dec 2008- the one where they all turn 2...probably.

[VagolaJahooli]

Sorry bit boring I know but I didn't want to make any reference to spot as I don't want to jinx her and have her baby come early, then it would be my fault. Also didn't want the mad rush at the end of the thread. This way we've had plenty of time.

vag Happy Birthday, and have a wonderful time in Antwerp

PD Good luck for tomorrow & the job!

Happy birthday Vag! I've had a beer and glass of White vino and feel most pissed I've felt in months. I used to be hardcore boozer and am now total lightweight! Weedy.

I had loads to say but am a wee bit squiffulous, so have forgotten it all. Oops.

DD1 is in nativity play on 15th. She has to be dressed as an angel or a sheep. Any tips on costumes? I will sob. She's only 2!!!

PS had to re-type squiffulous 3 times. And twice here. Wonky eyes. Dribble.

Happy birthday vag - hope you've had lovely day. Will try and get on to properly catch up tomorrow (she says, again). PD good luck with new job and move. Blimey - lot to do all at once. And sorry your DD missed her northern party but sure she loved having you about.

Beans am v impressed you could type squiff....

I love miranda too - but then I basically always laugh loudest at someone falling over . Anyone been watching the trip? I've really loved that too.

Hi, just having a quick catch up (and currently 3 days behind) but I wanted to say to spot that there is an ad in our village shop window for a mothercare cot, for something like just £20. I'm happy to get it for you, if you want, and then we can come up with a plan for getting it to Brighton. Right, will keep reading

ONly read Zoe's post. Spot, do you want a cot as I have a spare one which is going on Freecycle. 3 careful owners . Mattress a bit knackered but whole shebang is yours if you need it.

Exhausted and house full of vomit. Suspect no work for me tomorrow. We'll see. Take care and sleep well xxx

Morning all. DH up at 4.20 to go to Germany on business. I woke up vaguely, then DD1 needed a hug. Since then I've been lying awake listening to scary noises in the house. I am pathetic. Anyway,texted DH to wish him well and mention said noises. Apparently our neighbour was up when he left, so its probably her shuffling around. Bugger. I feel v silly. Luckily no hangover.
Sybs - are your lot ok? Is there anything I can do to help? Get in touch!
God I'm tired.

sybs Oh love thats sounds horrid, I hope things settled down after you posted.

beans Re: costumes, Asda/Tesco any supermarket really usually sell really cheap nativity costumes for about £8. Got an Angel outfit for DD. Much easier than making anything if you are as creatively useless as me!

Morning ladies, DS2 let us sleep in til nearly 7am. However, his morning alarm for us was almost as bad as his usual wail. Poor dh was woken by a slight gurgle then an earful of spew. I quickly sat DS2 up and he proceeded to paint our bed, nice. Then DS1 woke up in the next room crying, we feared he has woken up spewing too, but it turns out he had suddenly remembered I was leaving today, and apparently isn't so fine about it now. DS2 has since vomed once more and at last count was up to his third pooey nappy and one floor incident when I left his nappy off for a moment to give his red bottom a rest.

I was def feeling that leaving for two days wasn't such a good idea and was fretting more than I already had been. (I spent most of yesterday saying I was worried about going and that was before DS2 spewed). Anyhoo, dh suggested catching a slightly later train to see how DS2 goes. Anyway I'm currently on the 10.35am to Antwerp and although he is spewey and pooey DS2 is in quite good spirits. He flatly refuses to stop consuming and since his last spill he has drunk loads of Apple juice (luckily we have loads that I bought for making winter pimms) and a half of my marmalade toast. He shed a little tear when I left but otherwise seems quite excited to have daddy to himself.

Sorry that's quite long, can you tell I'm nervous about leaving him. I actually feel nauseous! What is wrong with me.

Oh thanks for birthday wishes, yesterday was nice but I have to say I felt a but down, no actually not down just kind of flat. I always feel a bit of pressure to have a great day as its my birthday but really I just feel its a big sign that I'm getting older. Oh well had a nice lunch with DH & DS2 and DS1 loved bringing me presents and breakfast in bed. Unfortunately I didn't get much of the breakfast as DS2 made his way through most of it while I opened my presents.

Oh and Sybs sorry you have vom house too. You've been bearing a lot of that lately. If it happens often you.might want to get your water checked out. Though really when you have older ones in school it just happens a lot more doesn't it. There is a 24 hour thing going around over here at the mo.

Beans you did make me giggle with you little tipsy interlude yesterday. I'm the same with creaks and terrified if dh is away. Dh quite likes having to be the brave man going down to investigate.

Have a nice time Vag. I'll be the same leaving them with my parentsI admire that you want to have a trip away alone. Guess I'm just not one of those types, although that's all I do in my job so perhaps that's why.

