December 2008 - Summertime and the children are easy......

[sybsie]

Ha ha ha ha....we wish!

Here's to a lovely relaxing summer and cheery new thread for us all.

I'm in for the secret santa! Will PM you Hons, glad you are feeling a bit better!

Arti, no more babies here!! We've decided to stop at 3, as much as we'd love another everything is easier with 3.

The boys have just moved into their loft bedroom as DS2 calls it. Hoping to get all DD's furniture built today so she can go in her bedroom. That will be strange, though I don't see it going very well.

Hello everyone, I've dug out the old secret Santa email. It is: Itschrist mas december 08@ gmail. com no spaces though obviously!

Can all who are interested email asap?! Thanks for your pm Kayz, I'll get your email from there. Also can someone let people know on facebook, I know people don't drop in as often on here but don't want to miss anyone out. Thanks.

I've got Christmas music playing it is much too early and I should pull myself together .

Don't pull yourself together, Hons! I can confess to the odd Christmas toon but I have restricted myself to choral music and less well known carols rather than the full on Slade yule fest. Also I have been trying to persuade the girls to watch Christmassy films. DD2 is quite game, or humours me anyway. DD1 takes a dim view. In fact, she basically thinks I should pull myself together, she doesn't feel Christmassy yet, it's not Christmas etc etc. She's quite a killjoy for 5 Although 6 on Tuesday, which means it is DB's DS on Monday. Happy Birthday for Mon, H!

It's DP's birthday today. My Mum and her DP are here, it's been lovely but over the last year her absent mindedness (which she has always had) is becoming more marked and a bit odd. I keep hoping I am imagining it...

Yes, Hons, DP's stepdad eats tinned rice pudding, Baxters soup, certain bread, cheese on toast and on occasion, very well done steak. That's basically it. But latest news is, they are not coming after all! They did the same last year - say they were coming then go to DP's sister instead, who lives overseas.

I am up for Secret Santa - will email pronto.

Beans, I hope you are having lots of luscious sleep and good tines with the big girls.

Oh, the transplant thing was some poor homeless person in poor health whose organs were turned down by a few hospital trusts due to being poor quality, then accepted by one in Cardiff then they turned out to be infected with something rare and yucky. It has given rise to a discussion about quality of organs but it seems that what happened was a rare occurrence. Also, what a stupid and tactless thing for me to bring up, Hons, sorry. Am an idiot.

Aaargh, this baby flubber I am carrying has got to go. I feel like I am wearing a fat suit.

Arti, have you had any more thoughts about the PIL's offer re: your house or are you mulling it over?

Must sleep. eyes feel gritty and hellish.

Christmas has begun here too. We went out last night and the boys watched Home Alone with the sitter. So this morning DS2 is running around doing the famous hands over face wide open mouth Macualy Culkin thing. Am woefully behind this yr on my organising. Presents still to be bought cards are still in their wrappers. I have about 5 different arts and crafts activities half done. This PTA school Christmas Fair is taking over my life. But its all over next Friday and then I can concentrate on DS2 birthday then Christmas and then DS3 turns 1!

Oh and we are fitting in a quick trip to Edinburgh to go look at schools and houses. Too much to do.

Off to a friends for lunch today so will read back properly on the way. Oh and will email you Hons re ss.

Hello all! Yes DS's birthday on Monday. We are on route to the Sandcastle in Blackpool as we speak and tomorrow he's having a party at home. I must be mad!! Although DH has bought a 6ft inflatable T. Rex and a pterodactyl with 5ft wing span. Sorted.

Also start new job on Monday. Yikes!!! My birthday next weekend off to Manchester with DH for the Christmas Markets.

Then need to get my head in Christmas mode. Some presents bought but more to go and it's all going to need wrapping!! Thankfully I don't do a Christmas cards. Which some people thing is rubbish of me but I HATE it. Such a joyless task. So I give the money I would spend on cards and stamps to the local children's hospice. Easy peasy .

