oh dear on proper blgs!
SB
nursery
FIRST BALLET LESSON – she loved it
archael dig again – but did a more q and a imagine approach
story games
‘mummy, i am going to have 3 jobs when i grow up, one at a time. first i’m going to do ballerinerin, then doctorin, the archaeolololololin!’ love her!
BB
nursery
hide the ball under cup
stacking cups
fun with SB
Posted in General, history, SB-PE, socialisation, Stringbean's HE
well, no photos taken – that must be blogworthy!!
postman brought sonlight order while we were away [its in things I have my eye on page]. I managed to restrain myself and open with SB. So we have read the archaelogists dig for clues, maps and globes, first 3 greek myths and done first 8 pages of explode the code book 1.
for a break, we went swimming! SB swam a whole width, so will have to arrange hose swimming lessons now as promised. STill in drowning dog style, but she has such confidence in the water. her stroke is far better when underwater swimming as not worrying about keeping head up. She almost immediately started playing with another girl, and they had a whale of a time together. Hopefully we will meet up at the pool again sometime. BB loves being in the water, splashing and kicking away.
Came home for beans on toast, read a bit on egyptians, greeks and romans from the encyclopaedia, also the earth and solar system. [SB chose the pages that looked interesting to her] Some singapore maths and then colouring of a big fun book she has.
I then went out to harvest all the onions/shallots before rain makes them worthless. they are v damp, so will need airing/drying.
SB got the hama out for another flower. She wants to make loads and loads, so have done a bead merrily order.
Minor moment as I insisted on playing with BB, and heaps of books brought to my feet. We continued, and when settled, relented and multitasked.
Now rewriting my lost presentation for friday – sigh. Anf flickr uploader crashed, so fiddled about with that, but first 50 won’t automatically be in the set. Have looked at screamteam’s photos while waiting
Posted in art and crafts, gardening, General, geography, history, literacy, Out and About, SB-PE, socialisation
to remove Chris’s awful blog from the top! He might as well have gone the whole hog, and Jax style put some photos up!!
mind you, our room not much better than Jax’s and hurricanes SB and BB have ripped up Happy Street – well mostly BB – and the floor is in uproar – add to that cratefulls of pencils,armfuls of books, some tops I got from ebay, sundry pages of the guardian and some hama beads…… well, you get the right impression.
I am on call, was in work until just after 6, so lucky to get back tonight. Greeted by an enthusiastic SB and a ravenous BB. Fed BB and told SB a story -after picking my way over happy street. We hama-ed while BB tore up happy street – chuckling and raaaring as she went. SB getting much more careful of the hama, but too impatient yet to complete anything on the midi bead size. they are fiddly aren’t they. I doubt I’d want to do the small. Lots more books and the macaroni cheese for tea – yum.
SB told me about her day – and as chris blogging better, he will prob add, but in summary, she was too attentiony for him to do anything seperate – and these jobs were pick the shallots and onions, and pack for hols. Upshot is that we wont be going on holiday tomorrow, but tues. Will text you sarah re wed if that OK. Maybe SB and I will pick tomorrow, as the shallots and unions really need to come up. They did go swimming, and she has done loads of really beautiful colouring, as well as play with the happy street. Anything else he’ll have to say.
Shame about the hols, but we are chilling, and it is better that we start a day late rather than get all twitched up to get there tomorrow night in dark and rain!
Special thoughts from this blog to Jax and Layla and families for tomorrow and the rest of the week, when I will be starved of knowing how things going on.
Posted in art and crafts, General, literacy, numeracy, SB-PE
These are the biggest happenings of the day – so obviously a relaxed one. i have had a really heavy week at work, and working tomorrow, so did need relaxed. i also haven’t been quite so manic today as needed a bit more headspace.
SB got up at some ungodly hour, and got up chris as well. BB and I slept a while longer, and then I got breakfast in bed – very nice. [no I haven't done night weaning or controlled crying yet]. Meandered downstairs and the outside. We started off with making scrabble words. SB made 3 3 letter words [cvc] herself that joined and was proud, but that was enough. BB had a lot of fun on the rocker horse. SB then did a counting game with chinese chequers board with me, whose rules I misunderstood, so a ‘moment’ there. Book time to calm things down, and I was brough the space and the machines picturepedia of DK. I was surprised how much SB has remembered about space, as it must be quite a number of months since we last really looked at it. She also remebered the gluing shapoes space picture we did back in march or april – blogged so I can find it! Thisn time we concentrated more on galaxies and the lifecycle of stars. She liked the idea of constellations, so this eve tried to look for some, but too cloudy. Didn’t see Venus either, but not sure whether that is in an evening or morning phase at the mo. We also had a look around the garden at different leaf types – and took photos for potential use in future.
