Olympic Park

[StitchingMoss]

Getting exciting now !

At least we have another date in the diary . And I won't be ill! It always happens - Christmas/Easter/Summer, slow down, get ill .

I'm not surprised you must be sick of hospitals, etc and I think that is the sadness with cancer is the constant worry about it coming back but, and I can only really speak from a couple of friends' experiences of this, it does fade over time and the anxiety is pushed to the back of your mind. BIL recently had a scare that meant more tests etc (all fine thankfully) but he said it was the first time he'd really worried about it for quite some years (he's 10years in remission this summer).

Won't get to see Apprentice until Friday as had the girls round tonight to plan our weekend away in May and Matt out tonight! Was it good?

It wasn't a classic but think right person went . Won't spoil it for you. Where are you off to in may?

What you say is right (it's certainly what my mum and drs had said). What I find so draining is it comes so quickly after being pregnant which I find massively stressful (but sort of similar in terms of hospital tests etc) so I just feel like have even less capacity to cope. My mum and sis being ace tho (as is dh) which helps.

Lag can I just say that dd1 being completely feral and over the top too. I thought at weekend it might have been choc induced but was doing it this morning. She is lovely but it is very wearing isn't it? Is ds1 very shouty too?

It is always good to know that other people's children are being feral too . DS1 can be loud although in general I think his volume is not as loud as other friends' kids that we know. When he is having a bad day though he does just dissolve into very loud howling at the drop of a hat, ALL THE TIME.

DS1 was on good form today. My parents have gone now and we went to meet up with my uni mates and their kids at some woodland that Dizzy and I have visited. A long drive but we really enjoyed it despite the hale.

How are you feeling today Gig and Dizzy (admittedly about slightly different things)?

Thanks for saying I am not completely odd with regards to my feelings about my parents. DM definitely struggles stamina wise with the boys. She has quite bad arthritis. However before DF bought her the tablet for her birthday she was excellent with DS1 doing reading, cutting out, colouring. She was a reception teacher so she loves this age group and know how to talk to them. DF is naturally inclined to being an introvert and a worrier. I think he finds two boys completely overwhelming and seems to have very little idea about how to interact with them. He is much happier when he is here to closet himself away with a book/laptop/doing DIY than ever play with them. It is so sad because I remember him being a very involved dad when I was a child and someone I could really talk to. The irony is that they are really needy of our time and attention and will lay guilt trips on me quite often about the amount of time they see the DSs, but then once here DF retreats, and only really interacts with DS1 to tell him off . I keep on telling myself that I cant change the situation only my reaction to it, but jeez I find it so hard not to get really angry.

DH away tonight, so contemplating what crap telly to watch

Sorry, not been keeping up this week. I remember you talking about your dad before LaG. Is it possible he's not that great with very young children? I'm guessing your memories of him as a dad stem from when you were a wee bit older.

Dizzy, I hope you're feeling better. How are you Gig? Did I read about delays to your treatment? I hope you're not going to have to miss out on your hols.

Not much to report on here. Looking forward to Dizzy's trip up in August. DH and I have just booked a week off in August so pre-occupied by all things Festival related

hopefully rads will be ok with hol but will be tight and find out next week . Am feeling less awful than was re Scan but ei ask for handholding /. On a serious note I love lance Armstrong - the whole tone of his livestrong thing a million times more helpful and positive than Macmillan which is great but some of it a bit generic.

Re parents , I do think time plays tricks on you and how you remember . Plus there is a difference cos of age, gc not being dc in how they relate. I have had issues with mum on past (as think have said) . It's odd that can feel grateful for her support and help now but still irritated by her slightly teAcherly ways and she can be quite self centred.

It's interesting now to see her with dd1 as she is finding her far less biddable than me (she is also a great fan of The look at the tablet school of gps).

Dizzy how are you?

Mud/deb you lurking?

Need -having spent all afternoon asleep after her jabs , dd2 very much awake now. This doesn't bode well for tonight does it?