Jam where are you up to with the move or is this trip to help the decision making process? I love Edinburgh!!!

La la la. Am not listening to those of you who talk of being behind with Christmas because you have a few more things to buy and wrap. I haven't bought a thing. Yesterday I got an email from a shop offering "last minute Christmas shopping deals". Bastards. Since when was end of November late to think about Christmas????

Jam, can't believe you are actually house hunting in Edinburgh! That's huge! Do you get more for your money there?

Lady, I think we are def going to take-up the PiLs on their offer but the question is do I do a full career break or try and persuade work to reduce my days. Sorry to hear you are a little worried about your mum. I think everyone becomes a bit absent minded with age. It's confusion that you have to watch for.

DH in Berlin for the weekend. I'm on my own with the kids. They all slept til 8 this morning which was kind of them especially as I feel a bit rubbish.

Please ideas for birthday and Xmas presents for DD1 turning 6... and for DD2, who is a v precocious 4.

we're having a lovely time. but I find I am STILL short tempered with the girls. I feel like such a bitch. have gone overboard on the loving them tonight and done so much cuddling.

today we have been shopping, seen Dude Where's my Donkey (don't do it), been to McDonald's, soft play, watched Harry Potter and Strictly. zonked. they're still awake. HOW???

I'm having a glass of vino, then bed.

ooh and on lovely news, my marvellous cousin had a baby boy.

lady, I hope your concerns for your Mum are naught. I'm sure they are. my mum tells the same stories again and again. I think she's lonely and forgets who she has told what and it breaks my heart a little every time. but I'd never say that to her. she'd be horrified.

DD1 has just been weeping and worrying how I'd fight off any baddies that wanted to steal her and DD2. Am proud of my genius response. I told her I'd fart them to death. she howled with laughter, and immediately felt better. phew.

Popping in to wish our oldest Dec 08ers a very happy 6th birthday. Six! Our babies are so grown up.
I hope H and O both have a great day (and I hope I haven't forgotten anyone else for this week).

I'll catch up and return soon x

How can they be 6? That's impossible! On the app so obviously can't remember anything I've read. essay to finish tomorrow, just a bit of tidying and my reference list. Thankfully I've been good and done my in text citations as i go so shouldn't take long. Then i can catch up. Oh and start on my hour long presentation.

Over half way. Bring it on. March 2016.

Lost you all for a moment there. Happy birthday to H for today and O for tomorrow. I haven't bought M anything apart from a personalised Dennis the Menace poster (don't ask).

Must quickly do a bit of work before I pick the girls up from Brownies. Am very much on for SS and will PM Hons this evening.

Back later I hope. Love to all XXXX

DS has pneumonia :-(. His poor little lungs.

oh Arti, that's awful. how's he coping? how are you coping? poor poor little mite.

Oh dear arti, poor little thing. Hope he feels better soon.

Beans Present ideas, dd1 is getting an Elsa dress, Frustration board game, Rapunzel Lego set, some sylvanian stuff, and then stocking stuff -books, a torch, knickers! Dd2 is getting a playmobil animal clinic, pop up pirate game, sylvanian stuff, Ana dress plus stocking. If I had the money I'd get them a sylvanian house with working lights!

I've just ordered dh a (cheap!) remote control car because he was saying how he never gets fun things to open anymore!

Lady I think the whole organ selection thing is v interesting. People don't realise how much goes into getting a match. I'm lucky being blood group AB as I was able to accept an organ from people with blood type A, B, AB or 0. Best blood group to be if you need a transplant apparently.

Happy birthday to the early Dec 08ers H and O!

Do we need a deadline to sign up for the secret Santa to give us time to shop and post? 1st December? Dh can do the draw that evening and email everyone. What do you think?

Wow, I've just had a look at a thread in Christmas where people are posting what they've bought for Christmas. They are all quadruple my dds lists! Where do people store all those toys?!

DS asleep, he can hardly sit up he is so wiped out.

