Hot town, Crepes in the city

[bigTillyMint]

I think Jamie Bells ears are bigger! And DSs hair is lighter (though he is sporting a 1980s barnet!), and his jaw a teeny bit widea, but he looks a bit like him in the pics of JB aged about 18 which I am incapable of linking to

Scuppered on sundowner front as it is raining Though still hot However no we get to try the huge complimentary umbrellas! Not sure how we'll fit them down the street with the mad traffic/pedestrians

MI, I think you have at least one of those teens And you would have every right to feel proud of them.

BD, you are under orders to take your leave as planned!

Just said to DD to not make any snap decisions when she picks up her results on which one to drop - tell them you need time to make up your mind, and she bit our heads off!

Yes, Crem and Stropps, re: competitiveness, it reminds me a bit of those mum and baby groups, where people who had an easy labour earnestly explain that it was because they did yoga .

We don't have much contact with school parents, so we're spared most of it these days. Still, after last year's experience, trying to get GCSE results over dodgy Wi-Fi and intermittent mobile signal in a lane behind a pub in the Lakes, DD is determined to go in to school for results on Thursday. No doubt she's a little anxious but she seems to be taking it in her stride.

Welcome, OhCrepe.

In a way, though, Rose, it's better than sobbing all alone in your room, thinking you are the only girl in the world to be so crap at everything. At least they are part of a huge mass of teenagerdom throwing hysterics these days. Certainly dd will not be the most histrionic at her school, whatever happens.

Molly yes you are right! It will however, take me a long time to recover from DS2's AS level results day last summer, as I have talked about on this thread before. I have never seen so many tearful, young people and so many anxious looking parents. And DS being forced to drop his beloved Music as it was his lowest grade of the four. Not bad in absolute terms by any means...but he felt as if he'd failed and didn't seem to acknowledge his good performance in the other subjects. And of course with DD, it's been pants all though her schooling...I haven't forgotten the year 6 Sats experience with all these parents prancing around, broadcasting their kids' level 6s and 7s and my child didn't actually achieve a grade (i.e. below level 2) in any of the 3 core subjects. Don't get me wrong, I was genuinely pleased for the parents who were proud of their kids. You just don't feel part of it and want to get the hell out!

I have to say dd's school somehow manage to be both brisk and comforting in the face of despair and wailing...although I have to hope that'll hold true for Thursday. I'm sending dh in with dd to the school while I go back under the duvet man the domestic control centre.

I think you are right, Rose, it is such a complex time for all dc and all parents, really hard to know how to be .

Boo to competitive parenting. I don't see much of it though (with a couple of honourable exceptions , so easy for me to say.

Trying to prod ds into academic action today. Apparently, he shouldn't have let two days go by without doing some maths. That'll be four weeks then.....he cracks me up tho - said today in perfectly normal conversational tone, you know Mum, I am a bit worried about Thursday. How did he and dd both come from the same gene pool?

Lalsy, same as my two!

At least I don't have to go in with either of them, though they both have to go in after 11 IIRC as they arent Y11 or Y13. And DH will be at his own school both days!

Rose, level 7's? Those parents sound seriously deluded - never been any level 7's at Primary AFAIK!

Man alive, I am bushed. Tube and train to Roald Dahl museum, very busy with Other People's Children, then train and tube back. Friend is lovely, but very strict with her children, and I think she thinks DS is a bit of a brat. Which is wearing. As he is, in fact, sometimes. But then again, he's seven.

And now I have to write feature.

Still suffering terrible guilt re parents. Not that dad knows whether I'm there or not, and mum is still in hospital, awaiting an MRI scan I insisted upon before she leaves. Once she's back in the 'care' of the GP, all will go wrong again.

Water based birthday considered a huge success.... Serpentine swimming, princess Diana memorial paddling, lots of wet clothes, quick dash to H&M to prevent dd2 looking like a participant in a wet T shirt completion, Skygarden to peruse river and pizzas on the South Bank....

I'll be home by 10.30pm so I feel your pain, Herbs....

Dh has just rung to say ds is in a mood and could I text him (in his room, on the floor above dh ) as he was rather tired and he may have shouted at ds when he came in and before he fell asleep. I told him to Sort His Parenting Out as I wasn't exactly feeling as fresh as a daisy....

Wet t shirt competition, obviously

Am glad to hear parenting elsewhere isn't all sunny and light because at least I don't feel like a failure....

Too much wine and beer and Olympics and work tomorrow and I so don't want to go. I really really don't want to go. I want to run away........

