The fledglings try something new for June

[DarkEvilMoon]

Hello, welcome back and jump on board for June.

As the thread title say we are mixing things up a bit this month, it might work. Then again it might not. It is still a long running thread and newbies will always be welcome. Usual disclaimer still applies "Don’t let it put you off if we appear a bit cliquey, we really aren’t! Some of us have been on here for years – but all lurkers, intermittent returnees, oldies and newcomers very, very welcome"

But here is where this thread is mixing it up. No more daily links. The Big link you will need is the launch pad from here you can get the daily reminders/missions/zones etc...

The first link for the babysteps is the particularly waffly introduction to and first babystep here, through it you can get to all of the other links

Not sure this will work or the lack of daily posts will be a problem. So fingers crossed for a month of nattering and flying success...

Thanks for the tea, Linzer. I think MIL could see that she'd come at a bad time, as I was running a bath for DS2 (who wasn't even dressed yet), eating breakfast and the sitting room was a tip. But I'm not sure if she thought that was my fault for not being more organised or hers for turning up so early.

Anyway, have managed to:

Unload and reload d/w
Wipe down kitchen surfaces
Empty kitchen bin
Persaude DS2 to go on ConquerMaths
Empty bathroom bin
Find Ds2's red book for appointment with dietician this afternoon (she's checking both boys - am sure they're both underweight)
Run bath
Get Ds2 into bath
Annoy cats

Now have to wash DS2's hair, finish tackling kitchen and give the sitting room a quick once over.

SC - I too resisted the 'hoover down centre of the room' suggestion for a long time, but now I regularly do it.

Am so impressed by those of you who are bilingual, or even tri-lingual (or more?). I can only speak schoolgirl French.

Not self imposed just acceptance of clearly outlined consequences. No homework and only youtube = ban. He forgot to do his homework. We will argue over this during the ban I am sure. He is a normal child in this respect

Productive morning, but more paperwork to generate BUT it will help with potential statementing so I need to suck it up. at mastering paperwork though.

Meh people pop in early or unexpected they take me as they see me, they want perfect either arrange it or come at the arranged time. Toffee hopefully she recognises the difference. May the rest of your day run smoother.

Been a long time since I read to ds. Tbh it is not something I miss as I dislike reading aloud. Ds is exactly the same and getting him to read aloud can be a right pita.

MIL has only just gone. Very, very frustrating, as I really wanted to get the house sorted and now I only have half an hour before collecting DS1 from school. It is always an issue for me when she turns up like this because she decided a long time ago that she would combine having her hair cut over the road (at a hairdresser she doesn't like ) with seeing us fortnightly (obviously we see her regularly between those times) without discussing it with me . As a result, every time she turns up on a Thursday morning, I feel hugely put upon. I'm happy for her to come round when I've invited her and it's convenient for us, but it really is very annoying that she made this decision without asking. Also, this morning she went on about a story in the paper about an obese man who died of being overweight and I really don't want DS2 hearing stories like that, especially as he doesn't eat enough as it is.

Anyway, rant over. And morning wasted.

Managed to get DS2 to practise writing commas in lists, as well as doing a bit of ConquerMaths. Now he's reading. That will have to do for the day. Was reading yesterday about how Eleanor Farjeon was home educated, spending most of her time reading and playing imaginative games with her brother. So maybe I shouldn't worry too much so long as Ds2 is reading .

Ha ha! Just had an email from DS1's old secondary school: 'Your child has been receiving lesson input into how to create a Curriculum Vitae and write a personal statement during lessons in Life Skills.' Er, nope, he hasn't. Because he hasn't been at the school for over a year .

He even received a certificate for good behaviour a few months ago!

Oh blooming Heck Toffee

ta da

Collected an exhausted DS1 who fell asleep in the car
To McDonalds for lunch
To dietician appointment at hospital for DS1
Food shopping
Home
Unpacked shopping
Cleared and cleaned fridge
MIL phoned to tell me some news and chat - argh! (asked me brightly if I'd managed to get lots of housework done that afternoon. Er, nope).
Threw away out-of-date food in kitchen cupboards
Hoovered and cleaned cupboards
Emptied kitchen bin again

Now about to make cakes for a sale at DS1's sports' day tomorrow. The amazing thing is that he has had a brilliant day at school, with visits from a police officer and prison officer, which he really enjoyed. He even asked them questions .

The not-so-good news is that he has lost a lot of weight again, probably because of going back to school. And DS2 is underweight too, though I suspected that. So I will have to up the frequent high-calorie snacks again.

Right, off to make cakes.

Is it time yet?

oh dear, usual day - flurry of paperwork related issues and then rush to Judo (car and train journey)
Ds2 very cheerful but again having problems talking over his Judo mates and talking talking but not really conversing.

