wheezeybouncers jumping thoughts

Duracell Bunny!

2012-02-07T00:21:00.002Z

That is what Rick reminds me of. Trouble is as he's 3 there is little for him to do. Most things will take him the term he turns 4. That's almost a year away!

So far he's tried

Street Dance @Dancing Diva's 50/60mins- got bored! Plus they weren't really happy having him

Judo- this he enjoys but the timings are off for us- M/W/F 6.30-8 & Sa 2-4

Gymnastics- It didn't wear him out! But he enjoyed and is going back

Street Dance @Stella Just Dance- full hour. Loved it *and* he's allowed back even though he's technically too young

Swimming- needs to be able to reach the bottom of the pool before he can take lessons but he goes weekly with Daddy any way

The reason Saturday Judo isn't so good is the swimming @10 followed by piano @12.30 at some point they need feeding! Evenings aren't so good as he's usually ready for bed around 8ish.

So we're going with Stella & Gymnastics & Swimming for now and lets see if that wears him out a little!

Beth's Castle Project

2012-02-05T20:18:00.002Z

The finished Drawbridge, complete with Royal Crown

Decorations were a must!

It's a blue castle we live in!

So THAT'S how we're making the trouts! (turrets!)

Basic Castle

Play Date

2012-02-04T22:04:00.003Z

The fastest bumpy slide I've ever seen!

Concentrating with his friend

Diving in head first!

Taking a horse ride

It's February!

2012-02-01T06:22:00.002Z

Which means we're a month into 2012. And a month nearer the Olympics.

This month we're predicted a very, VERY cold snap with temperatures getting as low as -11 at night. I think it was on it's way yesterday.

Half term this month and a visit from my friend Steve is planned for the first two days. We'll add in lots of swimming. Not sure what else!

January 2012 pics

2012-01-25T23:11:00.002Z

Sian with her posh dress and "model makeup"

Remember I said they could scooter in the road?

Beth doing her hair shampoo advert

They may fight, but the kids do love each other really :O)

The boy has curls. Usually most prominent when his hair is wet- he won't let me cut it again!

Thomas William Driver DFC

2012-01-25T00:04:00.003Z

February 28 1929- January 7th 2012

My Grumpy Grampy who always phoned on my birthday won't be able to anymore :O( This will be the first time since I could speak on the phone that we won't be singing "happy birthday to us"

The kids all came to say our last goodbyes. And were extremely well behaved. And gave us such gems on the day as

Beth: I can't look at my picture of Great Grandad Tom cause it makes water come out of my eyes

Sian: Great Grandad Tom can't speak any more now he's dead. That's why people in Heaven don't talk

Rick: while grandad was saying a few words at the crematorium, looked at the order of service sheet and said loud and clear for all to hear GRANDAD TOM!

He was scary sometimes. Grumpy often. A Gentleman always. Generous to a fault.

It’s Ok

It’s OK to let go. You’re tired.

It’s OK to let go. You’re in pain.

It’s OK to let go. We know you’ve been strong.

Our admiration of you is how long you’ve held on.

It’s OK to let go. Some one’s waiting.

It’s OK to let go. You’ve missed them.

It’s OK to let go. With time we’ll be fine.

Our grief is for us, for knowing you.

It’s OK to let go. We love you.

It’s OK to let go. We’ll be strong.

It’s OK to let go. We’ll remember you.

Our tears will diminish in time.

Wales.

2012-01-24T23:38:00.003Z

Rick's Border in his room

Beth's Bed

Sian's Bed

New School Uniform (later Sian got hoodies with her name on and Beth got a fleece with her name on)

Taking advantage of living 10mins from the beach when we had the Indian Summer

So, we came to Wales. I didn't know for sure it was the right thing to do. But it was. I've got the Sian who enjoys school and wants to learn back. She gave her teacher high praise indeed- he's better than all her others put together! She's carried on with piano and is also learning recorder and violin. And doing Judo as well as Swimming.

Beth is always going to be the sort of child who gets on everywhere. She is as much a hug monster here as she was in London! But she's had the chance to try Rhythmic Gymnastics here. I'm not sure how long she'll stay for though.

Rick has settled in the local Welsh Medium Preschool group. He goes 4days a week. Is mad as a hatter and will finally admit that there is more than one Josh in the world! Mind you, when he started last term it was a small group. 4 girls, 4 boys. apart from Rick all the boys had J names!

I miss our garden here. And having an upstairs bathroom. But the kids can scooter in the street with supervision. The beach is 10mins away. School is 5mins. Granny is only 20mins.

£$%&*!

2011-08-23T21:46:00.002Z

We went out to have a nice family outing on Aug 11th. We came back to find that Hounslow Council had changed our lives forever.

We are officially homeless. Would have been nice of them to TELL us they'd stopped the housing benefit. And would have been nice to FIND OUT THEY WERE GOING TO FREAKIN' EVICT US!!!

Do they REALLY think we'd have gone out that day if we'd KNOWN what we'd come back to!?

We've been forced to move to Wales ahead of when we'd planned. And now we're desperatley trying to find a property to move into before school starts. We have 2 weeks. And are having no luck. I want my family back together. The girls are staying with my sister and her chain smoker husband. The rest of us are staying with my parents. The air bed is ok, but poor rick just has his quilt doubled over on the floor.

