Category Archives: General

Still chocolate/wine deficient!

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.

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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.

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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

An out and about day.

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?

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Johari window results

Arena

(known to self and others)

caring, friendly, intelligent, sensible

Blind Spot

(known only to others)

able, calm, cheerful, dependable, dignified, helpful, knowledgeable, logical, loving, patient, reflective, self-conscious, sentimental, sympathetic, warm, wise

Fa?ade

(known only to self)

kind, observant

Unknown

(known to nobody)

accepting, adaptable, bold, brave, clever, complex, confident, energetic, extroverted, giving, happy, idealistic, independent, ingenious, introverted, mature, modest, nervous, organised, powerful, proud, quiet, relaxed, religious, responsive, searching, self-assertive, shy, silly, spontaneous, tense, trustworthy, witty

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%)

Created by the Interactive Johari Window on 6.3.2006, using data from 6 respondents.
You can make your own Johari Window, or view HelenHaricot’s full data.

The Weekend

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 :roll:

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 – :roll: – 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 rivertalked 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!!

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SO behind on blogging! [and Flickr]

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!

Totally devoted to you

hmm, well glad to come home from work yesterday as certainly earnt my keep. Nice that SB still awake when i got home. Nicer still that BB didn’t wake up all night.

So to today, SB started the day with an early CBeebies fix. BB and me had a roistering marmalisation session in the bed. She bounding all over me to make sure I was fully awake, having a good tickle and giggle – a good way to wake up!

So, we started off with breakfast and reading baba yaga and the new zealand story form usbornes stories from around the world. brekkie over and some messing about with lego for both the girls.

SB keen to do the final tesco science tube thing I bought a while back, so we settled down to that. She likes ‘speriments. First we did was the best. We put 15 coppers in a bowl and tipped salt on top [it said sprinkle, SB somewhat enthusiastic] and the cover completely with vinegar. it has to be the absolutely quickest way to get coins clean. I hope someone is doing the chemical equations int heir head, cos they’re not given in the bumpf -which would be a negative. Afer 20 mins add shiny iron nail and watch it copper plate. [except we left it a bit longer, and other reactions seemed to happen]. we did the volcano one a number of times, a number of different surface tension experiments. This had great easy experiments, but no real explanations.

SB then did some explode the code whilst i settled BB off to sleep. We had a bit of a treat in sarnies from the bakery accross from us – yummy! After that SB started on her sewing a foam bag kit she got for birthday. She got the hang instantly – considering we have never done swing before, and it was soon ready for the key ingredient – sticking!

BB woke up while she did this, so we had a good play, lots with the cooker, lego and she’s really attached to the ‘thats not my monster’ book from the library, so we read it alot. She is very good at shouting mummy and Daddy, a reasonable bye bye and ook. When SB’s sticking got far too interesting, we went and watched Chris pruning the grape [rather late]. BB thought the leaves dropping were rather lovely, and had a great poddle about. SB finished her sticking – it is certainly a decorative bag, so also came into the conservatory to help with the pruning.

After a bit of a fuss, she did some of the msising writing bits in the explode the code, and whizzed through some singapore maths 1a simple addition and subtraction. I think she has grasped this so well that we shall just nip on to the next section on ordinal numbers, not doing any of the practice unless we hit a bit that takes some thinking about. in our mental maths mess about, we are doing multiplying in 2, 3 and 5 [though not to great numbers, 2 and 3 to 12, and 5 to 20] and also sharing numbers 12 and less in 2,3,4. So I think we should try and get the two areas nearer together! SB has decided she wants to be on the same books as Maddy, so they can do it togeether [does this sound like homeschooling to anyone?]
She remembered we hadn’t done 2 of the experiments, so we did those, and then after she went on and on about a website we used to do, I realised it was education city, so got a trial and she got stuck in. I read BB more books, and she moved my finger over all the textured bits – cute! She also had a great play with the hammer it shape sorter. My fingers have recovered!

by dinner time, we were all tired. TBH, I could have done with a restful day, but really enjoyed being full on and there, as with recent jaunts have felt more part time than normal. Since we missed pancake day yesterday, we did it today. Sb had sundae day, as she doesn’t like pancakes – possibly more sprinkles than icecream though! We vaguely did the religion. BB ate anything offered.

After her bath, I had promised SB a game, and she chose 3D snakes and ladders [fantastic!] Unfortunately I won fairly instantly having gone up the long ladder, so we had a rematch and I lost. Angelina ballerina stories and a Winnie the pooh CD and all was quiet! Chris settles BB with a bottle when I read SB stories, so alternate nights BB sleeps without a night feed – a bit wierd for me I must say, but she is happy, so I guess weaning has begun.

oh, and aaarrrghhh to the apprentice. I think even I could have done a better job

Another blog ring meme – from Kath. Johari window

Well, why not indeed!!

Basically, you choose 5 or 6 attributes from a set of about 30 [not determined by me!] that you think suits me. I’ve chose – rather self consciously it has to be said! – 6

So if you fancy doing it – yourcan fill it in here
Mine to see the results here

or, a nohari window – the negative bit.

works similarly, you can enter the 5-6 words that fit me here , and I can view it here

Overdoing it?

I think SB maybe have been overdoing it a bit, and not have caught up on her sleep. It’s 10.30 and she is stil asleep (though she was awake a 5.30, but then fell asleep when the aklarm clock went off at 6.30…) BB only woke up half an hour ago, and then she drunk 4oz of milk from bottle in one go, which is equally bizarre behaviour? for her. Time for her brekkie and then getting SB up I think .

Somewhat tired!

We had a lovely weekend with lots of family, my mum, Dad, sister and family and little Nanny stayed overnight, chris’s parents and his brother went home.

E [my niece] spent a considerable portion of the night throwing up. Shades of Melrose! She had brought it with her and had got through all of her clothes on the journey here. BB has been sneaking her sippy cup, so awaiting the worst! Not that we spent an anyway good night, with both the beans in our bed, and BB on snack-attack mode.

So today pretty laid back. Much game playing of new games going on, and racing about with cousins. Us adults drank loads of tea and chatted.

Blasted pub is still pumping out high energy music, has been going on since lunchtime. It carried on till after 3 last night – I am sure it doesn’t have a license for that. BB awake again – must dash.

edited to add – half past 11 and still bloody beating!

birthday day

will obviously be flickring at some point, but not today.

SB had a lovely day, and enjoyed playing with the family – noteably M! BB and E also had more intereactions. infact all 4 were quite lovely!!!!

SB got to open presents when Chris’s parents and brother arrived just after 3 – and no fuss about it either! Thankyou for the presents from her party earlier. Will get her to write thankyou letters tomorrow/Monday. She has already had great fun with the snakes and ladders 3D game [that IS cool] and found lots of things to stuff in a bag! We bought her buckaroo as part of a present, and she is suitably enchanted with the idea, and the angelina books did go down a storm. A fair number of different making projects to keep us nice and busy. FAB.

my mum’s barbie cake rather brill too, and we had a nice party tea.

Not sure where Chris and I are going to sleep, as BB and SB seem to be filiing a superking bed – how do they do that?