Dec 08 - three is the new two.

[Vagolajahooli]

Well it seems appropriate you cheeky breeders.

It's so sad making them get up isn't it. We really should all be up by 7 30am to get to school but I end up letting him have an extra 15mins. The two of them were so shattered last night I didn't hear peep out of them after lights out. Usually there is a little giggle or 3 but nothing, complete silence.

Oh Arti, that's shit. As Vag said, can they put in a couple of columns and an RSJ to keep it supported? Make the columns a kind of feature? What a bugger.

Went to DD1's first ever school lunch today. V sweet. DD2 is at Playgroup all pm, so DD1 and I having a spot of time together this afternoon. She has impressed me with her writing skills and letter knowledge. She's just been copying what I've written, but she did v well. V proud!

And her marvellous teacher has done a sticker chart for her for when she doesn't cry at night! Yay!

Hassle free bedtime from DD1. No DH and she went down with only one brief peep, when she called down to me to ask which room I was in, and that was it! Hurrah!

.have just made and eaten a delicious chicken souvlaki. Deeeelicious!

What a good girl well done to you both Beans.

Another glorious day here. Been lying in the sun while the girls play. So nice not having to do anything. Was meant to be going to ILs, as they have a pool, but DH has organised to take the girls there for the day tomorrow, leaving me to have a day of doing nothing! Bliss!

And have just eaten a load of delicious asparagus for my lunch. Happy days.

Poor ds2 is flat out like a lizard drinking. Dh has taken ds1 to his violin lesson, I'm shattered but have race tonight so I put the tele on for him so I could have a lie down and bless him, he fell asleep. He's lying on the rug at my feet. Oh he's so sweet. It will work out well as my race is at 7.30pm so he'll be awake enough to come along and watch.

I have to be up at dawns crack tomorrow as I'm going to Antwerp for the day with some girlfriends. I'm going to need a lot of caffeine.

Bleurgh have skipped race am feeling like crap, sore throat which has been brewing all day. Now I've got a temperature. Bluergh Bluergh Bluergh

Oh no Veg. I hope you feel better for your girls' day out tomorrow.

We have the headmistress of the bew school where DD2 will start Reception coming for a home visit next week. She is doing this for all the kids (it's a brand new school and they will be the first pupils so she has the time). Should I bake or is that to much like sucking up? We also have a pupils picnic for the school tomorrow. We won't know anyone. The letter says being food. Do you think that means "bring food for your family" or "bring food to share"? And if its to share what should I take to a picnic of (potentially) 60 4 year olds and their families???

Evening all, am catching up on the telly and watching the programme last night about food poverty. God it makes me realise how lucky I am. I wish I knew how to get my boys to understand how lucky they are that we can have whatever we want to eat. Think I am going to volunteer at a food bank.

Morning, vag how are you feeling? Hope it's eased a bit and you make the ladies day out.

Went out last night for a friends hen do. Drunk too much wine and have a headache! There was a Motown tribute act, that lacked any actual Motown. It was funny

DD is out for the day with a school chum and her family do its just me and DS. Need to get going and take him somewhere. Oh and I need to have a little parent proud boast, DD got a brilliant school report. She exceeding across the board for your average 7 yr old at the end of Yr2. And she's still 6! Right boast over

Hellooooo. Haven't had a hope in heck to catch up but did earlier see something about Arti's plans - yes can't you just get an rsj put in? Would cost lots more thats all. I would say they are massively to blame with that oversight.
It's been non stop since db and fam 5 kids and 4 adults here! Have done madam Tussaurds, boats in Regents Park, pubs, strawberry picking, and now Spain tomorrow. Massive hayfever attack then something in my eye whilst searching for a hospital dbs gf was in last week, and almost had to check into the eye hospital myself. Eyes puffed right up and both db and my phones ran out of battery. Eventually got it sorted but wasn't pleasant!
Managed to squeeze in ds first school visit. Seemed happy enough but barely told me anything they did!
Hope all are well - lovely weather! Ds swimming lesson soon and then I must pack - yippee

Rubes am exhausted just reading that! Have a super time in Spain.

Vag how are you feeling today?

Dieds awesome news on DD.

Am about to make a meringue and top with the huge amounts of fruit off the allotment. Then we are off this arvo to a friends who have a farm with a huge lake on it. So all the older boys and Dads are going fishing while us Mums and littler children are paddling pool and drinking and enjoying the sun (obviously I wont be drinking).

Oh and other pregos and recent pregos. Were you more insane this time round. I am worrying way more than I did with DS2. Movements are a lot slower and feel different the last couple of days. I know I am still super early to be feeling anything and chances are the baby has just shifted and its hot etc etc but am defo a bit more bonkers about it.

Maybe it's a girl, Jam? Are you finding out what it is?
I think I'm a lot more laid back this time than last, but only recently. It's also been a while, so I can't remember what it was like. I just know I'm a lot more knackered. Maybe it's having 2 already and that I'm older. Who knows. I'm also enormous!!

DH has wonderfully taken the girls off to his parents' house, so am having a lazy morning tootling around reading and doing bits and bobs. Loving it. He's taken the dog too, so no guilt that I should be walking her in this heat, which is killing me! I'm loving it, but man am I ever boiling!

Am also taking time to really think about my Dad, which is lovely. I haven't had time to focus on him for a while and I miss him so much, but I know how incredibly lucky I was to have him and I am focussing on the happiness he gave me and my family. I love him so!