Some making up stories later, and we went to harvest lunch – potatoes, runner beans and sweetcorn. Also some figs. SB now good at spotting the ripe sweetcorn and figs too. That gave us the idea for checking on the grapes, and a short taste test and we harvested the first bunch!! – wow, we are really happy about this. And they are nice eaters. some of the smaller slightly tart, but not too much. the largest very juicy and sweet.
While chris cooked lunch, SB did some sticker sleeping beauty story book, I read it too her, and then she did all the stickers while I played peekaboo with BB. Before that, she was BB the destroyer, ripping up the not-brio track that SB had obviously put out while we were still in bed. Yummy lunch, and some general playing. A short amount of singapore maths while chris [and BB] got the tandem ready, and then they were off for a spin.
While I was slightly nervous, BB and I had fun walking round the room and general chuckling and 9 month interactions. I don’t often get the chance to play so much with BB without interruption. Its quite pleasant isn’t it, to just be playing with one for a change. [not that I would swap anything here!]
the bigger beans returned unharmed, and I got a blow by blow account. Mostly wildness, rollerskating and magazine reading, then lots and lots of beautiful colouring in – finally she does it in the lines and carefully. This is probably tieing in with her increased interest in writing – where is that sonlight order with the getty and dubay! Anyway, we did writing practice in a jolly phonics workbook. I got to play a lot more with BB as well, without feeling I was depriving SB. maybe i should be more laid back more often? Nah.
Anyway, baths and both asleep. SB wanted Thomas books again – obviously back on a train theme, so will perhaps do a train ride next week in somerset.
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Posted in art and crafts, Butterbean, gardening, General, literacy, numeracy, photos, SB-PE, science, Stringbean's HE
Chris and SB gone for first ever tandem cycle ride …. on the roads. i had been thinkin g quiet estate or cycle track.
worried!
SB very excited
Posted in General, SB-PE, Stringbean's HE
Had another visit from the Patch of Puddles which was lovely. Though sadly Fran was not feeling very well and spent most of the time sitting, lying quietly which was a shame. But the rest of them all had a good time. This is a great house for having visitors, plenty of space inside and out for the kids to run about and play, plenty of space in side and out for the adults to sit and chat, drink tea, eat etc. 
Day was lovley and hot and sunny, autumn will soon be on it’s way, so need to make the best of these.
I was out getting supplies when they arrived, apparently there was an odd little time on first arrival as Stringbean and the puddlers settled in with each other -SB not wanting to join in and play with them, which happened before, resolved by bringing out some new bits of Brio type train track . Not sure wat that is about exactly but by the time I arrived they were off and playing., flitted in and out of the house, playing upstairs, on the climbing frame, riding scooter, bikes etc. Didn’t really notice exactly what they were doing but they all seemed to be happy most of the time. Evidence of playing with old Cindy dolls on the landing, snippets of the typical ‘Do you want to be the baby, I’ll be mummy’ type conversations, and lost of running around, clambering about, whilst adults chatted and gossiped.
Had nice lunch, cooked the kids some pasta – mostly becuase we know they will all eat it, and it’s quick,. Served it to them on a table down the end of the garden well out of earshot 
Then did a pitta bread, hoummus, olives, salad, corn-on-cob type thing for the adults, plus the kids to eat bits of as they saw fit Sat muncing on this under the gazebo on the lawn whilst children swirled around us back and forth.
It’s great watching them all playing together, SB and Maddy in particular seem to get on well (nearest in ages of course). BB and Josie did the sitting, squirming (BB) and crawling (Josie) baby thing happily all day. We do feel that SB maybe misses out on playing with other kids a bit. In Leeds she had a circle of he friends from Helen’s ante-natal group that often met up most weeks,and tots club (with many of the same) etc.. We’ve not really managed to make any suitable contacts yet in the village, we did attend a few group things in the village, but moslty it was younger kids attending (not that SB seemed to mind), presumably the older ones were at nursey, playgroup etc. and of course lots will be going to school very soon. She doesn’t seem obviosluly bothered by this, but maybe she is too young to think about it. But she does love children visiting her,and when we go to the playground, she always likes it when ther are other cildren around who she can play with. And as a dad (since I’ve done most of it of course), it does seem a bit harder to link into the mum’s network sort of thing that groows aup aroubnd the variosu baby/toddler activities.We’ll see how things go I guess.
