Day 39

8 more sleeps! Speaking of sleep...I'm tired. Wouldn't you know it, I finally got upstairs early and thought ok, I'll write my blog, maybe a couple of letters, and then go to sleep...and my internet keeps crashing. I'm using Safari now instead of Firefox, so hopefully this works, at least until I'm done for the night.

Today was better emotionally. I was still sad, and the rain doesn't help. But I got to hang out with Heloise all day, so that was nice. We dropped the boys off at school and

went straight into Colchester to return a coat that didn't fit one of the boys. We looked around in Next, got some shampoo in Boots, took my ring into the jewellers, went to Gap Kids, and then went for a Starbucks. - I got a caramel macchiato today cuz I couldn't handle another earl grey tea misto that didn't taste right :( And the guy that knows how to make it wasn't there -

After we finished our drinks, we hurried to the car and drove to pick up Zach and his friend Xavier from school. When we g

ot there the two of them came out, and we drove home. I was in demand right away (which was kind of nice). Zach a

sked me to build one of his Bionicles for him. So I did. For some reason his gun won't work...but that's probably for the best. It spins around, it just won't shoot.

We had some lunch, and then the groceries arrived so Heloise and I put them away. While we were doing that the boys were off playing together. It was too quiet for comfort so I went to see what they were doing (and it's a good thing!) They were playing in Josh's room, which I knew, and they had an old mini mattress lying on the floor. (Another thing I knew about. They were supposed to be using it to "box" on)...Instead I found Zach hanging off a bunk bed, with Xavier hanging onto some huge wooden thing (Maybe a headboard from a child's old bed), and he was dangling it off the top bunk saying Zach you have to do it! When I asked them what they were doing...the answer was simple. "We're jumping off the top bunk on to the mattress...it's my turn now" said Xavier oh so innocently. I DON'T THINK SO! Apparently Zach had already

had his turn. I put a stop to it. I couldn't believe they'd even think of doing that. I told them to come downstairs and we would carve the pumpkin.

We got to the main level and I went on the internet to give them some ideas about pumpkin carving designs. (Zach had never carved one before...I later found out none of the boys have). We came across the design Zach wanted, and I went to work. Not thinking hmm this could be challenging...Hence the difficulty level that said...Challenging. Nope instead I thought, if Zach wants this one, this is the one he's getting. Oops!

I drew it on a piece of paper first. Something I thought I'd use as a stencil. That's when Xavier's mom came to pick him up. I finished the drawing and Zach and I went into the kitchen to put it on the pumpkin. The pumpkin we had was the one I had picked up to make pumpkin cheesecake...and it was too small for the

picture. I decided Zach and I would run up to the Co-Op and get a bigger one. That was fine...until Zach realized that Heloise was going to pick up the boys. Of course that meant it would just be him and I...and he couldn't have that. He went with her.

I waited until they got home so that I could take the car, (As it was pouring rain), and Josh and Zach were waiting when I got in. *Nathaniel had to go to Beavers* I jumped in, and we drove up to the Co-Op. After walking around the small store about 5 times, I finally asked someone if they had any more pumpkins left in the back, as there were none out front. The guy helping was very good looking. He went to the back, but when he returned, the pumpkin was no bigger than the one we had at home. We got back into the car and drove to the deli. Same thing happened there. We drove home to make sure we had time to go to Tescos, and Heloise asked me to pick something up for her as well.

Back in the car I got and on our way to Tescos, I remembered a produce type farm shop that was on the way. As we were driving passed we looked over and there were a TON of pumpkins sitting out front in the rain. I pulled in, and by this time Zach was

asleep. Josh and I got out of the car, and right away he found the biggest pumpkin there. It was perfect! We went in and paid and continued on our way to Tescos. I carried Zach in. He was awake now, but too tired to walk. We picked up a few things, and then I carried him out and we drove home.

When we got there, I put the pumpkin on the counter and started gutting it with Josh and Zach at my side. They both wanted to feel inside, but that's about all they would do aside from watching. Josh and Nathaniel had to go off to rugby and I was trying to tape the drawing to the pumpkin, but it wasn't working out too well. In the end I managed,

but I didn't have much help from Zach. We ate our dinner and then it was back to work for me. Zach wasn't too interested in helping...just wanted to know how long it would take.

A little while later, and a few different techniques tried out, the pumpkin was done!! (Zach was being put to bed at this point, and the other 2 had just got in and were upstairs, so they have yet to see the end result. I hope they like it.

I came up to wash my hair, then decided I would have an early night, and that's when the internet problems began. I'm still going to try to be asleep by 11 though so I better say

good night. I'm hoping tomorrow will be a busy day, and I feel a sore throat coming on so I need my rest.

Good Night xx