Dec 08 - three is the new two.

[Vagolajahooli]

Well it seems appropriate you cheeky breeders.

Hello. Gosh you've been chatty! Not much prep here with DS. Having said that he can write his name well, knows most of his alphabet & can count to about 40. All nurserys doing though so maybe they did do more than bitch about his behaviour . He starts tomorrow, tissues at the ready. Ill be over it by 9.10 though

I get your point about phonics lady. Initially it works well but as DD went on she questioned all the words that aren't pronounced phonetically. My explanation...that's just English dear!!! Having said that she's a fantastic reader and loves books. She's been given the Magic Fareaway tree to read in her new class. She had to tell the teacher she had already read it!

X post rubes! DS is on packed lunches when he's in full days. DD used to have school finned but they aren't that wild and I got sick of her having a cheese panini everyday! Plus the school does 'Friday Favourites' or roast dinner day & you can pay ad hoc

Ah thanks Deids, yes they allow at ds's school to ad hoc but only a week at a time. Will see what he thinks of it. I think it will largely depend on what his mates do and how soon that means he can get out to play if some are already out there and he's waiting around for someone to serve him - in which case he'd skip it as he's not at all bothered about food over play.
Yes all ds's skills to date are down to the nursery. Writing his name etc. He's pretty good at it and very good at numbers - mainly as he asks loads of questions involving numbers he sees in ever day life - def not me! His keyboard skills are self taught, and down to lazy mother letting him play games on daddies computer
Good luck to DS starting tomorrow and MiniSummer if you're lurking!!

Also meant to add about x Factor. I love it and the whole thing is so rigged/staged. If your brave enough to go on it then i think you must expect them to he mean. Its been going long enough for them to know how the show works. A work colleague of mine got through to the live shows if Cowells other cash cow, BGT. He said its definitely edited etc do that the people they want to get through do.

School lunch at ours is a pretty ad hoc thing as well, you can look at the menu then the child says at morning register time whether they're having a packed lunch or school lunch that day. Not sure what happens if suddenly all 300 say yes please, roast beef today...! But it seems like a good system and the paying is all done online. S has agreed (thank heavens) that she'll have school lunch for now, as she's used to nursery shere there's no choice (mostly great, but the odd sardine pasta from time to time!) and eats most things, touch wood. I am just crap at thinking up packed lunch menus, it would be sarnie apple yogurt every day.

Am nervous enough about having to plan proper tea for her, at the mo because they have two full meals at nursery we just do a snack in the eve but will now have to start doing real tea for her. Any suggestins for quick kid- friendly food that can be prepared in advance and knocked up (without a microwave) super fast?! Maybe it's microwave time, need to find space on the side. We had one fitted in the last house so had to leave it behind...

I've never watched x factor / bgt / strictly or any of that. The closest we've got is the beebies Strictly cinderella panto. I think it's because of a deep-seated massive snobbery about singing Are we missing out?

Haha JJ that's what the boys get on their three full daysa week, sarnie (currently they are both mad about peanut butter & honey so super easy) squeezy kwark (like yogurt) fruit and cheese. Plus the obligatory milk. But then I'm used to Sarnies from lunch as a kid. Most kids at the boys school actually just have two sandwiches one for snack and the other for lunch plus milk. I was shocked to see some kids here have hagenslag on their sandwiches, which is like having fair bread for lunch Rubes. Basically sugary chocolate coloured freckles. But they are all pretty active so I guess apart from being bad for their teeth and having no nutritional value it doesn't hurt.

Well, Strictly is dancing only, JJ, so I reckon you'd be fine with the singing on that Although Rod Stewart did make a guest appearance last night, for reasons unknown. I am no X Factor expert as I only watch occasional bits and dabs - I prefer the later stages when all the drossy people have been kicked out. But I do think there have been people with genuine talent on previous series, albeit in that warbly sort of Whitney Houston way. As for BGT - someone I was in orchestra with was on that a few years ago. He came third (but was already a professional musician!)

Sarnies for DD1. You can choose school lunch on the day though if you want it. But she doesn't have a wide repertoire of things she eats so it's a lunchbox for now.

Welcome back Vag. NatWest gave us our mortgage too! Amazing, as I always thought they were crap. They were good in this instance.

Good luck to DB's DS and all starters tomorrow.

ZJ, DP's Mum and her DH are having a weekend in York and staying in the hotel I did

I am home now. Mum's just gone to bed. I feel a bit stressed actually because I know she is a bit stressed.

Night all.

The show! The show!

I've had it this morning... Although I know I could still have 2 more weeks til action, but it's a start...

Go Beans!

Good luck to all the littlies starting today (and this week if I don't manage to get back on - back at work today).

Beans a little yay but can you wait until we have had cake and coffee on thursday please.

I'll cross my legs for you, Jam! But will let you know if I go into labour etc! That's the one thing I really hate about the end of pregnancy is not knowing when it's all going to kick off.

Wen I saw the blood I had a panic and made DH come back from the train and take the girls into school. Feel a bit bad as when I spoke to the midwife she said there wasn't really any need. Oops. But she also said to take advantage of it and sit and see if anything happens. But it isn't. Poor DH. I think he's even more bored of this pregnancy than me! Lets hope it all happens soon, eh?

That's exciting Beans!! DS2 and DD both came within 12 hours of having a show.

DS2 went happily into school and I had to make him say bye! Miss him loads, so used to having him about.

Oooh, excited! Does that mean the baby might come within a couple of days? Am an ignoramous.

