Nov '05 Toddlers plus baby bro's (& sis)

[Rodeo]

Here we are!

Quickie, Diege - well done on first day and wishing you much luck for the rest of week. GG, have great night out and Nova house looks just lovely, a real family home..fairies, how cute, would love a little girl to go fairy hunting with...probably stuck with frogs and spiders ands tuff
x

Hi girls

Belated Happy Birthday Chacha, glad you had a nice night out, but at hubby forgetting, that would never happen in our house I drop far to many hints!!! Your time away sounds good, where are you off to or are you just taking a mumsnet break in which case you need a signed absence form from all of us

Diege glad to hear your 1st day went well, here's to a happy work life balance from now on, especailly liking the work from home option.

Nova, love the house, how cool to have fairies in the garden. No wonder Noo was impressed.

GG sorry we didn't get to see you in the holidays, to be honest I really don't know where the time went.

Good luck to Diege's S and Feethearts T for their first day in "big school" hope they love their new teachers.

BB grrr at Mothercare, not very helpful, hope you manage to get what you want on line

Hi to Londoner, Twinkle, L&Smum & Rodeo, think that's everyone mentioned now isn't it?

Right got to dash dh wants his pc back and I need my beauty sleep before tomorrows return to school.

Hi Chacha!!!

Hello all, quickie whilst T is off doing a wee!!

Sanity may return next week after T starts school - thanks for good wishes BEKS. She is really excited and I'm not sure what to feel - sad that she is growing up so quickly and that some of our carefree time will be changed by school hours but excited too (and more than a little relieved at times recently as my patience has been sorely tried by the Queen of Whinging, Whining and general irritability!!)

Love the house Nova. My Mum grew up in Ferring and my Grandparents lived outside Bognor so I have lovely early childhood memories of that area. Very envious of anyone living near the sea, we lived within sight of the sea once we moved to N Ireland (I was about 6) and I have missed it like mad ever since I left (I was about 22) No idea how I have ended up as far from the sea as is humanly possible on an island.

Chacha - at Dh forgetting your birthday. i'm with BEKs, no way would that happen in our house. Next year prime Z to tell him!!
I have a lovely birthday present to look forward too - DH got me a day's workshop with a local silversmith where I can make a ring or a bangle. Not sure what to do yet though I am leaning towards a ring.

OK, have to go as T clammering for 'animal stuff' - we don't do CBeebies anymore!!

Just found T and A upstairs on our bed, T telling A the story of the 3 Little Pigs - pig number 2 and 3 seem to be girls

Thanks for all your good wishes girls . Settling in nicely, although the 4 hours communtuing every day (2 hours each way) is a bit of a killer Still, at least I enjoy it when I'm there!
A big 'good luck' to all those with Lo's starting tomorrow! S is sooo excited! I've only just finished ironing in those bloomin' name tags - can'tbelieve I've had them in the drawer all summer . FH: love the tale of 3 little pigs, how cute! Hi to everyone else - can hardly keep my eyes open here, so it's up to bed for me I think - I won't bore you with the story of trying to get rat's blood out of the front room carpet at 5.45am this morning... Suffice to say that 'big cat' is in the bad books

pah, it's been a day of opposites today - was planning on doing a bit of shopping with miniman in tow this morning but he slept from 8-9, and then from 10 until I had to wake him up to go to nursery at 12.45 . Then I thought I'd get a nice rest when noo had her nap, and she decided she didn't want to sleep this afternoon. I feel like I've done nothing constructive today at all.

Saw the consultant about the steralisation, and suddenly DH is getting very cold feet about it, so he wants to think about it for a bit. I'm quite set, but he keeps thinking of 'what if's'

Sorry Diege but I had to lol at cleaning up rat blood . Last week I cleaned the cream covers on the rocking chair and footstool, and the next morning it was covered in cat sick - I was NOT impressed. Glad work is good, but I really don't envy you with a 2 hour commute, do you listen to music or read?

Hiya,

So far, so good! Start of term has gone smoothly........... yessss!

First off, a belated but very HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO CHACHA!
Diege, so great to hear your job is off to a flying start, despite the long journey, you'll be able to chat to us on the way then via your lap top? ....... OMG about Big Cat and cleaning up RATS blood, yeeeeeew poor you!
Nova, congrats on your holiday house, what a find - I'm sure it will be the source of many great memories to come.
Feetheart, silversmithing day sounds wonderful, what a fantastic present! Aww at T & A & 3 pigs in the bed.
Rodeo, hope you're having a great time on holiday!
Beks, and everyone else with lo's at school, hope it went really well.
GG, have a great night out tonight!