Gig - Are you allowed to have at the moment? I hope so, you deserve it. I have just polished off a G&T super quick whilst woolfing crisps as I await DH's return . Hope DD settles down. By some fluke both DS's have missed their MMRs (booster and initial one), and I now have both of them booked in to have them done at the same time. I cant decide whether it is better to have them both off colour together or complete madness.

What day is the scan (so that I can try and log the need for handholding now)? I think feeling crap about the scan is completely reasonable. Do you get the results then and there or have to wait?

Good point about my memories of DF being based upon an older me than the DS's are now. I understand though that he was a very hands on Dad (for the 70s) when I was a baby. I think he was the one to get me when I woke, change my nappy and then bring me to my Mum for a feed. I don't suppose that many men back then would do that stuff. Given that he was in the Army it's not as though he was some kind of 70's hippy either.

I keep of forgetting to tell you guys that we found out about DS1's school last week. At the 11th hour the village school which is the only one we could walk to and has an awesome reputation announced that it was increasing it's intake from 60 to 90. It has been very oversubscribed for some time, but has really resisted expanding. It is also voluntary aided so as atheists we were at the bottom of the pile. Anyway as a result of the larger intake we have got a place. I am very happy as I was beginning to really think that not going to the village school would make being part of the local community so much harder.

I am allowed within moderation (actually they sort of assumed you Would unless on anti bios.). On the cancer support thread here (which has been the best thing about helping me aside from dh and dm) we are powered by wine and chocolate .

Scan On 24th. I would imagine Would hear in a week or so. It's tiny marks (like a millimetre or less) so oncologist looks at them then a whole bunch of specialists in team consider them then decide on what it is (they freely admit am an odd one cos of pregnancy and ops ) . Usually hear in about a week. There is a lot of comfort in knowing I have the best team and they will spot (and hopefully treat stuff). My gripe is I really would rather not be here but them is the breaks. Trouble is cancer carries so much fear when actually its a serious but in most cases treatable condition. But the whole language and stigma is there in a way you don't I think get about (generally) about diabetes or heart conditions (I know dizzy has different experience - how is your dad ?- but am talking general reaction).

That is great news re schools - a big relief (and assume that means ds2 ok). Dizzy when do you hear? Is it next week?

Now I have lowered the mood can I just complain about what wanker person invented tree fu Tom? Tree fu magic , dd1 and a lieing down dd2 dont make for a quiet time.

Oh and marks could be nothing or something nasty but have to check (ie they can't say for sure bad/good hence keep watching).

I am here lurking, now that it's school again this week it's a struggle to fit in all my planning alongside spending time with boys and trying to get house sorted. So a quick wave to you all, hug for gig, and I'll pop in again soon. Lag, great news about school.

Hello, it's me . Just call me Pirate !

Great news on the school LG - so nice to be part of the local community. We hear on Friday but not worried at all as all catchment children at our local school get in as there are not enough in catchment kids where we live to fill the places. DS1 is getting so excited about it all but I have to admit to being filled with trepidation (which I'm hiding from him of course!) .

SP, so looking forward to Edinburgh , we must get some shows booked up soon though so let us know which night you want to meet .

Gig, so pleased to hear that all worked out with the nanny - that must have been such a stress for you.

Re the fear of cancer vs other illnesses I totally agree. I think cancer is one of the scariest words in the English language to most people - but I think this is a throwback to years gone by when it was an instant death sentence. Soooo much has changed regarding survival rates that it is, to many people, now a chronic condition that they live with rather than something that ends (or even shortens) their life.

Dh and I were talking about this the other day because, as you know, we have witnessed first hand, how cruel cancer can be. But we then got talking about all the other people who have been diagnosed with it over the years and they're all still alive and have been in remission for years - dh's grandad being one of them, who had cancer in his 60s and is now 94!

It's interesting that you make the comparision with heart disease and diabetes - the latter particularly. I think diabetes is a hugely misunderstood condition and many people do not understand how unbelievably serious it is - hence not making changes to lifestyle when they are told they are at risk of developing it. I think people have the perception that they take a pill or have an injection and everything is fine without any understanding of the devastating side affects of the illness itself.

