Ho ho ho, hello everyone,
Just popped in to wish you all a Merry Christmas. I've kept an eye on the site from time to time recently, but wasn't in the mood for grumbling so kept quiet.
I see June has lost oodles and oodles of weight - well done you - I'm super impressed. I managed to loose a stone but have 2-3 to go. But I can only diet when I'm getting a good night's sleep so hopefully next year. I thought of you recently when I declined a place at one of the best nurseries in the country, in favour of one with just '2's'. It just didn't 'feel' right for several reasons. I see there is a rocking horse debacle - sometimes it is a blessing that some of my family are thousands of miles away, family feelings can be quite intense at times!!!!! I have an aunt on the warpath after we postponed our wedding until next year. It's like having a pitball at my neck and she's halfway across the world! Glad to hear your peaceful relies are around this christmas.
Gauchita - You went back to SA (is it Peru or Chile?) to be with your sister when she had her child. That is so lovely. I bet she was grateful. What is her daughter's name? How is she getting on? My dp was in Mexico a couple of weeks ago and I was very jealous. I studied South American history for one semester at university and that was supposed to be my first destination when I went travelling....and I still haven't got there 20 years later. Yes, custard a wonderful invention. Trifle is very popular if you google it. Custard and preserved fruit was a big favourite for kids when I was little. Have you come across bread and butter pudding? Exotic versions include custard - I like one with panettone, custard and ameretto.
Sam - hope you are both feeling positive about your new beginning. New beginnings can be rather inspiring can't they. An opportunity to do things differently. I'm sure you will have your bumpy patches, but wishing you lots and lots of good luck with it all.
snowwombat - congratulations on Z's birth. I know so many December babies. Nice to be born more than a week before Christmas.
I'm running out of time, as things falling apart next door. bigcar - hello to you too, hope all well for your daughter at university.
Ever so briefly, I was all excited about my daughter starting school in September and me having some time with F. I also wanted to put him in nursery two mornings and start thinking about work/business. Anyway, after a summer of molar teething that finished on Sep 7th I was looking forward to some sleep and a little peace. But since Sep 9th, it has been relentless - ear canal infection (2 weeks), brutal virus (2 weeks), daughter came down with chicken pox first day of half term holiday, F came down with horrible virus fourth day of holiday, we were down in London that week and instead of visiting London Zoo and Buckingham Palace, we spent the entire time in front of TV or at the Drop in Health Centre. It was grim. DP's birthday I don't remember I was so tired. Came home and two days after F kicked the virus, he came down with Chicken Pox - really badly. Then another virus, then a cold, which he is just getting over now. Also the second round of molar teething started last week. It hasn't been much fun.
However, I did get my first night off in 18 months. Went down to London to meet up with some friends for a night, and just loved waking up and having a leisurely shower for a change and ambling about, instead of nappies, breakfast, milk, kids clothes etc routine. DP didn't have it easy on his first night alone with kids. Water started leaking through the roof, and after he'd fixed that, F woke at 11:30 and coughed for the rest of the night and didn't go back to sleep. Then slept for just 30mins at lunchtime the following day!!! Thankfully stepson was staying for a bit of moral support. Even more thankfully my train wasn't delayed much by the snow.
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL. HERE'S TO 2011.