How exciting Beans! I don't really know what a show is, but vaguely heard something about it. I can imagine how frustrating it would be waiting at the end. There's 1 (of many) upsides to a CS - can plan around it!
Good luck - I'm on edge of seat for news! Also hope you get to have with Jam!
Deids I remember your colleague in BGT - he was up first singing wasn't he? Good luck for DS today! He looked SO pleased with himself and big sister looked so proud!
JJ I think you need to give yourself a break. You are amongst a large group who do exactly the same and everyone is right, you're damned if you do, damned if you don't. As far as quick meals without a microwave - hmmm only things that come to mind are mac n cheese, spag bol, nuggets etc, or do you have a slow cooker? Could always do casseroles etc, get it all ready the night before (and I mean just chop up a few veg) turn on in the morning, and it's all ready when you walk in! Otherwise, I'd advise, get a microwave. Not in a million years could I live without it. I often have to feed kids / dh separately due to him coming in later, and have to re-heat either dh and mine, or the kids from night before. You can cook up some batches of stuff on the weekend and freeze it in containers, then a quick zap and it's ready, still being home cooked!
Back from school run. Dropped dd off too despite croup like seal cough - says she's fine but sounds like death warmed up.
My house is going to be so tidy..... I say, with Roomba on while I MN and have coffee
Right must get back to the filing which I abandoned last night in favour of XFactor and wine!

Beans good luck! Baby baby baby!

Just dropped S for her first morning! Clung on to my sleeve for a moment then was fine, mostly she was annoyed that she couldn't keep playing on the climbing frame... DH busted a gut to get back from dropping E in time to see her go in, was about a minute late because of traffic for him.

Am feeling less guilty now esp after reading the "working mums what's your routine" thread - we are very lucky to be able to get by without morning breakfast club etc, so now much happier with things. Will def be trying to fit a microwave into the kitchen though!

Meant to say JJ - pizza? You can buy readymade plain bases (including wholemeal), the kids enjoy decorating them with colourful veg etc then bung 'em in the oven. Glad S was ok but shame about DH missing it.

Wish my house was as tidy and organised as yours, Rubes

Wahhh my little boy is now all big at school!! Actually it wasn't that bad, he went in without a care in the world. I on the other hand stood all teary eyed at the door wondering when he got so big. Glad he's on half days though, can't wait to see him now and see how he got on. Lord I'm so sad!!

Beans, very exciting. I went into labour about 8 hours after both my shows... we could have a new thread baby by the end of the week!

JJ I really wouldn't feel guilty. Microwaves are fab are reheating food that you can batch cook, like spag bol, macaroni cheese...any sauce & pasta is usually a winner.

I have to admit that mine have the same lunch most days in their packed lunch; sarnie, fruit, yog and occasionally some crisps. DD will sometimes have pasta with grated cheese & ham for a change in a little tub. Sausage rolls are good too. Mum makes her own so I don't feel so bad about those ones. Mini breadsticks, carrots & cucumber and a little pot of cream cheese is also good. Most of the time DD eats the bare minimum she needs to survive the afternoon, its all about maximising their play time. I expect DS will be the same!

Don't be sad Deids! He will get on fine I bet. Then, we can do our tweetercise with serious determination (although I know you already do) I have a lot of catching up to do!
I'm on day 3 of the half day pick up and just looked at the clock which means I get him in an hour!! It's not nearly long enough to get anything done. I've literally shredded a pile of stuff, then looked at all the paperwork that needs sorting, then came back to MN to check if Beans had a baby yet
Already I'm seeing the benefit of dd's full days, as I need to get to the shop, and it's SO much easier with just ds so will do that then get her on the way back.... or even later

Lady, thanks but I'm not exactly organized - perhaps a little OCD about tidiness but not organized. It's what I'm working on though and I think having routine is 90% of the battle!

I must admit I look forward to picking him up at 12 I know that I will welcome the free time shortly though. It will be really good to spend a few hours with him and not have him fight with dd for attention!

Yes Rubes! Mondays & Fridays (non work days) I'm hoping to go for a run straight from dropping them at school! Hopefully use those days to build my distance up.

I also need a routine. I might also try and do some batch cooking and get ahead of myself for meals when I'm working. I only work school hours but by the time we get home,do homework etc I find myself struggling to think of what to cook. Need to get the slow cooker out too, maybe get up half an earlier to put something in it before work. That would help

Beans, you had this baby yet??

Not yet! Am weeing about every 5 mins though. Treat. Have sent DH back to work as I don't want him to lose any time off his paternity leave!

Feeling a bit rudderless this morning. Nothing to do. Watched a spot of Jeremy Kyle and now just waiting for pick up!

I've got DD2 at home for 45 mins before I have to go and pick up DD1. Ridiculous. But at least will stay busy. Pouring with rain, I can feel another film afternoon coming on. I recorded Pocahuntas yesterday, so we can watch that. Loathe to go any where today in cae. If nothing has happened tomorrow I'll get onto some form of excursion, I'm sure! Girls also v happy just to play together with their American accents!

Ah, Deids, bet DS has a marvellous time. H e looked so proud in your photos!

do you have to walk for the pick ups Beans? Crikey labour starting at the school gates not too appealing!

I think a week of normal school hours will sort us all out Deids! I set off this morning without ds's school bag - hadn't got far, but turned and told him we may have to drive..... That produced start of meltdown so I ran up the hill (knee held up) and ended up early anyway!
Right, must go get the boy

No, it's a 5min drive, or would take about an hour to walk. Very wiggly up and down road. And no pavements. Would take about 2 hours in present condition!

Well school was a hit but blimey it's made him hungry!! He's like a human dustbin today. If he carries on like this I can't afford to keep him