NOV 07 Now they are three - pre-schools, potties and power struggles

[Greedygirl]

New thread in honour of our threenagers!

DD is 6 today. I can't believe I have a 6 year old!

School results were the best ever but I haven't had my classes results as the exam board didn't cash in the marks from the papers my students sat, so I have to wait another week or so, as do my poor students!

Very frustrating. Combine that with DD's birthday and a bottle of wine...let's just say it's a good job I can type relatively slowly well after a few glasses Going to upload a pic of DD's cake on my profile, I am very proud of it!

Oh so annoyed!!! Just wrote loads then deleted!!!

Jetgirl - how on earth is your baby girl now 6?! Scary time flying moments! Having lots of those at the moment, what with our DCs going to SCHOOL next year! Good luck with the results, very frustrating for you but fingers crossed. Couldn't see a cake piccy?

LOM - how goes the childminding? Are you up and running yet?

Well we have had a breakthrough with Adam's sleep this week . After he potty trained earlier this year he started waking for the loo then usually ended up in our bed then in the spare room bed with me. We were so pleased that he wasn't wetting the bed that we went with it, thought it was a transitional thing but it just kept going!! We have also always sat with him as he goes to sleep and that was getting more and more frustrating. So this is my final week off work and I was all geared for major battles! And there haven't really been any. It has been astounding. The first night when I kissed him good night and walked out and he went straight to sleep, I was gobsmacked! He has never done that. He was a bit unsettled in the night but since then has slept through. What a star. And what idiots we have been, sitting there night after night and tip-toeing out! Mind you, he is also getting a new toy on Saturday if he keeps it up all week so there has been some good old fashioned bribery in there too.

Off to see my SIL today who is having a horrendous time with her soon-to-be exDH. Makes me very grateful for my clean-freak but lovely DH.

Wow, lost you all!!

Loopy I think you should come over and speak to MIL on my behalf. You have put it in such a way that MIL couldn't possibly refuse to NOT sending her for two extra mornings at the pre-school! :o I think i might have to try (yet) again with her to see it from Loopy's my point of view......

Hope DH and DD1 sort themselves out soon. Hopefully when everyone has had a good rest and caught up on some sleep, things will be better. :)

DD is on a growth spurt at the moment and seems to have outgrown ALL of her clothes!! She rarely wears jeans but when i went to put her in them the other day, i couldn't get them over the tops of her thighs!! Cue a quick trip to Asda for me for some bargain clothes. I managed to get DD 10 tops, 2 skirts and a pair of jeans for £55, which i dont think is bad at all!

Greedy So glad you have got Adam's sleeping sorted. I feel your pain as DP and I spent probably the best part of a year sitting in DD's bedroom until she was asleep and then sneaking out! One day i just said to her "sorry, i wont be able to stay with you tonight as i have lots and lots of jobs to do downstairs". She was a little apprehensive (but not overly so) but that was that. Job done. She still asks now what my "good night jobs" are, so i always say ironing and tidying up the kitchen or something haha!

There is a reason you should never try to upload pictures on your mn profile when you've had a few glasses of wine anyway, I've had another go and the cake should be visible now!

Loopy - I'm impressed you've already booked next year's holiday. We're always a bit last minute, so were very lucky to get such a nice site at short notice. Hope DD1 hasn't been too awful. Do you foresee any problems when she's at school with DD2? Am I right in thinking they'll be in the same class?

Greedy - It's not called bribery here, it's called making a deal. I have taught William to shake hands and say 'It's a deal' when I'm trying to get him to something. It works pretty well most of the time, and he thinks it's very funny to say it!

The results came through today. My yr 11s did really well, yr 10 not so well but not entirely surprised. Considering they did 2 courses in space allocated for 1 course, I was very proud of them (though wish a couple had put in a bit more revision) Between the 5 of them Yr 11 gor 3As and 2As for Latin Language, and for Latin Literature 2 As and 3Bs. They don't know yet! I had a few A and As among the yr 10s, but a couple of Us too, which is disappointing.