Anyway, we all decided to try and make the effort to get togther a bit more often. Will hopefully make the Peterborough Puddlers meeting on Friday
I would include some piccies , but of course H has gobbled up our flickr upload allowance for this month. So it will have to wait until tomorrow. She has only got a slighty twitchy mouse finger….
helen edit: it was a lovely day – sorry if i seemed vague at times, but getting too old for 24 hour shifts. SB had bee really excited by puddlers coming, but also very clingy when I got home – she really hates my 24 hour shifts, and wants to do everything with me the next day, which is lovely but I’m usually knackered.
Before the puddlers arrived, we talked about what she had done yesterday, read some of my history of england for children ebay purchase books [lovely!] – for once we read modern history, so first and second world wars, and related them directly to family members, which she grasped. Also discussed a bit why wars might happen. there was a cartoon piccie towards end of margaret thatcher and all SB could think about was what a fat head she had got – i think a bit of a lack of appreciation of artistic licence!
we did some more patterning with the connect 4, but the real business was trying on the rollerskates I got from the friends shop for ?1. these are the bees knees as far as she is concerned, and she skated all over the playroom, the corridors and outside. Only one egg on her forehead, and otherwise getting the knack – did have to put my foot down about wearing them on the climbing frame – particularly when the puddlers were here ‘but maddy said I could go down the slide fast’…..hmm!!!!
Chris has covered the puddlers – which was lovely, thanks for visiting. Need to contact Karen O in Northants too. [if you're reading....] We are hoping to catch 2 red boots next week when in somerset/devon camping [venue TBA!], and hopefully firming up a few open house visitors, so that’s good.
When puddlers left, a long cuddle, as SB very sad to see them go – so after a shaky start… next time must sort out icebreaker activity. May go to Merry’s next so she doesn’t have to do the trek. if Chris not working and avail to drive that would be fine – i just worry about driving long distances if been up hald the night. From october though, hopefully, it will be less likely to happen due to rota changes. Poor Merry had some maniac driver behind her on way here though.
Anyway, long cuddle and then SB did me lots of flowers with her spirograph, carefully writing hers and my names beside them as we love each other. She is just adorable. Since I had crashing migraine [combination of approaching storm, no sleep and stress] I was slightly out of it, but hopefully managed to get across how lovely it was. The I did crash and chris has done whole bedtime thing – i didn’t even feed BB [though I did lots in the day]
Massive storm – so migraine eased off, but still very muggy. really lovely and long phone call from a uni mate of mine, who we are also meeting up with next week. She is SB and BB’s godmother.
Posted in art and crafts, Butterbean, history, Ponderings, SB-PE, socialisation, Stringbean, Stringbean's HE
Had contemplated going to Norfolk today, but instead we are going next Wed.
got up – reluctantly! And immediately had to build specific lego house – the client was a particularly demanding one! Some relief came when we went swimming. SB still doing the drowning dog stroke – but I am working on confidence to try other things! She is very confident at launching of the side – nearly a sitting dive to be honest, and then carrying on swimming. She also likes to do dolphin ducks under and over. BB also loves the water, and kicks and splashes wildly, with careful preparation she can float on her back – but for a few seconds only, as she then tries to turn over and sinks.
On the way home we picked up some more fresh plums, sweetcorn and runner beans from various stalls on the road. Talked with the somewhere in 80′s no doubt plum lady about the village and changes, and my desire for an orchard. She says I can walk the children round it whenever I like [5 acres]. I know, and orchard and chickens – must have watched the good life once too often. [partic if you look at our veg bed photos on flikr - oops, but has been productive, despite the weeds]
More lego, and then we decided to read the castle flip book and make our own – which we did. A minor contretemps as SB had spotted a roman house kit from DK which i will put aside for a couple of years, and really wanted to build that instead. Anyway, a lovely castle from loo rolls was made and painted [crafts]. I was pleased to have done it, as going through old photos, we seemed to do a lot of arts and crafts, and this really has slowed down a lot – due to lack of planning by me I suspect.
Some story reading – including Ulysses by Usborne, and the she helped me make pasta bake for tea – so some to freeze again for little Nanny. SB has got over courgettes now, as it contained those and fennel, red peppers alll chopped but visible. Still whizzed the mushrooms and onions though. Also pine nuts and olives. yummy!
