Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[Choo-chook]

School hols start today Having a last cup of tea in the peace and quiet before going to pick up my daughter from school. Expecting lots of teary faces, she's going up to high school after the hols and asked if I'd pick her up at the door in case she was "emotionally drained and needed support" lol. Bet lots of the mums will be in a worse state!! Not me, I've already told her she'll be a latch-key kid by the start of high school. Woohoo.

[Purplemaniacs]

Gosh we have another three weeks, even the private schools around here have one week to go.

 

Chrissie

[soapdragon]

Yes, still another 3 weeks to go but trying to cram everything in before all doodah breaks free!

 

Actually, will be lovely to spend concentrated time with the boys and actually get to interact and have fun - I feel that the summer hols are a very special time even though things can get a bit manic!!!!

[Charlottechicken]

School hols start today

 

Scotland?

[The Dogmother]

My daughter broke up after her last exam - can't wait for her to get back to school

[chickencam]

I already have my 21 & 18 yr olds at home, YD finishes in about 3 weeks. I enjoy the extra freedom of the summer holidays, but do sometimes crave an empty house, although my teens are often in bed until late morning, so I do at least get the mornings to myself.

 

I have always found the summer a great time to reconnect with my brood, we spend precious time just chatting and catching up. I also love the fresh start in the autumn. Variety is the spice of life

[Choo-chook]

I do enjoy the holidays but up here in scotland they seem to have 7 weeks off this year! That's way to long in my opinion, 5 weeks would be better. But then I'm one of these grumpy mums that moans because p7 has been all about having the best year ever, than actually doing any work, grrr.

[The Dogmother]

I guess I would enjoy the hols more if I were at home (although Rosie is at that age when being with her mum is the last thing she wants ) as it is, she either spends time at home, creating a mess and not doing any jobs I ask her to, or she goes out with her friends.

[Chickabee]

Make the most of it. My 2 eldest daughters are at work. My eldest son is at uni in St Andrews (we live in Brentwood, Essex). He's just gone off to Costa Rica for10 weeks . Only got youngest son here. He's 15 and what you would call a "Kevin". Miss the younger days

[chickencam]

My son is hoping to go to St Andrews in September A level results permitting. How do you find the logistics? It is such a short time from results day to start date. He can't wait. We will be down to one 15 year old then too, she too has her Kevin moments but we get on pretty well, she will miss her siblings though because she is very sociable unlike the rest of us.

[Chickabee]

Prepare yourself for the gush .....

 

Oliver loves St Andrews, it was his 3rd choice uni as he was an Oxbridge candidate. So it was Oxford, Durham then St Andrews. He got to the interview stage at Oxford, but didn't get in. I was just so proud that he got that far. Durham just said no. Then St Andrews said yes. It is a wonderful Uni and a lovely, lovely place. Oli was in halls for his first year. McIntosh in the old part, he now has a flat. It was quick , because they start at the beginning of September, whereas most unis start mid October. It didn't matter. As soon as they start they are allocated a mum and dad. I think they are 3rd years. They have been his friends all through his first year. Infact all years mix really well. Gush over he has no regrets at all. Whenever he comes home he can't wait to go back

[chickencam]

Sounds good, he knows a boy who went last year, previous head boy and he came into the school to encourage the boys to look at the Scottish universities. We fell in love with the place when we went up there in March. DS also applied to Oxford but didn't get an interview, his second choice is Birmingham, but he hasn't even applied for accommodation there, as far as he is concerned it is St Andrews or bust. He is pretty confident however that he will get the grades and if not he will re apply for next year with his grades.

 

His American girlfriend has an unconditional offer for St Andrews which she has accepted so hopefully they will be going together on the first Saturday in September. I hate the wait for exam results, we have been through it once with ED who fortunately got her first choice at Bristol and loves it, she has just finished her second year. I hope that DS enjoys his experience as much.

[Chickabee]

Wishing him lots of luck, he sound like my son. Very determined and self motivated.