Worn out

think we are all worn out. candles lit both ends and in the middle – what with me working an average of 56 hours a week and wanting to see/play with the girls as much as poss, and Chris trying to do the househusband thing so that I don’t feel the need to, as well as play etc with the girls. SB tries to stay up late with me, and BB feeds all night long. Cream Crackered in deed. Somehow we are going to have to alter the pace without too many compromises.

This running to stay still thing seems to permeate every area of our living as well. I go round house and garden and there is just loads to do. if I earned more, we could pay for someone to do it, but earning more means less time at home, and just not up for that. Weeds and grubbiness will just have to stay. Unfortunately we have a housefull of family this Sat, and would like it to look at its best. they all just don’t seem to have the problem of keeping tidy/ship shape and living life that we have. What do we do wrong?

mind you, although I say unfortunately, I am really looking forward to it. It is BB’s welcome to the family event [no Christenings here] and lots of family coming for lazy day in the garden. cold spread – maybe some BBQ items, and alcohol [I will be practising for the portico party]. of course we haven’t shopped or organised yet.

oh, home ed. I have had a lovely laid back day with the girls. We did some exeter maths, read a bit of the usbourne travel then and now[ not much], the castle section in the time traveller, started growing a crystal.

Actually, on growing the crystal, it was a science in a box [would have been v over[riced except from ebay] and it said for over 8′s. why??? There was some distilled vinegar [maybe stronger than that I use for pickled shallots perhaps that SB has handled, but I didn't find out] and a piece of limestone. vinegar [acid] poured into plastic beaker and stone popped in it – so what needs an 8 year old? SB quite happy that the bubbles were carbon dioxide – she knows what that is from ‘dizzy’ water and breathing. Also happy that now have to wait and see. i guess she was supervised. Also caught a few more bugs to look at including a fly!

Oh, and on the exeter maths, found out that she knows her number bonds up to 5, and can add and subtract quite easily. she even remembered the ‘greedy bigger sign’ and which way to face it. I had printed off about 20 pages, she found them all and did the ones she liked the pictures on! She had a go at writing the numbers for a change as well.

We also sprinkled starts with… and ends with… throughout the day – again something she is progressively more confident with. Oh, and again a lot of singing. note to self – must bring her violin down and remember to suggest piano regularly.

It sounds alot, but we spent most of the day playing [though she considers it all play, it is just me categorising!], a fair bit with the traintrack in the morning, her alphabet finger puppets, dollies and ‘mummies and daddies’ her wooden fix together toys from ikea, and directly with BB. I read various books from the library to her. played interminable Simon says.

BB is a charmer. She mostly played with her noisy toys and SB’s musical instruments. She has recently started to find knocking down stacks rather good, so SB builds them up for her to take a swipe at [will be on flikr soon!]. She obviously loves SB and waves arms and legs wildly in happiness and excitement. She is also rather keen on her food.

Other things today, I did some weeding and SB and I nipped to garden centre to buy mulch. caused a chuckle when she asked what bark chickens were. Obviously my diction not clear!

Chris got us a working shower – woohoo!!!