Soft Toy Story

Day 19 Sunday

It's about 12 noon that I head over to my sisters with one mission: reduce the number of soft toys!

She's not made a start with this task or as far as I can see, done anymore clearing in the girls bedroom. I head straight up there and we get started. She's clearly distressed by this activity but I'm surprised how easily she parts with some of the cuddly toys, on the downside it's all the small ones she's giving up while keeping all the big ones! After an hour 2 large bin bags are full of soft toys to go. I put them in my car so she can't change her mind either while I'm there or after I've gone

We sort some clothes & other toys & after a couple of hours I'm done. I don't want to waste anymore of my day here especially as the sun has now come out & it feels like a beautiful day.

When I arrive home G is in the garden sorting the shed out and cutting down ivy around it. The youngest niece is playing with the cat on the lawn. I decide to do some weeding and clear the cracks in the patio. The niece wants to help so I get her a bucket to put the weeds in. After a bit she goes to tell her sister what she doing and they both arrive willing help. I provide them with some gardening gloves (which I acquired from the sisters house previously) and give them a bedding patch to clear. It keeps them occupied for ages.

Then G decides to start a bonfire using the chiminea to get rid of the rubbish in the garden and the girls are fascinated by this. They help collect wood and watch as the fire starts. They even want to eat their dinner outside, something that never happens at their own home. They spend most of the evening outside, playing on the lawn and watching the fire. It feels wonderful to give them this opportunity of just chilling out & relaxing without having to go out somewhere & spend money. My sister always wants to take them out & thinks they need activities 24-7 or things to play with, when actually they need to see normal family things being done: washing, cleaning, gardening and then they want to join in and help

Later when they went to bed, G and I sat by the fire & he put his arm around me as I snuggled into him. It's a lot for him to suddenly take on but he does so willingly. I'm not sure how long either of us can keep this up though.