The kicker in everything here is THEY DIDN'T LOOK AT THE CLAIM PROPERLY!! I didn't work full time. Not since before Sian was born. But it's too late for us. We're struggling to find a place that we can afford.

Clive has had to leave a steady job. The kids have left their school and friends and Rainbows and Brownie packs. I've left two of the best friends ever behind.

I wanted to move home, but not like this. All I can do is cry. I'm starting to doubt my abilities as a parent. a carer. a daughter. a person.

camping... not sure about it still!

2011-08-07T15:12:00.003Z

Sian, Beth and Rick with their Great Grandad Tom
Beth just "chilaaaaaaaaaxing"

Sian takes time out to play DS in the tent

Lets go fly a kite!

Rick makes a movie.

playing on the digger

Daddy helps Rick scoop sand

Shovel and drop!

THIS is how accidents happen!

2011-08-05T20:24:00.004Z

The pics are out of order, and she was being closely supervised while I took the pics. But I came down to find her IN the dryer trying to get clothes out!

Roll on Summer Hols!

2011-07-04T21:53:00.002Z

Sian's desperate not to go to school. She came down this morning in her normal clothes not her uniform.

first it was not feeling well, but she couldn't say how.
then it was sewing is too hard, that was her choice to do sewing club- which incidentally wasn't on today!
then it was cause she has to do "Horrid Henry" in Literacy. In English (we're in England?!)

Sometimes I think it'd be easier to just Home School her. But then would Beth want to be home schooled as well. She's a very sociable child. She loves break and dinner time. That's about all she enjoys these days!

Her ideal curriculum would go like this:

French
Spanish
BSL
Science
Maths
Music

I could do that home schooling. She won't get it at school... what to do... roll on summer hols!

Fun in the Sun

2011-07-03T20:13:00.003Z

Sian almost got it. 2 seconds later she moaned she couldn't do it!
Beth's collecting daisys

Beth trying to help Sian ride a 2 wheeler

Sian and Beth getting to grips with some open air excersize equipment

Beth trying to walk the rolling plank!

Rick being cute LOL

Beth up in the air

Sian up in the air

Sian & Beth posing for me.

Beth learnt to ride her bike with no stabilisers!

puddles!

2011-06-25T21:22:00.002Z

Awful Day

2011-05-07T13:33:00.001Z

I left blogging about it so I could try and see something good about the day. There wasn't.

I got to housing and their queueing system was broken. Rick was a star considering we stood in line for over 30mins. (and 3 days later they still haven't received it!?)

Tried to take money out the bank. It wouldn't let me take out what I knew was in there.

Putting change in my purse I lost £5 to the wind- at least it wasn't the £10!? But that left me short till payday.

The bus back to school didn't arrive till almost 3pm. I was meant to be picking Beth up at 3.

AAARRRGGGHHHH!!!

surrey heath fair

2011-04-30T15:50:00.005Z

Daddy, Rick and Beth on the Frimley Lodge Minature Railway
Rick's learning to drive!

Sian in a tree

Beth with a gian carrot or two

Rick found a minature train

Sian got to find out about steam trains

Beth learning about the steamer

Rick saw the model railway

Sian getting off a giant bouncy slide

Whee!

Kevin

Hubble Puppetry

Hubble MC

Hubble Drummer

Rick was headbanging to the music!

Runnymede

2011-04-28T20:15:00.003Z

randomness from this month

2011-04-19T20:52:00.003Z

Sian & Beth showing some sisterly love
Rick being a monkey.. oh, no, on a slide.

Sian sliding down

Beth playing with the bark chips

Lovely pic of my three monkeys.

Sian makes Lunch

2011-04-16T19:11:00.001Z

Cutting the Pineapple Rings Then the Frankfurters

Createing the Kebabs

Ready to Cook

Ready to eat

Beth made Cookies

2011-04-16T19:08:00.001Z

chocolate chip with a chocolate button for decoration. even my kids like to cook!

2011-03-24T21:41:00.000Z

Rick's turn!

2011-03-24T16:40:00.002Z

Sian took this one when I wasn't looking. I love it!

We've been going to a play gym since last autumn with friends. Rick loves it in the foam pit!

At the park one sunny Saturday

Cheeky Chappy!

Sian's turn!

2011-03-23T21:48:00.002Z

Sian joined the choir in the Autumn term. They sang at the Christmas Bazaar.
Playing in the leaves for homework one week. So much fun!

Baking snickerdoodles for homework one week

Sian started to learn piano. Her grasp of theory is amazing for a 7yo!

She has also been having swimming lessons since the summer and now has a little tooo much confidence around the water. Pity she still stands up to breathe!!

And the middle of February saw Sian make her Brownie Promise. She's already told me she wants to go onto Guide when she's old enough!

