The end of the holidays

It's the 31st of January today, which means, not only is it the end of the first month of 2014, but it's also the end of the summer holidays.  Of course as they don't go back until Monday, I suppose that they don't really end for another two days (or in Mahe's words, two more sleeps until it's back to school time).  Weekends are always time off school though, so really, they don't count, or in my mind in any case.

The long summer holidays

As a child the long summer holidays, or the big holidays seemed to stretch on forever. But now as an adult, they seem to have gone quickly.  The weather hasn't helped and the promise of a warm summer keeps taunting us with it's odd appearance.  Actually the last few days have been quite nice, which is probably a sign that the kids are due back at school.

Of course, there was one big difference when I was a child (apart from the fact I was a child of course) and that was being back home in the UK, the summer holidays were just that, summer holidays.  Here, we begin with Christmas, and then New Year.  By the time that you've got that over and done with, the holiday is almost half gone.  It seems like the holiday has flown by, but if I think about it, Christmas seems a long time ago.

Summer Holiday Activities

Looking back now, I'm not entirely sure what we got up to. We had a lovely holiday a week or so ago, which was great.  But other than that, it's really been a case of relaxing, playing and having fun.  Which is what school holidays are about.  I had thought, with the weather as it was, we'd be spending a lot of time at the local museum and the like.  To be honest though, we've made our own fun at home, made the most of what good weather there was, and had the odd visit to the local library, which is always a good way to spend a rainy day.  On the days when it's been too wet and miserable to do anything, we've sometimes just relaxed and watched a bit of tv, or a film.  I don't like the children to watch too much tv, but a little bit certainly doesn't hurt.

Back to school

Now it's time to head back to school.  Mahe's back for his second term as a bit school boy, and I think he's quiet keen to get back.  Kai's a little more relaxed about it all, but I know he'll be keen to see his friends.  Of course now he's in his third year, and back to a new class, an old hand at this school lark these days.