Right, better tidy up tea stuff & get some kids off to bed. Bye.x
BB, L&S, Twinkle,

Hello . Glad to hear the school term is going relatively smoothly! S was v.happy, but we've had tears the last few days - I think it's just sinking in that it's something you do everyday! At home today, so am looking forward to picking them both up from school this afternoon.
The rat blood is like something out of a horrow movie . Everytime I disinfect, then carpet cleaner foam etc it seems to have gone, then a few hours later the patches of blood-wet again!!! And the carpet is a sort of beige/oatmeal colour, so not a good look! Have pulled the rug over for now, as dd1 sat on a wet patch of bleachy cleaner type stuff - it went through her knickers and she got a severe reaction. Bloody rat, arghh!!!!!! . NOVA, know what you mean about cat sick - I could swear they do it on demand. Re: sterilisation (to change the subject somewhat!) I wouldn't necessarily be too despondent about dh's reaction - think it is probably a normal part of the process perhaps (as with a vasectomy I suppose). I'm probably wrong here, but isn't there a type of female sterilsation that can be reversible? All the benefits but not that 100% irresversibility? But I suppose the irreversibility is the whole thing!
Hello to everyone, and here's to a good weekend - it's Indian summer weather up here!

Ooh I've just bought one of those organised mum life books . I now feel my life is on 'hold' until it arrives! I got the pocket book, and am now thinking maybe I should have got the raspberry leather big one? Any one else got one? (I got the stickers too)

Hello girls, have the luxury that is an overnight stay at my mum's, the 3 buses totalling 3.5 hours of travelling time is worth every minute to have some peace and quiet while they are out having fun, yippeee!

Beks - You've got a real big heart you know, one of the things i noticed about you from the early days of MN No break from MN as such, honestly don't have much time, DS1 never shuts up, I swear to God, he asked me 'what is that?' i don't know how many times from the minute he woke up today until we got to Grandma's and has been asking for the park since arrival, DS2 is crawling now, enjoying DS1's leftovers and into everything. Little time and always so much to do. Travelling alone with the kids for around 5 weeks, BA are pretty good so not too much to worry about, am taking them to the seaside (N.Africa) for our end of Ramadan celebrations this year and then to the City, I will then be joining DH elsewhere and we will all fly home together.

On a ME note, DH is not impressed with my weight gain and although he hasn't actually said anything i know for sure that this is the case. Diets don't seem to work for me so am wondering if i should just joing a gym now. Feeling totally out of shape and am in desperate need of new look. Hoping that a month of good weather and exercise will help.

Eek at rats/cats etc.. Diege i hope your DD is alright after reaction..
Happy B'day Feetheart, Nova - Days like that are as you say...Hello to Londoner and all x

Wow CHACHA, very impressed with your travelm plans - you are an INSPIRATION!!! Enjoy the time at your mum's, and good on you for getting through the bus ride! On the weight front (if it's really bothering you) I would say Slimming World everytime because of the unlimited quantities and of course the free quorn! (I remember you being a fan too!). Take care .

Hi all,
Sorry i have been missing for a while.We got back from turkey on 27th and then went to N/east to visit relatives,it was then straight back and full on school so i have been up to the eyes in it.I hope everyone is ok and i will try and post properly soon Diege facy a meet up??
Twinkle

Hi!
Got back from our lovely holiday yesterday Spent all our time on various beaches, was nice and sunny, even warm enough for B & J to swim in the sea! Jess enjoyed the beach too although hates being in wet clothes or swim nappies! Quickly realised she far happier totally naked -though I was worried about sand in bits (especially as she seemed to like shoving it up there!) but a quick 'bath' in the sea sorted most of it out! Her talking has really come on too this last week, she was telling me what toys she wants during an advert break between children's programmes earlier 'Want that', 'want that', 'want that'
WOW at your travel plans Chacha! Am amazed too, especially as I have palpatations getting the bus into town I'm rubbish! Happy belated birthday!
Diege, glad you're enjoying work I used to enjoy my 1 hour commute to and from work, just people watching, especially the wierdos OMG at rat blood! Hope J's bottom is ok now. And you've just reminded me about name tags, oh no! I bought a fabric pen so I'm going to be writing names in clothes all night (tomorrow)! J cried for weeks starting school last year, I'm sure S being a girl will settle a lot quicker!
Nova, congratulations on your house! How exciting! Enough room for a MN group holiday!
Londoner, glad back to school went well! Beks, hope it did for you too!
Feetheart, Good luck next week! You'll be fine We don't do CBeebies either, we're NickJr all the way !
Hello Brownie, I'm really intrigued by these mother's diaries now! Is T in his Big Bed yet?
Hi GG, hope your night out was good and you didn't play catch up too quickly !
Right, back to X Factor (and then the Xtra Factor!) x

Welcome back Rodeo, glad you had a lovely time LOL at 'want that', they learn young don't they?

