My Month in Numbers - August

In August I read 8 books - including Six Little Miracles by Janet Walton which was the story of the Walton Sextuplets. All I can say it hats off to that woman! An interesting read.

In August I only ran almost 40 miles and cycled 30 miles. I took part in the final Pinto 3k challenge of the year and I have just Found the results on the Moray Road Runners site and it says I finished in a time of  15:58. If that is right that is my fastest 3k Pinto race to date. This month I have also signed up for my very first 10k race to be held at the end of September. Have only managed this distance twice before. Better start some proper training!

Been out on the bike again a couple of times - but the big kid in me should stay away from the tracks and jumps. Another over the handlebars moment - no lasting injuries just some serious bruising - again!

On 8th August we made the epic 900 mile journey from Elgin to Cardiff for the first of the Dove series - a warm up between Wales and Ireland for the Rugby World Cup.  It was held at the Millennium Stadium and it was the first time I have been there - along with 75 thousand other supporters. We all dressed up in suitable attire and had our faces painted. The roof was closed although it was a gorgeous day and this just helped yo increase the noise levels inside. I hold my hands up and admit to crying whilst the Welsh national anthem was sung - I knew I would. The score wasn't what we wanted with Wales losing 21-35 but it is something else crossed off my bucket list.

Back to school for Callum - into 4th year and the senior part of the school.

I think that is about it for August. I won't moan about the weather as in my opinion it hasn't been too bad up here.

Big changes in the Burton household next month - not looking forward to it - but will put my big girl pants on and deal with it.

Please pop over and say hello to Julie and catch up with everyone elses month in numbers.

Back to School

Today saw the boys go back to school - that was the quickest 6 week Summer holiday ever!

Callum is now in S3 - he will be 14 next month - don't know where the time has gone.

And Sam is back for his final year at school. I am pleased to say he passed all his Highers with flying colours and is back in the 6th form to do 3 more and an advanced Higher. So this will be his last ever back to school photo.

Which makes me a bit sad.

Moving on

Today was Callum's first day at high school - not sure who was more nervous about it all - me or him!!

But it all went well and his favourite lesson was home economics!

He looked very smart (except for the half mast tie) and very grown up this morning before he set off - Sam let the side down by refusing for the traditional first day of term photos.

180/365+1 : Free Choice - and another milestone reached

Today was Callums last day at St Sylvester's Primary School - where have the years gone as it doesn't seem 5 minutes since he started - and here are the photos to prove it!! He was a month short of his 5th birthday here starting in Primary 1 and Sam was just going into Primary 3.

This was Callum before he headed off for school - packed in his bag were a selection of Sharpie pens and a water pistol.

And here he is after school with the obligatory decorated shirt.

There were both parents and children in tears in the playground at 3pm (I was one!!) and the kids have all been chatting on Facebook tonight and making plans to meet up over the holidays.

These were the cupcakes that Callum gave to his teachers - they were gorgeous and handmade (not by me) and they seemed to be well received.

Scool report time

Poor Cal was nervous when he handed over his school report at the end of last week - but he had no need to be. He had top marks for effort which we were so pleased about as school isn't his favourite place and in terms of achievement he is exactly where he should be for his age.




All this was confirmed by his 2 teachers at parents evening tonight. His support teacher is just wonderful and Cal loves her to bits. His reading and spelling have shown great improvement since she started working with him and now it is time to turn her attention to his writing. Mrs Kirk thinks his head is so full of information but he cannot get it all down on paper quick enough - leading to a jumble on the page. Part of the plan is to get him to help some younger children with their writing skills - thereby increasing his confidence.




There is still some doubt over whether or not he suffers from a mild form of dyslexia and hopefully they will be testing him sometime next year.

It was report time for Sam too - his first report from High School. Luckily he still loves school (even if it is more for the social side of the day!) and is doing really well. He seems to have more than enough ability - if only he would cut down on the chat (wonder where he gets that from??????)