Jan 09 Summer sun, peachy bums and... toddler tantrums..

[120]

New thread here...

Hello all.

Have sold 2 nappies, and with the proceeds bought...er...3 nappies

Moose, all I can say is you are a super mummy, and blessed in dh who also seems to 'get it'. Ds is lucky lucky lucky to have you.

H said our cat's name so clearly today I thought it was her sister. Other than that though she is pretty stuck at 6-7 little words. Bless. She is cute in her cast.

Got sisters early years scores chart thingie today. We asked for it so dh can use it when he is studying. It will be an interesting resource.
She did well you know. Really well. AM a bit [shocked], I did an experiemnt score and didn't score her as highly.

H-bomb on the other hand is more your act first think much later when it hurts. She has just woken up and is jumpng around the bed trying to stay awake

Cann't remember all I read

Hi Tea and Tree.

Of course your dd would score highly, she's clever - like her Mum.

We got quite a bit of ds1's year 2 work back today and yesterday, apparently it has been lurking in the back of his year 3's cupboard all year and she should have given it to us at the beginning of the year. Very interesting, not to mention frustrating getting it now as it is the proof we need that he was doing fine last year and has seriously deteriorated this year. It does however mean that there is a good chance that with a good teacher and less stress things will be much much better next year.

He told me today that the school is installing CCTV in the classrooms over the holidays. I do understand why, what with everything that has gone on this year, but am horrified that it is necessary. It makes the place seem like some sort of inner-city special measures school.

I am so angry - that new Head came into a nice little community school that had good results, wasn't spectacular but had a good sense of community and chugged along nicely and completely ruined it with all his high and mighty ideas for attracting extra funding that have now horribly backfired. I don't think it can ever be the same again now - things never go back to the way they were do they?

If things don't significantly improve I may have to consider applying elsewhere for dd, although she most probably wouldn't get in anywhere else locally, as they are all over-subscribed and we are so close to the boys school.

Ah well, tis the holidays now. Enough of this maudlin school talk.

Dd is also awake after falling asleep on the school run and refusing to wake up until 5.00!

I am knackered and have had enough, so am ashamed to say we currenly have Paddington on the tv for her.

Hello folks - thanks for shoe links, much appreciated. Will have a shop browse later. Also disappointed with Green Baby summer clothes this year, I bought before sale and sent back as were not very good quality and wasn't paying full price for things that couldn't really use in our frosty climes up North! I love the whole concept behind what they do but sometimes I think they are a little wide of the mark with design and quality. I'm resisting all the sale stuff, even my basketloads of total bargains at both Monsoon (for me) and Boden (for the DCs) were abandoned. I am saving myself for the Christmas/birthday onslaught and trying to remember we are in a recession and DH's business is not good.

DS got thrush in his mouth and DD full of cold, am typing with them both curled up asleep around me. Very cute but I'm getting a bit of a sweat on what with them both and the laptop plus 13.5tog duvet (can't find summer one for life of me).

MissJ - All good with lots of pg symptoms. The tiredness is something else with the second one, I couldn't manage to stay awake past about 8pm for the first and third trimesters. Are you waiting until 12 weeks for a scan now? Glad the interview went well, what is the job? [nosey]

Tree - Hope H has had a good day.

Bad news here yesterday, DD's teacher is ill, looks like it is serious. As well as obviously being very upset for her I'm terrified for DD. She is so attached to her teacher and I'm not certain what will happen now in September. She is such a wonderful lady, I really hope she recovers. I have absolutely no idea how I could even begin to explain to DD that her teacher is ill, let alone that she might not get better. We don't know anything officially as yet though, so fingers crossed it will be good news and is easily treated. My friend's DS has been released from hospital this week and is continuing chemo from local hospital so that is something of a relief for them all. Gives you a reality check when stuff like this is going on around you. I hate not being able to protect my children from the cruelty of it all.

Anyhow, came to check on Dog who isn't here so will go and check facebook instead

Yes, where is dog?

Just popped back on to say I am off for a week to Anglesey on hols with my Mum, sis and of course N, who will be an honourary girl for the week.

Will prob go for a scan the week after - can't imagine being able to wait until 12 weeks - but like you say, Lenni, oh the tiredness...

I've got some friends who put me to shame by never buying a single item of kids clothing - they inherit or borrow it all. Lenni, am impressed at your restraint with the boden sale; I'm already itching to use the 20% off on the autumn preview stuff.. the cord dungarees I simply must have.

Sorry to hear about DDs teacher, fingers crossed she gets better, that must be awful.

