Petits Haricots

may it be happy, healthy and prosperous!

Actually, Chris and I don’t celebrate the New Year at all. I had a chat with SB today about New years, calendars and why they were useful, but that actually they weren’t tied in with anything such as the solstice - whcih for me would be more logical.

So I don’t then do new years resolutions really, but I can do aims and aspirations. my summing up the year I think I did in the Happy bloggiversary post, and doesn’t really need a rehash.

So some aims, aspirations, ambitions

5 practical ones
1. must do tax return
2.must sort out passport/driving licence
3. when april comes, do a new finacial budget and stock taking [see, I use the financial year for tht one!
4. maybe even do tax return in May!

5 domestic ones
we live in a house skirting disaster of chaos so
1. have a routine - a task a day kind of thing if possible!
2. sort out seeds and veg in good time
3. try to initiate tidying at the end of a task so it doesn’t build up
4 ebay the unnecessary!

5 HE related ones
1. sort out when to stop nursery
2. actually commit to an ed phil!
3. utilise the resources we have before eyeing up other ones
4. start going more to local groups

5 personal ones
1. aim to find a home/work balance
2. cherish the moments I have rather than regret for what I cannot change or dream of a different future [carpe diem!]
3. Aim to lose weight - would like a BMI of approx 28-30
4. run about more without breaking anything!

well, they were all 4’s in the end.
the essence is simple. I want to live and love in the present.
I cannot change easily how my life is structured, but i can be an agent for change, and persist in looking for the option that works. I can’t devote my life to dreaming this though, and should live the days as they come, as they are all I have.
I must not regret then the pattern of the days, and pine after things that could have been different. instead, make sure that I grasp what i have to the best i can, accepting that I can be crap and dejected and waste time like the best of them, but that this is part of life’s tapestry and not to be dwelt on.
That sometimes i need to be clearer to myself and family what my needs actually are.
That when my children’s behaviousr is challenging, I need to stpe back and look at the family dynamics so see where the root of this may be, and perhaps that way at least understand even if the managing is difficult.
To just continue to love unconditionally my family.

there you go, managed to reflect a bit! hope all you party animals have a good party!

we have had a good day today so far.

Sb did 4 pages of explode the code 1 - 2 more than she said she was going to do. She’s getting good at it, though does have to ask me for the americanisms [pal and gas and going to bat!] Today she didn’t want me to watch her do it either, and just came when she had a query - excellent!! So whilst she was doing that, I played roll the ball and run to Mummy with BB.

I then read to her the new years eve section of the barefoot book while the bear sleeps. this has been a good buy, and has stories for various dates though the Winter calnedar for various faiths and cultures. todays was African American. We did think of making a bean soup/stew like the story, but when I found some recipes, SB decided she didn’t fancy it after all. instead, I took the leftovers of mashed potatoes and some sweetcorn and made fritters with them for lunch. With some fruit, so not as entirely unhealthy as it sounds!

Sb then did some of the story and numbers section of jump Ahead 2000 year 1 - again all on her won, with me in the room for advice. SO BB and I played click clack caterpillar , funky footprints, chase and read some of her books.

We all played Mummies and Daddies [surprise] and SB was a working mummy ballet teacher - dancing and singing galore! while BB was our baby. When they stopped for an apple, I read the first China section from story of the world which included the silkworm story. SB remembers silkworms from another barefoot book - the silk road - so we had a bit of a discussion about them and materials. we found China on the globe. SB decided I was to be a geography teacher, so we went through the lattitude, longitude, equator, seasons and day and night thing - which she seems fairly comfortable with now. Since Chris and I did the trans siberain train journey in our youth, we chatted about that, and the different ways of getting to China and how long they mght take.

Chris and Sb then fixed her tassles to her bike, and have gone off for a ride to the park. BB and I had a play and I sang some folk tunes. She is fitfully sleeping as I type, but must wake by about 3.30 at latest [will be 1 hour] so that we break the really late night crapness for my sanity sake.

Its nice to get back to a bit of normality. I keep trying to work out how I could effect change in my life so that I get to do more of this. I discussed it at some length with my clinical director, but my job doesn’t make it so easy. And I do enjoy my job, so woudln’t want to change it altogether.

I’ve also been fiddling with family tree, as inherited from cousin Anne who died this May - she had traced part of it back to 1600’s. After popping it onto genes reunited [thats your fault KatyB!] was immediately contacted by someone who had been working with Anne to trace part of it. So thats another thing i would like time for.

