Olympic Park

[StitchingMoss]

Getting exciting now !

Good news for mini-gig Gig, but sorry you're feeling miserable otherwise.

LaG - I was interested to hear that it's normal for some of their sounds not to be clear yet. Some of DS's really aren't. Especially things that start with S followed by a consonant. Which, given his name is a shame! What are you contemplating for summer hols?

I am also contemplating DS's birthday party as a distraction from revising. We decided to do it ourselves (but are hiring a hall) as we really couldn't justify spending £150 on an entertainer to keep them amused.

I also have some draw something commitments so off to fulfil them before revising. Though I note that I am not on LaG's draw something list.

Oh god we are probably going to have dd1 party here . That's a mistake isn't it?

Also no clear idea on presents. Mini gig is easy as she will get cast offs when her time comes

My biggest talking issue is getting dd not to as talks over people . And we have some nonsense words and sounds .

Veg box are good- I like the inspiration. Am trying super hard with diet. Even had plain yoghurt bleugh

Depends on the space/how many you are inviting. DS is resolute in only inviting about 8 people so if a few don't turn up, I'm worried the hall will look a bit much! However, 8 4 yr olds, plus a potential few siblings plus minimum a parent each is too much for our house. Living room is a reasonable size but it's a closed space so if the weather isn't great we're buggered. Actually, given he state of our neighbours place, I'm not that keen on the nursery mums hanging out in our garden!

Presents wise, we're going for a playmobil pirate ship (in keeping with the overall pirate theme).

Well done on the plain yoghurt! I want to use my blender more to help justify the purchase of our kenwood prospero so have bought some to blend with frozen fruits for smoothies.

We keep thinking about a veg box to encourage us to eat more of the stuff, but I'm concerned we just wouldn't use it up and it's a bit pricey round our way. Perhaps when I'm done studying and we have a bit more time to cook creatively at the weekends/non-work days. I've seen this though which looks good. I'd like to get more garden stuff, but with the weather we've had the last few summers it seems a bit of a waste... (and we don't have much space). If we had a bigger garden and weren't hoping to move sometime before DS leaves home I'd definitely think about those TP climbing frames you can get.

While we're on the subject of talking - do you correct DC when they mispronounce words yet? It's quite cute when DS has his own way of saying words and I don't know if I should correct him or leave him to figure it out. He says 'ahind'/'afore' for 'behind'/'before' and since correcting him he has started saying beeeeeehind/beeeeeeefore

That's my issue too Scottish - we have some space here but not sure If it's enough for kids plus siblings (similar number here). I am not really wanting the whole class party yet If I can avoid it although others are doing that.

I am using Abel and cole as you can choose what you have and it's very good.

I do correct some of dd worse pronunciation issues but that is cos they are mostly Hungarian accent things (eg west not vest). The flip side of that is nanny use of English and grammar is brilliant so I think actually great for dds speech .

Don't want to distract you Scottish as I know how dedicated you are to your revision . What's your nick name and I promise I will send you a picture.

Summer holiday plans have just shifted from a week in June somewhere sunny, to DH taking a fortnight in August and us scrambling to find a week last minute and peak season be that staycation, UK beach, my parents' place in France, or some amazing med beach deal . Typical us. We seem to have lots of trifling commitments in the second half of term that mean there isn't really a clear week. I don't trust DH to actually book the time off, and I don't think he really gets it yet that we can't go on holiday in the Autumn term.

Birthday party will be small and in our garden with friends whose parents we like. Present is going to be the next islabike up. I am planning to order it tomorrow as my efforts to secure a second hand one on eBay have failed. Also, secondhand CNOC 16s sell for very close to the new price.

DS also talks all the time. I just struggle to understand some of it, and that makes him cross. Doesn't put him off though. Scottish I will photograph the sounds sheet that the ST gave me and post it FB so you can see what sounds they should make at each age. However she did say that there is much variation between children as to when they master each sound.

I don't think we have Abel and Cole here - I'm sure I looked into them before.

Last year we booked the local leisure centre - big hall, bouncy castle and just let the kids run around. There were about 8 or 9 and it worked out really well.

I agree it's a bit early for whole class parties, although, with DS still being in 'proper nursery' there are about 60 children across the week so I don't think anyone will be doing that. DS has only had two invites this year so far (sadly for him we've been away both times), so the parents are definitely only inviting smaller groups. I'm being particularly smiley to the parents of anyone DS mentions a lot in the hope that he gets a decent turnout. (

I just x posted a lot. Yes you should correct them but nicely. I will photograph and put the rest of the sheets up on FB now I have read your subsequent post.

at revision dedication. Just about to stop kidding myself and go and watch tv. It's no wonder it's taking me so long to finish this course! I'm not exactly sure what my draw name is 'KeepCalmAndCarryOnDrawing' I think.