Job is a certain popular reality show filmed in the Australian jungle! Would be amazing... but won't get it as I f**cked them around 3 yrs ago when I took something else instead... but there's an outside chance I suppose. N and OH would come too of course.

tree DD looks too cute on the sofa with her cast! Take lots of pics!

Waves to everyone else..

I hate being away from here for a few days... actually, I think it's been a week. No hope in hell in catching up. I think this is why I FB better; its a fly by sort of thing and my day seems to be a little like that.lol.

Anyhow, Vancouver was fun. Found some sweet shoes but no dress. I put the shoes on for a just to see thing and when they went on, it was like cruising around in low wedges or something... so easy. Incredibly comfortable. We went to mine and DH's favourite place to eat, Chambar with my GF friend, C, who was funnily enough from London and so we had a few laughs. At the restaurant he was telling us about the exhibitionists in the condo's acrosss the way. DH and I always sit at the front on the couch with DD, just easier, so we never heard about it. Just as we were talking about it, I saw some flashes. It was them. She was doing a strip tease in front of the window while he took pictures. Hilarious. The staff were all up at the windows and everything. Funny. They are very deliberate. They worked with the restaurant one time one a artistic piece involving mirrors throughout the restaurant.

Waves to everyone. Sorry for no catch up.

morning

yah for sat

hi mm - dd sounds cute my dd2 cant manage quite so manhy sounds

miss j - have a good time i am sure that 12 weeks will come so quick

chef - asounds like u had a good time

Happy Saturday all.

Tricky afternoon at my parents, just posted in AIBU Feel like crying.

Hello folks.

Where is Dog????

Oh Moosey, that sounds so infuriating and so sad about your school. Hopefully there will be evidence of a change by the end of next term.
I think the best thing about having this score chart thing is that it adds some padding to the 'she's doing well, fine, no problems' one hears at school. I love details!

I'm not pushy. Not at all. I'm happy that so far she hasn't pood her pants and has been able to play with other kids to some extent. She's not good at socialising at all.

Lenni - worrying and sad news. Will you be able to find out more over the hilidays?

Tea, have answered on your aibu thread, but will say it again. You are a wonderful mum and are handling ds's tantrums perfectly. We have been through 'parenting disagreements' with both my Mum and the PILs in the past and in the end we just had to agree to disagree and they had to get used to the fact that I will bring up my children the way I see fit and it has nothing to do with them. ((hugs))

I on the other hand am a terrible Mum. Dd fell off the sofa (which I was sitting on with my leg raised on cushions) earlier, she tried to climb up and sit in front of my cast, but then leaned over to see where her book was on the floor and just went before I could catch her. She did a proper flip, all the way over and landed on her head. I leapt up, hurt my foot and she was on her back on the floor with her head sort of snapped back at a strange angle. Scared the life out of me.

Gave her a hug and a dummy, then she asked for some milk and fell asleep cuddling me. I've had her asleep on my knee ever since, as I'm scared to put her in her cot.

Moose my children have both had horrid accidents too. The guilt is excrutiating but it wasn't your fault ((hugs)) She'll be ok, maybe a bit sore/ or a bump but OK x

Thanks Tea. I just can't get over how spectacularly she fell. She's such a climber at the moment - neither of the boys ever did climbing, so its yet another shock to my system.

Her latest trick is climbing onto the settle in the bay window, standing up and shouting out the window for "Daaaaaddeeeeeee!". She usually does it when he is at work, so it was hilarious this afternoon, when she did it while he was standing behind her! Thing is, she doesn't like to use her usual dismount (sliding down on her tummy) as its too hard an edge, so she they sits there saying "down pees" repeatedly until I go and rescue her. She can get down, she just chooses not to - cheeky little madam!

Oh Moose, poor you! Sounds likke it looked shocking, but maybe didn;t feel too bad. Bendy babies and all that.

I missed your post tea, maybe x posted. I'll have a look now.

Then bed, work tomorrow. Sigh. WOul dlove a day at home, dd1 is at nanna till Tue and I could get some serious R&R with dh being around. Oh well.

Ok, this is going to be a pathetic attempt at a catch up but here goes....

Moose I hope your ankle is easing up, any idea when the cast gets to come off? Must be a nightmare in the warm weather. The head of your DS's school doesn't sound like he's doing the best job. Do you know if the boys have a good teacher for next year? If not is there any chance you can swap schools? I think you have good grounds to. DD sounds like she's doing well with all her exploring...J is currently sporting a large egg on his forehead from an inpromptu sofa dive yesterday aswell!