In Wales, just me and the LO up and it's lovely and peaceful so will go and enjoy a cup of tea. Hope you enjoyed Turkey as much as we did Twinkle, welcome back

Hello!
Chacha ~ also v. impressed by your travel plans, sounds fab!

Rodeo ~ will post the link again organised mum ~ Brownie.
T not in big bed yet, but now have all the "gubbins" so it should happen this week I think

Diege, know what you mean about life on hold till your new book arrives, mine arrived the other week, and I was thrilled! (how sad!) but I went for the Lfie Book, A5, which is quite chunky to be honest, but has tonnes of room, which is what I need.

Well, I have been busy recently, got back tonight from a 2 night residential training event with our Guiding County. We were up in Clitheroe, on the river ribble. It was a great weekend, but I am shattered now, and always manage to put myself forward and get roped into lots of other activities!

Right, off to check emails, then watch some TV, then off to bed!

Hello to all not mentioned, not cos I'm not thinking of you honest!

Hello all
First day back for B & J, all went well! Although there was mad search for cheque book for school dinners just as we needed to leave the house! Been to sort the horses this morning, bit as their owner has decided to sell the grey he's here
Thanks for link Brownie! Have just ordered the slim version I'm going to be really disappointed though if I don't turn into an 'organised mum'
I really should be tidying and cleaning now - after the holidays we really need a big declutter....but I've got a headache so will attempt that mammoth task tomorrow
Bye for now x

Hi girls

Chacha wow at the travel plans, I baulk at taking the kids to spain Thanks for the complimetn by the way, i read that when I was feeling down so much appreciated. Also can't beleive that Y is crawling already, how fantastic, time just seems to fly at the moment, it only seems like a few weeks ago that you had him.

Rodeo good to see you back and glad you had a great holiday. Lol at J and sandy bits, why do they do that?
What a beautiful horse, which is high praise from me as they scare the life out of me, can see why you'll be sorry to see him go - can't you talk your dh into buying him for you ont he promise that you'll never ask for another b'day or xmas present ever again

Twinkle good to see you back too, glad you had a good time on hols. Am in the same position re naming clothes, seem to be doing it as I iron them at the moment and all B's jumpers are molting so have to keep washing shirts every night to get the flaming fluff off - grr

Diege glad the job is going well, the travel sounds exhausting, but it must be nice to have some wind down time before you hit home.

GG how's the head after playing catch up? How's your dp too, is he back at work yet?

Proud mummy moment please, just realised I haven't posted much since the end of the hols and can't remember if I told you that B managed to get off his stabilisers and learnt how to tie his laces all in the last week of the hols He has also gone back to school like a star and tantrums seem to be abating a bit although he does still ove to tell me he hates em and that I'm stupid - got to lvoe them haven't you especailly as you can't sell them on e-bay

Right girls a task for you, have given up the idea of ironing for a living. Mmy own pile is nearly reaching the ceiling so am obviously not a natural at this. Instead my friend and I have decided to start up a childrens entertainment business which is something I've wanted to do for ages. I start a magic course on 20th Sept and we need a name and sa few more party game ideas, we're aiming for team games or those that are a bit out of the ordinary. Any suggestions greatly appreciated.

Hello to everyone else, sorry if I missed anything out, just thought I'd better stop before I write another novel Beks

BEKS - just off to bed but I can help out with games I think, more 'out of the ordinary' than team!! Will be back on later in the week if I can.

First day at 'big school' went well though she cried as I left (and set me off ) but when I went to pick her up at lunchtime I asked what it was like 'Good' (said very emphatically) was the first reply then, after a pause, 'Fantastic' Think we may be OK

just a quickie, well done T on surviving your first day and well done Feety for being a brave first time mummy.

