March 2006

Have come across this a couple of times, passing it on for the benefit of those who haven’t.

The Moon

Hint - zoom to max

actually had some sleep last night!!

poor SB has a dreadful cough at night - nost so bad during the day though.

So, what did we do? well, i tried not to do too much TBH and have a chilled day, once the planned multi kid activities no longer required.

So what have we done on our chill day? Well we started with a bit of playing about. SB did some more hama, built towers and castles with various bricks. She then did all but 2 remaining pages and the test in explode the code 1 - woohoo!

BB poddled about - a bit grisley TBH so some permafeeding, but also read books, played with the alphabug and danced to its music. BB can make a stack of 7 bricks on her own, and has a special grumpy face for when they fall over with the 8th. SB did help her make a really huge tower though.

After lunch we went ouside and planted 2 more of the fruit trees. Lovely weather. SB running about and climbing and trampolining. Its good to get out into the fresh air.

When SB got cold we went in and she had a hot choc and bounces around the house on a spacehopper before doing some rainbows on the hama heart. we had a chat about how to do them, and decided i would do one side how she wanted, and then she could copy it. BB also did some hama and some hitting the spacebar on cbeebies. can anyone recommend any other sites where spacebar hitting is all that is required?

We finished with a tidyup, read an usbourne lift the flap nature book and why does my tummy rumble. for once we didn’t play a game before bed as it crept up on us. However, lots of fun and cuddles and tickles through the day with both my girls - good enough for me.

SB, bless her, wondered what kind of seeds the seed bunny would bring when her first tooth fell out…

Time to catch up, so what happened on Monday then? a bit of black hole memory wise.

Monday morning - me and SB played her ‘Build a Beetle ‘ game for ages, before during and after breakfast - and er, not sure what else, there was some reading of books as well. We also tided the sitting room - wel l i tidied, BB untidied and SB persched on sofa and watched CBeebies moslty

Afternoon we were going out to a home ed social gathering at a another house a couple of villages away. Luckilly Helen was able to make it from work as well. Rather a nice time, got to sit and meet chat with some more/new/different home edders/play with some other children. Though SB not quite herself the last few days and was a bit reticent to join in as much as she normally does. But didn’t want to go home , so take that as a sign she was enjoying herself. Took place in a rather nice ‘room ‘ they ahev in their garden. Bit like a very large shed, but all fitted out nicely inside, with an office room as well - rather nice.

Tuesday me and SB started off by having good look at one of here Picturepedia books on space. Spent quite a long time looking ta things in in chatting about variosu things such as star life cycles, gogin to the Moon, planets, space stations, living on the Moon, Mars etc.

Then we played with the Wacky Wigglers, made one from the instructions, later on SB made her one ‘monster’ with it. There was little bit of Hamaing over breakfats, and then it wa tiem to get organised/dressed and go to the library for storytime and book changing. Helen and found one of the books (Huggly’s Pizza) which had gone AWOL so we don’t have to pay for another lost book. As usual, SB was the last to finish doing her crafty stuff.

Home, lunch, lots of reading of library books, more more Hama-ing. SB did start on following a Dinosaur pattern, but decided to use her own colours, then I think got mixed up and then got fed up so stopped. Then started on a large heart board with a complicated pattern that she is still working on. Told me to make a giraffe, but that is still unfinished as well.

Did some maths, this time using Miquon maths, mostly working on doing numbers up to a hundred. Then it was tiem to get dinner ready, the girls pottered about a bit doigng this and that, then dinner in the oven while we went off to SB’s swimming lesson, hoem from that to dinner, and then a bit of long stretch before Helen got home at about half 8

we all had a lovely swim together today. BB adores the water and kicks and splashes and likes being whisked about in it. SB is equally happy, she was trying to be the whale from planet Earth TV prog after i had made BB the wale and come out entirely - rofl! [we watched it on video yesterday] SHe is still practising back stroke, and doesn’t sink quite so quickly. However, we got out early as SB had a sudden loss of energy and felt ‘unwell’. So we got out, and went home, and both girls then slept until woken up at 4 [about 3 hours]. We thought SB in particular needed it, even though we will no doubt notice the consequences tonight!

