June 2008: the One Show (almost)

[Essie3]

ok ali that is a bit OTT! and its possible but I don't think so as haven't got some of symptoms I've had before (but that is not infallible I know).

puree it is definiltey a do as I say not do moment.. I'm beginning to realise that there will be a few of them (had some this week with dss .

I didn't play as much hockey as I did football but I still get sick at idea of the strawberry milk/drambuie cocktails I had at the football club cocktails..bleurgh

v quick post as DH is desperate to get the laptop back. perhaps he should buy me a pink one with flowers on!

We met at a graduation ball at med school - I did an intercalated degree so was graduating the following year, and DH had done one too so was graduating with my original year (sorry complicated to explain) we were never in the same year is my point! There's a fancy dress party on the 1st night He was the cowardly lion and I was Queen Amidala from Star Trek He asked a mutual friend to introduce us. He then had to be reintroduced to me the next night (properly attired in kilt)when more sober!

I want to write a really long post but I'm watching ER!

For anyone that's counting I'm a poppy wearing republican too. I'd really like a national anthem that embraces all the home nations. I think one of the verses of god save the queen is a bit anti-Scottish?

Oh I'm bored of Sam and her mum - where's George?

Rolf - why silly? I may be a bit simplistic but I think isn't the debate to ahve any then to have more than one... if the basic things , like somewhere to put them, money to feed them arent an issue then surely its somethign for you /dh to think about?

and ali the how you met things are a great idea

am now watching ER and I've not watched it in years and I really should go to bed...

isnt that a different sam?

Oh, I have a question:

It's DS2's 8th birthday soon, and he'd like to have either an animal party or a science party.

I've found someone who can bring animals to the house and spend about an hour doing animal stuff. The downside is that she did a party for one of DS2's friends just a few weeks ago so it won't have such a good novelty factor. The other disadvantage, and I know I don't do myself any credit here, is that the animals aren't very exciting - giant snail, frog - sounds like something Just William would do doesn't it?

The science party sounds like fun. They'd do things like dry ice, pretending to burn money, lightning...DS2 would wear a labcoat and help with the experiments. The downside is that it's much more expensive than I was hoping for, and I bet if I was more charismatic I could do it myself for a fraction of the price. The experiments are surely things anyone could do, right? Does anyone have any knowledge of this sort of thing? Any thoughts about how I could lay on a good party without it costing a fortune?

Poppy didn't want to be OTT, but I had a moment of extreme optimism for you and got carried away: sorry. I will get back on my perch.

Movin on...Have you caught up on the Apprentice yet? I never came across strawberry milkshake and drambuie cocktails, but I did plenty of other stupid things - like funnelling lager (and being better at it than DH I might add)

rolfI'll ask dh when he sobers up comes in as I know he had some kind of bug party for dss and also was very keen on those kind of chemistry set tricks...

thanks Poppy .
I'll start a new thread as well.

ali - we have one of those tiny computers as well but it's plain blue - took me a while to cope with the keys. got ours for £130 from Asda.

Poppy - that was my 1st thought, that's why I asked you about symptoms, tired and sick eh?

Puree glad you and your dh are friends again

Rolf - but are there just as many reasons to have another? Do you feel your family is complete? I think I will always be broody as I do love newborns, today I went shopping and saw heavily pregnant women everywhere. This time last year I felt like the odd one out!

No ali - I'm in same boat as would be happily ill if that was the reason . I certainly have re apprentice - is it me or was this the second week someone got sacked cos they were annoying rather than for actual task performance?

Rolf - are there any ideas on the science museum site?

Rolf PMSL at your party dilemma. I am clearly going to have to open a savings scheme for P just for the birthday parties. When did kids stop playing pass the parcel and sleepin lions? FWIW DH and I have discussed the two options and think that the science party sounds cool.

whats sleepin lions?and do you think a watch tv/while mummy sits on sofa driking wine and throwing you chocolate mini bars would ever catch on?

lol Poppy!

Ali - We still do traditional parties here but they're quite different for the Austrian children. Stefan still wanted to do pass the parcel and he's 9!

Oh dear, I am clearly having trouble typing with this mini keyboard.

In case you are wondering, I can spell, but I am just a very reluctant proof reader.

