This is a snapshot from yesterday - our first day of the school break. One naked son in the paddling pool, one lovely daughter drawing and playing in the tent and one mummy enjoying a little knitting in the shade. Sounds idyllic and this moment was, but I know over the next 6 weeks these relaxing moments may be few and far between.
I do find this time of year a difficult one. At the school gate all the mums were chatting excitedly about their plans for the summer break; visits to parks, picnics, holidays at the beach and so on. I stood there and said nothing because to be honest the thought of the long break makes me feel a little sick. Although I like the calmer pace of mornings (no school rush) Toby has a hard time with the change in routine. His autism makes it really hard to do much of the normal family stuff and when we do go anywhere he needs to be so closely supervised to keep him from harm that poor old Amy gets no attention. He's not good with crowds, new places or loud noises and is oblivious to obvious dangers like lakes, busy roads, going off with strangers etc. Often when we go somewhere he freaks out and we have to come straight back home which is really unfair on Amy and makes everyone feel miserable.
This year we decided not to go away on a family holiday and so we're based at home for the 6 week break. Hopefully here things will be quiet and manageable although even at home Toby needs constant attention to keep him safe. Amy has a few clubs and activities to go to and she & I have planned a few overnight camping trips with friends and in the garden. I'm really lucky to have my Mum and Dad to visit - we'll go and stay for a few days and they'll entertain the children, take us to new places and generally help out.
Anyway, with all this in mind I've decided to have a summer blog break and concentrate fully on the children. I will be popping some little cotton rabbits and friends into my etsy shop from time to time and Amy will have fun helping me pack them up and take them to the post office.
I hope you'll pop back and see us in the autumn when I should have news of the baby hedgehogs and some chat about what we've been up to.
Wishing you a lovely August wherever you are and whatever you're doing,
Julie x
Have a wonderful summer Julie - enjoy it as much as you can.
April xx
Posted by: April Pardoe | July 25, 2008 at 11:58 AM
I must say a week ago I felt the same...I was so NOT looking forward to 6 weeks of ..well you know what I mean. But the first week has passed already and I must say..it wasn't THAT bad...Hope your summer will pass smoothly and relaxing!! Wishing you luck!!
Posted by: erna | July 25, 2008 at 12:22 PM
Have a nice summer as April says enjoy it as much as you can !
Posted by: Tulipe67 | July 25, 2008 at 12:27 PM
May the sun shine and the paddling pool be always warm for naked children to play in. Have as much fun as you can, see you in the autumn (that sounds so long away!)
Posted by: michaela | July 25, 2008 at 12:45 PM
Have a fabulous time on your stay-cation. BTW fabulous taste in tents, we hope to finally use ours properly this year!
Posted by: trashalou | July 25, 2008 at 12:50 PM
Your pictures are just lovely, and I understand why you might need a blog break (but will sorely miss your frequent posts and wonderful pictures). Hope you, Amy, and Toby have such a wonderful summer and that it is filled with many special times.
Posted by: Molly | July 25, 2008 at 01:03 PM
Have a wonderful summer. I'll hope for lots of good weather. Overnight camping trips sound like lots of fun.
Posted by: Roo | July 25, 2008 at 01:32 PM
Good for you Julie, I hope you have a lovely summer. I think everyone needs a blogging break now and then, I have even thought about taking one myself, but I still have lots to talk about, I know one of these days though I will hit a brick wall and my break will come. I don't know how you have managed to blog for so long with all that you have to do. Maybe your summer break will be a little more relaxing than you think, I am keeping my fingers crossed for you.
Have fun!
Posted by: lizzieJane | July 25, 2008 at 01:44 PM
Julie, make the most of the summer time with your two children and enjoy spending time together. You sounded like you had plenty of fun activities to do together and I;m sure you'll have fun. I have really enjoyed your blog and seeing how the toys are developing. I am looking forward to your return in the Autumn - with perhaps the badger as a new edition? I liked the WIP!
Best wishes from a fellow knitter
Esther x
Posted by: Esther | July 25, 2008 at 01:57 PM
Hey Julie,
I hope you and your family have a relaxing and wonderful time doing whatever you decide to do. Just being together is a privalege. You will be missed out here in blogger land :)
Suzanne
Posted by: Suzanne | July 25, 2008 at 01:58 PM
I hope you have a happy peaceful summer Julie.
Posted by: Gina | July 25, 2008 at 02:34 PM
Have a lovely break Julie,it sounds like your plans for the family will work out fine. I will be going away for a short break in the caravan we used to go camping as well. I will be taking my knitting for the evenings to.
Posted by: Julie | July 25, 2008 at 03:07 PM
Happy Holidays, Julie! I'll miss your lovely pictures and hedgehog updates!
