October 08 - Ooh fancy that!

[CantSleepWontSleep]

We filled up a thread without even noticing!

Primary school outcome for dd today . They say that the emails will be sent out by 6pm (though may take longer to get through to us).

Ooh pistachio - do I need to remind you that the WHO recommend at least 2 years?
But seriously, if he's happy not to bother and it suits you too then why force yourself to carry on? You've done great by him .

Thanks for asking how I am star. I am hot. I am in lots of pain with my sciatica (kept me awake half the night last night). I have yet another ear infection (3rd one in a month). But other than that I'm tickety boo . Baby seems quite happy still inside, which is obv fine by me this week whilst dh is away. I do, however, have some reflexology booked for Sunday night to try and encourage things along, and will be trying to book some acupuncture for next Wedns afternoon too, just in case.

A friend with older children said that they do sometimes suffer badly with the next set too pistachio. I was !

Hopefully sciatica should vanish when I give birth yes, although spoke to one woman recently who still had it 6 months later - eek!

Anyone watching the tennis? 58 games apiece in the final set . I'm exhausted just thinking about it

I know Ekka. I'm just sitting on the sofa and it's wearing me out!

Pistachio - I'm kind of jealous that your ds is self-weaning. I've only just started to feel like this, but I'm beginning to wish that S wasn't such a milk-fiend. I was plotting how I was going to give it all up as S was wailing for more milk at 5.00 this morning (having just had a feed). He's fine during the day, but he does love that early morning feed in bed with me. And he's such a blimmin' fidget.

CSWS - I really don't envy you in this heat. Sciatica sounds horrible too - dp gets it from time to time and it's paralysing. I can't imagine having to look after two children at the same time.

Just found out today that I'll be teaching year 5 next year. I'm surprised, as I was convinced I'd be going down to Key Stage 1. We've all been speculating for ages about who's going where and even had a sweepstake, but pretty much everyone got it wrong.

I got to "talk" to Richard Dawkins this morning. Brilliant.
He was asking if anyone would be willing to contribute to a TV programme about bending the truth to get their non religious children into a faith school.
Very interesting.

CSWS keep cool and take it as easy as you can. Not long now.

I caught the end of the tennis. Amazing.

I think my rabbit has gone off. I heard a horrible scream a while ago and realized no rabbit in the garden. Stupid thing.

CF DD1 is in year 5. Lots of hormones to look forward too. But at least they wont steal your dinosaurs

Hello ladies.....

Pistachio - Good luck with the weaning. If you feel it's right for you and T then go for it. No point feeling guilty, motherhood makes us feel guilty about enough without adding something else. On the BFC course I was one of two who hadn't taken the decision to stop bfing after a year. DS hasn't suffered with his big boy teeth thus far.

CSWS - My sciatica went once M was born. Fingers crossed for you.

Ronshar - Did the rabbit scream? Rabbits do scream sometimes. I love Richard Dawkins.... Such a sensible man.

Star - I HATE this weather, vile. It's too hot to go out, it's too hot to sleep, it's too hot to wear clothes...... Ugh.

KSal - M sucks her thumb too, but she always has. I am dreading stopping it at some point.

M is a monster toddler! DS was an angel toddler who never did anything toddlery but not M! Drawing on walls, temper tantrums (not proper ones but near enough), defiant NOs, hitting, running away.... DS didn't do any of that! He was so serious and calm. M is my punishment..... she's JUST like me. She is also talking loads, using sentences and using 'my' correctly. Makes up for the naughtiness I suppose!

pepperabbit i coudn't bear the screaming at bedtime because that feels like my special time with her (cos i'm out all day) we usually have some lovely cuddles and i didn't want to lose that. it came down to the fact that she seemed to understand now when i said that 'big girls drink out of cups' and 'bottles are really for babies'... and 'Ellie (her slightly older friend) drinks from a cup' etc etc. Also she loves to sing at bedtime and its been a really handy distraction.

I found out at parents evening that she has been helping to give one of the babies a bottle (which is sweet) but also might have helped with seeing the difference.

