Where did the weekend go?

Well, I've spent the last hour reading through everyone's blogs and catching up on all your news. Life definitely seems to be pretty busy for most of us at the moment. Unfortunately...

As most of you know, I had Jake's 3rd birthday party on Saturday morning. The weather was stunning and I don't think we could've asked for better. The jumping castle arrived the night before (much to Jake's delight) and we spent hours (well, he did - I only lasted a minute or two. Don't know how the kids manage to do it for so long!!) hopping around like lunatics before eventually heading off to bed. We were up at 7am on Saturday morning, to finish off the last of the baking, cleaning and setting up. Jake was really so excited about his birthday party this year and it was so much fun watching him enjoy it all with his friends. Because I don't normally fetch and carry him to and from school, I don't know any of the other moms or kids and it was really great seeing how Jake interacts with them. When his friends started arriving, he didn't know who to play with and he just ran from one to the other! There's definitely no doubt in my mind that he's a real little boy now, either. I must be honest, I always imagined that because he doesn't have a dad, he'd grow up a bit gentler then most boys, but he's proving me wrong and he's very much a little toughie. Actually, at the moment (much to my disgust), he seems like a bit of a bully. At one point the kids were all jumping around and a fist fight broke out. Jake and another little boy had to be separated. There were no tears and once it was all over, they were best pals again - it was hysterical! Testosterone!

After the party, we did a quick clean up and then headed off to the in-laws for a braai and to watch the rugby (yes, I was exhausted, but still managed!). Got home with my over-tired son just after 9. Rosanne very kindly looked after Jake for me on Sunday morning, letting me lie in for an extra hour (a luxury that just never happens for me anymore!). Jake & her woke me up with an egg & tomato sandwich and a cup of coffee in bed. We all piled into bed with my folks and lazed together over breakfast - it was great. Had a bit of shopping to do and then went to visit my mother-in-law. Jo came around for lunch, so managed to get home relatively early. By about 3pm, I was so exhausted and all I wanted to do was lie on the couch with Jake and watch TV. So, we hired Free Willy and that's exactly what we did. I got a beautiful candle holder that Jake made for me at school and two gorgeous cards. The one says "WHY GOD GAVE ME YOU: You sing me to sleep, you give me hugs, you keep me safe from crawly bugs; you take me places - exciting and new - what in the world would I be without you? HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY". Very cute. I hope that all mommies and grannies were showered with love yesterday!

The rest of this week isn't going to be any quieter and I'm already exhausted - how will I cope?? Jake's actual birthday is on Wednesday and mine's Thursday, so we've got the whole family coming around on Wednesday for supper. Thursday night, I'm hoping to get some friends together to go out for drinks (anyone keen to join - let me know). And then Saturday's my party. I'm going to be finished by Sunday. I've got a very good friend flying out from England especially for my birthday - she gets here on Friday and leaves again on Tuesday, so I'm going to spend quite a bit of time with her too. It's going to be busy...

Besides that, Jake's started going to school an extra day each week now, so he's there Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. He actually asked if he could go more! Just wait until they start giving him homework!!

Anyway, I must go. I'm sorry if this sounds very disjointed - I'm too exhausted to re-read it all to see if it makes any sense...

lots of love xxx