Cake looks lovely Jet!! :o

Good news! I think i have persuaded DP that DD needs the two extra mornings at pre-school, especially in the final year before proper school. I pointed out to him that if she only went 3 mornings a week, she'd have a massive 6 week gap in July and then in September she would be thrown in at the deep end by having 5 full days at school! I said that at least if she was going 5 mornings a week she would be in the swing of the school routine, as such, and it wouldn't be such a shock to her system. And of course i said that there are half terms etc where she'll be having DD for the full day if she wants to. He sat there nodding and saying "yes i think you're right, i'll phone my mum later". I think it was all confirmed this morning that we are doing the right thing with the 5 mornings a week as I got to MIL's at 7.30am as usual and FIL was there and had to take the day off as MIL was poorly again! MIL was only saying over the weekend that she feels fine etc but obviously (and meant in the nicest possible way) I need more reliable child care.

I am obviously picking up on your manipulative vibes, Loopy

Wow, all those cakes!!! Even just thinking about it is making my waistline expand!! Am very of you tho! :o

RG - I'm pleased you've managed to get it all sorted, good that DP was onside with it all too.

Loopy - sounds like you have a busy, but lovely weekend lined up. I do hope the baptism is a lovely day for you all

Greedy and LOM - hope you're well!

Have been clearing some baby clothes out of the loft today to give to one of the nursery girls who is having a baby in a couple of weeks. I also gave a load of DD's clothes she's outgrown to a friend, so I am slowly sorting out the house. Then DH said, 'We shouldn't give away all the baby clothes, becuase we won't have any for when we have another baby.' I pointed out we would get hand-me-downs from all our friends who are getting our stuff!

I cannot believe it's September already. The weather was beautiful here today, typical really. Just a few days of holiday left, which means early mornings beckon again. I have not missed my alarm clock going off at 6am every day!

Blimey you are organised Loopy! How is DD4 doing?

Jet - great results! Shame about the Us but they obviously weren't paying attention!! I have already been back in enroling learners for the new year. Haven't prepared a single thing for next year! Must get arse in gear.

RG - MIL situation sounds frustrating but sounds like you are nearly there! Few more manipulative innocent remarks and everything should fall nicely into place! Yes I continue to be amazed and pleased about the whole kiss goodnight and just leave the room thing. I am getting less and less of a judgey pants as time goes on because you just find yourself doing these things without even thinking about it! My mum was a bit smug "well we always just left you from being tiny...blah blah blah" grrrrrr!

Well I am off to Centre Parcs for a hen do this weekend! It has cost me a flaming fortune! How people can afford a whole week there I have no idea! Can't wait though. And after this weekend I have to stop eating like King Henry 8th!

MIL was feeling "more human" today apparently, which made me feel guilty for not wanting DD to go to her for the 2 days.

Greedy Enjoy your Hen Do!! Make sure you get suitably drunk! Is there a theme for the Hen Do? One of my old work mates had a "hats and beards" theme. Looking at the pics was really funny!

I am going to try and use my powers of manipulation persuasion to convince DP that another baby would be a great idea. I mentioned it to him last night during our, erm, "intimate moment" and he didn't sound completely dismissive of the idea, just rather hesitant because of childcare. I pointed out to him that i would have finished work by then so there would be nothing to arrange....... I am hoping that i am talk him into it, especially as i'm having my coil removed on Monday because it's been giving me jip after our, erm, "intimate moments" so maybe i can get him drunk...... :o

Ooh RG - sounds promising! DH brought up the conversation of number 3 today when we were in town. He doesn't like using the lifts in our shopping centre as they're always crowded and you have to wait for ages. I said I would use a sling next time . So once we've bought our new house (goodness knows when that will be though) we can get going on number 3!

Greedy - the two times we've done centerparcs as a family, the ILs paid, otherwise we couldn't have done it. Which one are you at? I quite liked the spa at Longleat, did that for a weekend with my mum and sister a couple of years ago. I had a lovely massage and facial. Do you have any wild activities lined up, or more 'grown-up' chilling with champagne?

I've got myself some new clothes for work today. My favourite trousers which I have since I began teaching have finally bitten the dust so I got a couple of new pairs, a top and a pair of shoes. Almost makes me excited about work on Tuesday!

Go for it RG, my DH would say a flat out "NO!" so it sounds promising to me!

Had a great weekend thanks, such a laugh with good friends. Have got hurty cheeks from laughing. The spa was bliss, best I have been to. There was no particular theme - I like the idea of beards and hats! We went to the dodgy disco and then went for a midnight bike ride. It was a great start to the new term. I have also got some new back to school clothes Jet! Just need a new winter coat and will be sorted.

Deffo no babies going on here. Had my coil removed and had the contraceptive injection instead. :( Oh well, nevermind. I have grandchildren to look forward to one day! :)

RG - oh no though there's still time...

I am going to work in a bit. We have the spectre of Ofsted looming, probably next week so I need to go and do lots of tedious paperwork. The actual teaching part of my job seems to be taking a backseat to data analysis and paperwork. It's so frustrating.

Oh good luck Jetgirl! Ofsted put a real downer over my last year as we knew we were overdue an inspection and the management team spent all year fretting and then did a full-blown internal inspection just before the real Ofsted was announced therefore ensuring we were all totally knackered and paper-worked out! So - that was my long-winded way of saying - at least it will be over and done with at the start of the year!

We have had a rubbish weekend so I am just planning ahead for next weekend. Need to get out in the fresh autumn air!

Thanks Greedy! It has been crazy this week, and only the first week back with all the usual fun and games that brings with the added pressure of looming Ofsted! I have just spent 2 hours filling in a 19 page document analysing my exam grades, just pleased that's done, now the potential of having to write full-blown lesson plans for Thursday and Friday this week. I would definitely like it done now so we can actually enjoy teaching rather than worrying about it. I like to think my results speak volumes so I am putting them up on the walls!

No matter which way you look at it Ofsted inspections are rubbish! Sending some cake and wine your way.

Hi everyone :)

DD is back at pre-school for 5 mornings a week now and is absolutely thriving on it :o My friend who has a boy in the same pre-school has very kindly agreed to take DD to pre-school for me on a Thursday and Friday morning and MIL has decided that she will pick DD up from school after all now. I think maybe the prospect of DD getting picked up by a childminder was enough to spur her on to make the decision as I was literally on the verge of calling the two minders that i'd shortlisted!

Deffo no babies here. DP must have been drunk on lurrrve at the time when i asked him as now it's a definite no lol.

Loopy Dont worry, Bamberoo is back in the cupboard keeping safe. I cant bear the thought of parting with it to some complete stranger! I will deffo store it away for another year for you.

Hope everyone's Ofsteds weren't too taxing and all went ok!

Right, off to clean the kitchen floor and then to make myself a lovely coffee from freshly ground coffee and hot milk lol. Damn i could really do with some wine!!! :o

RG - Sounds like you have been through a difficult time wiht your childcare arrangements. Sounds like you've got it sorted now though. No more babies here either: steps have been taken !

Sounds like OFSTED are having a bit of a blitz. Hope it goes ok for you Loopy and Jet. It's pretty stressful. When you see them tell them to come and see me too ! I'm still waiting for my pre-reg visit but they assure me I'll be ready to work by the start of Nov. I haven't got any mindees yet but I am dropping it casually into every conversation I have with the parents at school- so with my gob it shouldn't be too long.

T has settled really well into his pre school nursery . The teachers tell me he's loving it but he absolutely refuses to talk about it at all. Young Patch is one in 6 weeks ! Where on earth did that year go.

Sorry I haven't checked in for a while, it's all been a bit busy and stressful. There's lots of family illness at the mo due to our genetic whatnots ( think I've mentioned it before ) I'm going to have to seriously consider surgery, currently in denial though

Right, off to attend to smalls X

LOM - making twirl bites topped cupcakes this weekend. It sounds like you need some. Hope you're doing ok. I refuse to believe that Patch is nearly one! Where has that time gone? DD apparently does nothing at school. 'What did you do today?' 'Can't remember.' ' But you've only just walked out of your classroom.' 'Yeah. Still can't remember.' I didn't think this lack of conversation came until the teenage years!

Loopy - lucky you with the Ofsted call! We are still waiting, grr.

I had the most awful time with William yesterday morning. I got him dressed for nursery, but apparently put the wrong trousers on him. We walked to nursery while he threw the most incredible strop. I say walked, I had to try and carry him as he kept running off. He didn't like being carried o pulled my hair, punched my face, scratched it and threw my glasses in the road! When I finally reached nursery I burst into tears as it had been the most awful 15 minute walk of my life. The staff were amazing, with both him and me and managed to calm us both down. This was 7:30 am, not a great start to the day! Anyway, he apologised as soon as he left nursery and had made me a card with one of the girls.

Hoping for lovely weekends for you all!