and after a morning of wobbly attempts, she got it!  
When I look at this photo, I can hear her squeals of delight - she was one happy bunny.
The best bit was her dad was there to see it. And he's a lot more patient than me.....
We had smiling, steering and no pedalling: smiling, peddling and no steering.  We also had a few of minor tumbles, hence the grassy route. 
But she was so determined. 
I love that about her.  
I also love that she learnt to ride a bike in her velvet dress. My girl doesn't do trousers. Sometimes I can't believe she's my daughter.
Now we need to find a bike with a bit more style....
Watching her, hurtling along (not necessarily in the direction she planned) there was an ever so tiny flicker of sadness, because she's my baby, and it was one of those moments when it hit me just how fast she's growing up. 
Another step along the path: another milestone passed.


This week's Gallery theme is Action.
(The link up has been postponed)

Day 137 - The Gallery: At Peace

Homecoming

Back together

Complete

At peace

The Gallery theme this week is 'At Peace'.... which is how I felt the moment before I took this.