Been a while so some Beth time first

2011-03-23T21:31:00.005Z

My baby girl is 5 now. She goes to school full time and is loving it. She can read simple books and it working hard at the tricky words too. She loves to colour and enjoys maths too (goodness knows why!!) Last week she made her Rainbow promise and is now officially a member of the Girl Guide Association. At the moment she doesn't think she wants to go onto Brownies though!

random photos

2010-08-24T14:59:00.002Z

A visit to the Science museum

2010-08-24T14:52:00.002Z

the front of the building

the tiger (we saw so much more though! you'll see later)

Rick comparing starfish

Beth exploring a tray

Sian with her tray

This is...

2010-08-24T14:48:00.001Z

What happens when you tell my son that he can't play with the little girls doll stroller (to be fair she did want to play with it herself!)

Teeth.

2010-06-24T18:42:00.003Z

Sian has a wobbly tooth. Wait, FOUR wobbly teeth. And they ALL have their adult tooth counterparts behind them already. Guess who doesn't get to take a "first lost tooth picture"

Rick has four all trying to break through at once. The first four all cut with a high temp and disgusting nappies! This time, he has a stinking cold. BUT they're almost through so it's all good!

Beth.. well hers are still there LOL

hampton court with friends

2010-06-11T21:08:00.001Z

some lego friends

2010-06-08T19:19:00.001Z

fun in the sun. easter 2010

2010-04-10T21:13:00.002Z

Easter Hols this year are feeling a little looong. Especially as for this lot school finished at lunch time the Weds before Easter and Easter weekend was the first weekend. So, in an effort to relieve the boredom I decided to let the girls each invite some friends for a tea party. Beth went first and hers was a "Princess tea party" basically all pink and glittery and dressing up-y! The weather was fantastic for us so we made full use of the garden.

Evie, Chloe, Amy and Sian at Beth's princess tea party (Beth was sitting off to one side and wouldn't get in the picture)

Sian and Evie getting creative. Lots of lovely pictures were made by the girls!

Evie and Chloe cheesing it up for the camera!

Amy and Beth decide to bounce out some energy. Ricks trying to follow!

Evie and Sian bouncing around

Sian and Beth getting creative!

boo munching one of our cupcakes. we could NOT get the sprinkles to stay on the icing!

Sian having a nice refreshing drink in the sun

Sian

Beth gurning for the camera!

Windsor castle

2010-04-10T20:28:00.005Z

A friend of mine (and the kids Godmother if I EVER get round to christening them!!) works at Windsor castle and managed to get us free tickets to go. I let the girls play hookey from school and we spent a lovely day around Windsor. Beth and Rick got bored of the castle rather quickly but Sian wants to go back as there was so much we DIDN'T see. And she's asked to see the kitchens too, which costs extra.

Sian holding hands with a soldier (NOT allowed as a general rule!) Beth making new friends

Guarding Windsor McDonalds

Sian with a real soldier. He tried hard not to laugh LOL. They're not allowed to talk or smirk or laugh on duty. And yes, it can be very hard!

a view of one of the chapels (we went ages ago, I've forgotten what we saw!)

Her Majesty the Queen was in residence while we were there (no, we didn't get to meet her)

Rock garden. It has to be seen to appreciate the complete beauty of it.

a random lion fountain

guarding the queen

a statue

Where Sian and her friends would have gone had the school trip happened!

Sian and Beth going into the castle

Going up to the castle from Windsor itself

Frederick gets to grips with trampolining

2010-04-10T20:09:00.005Z

All photos are in no particular order (blogspot is being a pain tonight!) but you can tell that he was younger in the first set- probably only a month, but what a difference it makes!

swinging in the (cold) sun

2010-03-15T21:31:00.002Z

The weather this year has been........cold. VERY cold! BUT this past few weeks we've seen some sun popping up. And there is a park at teh end of our road. With swings. So we go. And play till Rick's hands are red raw with cold. He's far to adventurous for my liking. he can climb up slide ladders ... and go down the slides. BUT the slide at the park has a balance beam off one side of the platform, a cargo net off the other, the slide & the ladder :o/ oh, and the slide in our garden? is on concrete. yeah he climbed taht before you could say jack robinson and went down......... where's my baby gone? he climbs up onto the trampoline too. i hope the lawnmower hasnt died having over wintered in the garden with no shed

temper tantrums

2010-03-15T21:15:00.003Z

Sian- screams at you that she doesn't "want to do XYZ" She wants "to go to bed and READ"
Beth- screams and you and hits you
Rick- LOOKS at you. Turns round. Sulks. Sits down. Lies on his back and stares at the ceiling. OR Lies on flat on the floor, face down and just stays there silent!!

Frederick had a "wobbly lolly" It was rather hard to get the hang of eating it apparently! Well, if the photos are anything to go by.....................

bobby bear came to stay!

2010-01-18T10:56:00.009Z

Beth and Bobby chill out after the walk home. Driving the alphabet train. Not sure Rick was too impressed!
Look! B for Bobby and Beth.

The flashy, musicy train. It was fun.

mmmmmmmmmmmmm. fruit bowl. YUMMY in my Tummy!!

A cuddle from Sian and a cardi to stop me feeling the cold.

Reading stories. This one was about a nice, BIG, juicy orange. Yummy.

Getting ready for bed.

oooh. too high. i don't like it up here.

Sleep over time with Minnie and Koala

Listening to a bedtime story from Sian.

