May 07: The one where SOH gets her tweed clothes and LG&T doesn't get any...

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Evening all.

Thats awful pebble - hope you can get to the bottom of it!

Have been trying to keep up and have been chuckling at you trying to sort out CP! It is only about 40 miles from us so we may do a day visit to meet you all.

Sleeping bag not made much difference to L's sleeping so still really really tired. He has been having a bottle of formula at bed time and it also hasn't made any difference, which I thought it wouldn't - it just gives me a break. I have been expressing though so keeping my options open - bottle are such a pain. As is the gaviscon I have to force in before each feed using a medicine syringe, even for the two feeds in the night!

Thanks for the tips TYG.

SOH, you must live somewhere very remote.

Pebble, hope you can sort things out with J's school.

Thanks, Im going to pay them a visit on Monday/Tuesday to sort it out. I dont see why his record should be blemished or something that wasnt really his fault. If they hadnt included the absences caused by the broken arm he would have been ok.

Am now off to bed, my back is killing me lol

SKY, sorry the sleep isn't working. Can I ask what his naps are like in the day? What time does he go to bed? Does he fall asleep late in the day at all? I've got my sleep doctor hat on - I'd love to try to help.

Pebble - it sounds like someone has misread your situation and sent a letter in error. Sickness is, afaik, considered as authorised absence as are any holidays they give permission for. Since J had already had the "time off" for the broken arm (and it's not as though they can even deny he was injured/ ill), then if they considered that to be "truancy" then they should never have given authorisation for the holiday. Schools are allowed to refuse authorisation for holidays and often do on the basis that a child has already missed to much school, so the letter they sent doesn't make any sense. Go and see them, but keep your cool, keep to the facts and I'm sure it can be sorted out. If the school don't sort it, then tbh, I really can't see how an EWO would see this as truancy. It's madness. I suspect his number of days "absent" has just triggered some standard letter and nobody has looked into it properly. Hope it gets sorted quickly.

SOH - Is DH off today? You would be more than welcome. Drive down if DH is off, or get the train. FB me if you want my address. You can stay the night.

Anyone else?

As for the pots and pans and the not tidying as you go along... I have a rule that if DH cooks, he has to tidy up. Even if that means that since I usually cook, I also have to tidy, it's far preferable to EVER sorting out the kitchen after he's been in it. Blinkin' nightmare.

The marshmallow rice krispie cakes look good this morning.

Off to make a clementine cake now. It's flour free for my wheat intolerant friend. Do you think I should make it chocolate orange, so she doesn't feel left out of the other chocolate sour-cream cake I made, or is it better not to have two chocolate cakes? I've also done forgotten pudding. (The chewy meringue one).

I don't know why I'm asking you lot. There's never anyone on here on a Saturday morning.

TYG is there such as thing as too much chocolate cake? The forgotten pudding sounds yummy. I dont know how you get so much done. I obviously spend far too much time on my arse to sort cooking lots of yummy foods.

Pebble, thats awful, i hope that you are able to sort it out next week.

Sky, i hope you got a little sleep last night.

I don't get a lot done. I have a cleaner 8 hours a week! I mind the kids and cook, and do a bit of NCT stuff. That's about it really, but thanks for the vote of confidence.

Hmm, you could be right about the chocolate. And I'm guessing if you're recently wheat intolerant, you probably miss chocolate cake?

I'm a bit at your big night out. DH once took me to a "ball" at the Dorchester. The event itself was fine, but the thrill of buying a gown and putting my hair up and feeling glamorous and frou-frou was lovely. Still have the dress upstairs. It was only from Debenhams, but I still love it. Chocolate brown and all rustle-y.

I am quite looking forward to it especially as i have been to most of the races this year. We are on a table with Mel C's brother. He is a really nice guy and even brought Mel to the last race of the season.

I seem to be getting into a routine now and do a little bit of housework each day. I need to be spending less time on the pc and more time on my college work as i have a project due in on Thursday that i havent even started and am totally clueless at where to begin.

I think your friend would enjoy a chocolate wheat free cake

We've just had 2 of our guests pull out for tonight and that was after we went through EVERYONE that we knew. Dont suppose any of you london based ladies fancy a night out....?

I fancy it in a big way.But unfortunately seem to have lost the hearing in one ear and am a bucket of snot still.

Make the chocolate TYG..then if there is any left over you can send to me..

Truant officer?When he was ill?I mean surely they should be busy chasing the actual real truants?I beg of you.

Oh bugger April. If I wasn't having a party, I'd be there like a shot. I even have a frock... The lovely one I bought for the wedding in Australia. Reckon my boobs are still big enough to hold it up, but doubt I'll get to wear it again. If anyone needs a size 16, empire line dress...

