It’s been a week of getting out for various events and activities, starting with a night out for me in London where I got to catch up with my university friend Rob and his wife who live in the USA and were over on a visit to the UK. It was lovely to catch up with them both and one of my other university friends Kuj who was also able to join us for the evening.

We had a busy weekend out and about with Sophie having a dance festival. She did incredibly well at the festival, placing first in all her sections apart from musical theatre duet where she was performing twice with two difference partners and placed first and second. It’s the first time that she’s ever placed first for a modern and lyrical solo, and to win all of her sections plus be awarded a trophy was an amazing achievement.

Sophie also had a couple of shows this week – a matinee and an evening performance. I had tickets to see her matinee performance and it was a joy to watch her on stage again. It was also lovely to read a review from one of her performances describing the young performers as being “equally impressive [in relation to the actors playing Potts and Truly] tackling demanding choreography alongside their singing and dialogue with confidence and skill”.
She’s now out on her school residential, enjoying a couple of nights of camping and bushcraft activities. I’m very relieved that we have a new washing machine ready for the laundry that she’ll bring back from that after the old one conked out at the end of last week!
Thomas has been enjoying time out in the garden, picking raspberries, hunting for bugs and playing with bubbles. I’ve also had some time out this week getting out with my walking group (a much drier walk than last week!) and spending time with Jessica.

What I’ve been grateful for this week:

- Day 163 – I am grateful for an evening out enjoying a catch up with university friends.
- Day 164 – I am grateful for beautiful dancing from Sophie at today’s festival and a 1st place for her character solo.
- Day 165 – I am grateful for a successful weekend for Sophie at Spirit of Dance, coming first in all her solos and duets, apart from musical theatre duet where she had two duets with different partners and placed 1st and 2nd, and being awarded the Junior Love of Dance trophy.
- Day 166 – I am grateful that Sophie is packed and ready for her school residential.
- Day 167 – I am grateful for a new washing machine.
- Day 168 – I am grateful for bubbles.
- Day 169 – I am grateful for home-grown raspberries.
Joining in with Raisie Bay for Word of the Week.
Also joining in with #Project365:

