A very special garden

Kitty was Star of the Week at school. As a reward she got to bring Teddy Edward home. They both had fun playing in Great Mama Kitty's garden. It is sad that we probably won't get to do this again. Mama's (and granddad's) garden has always been a special place and as well as being amazing to play and grow up in, it completely embodies who and what Mama and Granddad were. Much more so than the house in fact.







































Granddad and Mama in their natural habitat - though usually much more colourful.

Granddad in one of his green houses. As a child, I spent hours in there with him washing plant pots, dead heading, pricking out seedlings and my favourite job straightening gravel (I think he invented this one, just to keep me occupied).

When Granddad died, Mama kept up his immaculate flower garden and extremely productive fruit and vegetable garden. Even now, this years potatoes, runner beans, onions, lettuce, tomatoes, herbs, strawberries, raspberries and apples are in full swing. Mum is struggling to know what to do with them all. I have been cooking and freezing vast quantities of strawberries which will surely keep Ira in her favourite Strawberry sauce until next year.







































Pretty much everything I know about fruit and vegetables came from that garden.

We all spent a lot of time there. Me (turquoise slippers) on sister Alison and cousins Claire, Paul and Gary. Fun memories.                   

Goodbye

When we visited Great Mama Kitty at Easter, she was her usual self. Playing with the children, quick to get out the toys and chocolate biscuits, busy in the garden and as always, concerned that her hair didn't look right for a photo. It came as a massive shock to all when she was admitted to hospital after some kind of stroke. In hospital, she looked terribly frail and it was hard to hear what she was saying but she was still there. She was worried that she had milk and bread going bad in the fridge and that no one would be feeding the birds. Despite how sick she was, there was obviously no question that she would be better soon and returning home. She asked me about the children, laughed and thanked us for gifts and drinks. She did mention seeing her mother in the hospital, was worried about the rabbits in the room and at times obviously forgot I was a grown up, but most of the time was miraculously clear about who everyone was and what was going on. Unfortunately, she just wasn't strong enough and we lost her.

Despite the fact that she was 94, no one can quite believe she has gone. I think one of the main reasons for this is that for an old lady, Mama didn't have that 'when I'm gone' kind of approach. For Mama, there was always going to be a tomorrow. There was always going to be a next growing season, a next year. There would always be another family wedding to attend, another birthday, another grandchild and another generation of family visiting her and her beautiful garden. She was going to live forever.

It has long been popular for people to aspire to 'live for today', but I think Mama's approach of not worrying about today as there will always be a tomorrow seems a much more sensible and effect one. I worry constantly about the fact that I am an older parent, and that I may not be around to see my children fully live their lives, but from now on I intend to take a leaf out of Mama's book and be happy in the thought that I just will be. From now on, I'm going to live forever. Thanks and goodbye Mama Kitty. We love you. xxx

Grandma Pih's 60th Birthday party

It seems the Pih family band (supported this time by drummer Justin) is becoming a tradition at birthday gatherings.

School sports day

 

Kitty's first school sports day. Jumping and throwing in the playground. Hurdles, long jump and obstacle race on the school field. Best of all was the egg and spoon race, which Kit won by a clear mile. Both Daddy and myself shamed ourselves in the mums and dads hopping race. I came last by quite a long way (thankfully no photos). Daddy did slightly better......but not much.
Bubs behaved impeccably and cheered her sister on with enthusiasm. Red fire team took bronze overall. To celebrate, pizza for tea and homemade popcorn. What a nice day.

Mama's sink

I have started collecting matching sets. This one is a bath in Mama's kitchen sink. See it's video match here.

More drawing

My latest favourite drawing from Kitty. Plus, two tiger masks she made all by herself while I was washing up. One for her and one for Ira.

Show stoppers

Kitty is practising hard for her first public performance in July.

She has also been fitted for her costume and new white satin ballet shoes, which she is very excited about.