Posted by: Flo | July 25, 2008 at 03:16 PM
enjoy your break and enjoy your kids too
Posted by: susetheslowknitta | July 25, 2008 at 03:36 PM
Enjoy the holiday, maybe this summer will bring more relaxing moments than previous, and looking forward to you being back in September!
Be well!
Posted by: Terri | July 25, 2008 at 03:48 PM
Lovely lovely photos of your little ones. Your tent is gorgeous.
I hope you have a lovely restful break and many such days. See (?) you in the autumn.
Posted by: Silverpebble | July 25, 2008 at 04:07 PM
Totally understand Julie - hope you all have a lovely relaxing summer and come back to us refreshed and invigorated (!)in September!
Posted by: Caroline B | July 25, 2008 at 04:13 PM
Have a beautiful break Julie. I have a disabled husband and i know what you mean when you say sometimes it is easier to stay home than to do the usual "vacation" thing. We have learned to make our home a place where we can be happy and relax and usually choose to stay here and "bloom where we are planted". Sometimes we take day trips, or take short overnight trips to nearby spots, but when you have special needs, there's no place like home! Take good care of YOU.
Posted by: Mare | July 25, 2008 at 04:15 PM
As a kid I looked forward to summer break and that do nothing time. Now as a Mom the only break I get during summer time is not having to drive to school and back but that's quickly taken over by the more constant household chores. sigh. I do know that taking time for yourself is important...get your parents to come for an afternoon so you (and/or Amy) can escape for a little respite. I wish I was closer to help.
Posted by: carolyn | July 25, 2008 at 05:18 PM
Chin up, Julie, this can't be easy. I wish you as many peaceful moments as possible and will miss your posts this month.
Posted by: Kate G. | July 25, 2008 at 05:23 PM
I hope your holiday is surprising in all the right ways, and less stressful than you expect. We'll all look forward to seeing you again in Autumn.
Posted by: Karen | July 25, 2008 at 05:27 PM
I hope the summer break goes well and you all have fun at home. It's lovely that your Mum and Dad can come and help to give you and Amy some quality time together. Hope the sun keeps on shinning, too. Zoe x
Posted by: Zoe | July 25, 2008 at 06:59 PM
I wish you a good and peacefull break Julie Have a nice august too
Posted by: Lakshmi | July 25, 2008 at 08:03 PM
Hi Julie,
I hope you have a good summer break with the children having fun and spending time together.
Love & Hugs,
Dy
Posted by: Dyan | July 25, 2008 at 08:15 PM
Another one hoping your summer far exceeds your expectations!!
Posted by: Selina | July 25, 2008 at 09:24 PM
I hope you manage to find more peaceful moments, and some enjoyable trips. I'll look forward to your return.
Take care, x
Posted by: Kitty | July 25, 2008 at 09:33 PM
Enjoy your break - look forward to seeing your posts in the fall!
Posted by: Lesley | July 25, 2008 at 09:39 PM
Hi Julie
Try to have a good summer break, I know it must be so hard for you, but I'm sure that you still give toby and amy equal attention. I find it difficult with a 6 year old and an 18mth old!!!!! that age gap alone is a nightmare! lol
its already started dreadful for us, i have the dreaded summer flu!! :( so we are stuck indoors for the moment.
See you in the autumn xxxx
Posted by: Deanne | July 25, 2008 at 09:49 PM
I'll miss you! But I'll be watching for your return. I do hope you have some relaxation time. And that being at home instead of travelling helps with the stability that Toby needs. Have a great summer break! (I know how hard it can be to have that, but I can still wish it for you!) samm
Posted by: samm | July 25, 2008 at 10:55 PM
Wow, I just found your beautiful blog by chance, and I been admiring your creations...
They are so cute, and so hard to resist!
I will had you to my favorites, so I can stop often!
Kisses
Kisses
Debbie
xxx
Posted by: debbies-english-treasures | July 26, 2008 at 02:14 AM
Have a wonderful August Julie :) I wish you all the best. See you in the fall ;) ((Hugs))
Posted by: Danielle | July 26, 2008 at 02:21 AM
I can understand how hard it can be to go places and to always have to be vigilant. It's like that a lot with J. I hope you have as much of a relaxing break as you can. And I'll be popping in to your etsy shop!
Posted by: kal | July 26, 2008 at 04:41 AM
Have a lovely summer break. I hope it goes well for you.
Posted by: mrspao | July 26, 2008 at 08:45 AM
HAVE A GREAT GREAT HOLIDAY!
I know what you mean when you say it's easier to stay at home. ( With having a disabled son .)
He's generally good though, gets fustrated when he can't do things other kids do.
I LOVE:
Your Cath Kidston Tent.
