Ishy

Until yesterday, that's how Lucy referred to herself: 'Ishy.' It had been sounding more like Oo-shy lately, I admit. But last night there was no mistake: she said 'Lucy'!

 

 

She wouldn't stand still enough for me to take her picture, though :)

 

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Thomas wanted to be with his classmates for their first Holy Communion. So we went to the Mass, Thomas in his red tie and looking very smart. The head teacher welcomed him and included him in the photo. I think he was well pleased; it was definitely the highlight of the weekend for him.

 

As for me, well, I was there to support Thomas, and mostly spent my time in the back of church trying to occupy Lucy, who was far less interested in the goings-on. Later, at the party, I was fascinated by the sea of white shirts, dresses and veils. Thomas and Anna's class at church was small--just five children--so the group of nearly 30 from school looked enormous. I snapped the photo of these two girls waiting to receive their certificates as Thomas looked on with me. He applauded for them all, genuinely pleased for his friends.

 

And I was proud of him all over again.

 

Spring at last

Maybe even summer. We have had a few really nice days in the last month or so--warm, sunny days. It's pleasant to be outside, and the garden has enjoyed much more attention of late. Several weeks ago, it looked abandoned. Now it looks, well, lived-in. Not beautiful, but at least it looks like somebody has made an effort. The children have helped, even. (Though the would-be helper was behind the camera--or, in this case, my iPad--in the photo below.)

 

Probably we were all encouraged by the handful of plants I brought back from the Chelsea Flower Show at the end of May. A generous invitation provided a great opportunity, and I went down to London for the day. Little did I think I would bring back marigolds, daisies (just visible in the photo above), and a couple of things yet to be identified.

 

It is perhaps especially nice to be outside in the sunshine after a virus knocked me and the boys flat a couple of weeks ago. Fevers, chills, general malaise--maybe a stray flu? Whatever it was, we were glad to see it go, and I was thankful that the girls and Lewis didn't catch it.

 

Iain helped quite a bit with the gardening, I am told, while I was out with Thomas on Saturday morning. The evidence, however, is that his activities in the garden also included photographing various aspects of the work as well as odd corners of the garden. So I have no photos of the marigolds or the unidentified plant. I have a number of blurry photos of buttercups, as they're plentiful at the moment. I have a portrait of the new mower, as well as a picture of the box in which it came. (Some assembly required, apparently.) I also have a series of photos of Lewis, walking across the garden. All in all, it's hardly a representative set, I think.

 

Then again, maybe I should just be grateful that I have some photos.