April's Fledgling Fliers: there's no fooling the Fat Fairy this month.

[elliepac]

In a blatant steal from last month's thread:

So here we are, April already.

So for those who don't know the fledglings is a long running thread. Some of us seem clicky but that is because we have been chatting on these threads for nearly half a decade makes everyone feel old we quite like fresh blood though so feel free to jump in and join us.

Three key points to keep in mind:
(1)No perfectionism allowed - this is harder than you would imagine
(2)You are never behind just start where you are and anything you do is progress.
(3) It didn't get into a mess overnight, it won't get tidy over night - accept it will take time to get on top of things and you will be happier.

If you are new then trying to spend 15mins decluttering and the babysteps is the most. Some of us Bitchy can have scary looking lists. One word of advice ignore them. Do what you can, anything is better then nothing, and don't judge yourself against others

Good idea Bitchy will try wipes first - it might need several...

My experience of mucky little boys says will definitely need several rather than might Good luck Newlark

Thanks for the Drusillas tip toffee and whoknows - just had a chat with Dsis and she and BIL think it's a great idea. DS's face will be a picture when he sees Thomas and he is so excited by animals and playgrounds atm, it'll be great. I think we'll save the Bedgebury Gruffalo trail and beach for when we're over in July!

You guessed correctly sc - parents are heading to Port Lympne with DS (They have a year ticket and he gets in free).

done
SALT came to do an assessment on ds2. That went alright, and I was forced to tidy up before she came, which is always good.
Then the heating engineer came to mend the boiler, but I mended it 5 mins before he arrived so I plucked up courage to organise a new immersion element in a month (tis only when the gas goes that I care about the long term absence of working electric immersion option on our tank) so not an entirely wasted two days without washing and heat. Twas the ignition lockout on our combi if anyone has the same problem I also cleaned the utility which was satisfying...

Then I went to buy some new uniform for ds1. Long busride.

Smoked salmon pasta with dill for supper.

Homework with ds2.

Still enjoying afterglow of being back in comfortable home territory

Engels Bodiam Castle? My Dad loves Bedgebury btw!!! So it must appeal to both oldies and youngies... Kipling's House is also in East Sussex near Burwash but it has quite odd opening times if I recall. I remember dd having a massive meltdown there in the NT tearoom because I tried to make her eat a beetroot and chocolate brownie instead of a large piece of Chocolate Gateau with piped icing. She was three. It also has lovely old cars there in glass cases I think, and a working water mill. Much more interesting for boys perhaps than girls.

Evening all. First day survived although twas an Inset day so no kids. School are being incredibly supportive. They have, without me asking, asked my supply cover to stay on this week and next so i will only be teaching KS4 and it gives me some time to catch up on the mountain of work awaiting me. Am knackered and a little sore but ok.

Would write a big long post but quite frankly I am too tired. Big waves to all.

Ellie so glad that school are looking after you and helping to facilitate a gradule return for you. Rest up and good luck tomo!

Ellie take it easy tonight, so pleased you've a short week to 'break you in'. Hope tomorrow goes well.

Swan sounds like a productive day.

Done
Beds
Packed lunch
DD to school on time (with no arguments!)
Long walk with DH
Bought mandolin (kitchen slicer not musical instrument )
Visited Hotel Chocolat
Walked home
Made coleslaw
Clean laundry away
S&S
2 loads laundry on
Recycling out
Collected DD
Made dinner & wholemeal fruit scones
Washing up & SS

Just checking, did I volunteer to do May's thread?

Checking in after first day back at school here. Seems from what DD says half the class went to the IofW over the hols. (think it is more like about 3 people - including her!)

My plan was to blitz the house but in the end I couldn't be bothered, so will need to do it tomorrow.

Ta Da

• DD to school with all relevant bags/PE kit/shoes/willies
• D/W unloaded
• Meals planned and food bought
• Trip to garden centre to buy new hose nozzle-squirty-thingy
• Washing load in and hung to dry
• DD to and from Brownies (with a new badge to sew on her very full sash)
• Kitchen bin and recycling box emptied

The weekend was pretty up and down. The ups were planting out the roses and other flower plants DH bought me for Mother's Day . The downs were DH throwing his toys out of the pram over petty things (mostly DD doing daft things and annoying him). Though having to go back to work today after nearly a week off was probably the cause.