Look at all the books. Lots of stories to be read!

We went to the shoe shop and the nice lady measured my feet.

I tried on some shoes. (but I ended up with Ricks outgrown ones)

Yummy, caramel coffee. Starbucks no less.

All good bears (and children) should sit in properly fitting and fitted car seats. A step up in a seat is a step down in safety.

Taking Sian & freinds to school in the fog.

Beth signing off my diary of the weekend. She's very good at signing her name now.

Hula Hooping on the Wii Fit with Beth.

Time to go home. I had a lovely time at Beth's house.

Decorating the Tree

2010-01-17T06:55:00.003Z

Sian and Beth with the finished tree (we lost the pic of Rick as the angel!!)

Daddy helping Beth with something (tinsel?)

Rick "helping" decorate the tree, actually he's just playing "peek-a-boo"!

Sian and Beth deciding what should go where

Beth getting started

2010-01-16T06:32:00.003Z

I got a new computer. It's costing me £35/month but that does include both my laptop and my internet! DIS advantage.... all the photos are on the other computer! Oh and Clive can't use the laptop on the sofa- his legs are too short! However he can plug the USB into the desktop to surf the net on that one. Or just take this to the dining room and put it on the table. I'm loving being able to surf and watch Biggest Loser!

School started with biiiig disruption. We had *snow* Lots of pretty white, cold snow. So the kids were in Mon/Tues, finished early Weds off Thurs/Fri the first week back after Christmas (must do xmas post!) Monday we still had snow. But we have a sensible head teacher and school was on. Thank GOODNESS I didn't sell the bugaboo in the end! It didn't like getting snow stuck in the front wheels though. One thing that has resulted from the weather is that mornings are slightly easier now. The kids have been going in through the front and going straight to class and they're carrying that on for a few weeks to see how well it works. Saves a 5minute trek round to the back playground! We still pick them up from the back though, but that is ok for me as I get one or the other then run round and pick whichever I haven't picked up yet.

On another school related note. Sian isn't enjoying year 1 so much as reception. BUT she came running out of school the other day very happy. She said "finally, I got a chance to be star of the day" She was sooo pleased bless her. I do miss home schooling her. Since she went to school she appears to have lost her independence and ability to think for herself. She has fostered her love of reading though (although she doesn't like reading to me- we're going for some rewards to encourage that) and she's quite popular apparently, even her teacher likes her LOL (she reminds her of her at the same age!)

Beth has brought home "Bobby Bear" the nursery mascot this weekend. We had loooots of fun when Sian brought "Lucy Ladybird" home last year! Bobby is coming shoe shopping with us today. And tomorrow we're chilling with Finding Nemo and the Wii. Weather doesn't allow for trampolining with Bobby, but he did help me to tidy up the girls library, sorry I mean bedroom! Last night. I have far too much fun with these stuffed animals LOL.

Sian is 6!

2010-01-05T17:15:00.002Z

Ray

Evie

Sian & Dee

Sian blowing out the candle

Sian is now a big SIX year old. How far she's come since her birth (3lbs 13oz then, 41lbs now!) She invited 5 friends for tea on the day. Two turned up. One RSVP'd but cancelled that morning and Two I never heard from either way.

Rick Sweeps Up

2009-12-04T22:40:00.002Z

He'll quite happily sweep the floor but he won't walk on his own!? Got to say it though, he was more help than the girls this morning.

I have threatened them with NO CHRISTMAS TREE for their behaviour! I think what will probably happen now is instead of us doing the tree as a family Mama and Daddy will do it when they're in bed. Next question.... where is our little fibre optic tree? I will either put it in the girls room or have it in the dining room (if I ever get the dining room back!)

Star of the Day

2009-11-28T08:45:00.003Z

At KMS every day through the whole school, one pupil is chosen in their class to be "star of the day" Sian was a couple of times in reception. She couldn't care less this year LOL. But Beth was getting really upset that she "didn't be star of the day" after her friends all had it and some of them 2-3x. Look what she came out with one day last week. She was a happy bunny :o) I do want to know if she threw a strop though as she does sometimes when she has waited patiently for something and then given up "wanting" it LOL

Soft Play Time!

2009-11-21T19:29:00.001Z

Present opening time!

2009-11-08T08:38:00.003Z

Frederick has a birthday party

2009-11-08T08:31:00.002Z

Aunty Sarah, Vicky, Josh, Evie & Rick play with the mega blocks

Evie eats a random brick!

Rick goes off to explore what everyone else is doing, after all it's his party!

Josh is getting to know Evie- not sure what Rick will think of that!

Birthday cake time MMMMmm

Frederick is 1 already?!

2009-11-08T07:36:00.005Z

So for his actual birthday Rick invited his friends Evie and Safyia out for cupcakes with their respective growed ups. He also took along his small big sister as she was off school thanks to choking on her fruit shoot in the play ground..........

Cupcake Rick demolished above (christmas pudding!) and the cupcake the girls demolished (chosen by their Mama's!) below (black forest)

Here's what happened

Evie got her cup cake fed to her by Mummy

Saffy got her pretty bib on to save her clothes from messes

And Mummy fed her.. she wasn't sure at first but..

