Meet in the middle at the schultuete shop!

[PiratesKnittingTreasure]

Here we are .

Hello!!

Your nativity sounds lovely Deb. DS was A shepherd in a mass cast of 90. Lovely singing though, and DH actually made it which means alot.

Kitchen plans are coming together. Chosen layout, units, builder lined up. Just need to finalise exact cupboard types which is a bit dizzying with the number of options. Then we can order the units.

I am wishing I wasn't trying to do this in December. I have ordered a turkey and the veg, I have one or two presents but I don't really know what to get the boys for their main presents. DS1 wants a robot which do exist but not how I think he is imagining them. No good ideas for ds2. Maybe a toy pushchair, maybe some Octonauts tat?

Feeling somewhat with DF again. The detail is too tedious to bore you with. I am trying to dig deep within myself to host a jolly and generous Christmas. Both sets of GPs for 4+ days. I will let you know how it goes.

Better go, I am meant to be in the shower but somehow climbed back into bed with a coffee

Quick post for LaG - DS has most of the Octonauts toys courtesy of various relatives and compared to most of the tv character toys I've seen they're pretty good quality. DS spent half an hour in the bath this morning sorting out some crisis in the coral reef with his Gups. I got a tub of sea stuff for him cheap on Amazon which has fish, plants etc which are good for Octonauts adventures! Must dash now though - family party to go to!

Thanks CCountdown. They have both really like playing with it at other peoples' houses. I know that DS1 would like it too which puts me in a dilemma about fairness. They share pretty well though.

Another vote for Octonaut toys - the boys never got into it enough to get the toys but have often played with them at friends' houses and they always seem to be popular.

Good luck on the kitchen!

DS1 was a reindeer in his school play and had to say "Can I be Rudolph?"

DS2 has a Christmas sing song on Tuesday which parents are attending - all the children got to choose a festive song. DS2's choice? The Fireman Sam theme song . Wouldn't miss it for the world!

Hmm, DH not keen on Octonauts toys. He thinks extra duplo which is fine too.

I am making some progress on my various jobs. The Christmas cards are finally written. The kitchen is specified apart from appliances. I have announced publicly that that I will not be writing 29 cards on behalf of DS1 to his classmates. There seems to be quite a culture of doing this here with some Mums egging each other into it . Instead we have made one for the whole class. Will post this masterpiece on FB.

Just having a wee glad of port before bed to celebrate.

Toddler carols in the morning. I think it will be fun/bonkers.

Totally agree with you about 29 cards! DS1 had his class list and it was made quite clear he would be writing his name on every one, so he picked 9 !

Last day of work before Christmas - I better go in I suppose!

Is this your last day of work full stop?

I have just caught myself googling for ski holiday deals for the first time this winter. Clearly my typing fingers think I need a holiday. I could happily sod off for Christmas right now to a mountain or a beach or anywhere.

Unfortunately not! I finish "for good" on 31st January - but already have a Moonwalk to train for, a charity cook book to edit and a free school to help set up, so don't think I'll be bored !

Anyone else's kids beyond tired now? The boys are soooo exhausted - especially DS1. One of his friends, in his mum's infinite wisdom, has booked a birthday party for 3.30pm on Friday ! Friday bed time is going to be fun .

So looking forward to Christmas - and did I tell anyone we're off to a hotel for the weekend between xmas and New Year without the kids? I might be mentioning it a few times between now and then !

Nearly bedtime, then an evening to myself while dh is on the piss!

DS1 is pretty wrecked too. Abated slightly by a 2.5 hour sleep on Sunday afternoon. Back to sq 1 after a bad night (nightmares) on Monday night. They were in bed at 6.55 tonight. Mostly for my benefit as DH away tonight.

Excuse me, but aren't you ideologically opposed to free schools?

Yum - I am watching last night's GBBO Xmas special on iplayer which is FORCING me to eat the pannetone that I bought in M&S this morning (plus the obligatory glass of port).

Lots of things I could be doing (wrapping, ironing, constructing a guest bed), but I can't be arsed.

- I am completely opposed to free schools but sadly we have a massive problem with primary school places here and the govt won't let the council do anything about it, they have to open a free school . The school in question has one other teacher on the board who is secondary trained and no one with any knowledge of SEN. At the end of the day, the school is going to open whether I agree with it or not, and I would rather know that they are going to cater for SEN kids than not. It's been an eye opening experience I can tell you!

I'm watching Snow Babies - too cute .

Aha - I am relieved to I know that my assumptions about your likely views are correct. I completely understand why you want to be involved though. Before they announced that they were increasing places at the village school here, I joked that my first job upon moving in would be to set up a free school. Thankfully no longer required.

It's a crazy situation - the council are currently in a stand off with the free school group about the location of the school because the free school don't want their school to be in the chosen council location!]

We also have a free school at secondary level too which has completely screwed up the council's education planning for the next two decades and is in entirely the wrong place.

Gove is a twunt it has to be said!

Just got an email through from MIL - dh's grandad is seriously ill in hospital . Looks like he may not make his 95th after all.

when is he going to be 95?

Thought I'd revert to an old Christmassy name given that the countdown is nearly over. And this name is more appropriate given my current mobility issues!!!! (See fb for details).

Sorry to hear about your DH's grandad Knitting Are you able to go see him?

Cards - DS sent four. He got quite a few more than that back, so I feel a bit bad but it's a nightmare getting him to sit and write his name for any length of time. He finished nursery today, so no chance to hand out any more.

His birthday is 19th January - we have a big family party planned. He seems a little brighter today so the ABs must be kicking in. Hard to know whether this is what he wants tbh - he has mentioned a few times now that his wife is calling to him .

KeepCalm - you poor thing! Hope ankle doesn't take too long to heal - if it is not healing properly get referred to physio. I had extensive physio when tore the ligament in my ankle 10 years ago and it was very useful in regaining good mobility.

KeepCalm, we'll be heading to the west country on the 27th Dec so can visit then. Not sure it would be practical to get down before then with the boys if he's in hospital. Will see what the in laws say.

Oh no knitting- hope it is just an infection making him delirious. Poor man.

Yes to kids (and me- mini gig is night waking again) being beyond tired. Big gig also seem to have a cold so has been whining a lot. So been keeping everything low key.

Xmas- boo about the ankle. Echo what knitting says about physio as just a couple of sessions has improved my leg .

Gbbo was good wasn't it lag? I know what you mean about not being arsed- I made a tactical error of cheap paper and Sellotape for wrapping.

Going to do some cooking and finish up wrapping tomorrow provided big gig not too whiny.

As for free school, we have the debacle of a sodding catholic secondary school when it's perfectly obvious we need an non select school. Gove and the local council shoved it thru against opposition.

If this local free school had been a faith school there's no bloody way I would have supported it!

So looks like you have a challenge to open a free school at secondary level then Gig?

Will reply to your text in a min - had the most mentally busy day!

Is no one coming back til the New Year??

What to this thread?

yes! what did you think I meant?!

God knows . I blame your amazing non sleeping god child

Oh dear, do I need to be having stern words?!

I'm present Miss!

Shock news from ChezLaGuerta....

....DH's first day of holiday today and he is ill! I am sure non of you can believe it. It's not as though this has ever happened before. The trots mainly, the boys have been much the same this week. DS1 similarly has finished school and collapsed in an exhausted heap. DS2 ok just finding some very naughty things to do.

The happier news is that we have ordered the kitchen today