''...keeping on, keeping on...''

...for no other reason than EB and I (and Pops) have been struck down with a nasty viral infection that is plagueing us to differring degrees. I am feeling nauseous and lacking in energy, our littlest Burton has 'spots..on cheeky belly' and my Dad has given up and gone to bed (except when EB was visiting yesterday...amazing how little ones can brighten up your day?!).
I have kept going to work..on principle really as we don't have a fantastic sickness record and I wanted to prove that I am not a lightweight where abscence comes in! I have to say, however, that since A and I have been working together our team's sickness levels have improved dramatically :-).
Speaking of which..A, not sickness...he is now winding down before going onto pastures new in deepest, darkest Calderdale.I am so going to miss his professionalism, his skills and knowledge and his humour...we have been a strong management team and I am now hoping to emulate that when we appoint by band 6 sucessor...lots of strong applicants which is reassuring but may prove challenging when it actually comes down to selection...
T has discovered that his CRB check is in its final stages and I don't know whether that's a coincidence or not but he has noticeably cheered up! He is looking forward to starting his new post, new challenge, new shift patterns and I am looking forward to him being happy and fulfilled at work again...
And our 2 Best Boys? Well, J is off to play at a football tornament today, staying at his friends tonight, home tomorrow, off to stay with another friend on Monday, home on Wednesday, off to Iceland (with us all) on Friday..,you get the picture!!
And EB is practising being a Big Boy, with potty training coming along leaps and bounds...nursery being a big help with this as he gets the prompts from those around him. He will be starting at nursery 4 days a week in September..all good preparation for moving onto school etc...
So, apart from a guitar amp under the piano and a guitar case under the dining table (they might be homeless T, but they surely don't need to set up camp in my newly decorated dining room?!), everything keeps on, keeping on, here in our transcultural and all embracing household....
Love to you all from us all...may get chance to catch up with some of you soon...J and 3 Boys xxx

"... Nothing to report ..."

Hello Icelanders, Englanders and any other landers that may happen to read this little entry … it’s one of those entries that are written because it’s been such a long time since we last wrote one … not because there is anything new to report! I guess that’s a good thing though, no news is good news with us at the moment.

Elijah is busy using his potty ‘need wee-wee … no need wee-wee … wee-wee in pants … wee-wee on mummy new carpet … ha, ha, ha …’ It’s a great joy but I wonder why we put down the new rug in the lounge. He’s actually doing really well and spends his time at nursery running around in his pants … most of the time managing to tell someone before he has an accident.

Jolyon is busy with school holidays. Last week both boys went away with their grandmum on ‘new holiday’ as Elijah called it. They had an excellent time and all three were worn out afterwards … especially grandmum. Jolyon is going to stay with his friend Adam (who he met whilst we were in Great Yarmouth) on Monday for two nights but before that football season starts again with extra long training sessions tonight and a tournament over the weekend. That reminds me … me and Jolyon went to see Manchester United vs. Inter Milan at Old Trafford the other day (‘Dad … would they have arrested that man that ran onto the pitch if he’d been wearing clothes?). The little boy behind us asked his dad if the man had done it ‘cos he was on drugs? Hmmmm …

I’m still waiting for my police check but not panicking yet … it can take up to 8 weeks! Joanna is enjoying her new role but is absolutely shattered by the end of the day … We did manage to paint the lounge, dining room, stairs and hallway and it all looks really nice. Although Joanna won’t be happy when she comes home today to find the guitar amp I’ve left under the piano in the new dining room … sorry babe!

Then we are of course all looking forward to our bank holiday weekend in Iceland later this month … We’ll get to see amma and afi and various friends and family members!

There we go … not bad for someone who’s not got anything to report.

Love to all …

Toti, Joanna, Jolyon Isaac and Elijah Benedikt

''...a steep learning curve...''

Hiya...just a quick update on my first full week in my new job....
In short...well, you work at Band 6 for ten years and think there won't be too many surprises when you finally step up to ward manager level...and soon discover how naive one can be!!!
My fab boss A makes it look so easy and I am hoping that in 18 months time I too can appear to be the all seeing, all knowing oracle of the MW ward. So, yes a steep learning curve but one that I am enjoying..as I said to Deb last night it is good to have a challenge again!!
And Deb will soon know this challenge at first hand, as yesterday she was also offerred and accepted a band 7 post...well done you!!
All boys ok...J and E are going away with my Mum on Monday and EB is a bit nervous (''no new 'oliday'') but I am sure they will have a fab time.E will be sleeping in a big bed for the first time ;-) and sharing a bunk bed with his big bro' J...I am sure Grandmum will sleep for a week on their return...
And what are us grown-ups doing during this brief period of freedom and deliverance?...out on the town? romantic liaisons? cosy nights in?...well... of sorts...if you count painting the lounge quality time together!!! :-/.
Off to have some real quality time with my favourite boys now..love to all..J xxxx