Oh yeah, can't keep a girl from her chocolate!

Mama let Rick loose with *his* cupcake, much to his delight and his friends Mama's dismay!

He got stuck into it well and truly

AAAALLLL round his chops!

And up his nose!

And in his tummy! It was yummy yummy!

Halloween @ Legoland

2009-11-01T08:05:00.002Z

Cheeky Child

2009-10-31T22:10:00.003Z

The back of my latest Upsy Daisy creation. She did a summer ladybird and I asked for a firework for Ricks birthday adn the lady bird too. Instead of me having to buy two nappies, I got one. Of a ladybird watching the firework (which I don't have a photo of yet as Rick won't stay lying down and can't stand unaided long enough to snap the pic!)

See the ice cream he's ignoring? Yup, that's MINE! I knocked the pushchair over and he stole the spoon.. and icecream!

Sorry it's sideways. My phone is a law unto itself, I took the video clip *upright*!

Happy Halloweeeeeeen!

2009-10-31T21:36:00.004Z

Snow White (Beth), Vampyre (Sian) and my lil' skeleton in the closet (Rick)

Daddy helping Rick show off the complete skeleton outfit

Beth as Snow White

Sian the Vampyre Bat!

Face of the Baby Show 2009

2009-10-30T15:26:00.001Z

http://www.babyexpert.com/Gallery/Frederick-Morgan/gallery

please go and vote (once every day till Nov 30) for my lil' man!

Beth is FOUR!!

2009-10-28T06:47:00.005Z

Lauren from Beth's old nursery

Abbie from Beth's old nursery

Evie from School

Rick's girlfriend Evie

opening presents (we needed to fill some time while the cake was being prepared LOL)

cutting her tink cake

the cake

Beth's boyfriend Logan

Beth and Evie

party food!

So, someone told my baby girl she could turn FOUR a couple of weeks ago?!?!?! She asked for a tea party at home with "Abbie, Lauren, Evie, Logan and Amy" and Mama pulled the Mama card so that Sian, Rick and little Evie came too LOL. Our dining room looks BIG until you put 9 children and 6 adults in it, then it's teeny tiny LOL.

Apart from one temper tantrum from Beth when she couldn't get her own way during pass the parcel it went off relatively ok. We were late home thanks to some trouble at school with a freinds daughter and we needed to wait to talk to her teacher.

Eat, play games, open parcels, have cake was the order of the day. Beth's birthday fell on a Friday and it was the end of the school week so I opted to have them munch as soon as they got here. Yup, food kinda disappeared fast! Note to self, don't bother with sandwiches in future! Then while I cleared the table my friend got them playing Pin the Tail on the Donkey. Table moved we had them sit down in a circle for Pass the Parcel. Where Beth had her most spectacular melt down as she wanted to open ALL the layers of the parcel. I threatened to send ehr to her room then! Once that was sorted out however and we cleared the paper away and everyone had a little something we got the music on again for musical statues... which was a disaster as NOONE could stay still LOL. It was HILARIOUS! So after about 3 attempts at statues we switched it out to musical bumps. Much, MUCH more successful! Somehow though the kids managed to rush through EVERYTHING and we ended up with time left over and no room for shrinkles (my back up activity!) so I opted to let Beth open her presents while I got the cake ready. At least this way she could say thank you in person to everyone! Cake was cut and eaten, grown ups had Krispy Kremes and then everyone went home with a party bag and prize of some sort.

baking

2009-10-28T06:27:00.003Z

Picture heavy post.

2009-10-04T20:46:00.003Z

Frederick eyeing up another pretty girl!

Just chillin' in the bugaboo before school

I climb into it?

I climb out of it?

AHHA! I walk with it!

Beth decided she wanted my glasses before school one lunchtime.. Cause she knew I wouldn't be able to see her being naughty!

Sisters having a make over on the last day of the summer holidays.

Beth & Rick having a cuddle on the sofa. Goodness knows what she was doing to make him laugh so much!

Beth's first school uniform picture. So smart, lasted 10 minutes!

Sian first day back after summer picture. Yeah, she's never this smart either. And we've not had to wear the coat more than 2x yet LOL.

Frederick is a FLIRT!

2009-09-29T21:34:00.003Z

mind you, with that smile..........

First Train ride at Legoland- he's been asleep the other times!

Who's taller, me or him?

Discovering the duplo bricks

The child is such a ham!

Onto the flirting. Rick already has a girlfriend (Evie in the photo with Beth about two posts down) They get on as well as a 9 & 10month can. Lots of slobbering, hair pulling etc LOL. I went out with a freind teh other day who has a little girl about a week older than Evie. While we were walking down the street, Grace and Rick decided that they wanted to HOLD HANDS in their pushchairs!!! And then in McDs they were sharing their food and drink. Neither child could stop making eyes at the other. I've some pics from that lunch but they're on my phone.. must get them off it!

Beth's First Day Photo

2009-09-29T21:22:00.003Z

I admit, I almost cried! She looked so grown up and yet so small in her school uniform.

