Blooming March

The boys finished up school for the Easter holidays on Friday just as the run of fantastic March weather is set to run out. They were able to enjoy a post-school picnic with their pals in Fairmile Park, disappearing off to their gang-den in the woods, after a last morning of doing not much. Rowan missed out on golden time though, held over from last week. He had hit someone and pushed someone else over in two separate incidents which didn't leave Mrs. Cooke much option but to deprive him of golden time. That's more than his two bigger brothers have lost in all their time at school. he seems to be going through a testosterone burst or something at the moment because he gets very wild and finds it difficult to calm down or do what he's asked. Not that Finn helps matters as he usually is the source of provocation - and Rowan always rises to the bait.

Aside from his behaviour, Mrs. Cooke reported that Rowan's reading is excellent and he is doing very well with his numbers and his drawing has come on a long way too. She has to keep an eye on him in case he finds a book that he hasn't read as he starts reading that instead of doing what he is supposed to do. But his report was very good overall.

It was a bit colder and damper on Saturday after more than a week of eating out on the patio and watching the garden come to life in the unseasonable warmth. Sean and Finn went to golf while I took Angus for a swim at Loanhead. He was in fine form in his blue suit with the built-in floats, far better than armbands, as he took to going down the elephant slide into the big pool and then kicking and paddling his own way back to the side before heaving himself out the water. "My do it myself!" He was tired afterwards though. Sharon took Rowan round the food shops as she was spending the rest of the day cooking for the Dubai dinner for the trip achievers. I went with Sean to the Scottish Golf Show at in Ingliston in the afternoon. As with Angus, it was nice to spend time with just one of the boys. Sean was moderately interested in the stalls and events, but still not showing any real signs of enthusiasm for the sport. I had a go at a putting competition and bought some vouchers for golf and driving range time. We had our photo taken with the Ryder Cup! Sean was reluctant because he was nervous but I convinced him that he'd look back in many years' time and, just like Finn with the Olympic Torch, would realise that it was an opportunity that you just don't get to be that near to such an iconic trophy.

Sharon cooked a fine spread of "Terrific Pacific" (our favourite cookbook) salads and main courses for the ten of us sitting down to dinner. It was very much enjoyed and appreciated by all. It was a late finish, especially for Sharon, who was up early on Sunday to drive to the airport with a selection of pyjama-clad boys to greet Olivia and her boyfriend Jesus. Palm Sunday and Jesus was riding into our house. At least it was in a car and not on a donkey. He's from a village near Pamplona in northern Spain and the boys were very excited about him coming over. Adrian is in Glasgow at the moment so he drove over too. After a lazy lunch we headed to Vogrie Park. The sun had returned and it was very busy with families. We had a gentle stroll down to the playpark, some ice lollies and then a stroll back again. I made a quick tea for the boys then played football with them while Sharon went for a run before cooking hake for us and Olivia and Jesus. A long, tiring, but very rewarding family weekend!