June 2008-keeping little hands off mummy's creme eggs

[poppy34]

New thread here

Essie, thats brilliant that Iestyn has rejected ITNG - English rubbish . Maybe he could watch that Welsh soap opera instead . Yes 2 x £40 which I know is a good deal, but still going to hold off on the bikes. I remember your PIL trauma from last year - they sound like a nightmare. I don't think YABU to have your brother stay and have them stay with your mum - it is obvious that a single man, your own brother, is much less trouble than entertaining your PIL's. And perhaps they will get the hint that they are not very nice guests.

Amber, 'ha a ra ra ya' - hilarious! I didn't realise kids did spell like that. I am not bothering teaching letters or anything really - just let them pick things up as they go. Plenty of time for formal learning later on IMO. Good luck for testing Saturday. I think with a party at this age just invite your own mum friends and your family. The fewer people the better really! I see it as just a nice opportunity for mums to relax with a glass of wine rather than anything actually for the kids, because they don't really play together anyway.

DG, at your SIL expecting you to get a 4th bedroom and lol at Jakers being long - I haven't seen that show. The Dts have a kitchen and it is very popular. It is the ELC one I think.

Abdn, interesting about the bikes and getting good ones - makes sense. I think if I bought them bikes now, E especially would just walk it around the garden rather than try to ride it! She does love riding her trike though.

x-posted Bugger, sorry about the prolapse . My SIL had a similar problem as her baby came quick, but it was helped with physio. Definitely go to the doc's sooner rather than later and hopefully it won't necessarily mean surgery.

The ITNG tour is coming to Liverpool in July and lots of people I know are going but I don't think the DTs would get it or be able to sit through it. I think it would be a waste of money (£15- £20 a ticket for kids and adults!). And I figure they enjoy the tv show so much why spend £80 on a live version - just turn the telly on!

Bugger, about the prolapse. Hope you can get it sorted. My friend had one recently (son is 16 ) and has rather focussed my mind on getting things sorted .

Essie, lol! I was v embarrassed at spelling separate wrong! I'm such a pedant . But the was re: your MIL opening Iestyn's presents. Awful behaviour .

AH, thanks for the link. I'd forgotten about balance bikes - think we might go for one for A as we are also a mad keen cycling family . Do you have a trailer for the kids? Dh and I are thinking of getting one and wondered whether you had any tips or would D be too big for it now?

On the reading thing, I would try and avoid any formal teaching for the reasons outlined (confusion over methods and turning kids off school mainly!). Just encourage a love of books and read with them as often as possible. Also asking lots of questions (when they're more verbal!) about the story, the pictures, etc. And make it fun .

We have just had shit news on our house today - we were all working to a completion date of 5th May but our buyers' buyers have finally come clean and said they can't move til 1st July. They're doctors and are contracted at their current hospital until then. Bastards. They could have told us earlier. I'm so angry and disappointed .

Ho hum. Nothing we can do about it.

That'd horrid for you, Bugger .

I had my leaky lady appmt today and didn't cry or anything . I have to go back in for a horrid test where they stick things in orifices, and the big party surprise is that I have to have a biopsy in a few weeks. It's under local anaesthetic but I've asked them to sedate me as I know I'm not brave

Well, Rolf, I had a dentist's appt yesterday, just a checkup, and he said 'diazepam next time' in his brisk Polish way. But a biopsy down there? I'd demand a general! (Actually I probably wouldn't because through some twisted logic I'm more scared of a dentist than stuff down there.) But hope it all turns out ok and the problem is fixed soon.
An interesting fact - my grandmother's mother was one of the first women in this country to have her torn (or is it perforated?) bladder (through lack of care in childbirth - still v. common in the third world) repaired.

Eddie that's shocking! They knew for ages - and it's not like they're saying a couple of weeks either. That's really, really bad. And unnecessary? Why not just say in the first place? Sound like a pair of idiots (that was the mumsnet version of my word). But I'm assuming there's nothing you can do about it?

Lol Neenz at the 'English rubbish'! He won't watch anything much in English but requests his Welsh DVDs. Mind you, tonight he insisted on 'Beebies'. So there's that theory gone!

Amber I will admit that it's been less than 5 minutes since I worked out that 'ha a ra ra ya' is actually Harry. I need to learn phonetics...

Eddie I suspect that should be FEWER than 5 minutes?

Rolf that was brave. After having children I guess we are all pretty used to things beong stuck in orifices! I hope it all goes well for you.

Bugger - my aunt had a prolapse but was very serious so i know how horrid it can be. They sorted it all out though. I don't know what the other thing is but it doesn't sound like something you'd ask for. Hope all is sorted soon.

Re reading - well I am pretty sure they teach phonics at all schools now (like on alphablocks on cbeebies). I think I was pretty much more inclined nto write down the letters of the alphabet and point while singing the song so nowt more involved!