It never ceases to amaze me how much the wider MN spends on childrens' presents. Mine are gettibg the following:

DD1: rollerboots, PJs (they all get new PJs on x as eve), Golden Compass books, beginners cookbook, Harry Potter wand. Stocking fillers.

DD2: chemistry set (shes asked for this and only this!), PJs, olga de polga books, play mobile pig sty with pigs. Stocking fillers.

For her birthday she will get: Frozen figurines, a new dress and cardi, make your own crystalls set, more books, hot water bottle shaped like pig.

DS: brio train kit, PJs, stocking fillers.

Agghhh, forgot i name changed. Its Arti.

Oh the poor baby arti

ds2 is poorly too. tonsillitis, has got really badly constipated while poorly just through not moving our eating and dehydration so we are struggling with that and dr phones yest to say his urine came back and he has a uti.

so the poor boy is on 2 different antibiotics plus movicol. and is clearly in pain. and will have to be referred to paeds for kidney scan.

Christmas.

dd for birthday is getting the lego research lab.

Christmas. cuddly tigers, books, butterfly farm, articulate for kids, few bits of chocolate, crayons, notebook. That includes stocking.

ds1 toy gun, robo fish, Sorry! books plus sweets, crayons etc.

ds2 octonauts toys, pop up pirate, books.

lecture starting!

Poor A arti. Hopes he's better soon and your DD Paleo.

Happy birthday to O lady!!

DS had a ball for his birthday

Started new job yesterday. Think my head may actually explode. Keys/doors/gates. Actual inmates. Handled it fine there. Freaked when I got home. Actually couldNt breath properly. Chest tight. I've never been like this in my life!! DH useless. It's an everyday thing for him! I know I will be fine in a few weeks, really I will. But in the meantime a total culture change for me though. On a happier note the people I am actually working with our lovely!

Sorry Paleo I meant hope DS is on the mend soon too. Really my head isn't functioning!!

Indith, can you relax the rules on drink a bit to persuade him to take some in? I let mine have the dreaded squash when they are ill, esp as you can dissolve a bit of salt in it to help with the rehydration. Huge hugs.

Arti, my lovely Lucy had pneu when she was 3.5, so a little older than A. We got super duper strength anti bs and watched Barbie and the diamond castle a million times whilst she recovered. I still love that film. Have you had a chest x ray? What anti bs have you been given? DD took a while to bounce back but normal service was quickly restored once she turned the corner. Sending you both love.

Presents - M is having walkie talkies for his birthday, plus Minecraft and beast quest books. My mum has knitted him a Dennis the menace jersey which will trounce all his other gifts. Haven't thought of Christmas presents yet. For anyone. But have bought SS and ready to send.

Must put pizza in. Late tonight after piano lessons. Back later I hope.

Well done on the new job, Deids, sorry I missed that. Is it part time again? I do hope so. I expect it will soon feel familiar. Apart from all the security. I don't expect you get used to that in a hurry.

Jesus SS am mailiing now .

Sorry for poorly boys. So sad when their lovely bounciness is knocked for 6.

Dieds wow sounds completely overwhelming. Good luck am sure in a couple of weeks all the keys gates etc will seem quite normal. Loved the giant dino pics on FB.

DH has bought them a ridiculous big present which actually is definitely more for him than them! The boys are getting mostly stocking filler type stuff, stampers, books, silly jokes etc they both have a couple of more pricey items lego stuff thats it. Have to say I dont mind spoiling them a bit as we dont buy them any toys atall during the yr. So bdays and Christmas are the only time they ever get anything from us.

Right SS

I've got my SS present already, but haven't emailed and can't find the address. anyone know it. sorry sorry! tenner limit, yah?

quick whinge. I am bored of being a single parent. DH away last weekend, buggering off for Saturday morning, might have to go to India with work on Sunday and then off again next Thurs-Sun on a jolly, thereby missing DD1's bday. grrrrrr.

found it and emailed!!!

how are the poorly little boys? thank you for the prezzie inspiration. definitely some going on list! !