That's my Boy

Hi Blogies and Blogettes

I wasn't going to blog today but after reading and commenting on all your wonderful blogs I felt guilty, that and I wanted to write about the weekend.

As some of you might have gathered my hubby, 15 year old son, and 21 year old twin stepsons together with assorted friends, did a bike ride to raise money for Breast Cancer from London to Cambridge.

They set off with lots of water bottles (hubby forgot the bananas) to cycle the 8 miles to the start at Waltham Abbey at 6.15 a.m. Trying to be a good mum and relieved to have my house back from looking like a bike shop I got up to do them a light breakfast, make sure they had hats and sunscreen and to dutifully wave them off.

At this point I was worried that my "baby" would have problems, we only got his new bike on Thursday and apart from a week at school cadet camp and the odd summer rugby training he hadn't done much exercise and was a little apprehensive that a 66 mile bike ride up through the Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire countryside might be a rather tall order for him. I knew hubby would look after him, and had no worries about him as he cycles 10 miles to work each day in the summer months to keep fit (well one of us in the family has too and it sure ain't me!)but still worried how he would do.

The hours went by and when it got to around mid-day I loaded the car with assorted chairs, blankets, disposable barbies, food and drink and off I set with my 12 year old to meet them at the finishing point at Mid-summers common beside the river in Cambridge, it's a lovely spot and you can watch all the punts go down the river. (sorry I almost forgot I should be very lucky this week as when I went out to the car a whole flock of birds had left their calling cards and being short in height I could only clean the top of the car with my son's supersoaker water gun - the neighbours are used to me!)

We arrived there in about an hour, and met up with one of the twins who had completed the ride and about 10 minutes later despite clipping the kerb and grazing his hands (it was so hot he had taken off his fingerless gloves and the blue dye in them was running down his hands) came my boy to a round of applause from the older ones who had only just beat him to the finish. Well I was so proud, they all said how my boy had done good, (although today he said his legs don't hurt too much , it's the sitting down!)

I know I shouldn't have doubted him, but as his mum I was worried that it was a long ride for his first attempt, but I really was chuffed he made it. On the other hand one of the twins didn't he did 38 miles but his legs gave up, so he had to wait several hours to be picked up by the race event organisers - whilst in the meantime the other rugby players that had undertaken the ride texted him with pictures of ice cold beer and burgers on the barbe!! he is now determined to start training and do it next year as he says he will never live down being outdone by his little brother!

By the way another reason I named this blog "That's my boy" is that exactly 16 years ago almost to the hour I went into labour with him and he reaches the grand old age of 16 at 7.16 a.m in the morning (although technically speaking it's his birthday now it is 1.29 a.m. British Summer Time) he was a day early, 2ft long and 9 1/2lb (which I think is between 41/2 and 5 kilos). I know people say labour is a wonderful experience but how? why? (I think that is a rumour put about by the male species) admittedly I was only in labour with him a short time,(about 5 1/2 hours) but with my eldest I was only 31/2 hours and when I went passed that point with him, I kept thinking I should have given birth by now - that and the midwife had told me to chant 10 green bottles sitting on a wall - again why?. I must admit although it is not trendy to so, I couldn't think of anything I enjoyed about labour it is painful and I threw up all the way through and even after I had given birth, I was still being so ill the midwife gave my cup of tea and toast to my husband!!! and the next day I was walking round rather like all those who did the bike ride (John Wayne eat your heart out!!) but proud of my new little boy.

In saying that about the labour, I wouldn't change having my kids for anything and can't believe that my baby is heading fast into manhood - after him only one more of my children to go through the dreaded teens and it is going to be really weird when he hits 18 - it is true the time we have with them good, bad or hormonal passes so quickly. I look back as I am sitting here hitting the keys and wonder where the hell did 16 years go, my son towers above me now and is almost 6 ft (his favourite saying is that he can't hear me all the way down here. I suppose it is a reminder to treasure them and cherish each moment of life I can't believe how fast it now seems to run away, I sometimes feel if I blink I will miss it.

Well enough of my ramblings, it was lovely to see your comments on the blogs and hi to Demi-goddess, it was funny I had just made a comment on Purchasewoods about how we perceive Australia to always be hot and full of sunshine, when you made your comment about it being cold, we can't equate it here , it's a bit like thinking of Switzerland and Austria as being hot, although I know they can be, as I have been there when it is up in the 30 degrees, but you still picture them as being like a christmas card scene all snowy and cold.

Nearly done, Lou I have my fingers crossed for you, Afkas - brill words can't express! I hope everything comes up roses for you both, Purchasewoods and Hollymark love your blogs and hearing about your neck of the woods and learning new lingo!! and FG 15 days and counting, Piave here we come!!

Have a brilliant week everyone, hope you are not too hot or cold!

Nite Nite bloggies and blogettes - from a proud mum

PS diet stops tomorrow, off to the chinese for my son's birthday and lots of chocolate cake when we get home - this will be followed by some sand bag making!!