50ft i was told at nursery that Em has been much quieter since starting sucking her thumb.... i can't have that!! they suggested that some parents put plasters on the thumbs to make it less pleasant so i am giving that a go. I think me repeatedly asking her to stop has become a game (another one )

I'm hoping for good weather over the weekend, i just got my season ticket through for whipsnade zoo, so i was thinking of taking a picnic over there or something while DH swans around glasto with his bottle of cider...

Ronshar - they won't steal my minibeasts but they might nick my phone instead! (happened to several teachers recently). No I'm pleased actually, as it means I'll be following the chidren up from the year I'm in now.

50ft - M's behaviour must be a sign of her being a frustrated genius.

I've got estate agents round to value our flat for sale and rental so we can make some decisions about moving. So I've been on a mad scramble to make our flat look expensive.

Just clean every little corner, cf Our estate agent told us that makes a difference I was like are you saying I didn't do this??? and she said no, I'm telling you that you did that Putting anything that is clutter away, too, helps. I'm sure you know all of this. OH, and give the windows and really good wash - sparkling windows always make a room look more expensive!

We went to legoland today The parent/toddler bargain - on certain term time dates, just £18 for the adult and under 3s are free (chessington has the same for £13.50... might do that in a few weeks) No lines, no traffic... SO much fun! Just Q and I. Knackered as we were there for 6 hours (he slept 40 mins there and 40 mins back and went to sleep in seconds for bedtime!) and he RUNS everywhere and gets stroppy if he doesn't get to do exactly what he wants... so need to distract..etc... but, remarkably, I have more energy after him being up at 5.15am as usual, 6 hours running in the sun... etc than I do after a day of teaching 16 small children. I feel so lucky that I get so much time off to be at home with Q! Wednesday wasn't as exciting of a day, but still fun - we had a playdate for a couple of hours.

I love being able to wake up and just think, hmmmm what should we do today? And being able to just do whatever - go to the park, go to the duck pond, go for a walk, have a picnic, go to the farm... have a lazy day at home playing... well, Q doesn't do lazy - needs to be outside as much as possible and running! lol. But, all in all, it's FREEDOM. And I just get to pour all of my love and energy into my own ds. Not that I don't love giving loads of love and attention and thought and planning to my students... I do love it - but my love for Q is so much deeper! He's so much fun right now. Challenging toddler with a stubborn streak, but fun!

Sorry to drone on and on... I'm just happy!

Stressed for dh still, though... he's been pulling some all nighters... has a bag full of books to mark tonight and is asleep on the sofa right now because he didn't even sleep for a minute last night . I just want this to be over!! I feel sick with worry for him.

You'll be glad to know I did clean the windows Star! I'm going to get them back once the electrician's been and we've decorated but I just wanted to get an idea of what we could get for it.

Star - I love Legoland! Is there much to do for Q's age at Legoland? I've been before, but with older children so I'm not sure what's there for the littlies.

When will your dh find out whether he's passed his assessment? It sounds like he's being treated appallingly. Getting through your NQT year shouldn't be so hard at this stage. I didn't even have to hand a folder in.

arghhhh the head of NQT lady for the LA came today for his "monitoring visit" and said his folder was ok (the binder that is explodingly full with all 41 standards (some with a, b, and c) and 2 pieces of evidence each... which have all been gone through and he's had to swap several out as they weren't "good enough"....etc.) but that he needs to write a reflective piece for each one, too. So, 100 reflective pieces in the next few days...

Yes! There was LOADS to do for Q! Duploland was great. There is this little train that goes around a track in duploland (a bit fast, but not too... and Q loved it) Q kept getting on it again and again as there were only a handful of kids getting on each time. ALso, the carousel, a hot air balloon ride, hot air balloon ferris wheel thing, a few boat rides 2 other train rides.... hmmm, other stuff, too... can't remember other rides at the moment. But there is a water play area. We brought his swim trunks and there are fountains squirting water, sprinkler like things, little wading pools, areas for smaller babies...etc... all water play in an enclosed area and adults can sit on the side if they don't want to get wet (though Q wanted me next to him the whole time!) SO fun! There's this fairy tale boat ride thing that is so cute, Q just stayed on 3 times around the first time we went on it... just loved it. Also there are loads of things to explore and duploland has play structures appropriate for toddlers.
We spent 6 hours there and didn't get bored at all. We had a picnic lunch for about 10 minutes. Bring a lightweight buggy. It can be parked outside of the rides but it's a big place and there were times when I definitely needed it (going up hills... Q is just too heavy).