Whilst they were asleep, i blogged and then we went out into the garden to make a late start on the fruit tree planting as the ground was ready.

having roused the beans and fed them, SB finished her plaster of paris box kit by painting it, and once dried, gluing the bits on. Its a fabkit actually, even though SB was disappointed that the picture on the front is far bigger than the box. She also decorated grandads present with stickers.

A bit of a relapse and watch of toy story 2 . BB poddled about - and amused us by the total greed that she shows with dried apricots. She can just about wodge 3 in her mouth and continue chewing, but still tries for 4. She also had fun shooting about on her pushalong. SB did some webland, and then played with geomags whilst I made tea - chilli for us and veg and rice stew for her. She didn’t like it.

Because she had a late sleep, we all cuddled up together to watch tonights planet earth. SB loves glaciers, and enjoyed it. She and BB have finally relinquished themselves into the arms of morpheus.

time to breathe. work tomorrow.

You Are Somewhat Machiavellian

You’re not going to mow over everyone to get ahead… But you’re also powerful enough to make things happen for yourself. You understand how the world works, even when it’s an ugly place. You just don’t get ugly yourself - unless you have to!

though I object to the spelling of vicious! Most people are just not viscous!

SO lets gloss over a rather long night and get on with the day. Started in style with SB being sick - she was rather interested to note the brown bits were her pitta bread. Hmm. She is complaining a bit of tummy ache, but the amount of screeching and bouncing that has gone on today belies her claim for special treatment because she is not feeling well…

We have had a jiggle about of things in the playroom - and a second hand table takes the place of the cute little one, as this limits BB’s chances of ruining whatever SB is doing. So we started the day propery by playing UNO on it, a bit of beading and then SB got out her leappad and the phonics set. Whilst we did this, BB has got the hang of sitting and pushing along with her feet on her pushalong, so careered around the house - quite deadly to ankles!

We then started making her plaster of paris box, that she chose herself [ok, eith some slight direction] from Tesco yesterday. She was very good at mixing and making sure it wasn’t spilled everywhere, and with the pouring, so we filled the mold and removed when set. It should be dry tomorrow to paint.

A lot of legoing went on, and SB made a castle - well, she also made an alien and a tower, but BB got them! It looked a bit like the tower of london, so we discussed traitors and elizabeth the first in a low key way.

Since I’d got the lego out to incorporate BB into the game, they then moved into some wierd imagination of SB’s game where shewas queen, and BB either a dog or a servant, and she threw things and BB brought them back - which she did, but much giggling between them - so great to watch - even if abandoned lego coating the floor in its usual lethal way!

We then had a singing session - and BB is getting the hang of actions, and is particularly good at wind the bobbin up. in fact, she often asks for this song by gentle raaring and doing the winding action - very cute. I then read 3 of the barefoot book of animal tales - SB had particularly wanted a snake story, and the one in that is a good one. Because I was then voiceless without a cup of tea, she did some explode the code - only lesson 11 and the first book is finished - well done SB!

Chris stuck up the coathook for the kiddicoats, and Sb and BB were an adoring audience whilst I removed the lego minefield and took the opportunity to hoover - not that the carpet looked any nicer when finished. I need an Adymachine!

As soon as BB saw her coat she was quite clear it was time to go out, so she got kitted up and went for a pootle in the backgarden with Chris whilst me and SB opened the trial extension of education city and she did some more of the year one english - which she is enjoying. I would prob pay for it despite finances if you could just choose 2 years rather than one. Can’t remember the home-educators deal either?

