Photo diary: week 40, project 365

On the days like today, when the rain ceases its onslaught, you feel a joyous bounce in your step. Especially when you're accompanied by two enthusiastic youngsters.
I don't often meet fellow bloggers, and never go to the blogging events, for many reasons, mainly that nothing happens in our neck of the woods, and London venues are a bit too far for me to travel. Plus organising the childcare is also tricky.
But this week I was lucky to meet two of my blogging friends - Anca and Mary.

Last Sunday was cool and wet, and as we were walking pass the playground, Eddie asked me to stop by just for five minutes. It stopped drizzling by then, but still was pretty wet.
It didn't discourage my child at all.

Monday was a mixed bag. I had to go to Oxford to meet with Sash's mental health team to discuss his increased anxiety and medication. We arrived to Oxford a bit early, and had a quick coffee in one of the Summertown cafes before travelling further across the town. The pastries looked so tasty.

After the meeting with the CAMHs, I got back into the town centre to meet Anca from Anca's Lifestyle blog. I enjoy reading her blog, but we haven't met before.
I'm glad Anca is studying part-time in Oxford now, so hopefully we'll be able to see each other again.

 Sometimes I arrive to Eddie's school a bit early, and as I don't like to stand waiting outside the gate, I pop in the nearest charity shop.
Last time I visited I spotted these two vintage photos of ladies. My guess these are the Edwardian rather than Victorian fashions.

Most of the autumnal crocuses were flattened by the rain in our garden, yet these two were still standing straight. Such a beautiful colour.

On Thursday we didn't have to hurry home after school to meet Sash, as it was his respite stay. We haven't been in the Shake shop in a while, and Eddie enjoyed his strawberry and whipped cream shake. A pity the vintage jukebox was not operating.
In the evening we ordered two pizzas from Domino's and watched Infinity Wars (again!).

An Inset day at Eddie's school, while Sash had a full day at his school. We went to have lunch at Huffkins. We used to frequent it, when Sash was little as he loved their carrot cake and eclairs, but I think we haven't been there in the last couple of years.

Today we had an early start as we were going to the Cheltenham Literary Festival to the Dragons and Wizards event by Cressida Cowell, the author of the super popular How to train your dragon series as well as Wizards of Once.
We've only just finished reading Wizards of Once, book 3, yesterday.
Eddie drew a picture of Toothless for Cressida.

She was very gracious. There was a huge queue waiting to have their books signed. We waited for over 45 minutes, and the queue behind us was even longer. Cressida spoke to each child, signed books and posed for the photos. If I had to smile 500 times, I'd scream like a banshee.

My child is happy with his signed book. He also gave his drawing to Cressida, and she was kind to say lovely things about it.

This wonderful trip wouldn't have happened to us without a friend's help - Mary aka Over40andMumtoone - has kindly given us a lift to Cheltenham and then back home.
Our boys had a good giggle together. I wish we lived closer to meet up more often than once in a few years.

We loved Cressida's suggestion to have a Free Writing Friday in schools, when kids are encouraged to write for just a quarter of an hour, just as a creative exercise, without a fear of being criticised and marked by teachers.

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