Last Thursday evening I got a text; "Don't panic, we're at A&E".
So said Chris after Taya broke away from him on the scooter and went full pelt down the ramp to the subway at Edgware Road and Marylebone Road. Those mini micro scooters, just like the buggy, go a bit crazy if they go too fast so the front wheels wobbled and Taya fell off. Chris said it sounded like an egg smashing as her head hit the floor. There followed a spell in A&E and eventually she and I spent the night on the Pediatric Short Stay ward. They have those fold up beds for accompanying parents but Taya wanted me to cuddle up with her so the two of us squished together and were woken every hour to have her obs done and many more times besides as another child was admitted, other children cried etc. Not the most restful night but the next morning after she'd finished being sick Taya discovered the ward playroom and forgot all about her concussion and scrapes temporarily. We went home on Friday and tried to relax and in Chris's case, erase the memory from his mind.
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On Saturday I thought we'd lift the spirits with a family day out, so us four plus Alyssa headed for Thames Barrier Park. (Another one from my touristy London bucket list) One bus ride (with both girls crying and whining), one tube ride (fine) and one rollercoaster train ride (loud hilarity) later we arrived. I thought it was rather lovely, despite the playground and a couple of other areas being closed for repairs. Great views of the impressive looking Thames Flood Barrier too of course. Apparently it's been closed about 120 times. That's a lot of floods that have been prevented.
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After spending some time eating ice creams, running around and rolling down little banksides we went back on the DLR and along to King George V stop to head for the Woolwich Foot Tunnel which the website assured me was open. The website lied. So instead we used the Free Ferry to cross to the other side and head for Woolwich Arsenal Pier. We passed by but didn't have time to visit the Firepower museum but may add that to the list for another time. The girls had fun climbing inside these cut out metal people sculptures and checking out the artillery guns on display whilst we waited for the Thames Clipper boat. Then I heard crying. Brooke crying. She had been running up the jetty and changed lanes, only to run face first into a metal barrier in the middle. The force knocked her off her feet so her legs went into the air and she fell backwards and hit the back of her head as well. Again, I didn't see this but poor Chris won't forget it in a hurry. Her face was scraped and blue. I wondered whether social services would be called if we had to go back to A&E. Fortunately she rallied when the boat arrived and I treated the girls to marshmallows and popcorn onboard. At Embankment we hailed a cab, making it our 7th mode of transport that day!
On Monday I went to Noel's rehab centre to meet with his nurses about his imminent discharge and the date has been set for tomorrow or Tuesday. So the rest of the week was filled with efforts to have his flat cleaned of 7 months worth of dust, to have the carpets cleaned, to get the existing bed removed and put into storage and to get the door repaired and other jobs done. I was doing the nursery run fielding phone calls about men & vans, negotiating storage costs and booking cleaners whilst trying to do the housework. It was really full on, I felt like Challenge Anneka. Anyway, most of the work is done, so hurray!
On Thursday I went to Kensington Palace with Sue and a group from church. We got an early bird tour before it opened to the public, with a guide taking us around the rooms which were of note in Queen Victoria's early life. It was really interesting but the best part was that my lovely friend Maxine had taken both the girls so I was able to enjoy a culture vulture morning which included coffee and chats without constant interruptions. Lovely! Of course they have their own exhibition on at the moment commemorating Victoria's Diamond Jubilee and it was her birthday when we visited. It got me interested so I bought a book and am loving learning a few bits of history.
Look I even got Sue to take a photo of me as usually I am on the other side of the camera.
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On Friday it was Brooke's nursery summer fete which I was involved with. We raised nearly £700 to buy camping equipment for the nursery. I will be joining them for a night's camping in early July so am looking forward to that, as is Brooke. After the fete it was a gorgeous sunny evening so we took to the Square Gardens wth some picnic food and enjoyed good company and some drinks whilst the kids ran around. The sunshine is lovely but I'm afraid it is too hot for me and my hayfever seems to have made a comeback. I will try not to moan too much about it!