I asked Beth for a kiss just before she went into school... And I didn't get one! She could not wait to go in the first day, wait, she can't wait to go in at all! I haven't been allowed into the FSU to see her peg or where she registers. I'm lucky to get a kiss or be allowed even ON the path down to the door LOL. I saw Sian's reception teacher about a week later and she said that Beth has settled in really fast, it was like she'd alwasy been there too. I have to take turns picking them up first as well. Oh, and Beth has a boyfriend! It's so cute. When you ask her about him she goes all shy and hides in my knees! I'm friends with his mum, Sian's friends with .. well Sian is pretty much friends with everyone!

Beth & Evie

2009-09-17T08:26:00.000Z

Nursery Home Visit

2009-09-12T07:37:00.001Z

Wednesday was Beth's home visit from her Nursery teachers (miss birch & mrs wilson). We had *fifteen*, so we saw Sian off (still sulking cause she didn't want to go) and started the run home- well, fast walk! We got home with minutes to spare... They were half an hour late!! The school gave them the wrong address!!!! Poor ladies were sent over to Hanworth!

Anyway, mrs wilson has met beth plenty and had the pleasure of looking after her as well so *she's* not worried about her LOL. And miss birch is new this year so has to get to grips with being the head of the foundation stage unit and her class too! and her new staff. Having met Beth though and seen some of her work from grovely she's so not worried. I said they'd have to work on her speech more than anything, but being home over the summer has improved that again. She's going to have a ball, and get plenty of challenges (I asked for that one, I got told that Sian's a very bright young lady that needs a challenge too) minutes to get home and tidy up before htey were due

Beth starts at 12 tomorrow and we're heading out for brunch with friends first! I'll post a picture of her in her uniform after that.

(School) Year 1

2009-09-12T07:10:00.002Z

Sian started in Year 1 Sept 3rd. She was all excited to go back the first day and be in Miss O'Connell's Owls Class. The second day not so much. Then we had the weekend- the first two days were spent settling into their new classes and getting to know their teachers. Last week she did.not.want.to.go.

Monday she had a friend over after school for tea so it wasn't too bad. And they got "Home Learning" Hang on, isn't that what we called home work?! Any way, it was covering their workbooks. A friend came to my rescue with some sticky back plastic and She now has Peppa Pig for Literacy and Waybuloo for Numeracy. They'll get homework in each alternate weeks.

Tuesday she would not go and stand in line with the rest of her class. I was NOT a happy Mama by the time Mrs Mairlot managed to get her to go in. She stopped crying soon after she got in though. I think PE may have helped!

Wednesday I let her play for a while and then had to go and drag her off the playground to get into line in time. Again she didn't want to go but she went eventually after a million kisses and cuddles (she's still my baby!) This was Beth's homevisit day (another post) so I wasn't impressed. Her favourite thing today was "Football Focus" she was full of it LOL

Thursday we were later than usual so she didn't have time to go and play. She still didn't want to go in though. Schools boring she told me.

Friday just took lots of extra cuddles and it was chilly.. the girls wore their hats, scarfs & gloves but no coats! How odd is the weather at the moment?! Today she said school's fun. But I'm not sure why LOL. Something about playing... they do lots of playing in the lower school here. Lots of learning too but it all blends in nicely.

Her topic for the term is "Where we live" and she has homework on Monday to be (signed and) handed in by Thursday. PE Tuesday & Wednesday.

My kids :o)

2009-08-31T19:57:00.002Z

Beth imitating a Monkey

Princess Sian sitting pretty

Rick just being his cheeky self!

Check out the cute little curl. That is SO staying as long as I can keep it!

My little Alien

my kids are too darned skinny!

2009-08-31T16:24:00.005Z

Excuse the lack of dress. I gave him tomato soup (on bread) for lunch.
Anyway, right slots, maybe a little too loose for my liking, but he's practically nakey.
Britax Rock-a-Tot

Sian in a Britax Evolva 2-3. Narrowest booster on the market this time last year. They re-designed it and made it WIDER. I get that kids are getting fatter. BUT there are still skinny ones out there that don't need huge seats!

Beth in the FisherPrice Safe Embrace (Britax Trio), Tight as it'll go. Check the photo below for how darned skinny my "fat" kid is. She can get her hands and arms almost right through it.

Do NOT ask me how I manage to get all three kids in the back of a renault laguna. To say it's a struggle is an understatement! We need a bigger car and we so can't afford it. We can barely afford the one we have. If I had the wherewithall to do it, I would have Sian back in a harness (she'd prefer it), Beth RF again and Rick of course WILL RF till 13kgs either in this seat or the first class that is waiting for him to grow into (it won't really fit with the other two seats.)

I need some savoury recipes

2009-08-31T13:17:00.002Z

I can bake cakes, biscuits & brownies to my hearts (and my families hearts!) content, and my waistlines detriment.

Savoury wise, the only things I can cook (from scratch) are:

Macaroni Cheese (everyone will eat this, and have two or more servings)
Roast Chicken Dinner (my oven at the moment only has one shelf and I can either roast the bird, or do the veggies etc!)
Spaghetti Bolognaise

Of course if it's a matter of throwing it in the oven or in a pan and heating it that's fine, and I can do omlettes, pancakes, scrambled eggs, porridge.....