Hope that makes sense .

Re parents, LG, I can totally relate to the constant badgering to see the kids then doing nothing with them when they arrive . This sums up MIL to a tee - she is always banging on about how lovely it would be if she could see them more often then comes up for the weekend, reads the paper, watches tv, cleans the kitchen and doesn't interact with the boys at all . Then she wonders why they hardly give her the time of day and instead are all over FIL who plays games with them and is their sole source of entertainment 24/7 when they're here - he's amazing!

Anyway, really must get off MN . Have a stack of work to do before I go back to the office tomorrow and have done nothing . Typical!

Hello pirate - great name.

Completely agree re you and dh thinking . I know (knew) so little about cancer (was willfully ignorant of my poor mum as so scared ) so this has been a learning curve. Also when I compare what happens to
Me (checks, treatment and complete attitude change - although some of
My new diet a bit hard to follow ) with my bil who has type 2 diabetes. As far as I can see has done nothing to
Change diet despite dr warnings and risk due to family history .

Feeling bit braver re scan after chat with dh but will wobble next week. Still waiting on actual start date for rads but will be next week.

Am sure ds will be ok with school but I know some of my friends very anxious (dd1 staying put at her place) so could be some disappointment later this week. Assume deb there is choice of one for e?

Hope everyone's return to school ok (and won't ask about studying Scottish).

Lag- where are you on plans for house and garden?

And is it me or have there been some
Lunatic posters and threads over weekend?

I can't claim credit for the name , it was from the Pirates film, very funny . Pirates is now the big game at our house but the boys keep on insisting I have to be the boring girl pirate when I want to be Mad Jack, the Maddest Midshipman to sail the seven seas !

I'm not surprised you're wobbling about the scan - but you're right also to think positively about how well you are being cared for and how quickly you are being treated. Early intervention is so important.

Work was ok today, and DS1 was delighted to be back at pre-school . My worries stem from being bullied at school - DS1 is so sensitive and I do worry about him being picked on, but he also has lots of friends at school so I'm sure he'll be fine. Life will just never be the same again!

Oh and yes totally agree about some weird goings on on MN!

Just skimming to keep up - busy with revision.

Gig, thinking of you. Keep us posted on things.

A bit pirate obsessed here, mostly because DS's birthday plans have fallen through (too long, complicated and dull to bore you with) so now contemplating hiring a hall (quite cheap) for DS's desired pirate party. The question is do we go with £££££ entertainment or do a bunch of pirate themed games ourselves. The former seems a ridiculous waste of money and the latter seems quite daunting and stressful. Helpers would, erm, help, but they'll be in short supply.

Pirate - will come back to you on a date. School nerves are to be expected. Your DS1 is a lovely confident boy though and I'm sure he'll cope just fine. I'm still though that all your nearly 4yr olds will be going off to school after the summer.

to everyone.

Hello. Not much time to post at the moment. Maybe I'll be back later.

iPad fans try out DR Seuss's band app. Awesome free fun with dcs.

at iPads! Hoping dh picks up on my subtle hints for an iPad for my birthday, but he's not always good at getting the message .

Sadly after voicing my concerns about DS1 on the thread at the weekend he had a meltdown at pre school this week about going to big school . The teachers have been absolutely brilliant about it and have given us some advice, plus reassuring us that once he starts his transition to big school in June/July his worries will probably melt away. I hope so .

Organising your own birthday party is brave SP! DS1 is having a pottery painting party this year as that's what he asked for .It's going to be a very small affair with just the NCT mums and kids, and then we're off to Legoland for the afternoon - although I've just found out that the local schools have planned an INSET day for his birthday which means Legoland is not going to be as quiet as it would be normally .

Hope everyone is ok. Tired so going to sign off now x

I've gone for the subtle 'that's good that the ipad 3 is out in time for you to get it for my 40th DH' approach Pirate

What advice have they given?