Poppy - can't tell whether you are teasing about my spelling or don't actually know what sleeping lions is.

Right...off to watch Inbetweeners

Ok will reply properly tomorrow (although no childcare till after 11am) but just quickly, Rolf, my brother is a chemist and he's married to a biologist (ho ho, you could have a very educational party with a biologist - and save you a job!) so I can ask him what to suggest. He's really into making fire and all sorts of loud noises.

Rolf I've done demonstration experiments with hot and cold (and salty) water to mimic oceanic circulation. Kids normally enjoy it because there's food colouring, kettles, etc... do you have a large glass basin or even better, an empty fish tank?

Also have some neat party tricks with internal waves generated in pints of stout but guessing that's not age appropriate...

ali ironically we came to Scotland for my job - I had finished my PhD and had a research fellowship in Canada but those don't come with maternity leave and we knew we wanted kids. I got the permanent job here and we decided to have an adventure. DH is a mechanical engineer so he's found work easily in Aberdeen. Unfortunately because we didn't move here and buy a property until 2005 we've not sitting on a significant chunk of equity like most of our friends, else I'd be quitting work (the ironic part). DH's income is good but it's contract and when he hopefully gets a permanent job this summer, we're not sure it'll be enough for me not to work in the long term. The boys were both in floods this morning at nursery drop off - so I'm feeling really down again today. I think I was the one cheering everyone else on a few months back wasn't I? and now all I want to do is quit... but needs must.

A quick one before Iestyn pulls something down on his head (this crawling is already getting dull...).

Abdn really sorry that things are so hard for you. I think those first weeks back are really, really hard - and it must be 10 times harder if the boys are upset going to nursery - although on the bright side, they must adore being with you and spending time with you? I don't know if you remember, but I've been having counselling - currently on hold because I'm ok! - to deal with many issues which suddenly appeared when I went back to work - thing is, they had been there all along, but due to the endless nappies and bfeeds, I wasn't really considering anything serious, and when I had time to myself to think, everything turned red! But I think there's always, always confusion and issues, and a big change like going back to work can suddenly put a magnifying glass over everything.

That was totally pointless, right? Will go to actually do some childcare now!

Rolf, thank you, I don't think I've been called a genius in a long while!

As for another baby, go for it - my motto was always the more the merrier and I know I will know have to live my dreams of a large family vicariously now, so you can be my role model!

Definitely the science party wins my vote - my kids always used to love it when we did science experiments, you can get loads of these things in toy shops now. All depends on how brave you are!!

AH, really sorry you have so much on your plate re: work/kids .

Hi to everyone else - btw, was a bit disappointed by Doug Ross' return on ER last night, was expecting it to be a bit more exciting.

Sorry, that 2nd sentence didn't make any sense!

Oh man, I've just typed a massive long post and wiped it when I went to the next page . I need to crack on with some studying so will come back later. [cross]

Rolf my aunt has 5 kids and they have always seemed very happy - they're all grown up now and it's lovely at Christmas when everyone gets together, like a huge tribe! I think tbh once you get past a certain point, adding another one in probably doesn't make things get any harder. For me the big difference would be between 2 and 3 - once you get past one per adult, you're into child-juggling mode, and if you've sussed that and gone on to cope with 4 successfully, how much harder can 5 be?

It's not for me though!! saw a lovely newborn on Wednesday and while it was snuggly and warm and cosy cuddling her I had NO desire to have another one of my own which was reassuring!

poppy we have obviously all been thinking the same thing as soon as you mentioned feeling sick ... keep us informed ....

abdn so sorry you're feeling so low, remember it is really early days at the moment. It is bound to take them a little time to adjust to nursery after you have made such a success of your time at home with them (and I agree, that's something you should be really proud of!!), but that doesn't make nursery a bad option for them, it is just a question of them adapting to the change. Just because they're upset when you leave doesn't mean they're fundamentally unhappy there - at their age, the extent of the crying is not necessarily in proportion to the extent of the distress - eg Liam had a complete meltdown this morning because I cut his sandwiches in the wrong shape, but that doesn't mean he's been traumatised by the experience! In a few days' time they may well be skipping / crawling off into the room happily. But I know it's really hard for you right now - huge hugs and I hope things settle down soon.