I need recipes that I can feed my veggie phobic 5yo (I can sneak a tin of carrots into my bolognaise sauce that's it!) and I can adapt for me (vegetarian) or add meat to a veggie base later.

We are BIG pasta fans. I don't like rice but everyone else does (DH makes it with oxo & veggies and Beth especially laps it up!). I would love to get the kids helping me but the kitchen is barely big enough for my fat arse, never mind adding a whirlwind child in there!
I can't eat much in the way of quorn (goodness knows why quorn doesn't agree with me but it doesn't) and I don't eat TVP/Soy/Tofu.

I wish I could find

2009-08-30T09:31:00.003Z

a happy marriage between home schooling and school. I miss the independence that Sian had before going to school. She'd talk to anyone of any age. Now she's in a class room with children all roughly the same age as her (they have a LOT of year ones this year so aren't mixing years 1 & 2 like last year, although that was one reason I was happy to send her to this school)

She *asks* to go to the bathroom when we're at HOME. And Friday my friend and I literally LOST her as she decided to go and find some random person to tell she needed the toilet in Asda. She is SO lucky I didn't tan her hide as she was in my vision one second and *gone* the next.

She misses her BSL lessons (I miss her BSL lessons!), she enjoys reading and writing. She responded well to Miss Rosborough, I hope she does as well for her new teacher Miss O'Connell this year or I will be considering homeschooling again... I wonder if her head teacher would consider flexi-schooling. I would love to have the kids out of school on a Monday afternoon (BSL) and Thursday (home ed group) and they'd still be at shcool Monday AM, Tues, Wed & Fri. Of course that won't work with Beth's nursery schedule. Bumpers. Lets hope Sian manages to make the distinction between home (and being independent) and school (having to ask all the time).

To be fair to Sian though, she will still play iwth anyone of any age when we go to soft play. Beth is the problem there. She would rather stay with me in the toddler area than go and explore the larger area. In part I think cause her little legs are too short for the steps up. But she's getting there. Only two more soft plays left for her now before Nurser starts!

Sian's dressed herself in school uniform today. It meant that I could see how well her school coat fits over it (very well!) and discover that as well as school shoes, she needs new plimsolls. Fun, fun. Mums found her PE t-shirt though! Even found the sharpie so I can label things LOL.

What I've learnt this summer.

2009-08-28T09:46:00.003Z

I can NOT make playdough! (here's the most simple recipe) It ended up as a gooey mess on my granite board! It took me 2 DAYS to clean up after that!

I also suck at baking muffins (2x chocolate chip, 1x blueberry) They were all a doughy disaster and ended in the bin. I followed the recipe to a T each time too. In future if I want a muffin I will buy it!

I can bake the most fantastic brownies (with or without walnuts!) They are soooo decadently chocolatey! And go fantastically with ice cream (Beth just asked for that for elevenses today)

My baby is growing up too fast. Mr Frederick does not like being fed. Give him the food, the spoon & fork and some fingers and he'll get it in him (on him, under him!) But on no account must you ever try to feed him now! Imagine the porridgy mess I was afraid of? Actually, a little in his hair was all. I got brave and let him try ice cream!

Sian finds work aimed at her age group rather easy (and in turn gets bored with it) While she had chicken pox I got her a KS1 dot-t0-dot book. She did half the book in about 30minutes and has left it alone since. She has read everyday though, but has been lazy about it if she can get away with reading a "baby" book she will! I need to find the library cards and get her to choose a chapter book I think. She's been looking forward to school starting again since about day 3 of our stuck at homeness!

Beth is a little monster LOL. If she can't get her own way she screams or whines until she does (or I lose my temper!) Like Sian she has a short attention span for things that are too easy.. or difficult for that matter. Apart from her DS I think nothing except Legoland (and Nick jr) has kept her engrossed for long this summer. She NEEDS to be at nursery at KMS, and hopefully doing a little reception work as well in a few weeks. Playbased learning at a higher level than she got at Grovely Hall... They were surprised at the things she knew that she'd known for months!?

We love legoland LOL. It's been a fantastic place to go seeing as we didn't get a holiday this year. And the passes last right up to the begining of August NEXT year. Best of both worlds. End of this season, begining of next! We're going to the amazing machines weekend on Sept 13th for Frederick. Little man is ALL boy when it comes to trains and cars LOL. His first toy that he ever interacted with was a little train that a friend gave him that came from the tomy choo choo loop. Somethign like this but it's now been redesigned as Thomas.

almost the end of the holidays.

2009-08-24T20:43:00.001Z

And I've been mentally going through what I need for the begining of term.

Sian

Shoes
Yellow T shirt
water bottle

Beth

Shoes
Grey Tights
White Polo shirts

The trouble is NOWHERE can I find a single yellow tee shirt! In fact I've only seen ONE twin pack, and that was a size 8-9yrs! If it had been a 6-7 I might have bought it!

Mum is buying the girls school shoes, although I may suggest she gets them from Tesco or Asda if they are whole sizes as I know that at the end of the first day they'll be scuffed to high heaven!