Anyway, both children been in wild mode since just before tea, and having a bath now as I need peace and quiet - though monitor is on, and I’m trying to blog quickly to be done before SB gets down. I do enjoy this home-ed lark. Just wish i did more of it.

cos a regular poster’s DH has started making wendyhouses, and these are just what I fancy bearing in mind SB’s specs! As you may remember from ages back, chris’s parents were thinking of buying the girls one as joint brithday and xmas pressie. Not sure whether within their budget though. cheaper than the round ones I liked [and SB didn't]

When I looked at the clock at 6;20-ish, and realised there was only about 20 minues of the night I couldn’t account for I wondered what i was doing.

Well, SB seems to have insomnia. SHe drops off reasonably in the evening, and then wakes up - this time at 11-ish with coughing - and just couldn’t get back to sleep again. She was really upset about this, and tried to keep here eyes shut and breathe slowly and pretend to be asleep, but it wasn’t working. We put a story tape on and I cuddled and soothed her until she fell asleep at approx 2.30. I just had chance to breathe a sigh of relief and wonder how soon I could roll SB of my arm when BB set off. Chris went to her, so she screeched even more loudly, and woke SB - aargh!

I fed BB on and off for the next 4 hours.

I can’t go on in this way, over the last 3 nights things have got worse and worse. SO tonight we are going to shut all doors between BB and everyone else, so that SB hopefully not woken by her. If she wakes, Chris is going to confort her in guest room with all doors shut, and i a going to pretend not to hear her, not to get wound up about feeding her/cuddling and just hope. SB can sleep or not with me at that point.

SO we got up late, I didn’t see Merry’s message, when organising Chris, 30 mins just vansihed somewhere so we were late and chaotic. really sorry Merry. We did all get to puddlers though, and although we hadn’t managed to bring anything, tammy had done fantastically, so lots of recycled sculptures got made. SB and I made a windmill and a crown, and she then made a tin thing for my Dad’s birthday.

BB loved the fun Blox and the dough to roll out.

Merry - unfortunately for me - now stocks those Ideal Blocks! So will be taking her money for one of those, as have fancied them since Alison [portico] first posted a link to them! SB is going to use some of her birthday money to by the princess pegboard. All the children had a great go with the ideal blox/fun blox. the other Dad there thought he might buy some for himself!

We then went to spend some of SB’s birthday money - for me a totally shoot-me-now scenario as we surveyed the shelves of sheer pink! Hopefully for the next few years we can persuade her catalogue is best - and restrict the catalogues! in the end she got a beanie puppy in a plastic kennel, and a make your own jewelry box from plaster of paris kit. She also got a dr suess book from wh smiths with a book token.

oh, I did buy a game of UNO at the same time, so we played that this evening as well as read her new book.

What are the beans up to?? Might have to change the title to the Nocturnal Beans at this rate!

Being so tired does dreadful things to the memory too. i know we did do some more Hama - both maxi and midi beads, and SB did some singapore maths 1a on subtraction. i guess the single biggest chunk of the day was spent doing more science experiments - this time with magnets. We did all the magnet experiments in the kingfisher hands on science book, and more besides.

SB did a fair bit of jump ahead maths, and also had her ballet lesson. She reluctantly watched time team with us - we are stretching her tv viewing!! oh, i remember, we did a bit of looking for OS symbols on maps - a thing Chris had got ready for puddlers, and wasn’t really done. Aagh, we haven’t got a recycling thing ready! This piccie is of our PVA suncatcher.

chris has just gone upstairs to bed, and I think I will follow - yawn! PS merry, I spot you looking at flickr - rofl!

well, we all needed it. We decided to have a relaxed day. So we have mostly pootled about and played games.

SB has got quite keen on Set, so we played that until BB couldn’t help but be overinterested! We then made some bracelets and necklaces with a bead kit she got for her birthday. The first one she made was for BB - what a lovely sister!

We did do some reading together - but mostly me doing the reading! Clifford the big red dog - well it was better than spongebob. She also had a look at what I believe. lots of playing with happy street - so much for her having outgrown it! We did some hama stars - apparently for Merry’s girls - SB obviously thinks they don’t have enough hama in their house - rofl!