Hi to all Beks

Hello to all, hope you're all enjoying the sunshine, we are! Busy busy, love to all, bye.x

Hello! It's been a busy one this last week, what with gearing up to the students being back, and feel like today is the first time I can draw a breath! Good to hear everyone's news . Beks - new business idea sounds great - a lot more fun than ironing! RODEO, glad to hear you had a good holiday. S is getting a bit better with school, but I think she has got from somewhere the romantic idea of being 'at home', and that it would be MUCH BETTER THING if she could just stay here...she's also 'playing up' a bit with the childminder apparently, which is more of a worry in a way as we're stuffed if she bows out! may all be due to late nights - well, in bed at 7 but we can hear them for hours - not helped by those squidgy balls that flash which they seem to have suspended from the bunk bed planks for a 'disco' . Hello TWINKLE!!! will consult my 'organised mum' book for a suitable meet up date (I wish I'd got the bigger one now!) - do you fancy my new precinct?? Hello to everyone else - FH, sounds like you are doing great with school - doesn't come much better than 'fantastic'!Hi LONDONER! Good to hear you making the most of the sun - do you enjoy 3 out of 4 being back at school, or do you prefer the less frantic starts? BB: I feel tired just reading about your residentials! Yes, wish I'd got the A5 size now - well, there's always next year! Hi GG, NOVA, CHACHA, and all others I may have unwittingly missed out!

I got myself a calendar from organised mum too!

Been thinking of the importance of grandparents this week, as we went to visit my grandfather yesterday, and he's not much longer for this world we fear. I have very very fond memories of both sets of grandparents, but my dad's parents moreso because they looked after me and my sister during school holidays and took us on day trips. It's so sad to see this man who I adored as a child looking so frail and poorly to me as an adult. Age is a cruel thing. I really want to make sure noo and miniman have a good relationship with their grandparents, although my family situation makes that a little tricky, we should be able to see more of DH's parents when the house in Worthing is sorted and they move back down.

Anyhoo, noo is totally crazy about stickers, can say her own name (well, nat nat), can almost count to ten, sings row row your boat and does the actions with her teddies, and is generally a very pleasant child to be around. I'm always amazed by how much she copies me, it's very sweet when she checks all her teddies for poo poo by looking at their bottoms. I thought she was self teaching potty skills last week when she announced 'wee wee' and got her potty out of the toilet and sat on it (she was naked so nothing to pull down). She did a little wee and I was totally amazed, however she then did a huge wee next to the potty in the bathroom while waiting for her bath. Oh well, looks like I'll have to do it the hard way!

Hope you are all well x

Morning!
Had a hectic day yesterday, so enjoying a quiet day a home today. Dp bought me the last Potter yesterday so will read that when J goes for her nap! Got my organised mum diary but now wish I'd got the calendar! They do a fundraising thing so might take the leaflet to next PTA meeting (I'll get that calendar somehow!)
Diege, I'm sure S will settle down, maybe it's just the change in her routine, testing boundaries etc. Ditto here anyway - Joe is teaming up with Jess to wreak havoc and finds it hilarious. Found him encouraging her to rub magnets over the TV screen so the colours go funny Didn't return to normal for ages! They also have a naughty game where they smack each other (like that bit in Ice Age) and he likes to wind her up to the point of her trying to bite him and he holds back her by the forehead. Not a great role model for a nearly 2yo!
Hi Nova, Aww N sounds so clever J tries to count too 'two, three, two, three, two, three' Not sure where 'one' went! Sorry to hear about your grandad, we sadly seem to be at an age where we seem to lose them. My grandad has managed a year on his own now since my lovely granma died, he's looking so old and dispite my mum and aunts and uncles best efforts, is not looking after himself particularly well. I don't know about you but but having grandparents now is so different to when I was little. Mine lived a couple of miles away, we'd visit them every Sunday afternoon, one set then the other, we'd get 50p or a banana, stay over once in a while if my mum and dad wanted a night out. Now everyone is so busy and it seems we have to book them in to see them! (Not that I begrudge my parents having other lives!)
Beks, well done to B for his double achievements!! Good luck with your business plan, yes much more fun than ironing! I came up with a business plan for me and my best friend the other day - a 'naked' makeover photo studio kind of thing, for brides to be, 30th/40th birthdays, hen parties or newlyweds. I'd take the pics and my friend is a beauty therapist. What do you think? Obviously I'll have to tell her of these plans and I'll have to take up a photography course first, but hey, they're just minor details in my master plan
Hello Londoner, glad you're enjoying sun (our's has gone!) and FH - glad T's first days have gone well Hello to Brownie & Chacha, Twinkle & GG too,
bye for now x

Have added some new pics of J to yahoo Would love to see some new pics of all the tods. Pleeease!