ELEVENSES HERE *****************************************************************************************

[MaryAnnSingleton]

think we've been deleted,so shall we put ourselves here in other subjects ?
Sleepless night fretting about T and loos and lunches at big school - how neurotic am I ?!

thank you hotcross !- in fact I was looking at that website yesterday and have requested their brochure - but I think they still might be beyond our budget - will take a good look when it arrives.
Do try the FB hotcross - it can be fun and needn't be too fiddly
I love the cello - so rich and sad sounding- two of my friends at primary played it and still play in fact...
Would E consider the guitar ? less screechy than violin !

No, absolutely no guitar considered here, despite the fact that her best friend Little S is about to start guitar lessons, and her 15 year old cousin (whom E adores) plays both acousitc and electric.

I have tried to steer her towards the cello (I would so love to learn to play that) and even the viola, but she is adamant it has to be a violin.

Well I had a wee look on FB and one of my University friends caught me peeking We had a nice chat - she couldn't believe I was there, as I signed up nearly when it first started! I'm still not convinced it's any more use than MSN etc buut will persevere... Are you both on there BTW?

Hippi, I think there is a mini violin for little fingers. That might be worth a try? I am impressed E wants to learn an instrument and agree striking while the interest is there is probably a good idea. Having said that, my nephew has a guitar he doesn't play, and a very posh keyboard which his dad plays instead so I'd definitely hire the instrument first LOL.

Right off to flop with a cup of tea and still no biscuit

no biscuit ! - I have eaten appallingly today,though tried to make up for it by chomping loads of watercress !
The guitar always sounds reasonable,even if not played very well - and when played well is a beautiful instrument (I played classical guitar for a few years as a teenager - I went out with my teacher too, don't think that helped !)
And hotcross - yes we're both on FB - make us your friends !

Thanks hotcross. Our local music shop hire out instruments. Violins are £7 a month. And you can get 1/4, 1/2 adn 3/4 sizes for children. So that should be fine.
Am just worried it will be another thing where the novelty wears off after a few months....
Mind you, O tried many different things before deciding he was sticking with Cubs and Drama.

I am not on FB. I have no idea how to navigate the site and am not patient enough to work it out.

Now, my next dilemma (a small one) Put E on the waiting list for county council lessons (may take an age but may be with another child which would be more fun) or find her a private teacher on a one to one?

I tell a lie. I am registered on FB. But my page/entry/section whatever it is called is very very dusty as it is never touched!

too many stars in the header

thank you for your valuable contribution ! I did think that myself but was too late after I'd typed it.

hippi - I had music lessons shared with another girl (at my house) - wasn't a good idea.

having said that T has singing lessons with another yr 7 girl and that seems ok..sorry was distracted by stupid post below

Okay, that sounds interesting MAS. Why not a good idea? (not being funny, genuinly interested)

well, it was a very long time ago but I think it was a bit distracting and she wasn't very good, as far as I can remember, not that I was particularly good. I might have taken it more seriously had I been on my own. It must really depend on who the lessons are shared with - someone keen might encourage keenness and practice in E - a bit of competition !

Yes fair point, it may be distracting...
I was thinking that if we did one on one E may feel too pressurised....

I don't know why I am even thinking about this tbh, I dont' even know if we can even afford it...

Do you know I think music lessons can be successful/unsuccessful for a variety of reasons. I think the major thing is if E gets on well with the teacher. If she does, then I don't think it would matter too much if she were on her own or with someone else, although if the other person was significantly better or more advanced, then I suppose that could put her off.

My lessons were during school time and I absolutely detested them. I didn't like the teacher, I didn't like the instrument and it was clearly not going to work out. Each week I would accidentally on purpose forget my instrument and Dad would dutifully bring it up to school, but Mum just wouldn't accept I hated it so much My sister played with enthusiasm, and it was expected that I would do the same... I think it's probably worth listening to what E wants to do, and seeing where it takes you. If she desperately wants lessons, then maybe when she gets pocket money she could contribute????

Oh I don't know Being a parent is a minefield.....

I've got two little girls hurtling round the garden at the moment. It's great

I think you are right hotcross.
I have decided not to do anything yet. I am however going to go to that Noisy Library event at teh end of March, because from what I gather music teachers (the Surrey Arts employed ones) will be there. So if E does make a beeline for the violin, I can discuss my options re lessons with them and ask to be put on the waiting list.

