Blink 123

How did we go from Gorgeous Baby on the left to Big Boy on the right? I think we blinked and then our eldest son James was 12 years old. Rather puts life and things into perspective, doesn't it?

James had his 12th birthday last Friday in St Croix, doing what he loves most - racing for Team BVI.

Nine sailors participated from Tortola with William and I flying from St Thomas and the kids sailing over on a 50' catamaran in very rough seas. James apparently managed to sleep through 30+ knot winds with waves crashing over the deck, which rather impressed the Captain but is pretty indicative of his sanguine approach to life.

The weekend was Boy Heaven. They all whizzed around in boats and when they weren't doing that they were playing Fuzeball or jumping on the water trampoline or eating, which meant that I was either in the galley or on the rib watching the racing. The St Croix Yacht Club bar also made the best Bloody Mary ever (apart from the Phene Arms in SW3) which helped.

James came third in Blue Fleet, which he was chuffed about and Georgie poodled around in Green Fleet. I think George may be more of a gymnastics person although he certainly enjoys messing around on boats. He doesn't really feel the urge to win anything however (unlike his older brother) but seems to have a good time anyway. William's dead keen now to get in there too - so next season it will be three of them to organize. A Fleet of Dawsons. 

Could life get any better for a 7 year old chap?

The weekend was in fact 4 days, something I can now do in my new life. It was an absolute blast - both literally (winds mainly over 20+ knots the whole time) and figuratively, as I quite enjoy playing 'Sailing Mama'. It beats Soccer Mom anyday.

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I am today in fact even a SAHM (Stay at Home Mom) as my Ford is still in the hospital, and Tyler felt he could manage the day (school, piano and aikido). I wasn't going to argue. QuickBooks and housework isn't exactly the High Life but it beats driving and sweating, anyday. I'm not too sure who's more excited about our imminent homeschooling - me or the kids, though I'll still have to drop James off and the afternoon activities are island-wide.

We've thought this too many times now to get excited, but the bakery is tipped to take-off with a night shift, a bakers assistant and a shipment from New York which includes a convection oven for cakes and patisserie and a bread slicing machine.  We're designing more labels, shipping in more packaging and wondering where the hell to put it all. Although the bakery has only been open for 8 months now, it feels like a decade. We take it day by day but we are slowly beginning to breathe again as we start to get wind in our sails. It's all good.