The sound sheets would be great.

On holidays, it might not appeal given you can go to your parents place in France, but I'm always happy to recommend the place we went to in France for the last two years here. They don't rack up their prices in the school holidays and the family that own it are nice. Nice place to laze around and lots of good days out 1/2 - 1 hour away.

Thanks for posting that sound sheet LaG and it's useful to know about correcting. Having had a quick glance, it seems like DS's speech about right for his age. I think the first 3 letters of his name are a bit of a tricky combo, but he's getting better.

I meant to say earlier - my DB developed a stammer in childhood, which I inadvertently made worse because I 'helped' finish sentences from him. I think it sounds like a great idea for you to go on the parents course to get more tips on how to support his speech development. Something like that would have really helped my parents (and my DB obvs) when DB was younger.

Urghh just massively confused myself uploading photos on FB. Bear with...

Ok there should now be a speech therapy album on my profile with 4 portrait orientated photos in it. Hate FB mostof sometimes.

Thanks also for the stammering info on your brother, and the France holiday suggestion. Going on holiday (especially to France) has become a minefield for us because my parents really struggle to understand why we don't want to go to them or even their place without them when they are in the UK. Whilst the house is in a stunning location it is unbelievably dull. No outdoor space for the kids. Indoors isn't very child friendly, and I get forced to watch the One Show whilst eating bread from the UK bought bread machine. I could rant at length about this. I will resist.

Oh dear, sounds difficult LaG. The concept of eating 'British' bread while in France makes me want to weep for you!

We're not going abroad this year, so I am seriously hoping the weather improves before we start our trip to different parts of England at the end of the month or it will indeed be the first and last time we holiday in England! That said, I am contemplating booking a Spring break at centerparcs next year as it will be our last chance to book a holiday outwith the school year.

Sorry haven't got time to read everything . Taken a duvet day today as just too tired and stressed to cope with everything - definitely bitten off more than I can chew with this second job and going to knock it on the head after half term .

Re: presents, we're buying DS1 a bike cos DS2 is desperate get on the balance bike and there is no point in buying a 2nd one!

Re: speech, if DS1 mispronounces something I repeat back with the correct pronunciation but don't point he mispronounced it if that makes sense?

e.g.

DS1: the flossom is really pretty mummy
me: yes DS1, the blossom is very pretty

(Although I do love it when he says flossom!)

Off to see LG's pics now and check I haven't been scarring DS1 for life!

at watching the One Show in France!

Did I kill the thread?

I'm here! Dull revision for me. The most exciting thing that's happened to me today is my tea spilling incident (as outlined on fb).

We have sunshine today which is good - labour voters much better at turning out when it's sunny . Council elections here. Lots of interesting elections today. The lib dems have a strong vote here normally and they're currently in coalition with the SNP on the Council, however, their vote is expected to be decimated, so it's all to fight for. I'd much rather be out campaigning, but needs must.

Here too.

Excitement today includes:

Both boys having their MMRs. They were both very good.

Getting my first veg box against DH's better judgement (still to come)

Getting a tonne (!) of play sand delivered. It's needed to refurbish the derelict sandpit at the bottom of the garden. I think I need 60-70% of it and this was the cheapest way to buy it. I will give the rest to preschool (if I can get it in the car). DH has been away and doesn't know about it yet, but will quickly find it on the driveway when he gets back.

That's a lot of play sand!

Glad to hear the boys were good for their MMRs.

Indeed it is.

Is your tech all working. I would save the tech too especially as I have first hand experience of what happens when an iPhone goes down the loo. iPhone + water = not friends

A ton? Are you setting up a beach?

Bad news from medical land - have spread so it's chemo time. Am going to need all your support - most of all keeping me on the non medical chat and the draw something action.

Yes iPhone then iPad then notes

Gig, I was so sorry to hear that you got bad news yesterday. Sending bucketfuls of virtual hugs and support your way. If I can do anything at all at any time just ask.

More than happy to keep going with inane non medical chat for you (and dodgy draw something drawings obvs).

My tech is all working fine thank you. Thankfully the notes are in ballpoint pen so just a bit crinkly now. I'm a bit miffed that the sun has come out now that I'm stuck indoors with my pile of tea-stained books. Meh. I'm going to treat myself to a glass of wine later after close of polls while watching some political type news. London types - do you know if the mayor votes are being counted tonight or tomorrow? This move to counting the votes the next day is a bit dull imo. You can't beat an all night count in my book.

I think it's tonight Scottish .

Out of interest why are lib dem so unpopular ? Is it local cock up or vote on the coalition?