E has a friend coming for tea today, a little girl who has never been here before. So I feel a little nervous...
Am going to spend the day dusting, hoovering, mopping and tidying. And I need to go to Sainsbury.

What are you both up to today?

Hi Hippi.

Why do we feel the need to make our houses nice and tidy for little people coming to play?! B doesn't notice mess or grubbiness at all when she goes out, most important to her is the toys other children have, so I bet most children are the same... However, I still rush around cleaning frantically if someone is coming Hope E has a lovely time with her little friend and I bet your house looks grogeous

Just taken doggle to the ortho surgeon again and she wants us to up his lead exercise to three 20 minute walks a day, keep taking the pills and has recommended Omega 3 and glucosamine supplements. Very pleased she wasn't waffling about surgery this time....

Right must go and dig out B's ballet bag! Still having panics about the ballet thing. Spoke to another ballet teacher yesterday and she's ringing me back if she's got spaces. Apparently B's lovely old teacher taught her years ago, so she knows what we're looking for. Fingers crossed she has spaces!

fingers crossed for B's ballet lesson and that the teacher will have space for her and that's encouraging news about doggle. Hippi - you are doing the right thing I reckon - waiting a bit and then seeing if E is still interested in violin lessons after you've been to the event !
I don't think I'd bother with any additional cleaning for any of T's guests as they make such a mess anyway - am more bothered about putting the house back in order after they've gone !!
Have done Sainsb. - am now psyching myself up to take my wares to the shop to see if they want more and whether they'd be interested in my Valentine hearts...

Good news about doggle hotcross And fingers crossed the ballet teacher has spaces

I have no idea why I feel the need to dust and hoover. I guess I live in fear of a child going home saying 'E's house was soo dusty I kept sneezing'
Have done a cursory tidy-up, so a quick hoover to catch most of the dustbunnies should be sufficient.
I think getting the house ready is my way of doing all I can to make the afternoon go well Psychologists would have a field-day with that one wouldn't they??
This little girl (J) is a really really sweet little girl. And E mentions her often. So I am sure it will be fine. [fret]

Good luck with the hearts MAS. Am sure the shop will want them!

btw, dh and I were watching QI at the weekend adn it featured an Axolotl!! And because of your post a few months back I know what it was!! (dh was mightily impressed )

Will read your messages in a mo... Have plumber here who thinks there is a massive blockage in the system will report back with further news...!

blockage ? yikes - hope all ok hotcross...
at axoltol !!
and hooray - the shop took all of them and she especially liked the limited edition Valentine hearts (limited because I only had enough re buttons for six !!) yay !

Eeek at blockage - that does not sound nice...
Yay for the hearts, liking the limited edition ploy too

Right, have swept and straightened, am ready to head up to school in a mo.... (why oh why oh why do I feel sooo nervous????

Well.. he's still here and I can feel the radiator next to me getting warm hasn't been warm for MONTHS! We had a quote for £4,600 last week for whole new system, so blockage needing flushing is much much cheaper and less hassle. So am smiling just now!

MAS - hooray for hearts and LOL at limited edition You have excellent business sense!

I ed at the axolotyl too! And at dh being impressed...My dh has fantastic general knowledge and I regularly feel completely ignorant, particularly watching QI He's constantly shouting at Alan Davies when he always says the obvious answer. He is a v good person to have on a pub quiz team!

I agree with MAS Hippi, about waiting to see what happens with music. I'm sure it'll be clearer when you know a bit more about it.

Right must make another cuppa!

Don't be nervous! You are a lovely person and a great mum and I'm sure J will feel really welcome

you'll be fine hippi - am sure she'll have a fab time at your house and with E !!
and hooray for plumber - that's a huge relief I bet hotcross
I missed that QI - is it repeated ?

Hurray for plumber!!

I find QI is repeated often, but not sure exactly when that episode would be repeated...
We quite often watch old episodes on Dave, but this one was on BBC two, sometime over the weekend... (sorry, not very helpful I know...)

I know waiting re the music lessons is a good idea, but I am such an impatient person (and so keen on her doing them) that I am in danger of getting carried away....
Thank heavens for the two of you - my voices of reason
Also, we cannot afford private one to one. The cheapest I found was £14 for half an hour. And of course you have to do every week. So that is a no no.
So my only option is to put her on the waiting list with Surrey Arts. Their lessons (if they even do group lessons for violin??) are much more affordable. E will be on the waiting list for 6 months to a year I reckon... But a good test as to her enthusiasm...

Right, better go adn collect the girls and O.

Back later