One thing he said really made me question how he really feels about my DS being part of our family unit. He had obviously been looking at summer holidays and said something like "the 3 of us can go to y for £x". When I questioned what was the price for the 4 of us his reply was "who is going to pay for DS to come with us?" My face must have shown that I thought perhaps we would pay, but he jumped in with "he's 21 and working so should pay for himself". DS earns £150 a week, so how is he going to afford £££££ for a couple of weeks in the sun!?!? It is all hypothetical anyway as DS getting time off work is as rare as hen's teeth (though he has talked about quitting and moving down so maybe this could occur in the summer). Maybe DH is right and that adult children should pay their own way and I am probably over sensitive when it comes to DS, but I ALWAYS think of us as a 4 whereas I think DH tends to only think of us as a 3

Engels - keeping everything crossed for you xx

Morning all!

Your babystep for today is afternoon routine.

Your mission for today is here.

Today is anti-procrastination day.

Have a good day everyone!

Good morning all! Hope everyone OK and return to school/work not too onerous.

School run was particularly vicious this morning! [Hands still shaking from gripping the steering wheel so tightly!] Who ever invented 'priorité à droite' should be shot ... .

Glad to here the school are not over-taxing you Ellie but take it as steady as possible nonetheless (partic if you are feeling sore). My dsis2 (then a lecturer) who unlike me is the most stalwart, uncomplaining, get up & go person you are ever likely to meet who would never ever, took time off for sickness purposes normally (the type who would drag herself to work with a broken leg, teach, and go to A&E afterwards), had the statutory time off post hysterectomy (admittedly with complications - first op botched - and not the same op as you) but didn't feel right for ages and ages even after that, and because her medical tests came back fine (despite her still feeling dizzy and weak and going back to docs repeatedly) she decided in the end to take unpaid leave for a year. - So that was a very long-winded way of saying even though everyone assumes you 'should' be ok according to length of time you have had off/blood tests etc, it may not necessarily be the case - so don't be tempted to overdo it. [Hands over fortifying ]

Dizzy [double take at her dd taking willies to school]
that must be very hard re: your dh and ds ... the money for the trip is symbolic really isn't it (although everything costs of course) but it's really about being a family unit. Hope your dh sees the light and you can all get to have a lovely holiday together!

Goth can't remember about thread-leading! Not sure if you specified the month but kindly volunteered generally. I could do May - would prefer June as going away for two long weekends in May and have big family celebration in the middle of the month but - no probs if no-one else available . Or was it Whoknows who volunteered? (Terribly sorry Whoknows if I've got this wrong! - have a brain like a sieve - will check back when I get a minute!)

Swan my rabbits would do anything for a plate of dill (with chervil coming a close second)

Newlark permanently muddy knees are statutory for small boys I reckon. But sympathies over bathing hassles - dd would do anything rather than wash! (And I mean 'anything'.)

Enjoy your trip Engels and go steady x

Waves to everyone else!

Right, I suppose I must go and do something productive now... dh has sent me a load of emails with rather worrying looking attachments ... don't want to look ... .

Have a good day!

Morning
SC at mini Dizzy's willies, I hadn't even noticed! Assuming it should be wellies and not that she has a macbre collection.

I'm fairly sure I said May as I couldn't do April, nicely volunteered for June btw.

Done
Beds
Packed lunch
Laundry on
Dry laundry away
Litter tray
S&S
Washing up

Was looking out our kitchen window at the 'balcony' admiring my tulips and got such a fright, as a blue tit was hiding in the middle! Must remember to get more fat balls for them.

at MiniDizzy's willies! ('The Wasp Factory' comes to mind...).

That's cheered me up after a horrible evening yesterday. I made a stupid error at work which could have cost us a lot of money, but fortunately DH spotted it and stepped in. It has really undermined my confidence. Then had a difficult time with DS1 (triggered by his stubborn refusal to cut his nails, which are heading for Guinness Book of World Records status), who told me I was a lousy mum, so was feeling thoroughly miserable by the time I headed for bed .

