There is something different about this morning.I lay awake and look around me - ah, thats it! There is a MAN in my bed!
Yes, would you believe it was one of those rare occasions in our home when dad lay down his weapons of war, gave up the ration packs and made his way home for leave!
He was probably curious to know how many additions there were to the family since he was last home - (joking, almost).
Well girl, no more doing your own thing in your own time, go bring some boring order to this home!
I jump out of bed (ha ha), but the kettle on, make up bottles and feeding cups, change nappies, we then all pile back into the double bed, toddlers and Caesar the dog too who demanded full family rights. They are in high spirits "look how far my tea can go if I shake my bottle\cup" I can hear them say, the memory is very vivid and messy.
Once the frivolity dies down a bit, I get every one up, dressed, fed and watered and deposit them amongst their toys in the lounge. Then sort myself out, tidy up as best I can, then - nothing.
No! hey! Dad is back, lets do some fun family thing like, my favourite as it kept the mess outside, A PICNIC.
Did I just see dad's eyes glaze over? I pretend not to notice and press on. We start to put together a picnic basket, must take the kettle too for more tea (think the tea thing came from my mom, tea first, everything else later.)
Right, we can go, but dad starts work at 2.00pm, after all being on leave meant they went back to their normal jobs. He was a policeman - so what's the difference you may wonder, the difference was that he came home more often.
Back to the picnic. We set off to the safety of a nearby dam where we unpack. First things first, I put the kettle on (did you get that mom?). The girls were positively gleeful when they saw all that mucky sand and dirt! As I remember it, Kerry walked into the kettle spilling its contents despite the fact that there was miles of open space to play in. I even have the photo. Lisa tried to climb the tree just beyond the kettle and I find it fascinating how small children just tramp on each other to reach their destination. Needless to say that little charade ended up with both in tears, me getting them back on their feet, dusting the leaves and sand of them, placating them with "shhhh it's all over, better now hmmm? they turn accusing eyes and black streaked faces to me as if to say "and you would know how?" Shirley wandered off collecting odds and ends for the interest table at nursery school - "follow her" I shriek at my happy outdoorsy husband who was trying to blend into the undergrowth. I still had not sat down.
Pictures!! We must take pictures to look at in years to come so that we can remember how very much we all enjoyed out family outing! I position my husband on a rock (above) and instruct him to hold them all and NOT let one roll off. I have the photo but it was taken at a distance so all that can be seen is a man on a huge rock gripping 3 squirming children for dear life - fortunately we cannot see his expression.
Well, that enjoyable outing over, and I am reminded that work starts at 2pm, my husband packed the car in double quick time, caught each child as it attempted to play "catch me if you can" to shrieks to laughter. Whew, when will I be able to SIT.
Once home, in a blur of speed, dad cleaned up, doned his uniform and bade us each a fond farewell, then got out of there before I came up with some other ideas about family bonding!
I then dragged my 3 dirty, tired, irritable children off to the bathroom where they were scrubbed from head to foot. Lisa is in the foreground with her "lets support Rhodesia" T shirt on, her hair is still wet, and the other two? looks to me as though they are shredding my plants. Don't care, I get a chair and sit.
And enjoy another cup of tea!
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