Ah, the cold beans are back - time to go back to my life. SB demanding hot chocolate, and Chris says she can have it if she can spell it - meanie!

edited to add that we finished the day with playdough - lots of it, pretend baking, monster making etc etc. vietnamese stew with rice for tea - so very healthy!

and I am about to scream with aggravation!
actually, as it is over 5 mins that SB last slumk downstairs, I hope she is asleep, and I have shifted BB to chris so she is yelling.

Apart from that. Main item of day was going to Halfords to buy a bebe confort hipsos for SB. Still not entirely sure about which seat to have bought, but she was comfortable in it. She was more excited by tassles in the sale for her bike handlebars…

Halfords being a hop and a skip away from Merry, we descended. Children played - some monster gobbling up game! We nattered and then came home. SB fell asleep in car - thats the problem!

At home we read the India bit from story of the world, and made another wacky wiggler with the gears. Also I read countless books, and she read me the first read with me book - not badly either.

Just need that peace and quiet a young puddler has offered to sell!

You Passed 8th Grade Math

Congratulations, you got 9/10 correct!

bugger, I didn’t say an integer - silly me

well, sort of. We have ar least done some obvious home ed!

SB thrashed Chris in a game of tubes that have to build across the board [logic and creative thinking!] - twice. They went to chemists for assorted hair bobbles and slides. I got to play hairdresser [which I love] as SB wanted them all in - yep, will flikr!] We did some colouring of pictures and then some hama beading. While SB doing that, I went and found the magnets, so she shew me how to make iron filings faces, and I shew her how to make a compass. so discussions on earths magnetism, magnetic fields, north and south etc.

We did a bit more story of the world [ we have left it awhile, so only on to theIndia bit, but she likes that - looked for india on globe and chatted about climate etc.] Some more fun as I got to paint her face - she wanted it to be a ballerina flower fairy. I had to paint it as a dolphin yesterday [and she painted mine as a lion - rofl!]

We have done more work on tens and units, using jojo in numberland, and just measuring things around the house with the tape measure. Also looked at webland chocolate and played some of their gamesShe has gone around all week sounding out words as well.

What else? eaten lots of chocolate, watched Stuart Little. played with BB - stacking things
, hoops on the pole, feeding mummy game, her click clack caterpillar, and draw on mummy. She slept better last night too, which was fantastic.]

SO a lovely day playing with the girls. Arm still very painfuil, so a bit worried, as I really need to get better soon. Work is keen for me to return, and as I don’t actually feel sick, I feel guilty. However can’t drive, can’t lift things with left hand, and can’t rest on it so not actually able to do much. sigh.

Shopping for a new carseat tomorrow. fun!!

and for yesterday

No not us, we are much to silly to go to bed at a sensible time (last night ‘ must go to bed soon’ at about 11.30 or so. Two hours later…….)

BB’s sleep went to pot over the break. She was restless, and crying for much of the night of the 23rd, spent a few days were she was cudddly all day aqnd then beany-ing around until midnight, but yestyerday she slept in until about 11, last night she was in her cot asleep by 8pm, slept until about 4-5 am, had a couple of wakes/feeds, but slept on through until almost Noon, and she has now (3pm), fell asleep again.

A few Christmas reflections before the moment passes, Helen may well add something I guess.

Well first thing, so glad we did it. Yep it required some organisation and serious list making , and required a bit of work, but it was such a great, lovely time. For us Christmas is a time for family getting together, and that we (mostly) did. I particualrly apprecited my Mum and Dad being able to share it as for various reasons it’s a long time since we actually shared Christmas day with them.

So some highpoints, no doubt incomplete and in no particular order:

• The preparation - it’s all part of it really, ok some was scuppered a bit, by flu, broken arms, gogin to Devon etc. but it most/enough got done. Stringbean loved putting the tree up and decorating. it. The carols, the lights, it all goes to set the tone. In particualr, SB putting the tinsel on the stairs all by herself, and directing the application of the ivy. Having got so much cooking done and stashed in the freezer made catering so much more stress free
• Christmas Eve and everyone getting here. In the space of a few hours suddenly the house seemed much more full. Though we were so knackered from a very bad night with a poorly Butterbean, and had had to spend the morning fixing curtain tracks up in SB’s room (one was quick and easy, one a total pain… that come the evening I was flagging when there was still much to sort our for xmas day
• Getting a cooker off Freecycle a few days before Christmas, made cooking the Christmas dinner for us all a sensible proposition. Though putting in a supply for cooker isn’t normally part of my xmas preperations….
• Cooking Christmas dinner, most of it done by me and Helen’s mum, with Helen doing what her arm would allow. It was served dead on time, exactly and hour after we said the target time was moslty becuase catering for such a number we got the timings for somethings a bit wrong. And becuase our gas oven is hopeless at cooking too much But it all got cooked nicely, roasties were rather good and didn’t run out. But we really dsidn’t need the extra kilo of sprouts MIL convinced me to buy. Satisfying to see us all sat down round our rather lovely dining room table tucking in.
• The kids playing together - esp. SB and her oldest cousin M (about 7 months older) who spent ages palying happily away often at times we didn’t see them much for a while. Occasional hiccup, but nothing not to be expected. Though when they are off playing upstairs or whatever so mcuh I do miss them being around us liek they were when younger and seeing their playing.Her younger cousin E (2) was very much the happy toddler, pootling about as they do. It was a shame that BB was poorly at first, exp. xmas eve, she just wanted cuddling and was very un-Beany, but got well enough to show her normal cheerful, smiley self over the last couple of days.
• Toy of the holiday - Thunderbirds Tracey Island - it was M’s present which he loved, but SB very much joined in the games, even though she has no clue about Thunderbirds. Her dressed in her Princess Belle xmas present dress playing running around with the Thunderbirds was amusing.
• Chillin’ - ok not so much of it when you are hosting, but still plenty of time for having drink , a nibble, having a chat, or just sitting and watching/listening
• Cooking 8 litres of Leek and Potato soup - most got used up - only 2 litres left in the freezer
• Helen’s Dundee cake, it was rather lovely
• ‘Little Nanny’ Helen’s Nan here and looking so well after a tough year for her. able to relax and enjoy her family her around her.
• My xmas cake - tasted rather nice too, and lovely and moist and fruity. I thought me and SB did a rather good job of the last minute icing job.
• Wacky Wigglers, Though she seemed to have forgotten all about it, when ever she saw these in the catalogues she always said she really wanted them. When she opened them xmas morning she really did exclaim ‘it’s what I wanted’ They are great fun
• This house - it’s such a great place for doing such things. Space for the kids to chase around, space for sitting in company, space for sitting quietly, space for feasting. It’s what it asks for really.
• Help - esp. from Helen’s Mum, who as well as helping cook xmas dinner, helped get the house ready and did so many other things and my mum, who provided us with the veggie ‘centre’ of our meals as well as cake, trifle and other things
• The Town Band, standing outside in the middle of the village just up the road from us playing carols on Christmas eve morning - I did get to go and see them but could hear the sound drifting up.
• The church bells (we almost overlook the church) on christmas morning ring for the Christmas morning service.
• SB waking up , getting into bed next to me and obviously having forgotten that it was Christmas morning, until prompted
• Memories- The first christmas we have done for ages (we did it once in Leeds, for rather less people), but for me. with the kids, so much family around, in what is intended to be our family home indefinitely, this one will have special memories for a long time to come……..

We had a lovely time, thanks to everyone who came, everyone who contributed.

We tooka few photos , will appear on Flickr soonish . But this might be my favourite:

Though a few seconds later BB did get run down by the trike.

Best clear up then…..

This year Christmas at the Beans was proudly sponsored by Freecycle Cambridge, purveyors of fine, free used cookers to those whose dining rooms are bigger than their oven capacity. One up for the Cosmic Supply Company I guess.

I guess we would have managed without it, but it would have been a pain, and it’d have taken 2 hours or more to have cooked the 3 trays of roasties, parsnips etc. let alone anything else. Actually the oven is better than our ‘proper’ one, being a electric fan oven as opposed to a ‘hot at the top warm at the bottom’ gas one. So we will be keeping it, for now anyway. so i’m glad I wired it in properly, rather than bodged it

Normal service resumed tomorrow hopefully when the remaining hardcore xmas-teers departs and we try to avoid tidying up.

Two left yesterday, two have just left, but this morning we have had two phonecalls from friends in the space of about 10 minutes.

1. From friends from Leeds heading South who want to call in.

2. From Jax who is heading North and wants to pop in.

More the merrier we say

They won’t be allowed to leave if they don’t eat enough food though. Time to defrost a couple more litres of that soup.

