All the Christmas parties...

After over-Christmasing earlier in the month, we've all managed to find a second wind for some Christmas party action to see us back in the mood for the big day.

I went to a work Christmas party for the first time in many years - and it was a really great laugh. Plenty of drinking and plenty of dancing - pretty much what you'd expect. It involved about half my teams and we rocked Bar Home in the Merchant City till late. But I was glad to be safely tucked up in bed way before midnight (well it started at 3.45pm), having witnessed plenty of Christmas casualties as I walked across Glasgow to the bus. Next up was Tanya for a much more sober, chilly but still joyful affair with her wild wild swimmers to celebrate the Solstice. What better way to do it than a plunge in icy water and a sing song round the fire.

Then it was the kids turn. Niomi had her first sleepover in a very long time with her friend Olive - a really big deal for her and we were delighted that it went well as she was quite nervcited in the build up. They were still awake at 12.45am though - so later than both their parents nights out. Alongside this Emily managed to negotiate us into letting her have 4 friends for a sleepover which was an equally late night of girls giggling away. House full of 8 women and me? I just hid in the bedroom.

Still, much joy has been had in the last few days before Xmas - let's hope our candle hasn't burnt down too early as there is still much joy to come with more Rookes arriving! Bring it on...

Some of the many at Bar Home

Videoclip: Winter solstice ladies night...

Or you can watch the video here

Ho ho ho - some of the girls (and me)

Santa Pasta Party

Sleepover for five...

Actually make that seven!

Christmas party Rookes

Merry Christmas...

 

Over-Christmased…

Apparently you can have too much of a good thing when it comes to Christmas. Our festive run up this year has seen some Christmas casualties when it’s all got a bit much. The girls have been a little frazzled at times – combination of an end of what is a 4 month school term in Scotland (Emily’s knackered), elf nonsense (they’ve been sent back to Santa for freaking Niomi out), and concerts, parties, Christmas events galore have meant that at times we’ve had to keep things more low key. I mean I love Christmas, but it is a kind of weird time of year. Everything changes and looks different, expectations and excitement levels rise every day (and year on year), sugar levels (and everything Christmas) start peaking earlier and earlier as its 'chocolate for breakfast' month, bedtimes get later and later, and, well, everything just kind of goes a bit wonky. It’s no wonder they get a bit frazzled. But even in a reduced capacity we’ve still experienced Glasgow Green’s Christmas, had stir-up Sunday, ridden the Alpine Coaster in Edinburgh, met up with Ly for my birthday, had a daddy/daughter day out to a slightly sinister Beauty and the Beast, and listened, danced, and sung to endless Christmas classics so it’s acutally not been too low key at all.

And if Christmas wasn’t enough, my personal frustration with the world at the moment is our seeming obsession with being timetabled and booked into slots. This year just seems to have entailed timed slots for everything we want to do and not enough slots to do everything we want. The latest bookable nightmare appears to be Emily’s parents evening when we tried booking 36 hours after it opened and failed to get an appointment for English, Chemistry, Physics, Geography, Design/Tech, History and Modern Studies. I mean this wasn’t tickets for Oasis we were booking – this was parents evening – but apparently there’s not enough slots. If I’d known that all parents had to line up at the school gates and race, with the last one to get to a teacher missing out, I’d have put my trainers on. Honestly at times the world appears to want to schedule me out of existence – its ridiculous. Want happened to spontaneity and flexibility. Rant over.

Ho, ho, ho and carry on.

Videoclip: Christmastreetastic...

Or you can watch the video here

Christmas fairy

And more fairies on the ferris wheel at Glasgow Green

Ready for the school concert

The Alpine Coaster

Over-Christmased

Birthday love

The Birthday Crew

New slopes...

As your kids grow up they start to find their own way and define themselves. We've always said we have two very different children - Emily is most likely to be found with her head in a book, Niomi pogoing up and down to some very loud music. As parents that creates its own challenges in how to accommodate everyone's needs and wants, and keep both your children happy whilst not leaving either one feeling hard done by. The trial of walking that fine balancing act without driving yourselves nuts in the process.

Post Emily's 13th has seen her exploring new slopes - literally and metaphorically. There's been a trip to see Friends the musical and sleep over with student big cousin Rosie in Glasgow. A trip with me to see Lorde at the Ovo Hydro. And an aborted attempt of a trip to see Hamilton with a friend and Tanya lurking in the shadows. I say abortive as the production was unfortunately cancelled last minute due to cast illness. She's also been preparing for January's school ski trip on the dry slope and hopefully developing her Dad's love of carving through the white stuff. And as she grows into her teen years she increasingly finds herself on new slopes - when she's not collecting books she's finding her sense of self and independence, starting to consider her dreams in this vast world we live in. Oh, and developing a new very dry sense of humour too...

Niomi has been growing up too - she's been snacking us out of house and home and developed a love of expensive fish - sea bass and mackerel fillets from the fish market are her latest. Her soft toy collection is ever expanding with a new acquisition on most shopping trips (mainly second hand). And her daily explorations with Blue the neighbour's dog keep us revisiting the 'shall we/shan't we' dog debate. A big step for any family! And she's recently joined the school choir after much internal debate for years about exploring her singing side more. And whilst Emily continues to glide gently down her own slope, Niomi continues to dramatically zig-zag her way down with many more near misses and much more drama.

Oh the joys of parenthood. Never a dull moment on this endless rollercoaster...

Daddy/Daughter trip to Lorde

At the Hydro

Butter wouldn't melt

Videoclip: Learning to ski...

Or you can watch the video here

Bringing light to the dark...