I had quite a good day at work today. I delegated every single piece of work that came my way. Delivering through others. Way to go. I was supposed to be writing some strategic shit but the Olympics was on.

Diverticulitis - has kept me prone all day.

How I hate getting old.

Should not have gorged on neighbour's tomatoes, roasted & eaten on toast for two days running.

Sounds nasty MM.

We are just waiting for a cab to the airport - not looking forward to the Russian flight home.

DH found some scales in the cupboard last night and it loOKs like I haven't gained any weight - yay! But I am still nearly a stone heavier than I would like to be....

Well done on not gaining weight on hols, but see ya soon for some walks in BP, I hope, BTM. I have put on all that weight I lost, and then some. Good luck with the flight...

MrsS, in the language of washing up, what does this say?

Roasted tomatoes are lovely MM, sorry they haven't agreed with you.

The late night Bach Prom was so good I can't sleep now. And DD, Dnephew and his gf loved it too. They had a good day together & some chats about choosing universities. Think he may also join us in Cornwall for a bit. When he was at DD's stage and doing A2s his mother was seriously ill & he got no peace, let alone help or support. It's heartening to see how well & happy he is now.

Have a good journey home BTM.

BD, do you have to go to work? Do you need some time off? What would Sister say? (I am not Sister btw, BTM, just her messenger to the Crepeys)

Ohhh, should have booked a week here - it's so heavenly, and we're off again tomorrow. Everyone I meet says "how on earth did you find this place?" Umm...booking.com? It's certainly a Brit free zone. It has been so nice staying in a proper house with all mod cons; we had a BBQ and sat on our terrace drinking local wine until late. We just saw a super-cute family of racoons. But despite the heat, there are ski racks outside the front door and snow-chain signs on the highway.

Tomorrow, Yosemite! Second attempt - when DH and I were here 17 years ago (I was PG with DS) the road across the mountains was blocked by snow, so we couldn't get in.

And Safe Home, BTM. We are trying, without much luck, to book seats for our flight home so we're not sprinkled about the plane as we were on the flight out.

Results.... This has been The Topic That Shall Not Be Raised throughout the holiday, but there's no escape once we get back.

Auriga I probably could do with longer, but only need to get through three days and then off for two weeks. I apparently look better according to a neighbour so I think I am more rested, it's just I know it's going to be three days of little irritations and my tolerance for nonsense is at an all time low.

BTM good journey home!

Lalsy good luck today!

welcome ohcrepe!

results - whoever said pleased as you are for children who've done well you're just completely outside it if you're not in that situation is spot on. we've had it twice with secondary school transfer (no school at all) and then dd's ASs. it passes, it's not the end of the world but it's lonely and horrid for the child

S&B - any recommendations for nice underwear (bra and knickers) that is not M&S and is reasonably priced? Bras don't have to be impressive or engineered as not much norkage this end but I really really want to avoid those bulges around armpit/back .... ?

Sorry Addle, but M&S do the perfect bra for this - go onto website and search for "Smoothlines". They have a double-layer thing going on around the back which eliminates those bulgy bits. I have three of them and they're fab.

Good luck for tomorrow for the exams. On the subject of competitive parenting, it ain't got nothing on competitive grandparenting. MM, will tell you that her PFBGC is the most beautiful child, but she's wrong, I tell you, it's my GC! I have been surprised at my feelings of awe when one of mine comes out with something which shows they are a genius (like the 5 yo telling me yesterday that coughs were caused by lung irritation, and then asking which colour of blood cells are responsible for fighting off infections?). I thought he was definitely going to be an engineer, but now am leaning towards medicine.

I hope you're feeling better, MM? And welcome home, BTM. How are you doing, BD? Must sign off and go to be a perfect host.

Addle have you done the bra guru? I think it is the fitting not the bra that creates those bulges. John Lewis stock wide range of makes but I usually order several from bravissimo and send back the ones I don't want. Try a range of makes and sizes.

Yes re results. Fingers crossed for everyone. Auriga, that is so lovely re your dn.

BD, hope the three days pass quickly and you then have a proper rest.

CV I want your holiday, and yours BTM, and yours Herbs. And my own. Safe smooth journey back

Addle - the bulges are made by a bra that (bizarrely) is too big in the band. I would recommend John Lewis and Debenhams for selection and good fitters.

Auriga - the washing up says, passive aggressively "They are clean enough, and I don't care that by leaving them to drain that they will get a few smears and water marks on them."

BTM - have a good flight back.

thebetterbracampaign.blogspot.co.uk/p/fitting-advice.html
Recommend if you haven't tried it.