Thanks Spot - I've still got this cough / cold hanging on would you believe but not too bad.
I hope things have settled for you.

Off to Selfridges today to see Santa and ride the little train!!! think I'm going to like it more than ds!

Ah, Rubes, I was wondering where you were! That bug you've had is a real long liver. Have a lovely time. I must say I enjoy trips alone. I have been on whole holidays alone. It's odd really because in other ways I am relentlessly sociable. Give Selfridges a little kiss from me

Jam, how is your poor throat?

Sybs, are you at home? Sounds awful, are they all ill?

Vag, I have texted my friend for the name of the restaurant. Don't worry about the boys, they are in the best possible care, it's only a little time and you need to enjoy it. Last time I was in Antwerp there was a chocolates shop that sold hot chocolate with brandy in for you to take away! I hope you find it! (It also sold chocolate willies and fannies but I didn't buy any of those). Hot chips and mayo - mmm. And diamonds, of course...

Trace, that is funny about your DD. At least it stopped you weeping. We were shopping at Sainsbos last night and there was a silver band playing carols in the foyer. DD1 was entranced. She was swaying on the spot to 'Away in a Manger' and that was nearly making me cry it was so cute. Oh, Beans, DB's suggestion for a costume is a good one but otherwise, have you got an old white pillowcase that you could alter - put a hole in the top for neck and sew things on it?

Invis, that sounds very hard about your DD. Poor you. I guess she is at that age to be able to pile the guilt on. But kids live very much in the moment, emotionally (it seems to me) and as you say, when you are home at Christmas it will make things a lot better. I hope you manage to have that night in Belgium with your friends.

PD - good luck for the new job and the housemove! Wow, that's a lot all at once. How was the hol? I am up for the cocktails idea. We should do it one night over Christmas!

Well, the first quote for the chimney stuff we need to get done before we can move in comes in at over £1700. Marv.

I'm in my lovely hotel, felt like at 12 year old checking in, like I'm away from my parents for the first time. I forgot to bring my credit card, what a wally, but they were very nice and just charged it to my maestro now. I know what you mean lady, I am quite happy surrounded by people and love my friends but at the same time I love solitude too. Also I'm nearly 6 years down the line with kidly beans hanging off me daily with only one night off so far so I think even if I hadn't liked solitude I would now.

Right off to spa to book some hair removal and relax stuff then shops! Lady I get too many chips and Mayo in NL so I guess I will have to go for the diamonds and choccies, I actually salivated when I saw your mention of the brandy hot choc, my mission today will be to find that place. I will be keeping my eyes peeled for chocolate boy & girls bits!

Tot ziens ladies.

Yes I think that's why I don't think I want to get away on my own as I did it so often with work and I could choose to just do my own thing or meet up with crew. it was nice, and I often met up just for a drink then spent the rest of it sleeping in and shopping, nails, hair etc - all the usual trolly dolly stuff! I do understand why friends have gone back after having kiddies but I'd only go back on a very limited schedule.

I'm up for Chrissy drinks - perhaps we could do it on the 22nd then? Ditch the idea at mine as I bet most people would think it's a bit faffy to get to me if they're on the train and drinking, however on the other hand, anyone more than welcome.

Hope you feel better soon Sybs.

Can't wait for Selfridges Lady, even though I know ds will melt down at the sight of a big red man with massive white stuff on his face. I've picked out dd's outfit already

Will try and get some piccy's to post later.

Well, if you can't find that shop, Vag, you could always make your own - add a tub of hot choc and a brandy miniature to your shopping list (or - hey - what's a mini bar and a hotel kettle FOR?)

Oh yes, Rubes. DD1 wouldn't like Santa either though she loves him in pictures (ie at a distance). DP isn't drinking until Christmas (that will be three months off the sauce, he has done v well) so if he doesn't have a trial in the run up to Christmas (I know he's gone one but it's short) we will drive over and see you. Also, yes, would be up for a evening meet up with as many as can make it - why not? Gosh, isn't the time whizzing?

I am very slowly packing up what I can here. We are going to take as much as we can over to the house next week when DP is off. I would like to be doing painting and stuff there but with the weather so cold, no heating and a stone cottage, it ain't really possible because I can't take the kids in that sort of temp. Also, as the plumber has drained the pipes to stop them freezing - no running water, and therefore, no loo!

Vag, the restaurant is the Sir Anthony Van Dyck just in case you fancy it. It's in a magnificent old building. here

I am so flipping deaf in my left ear. I got some ear drops but they have just made me even more deaf.

Sorry to hear about the spewing chez Vag and Sybs, that is just grim grim grim. Hope wellness returns soon and Vag you have a lovely time away. I love being away on my own, don't think it will happen for a while yet though.

Thanks so much too to ZJ and Sybs for the cot offers - I'm actually going to get one from a local MNer that turns into a bed as well (so will be nice and sturdy) and there won't be any delivery distance issues. But v much appreciate it .