Luke had a nasty fall today - I thought he had broken his nose and he cried proper tears for ages. I know it's just the start of more and more serious falls and injuries but it still makes me want to cry too when Luke's hurt! I need to harden up

I am hating the cats at the moment - who wants them?

essie - your in laws!!!! I will never forget your MIL at the christening with dummygate so I got a flavour myself but opening his pressies when you weren't there? I would have had such a go!

Eddie - you must be furious about the house. We had the same issues when we were moving because of the people up the chain. Luckily you still have a roof over your head though (remember we had to rent somewhere in between?). Hopefully the house is so wonderful all the waiting will be worth it.

I feel ever so odd today. Keep wondering and hoping but I also feel periody. I've not been sleeping well (as usual!) so blaming build up of sleep deprivation. Got my driving test next week and I'm petrified. Not helping! Any tips?

Thanks for the sympathy. Unfortunately physio or exercises won't help - I've still got good muscle tone what I'm pretty sure I've got is an internal tear, which will need surgery. Almost all of the women on my mum's side have ended up having to have PF surgery after childbirth. If I'd known, I would have begged for a c-section. Anyway, the first step is going to the docs for a referral and getting the diagnosis confirmed, and then planning in the surgery. I don't want to do it yet, because it's a 6 week recovery time, no lifting or driving at all, and secondly, until I've completed a year's service, I don't get enough sick pay to cover that long off. I reckon it'll be next summer if I go ahead, as DP is almost always off over the summer.

Anyway, enough of that, although I do feel better having finally fessed up to it.

Eddie, that is rubbish about the house.

Amber - aw, poor Luke. I hate it when B falls or hurts himself. Why are you petrified about your driving test? Because you don't like tests; because you think you won't do well; something else? It's a long time since I took my test, but quite early on I thought I'd failed, so I stopped caring and just got on with it, and then was really surprised when I passed. Your instructor must think you're ready, so maybe you just need to have as much faith in yourself as them. Good luck anyway. I don't want to jinx you by saying anything else, but I'm wondering and hoping for you too.

Neenz, ITNG is coming to Glasgow, I think I'll get tickets and take B. He'll get more out if than the Wiggles, and he'll be a bit older as well.

Eddie how rude of your buyers!!! for you. Does this mean you're DH will be around though on moving date? And at least you'll be able to watch the election coverage in peace without having to figure out where the remote is.

Amber I have my fingers and toes crossed for you. The waiting must be a nightmare. Sympathy on Luke's fall - I'm only just about recovered from S's fall. I'm surprised the poor boy's face hasn't turned orange with all the bio oil!!!

Can't remember who said they hadn't seen it but Jakers is on in the morning sometime before 8am -ish. It's on for ages, which is brilliant to give you some peace to catch up on a few jobs!

Bugger sorry about all your health problems - are you in pain?

Rolf I hope everything is ok. Sounds like you're being very brave to me!

Amber I think there might be more than one type of phonics but don't know too much about it. Just bits and pieces that I've picked up from the odd thread on here (when I've been bored!).

I must go and start studying. Am trying to MN and watch the leader debate at the same time.

X-posted Bugger. That's rubbish that you don't get enough sick pay till you've been there a year.

I hadn't even heard of the ITNG show. Am quite sure I wont take S to the one in Glasgow, but have registered for the mailing list just in case... . Do you know when/where it is Bugger?

bugger I saw your link to INTG on FB - think we'll try and go too - it's still C's favourite, we often get a hopeful 'Inagarden On?' when there's a quiet moment. Oh and bad luck on the prolapse etc, hope you can get things sorted out to suit you.

eddie that's interesting that the doctor's who are buying down the chain from you are contracted to 1st July. Nearly all doctors who are still in training grades (so registrars etc, as opposed to GPs, Consultants or staff grades) rotate jobs on the first wednesday of August, not in July. Are they locums?

As for us, C was sent home from nursery yesterday with suspected chicken pox. She has 8 spots. We got her godfather round to check her out this evening (he's a GP) and we're still at the possibly stage - looks like pox, but so few of them, and not increased in number as yet. For those of you who have been in the house of Pox, how quickly did your LO develop a reasonable crop of lesions?

Bugger glad you feel better for fessing up . I do, too. I've not spoken to RL friends about it and I'm not planning on talking about the biopsy either, so it really helps to have this thread so I'm not bottling it up too much.

Amber I think a party in your garden, with nursery friends, sounds lovely. I'd have been delighted to get an invitation like that when DS1 was little and at nursery.

Essie your in-laws sound barmy . I'm sure you can cook up a credible tale to sort out the sleeping arrangements! Makes me glad our family is so spread out and/or dysfunctional.

There is more than one type of phonics, but I'm a Y6 teacher so no expert - most of them reached me able to read thankfully!

Essie, you were right the first time with 'less'!

Thanks for all the sympathy on the move - absolutely nothing we can do (except make voodoo dolls!) but sit tight. Lol at being able to watch the election in peace DG ! You're right, can vote easily too cos the polling booth is just round the corner .

