June 2008: the One Show (almost)

[Essie3]

Amber if she hasn't already get you'd sister to speak to sands - am very sorry for her. Also cruse counselling helped me in immediate aftemath
Thanks for all the advice- I rang both travel firm ( who have requested cots, baby seat ok flight etc although do need to take a car seat ). Also checked out and emailed game park - turns out it is a proper hotel we are staying in so have various facilities ( incl a playground) and it's just outside sun city so not in real bush. Will defo ask for tips on travel bit.
Thanks for night time tips- new to get Erie using a cup first

Amber I'm so sorry for your sister. I hope she's feeling loved and supported at the moment.

poppy i'm glad the hotel sounds good for you - it should be great then!

Amber small toys are always great IMO, we've more space now that we've moved but I still don't have enough room for giant toys. DS1 got a nice framed print for his bedroom for his 1st b-day from friends. Maybe something like that, that'd he'd always have. Or Fraser got a rug for his room for a christening gift. I think we're just getting Fraser a token gift for his birthday, something small so DS1 doesn't realize we're being cheap. DS1 got a picnic table for his 1st ( - but then it does mean that I sit outside with him more often which he loves).

going tents are great with kids. My only regret is getting an orange one this far north. At 10pm it's still glowing brightly in the sun and DS1 would refuse to sleep, thinking it's still daytime. There was something in those old heavy canvas ones after all.

Oh, Amber, that's so awful. I can't even begin to imagine what she's going through - far away, her poor babies, and she doesn't have a mum or dad there for her. It must be horrific for you too, because you're her only family.

Amber, so sorry to hear the news about your sister.

Josey, that's great about Oli.

Interested in all of the first birthday pressie chat - I've signed up to the ELC birthday club thing, apparently they send a 20% discount voucher around birthday time. We can't have any outdoor toys either . I am desperate to move, but we won't even be able to think about it until I get a job. So it's smallish indoor toys for now.

I am more interested in birthday cakes though - plenty of room for those! I've decided on B's and ordered the decorations for it today. Sad but true. I've had a frenzy of online shopping over the past couple of days in fact (must go back to work soon!) - I also ordered the Hummingbird Bakery cookbook, more stuff for B, more cooking/baking stuff, a pair of FitFlops - to mitigate the effect of all the cakes I'm going to make and some other books.

Poppy, I agree, the more info you get before you go, the more relaxed you'll be. All sounds good though.

Like everyone I'm thinking about your poor sister tonight Amber, and you of course. xx

Whinegums - I've just looked at the fitflop site, if they can guarantee I'll get legs and bum like that I'll get some

Amber I'm so sorry about what your sister is going through.

Not been posting much as busy with revising. Last exam for now is tomorrow and in a real panic. I was much better prepared for the one on Mon but got caught out on the compulsory question. Even though I think I did really well on the rest of the paper it doesn't matter if you don't pass the compulsory question so feel a bit gutted. Can you all cross your fingers I get the right questions tomorrow?

Amber, boots do a good tunnel, called the 'ocean crawler' I think. Also, what about the pop up pool from elc - could use indoors as a ball pit and put away when not in use. We just got the wooden activity cube that sponge has and it's actually quite compact. Tesco also do one which I think is smaller and is fairly cheap

Right off to watch some tv to give my brain a wee rest!

Aww DQ, I have fingers and toes crossed for tomorrow, and also that you've done better than you think already.

Deb - ha ha, that would be great for £40 wouldn't it? I had MBTs before and I loved them, they really did sort out my posture. Thought I'd give FFs a go, as they are loads cheaper, and better if we do indeed get a nice summer as promised - MBTs made my feet very hot!

At work so a minute to do mnet! Not been on much because I've been sooooo knackered due to Iestyn waking between 4-6am most days. But on the bright side he sleeps through. He's also really, really active and into everything so I can't even go to the loo before he's trying to climb/poison himself/electrocute himself/strangle himself... Otherwise all well, he's very happy and generally lovely!