Chocolate orange in the oven. I do love a Nigella "bung it in the food processor" recipe. Except the Victoria Sponge. It is sacrilege not to do that by hand. (And it doesn't turn out as nicely.)

I really must get on. Why are you lot distracting me?

I am with you on the Nigella TYG, i love her use of words and chit chat as she goes through a recipie too. I especially love her lazy attitude to cooking, her old fashioned chocolate cake really is the best one i have even made.

DH does make a mess too, he is quite good about clearing it up now too after a major falling out once I hate being in the kitchen with him when he cooks, i feel like a sous chef and general skivvy. I tidy as he cooks, no fair.

Have just made Gingerbread ballerinas, bunnies, helicopters,one man and his dog, bee hive and bees, feet and a few xmas trees. Now where you you start eating that lot SOH Kids can decorate them later.

DH is cleaning labels of wine bottles, he has made a batch of red, dessert wine, cider and beer for Xmas.

April i would be there like a shot if it wasnt for the 27 children, not fitting in to a fecking thing oh and the fact i am on restricted anything, harumph.

Sky sorry the boy is not sleeping, list what he does in a day for us. It could just take him a few weeks to get back to normal after his hospital dash the other day. I am soooo not looking forward to all the feeding\sleeping nightmares. Please let me have a good one this time, i deserve it

Pebble that is awful about the schhol, it must be a send out automatically letter surely! Unless J has been bunking off behind your back >

What type of buggy? Side by side or one in front? Does it need to be a travel system? Do you need it to have a cot attachment? I need details

Where is Lups btw?

LG&T who's receipe do you follow to make the gingerbread?

Mary Berry, she is fab for all round cake recipies and biscuits. I have a well thumbed old book of hers. Do you want me to put it up?

Have you found a replacement yet?

Oh TYG, oh I wish I could come. Harrumph. DH at work till 4am on public order which is police speak for mopping up the Saturday night drunks and sending them and their kebabs on their way. I can't even get to the train station on my own (although it has crossed my mind to walk the 7 miles).

Have been looking at Center Parcs and it's not that I don't want to stay with you Jam and Charley because I really would but we can't afford it. It's cheaper by quite a big chunk for us to stay on our own. DH is checking he can have the weekend off and I will book it on Monday. No reason of course why we can't villa juggle once we're there. All the blokes can bugger off with the babies and we'll have a pyjama party. Let's face it, Scoot and PJ are going to be sneaking off together anyway.

AM, I want to go to a ball. I'm going to wear a ballgown to Center Parcs. I wonder if I'll ever own a ballgown...

LG&T Ive been told the pushchairs that sit one of front of the other are quite heavy and awkward to push, what do you think? Im not fussed about it being a travel system, we can always buy a car seat for LO. Other than that Im not sure what I want, as long as the baby and Alana will be comfortable. Ive seen plenty of single prams I like but all the twin ones I see look huge. Dont want to spend too much either as Alana prefers walking. Ive still got her babystyle I can use for the days its ok for her walk (have been offered a sit on buggy board)but obviously its not always practical.

Do you know in my whole entire school life I only bunked off twice (and never got caught) I know Jordan wouldnt, he hasnt got the guts lol. I can account for everyday he has had off and so should the school, most of it was caused by them lol. I have the letter giving us permission for the holiday and it mentioned the time off he'd had and that usually the holiday would have been denied because of it but due to the exceptional circumstances of his absence (ie they were partly at fault, although they dont actually say it)they granted it. If they were going to kick up a fuss then why grant permission. The letter was not just a standard one, it was tailored for Jordan and the assistant headteacher had signed it herself. Also on the attendance certificate sent with the letter every absence is down as authorised so how can they call him a truant and contact the EWO All they have to do is check his attendance for his last school and see that he only ever had about 3 days off sick a year, if that, unless the school sent him home.

Am off now to rip up the floor tiles in the bathroom, oh joy We've decided to decorate but dh is in charge of the decor for a change and im dreading it lol. He bought a really cheesy shower curtain yesterday, it would be ok for a kids en-suite but definately not what I would have chosen. What have I let myself in for

Pebble, just caught up properly. I am ed. I absolutely appreciate that they have to be seen to be clamping down on truancy at the moment but they're living in cloud cuckoo land.

Please don't take it out on dh when he paints your bathroom peach and mint. He doesn't deserve it, just steer him gently towards something tasteful and then close the door while he gets on.

Homeschooling looks more and more attractive. Although it is a sure fire way of having the LEA nosing about and trying to find fault.

I can feel how angry you are through the laptop.