Spent a lot of time trying to balance Ed Psych report with what solicitor wanted it to say and feeling...well a bit exhausted by all these professional voices. Off to see solicitor tomorrow about EHCP. I must say I feel less than positive about everything - it feels as if everyone is trying to put words into my mouth which I haven't actually said...

The shed base is down Yay! Husband is pacing round garden watering a sea of mud in a very proprietorial way. Maybe the building will go up next week. Not holding my breath.

House awful. I know I could try a bit harder. Maybe I will sweep kitchen floor which is interminably being covered with more and more dust from the garden.

Took dd and her friend to look at GSCE Art exhibition at Ds1's school..in case dd wanted to do art for GSCE! (She is trying to decide between Art or Music and loves both) She said the boys' art was not much compared to her school art room. Not ds1's fault I have to say...he hasn't set foot in the Art building since the middle of Year 9 alas..He looked most alarmed to be back there (scene of many detentions for being disruptive in art lessons)

better go and cook now - mashed potato (from Tesco) chicken and spinach.

Toffee hope ds1 and 2 enjoy the cakes. MIL interrupting sounds incredibly frustrating when you have so little time and see her often anyway.

Evening!

[Red wine on naughty corner bar for everyone to share!]

[hic

Last ever meeting with Directrice at school tonight, all very celebratory!

Thought of you tonight Linzer as we bought proper pretzels in a new bakery on the way home.

Home to beef casserole which was good in flavour but a bit stringy and dry. Wrong weather for it anyway.

(Every couple of years here I have an overwhelming desire to cook a casserole and every year it turns out horrid because there isn't sufficient fat on the meat. Have even tried the versions with Belgian beer but no joy. Now I know why continental cuisine involves a lot of sauces ... .)

And so dh and I ate compensatory cheese and crackers and drank red wine. Really, really, really need to go on serious diet throughout July and August.

Sewing not progressing well but I have carried the ironing board upstairs, found various books, bought more material and zips, and buttons and ribbons and wasted time on Pinterest looking at free sewing tutorials. Need to ruddy well start!!

Yes I would find that a bit much re: pre-arranged mil visits without being consulted as to frequency and timing Toffee I think you are justified in feeling a bit put upon.

Sadly for my waistline, I have also decided to make more cakes as dh keeps buying dd really dreadful synthetic ones.

Fantastic that your ds1 had another fab day at school! (But what on earth is his old school thinking/doing???!!!)

Swan hurrah to shed base! Sorry you are feeling 'maneouvred' by professionals; it must be an incredibly difficult path to tread, hearing dispassionate voices when it concerns your child and you feel anything but. Good luck with solicitor tomorrow.

[hic] I am off to sew some dodgy seams ...

Cheers everyone!

Forgot to say DEM think you must have this parenthood thing pretty much nailed when your ds can predict consequences so accurately - we are far too dithery/flip floppy here!!

Prediction? Nah I drilled it into him. He is finally learning owning up and taking responsibility = consequence + praise for taking responsibility for actions. Trying to hide = consequence + one pissed off mother I am evil when in a bad mood, pissed off is not a state you want me in often

Feeling like I have been run over by a truck tonight. Drowning in paperwork. So much rumbling through my head from earlier AND I burnt my tongue on a cup of coffee.

And ds is back to normal

Is it the weekend yet?

Woohoo! Finished the laminate flooring, in draft anyway!

Now I've got to do the other work that's been piling up, pack for the weekend and clean the house so that agents can show people around...

anyone?

You know those huge scary lists that I like so much. Today is one of those kinda days.

.

DS1's Sports' Day today. He didn't participate in the sports, but helped teachers and loitered with me instead. The best bit was when we sneaked away from the crowd together and had tea and cake in the garden.

His teacher has suggested he go full time next week, instead of the last week of term, because it's an 'activities week' which he'll probably find very stressful. She's going to sit him next to her at lunchtime, as that's a particular challenge he hasn't faced yet.

DS2 had another morning at his new school. Yet again, he came out full of enthusiasm and looking very happy. He was also sporting a large red bump on his cheek - apparently caused by playing 'dominos' with new friends and being the bottom domino .

DH has bought an ice-cream maker and made the most delicious vanilla ice cream this afternoon. Loads of calories in it to fatten up the boys and also us, unfortunately.

Haven't done any housework whatsoever today, but am about to tackle the kitchen and cook dinner. Going out with friends this evening - to a new cocktail bar. Feel exhausted, actually, but hopefully I'll perk up.

Bit of a trying day. V humid and sultry. I feel incredibly tired - and the linen trousers I bought to accommodate my increased bulk last summer are starting to feel tight around the waist [v depressing] Must get a grip!

Sewing not going well. And one of the neighbouring schools (we live near three) had their end of year fete so I had to contend with blaring music and a very loud public address system all afternoon.