And as the dark evenings begin it's always great to find ways of bringing light into the dark. First up was Halloween and apparently I excelled in being properly scary this year. Personally I thought that was the point, although possibly small children didn't agree? What can a scary monster do... Thanks to Andrew and Sandra for hosting a great Halloween party.

But then with make up washed away it was rapidly on to Emily's birthday and something equally scary - the making of a Teen. Since starting secondary school she's definitely changed significantly - she's discovered make up, fashion, social media big style (mainly Tiktok and Snapchat) and an increasing ability to leave things lying around for her parents to tidy up. Not sure that much has changed since I was a teen although I probably had other things that replaced social media back in the day. All that said she's still the wonderful girl that I've always known and loved - acing school, being lots of fun and increasingly developing a dry sense of humour, and being just an all round amazing human being. She can throw herself into life's river and swim in it's current. It's tremendous watching her grow into a strong young woman.

So to celebrate a few things happened. First her presents pretty much consisted of books (and more books - 12 in fact), experiences (can't wait to be part of some of those) and money for clothes. All the important things for a developing young lady. Then Ly appeared back at the house and we all scooted up to Pitlochry for The Enchanted Forest experience. I was worried that it wouldn't be worth the long drive in the dark but actually it surpassed my expectations and I think we all had a fabulous time. When I escaped the crowds it was even quite contemplative at times which was really nice. 

And then finally came the epic Rookenbury party of parties. Thirteen girls for an overnight in a mini festival in the garden in the middle of November - what could possibly go wrong? 6 hours of putting up tents, lights, decorations and ensuring there was a plentiful supply of carbs and sugar available. We got everything looking just so - complete with high quality sound and viewing experience. Note to self though, old LED TV's don't like damp, humid conditions. The weather held up for the night - the girls screamed, giggled, bounced and swung till the early hours and eventually fell to some sort of sleep. Another note to self, even when reminded to make sure the tent is zipped shut they might not remember. So I think it was a roaring success apart from the bucketing rain the next morning, slight puddles from door left open and many forgotten items left behind. Just like the real Glasto actually. Oh yeah.... And the 5 hours of taking tents down and days of trying to dry wet tents in the house. Phew - the things you do.

Happy birthday Emzo - welcome to the teens. Am proud of you every single day.

Cat in the Hat

None child-friendly Halloween

Cruella made me do it

Birthday girl with a small selection of birthday books

Sisters :-)

All together at the Enchanted Forest

Videoclip: The Enchanted Forest

Or you can watch the video here

Marshmallow fun

The Rooketonbuy Posse

Videoclip: Rooketonbury

Or you can watch the video here

Pretending they're going to bed

Light comes to the dark on an early morning run

Half-term happenings...

Normally I work October half term but my purchase of additional annual leave this year meant that I got to enjoy a bit more time with the kids...

First up was the cat café with Tanya's niece Rosie for her birthday. I am not really a feline fan but it was quite an interesting experience and honestly, some of those furballs are huge! I never knew the domestic cat could get so big.

Then it was the Tutankhamun Experience at the SECC which was kinda cool. The Ancient Egypt bit played slight second fiddle to the use of cool gadgetry but the VR and the immersive effects were pretty funky (unless you're much more used to those things than we probably are). Someone definitely had fun designing all that.

Then onto the main agenda of a trip to Banchory in all its autumnal glory. I particularly loved my running through the landscape on the cusp of winter - the scenery was clad in its full russet gown and the sun showed it off in its best light. There was the usual Banchory Bingo favourites - Crathes, charity shops, the Cowshed but shock, horror, we also made some new discoveries of Castle Fraser, Craigevar Castle, Lumphanan and the Pancake Place. We walked a good few miles, ate picnics in the fresh air, chatted and laughed. Was really good for our souls as we head into the hour changing and the darker months.We had an amazing time thanks once again to Nana and Baba!

Rosie and Emily at Cat Cafe

More cats

Virtual wife

The Crazies

Tutankhamun

Tree babies

Autumn's finest

Niomi failing to pull a serious bear face

And only marginally better

The discovery of unusual vegetables

Enjoying the sun at Castle Fraser

Me and my girls

Me and my girl

Story time with Nana

How cute?

Sisters stepping out

The Banchory Crew at the Cowshed

Moving...

Autumn is a season of change, when the world moves from vibrance and being full of life to a more sleepy, sedated, dormant state. And change has been in effect in the Rooke house - but not turning to a sleepy state but rather moving to pastures new for the lovely Ly. 

Two and a half years ago Ly came to live with us. She arrived from Vietnam somewhat shell-shocked, with zero English and not much idea about what life was like in the UK. During those years she has gone from strength to strength - first doing really well in her year at school, then college and part time work. Her language has grown and she can now chat away quite happily in English, but much more than that is how she has grown as a person. I have always been in awe of Ly's strength of character and bravery. Whatever's been chucked at her she's risen to the challenge and showed great depth of character and determination to succeed. She works hard, doesn't get sidetracked by life's distractions (apart from a wonderfully stylish love of clothes) and approaches everything with a smile and good grace. Its been a really honour having her as part of our family - we've shared many amazing holidays, celebrations and memories with her, and its been a real joy watching her grow into a strong young woman.

Well done Ly! We know we'll still be seeing lots of you, but good luck in your new student digs as you take another step on the road to true independence. You'll be very much missed by us all and the house will seem a little emptier without you around.

Starting school

First Halloween

First Christmas

Summer chic

Turning 18

New digs!!

And Ly's not the only one who's been moving lately. Inspired by my cycle earlier in the year, I managed to get round the Great Scottish Run half marathon in 1hr 54m. Not bad for an old timer - I was pleased anyway, though boy was it hard.

Fresh at the start

Videoclip: Great Scottish Run

Or you can watch the video here

Broken but feeling chuffed