Feeling bloody knackered now, and T is becoming a little horror challenging when out as he knows he's faster than me.

LadY I hope you get some cheaper quotes for your chimney ishoos, that sounds extortionate .

Good luck for the job, PD!

Right, toddlers to rouse. Funny, I spent most of T's babyhood desperately trying to get him to sleep in the day, and now I have to wake him up as he'd get all his zzzs into the daytime given half the chance.

Hello,

Just finished catching up but haven't time to post now!

veggie Have a wonderful break, you deserve it!!

Oooh I like this [fbear]

Back later.

Hello ladies. I've had a lovely time already, I had intended going out to a nice looking Japanese place I saw around the corner and then a movie but I've got sore feet (chose fashion over comfort and wore my heeled boots, Ouch) and am quite enjoying lounging in the room. I've had an amazingly successful shopping afternoon, so much so that I don't think I'll do much shopping tomorrow. I went to what I thought was the champagne bar but it turns out it is just a bar below the champagne bar. I did have a very nice Italian coffee and noted that they have hot Mojitos on their menu so might go upstairs for the champs tomorrow and then pop down for the warning Mojito after. Who am I kidding, I'm actually thinking of popping out for one later. Lady I'm going to check the minibar for brandy later.

What's up with your ear Lady?

DS2 seems ok, just taking fluids at the moment but quite happy otherwise. DS1 went to a party after school and has been a bit grumpy with DH this afternoon but otherwise they are all fine.

I think it's just congested. I got some eardrops and now it is worse and I can't hear anything at all in that ear. It's been playing up for about a month. I had earache before that. It is making me very grumpy! It must be very hard for old people who have to put up with this sort of thing all the time!

Glad you are having fun, Vag, that all sounds fabulous. You need to buy some really luxurious bath stuff and have a deep bath in the hotel for ages, with no small people hammering on the door etc.

Oohh vag sounds like your having a fab time, so pleased for you.

lady I went deaf in one ear after I had DD. Had drops, the nurse syringed it. Then it turned outI had some really low-level infection in it and a course of AB's cleared it up. It was all very odd as I never had any pain or anything.

I am very at the thought of your Christmas drinks. Firstly because I have zero plans to meet with any of my frinds over Christmas, and secondly because I would quite like to meet you all but I'd never afford the taxi fare home

Oh I'd love to have chrissie drinks with you Deids. Sadly I can't do the 22nd as that is DH's night out as he is meeting up with a friend back from Hong Kong that he hasn't seen for ages so I don't think I can make him change his plans.

Right girls, the emails re the Secret Santa have been sent. I got DH to do the draw but sadly he has to go out tonight and tomorrow so I thought I should break the seal of the santa and send the emails myself in case anyone has an urgent shopping trip pending.

I have said if people want presents for them or the kids and please remember the budget is a tenner. Hurray! Feeling festive already.

I have already deleted the email with who got whom in it and I am too jiggered to remember who I typed, so I hope no one minds that I did the emails rather than him.

HO HO HO!

Back from the Grotto! I had fun, and although ds wasn't thrilled with the train ride or Santa himself, he didn't melt down as much as I thought he might. That said, we couldn't really get a decent photo of ds not looking horrified! Even the pro one in Santa's cabin was not ideal, however they took a second, which was just o-k but good old moi was not looking at the camera - suffice to say, we did not pay ten pounds for any photo's Had a quick look around and ds tried on some sunglasses then decided to leave and stop at our fav pub in Richmond on the way home. That turned out to be booked for a private Chrissy party so headed home.

DH drove the way back through Hyde park / Kensington Gardens and then past Harrods so ds could look at the lights and we got a lot of oooooh's and aaaah's initially, but then he got hungry and just wanted mini cheddars My highlight was we drove past the house where the Apprentice's reside! 2 armed guards!!

Vag, glad you are having a nice time. Sounds fab - what's a "warning" mojito? !! I second LadyT - get some bath gear and a lovely bottle of bubbly for later!

Deids - you can totally stay at mine!! Come down - lets sort it out! Then you can meet us all - and the Vagoolsta!!

Lady, I missed that chimney chat earlier. Bummer - but dh reckons that could be totally reasonable if it's quite shagged. We have a chiney guy coming on Fri who is really reasonable and good, so I'll ask him what he thinks. What exactly needs to be done so I can tell him?

Right, if I can find any decent pics at all from today I will post them on FB!

Sybs, thanks v much for sorting the SS. Awaiting my giftee with anticipation. How is your house of ill today?

Rubes fair play to you for attempting the grotto, glad you enjoyed yourself at least!

Exhausted today for some reason, stingy eyes and all, think coming down with another cold but doesn't seem too bad as yet. off to bedfordshire, night all.