However, before the day took a turn for the worse, DS2 and I had a lovely day together.

Have an OU telephone tutorial shortly, so need to go and prepare for that now...

3 kids to school (although ds2 was a bit anxious and complaining he had dandruff, and dd was definitely anxious yesterday as she kicked dh three times)
sorted out a complex problem re tomorrow, which involves a funeral
had a brief spat with dh over the loft, and refurbishment thereof

now list:
whole house is incredibly messy/scuzzy
dh has put dw on though..
and ds1 finally has new uniform (he looks very handsome in it and is no longer all ankles and wrists and waistbands not meeting in the middle
I also managed to find my chequebook for final bit of Ds1's Belgian trip in July, and print out ds2's RE homework and refill his pencil case with more than a broken pencil and dried up writingi pen. Dd's skirt was much too short and she is already saying ominous things like "Rules are made to be broken" when I reminded her about skirt lengths.

Okay I am delaying.

I need to do something, but where to start???

I could tackle ds1's room but that would make me despair..

todo
landing clothes put away
another wash on
iron dd's clothes so I can put them away
tidy my room
bring rest of laundry down

tentatively open a drawer where I've stuffed enormous amount of paperwork and sort it out?? Do I dare even look at it???

What's for dinner? bolognese

I took another swipe at the hedge and the stubborn ivy clinging to the front of the house. (I suppose I've dislodged a few spiders with my efforts as well - wanna bet the little monsters come into my living room? grrrrrr) Anyway, progress made. A bit each day and it will come along nicely.

I did trim way back the big bushy monstrosity that the neighbours have planted right on my fence line. It's massive and prickly and takes up half the walkway between the houses into my back garden. So I've trimmed my side right up to the fenceline. Now fingers crossed they don't complain. IIRC I can trim anything that is hanging or growing into my garden, right? Otherwise we get stuck with stickers trying to get back there from the front (so minimum once a week when trying to drag the bins past it as well!)

ta da
usual morning routines
school runs
washing up
one load of laundry
tidy up kitchen
paperwork
checked gas/electric meter
checked bank
checked budget
garden work as mentioned

to do
tidy up living room
one more load of laundry to do tonight
wipe down counters, fridge, washer, dryer, and avoid cooker as it's beyond my help - will need to call someone professional in for the cooker!

Eurgh; have broken one 'arm' off my long-distance glasses which I need for driving. Have been managing to fix them to my head by means of strategically tied long rubber band going to the optician to get them fixed being far too easy . Anyway, they gave up the ghost today so did school run by foot/bus and it took ages and we were all hot and bothered. (Half day on Weds.)

Post-lunch and post two games of Bingo Lotto, and DD now even more hot and bothered and outraged that I won't let her watch tv before doing homework as agreed (and signed) by her in new family contract. Anyway, I am sticking to my guns and she is sulking and bashing out piano chords rather loudly, so I have retreated on here to drink a cup of coffee for 5 mins and recover a modicum of patience; before I go back down and insist on her following through. When will she realise that all this protesting and sulking takes up valuable time (she could have got half the hwk done by now) and leaves less time for the fun bits? [sigh]

Only second day back at school. Oh the joys ...

SC - have you thought about writing up a timeline for her? Of what she is actually doing versus what she COULD be doing?

For example:

3:00 - 3:15 complaining, moping , wandering house
3:15 - 3:30 banging about on piano
3:30 - 3:40 complaining, moping
3:40 - 4:30 homework
4:30 - 5:00 entertainment/telly

as opposed to:

3:00 - 3:40 homework
3:40 - 5:00 entertainment/telly

Nothing like subtle.

That's a great idea Alice thank you! I'll give it a try and report back ...

Is it bedtime yet?

that is all.

Evening all. First day back with the kids today although was teaching Year 11 all day. Received lots of bear hugs from 6ft teenage boys who were pleased to see me back which was nice. And.....get me.....i have some gentle flying to report

I've had to do the time schedule list with DS1 a few times. He's a visual learner and it really only sinks in when he SEES it. Hope it helps you both!

Oh, I think it's time for a glass of .

