- It was half-term this week, so everyone apart from me was home from school.
- But it was also oldest son H’s birthday so I booked a day off. His presents had an unsurprising football theme: second-hand kits from Vinted (AC Milan, Spain, Arsenal away), Match annuals, books, a Champions League football, football cards, and more.
- We all caught the train into London for his birthday surprise: a stadium tour of The Emirates. We started off outside for photos with the Tony Adams and Thierry Henry statues, and then through the club shop to collect our audio tour equipment. We saw the changing rooms, the press room, the directors’ box, walked up the tunnel and posed with the Invincibles trophy. The boys’ Arsenal brainwashing is complete.
- We clocked up many steps walking around the stadium and Finsbury Park, their little legs working even harder. They slept soundly that night.
- This week’s Sunday roast attempt to get the boys to try new food was pork shoulder. They gave it a good try, even attempting some crackling. C has even selected pork for one of his school dinners next week.
- We’ve all been enjoying Super Mario Bros. Wonder, one of H’s presents. So many delightful touches, like the harmonising piranha plants. It’s perfectly pitched. The boys have been playing together and are up to world 5; I’ve managed the first world so far.
- Box set binge of the week: Bad Sisters. Superb characters and a murder whodunnit that we didn’t see coming. One of the best series we’ve watched on Apple TV+.