And it’s been snowing but not enough for fun (still an inveterate snow lover, who still gets that little rush of childish excitement when they see the overnight snow first thing in the morning)

hope everyone had a really lovely and successful day

opened pressies last night to carols and mulled wine - yummy and lovely
BB still been unwell - not so lovely
All kiddies fell asleep easily -WOW
all woke up du bonne heure

Brekkie - mincemeat muffins ymmy, croissants and gammon for those that partake
Xmas pressies all seem to be happy with. Sb and BB having a lovely time

SB and cousin M hardly seen - racing about like loons, but out of the way.

Hopefully Xmas dinner ready 30 mins now-so 3pm! but we have served up a variety of nibbles, and alcohol on tap.

think going well.
Chris and mum working like a demon. i have mainly fedd BB interminably and done the nibbles and drinks, but did the kitchen foray today to help out.

anyway, had my 5 mins so back to real life

Well, not quite, but it is xmas eve now. And the house is quiet, as everybody else is in bed. So I’m enjoying the peace and quiet with a last minute cuppa.and probably no time to blog xmas eve night.

More ticks off the list, even if BB didn’t help, poor little stick. Deleiberated for some tim with MIL over how many Brussels sprouts we needed, and was there enouhg ion the veg order. Bought an extra Kilo, confidently expect to ahve a kilo extra left over

Various things bought by me or Mother-in-law. Teapot, cheap,totaly tasteless table mats for hot dishes, extra roasting pan , tablecloth, etc. Wondered why I couldn’y find ‘Just Brazils’ anywhere in any shop it seemed - oh well bought ptobably nicer Thorntons version. I like going shopping at this point, where I’ve just got to pick up a few non-pressie items really, whilst nearly everyone else seems to be laden down with armfuls of bags. Popped into Waitrose for a few items, which actually felt busy for a change. Even had some decent queues. Realised you get better sort of queue in Waitrose though as we got offered some small cups of fizzy wine and sweeties by some of the staff. In Tesco the other day I just got told off for overloading the belt with bottles……

Me and SB got the cake decorated tonight, bit of last minute effort, and pleased in the end I didn’t find any xmas-y cake decs in the shops. Did simple spikey/snow scene Royal icing (bit late I know), SB applied plenty of silver balls, finished off witha few holly leaves and berries on the top and round the base. Actually looks quite good in a rough and ready way. also made a veg Goulash for tomorrows dinner (smoked paprika - yummy) and prepared the soup for slow cooking in the oven tomorrow morning - a nice couple of hours pottering in the kitchen by myself.

A few outstanding ticks on the list, moslty a bit of sorting of stuff for the guests - in particular need to do the curtain track in SB’s bedroom tomorrow morning, but the freezer and fridge are stuffed, pantry is looking like a pantry should at xmas, more goodies, and copious wine etc. lurk in the cellar, tree is beautiful, pressie are under the tree, SB so excited by it all - for the first time really.Feeling pretty organised actually. (soon to be disabused come xmas morning …..)

Really looking forward to it all, will be so good to have a houseful

So Christmas - bring it on

Have a good one everybody.

Had appraisal at work - took 2 1/2 hours this pm, but all morning finally gathering together and presenting enough paper to have come from whole tree [just over 1 1/2 inches depth!], but I am fit to practice - phew!

Nursery sent us a card BB made with handprints to look like an angel, and a calendar from piccies of her - they really are a good nursery - having rung ‘cos they were worried she seemed so sleepy, not perky self. We picked her up - 45 min after leaving her on my way into work.

BB not been well, a bit chesty, a bit hot, and def under the weather, so a bad day for me to be at work, as only bf will do. Came home and she guzzled until I was prunelike [TMI?]

SB made a claendar too, a card and some Xmas decs. All very festive

Little Nanny brought here by Dad - looking great, and showing off her walking with only 1 stick! Very proud, as the rehab physio said she would always need a zimmer and refused to let her learn stick walking - so stick from me - ROFL! Actually he was concerned about knee joint stability if she only had stick, but she is insistent to use stick, and reluctantly the triwalker I bought for outside. That saying, she hasn’t actually ventured outside house unless Mum or Aunty Margaret takes her to Morrisons [I can’t face doing that with 2 children as well]. Anyway, she feels very happy we are so enthusiastic.