Lenni, that's so sad about your DD's teacher, I hope she's ok. Good news about your friend's DS, that he is allowed home and can be treated locally..sending him lots of positive vibes. Hope your DCs are feeling better, J is full of cold also and not in the best of moods.
I am in agreement with you over this years Greenbaby stuff, I normally like thier bold colours and this year it was all a bit pale, not much really stood out...at least it meant I was able to resist the sale.
Managed to miss my deadline for the active research project, work has been really busy and I have been feeling crap in the evenings, but have got extension until October...phew. What are you up to at the moment?

Tree How is 's leg? Poor little thing...she does look adorable in the photo on FB though. ope work today is ok.

MissJ, hope the interview was good, sorry (but pleased for you too as is a good sign) about the sickness, it is horrendous. I did start to feel way more energised magically at 12 weeks, so I hope the next few weeks pass uneventfully and swiftly for you. Enjoy your holiday with the girls.

Chef, Vancover sounds cool...am envious of shopping....would love some time and money to have a day shopping by myself. LOL at the exhibitionists, with all the stuff going on in your street you guys don't need a tv!

Tea Just had a quick look at your thread, you sound like you are doing really well. If it is any consolation DS has just started with the terrible twos in the last few days and he is driving me up the wall....had forgotten about the joys of toddlerhood (briefly!)

120 sorry I didn't make it on Friday, had a mad afternoon and DH was lateish back and by that time I had collapsed in a jibbering heap!

Hello to everyone else, sorry not to have caught up properly, ad a busy few weeks.
Went to a wedding last weekend and our car broke down on the way home at about 10pm. Luckily we were near to my dad's so got towed to there and stayed the night. The clutch had completely gone and it cost £800 to replace (the car is only 3 years old so am and ) The cost was exactly the amount of money I have saved to go on holiday. I'm really disappointed as have worked really hard to pay off our credit card this year and to save money so we don't have to use it on hols and now we are back to square one.

On the plus side DD has got 2.5 free days at a good nursery round the corner, starting in September,it is attached to the Primary I'd like her to go to too so am relieved. She needs to wear a uniform so am going to have to go shopping for that...where is best value? i don't mind paying a bit more if that means it won't fall apart. Can't believe my baby is growing up so fast.

DH went for a job last week lecturing at QMU, got through to the second round, but didn't get it. Am disappointed as it is so local and the hours are quite flexible so it owuldn't cause too many childcare issues. Hopefully something similar will come up soon.

I managed to get the date of my 16 week check up wrong so am going to have to miss out on it, which means i won't see the MW until I am 20 weeks, I just wanted to hear theheartbeat and know all was well. My own stupid fault for being disorganised and at the mercy of my pregnancy brain. All seems ok though, boobs are enormous, buttons are not doing up on my trousers and I have felt a few little flutters. Got a scan when we get back from hols so that will be something good to come back to.

J has hit his terrible twos big style this week. The last two days he has been really grumpy, he wants picking up, I pick him up, he starts thrashing around etc. He has had a cold and is definitely off colour, just hoping he snaps out of it before the plane tomorrow AM.

Am super excited about hols tomorrow, flying out to Andalucia for two weeks, then training it to barcelona for long weekend (and first wedding anniversary), then through the Pyranees on train to visit friend in Perpingnan for a few days then onto a little village near Toulouse for a few weeks to stay with some friends there. I'm a bit worried that 5 weeks away will prove a little epic, but am soooooo ready for tis holiday. Just need to finish packing and clean the house and........

Anyway I huess I will be internet free but will try to check in.If not have a glorious summer!

morning

tea - have posted on youe aibu thread

mm - poor dd

hi tree

dh did a great job of wooden floor yest put down half of it looks great finishing it today

Mammouth post.

Meant to say Hello Dog! Hope you are ok and everything is good with the DCs...

hi hackney just missedyou

sorry about car they can be so expensive
have a great hol

how many weeks are you?

good about nursery

sure dh will have other job opurtunitys

HZ when are you off - shall we try and sort out mat clothes before you go? Just say the word and we cna pick them up from round the corner...

Hey 120, am off at about 3 a.m. so am happy to sort out mat clothes when I get back as hopefully on holiday I will be able to get away with wearing thai fisherman's trousers all day!
Def appreciate the loan of the clothes though, mine have disappeared! Have a lovely summer and look forward to catching up with you for a grown up evening at the end of August. Are you guys off to Norfolk?

yes we are in aug. have a fab time xx

Hello Ladies. I love at the weekends I can keep up here.
Moose How's you DD. They are so limber and can get into extreme positions sometimes. I know what you mean about the neck at a strange angle. Freaky when you see that.