We have hardly talked to ds about big school as we had no idea where he would be and with the house move he has had plenty of change anyway. This week when we walked past his school I mentioned that this is where he would be going and he seemed very happy about this. He was with me when we visited in the Autumn and he clearly remembers the visit as he wanted to know how he would get a blue jumper like the children there. However he is very unsettled at pre school at the moment so I'm not anticipating a smooth ride. I am also seriously considering part time but need more information from the school on how they operate it and the transition to full time. I do know though that part time is 9.00-11.45 which is stupidly inconvenient for me and my social life and would be less hours per week than DS is was doing before the move and he was only there in the mornings. However if it was only for a half term and got him to a point where he wanted more it might be a good way to go. He is finding his full days at preschool very long right and "wants mummy to look after me" A couple of Mums in the same position (not in here in RL from various places) with summer born boys have looked at me in horror at the idea of part time. I get the impression that they are desperate to get their child out of the house ASAP.

Gig - the house plans remain the same. The limiting factor is just us being slow to get motoring with it. We aren't even DIYers. It is just a case of picking stuff and lining up tradesmen to do it. I am not too bothered TBH. We were much the same with the last house.

Sorry to read about worries about school and DS1's meltdown Pirate. I'm sure the pre-school staff have lots of experience of getting children ready for the transition though, so try not to worry (easy for me to say, I appreciate!). I think as well 4/5 months is a long time when you're 3 or 4, so plenty of time to prepare him. I don't envy you all though, I don't think I could bear the thought of DS going off to school this year.

LG, forgot to say great news about the school . We got our first choice confirmed today but lots of unhappy people here, including a friend of a friend who's son goes to her first choice but daughter didn't get in . Two school runs to different schools is not going to be fun.

SP, I agree, they are far too young to go to school and LG, I don't think there is anything wrong with sending DS1 p/t if you have any doubts about his ability to cope. Far better to go softly softly then chuck him in at the deep end and put him off for life! You know him better than anyone so it's ultimately your call. We've debated p/t but now I'm working it would be pretty tough - which is a pretty selfish reason for putting him in f/t but what can I do?

Anyway, the advice re: school was to keep it very low key, so no chats about it at home (unless he brings it up) or asking him why he's worried cos this will just reinforce the fact that there's something to be worried about. We are in the incredibly fortunate position where he goes to pre-school on the grounds of the infant school so they do an excellent transition programme in the last half of this term where he gets to go into the classroom once a week and meet the teachers, play with the toys, etc. His key worker said that this transition programme is normally enough to allay any last minute fears so I will keep my fingers crossed.

Right, off to knit!

The admissions nightmare in parts of England never ceases to amaze me. There's practically zero chance of getting an out-of-catchment school place so you mostly just apply to your catchment school.

Funnily enough someone has been making the exact same point on another thread on MN re: school places SP! It is all madness - when I was a kid you went to your catchment school, end of and then bloody Thatcher decided it was all about 'choice' and chaos ensued. Of course choice is really only for those who can pay (either by going private or buying a house in the 'right' catchment) which means you end up with sink schools that no one wants to go to .

It's a mess.

It also has a knock on affect on traffic with parents criss-crossing town to ferry their kids to school, and on communities where children are all going to different schools so there isn't the cohesion there once was.

Anyway, off my soapbox .

I agree pirate - I am watching with interest how long one of mothers I know continues to go to church now her daughter has a place . My guess is it will be "just too difficult as I am pregnant " in about a weeks time.

Edie said something today about other kids going to another school and started to do some (very put on)crying. Fortunately school also have some activities for those staying on this term so that will help.

Lag- i know what you mean about getting round to DIY at some point. Dh far more anal (and will get things done that I never even thought of).

The preschool thing /part time thing is hard. Dd1 still not back at preschool (long holiday) but I do think reception will be hard as its a bloody long day for them (and there is no transition at her school).

Still no start date for rads (maybe next week ). Which means it is quite hard to plan anything else (dd2 due scan on her hips as she was breach, nct meet up, anything really) which is irritating .

I think an ipad3 is an ideal 40th present : I may start dropping hints too.