SOH the scary thing about dh doing the bathroom himself is that so far he has been buying things while Ive been at home with the kids and then storing it all at his mum's until he gets round to needing it so I have absolutely no idea what he has planned Perhaps I will get revenge and paint our bedroom bright pink and put fluffy cushions everywhere while he is at work one night

My panic over not having anything for junior is over for now. The landlady of our local pub has kindly given me a huge bag of newborn clothes for him, her son had so much bought for him that most of it has never been worn. There are numerous bodysuits and scratch mitts as well as a few sleepsuits and a couple of outfits too. All I need now is a few more sleepsuits, bibs, cardigans and a snowsuit. I feel a bit more organised now that I know he wont be going naked . I expect she gave it to us because my dh spends so much time at her pub that he probably helped pay for it all lol

I am a bit pissed at Dh at the moment. I spent most of the day on my hands and knees scrubbing the floors in the kitchen, bathroom and hall, all because he broke our mop, as well as tidying up, cooking etc And as soon as he got home tonight he moaned because I was sat down and wouldnt dish his chinese up I would have chucked it at him but then it would have ruined all the work I had done. He then had the cheek to call me lazy and make sly comments in front of the kids, god he can be so immature sometimes.

Evening all, have just ventured downstairs as have S & D again. Tis GROSS. mouth feels/smells like sulphur. Hoping it is not a repeat of the other week. The rest of the family is okay though. Missed out on the NCT sale this morning with a pal and a firebang party tonight. DH has had a baptism of fire he has had both DCs all day and last night he was panicking he would have them both for the morning (for the first time I hasten to add.)

He has cope admirably and has even very kindly had the cheek to give me some tips as to how to do it myself and keep house at the same time.

Jam, SOH and 12YG will be happy to share or not as the case may be keep me posted.

Oh god have to go, the bathroom beckons.

Laura is out of X factor, to be fair she is not my cup of tea but she doesn't deserve to be out.

Oh dear CM..You are rapidly cathcing me up as the resident May 07 sicknote!Hope you feel better soon..

Is a travesty Laura got booted out.I beg of you.She was far better than both that annoying kid with the silly hair and that ex drug user, whats her name?And im not honestly sure that my namesake who they kept in can really sing very well at all.Although she does have a good rack Mariah is a freak of nature though isnt she? I quite like her..

I will wear a ball dress to CP if you like.Ive got three and will prob never get to wear them again if not

Pebble you must be bonkers letting DH loose on the decor.God only knows what my DH would do with a free rein like that.He once painted one of our living rooms purple when given carte blanche.Since then I have been in charge of interiors!

Well its wild and wooly here.Hope TYG didnt get too wet at her fireworks party..(or can watch from the comfort of indoors) and that AM's hair didnt get too wet en route to the ball..

L and M were going crazy stuck indoors today so figured would have to take them out, ill or not.We walked to the canal to feed the ducks.M got her foot pecked at by a swan.Viscious bugger.I tell you..if it hadnt been one of the Queens birds I would have had serious words with it!L got revenge on it however by eating all the duck bread herself.Serves it right.

Morning all. Hope you are all well. I'm feeling a bit hungover this morning as we had a firework party here last night. It went really well. The fireworks were really good and my ww campfire casserole went down a storm. Unfortunately I don't think the bonfire toffee, wine, doughnuts or chocolate fountain count as ww! The kids were brilliant too. R crashed out early but C had a ball playing on the Wii with the other kids. I hate the aftermath though. We did quite a lot last night and I'm glad we did as the house still looks like a bombsite and the garden is littered with used fireworks. I'm very jealous of you all going to CP. We would tag along but we just can't afford it. We've got our holidays for next year booked and paid for already so there's no spare cash.

Morning! Had a great time last night rubbing shoulders with the likes of Steve Ryder, Damon Hil etc Managed to get hair and make done before we left the house so that all i had to do was put my dress on. Only had 3 drinks but had fun and stayed up til 2am!

OOoh yes please LG&T if you wouldnt mind.

TYG hope you had fun last night.

Charley sorry to hear that the S&D has reared its ugly head again.

Cool so are we all taking ball gowns to CP...

Pebble hope your bathroom turns out ok

Photos??

I intend to wear my ball gown whilst traversig the jungle river at CP.And also whilst cycling around the park.

I have made a stew this morning.It is cooking now and smells delicious.Whats the betting it doesn not make it intact to dinnertime tonight?

MIL coming in 6 hours.Doom.

I am only in 3 pics, 2 with my mum and 1 with Chris. Have a look on FB

There is a small possibility that dh might not make CP due to a training course.

If this happens can somebody help me with getting there?

I can get a train so far I suppose but might need to beg a collection and delivery to CP.

I can't cycle to Sherwood.