Evening all,

Glad your return to work is going to plan Ellie, also that your cover is staying on for a bit.

Toffee - my DCs get round me cutting their nails by biting them . They hate having their toenails done too. Question for those with older DCs, how old to start cutting their own nails?

Day off work today, been busy.

Ta-da!

Morning routine, school run
Three lots of washing done, two line dried one tumbled.
Hoovered ground floor
Clean cat feeding area
Took a bin bag for a walk round the house and garden and filled it.
Went to town for cat food and storage boxes (and a rare McDonald's lunch)
Updated calendar, dealt with deluge of notes from school, Brownies, Cubs.
Fetched DCs from school
DCs friends round for tea
DD to Brownies
DS to trampolining
Stayed at sports centre with DCs friends to chat to another family of friends
DCs home, now I'm babysitting for the friends.

Just had the result for my OU Forensic Science module, passed despite being very busy with statement stuff at submission time, phew.

I think I offered to thread lead at an unspecified time in the future. If I'm quite honest I'm not in the right frame of mind for it at the moment, but will step in if we are stuck.

Quickly popping in before bed. Today was my first day back in lectures and I had lots of work to do this evening so I am ready to crawl into bed.

I hope everybody is ok, I will catch up in the morning.

Ta da :
Beds
All up, fed and out
Drop off job application
Lectures
Birthday present shopping at lunch for a friend on my course
Finish writing up English assignment and hand in
Hand in science
Dinner for dcs
Listen to dd read
Wash everything up by hand as the dw doesn't seem to be cleaning anything
Empty bin
Rr living room
Hang out washing
Reload wm for morning
Fold and put away laundry
Read H.Potter to dc and put to bed
More work
Bath
Flop in to bed

Night

Lots of busy days above. You're all going to sleep well tonight.

Well done on getting through a day at work, Ellie - I'm sure the bear hugs helped . at your parenting fail.

WhoKnows - congratulations on passing your OU module despite statement stuff going on at the time (any news on that, by the way?). Your DC have found an ingenious solution to the nail-cutting issue. I still cut my DC's nails at night when I remember, but I have to do it when they are in that very deep sleep they fall into soon after going to sleep. DS1 does hack away at his with nail scissors as I felt 14 was certainly old enough for him to be doing it himself.

Impressive list, Mercury. How irritating about the d/washer.

Another good day home educating DS2. Hope it continues this way.

ta da

Breakfast
Swish and swipe
Washing up
Stripped DS1's bed and put bedclothes in washing machine
DS2 played with Lego whilst I had an OU tutorial on the phone
Maths with DS2 - place values
DS2 - Science on BBC Bitesize (materials)
Handwriting practise
DS1's teacher here
Lunch for DS2
DH home from work
Walked to local shops with DS1
Lunch for myself and DS1
Phoned friend
DS2 played EducationCity
Walked to PO with DS2
To park with DS2 - looked at I-spy Nature, then did some English comprehension
Home - DS2 on Minecraft; me - Flying
Washing up again
Tidied kitchen
Knocked beer bottle over and it exploded all over kitchen floor
Mopped walls and floor
Wondered how long kitchen would smell like a brewery
Put wet washing in tumbledryer
Emptied kitchen bin
Put recycling out
Cooked various meals (everyone wanted different things tonight)
Unloaded and reloaded d/w
Emails
Bedtime routine for DS2
Time with DS1 (hot chocolate and snack)
MN

Time for bed now.

Glad your first day back went well Ellie My worst parenting fail was when I got 3 year old dd all dressed for a party, wrapped the present, walked the dc all the way there to discover the party was the week before You are definitely not alone!

Toffee it sound like home ed is going really well. I would imagine it is quite draining but you seem to be taking it in your stride.

To do
Beds
Ds lunch
Dc dressed, fed, washed and dropped
Lecture
Hoover
Washload hung out
Finish application for tomorrow
Read about aztecs
Email potential jobs
Another piece of work time permitting
Swish and swipe
Lay out clothes for tomorrow (I have just started to do this and Im amazed how much easier it makes the mornings)
Wash up
Get dp to look at dw

Have a great Thursday everybody.