If you go to their website there are a lot of dates that you can go with a toddler for £18 under 3s free and 3-5s 8.50. Chessington only 13.50 though - so a better deal.

I know pistachio. It's horrid because if he doesn't pass, he can't teach anymore. Career over. I'm going to vomit.

Nice of you to understand DDs teacher, pistachio My parents (of my students) in their end of year cards to me all mentioned how nice it will be to spend the summer with Q. Kids are exhausting. But somehow, your own kid is just not as exhausting - difficult to explain, but you know what I mean!

If anyone sees a cheap flight to New York for end July/beginning of August, please let me know I know it's unlikely. Just if an email pops up in your inbox with some random deal.

Q remembered the day even after a nap today (I was ). I was telling James about it and Q started nodding vigorously and said "boat! boat!" "chu chu chu" with train movements with his arms (wheels)... then pointed outside, bless him... no concept that it's actually far away and not right outside the door! lol

all of them are quite stressed in his local area, but at his school - they are all stressed and scrambling to get stuff done, but the nqts with his assessor are extra stressed because she expects so much more/higher standard (plus doesn't like dh at all because he made a confidential complaint about her after first term and she found out... hmmmm he passed first one... ).

Oh, I think I remember the little boat ride - is that the one where you have to look for the wolf? That is really sweet. I'll look into going. We used to take my nieces every year in autumn half term with Tesco vouchers. They used to have a fantastic firework display.

Star - what a horrible, stressful time. Are all the other NQTs having to write a reflective piece on each thing too? When will he know whether he's passed?

Two theme parks in two days for Q and I and spent less than one normal priced ticket in total for the two days (£13 today)! I just wanted to go today because you never know how long the good weather is going to last here, so I wanted to take advantage, while the mum &toddler incredible discount still applies (it doesn't work when local schools are out and only weekdays).

We'll be going to the beach on Sunday if it's still nice.

Q was saying "boat boat boat" as soon as we got to chessington (it's just up the road from us) and finally found a no height restriction boat ride and went on it loads of times... he would get on and say "BOAT!" then as soon as it started "wheeEEEEeeee" squealing. So funny! - he also got to drive a little truck, loads of carousel and flying elephants. Included in ticket is the zoo and we saw a sea lion show and saw the lions being fed and they were growling so loud! And the sea life centre - Q was in heaven surrounded by all those fish, sharks...etc.

Knackered but joyful. DH has to attend the year 11 leavers ball at school tonight so Q and I are going to have a picnic in the park by the ducks.

cf - I don't know - probably the others being assessed by his assessor... the other assessor is really lax and doesn't care as much.

50ft amazing about how much M is talking. Hopefully Q will be able to chat with her in a few months

Myjob - sorry to hear about ds being challening. Hopefully once he's in school he will be expending a lot of energy both intellectually and physically there and won't be so trying at home...? Hopeful! A little boy in my class this year was sooooo much work, but lovely and so intelligent. His mom said that when there's a holiday it's so hard because he is very difficult at home... during school he is fine at home. So, here's hoping for you!

csws is going to have a baby soon! Skip over the labour part and.... how exciting!

Hi all, I'm off to St Ives tomorrow for a week, going to Exeter tomorrow night then onto St Ives sun to sun. If anyone is in this area get in touch on FB re a meet-up. I'm about to get an i-phone too for my birthady woo hoo! See you all soon.

Have a lovely time HMM, hope the weather holds for you.
We have the church garden party tomorrow which I said we would go to ages ago - they invite all the families who have had their children christened in the last year - and it's from 3pm till 5pm......
They just phoned to promise there'd be a TV there as I suspect the lure of the footie would have seriously depleted the guestlist!!
we have a builder coming at 1pm today to talk about building us an extension - woo hoo! In my head it's 400 more bedrooms and a swimming pool, in the real world it's likely to be a garage conversion and an extra bedroom on top..
Either route will no doubt cost an arm and a leg and my sanity, but hey ho..