Chris putting SB to bed, as I’ve got to do this major talk for work [still!], and BB burbling at my feet. Chris has done some slashing to the overgrowth in the veg beds this afternoon – good man.
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Posted in art and crafts, Butterbean, Cooking, gardening, General, literacy, SB-PE, Stringbean's HE
Well, its about time I wrote something a bit educational. Sb very good at reading and asking loads of quesitons – so no probs there. Also had an ebay frenzy and books and maps keeping us occupied [and bigly clothes for me]. The cheap globe from tesco a hit. I seem to be addicted to DK eyewitness books though. SB doing lots of drawing, and some maths workbooks regularly, reading lots of things together – with her spelling and saying the simple words. Lots of outdoors when the weather OK. I think we are mostly doing imaginative play though at the moment – dressing up and acting out. SB also very interested in family albums, and getting an idea of historical timeline through family. We didn’t get to finish the jelly, as some jamjars on order from Lakeland. MUST buy postcards this weekend!
BB is definitely into being bipedal. She can shuffle around – mostly backwards to her extreme annoyance. She has started waving her hands – which is v cute. SB adores her – also v cute. even if there is the odd greenish hue around.
My Dad visited on wed, which was very nice. Both he and Chris think I put too much up on flikr so can’t see wood for trees. I don’t care! it is my backup photos, and there is room. I will cut down for the albums. Antway, dad brought me lots of cousin Anne’s geneology things, as I am going to be the keeper. Haven’t looked, as i think I often try to pretend she is still alive, as we only saw each other a couple of times a year. Brief moment there. Anyway BB enjoyed eating Dad’s icecream. Sb shew him everything she can do!!
I am germinating a curriculum plan in freestyle mode for CHris and SB, so need laminator and time, and then they can do dip and dives, with things semi organised – SB not good if no instant gratification!
Anyway, think that is it. loads of piccies on flikr to back it up!
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Posted in art and crafts, Butterbean, Cooking, General, geography, history, literacy, numeracy, SB-PE, Stringbean's HE
another one!!
BB has her third tooth and has had fun scraping and chomping with it. She loves her food and finger food – very good at peeling skins of plums etc in her mouth and spitting out.
She is also nearly crawling. ‘cos she has been so fond of standing, i assumed that like SB she wouldn’t bother much with crawling, but no. She can get into all 4′s and stretch to reach, and then sits again, getting close though.
Also she puts her arms up for carries and hugs, loves SB, is enjoying the rocking horse and is very inquisitive about pretty much everything in her path. I love her.
Came home via tescos and in their sale was a globe and junior swingball, so got both. SB has played with both alot this eve, so good buy! She is now asleep, and so, apparently is Chris. This househusbanding wears him out. I am going to wake him, as can’t bear to look at lots of rooms in house. I will start with the disaster that is this room.
Posted in Butterbean, General, geography, SB-PE
Woke up with crashing migraine again – something tells me they may be slightly related to my stress levels at the mo!!
A fair number of drugs later, and surfaced gone 11, so since Chris had forgotten to buy tickets for the festival before we went to Copenhagen, and didn’t fancy taking girlies on own as also pooped, we missed it. Would have texted anyone, but we hadn’t been sensible enough to swap numbers. I am sure it was great, and really will do it another year.
Instead, we went for a lazy swim instead for lunchtime, SB still doing drowning dog impression, but is very experimental in the water. She was jumping off floats and starting to approximate a dive – to be more like the ones in copenhagen. She loves the water, has no fear of going under and coming up spluttering. BB also a water girl, kicking wildly, and reaching for toys. We really should have done the waterbaby thing, as she is the type.
After lunch we found my sindy hourse, so re-enacted rapunzel and made up various barbie on horse stories [def drama!]. Some webland, lots of rupert bear annual and general playing with things. Laid back as I still am not feeling particularly perky. BB entertained herself very well with all SB’s toys, bottom shuffling around the room.
Did manage to make a nice curry though, with 2 portions to spare for Little Nanny. Beans both asleep [nice and early for a change!] so I am having melon vodka to go nicely with the drugs, and will look around for work stuff, as Monday is an early start day. Also have lots to discuss with colleagues as fired with ideas from conference, so had better organise some of them!
oh, forgot to say that as I can sing the swan lake music, SB has me teaching her the moves – ROFL!! that girl needs proper ballet lessons.
edir – Have made a page of acquisitions when money trickles in – eyes to big for purse syndrome!! Any extra suggestions [codes and cheapest places of course!] welcomed