Wanted to mention my Interesting Inlaws Incident today. I went to mum and dad's for a quick coffee before dropping Iestyn off, and my inlaws had been on the phone. They asked Mum and Dad if they could come and stay for Iestyn's birthday! I'm really not sure what to make of this. (a) Good news, I don't have to put in all the effort but (b) bad news, Mum does. (c) I now have to have a party for Iestyn. (d) Is this a dig at me for not inviting them?? (e) Why didn't they ask me - or Tim, who is their son? I'm not insulted at not being asked, but I'm wondering what this is all about - I never said I was having a party, or doing anything at all for Iestyn's birthday. He's at nursery all day anyway on the 16th. Quite confused and rather suspicious. Also at them inviting themselves.

Love to all, best wishes DQ and hope it all turns out well for you, and Whinegums and Deb I hope you get those lovely pert arses. Let me know if they're miracle shoes - I will buy some!

What did your mum say on the phone to them Essie?

Amber I am so sorry about your sister.

Debs I have been looking at fitflops too just trying to get round to ordering them.

First birthday presents - I have no idea what to get DS, just something small and for the bath probably, but we are having a party of sorts (well a BBQ for us and a birthday cake for him).

Essie I am a bit gobsmacked at the cheek of your in laws. What did your mother say.

Yesterday was crap as went on the internet banking and some (insert expletive) has hacked my credit card, changed the address and stuck £10k on it since 8th May, so spent a long time on the phone yesterday sorting that out and then my washing machine gave up. Hey ho.

Five - OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Five OMG, you've got the money back, right? And there must be something in the air, my washing machine is playing up too. (But it's far more hassle for you with B&B bedding to wash, though!)

Also, glad it's not just me to be a bit shocked. I was being cautious really in case I was over sensitive, but I thought you don't invite yourself to stay with other people. Not if you're a nice person who follows The Rules!
My Mum just said ok, sure, it would be lovely! But then what could she say? No, go and book a hotel, and then look mean and as if she was in the wrong (when she's not - they are). Mum thinks it's funny in a 'not the kind of thing we do' way!
I'm just convinced there's more behind this - it's all too casually done...

I thought she might say that she didn't realise that a party had been planned or something.

BTW look at this - how gorgeous!
1st birthday heaven

There was no party planned, that's the thing - but now I will have to do one!
Maybe she was thinking that she wasn't invited and so was going to organise an invite by stealth, by happening to be in the area...

That doorway looks like so much fun! I wonder if it would stop Iestyn putting his fingers in hinges and under doors?

Just found the perfect present

Excellent Ali, did you see it requires planning permission?!

Not quite as expensive but we're thinking of installing this one on our balcomy...
[[http://www.harrods.com/HarrodsStore/find/c/children,cwoutdoorfun/p/000000000001859532 house]

der...

house

Hi - am totally overwhelmed and exhasted so just popping in to wave at everyone. I love the first link from Amber - that's brilliant, and affordable (at least compared with the next two)!

BDQ - How was the exam?

Essie - at your in-laws

Five 10K - OMG

Love the extravagant birthday ideas - that pirate ship is amazing ,but who on earth could justify spending that much on a toy? quite like the doorway thing though, but it could be annoying to have to crawl through the small door every time you want to go through the door.

Hi Abdn - only 2 more days until the weekend

Parents evening here today, Stefan's teacher told me his excuse last week for not doing some homework - he said it was because he was sooooo hungry and the hairdresser came.lol The teacher said she had to laugh!Tristan's teacher said that in English he finds it really hard to think of the right English word for things.It's great that he is so immersed in German but weird to think that he struggles with English!

hi all!

Deb and whinegums I have some fitflops... not sure if they've done wonders or not, but they are quite comfy. Am tempted to try MBTs as my posture could do with sorting out!

I want a pirate ship SOOOO badly. perhaps we could all club together and keep a MN ship in Birmingham?

Charlotte has decided that the best way to greet the morning is by shouting OOOoohhh HIYA when we go in to get her up. very funny!

amber my thoughts are with your sister

essie that's a bit odd of your inlaws! no chance of that here, stepMIL doesn't stay in anyone else's house!(including ours )

josey that's fab so glad the new medicines seem to be doing the job

5gomad what a nightmare, hope you've got it all sorted

BDQ hope exam went well

anyone I've forgotten, sorry, not intentional! x

[viva watches the tumbleweed while taking a break at work]