Amber, hoping all good signs . KWYM about hating it when they hurt themselves .

Oh, and finger crossed for you amber rolf well done for being brave

essie don't envy you the PIL dilemma. My Step MIL doesn't stay in other people's houses, so at least we don't have that problem.

Haven't thought about birthdays yet - was going to claim my usual 'but C is the youngest on the thread so I've got ages' and then DGIT shows me up! Poor C will be very jealous of her birthday buddy's party plans. [hopeful that ITNG live will be here in July or something!] (oh also - noticed on the website that if you go to the 9.30am show on a weekday it's only £5 a ticket, so I guess the prices are quite variable)

You'll not be surprised to hear I've got a permanent postal vote Eddie.

I just asked DH if he thought S would like to go to ITNG. He thinks S would love to go with him mummy . A potential meetup option Bugger and Biscuits ?

Am still in front of tv and laptop and not textbooks. Aaarrrrggghhhh.

reading my Mum was a reception teacher until 2008, so I will be bowing to her superior knowledge on these matters! If she gives me any handy hints I'll pass them on here.

Posting and running. Have no internet connection at home so trying to keep up on dh's phone. Will post more later.

sorry, forgot to add my commiserations about your house move. The tossers.

Amber I agree with the others about reading. I reckon exposing him to books, making them something to be excited about, is enough. If you want to take it further, our school does the Jolly Phonics programme and I think they have things on their website with learning games etc.

Biscuits. I think you were off studying months ago when I was trying to lure everyone into birthday chat. Only Puree was biting though!

Just get your mum to teach your kids before school then Biscuits!

goddess sounds like a potential hit plan all round.

abdn I meant to say days ago - I also hate phoning people like pizza delivery etc. strangely don't mind phoning people at work though, just when I'm myself instead of drbiscuits Radiology Registrar extraordinaire!

eddie I think she already has plans... I caught her months ago showing C the cuh-ows and the Shhh-eee-puhs.

Gosh, you are all so chatty. Not sure I can keep up.

AH Yes I am another one who would rather not call people on the phone. I am ok at it now, but my first job out of uni involved alot of me staring at the phone trying to summon my courage.

Having had a c-section I still have an intact pelvic floor. However, your various ailments don't especially make me lean towards a VBAC. If it is any consolation my scar is not only visible but has a bit of a dog-leg in it. To be fair to the surgeon though they were in a bit of a hurry when they cut me open.

As the off-spring of a reception teacher my Mum would always say phonics over letter names, and always to use lower case letters if your are writing them down. Not sure where she stands on learning letters before school though.

AH I am musing over the idea of a balance bike, but I suspect we wouldn't use it very much as our garden is tiny, and we don't have a decent park that is close enough to walk to. Where do your boys play on their bikes?

I am going to fess up and say that I really can't be arsed with birthday parties. Infact I even turned down an invite to a friend's Ds's first birthday a few months ago as spending my Sunday afternoon in a church hall with my friend's NCT group's combined birthday party sounded hellish. This year I am considering planning a holiday that week, the advantage would be that DH and P would get to spend lots of time together which I think it more important than cake and balloons. Once P is old enough to understand he will have parties though. I'm not completely cruel.

I've crashed my car. A moth flew into my face last night as I was driving home from a school function and I went off the road and hit a big hole and then a medium size rock. I've damaged the bumper, scraped and dented all four side panels, and have two flat tyres. I'm totally fine, I didn't even get a jolt, the worst thing is my pride and (eventually) my bank account.

The car's been towed away so I don't have to face it today and now we just have to wait to hear from the insurance. I'm terrified they will try to write it off - the problem is the car isn't worth anything (£3K at most) so even though the damage isn't too bad, it might add up to be close to the value of the car. If they do that, we have both the increased insurance costs immediately and we need to find a few extra thousand so we can buy a newer one (no point in buying an 8 year old car). If they'll just fix it, then we're just out the excess (£400) and the extra insurance when that kicks in. And we didn't have too many years of no-claims as they wouldn't accept our Canadian driving records so it's not like I've thrown away ten years of perfect driving or anything.

This is when living in a village sucks too - I need to phone around and try to get rides for DS1 to school today and next week so everyone will end up hearing about it. I really just want to go for a walk/bike ride with the boys but ....

Anyways, sorry to be me-me-me but I'm feeling absolutely crap and needed to tell someone. I'm trying to look at the positive. I'm not enjoying my job and was thinking of quitting so if I stay working then I can make back the money I've cost us and wont have to feel guilty about costing DH money so that's lucky. I'll feel better if I can 'fix' this by making the money back. I didn't really sleep last night as I was so upset with myself.

AH, you poor thing . Regardless of you not being hurt, you must be in such shock. I'm not surprised you didn't sleep last night. Hope that you manage to take it easy today and that you can find the lifts you need.

Big hugs x