BB and I did a lot of playing. She had a go threading bobbins on a string - more succesfully than I thought she would be, also happy stereting, and playing with dolly. She whipped away all the bead bracelets she could get hold of, and had a go at maxi hama too. SB and BB played together beautifully throughout the day [if rather noisily].

SB says she wishes she had a twin or an older sister to play with. She would quite like Violet - should she be on offer! She compared my dismal reproductive status with that of the puddles and the porticos quite dsipassionately. I had to point out that 2 was rather normal, even if the age gap was bigger than she would have liked. So we had a bit of a discussion about how old you had to be to have a baby, and why people didn’t have one all the time :rolls: so did subfertility before we did how conception stuff works.

Today I also sowed some seeds, but SB declined, so tomato gardeners delight and alicante; peppers Meek and Mild poblana, inferno and big banana; manegetout oregon sugar pod [in root trainers]. Had a hissy fit at the not budgeting that has been going on - so failing at frugality in the last month. I guess birthdays and Melrose together weren’t helpful. Must claw back! [especially since buildings insurance of 630 due - aargh]
We will play a game of her choice now when she comes downstairs before bedtime, so should be a nice day.

Me and Butterbean have been up since about 8, she has spent the last hour being very grumpy and has now gone back to sleep. Helen and SB have yet to rise at all Not a good night for anyone again.

Had? nice time though just playing with BB byherself andi t’s all rather peaceful now really. I am really tempted by a cup of coffe and a read of the Grauniad, but that kitchen floor really is a mess…… Decisions, decisions

And another poor night from the little beans…

So Chris got up with them this morning. SB used her puff up paints on a T-shirt bought for the job. Must get thankyou’s done and out. She did only get them on real birthday not party though! Then to the library for story time and some cutting and sticking whilst I got a few tasks sorted at home.

Chaos as the beans returned and i did the readingnew library books stint! I think a my little pony annual followed by spongebob was way beyond the call of duty though! BB fell asleep, so we decided it was games time. SB chose walk the plank and the around the world game . She then wanted to do some knitting. I honestly looked at the instructions very closely in the galt first knitting box, and I honestly did not understand a single word! You what? was the best term. SO we had a go at the french knitting, and although she could do this, a few times round and it got a bit boring. So a go at explode the code - she really wasn’t in the mood, but we persevered for a bit and then gave up. Instead we organised the seed potatoes for chitting. We got the Thompson and morgan favourite half dozen, sarpo axona and a trial one.

After this I was so grumpy i couldn’t bear to think before the room tidyed and hoovered, so thats what we did! and then all played happy street - which although SB growing out of, BB growing into. SB then went off to swimming lessons - which she loves.

Me and BB had a great time with an uniterrupted hour! We played with the happy street, the hammer shape sorter for a bit, some chase. SHe loved having a bang and a crash on the piano - MUST do some music with SB. With her books, she was saying boo on opening the flasp - how cute! And she has really mastered the backwards bottom/sit-on-lap thing! We then played with the little pony fuzzy felt that karen B doesn’t want to be sent on. She really enjoyed it, and concentrated for a long toddler time. We also had lots of cuddles and snuggles and general rousting about today, which was good.

i posted my johari, but not my nohari - motly cos so few people did it - though thankyou to those that did. 100% say I am unhappy. I am not erally sure how to sort that out either. Its like my daily emotions are over a pool of unhappiness. there are some obvious things that are getting me down, and others i blame. I’m not sure whether i am right or just labelling things. I can’t quite work out how to sort things without upsetting applecarts or potentially worsening things either. Sigh. I am hoping this is a ‘this too will pass’ thing, and as I get more confident in my role at work, and far less stressed [it is dificult to be more stressed TBH] that at least i wont carry that around with me all the time, and will then enjoy home more. Hmmmm

Well, we did have a late start. both beans were up, but we prents had seen too much of them in the night. So SB started with cbeebies on TV and cbeebies on ‘puter. Chris had drawn an outline of the flower bed on an old slate roof tile. SB was entrigued, so spent quite a while drawing a house with chalks on one. She pointed out at some lenght it was an old time picture - due to the slate and chalks! BB had a go too.

