This week has been quite intense. We’ve had all the emotions that come with Jessica’s birthday, the first full week back at school and getting back into routines with after-school activities. I’ve had a busy week with rehearsals, performing in a concert and trying to catch up on various things. Rehearsals for Into the Woods and Doctor Dolittle are getting more intense as we get closer to the two show weeks next month. And we’re also preparing to say goodbye to Chitty Chitty Bang Bang which closes on Sunday. Plus I’ve been flying solo most of this week as my husband is away on an event until Saturday night.

We had a quiet morning together on Jessica’s birthday, remembering her on her birthday with a birthday picnic at her forever bed. This year’s cake was a chocolate cake decorated with rice-paper flowers and butterflies. Sophie did a beautiful job of decorating the cake. I can’t quite believe that Jessica would have been 15 now.
Sophie was performing in Chitty later that afternoon and I was performing in a concert in the evening, singing two solos – Where or When and To Keep My Love Alive. I also ended up unexpectedly singing a duet (You’re Just In Love) with one of the other performers as their duet partner was unwell. Thankfully I knew the song quite well, but it was still a bit nerve-wracking singing having not had any chance to rehearse beforehand!
Sophie has her last two performances in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang this weekend. I think her last show is going to be very emotional. It’s been such a magical experience for her to perform in Chitty and an amazing opportunity to have played the part of Jemima. Definitely memories that we’ll treasure, but the post-show blues will certainly hit hard.
What I’ve been grateful for this week:

- Day 247 – I am grateful for the hamper that arrived as a belated birthday gift for my husband.
- Day 248 – I am grateful that Sophie has done such an amazing job decorating Jessica’s birthday cake ready for tomorrow.
- Day 249 – I am grateful for family time together remembering Jessica on her birthday with a picnic at her forever bed.
- Day 250 – I am grateful that Sophie had a good first day back at school.
- Day 251 – I am grateful for catching up with family over a carvery lunch.
- Day 252 – I am grateful for getting home safely from a very long pick-up journey for Chitty and for the lovely chaperones and babysitter staying late while I was delayed getting there and back.
- Day 253 – I am grateful for a mug of tea and a piece of homemade parkin.
Joining in with Raisie Bay for Word of the Week.
Also joining in with #Project365:

