dec 2008- Who will stonk it in & be crown queen of the thread?

[HRHvagolaJahooli]

He we are ladies though I may need to change my name as royal title may be stripped.

Oops, made the mistake of popping in before getting DD up this morning and there was so much to read I'm now running about 15 minutes late for work!

LadyT and Trace half 4 (ish) is fine for me. There is a cafe in the art gallery across the road from the theatre, or cafe concerto is lovely plus plenty of good spots on Gillygate (I'm trying to stay close to theatre and slightly away from the centre of town, as it could be v busy with the food festival and we'll need somewhere with a comfy seat to rest your sightseeing weary feet - no queuing for Betty's!) I'll scout round at lunchtime today to check they are still open at that time and will report back

Right, bus is nearly at the stop. Have a good day everyone x

zj you do realise that Cafe Concerto MAKES you eat delicious cake in very large portions? I've not been to the art gallery cafe. If there is a potential P and E, maybe Cafe C might be a bit tricky? Although I guess they are Big Girls now and will sit nicely at a Big Table on Big chairs. I'm waffling. Talking of which, when I went down to see my friend in Harpenden, she took the girls and I to The Waffle House in St Albans Very very very delicious! P polished off almost a whole one, loaded with strawberries!
Lots to comment on but must prepare house for the viewing today.... The council very kindly decided to mow the verges and send the road sweeper thing this morning, so even our road is gleaming today! If the sun stays out like it is now, I can't see how tyhe viewer would not want to live here I have a positive feeling about this one!
Ok, tidy time, then work, then school run, then hairdresser...hopefully back later xxx
Huggingtons

Go to sleep, lovely Izzy! Then mummy can too. Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaawn! Would love a little snooze in the garden!

soooo want to catch up but can hear dd whomping around in her cot upstairs so it's only a matter of time before she goes waah. Quick quick! also on proper keyboard rather than silly ipad so can type properly!

Would love to come and meet folk in town but evenings a bit tricky, would anyone be up for a daytime meet on the same date? Alternatively I'll be in London hopefully on Nov 16 if that would suit anyone?

Deids hope the work discussion is going well, does sound a little ominous but maybe they want to promote you :)

AAA boast away about your lovely girl and her cleverness! Chapter books are a massive thing as not only do you have to be able to read lots of words, you need to remember from one day to the next what is happening in the story. I am currently very fond of trashy detective novels where each chapter has about 10 pages and begins with "Thursday. 9.45pm, Brooklyn" or similar. Am rather sickened to learn that my friend's miracle baby M who turned 3 last month can read - and she proved it the other day, actual real words and not just knowing books by heart.

Lady, is DD1's stutter worse when she's tired? You remember a few months ago we had that with S, and still if she's sleepy she will stumble with sentences and say the same word over and over again. It's bound to pass, maybe something to do with a brain leap?

Sybs, have a lovely birthday :)

gragh she had been quiet but is rumbling again... booo. sleep here still bolleaux, last night she managed to go from 7.30 to 11.30 which was great, but then woek again at 2.30, 4, 5 and 6. yawn. Putting her in her own room in the new place, with sofabed in case I'm needed. Have lately been sleeping on our sofa in desperate attempt to be a long way away from her nurdlings which keep me awake but still manage to hear her through earplugs and two doors and the stairs, while Dh manages to snore on through and the only thing that will settle her in the night at the mo is boob, also when she gets cross (like now...) not even shushing will calm her. Bit knackering tbh but a good reason to eat lots of choc.

right, will post this and see if she can be persuaded back to sleep again.

Somebody help me...what do you do when you actually want to smack a 5 year old girl around the head for being a bitch to your DD??

DD came home from school crying because one girl is refusing to let her play with the girls she used to play with because "your not allowed, go away, you can't be our friend". I don't know why . I suspect because she was split from them when they started the new year. I think the other girls just follow the mean girls lead and ignore DD because this girl said to. Lord I hate this!!

Oh and meeting was cancelled as work was its usual chaotic self..is it time yet???

How was the viewing Trace? And why do you think I suggested Cafe C? Although if LadyT is saving herself for a tasty evening, you and I will have to polish off her cake too ... I did wonder about the littles, but if we have them, could we give them a run around Minster Gardens for a bit before we go in? Or if it's sunny like today we could all sit the gardens?

Deids how heartbreaking for DD, and you too . Any chance you could set up an out of school playdate with one of the gang who could see enough sense to say 'I want D to play with us, and if not I'm playing with her not you' - or is that too much to expect from a 5 year old? Hope it blows over quickly

I meant to say last night to Jam, that surely it wouldn't be unreasonable or pushy to at least point out when he's had a book before? I have no idea what the ginn method is (gin method though, I love, although not for school children, obviously)

Bless your DS and his pirate finger Invis, is he bothered to have lost the tip? I chuckled at your 'broken' oven . We currently have 2 out of 4 light bulbs out in the lounge, as annoyingly the fittings we have need specialist bulbs and I can't be bothered to trek out to the industrial estate to get them, rather than Tesco. But I like to think it's nice relaxing mood lighting

Hello all, so nice to log on and read everyone's news . Beans, I laughed at the TV singing. We all sing along to the Octonauts tune and do a mad bouncy dance. Quality family time.

Am exhausted at the moment - who would have thought school was such hard work? Getting them out of the house, picking them up, entertaining them meanwhile. Jam: thanks for asking about DS1. He's still in a grumpy mood when I collect him but is starting to settle down I think. He is being phenomenally rude to me though. I guess I'm the only one to take it out on!

DS2 has decided to make me grey before my time. He was playing in the garden while I was cooking yesterday, but when i checked on him he had vanished. Called: nothing. Checked garden: nothing. Ran through house checking all rooms and under beds: nothing. Thankfully lovely neighbour heard me and came over to help search and to calm DS1 down who was getting really upset. We eventually found him hiding in a thick hedge being very quiet and watching us all. Took about 10 years off my life. From now on he will be wearing neon at all times and possibly a tag (are you allowed to do that)?

JJ: good luck for the move! Does the new house need any work? There seem to be a lot of DIY enthusiasts here .

Trace: how was the viewing?

Happy birthday Sybs!

Was thinking of Kiwi earlier as I passed the signs for London fashion week. Hope she's ok.

Oops, meant 'tasty evening MEAL' - 'tasty evening' sounds a bit rude!

Sorry for my mini outburst earlier. I've had coffee and calmed slightly, just hate DD being upset. She's okay now. I think it says more about me a) that I had such horrid thoughts about another child and b) I've never quite got over that empty feeling from school when I had no-one to play with. How ridiculous I'm 34 FGS!!!!

Deids: DS1 is always falling out with a little friend from nursery who is now in his class, which isn't helping the school thing. It's so sad and frustrating. I mentioned it to his teacher and she said she'd keep an eye out - worth a try?

It stays with you though Deids. I struggled to make friends at school and get very wound up if I think DS1 is being shut out of anything.

XPosts!

ZJ One of the girls came toour house several times in the holidays to play. So I'm as to why she won't play with DD, although DD can be madam at times.

effie How frightening for you! Lord it must have felt like a lifetime till you found him. Yes, tagging should be allowed.

Oh, DB, that is really hard. Give her an extra cuddle and tell her some people behave badly like this sometimes, but not everyone will and Mummy thinks she is brilliant anyway. That's what I think I'd say, no idea if it's the right thing or not...Little girls are like this. Boys too sometimes (but less often, I'd wager!) The trouble is, I think we are ALL in for a lot of this over the next few years and it is sickening. Gosh, I was a bit upset yesterday as DD1 seemed so alone and all the other little girls seemed to know each other and were pals (doesn't help when DD1 is grumpy and shy when she is feeling uncertain) - and that was absolutely nothing so heaven knows how I will cope when someone is actually nasty to her. Anyway, only thing to be said for it is that when it's tinies, it does tend to blow over quickly. They will probably be completely different by next week

Trace, how was the house view? Gorgeous day here. I won't be partaking of cake, ZJ - not to do with the lovely meal out that we have planned on Saturday night, or even my diet - I am just not a one for cake! But as long as they have coffee I will be vv happy. And in any case, pleased to see you!

AAA, I think your DD1's reading is certainly a legitimate cause for pride! Hey, you were worrying about it not so long ago I seem to recall - and see, she was a star all along! Any more concrete thoughts on No. 3? I reckon time will push you one way or the other.

Did you get your nap, Beans?

Effie - that sounds like a real heartstopper with DS2. Oh my goodness!

Thanks Invis, re: berating myself! In six months I will be on a much more even keel. Until then, I just have to face facts that life is going to be...a little busy and stressful. I feel foolish typing that as those who actually have jobs as well must think I am bananas. But there we are!

JJ, I think the idea of reading a book with signposts about date and place sounds most appealing

Didn't mean to finish there! JJ, O's stutter isn't really worse when she is tired - at least, not so I've noticed. But as Invis says, hopefully it will pass....

STOP PRESS: a new entry on the 64 Zoo Lane interpretation.

O: "Oooh good! Sixty Balls!"
Me: "Sixty Balls what?"
O: "Sixty Balls oohlay!"

I think I should get her ears checked.

I have used my whole year's quota of exclamation marks in the above posts, how profligate of me.

DP has a band rehearsal tonight. Which is fine as I am hoping to get stacks of stuff done as a result.

Oh you lot are lovely. Have been giggling to self about sixty balls ooh lay. Hee Hee!

Effie!! terrifying on the losing DS front. I lost sight of DD2 in supermarket for a couple of minutes yesterday and was a sobbing wreck when I got back to the car. And in the evening.

Deids - agree re heartbreaking school thing. Girls aren't very nice, but at that age all things pass. Have another playdate with one of the friends. Mean girl is probably just terrifying them into coercion.

DH home and playing with girls. Getting them into a state of wild excitement!! DD2 v snotty and a bit feverish, and been suck twice. But as soon as Daddy's home, she perks up no end. Can hear them having a hilarious time upstairs! Feel a bit excluded really!!

We've had a lovely pm at the fairground. Arrived at 3 and it didn't open til 4. Luckily I'd brought bread to feed the ducks and then we went to playground and to cafe for an ice-cream. THEN finally onto fairground. Girls LOVED it. Went on bus ride 3 times, train and some other thing. Cost me a tenner in total but was worth it for their joy. DD1 didn't want to leave. So very sweet.

I'm thinking about another baby quite seriously at moment. Dreamt I was 6cm dilated last night, then DH said we couldn't afford another, so the baby disappeared. Was v sad. But understood his decision. Starting to think I'd love another. But we really can't afford it if we want to do private secondary. It's a choice of being able to do some nice stuff with two, or not with three. Ho hum.

Made a delicious sausage pasta dish for our supper. V excited. It's v easy. If anyone wants it, I can post it. Yummy and a bit spicy.

Right. I've whiffled enough!

PS Meant DD2 has been "sick" twice, not "suck"!!

PPS I can't do night of 13th, but can do 14th for night out xx

Hello ladies, DH out tonight so attempting to catch-up. However i am trying to type on phone with DS2 on me. Poor little bundle he had a nightmare about something happening to me and woke up screaming like a completely wild freaked out cat. he took ages to settled down & was squeezing my face as if he thought I wasn't real. my poor little kitten.

Thank you all for your kind words, I still feel I'm letting them down but I'm trying to make our time a little more enjoyable by being less stressy.

DB your poor little darling, breaks my heart, I think the playdate idea is good. or the head battery is another good plan. I have to admit, I read your post wrong and thought you were coming to us for advice because you already had wallop the little minx and not that you wanted to. I thought you might be on the lamb.

I can do the Friday 14th for sure, let me know where is good for everyone, as I said I can go anywhere. somewhere not too noisy would be nice.

laughing at the 64 zoo lane, mispronunciations, hilarious.

and losing children, poor Eff & beans.

had a nice coffee morning this morning with lots of lovely mums & kids, was hectic but thankfully the sun shone and we got possibly the last play morning out of our garden this year.

right I'm watching a crap Sandra bullock movie which is getting to its soppy climax so better not miss it.

Beans, do you mean you would post the recipe on here, or actually post a portion out to anyone who wants a taste? Sounds good to me!
Can't post much as I'm on my phon and I'm frustratingly rubbish at typing on it, so ill be back tomorrow on a proper keyboard. No news on the viewing yet...
Night night xxx

This morning DS1 announced. I don't like knob the builder. Couldn't have said it better myself.

Hello, still here, just. Have been struck by insomnia the last fortnight - on average taking two hours to go back to sleep in the night and obviously up fairly early with M. Worked out at 5 o'clock this morning that I'm losing a quarter to a third of all sleep atm, or one whole night in three or four. M has dropped his nap recently too, so no chance to doze in the day or catch up with work on the non-nursery days. We've got lots of events on just now too, so all in all feeling pretty squeezed. Still, eye bags seem to have reached critical mass and aren't getting any worse - thankful for small mercies etc. Will catch up with what everyone else has been up to when I have a bit of time. Hope everyone's well

I don't mind Bob, but I draw the line at Jason Mason. Irritating little twerp.

Beans: yes please to recipe! We had sausage pasta dish at a friend's house and the boys thought they had gone to heaven! Pasta! And Sausages! Together!

Thanks for all your kind words, am feeling much less weepy about the whole thing. I mentioned in to my childminder and she sighed and said, 'He is a cheeky boy.' Which sums it up rather.

Trace: any news on your viewing?

Beans: was your offer accepted?

I am working tomorrow - Open House in London so will be talking to the public (grump). Actually it's usually a nice day and we are only open until 2pm this year. And I get a full day off in lieu (hurrah!).

Ugh. I join in on the old Jason Mason un-fan club. I don't mind knob the builder and I love Peppa. Oh yes.

Sadly, our offers (yes, we went up a bit) were rejected. We know the owner wants £350k for it and we only want to go up to £330k, so leaving it for a bit, then next week we're going to offer £330k and say that's it, but offer is open for two weeks, then we're withdrawing it. There's noone else interested at the moment, so he might go for it. But probably not!!!

Trudy - I loathe insomnia. V lucky as when DD2 is up in the night, I do tend to go straight back to sleep. Which is lucky as she's often up 3-4 times a night! Last night was only twice, so don't feel too bad today.

Anyhoo, here's the sausage pasta recipe. It's quite spicy and has red wine in, so not sure if suitable for nippers. Not my fusspots anyway! Meant to serve 4 people, but only if you're tight. If you're greedy like DH and me, then will serve 2 with a portion left over for lunch the next day!

Ingredients:
350g penne
6 fresh Italian sausages, skins removed, sausage meat crumbled
2 red onions peeled and chopped
4 garlic cloves peeled and finely chopped
2 dried red chillies, crumbled
2 fresh bay leaves (mine are dry!!)
150ml red wine
2 x 400g tins of peeled toms, drained of their juices
1/2 nutmeg freshly grated (obviously I use stuff out of a jar!!)
150ml double cream
100g parmesan, grated

Heat 2tbsp olive oil in a thick-bottomed pan (much like me!). Add the sausage meat and fry, stirring and breaking up the pieces, until lightly browned.

Add the onions, garlic, chillies and bay leaves and cook over a medium heat for 30mins until onions are brown. I do it for about 20, to be honest! Quite enough!

Pour in the wine and stir, scraping up all the sausage bits, until the wine evaporates. Then add the tomatoes, lower the heat and simmer gently for 45-60 mins (I do about 40), until you have a thick dark sauce. Stir in the nutmeg, cream and half the parmesan.

Cook the penne in salted water according to packet. Drain and mix into the sauce. Toss together and serve with remaining parmesan over.

I ditch the extra parmesan at the end as it's so rich anyway. It's DELICIOUS! But be warned, those of a windy disposition... It's savage on the old smells! DH proved it this morning, but doing a fart and DD1 said, "Daddy, that stinks"!!!