That's lovely about your dad, Beans. Glad you have had a restful day.

Arti Mmm tricky. I think I'd bake but something low key that dd2 can 'make'. Perfectly piped dainties might be a bit OTT! We've dd's reception teacher coming for a home visit in September. I expect the picnic is bring stuff for yourself and maybe something to share too. Sharing food gives you a way in to talk to people if you don't know anyone.

Vag Hope you feel better today.

Beans hope you enjoyed your day.

Arti I would take a sort of pick and mix picnic which can easily be shared if thats what happens.

We had such a lovely day yesterday the big boys all 6yrs loved the fishing and us girls had a great natter in the sun. While the younger ones played all day long in the paddling pool. Ending in huge amounts of pizza and happy faces all round. Didnt get home until gone 9 so the boys have only just woken up LUSH!

I think you are right Hons, a bit of child led baking is in order.

Quick question, DD1 woken up with hugely swollen eyelid. Just one. No pain or itching. She is panicked. Does anyone have any idea what it might be?

Could it be a sty, Arti? Or could she have been bitten in the night?

Am off to Lincolnshire this morning. Think I am being a bit of a bolshy teenager, but some friends of ours live in the same village as my middle sister (who I'm usually v close to) and they've asked us up for the day. I asked my sister if we could pop in to see her before we go to theirs and she wasn't sure if they might be in Norfolk, which is fine. However, last Monday she said they weren't going to Norfolk so would be lovely to see us. She said they'd be tired, so could we get there for 10.30-11ish. Still fine as not due at friend's til 12.

Then last night, she texted to say her DH had arranged to play mixed doubles at 11.30 at their neighbours, so p,ease could we try to be there for 10-10.30, then at 11 we can hang around at their house til 12 if we want. Is it just me, or is that incredibly rude? It's 1.5hrs away and I probably see my sister about every 2-3 months at most, despite talking to her most days. I've texted this morning and said please could she try to postpone her tennis for half an hour so we don't just have 30mins with them, then 30mins of waiting around. Feel like we're playing second fiddle to people she sees the whole bloody time!

Whinge.

PS I should post that in AIBU?!!!

That's a bit bizarre Beans? It's not like they have to block out the whole day. Why can't they just play tennis after lunch? I don't think YABU

Arti take some food for you then take a load of carrot & cucumber sticks and hommous.

For the headteacher what about ginger bread men you can make the dough then dd2 can roll and cut them.

You really aren't BU Beans. I would be really hurt by that behaviour. I hope she changed her plans on receipt of your text.

Have you gone to Spain now Rubes? I think so. Hope you are having a fabby time. Why was your brother's gf in hospital?

This is damn hot weather for breastfeeding. DS and I are sweaty messes. I just offered him cool boiled water (to give myself a break, I know its not necessary) and he gulped down 120ml. Not sure what to think of that.

DD's eye is even more swollen. DH thinks we should take her to A&E, I think that is an overreaction so have packed him off to the opticians with her. I hope the optician will give some advice and not just send them packing.

Oh sorry Arti I meant to address the eye question. You do need to be careful with eyes, but in the absence of pain & a temperature I think the optician's is the perfect place to take her. Much better than a germ ridden A&E. If tthe optician feels it warrants further investigation then they will refer onto either A&E or a clinic early in the week.

Your right Arti the water isn't necessary as your milk is adjusted by your boossies to be more hydrating in hot weather. However, don't think you should think anything into him gulping the water. If you're thirsty and someone you trust offers you a drink, you would skull it right? I know I would.

Thanks for asking about yesterday, took lots of paracetamol & neurofen during the day as well as regular 'fluids' & had just a brilliant day with my mates. Two of us were coming from den haag and the other was travelling over from Brussels. We had a small hassle as my friend from here missed the train & I didn't want to wait at the ugly den haag HS station so we all travelled separately to Antwerp. But when we finally caught up we didn't stop yabbering & cackling, it was so much fun. You would be pleased ladies after topping up our caffeine we headed straight to the champagne bar. Yummers. It has a lovely high position in a lovely mall. We shopped loads, had a small fight with the manager of Cortefiel because my friend changed her mind about a jacket she bought (the button fell off) & the manager wouldn't take it back with a full refund. So I'll never be able to shop there again. But otherwise a fun relaxing (we even had a massage) day. I couldn't believe how quickly it went, we caught the last train home at 10pm but it was still too early!

I think we should plan a continental meet up. I'm still up for meeting anyone who fancies a trip to Amsterdam.

How careful do you need to be about eyes Veg? Optician was closed so DH took DD to the pharmacist who said it needed checking as her cheek was swollen too. We were going to head to A&E but DH's 93 year old gran was panicking in the heat so we had to buy her a fan and head to hers. Now the swelling is a little better though the eye is red. Still no pain or fever. Should we still go to A&E on this hot, hot day or is it safe to wait and see how things are in the morn?

It sounds to me like she has been bitten by something overnight and that is causing the swelling. It seems to me that your instinct is telling you its more a wait & see situation. Obviously I can't see the eye so can't really comment on that (you're welcome to pm me a clear photo on FB) but unless her eye is actually involved (at the moment it is just the area around the eye) I think you're ok. If things don't improve maybe a gp appointment tomorrow if you can. GPs might know better, where is JJ.

Arti try giving her a little piriton. If it is a bite that should help the swelling.