We did have a good look at the science experiment from yesterday - the flowers, and we were all pleased with that. We didn’t manage to get dressed in time to pop in on home dad though, as they had gone out, and then it was too close to lunch. Instead SB and i looked at the Usbourne flip flap castles, and the 1001 things to spot book. We also did the next page of her active readers book.

After lunch, we went to Chris’s parents. they had the electricians around, which was unfortunate as that meant we were all in the kitchen - though TBH, this is where we often are anyway! SB made a william morris box and then did a painting for Chris’s parents. She had wanted to do another science experiment today with Nana, so I brought along the usbourne air experiments, and they built a convection snake. It was rather large to work really well, but was at least convincing. She then relaxed in front of cbeebies some more. I think the disturbed night had everyone worn out!

Later in the week Chris is going back for their old dining room table that we can put in the playroom. This means SB [and me] will be able to do jigsaws/games without BB rampaging through and totally destroying them. This will be good, as we have to sneak in things like that when she is asleep.

i am feeling grumbly - and since I am hols, there is no good reason to be feeling this way. Maybe I am wine or chocolate deficient?

All Percentages

able (33%) accepting (0%) adaptable (0%) bold (0%) brave (0%) calm (33%) caring (33%) cheerful (33%) clever (0%) complex (0%) confident (0%) dependable (16%) dignified (16%) energetic (0%) extroverted (0%) friendly (33%) giving (0%) happy (0%) helpful (33%) idealistic (0%) independent (0%) ingenious (0%) intelligent (33%) introverted (0%) kind (0%) knowledgeable (33%) logical (16%) loving (50%) mature (0%) modest (0%) nervous (0%) observant (0%) organised (0%) patient (16%) powerful (0%) proud (0%) quiet (0%) reflective (33%) relaxed (0%) religious (0%) responsive (0%) searching (0%) self-assertive (0%) self-conscious (16%) sensible (50%) sentimental (16%) shy (0%) silly (0%) spontaneous (0%) sympathetic (16%) tense (0%) trustworthy (0%) warm (33%) wise (16%) witty (0%)

Some additions by Chris - 12.50 am

Friday was mudpud. Chris may add a bit, but it was maps and things. I think they had a good time!

Yep we had a good time, though my activity with symbols etc. didn’t get used much, but the jigsaws got done. Unusally for MP there was no gluing and sticking, which must be a first. SB did Merry’s co-ordinates thing, played with Amelie, Fran and Maddy loads with the playdough. They were making some wonderful playdough biscuits which kept increasing in price, to somethign like a zillion squillions or something. she didn’t do Tammy’s comapss making as Fran was goign to show her she said but they didn’t get around to it. so of course once in the car we had a big fuss about this

Stopped of at Tesco’s on the way home for so food, and looked for some cheap games, but nothign much left . Looked also for soem tops for SB, but unimpressed, found a couple of cheap fleece tops and a long ans short sleeved top she liked - but most were horrible - these funny things which look like you got about three layers on, with all sorts of various straps over the shoulders - and other fashionable (I suppose) sorts of styles. It’s just not the sort of thing we would like to dress SB in anyway - somehow it just doesn’t seem appropriate, and anyway, I think she’d fidn them annoying, and we’d have arms through all sorts of holes.

Bit of late to bed as SB wanted to wait up for Helen to come home, but she was home much too late (past 11pm) so once we got back She painted a card for Sam and couple of pictures. took me ages before I could convince her to have her dinner. By the time I had them both in bed it was about all I could do to flop out in a heap.

Saturday was Sam’s party. SB had a lovely time, and particularly enjoyed the snakes and lizards, though not so impressed by the spiders. She would like to see them again. would we dare do it for a mudpud friday??

