Start your runners (talk) and your new jars of Jam, 'tis the season-almost.

[Vagolajahooli]

Here we are ladies, time for all that talk of christmas table runners and chrissie deccy colour combos. And will we be getting some new Jam in this thread! Maybe not quite.

Glad your sickies are a little better Beans. Fingers crossed for a quiet day tomorrow.

Kayz, I buy bravissimo or find a bra in dept store which fits and then buy new in eBay. Worth a shot?

Vag, when you next over in UK?

Ok then girls, who is going yo be santa? Desperately keen to get shopping. .

There is a website which does it all for you. A friend uses it will ask her tom.

Is it Elfstar Jam? I've used it before and it's quite good.

Dh at work overnight. Was tired after reading beans post (rare as I'm never tired early) so went to bed at 915 and asleep by 10. Worst sleep ever. Had heating on and woke with awful headache. 2 codeine has got me covered. Also heard ds up at 1230 going to the toilet.
So on the rare night I'm tired and asleep early it's a shocker.
Right gotta find a bday present for his classmate then take them to Santa at school Xmas Faye then man a stall for half hour then out for tea and back in time for an eBay collection of bike trailer - tired already.
Beans hope sicklets are better.

Two birthday parties this weekend, and then Christmas tree day!!!! ????

We too have the dreaded Christmas fair this evening .I am manning 2 stalls, my children will be ferrel as the chairperson thinks none of our children need to be supervised. Nor will I be able to take them to see santa unless I can get someone to hold down my stalls for me. Honestly never again. Will be using the baby as an excuse from Jan onwards.

Then we have another busy wkend. FIL has an op tom so DH is taking him off for that. Boys have footie, I have to nag DH to do his accounts as they need to be sent to accountants next wk. And I have to clean the house as the cleaner has cancelled today, grrr.

But am off to get all zen first at yoga. Pfft me zen yeah right!

At ours we had to buy tickets to see Santa. 10 min slots then after that dh taking kids to pub while I man the stall. Most parents couldn't volunteer cause no childcare - I don't think I would've if had to have kids with - that said, I have warned them that dh can run late eek.
I am always the cleaner here in this house! Well actually I wouldn't want one to come anyway.

I am in charge of decorating Santa's Grotto at DD2's school fair next weekend. I want to do a white sheets/white fairy lights/icicles theme and the PTA want a red and green and multi coloured fairy light theme. As it is a brand new school it owns no decorations and so my scheme is much easier as I am damned if I know how to source loads of free green and red fabric. Apparently my suggestion is not child friendly.

I just received a text from DD1's school that reads "We wish to notify you of an attempt to snatch a child on her way to school this morning. The police have been informed." What the hell is the point of a text like that??? It gives no helpful information at all and I am not sure what to think.

Omg Arti. There was an email going around to expats recently of a man supposedly targeting kids in an area close to us with the man speaking to the kids in English trying to entice them into the car. Freaked everyone out, then the police said they investigated and there was no basis for the warnings. We were all thinking WTF does that mean? It's not true or they just didn't find him. Anyway, pretty scary RT, thank goodness it was unsuccessful.

Also I think your Christmas theme sounds lovely RT.

Hi Sybs. I've just been thinking that very question. I'm looking at coming over the last week of February as it's our half term break. I'll be spending a few days in London and also heading up to the Midlands. Will sort a meet up if we can. I might be in a car so could meet at someones or at a location. Unfortunately DH won't be with me so can't do a sans kids night. However, when we eventually do fly home we'll be flying out of London and will be spending a few days in London before we go. So maybe we can project ahead and arrange a little 6th anniversary get together then.

Man I'm worn out, just spent all morning tidying up in the vain hope I will find somewhere to put DS's birthday presents, I'm dreading Christmas!!

Beans how is DD2?

Arti that is quite scary...I guess the school just want everyone to remain vigilant. Speaking of schools some scumbags broke into DD's school last night. They cut the alarms &phone lines, broke in ransacked the place and nicked all laptops/ipads. I feel so bad for the teaching staff. But every credit to the school they are open business as usual. Not sure how that is going to work given CSI & Police in and out. I just hope DD doesn't get freaked out by it all she can be a bit of a worrier.

DH has booked us a night away for my birthday! We are off to the Christmas Markets & meal in Manchester on Sunday night. Bless him! Has even organised Mum having kids and getting them to school Monday morning.

DD2 much better, thanks. Had a dream night last night. Was maximum sleep for us all. Still feel tired, but a lot less so. Am now trying to get DD3 off to sleep in her cot for the first time. Cue much screaming. She's trying desperately to suck her thumb, but can't quite manage. Keep cuddling her every 5 mins as she needs to learn to sleep there, but feel terrible.

