The Christening

Saturday was Harry's Christening. Holly was feeling great and really looking forward to the day. We woke to the sound of pouring rain, after last weeks spring like weather I had actually dared to hope that we could have the doors open to the garden and the children would be able to play out all afternoon. It wasn't to be. The Christening was at 1pm and was beautiful. It was very low key and casual, exactly as we wanted it. Fr Anton didn't bat an eyelid at the children running about and Harry trying to escape by crawling right past him! He valiantly involved Holly in the ceremony by getting her to hold the oil, she wasn't too impressed (she looked like a typical teenager being asked to do her homework!). Izzy was a particular handful as she didnt want to sit still and kept running up to Daddy to cuddle him (her woollen dress sheds everywhere, I forgot to tell Ben, then I couldn't help the giggles as he spent the next 10mins trying to get wool off his suit!). She then decided she wanted to blow the candle out and knocked it out of my hand onto the floor. Even though the priest was lovely I think he was secretly glad when it was over.

Holly looked great in her new outfit (as did Harry).

Everyone came back to the house for food and drink and the children behaved wonderfully. Holly decided that she would stay for the food but was then going to dads for a curry and would stay overnight. This is only the 2nd time she has been away from me since she was diagnosed and it felt really strange. It was nice not to have to get up at 6am to give her her medicine though!

Today (Sunday) has been a catch up day for me. Washing, ironing and a total clear out of Hollys room. I managed to clear 4 bin bags of stuff from under her bed! How long will it stay looking so clean?

I want to say a huge thank you to all our lovely neighbours and friends. The wondeful Ros organised a whip round from everyone (and we only live in a small close!) for a present for Holly. An amazing amount of money was raised and Holly is so grateful and is now looking forward to spending all her vouchers in Next and M&S. Thank you all also from Ben and myself. It's very humbling to think how much everyone cares, we all go about our daily lives, saying hello as we pass, but this has made me realise how much of a community we are. By the way Ros, am looking forward to the kitchen warming party!

Holly had a lovely day and returned home (very tired) this afternoon.

It has been a lovely weekend but I do feel totally physically and emotionally exhausted. This week brings the next round of chemo on Tues and Weds (we are hoping Holly will be ok to do this as a day case as no hydration is needed with this course).

Heres to another good week...