Your Cath Kidston Knitting Bag
Your spotty table cover!
and your wobbly slide! I want to play on it! Hehehe.
I hope they both enjoy your time with them, and I hope it's not too stressful for you.
Thinking of you, and CAN'T wait to see you back in autumn.
And |I can't wait to see what you make with that floral bias binding!!!!!! DO show us.
Lots of love,
L xxx
Posted by: L | July 26, 2008 at 08:49 AM
Even though I'll miss you heaps I can understand your need for time away from the computer. Looking forward to seeing lots of bunnies in the Etsy shop, fingers crossed for a buy.
Can I suggest a daily trip to the shop for Toby, just a quick one each day say for milk or bread. They do say after three times it becomes routine, I know that's not always the case with autism but it's worth a try. We took Bailey to the city once a week, very hard at first, many a time I wanted to go home within a minute of arriving. But slowly slowly it became routine, then he began to recognise places and feel safer.
If you feel like an email chat about what we did and where we went I'm always here.
Enjoy the sun!
Posted by: Maddy | July 26, 2008 at 10:33 AM
Have a lovely summertime Julie.
Have lots of fun
love
Alison x
Posted by: Alison | July 26, 2008 at 10:56 AM
Sometimes it's just too hard to talk. Cherish the moments of peace, take heart on the days 'things' work out and know there are many, many hearts out there in blogland with you this summer.
x
Posted by: jill | July 26, 2008 at 12:25 PM
Wishing you a wonderful summer holiday at home Julie.
May you have lots of happy memories to look back on by September.
Marie x
Posted by: marie | July 26, 2008 at 01:30 PM
Dear Julie
Oh how I remember those scary summer holidays too, stretching endlessly ahead, when my daughter didn't get to do all the things she so badly wanted to do as we all had to stay home or cancel plans because of her brother. She's making up for it now (and scaring the wits out of me by packing everything in - including a trip to India and Pakistan later this year!). I'm sure you'll all have fun though - we always managed to find fun in the simple pleasures - a picnic in the park, or a day trip to look at steam trains.
Enjoy your summer and your blog break. (Love the tent too!).
Posted by: denise | July 26, 2008 at 04:57 PM
Everything will go well, if we are able to take things easy, try to enjoy your holiday. I knew that you won't be blogging for a while, but I just have to give you an award, it is on my blog.
Posted by: Pauline Perh | July 26, 2008 at 06:45 PM
Enjoy your break Julie . . . I know the summer must be really hard but it looks like you have made a cool little camp in your back garden. Wishing you lots of happy hours knitting beside your beautiful children.
Posted by: claire | July 26, 2008 at 07:55 PM
have an happy summer break, and take care of your children, courage
Posted by: Marimi | July 26, 2008 at 10:15 PM
I do hope the summer break passes smoothly.
Cheers! and hugs to you all!
Posted by: Jenna | July 27, 2008 at 01:04 AM
Have a nice and lovely August to you and all your beautiful family!
Posted by: Mistral | July 27, 2008 at 10:21 AM
Enjoy - and oh, you will be missed! :)
Posted by: teeweewonders | July 27, 2008 at 10:47 AM
Good for you Julie. Staying close to home and all the safety and piece of mind it brings sounds like a great idea.
Your yard is a child's dream. I can see why Amy and Toby love it so much.
Can I bring my son across the pond to your house!
XXX have a great summer
Posted by: shawn mary | July 27, 2008 at 03:04 PM
I hope you have a lovely time with your stay-cation. Sorry for the heartache that accompanies this time period. Everyone gets a different story . . . and we like to look at someone else's book once in a while and say "now why can't I have a chapter like that!?" Wishing you joy, happiness and peace and contentment in the chapter where you are right now.
Posted by: peggysue | July 27, 2008 at 05:05 PM
I hope you have a lovely summer Julie, your garden looks like a lovely place to be
lisa x
Posted by: periwinkle | July 27, 2008 at 06:56 PM
I'm sure you and your family will enjoy a lovely summer anyway. You know, sometimes to enjoy some free time and be well there's no need of special exotic vacation places, but just being with your loved ones.
On the "lighter" side, when I read this kind of things I know I was born in the wrong place... 6 weeks of school break! Well, if sometimes you think it's a long time, please think about Italy, where I live, where school break is "only" 14 weeks long!! ;-)
Happy August to you and your wonderful kids
hugs
Gallinavecchia
Posted by: Gallinavecchia | July 28, 2008 at 11:06 AM
Enjoy as much as you can, I am so much wishing you a wonderful summer and hope anything will be fine as you´ve intended it to be. Looking forward to hear you again in autumn,
best wishes, Suzi
Posted by: Krawuggl | July 28, 2008 at 01:40 PM