She was late mostly due to me, [Chris - - they didn't come back until about 5 minutes before my 'very last minute to leave - SB did comment on how short the party was..] as I took a bunch of flowers to ‘homedad’ and wife [though he isn't homedad any more!] as they had had a rather unexpected and rapid homebirth! Fantastic says I - she is not quite so sure!! Anyway, baby fit and well, but diff to prise SB away. Earlier still she had looked at the new webland, and done some education city science. We also redid the Bicarb volcano experiment, this time with blue colouring

Me ‘n BB went to have a lovely afternoon with a work colleague [my boss!] and her family, and also another work colleague and wife. It was really nice. BB was a charm, pootling about and smiling at everyone. When SB arrive after Sam’s party she went straight to the park with 2 of Suzanne’s children, and they had a blast. We didn’t actually get that long at the playground as they carried on walking up to then river - talked about locks Her princess party dress not quite what was best for the park! Indeed not it was very cold she only had socks on and no hat and gloves, but she managed ok - got hat and scarf donated by another grownup. Suzanne had cooked a lovely meal for both parents and children - so fantastic for all. Her youngest introduced SB to the concept of a happy meal, after she had misidentified nearly everything - to his complete bewilderment!

When we got back, SB and I played snakes and ladders, and I read her 3 Brittannia stories. We did skip a saints one, as she is bored of saints! [actually, they are rather saint heavy at this historical moment!]

Sunday. I had thought we would look at some snakes/lizard books, but we didn’t! Trying to get memory in order here! Failed. Anyway, we did a lot of tidying up, as the house looked like an utter bombiste. organised one of the bookshelves and the games cupboard as well. So not soooo awful!

We did some face painting. I painted SB as a piggy [her request] and she painted me as a princess [mine!] BB was forcibly painted by SB as a clown - but only red cheeks and a yellow line on forehead. Moved onto doing the coloured water/white flower science experiment. SB did some explode the code 1 - nearly at the end! i played with BB, reading her her most favourite book - thats not my monster!

Most of the afternoon was spent in the garden. We are very late getting inour fruit trees, and hope they will be ok. Anyway, clearing the bed and playing with the girls - hopefully got some nice snaps too! SB wanted to help, but the forking over was a bit difficult. when we plant should be better. Otherwise she mostly played imaginative games on the climbing frame and hide and seek [with me]. BB is very good now at that little tykes cube frame/slide. She also showed enthusiasm for getting up onto the TP one - argh! She was quite happy on the little rocking horse too. Both BB and SB played football!!!

we did some singapore maths 1A on ordinal numbers and the ‘teens’ Although SB proficient at counting in the teens, we haven’t really looked at the hundreds and tens thing for a bit, so I think this was a section that could do with some practice.

Finally SB painted her ladybird flying thingy from her party bag - rather cool Tammy! and BB, shattered by the fresh air had a long munch and a nap - bang in the wrong place for teatime etc etc. Both girls have been asleep so far, so lets hope they stay that way. Lat 2 nights BB has been in bed with us, so snack-attack city, and SB also joining us. Could do with a good night!

SO a good day al round - and I am on annual leave next week. A lot to fit in - Chris parents want him to move furniture, so a visit there. SB’s birthday money bruning a hole in her pocket - so need to shop. I would like to visit little nanny if poss. And I actually would like to have a relaxing time for some of it!!

So will try and do some catch up! Those with eagle eyes will have noticed some flickring going on. Shall add piccies for SB’s birthday and also for the science wed to the blog.

Also - when they are actually downloaded to ‘oute, Sam’s birthday and today.

I haven’t actually been awake at home much, and had a rather tiring week. Late back on tues, extremely late back on fri, and went to bed at same time as SB thurs and Sat - so only wed with an evening - and note I did blog!

SO I am way behind on the bloggisphere - particularly all those that get banned at work - most of them now for fowl language or suspected gamboling [sp]. ALos way way behind on emails and groups.

So, having had a great day in the company of my family, I will see what happened to my johari window [not much i suspect, as was imeediately buried behind loads of posts!], flickr and blog!