Meantime other DDs watching Barbie Charm School with the fire lit, while it pours outside. Yuck. Not going outside today as DD2 really is still a bit floppy.

Right, off to cuddle DD3.

Oooh lucky you deids! We took the dds there at the weekend but it would have been much more relaxing on our own. They have double decker bars now so lots more seats in the cosy cabins.

Apparently the cabins are made in Burnley! Not as continental as they look!

Arti That's an awful text message. Completely unhelpful. Wilkinsons have tons of cheap fairy lights. 100 for 6.50. White and coloured!

RT, that is an unhelpful and scary message. Hope they gave you a bit more info.

Deids, how awful about the school.

DH is coming home tomorrow. Thank god, I just had a mouse run over my foot. I've never screamed so much in my life. I'm bloody terrified

Hope you are mouse free soon!

eek to message. We had that recently, there were a few connected incidents. considering the freedom I give my kids out was pretty scary. Couldn't scare the kids and curtail their freedom but we reinforced the not going anywhere with anyone who want us without asking rule. I can't say don't t talk to strangers, everyone chats to anyone round here.

Hope all vomit and temps behaving.

dcs have all been wormed here. Hopefully the little fuckers will be dead soon. poor ds2 not happy between itchy bum and tummy ache. Just when he was sleeping loads better!

calendars hung and filled for tomorrow. presents wrapped, just a few bits to get for ds1's stocking. and my sister and parents. No idea what to get them though!

essays driving me mad.

Bugger I forgot to get advent calendars. Bloody sinta klass season confuses me.

Kayz I'm not ignoring your mouse comment, just don't want to think about it.eeek.

vag or Indith, I've got a boob question for you. My left boob, which was the one that was so swollen and sore, was feeling totally normal and better. fed DD3 from it last night and it ached. this morning it feels really bruised and achy and tender. is this return of mastitis? I don't feel at all ill just v sore.
any tips?

forgot advent calendars here too. bum.

PS it's mostly the nipple that aches

Paracetamol doing its thing at the moment. If anyone replies and I don't, please don't be offended, I'm taking the kids to see Father Christmas today!

Jam, you're quiet... Any news???

Don't know about your boob Beans. I had mastitis a couple of times but it went with the ABs straight away. Could it be your latch? With M I had a few problems as he didn't always latch on brilliantly as I think i got a bit lazy with him. Is it worth a look? Does your nip look like a cherry on a cake or a lipstick when you take her off? If lipstick, then it needs a bit of care as she is not on right. Hope it clears soon.

Matthew's birthday today. He's had cake already today. Bad mummy !

Happy Birthday M!!

Beans second sybs suggestion.

Still here still fed up everything aches and the swelling is now ridiculous. Even uggs are difficult to get on.

Beans sorry to be a major pia but am going to cancel tues. Will get together when m'laddo has made an appearance. Am just too grumpy for good company.

hello. all went tits up when I got to Father Christmas and was shivering and sweating etc. was determined girls should see him so we stayed til then. then I drove home and temperature had gone up to 40.1. thank goodness DH had paid for me to have some help. have been to ooh doctor and got double prescription. still in bed and feeling v floaty!

Oh beans. stubborn infection you have there! As syb said though, so pay close attention to latch as it is easy to get lazy and effective latch and feeding will help.

I don't know how much more I can take. ds1 and dd seem fine. Will do a worm check later but all signs good. ds2 though had had tummy pains and the runs since I have him the medicine. He is still complaining about his bum. He just wants me and milk, isn't eating and basically hasn't slept for 3 nights and having fallen asleep feeding at 6.30 is already on his second waking of the evening. He was fine before I have the medicine! sleeping really well, a bit grumpy sporadically through the day coupled with taking about poo so obviously feeling the worms but fairly happy with them.

I have no idea if it is the medicine or of it is because he got a full dose plus whatever went through to my milk (but the half life is quite short and I took mine after bedtime feed so didn't feed him again until well after half life time period so any going through would be minimal) or if maybe there had been some migration and we also have a uti or something? I just don't know what to do with him. Give it a bit longer for worms to clear? Take to dr?

And I just want to cry and I feel so guilty because I feel like he needs me but I have sodding essays which thsnks to him and the palaver last week I am already behind on.

Just can't take it.

Oh Indith, my lovely. Is your DH lending a hand? You poor lamb. Would calpol work, do you think? The great saviour. I'm afraid I don't have any advice. I thought worming medicine was fairly gentle. Hope DS goes off to sleep for you soon xx

Off to sleep now, veritably rattling with pills.

Dh is up and down like a yoyo, I can't complain about him!

The chemist helpfully said it is a rare side effect.

And I'm supposed to worm them all again 2 weeks after the first dose!