Yes, take it steady Doris and you too Castle if you happen to be lurking 
Glad the small wee furry beast seems a bit better today Toffee
[Strong coffee for Kitkat]
Hope exams go well in your household Just My nephew takes his second A-level tomorrow.
Hope migraine withdrew its threat Pushme and that face is less numb following dishy dental treatment Goth
Glad the system is working for you both Fudge and Katandkit!
Whoknows many congratulations re: the module!!!!
Hope you are feeling better Swan and that you find cat OK on collection. Agree with Ellie and others. I would definitely definitely keep ds1 at home for sports day. It's not as though he didn't give it a go and try and support all the others last year. And 6 hours is far too long to be excluded from everything else, aimlessly wandering about. The school have mismanaged it. At the very least, those who weren't competing last year should be doing so this year. Or they could split it in to form or gender groups to make the even more manageable. Or if that's not possible for some reason, then pupils could take it in turns being "games makers" and "competitors" - the games makers could organise, adjudicate, act as starters, measure jumps and throws, make and serve refreshments etc. Absolutely no benefit to be had in feeling excluded for a day. Yep, quite 
on your ds's behalf just thinking about it actually! I would keep him at home and send a forthright letter as to why (always easier to advise someone to do this, then actually do it yourself though I know!!) Think you are totally justified keeping him at home whether you are honest about it or not though.
Thanks for your advice re: dd. I'm really not that conscientious and motivated (honestly!) I've just sort of found myself having to do lots more than I would ordinarily have expected to do, owing to the system here (and believe me, I do far less than some parents!) . (And it takes much longer because my head is stuck permanently in various language dictionaries!!) Also, much easier with just one child to focus on. We have had some attempts at school refusal (usually at the beginning of a new term) but she does seem very content to go now. I don't know, it's the overall system that worries me I suppose, death by rote learning and fact sheet, and when she says she is not allowed to ask questions. Will keep pondering ....!!
Waves to Mercury Ellie Asheth Lilleth Honu Bitchy and everyone else!!
Well, I spent the morning waiting for hosp consultant appt, in clothes that are far too hot (too fat to get in summer ones). Stumped home feeling ravenously hungry, hot and bothered and fell on the only edible thing in the fridge which was a bowl of last night's pasta. Looks like I am going to fail on second fast day too!!
Still not speaking to dh either except when absolutely necessary (very immature behaviour I know!) because he refuses to apologise. And am being plagued by people on the phone asking me to buy things, and people at the door wanting me to give them money - the sunshine must bring them out. On the positive side, it is a glorious day and fortnightly ironing lady has worked her magic!! Need to sort out supper tonight and try and impose some kind of order on boudoir (woeful progress made during wk 
)
Hauling my stumps away from the screen right now ...