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On Saturday morning I escorted Noel's bed to a storage facility in Wimbledon then went to kick back at the Soho Food Feast which was fabulous. Posh nosh at bargain prices, all in aid of Alyssa's school. Plus they had free face painting and fruit sculpting for the kids. The Harridan and family came too and all the kids danced on the stage and ate copious amounts of sweets. Hats off to my sister who was involved in the organising of it. I think they raised a bit more than we did on Friday!
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Right, now I must go and organise some food for this evening's barbecue in the gardens. Tomorrow after the nursery run I need to await delivery of groceries and mobility equipment for Noel. Back in the hamster wheel then!
So said Chris after Taya broke away from him on the scooter and went full pelt down the ramp to the subway at Edgware Road and Marylebone Road. Those mini micro scooters, just like the buggy, go a bit crazy if they go too fast so the front wheels wobbled and Taya fell off. Chris said it sounded like an egg smashing as her head hit the floor. There followed a spell in A&E and eventually she and I spent the night on the Pediatric Short Stay ward. They have those fold up beds for accompanying parents but Taya wanted me to cuddle up with her so the two of us squished together and were woken every hour to have her obs done and many more times besides as another child was admitted, other children cried etc. Not the most restful night but the next morning after she'd finished being sick Taya discovered the ward playroom and forgot all about her concussion and scrapes temporarily. We went home on Friday and tried to relax and in Chris's case, erase the memory from his mind.
On Saturday I thought we'd lift the spirits with a family day out, so us four plus Alyssa headed for Thames Barrier Park. (Another one from my touristy London bucket list) One bus ride (with both girls crying and whining), one tube ride (fine) and one rollercoaster train ride (loud hilarity) later we arrived. I thought it was rather lovely, despite the playground and a couple of other areas being closed for repairs. Great views of the impressive looking Thames Flood Barrier too of course. Apparently it's been closed about 120 times. That's a lot of floods that have been prevented.
On Monday I went to Noel's rehab centre to meet with his nurses about his imminent discharge and the date has been set for tomorrow or Tuesday. So the rest of the week was filled with efforts to have his flat cleaned of 7 months worth of dust, to have the carpets cleaned, to get the existing bed removed and put into storage and to get the door repaired and other jobs done. I was doing the nursery run fielding phone calls about men & vans, negotiating storage costs and booking cleaners whilst trying to do the housework. It was really full on, I felt like Challenge Anneka. Anyway, most of the work is done, so hurray!
On Thursday I went to Kensington Palace with Sue and a group from church. We got an early bird tour before it opened to the public, with a guide taking us around the rooms which were of note in Queen Victoria's early life. It was really interesting but the best part was that my lovely friend Maxine had taken both the girls so I was able to enjoy a culture vulture morning which included coffee and chats without constant interruptions. Lovely! Of course they have their own exhibition on at the moment commemorating Victoria's Diamond Jubilee and it was her birthday when we visited. It got me interested so I bought a book and am loving learning a few bits of history.
Look I even got Sue to take a photo of me as usually I am on the other side of the camera.
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| View from the palace. A bit nice. |
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| It is me, and I am out of jeans! You can't see how very white I am though. |
On Friday it was Brooke's nursery summer fete which I was involved with. We raised nearly £700 to buy camping equipment for the nursery. I will be joining them for a night's camping in early July so am looking forward to that, as is Brooke. After the fete it was a gorgeous sunny evening so we took to the Square Gardens wth some picnic food and enjoyed good company and some drinks whilst the kids ran around. The sunshine is lovely but I'm afraid it is too hot for me and my hayfever seems to have made a comeback. I will try not to moan too much about it!
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| Unconventional buggy riding |
Right, now I must go and organise some food for this evening's barbecue in the gardens. Tomorrow after the nursery run I need to await delivery of groceries and mobility equipment for Noel. Back in the hamster wheel then!