Girls having a bath. Since BB unwell today and me at work, no further action on tick boxes - so Chris hasn’t iced cake. or put up curtains in the SB/guest room - this is a problem for my sister as onto main road. therefore must be done tomorrow. I need to make place tags and wrap up BB other pressie [portico aeroplane, but if not done, she can have another day]

I’m glad you all liked our Victorian living room! No Jax, I’m keeping Mum!! She also deleaved the conservatory and cleaned new cooker ::): The dining room has enough room, though wish tablecloth for end matched - must do name settings.

Early night tonight, and then sheer madness tomorrow [hordes descend and the veggies cooking prep! time for wine box] - so may not blog until Tues/Wed. I am SO excited!!!!!

yippee, Christmas is here - dances and sings merrily.

HAPPY XMAS

ready for christmas - tick!
pigs flying - tick!

Actually nearly there. Mum and dad here now, feeling very Christmassy.
Chris has wired in cooker and it works - hooray!
Presents wrapped [mostly]
Food bought/cooked [mostly]
worn out [totally!!!]

Just a quick photo of BB investigating the spankingly clean and tidy living room [courtesy of Mum!] while SB was at her nursery party [very much enjoyed]

Sb has taken loads of photos of the pantry today. She is very keen to have her own photoblog! and camera of course. She does want me to upload about 20, but 1 will have to do for now.

SB off with grandparents. Chris rang them up to arrive at lunch, so a good compromise and all happy.
SO we made muffins, and looked to see if any toys of hers to put away for BB [no!]. played with paper dress up dollies, and did drawing.

Chris did lots and lots of tidying!

Since SB left for playing wioth chris’s parents and their christingle service, I have made the minceppie muffins - they are fab heather, and easily converted to vegan. the last of the curries, and some wrapping, bought 2 goats as final Xmas pressies.

BB now awake - so doing a 1 to 1 play session now!

Well snap

Helen says this is why we are so compatible

We will obviously be the perfect Christmas hosts……..

You are one magnificent person! You are the night
of Christmas. You are a beautiful, good-hearted
person who enjoys the best for others. You are
probably very sentimental as well. You don’t
believe in material objects for making you
happy, but in things more important. You truly
live out the spirit and meaning of this
holiday. Being around the ones you care about
most is enough to make you content. The thing
is that most people may either really love or
unfortunately hate you for your beautiful
nature. Merry Christmas =)

What Christmas Figure Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla

well we:
finished the cards
finished wrapping the pressies from SB
made the aubergine, mushroom and paneer curry
made brandy butter
did jump ahead year 1 placement test thingy - SB very impressed to have a certificate! She found it offputting when I said she could guess if she didn’t know, as normally I scaffold answers till we get there.
did some drawing and colouring - she spent absolutely ages doing a really beautiful card for her cousin M. His family on the front, our family in the middle and the writing.
We messed about counting in German and some basic phrases.
I read loads of books to her. the insited she read 2 to me - she did really well with an early ladybird phonics book and a library book happy dog sad dog.

BB slept loads to make up for dreadful night. She also did some drawing when she woke up, and generally chortled.

So are we the perfect stepford family?? Well, not really. BB getting to have a dreadful temper-in the making. She shrieks and screams for her own way. Doesn’t like me to share cuddles with SB. Is absolutely vicious in her quest for milk, and now throws herself on the floor and drums heels - hmm. luckilly not that often! And SB, well she still is her cry at any negligible provocation phase, which I don’t as a rule blog, because the majority of the day is great, and although has short term driving me up the wall capabilities, isn’t a major focus of the day thing. Mind you todays kerfuffle over the minimal tidyng i asked her to do did lead her to be sent upstairs. She then waisled as she was tidying, only i hadn’t noticed - obviously at the same speed tectonic plates move then. I am not an immensley patient woman, and Chris getting rattier - due to sleep deprivation all round I suspect. SO not Stepfordd, but normal.

Summary was though of a busy and fun day.

RANT ALERT: hadn’t realised that Chris parents who I finally did agree could take SB to a carol service in the evening are actually coming to take her away in the morning - why?? I def didn’t want that. SO grumpy. Luckilly I had vetoed the stopover in advance. i just don’t want SB to be taken away from me when I am at home, as I feel my home time is precious. Thursday is nursery party day, and friday I am at work, so losing her for 2 days already. I had thought I had made myself clear on this.