Dh so pressured by all things work related that he has barely paused to speak all week - I must have communicated with him on average about 3 mins a day - all a bit difficult really. It just never stops. And it's incredibly frustrating even trying to coordinate over the simplest things such as who is paying what bill, or when to make a certain appt. I've started sending him e-mails as its the only way I get a response [sad

On the positive front however, cleaner has been and restored a degree of order in the house.

And I visited a lovely lady near Waterloo who is going to dog sit furry one while we are away this summer. She and her dh are absolutely fab, very calm and love dogs (they already have two) and furry one enjoyed himself running around!

And dd has had a fantastic week at school. Her class went to one of those leisure pools earlier in the week that has huge tubes and pipes where they had a fantastic time, followed by a visit a famous old-fashioned hand-made sweet shop (where they were allowed to buy 11 sweets each ). The rest of the week has been filled with board games and competitions and today dd's class were allowed to get changed and have a massive water fight in the playground.

Reflecting on the exams being over, and holidays to come, dd said to me in the car on the way home "this is the best, bestest time of my life"

Ugh the last couple of weeks have been crazy busy. I am on my knees. I am walking with the children from school in a carnival today but before that I need to try to eliminate some chaos as I have a friend popping over this evening.

To do:
Strip beds, wash sheets,dry
Meal plan
Phone call to sort out admin
Put away ironing
Take down ds birthday cards
Dust and hoover living room
Wash up
Clean bathroom
Hoover stairs and landing
Supervise dc cleaning their room
Clean bedroom
Depoo the garden
Clean the garden

I am going out at 10.30 this may not all get done!!

SC - "this is the best, bestest time of my life .

Your DD must be so relieved the exams are over and that she's all set for secondary next term; now she can just enjoy the summer . Well done to you for supporting her through the difficult bits. Good news too that you've found such great dog-sitters. Hopefully their house can be a 'home-from-home' for your dog.

Sympathies, Mercury. Hope you managed to get at least some of your list done and that you enjoy the carnival today.

Had a good evening drinking cocktails with friends last night and somehow managed to survive till closing time. Slept in this morning .

Gorgeous weather, so we're taking the boys out for a long walk somewhere this morning.

[Scans horizon for DEM and in hope that scary list and paperwork weren't too onerous]

Thank you Toffee I am so relieved for her sake, because, as you know, it hasn't been all tea and cakes, so very happy that dd can relax now with no remedial maths on the horizon!!

(Although I am putting a slight dent in her enjoyment this weekend as she has to write thank you letters to teachers and do strategic embroidery/sewing for their presents!!)

So good to hear that ds1 was able to enjoy sports day with you this year!! And so brilliant that ds2 is enjoying his first few trial days at secondary school!! I'm so happy for you and your boys, after all the trials and tribulations you have gone through, that everything is so positive for September. So, in return (with polished knobs on ) well done to you supporting them through all the difficult bits!!

And great that you were able to get out and have some fun last night!! And yay to dh's who make lovely ice cream!!

Oh crikey Mercury that does sound gruelling in the extreme. Can you delegate any of the housework tasks (she says hopefully)? Hope carnival goes well and that you can relax a bit this evening with your friend.

Good luck with all the viewings this weekend Blue fingers crossed for you that you get some early offers

Big waves to everyone else. Still very sultry here and temperature gauge climbing. Was up at crack of sparrows to do morning routine and now have two loads of washing out drying on the terrace (last ever primary school uniform wash - sniff).

Have "encouraged" dd, dh and dog out of the house as I sew 5 times faster without them here. Thought I would be able to sew in peace after yesterday's cacophony but someone is moving in to apartments next door and there is humunguous and continuous noise from the mover's hydraulic lift [sigh]

I shall be glad to get out of the city this summer! Longing for a quiet green field!

Enjoy your weekends everyone!

Thanks for your return congratulations, SC . Hope you managed to get lots of sewing done, in spite of the noise next door. We have had four different building works going on around us over the past week and the noise has been driving me mad, so I sympathise.

Managed to get DS1 outside in the sunshine for 15mins this morning. It was hard work, as usual, because he refused initially. Eventually, he agreed to come on a short, local route with us, but lost his nerve when he started being attacked by midges and went home again. Still, at least we got him outside for a short time.

At least DH, DS2 and I managed to enjoy a longish walk on the Downs, so I have now ticked the sunshine and exercise boxes for the day. Feeling exhausted again now, though, and not at all up to tackling the messy house.

I would listen to your body Toffee and avail yourself of your lovely new decking in the sunshine with a lovely long drink

Don't want to cross the Fat Fairy but mess can wait until Monday!

Another stupid long list kinda day. About to head to ikea to take a break

I am boz-eyed and my back hurts

DD has written 6 out of 11 letters though

We'll send the to search you out if you haven't returned in a couple of hrs DEM

Have had an offer! Hoping it can be used to scare up higher offers and at least it should make the vendors wait...