Waves to HKZ and your upcoming trip. Hmm. We have one coming up too; Ontario, again. I told DH the other day that after this trip I am placing a moratorium on Ontario. Family can come and see us for a change. We've been there 4 times in the past 5 years and no one has come to see us, even when we were in London. Ok, that's my gripe for the day.

Although, we are going for dim sum with friends of ours this morning and they have a couple of other friends with children, that for some reason they invite when we get together because they think, well, you all have children, thought you'd like getting together. No. Particularly not with people that I didn't like before we all had kids, so why would anything be different. Quite frankly, the guys should not be allowed to pro-create; a real couple of duffusses. Anyhow.

There is a god awful long list of crap that needs to get done today so I must be off... to find something else to justify Sunday morning procrastination with... I'm sure my toenails definitely need painting.

Hi all

Dd is absolutely fine today thanks. Think it affected me far more than it did her. Like you all so rightly said, babies are bendy.

Dh and the boys have spent much of the day getting the vw ready for our holiday as we are off next Sunday. I on the other hand have a killer sinus headache and a verry sore foot (its been much worse since Friday for some reason) and have spent the day bored out of my brains on the sofa. Highlight of the day for me was finding a new ear wash for the dog.

HKZ, I think the Head came in with big ideas and then realised he couldn't live up to them. His master plan appears to have been based on more pupils = more funding, but failed to take into account the type of pupils he was accepting and the fact that a huge proportion were in need of a support system that just isn't there for them.

Fortunately both boys have great teachers next year. Ds1's teacher has been there for 13 years and has had other pupils with ASD in the past. Apparently she is also very strict and will soon sort out the bullies and trouble-makers. Ds2 is having the head of ks1 next year and she is also very good. Ds1 had her in year 2 as well and did very well, in fact we have just been given all his year 2 classwork and its streaks ahead of what he's done is year 3, which leads me to believe that a lot of his problems this year have been down to his crap and oft absent teacher.

Someone on the SN board has given me a link to Cerebra, who will help parents put together a portfolio about their child to inform teachers, health-care workers and other professionals of their difficulties and how best to handle them. They look really good, especially as they bind the professionally for you and include photographs etc. I am quite keen to try and get one done for ds before September as I think that will help a lot.

We are also thinking of applying for a statement towards the end of the holidays (no point too early in the holiday as it will be delayed because they won't be able to get input from the school). I don't think for a minute the LEA will assess, but by the time they make a decision either way we will know how things are going in year 4 for him and whether or not we need to appeal. I have a thread about it in SN actually, as I wanted to know whether anyone whose child is academically able had ever got a statement on social/communiation grounds only. It would appear it does happen - but not often.

What a pain about your clutch - that is hugely expensive as well - is it a porsche?

Your holiday sounds absolutely amazing, am very . Hope you have a fantastic time and come back super relaxed.

How are you doing today Tea, feeling any happier. I think you have just a few people on side on your other thread so that should help.

How ya getting on with the cake? Isn't it this week you need to do it?

Yes and I still need to buy sugarpaste. The weeks have flown by and I kept putting it off, so now I need some in a hurry

Need to think about what to include in party bags on the cheap, what to put in a pass the parcel, what other games to try etc.

Hey Moose, some of the kids with a statement at my school , who are on the ASD spectrum, are very high performing academically, two of our year 11s have just gone off to sixth form with a view to uni after. Glad you have good teachers.
LOL at my car being a Porsche....ford focus estate I'm afraid...stupid hydraulic clutch system or something...anyway I am writing to complain!
Thats rubbish about the sinus headaches, I get them too...sinutab is normally ok at sorting them.

Tea Good luck with the part planning...most 3yo parties I have been to of late are just about the kids running around and having fun. For DD we had pass the parcel, a treasure hunt in the garden and ummm...that was about it! If you have space I'd suggest running/throwing/catching games, singing songs, musical statues /chairs, face paints (DIY)!Luckily (for me anyway) they have no expectations at 3!

We are all packed now, just need to tidy a bit as a friend is lookng after the house, I wish I had a cleaner....

Tea, most of the parties I've been to don't have party bags, just a bot of cake and a balloon... but sainsbos and asda both do cheapo trinkets which 3 year olds seem to love...stickers, stamps, bubbles, crappy plastic jewellery etc. At 120's DD's party she had a big lucky dip box and the kids picked out a prize each, that worked a treat.
I'm sure moose will have good suggestions, she is the expert thread party thrower!