And Beth starts a full week after Sian so I can get her stuff the week after (earning me slightly more interest in teh bank LOL)

Not long now till back to school!

legoland with friends

2009-08-23T13:55:00.001Z

Gemma on the safari train

Julie, Beth, Clive & Sian on the log flume

Evie on the Safari train

Sian & Beth with a new friend

trip to swindon

2009-08-23T07:38:00.002Z

It was a hot day but no shade in the park.

Beth by the flowers

The girls trying to fit together (they did!)

Butterbyes!

Garden Trampolines

2009-08-19T14:25:00.003Z

Sian playing on the trampoline

Beth playing on the trampoline

Do you have a garden trampoline? What are your rules for it? I am one of the first people to say "don't do it" about a trampoline in the garden. So why do we have one you may ask. Because we can't get to a regular affordable trampoline class for the girls. And I have had over 10years experience teaching trampolining to all ages and abilities. Oh and I have trampolined personally for over 20 years too (including through two pregnancies!)

Here are our rules for the trampoline.

1 person at a time (daddy lets the girls break this sometimes but only if he is there with them)
NO somersaulting
No shoes
No bouncing on just knees (walk down my back and feel it crack LOL)
No other toys on the trampoline (the girls are still working in this one.. yesterday it was the toddler slide!)
Stay in the middle- on the cross.
HAVE FUN

Trampolining is great fun, good excersize and can be very, VERY dangerous! Before even considering one for your back garden, go to a sports centre and sign your kids (and you!) up for a class or several is even better.

3rd time unlucky LOL

2009-08-18T16:55:00.001Z

Rick has the chickenpox too now. At least they all have it over and done with AND in time to go back to school spotless! They've all had the spots in different places though, it's been quite funny. Sian's worst coverage was the top of her back. Beth's was her lower legs and poor little Rick's are all over his face and head :o( Taking them all to Legoland (again) on Thursday anyway as Rick will be in his pushchair for the most part as he's too small for the rides.

Rick's 1st play at Snakes & Ladders

2009-08-16T10:31:00.005Z

I took the kids here on Friday as a treat. OMIGOSH it is staying as a treat.. or that was the last time we're going I'm not sure. For the four of us to get in cost me almost £20!!! (S £6.90. B £5.90, R £4.90!!!!!! Me £1) It's a good job I have an inquisitive baby, cause we met a freind there who's daughter is a month younger but doesn't crawl yet- just a little rolling- and she had to pay that price too.

On the bouncy castle

Driving his own car ( I think he got jealous of his sisters!)

Being pushed by Sian in the swing

Exploring time!

Ball pit!

Time to get out for a drink and a snack!

Sian's 1st Lego land trip

2009-08-16T10:05:00.003Z

Can't remember for the LIFE of me what this ride is called, but it involves pulling yourself up to the top as fast as you can and then either holding yourself up there or letting yourself down and starting again!

minature fairground ride

Rick playing in a marquee, the girls were watching a show

Learning to drive

OOps I crashed!

I got my license!

Spinning Spider!

Yay, We're No1!

2 down 1 to go!

2009-08-16T09:45:00.002Z

Now Beth has the chicken pox. Sian and Daddy have gone to legoland without us today. To go on all the "grown up rides"

Beth and I are indulging in some vanilla fudge (yes, BEFORE lunch LOL) and then after lunch we're going to play some wii- I'm just charging up the wii mote. I think I need to re-synch one of them as when we added the wii fit board they both ended up un-synching.

As with Sian when she had chicken pox, Beth will be offered pizza hut for lunch (thank you vouchercodes!) with a hefty discount. OR we'll have pizza for tea and packed lunch in her lunch box for Beth as Daddy & Sian have picnic lunch at legoland

We just got a call from Clive, he and Sian have been on more rides in half an hour than I've been on in three visits to the park!

Yumminess. So bad for my waist!

2009-08-09T13:58:00.002Z

We went blackberry picking and there is crumble waiting in the oven to go with Pasta bake for dinner. I will try not to give in to the desire to buy custard to go with it!

I have choc-choc-chip muffins baking in the oven. MMmmmm! Never made them before but I'm a good cake baker I keep getting told LOL

The chocolate brownie recipe is waiting for my next instalment in the kitchen (minus the nuts, I don't like them)

And I have a fudge recipe waiting for me to try when all the kids are in bed.

As I wait for the muffins to finish, Rick is sitting in the doorway playing peek-a-boo with me. He leaves one eye poking round the corner so he can see me. So cute and the digicam is out of batteries and my phone is in the other room. He gets a big grin everytime I pop forwards!

during chicken pox confinement......

2009-08-06T15:07:00.002Z

Sian decided to use the pox spots to play dot-to-dot

We ate lots of (not really!) chocolate

And watched too much TV

Beth got even cheekier (didn't think that was possible!)

And after his treat I found Rick asleep in his highchair after fighting it for hours. Bathtime tonight!

legoland (5)

2009-08-05T08:25:00.003Z

legoland (4)

2009-08-05T08:09:00.003Z

Quack, Quack!

Mother fox went out on a cold winters night....

Badger snuffled his way through the woods

The pheasant thought the sunshine was pleasant

Mr Otter cooled off in the shady stream

Why can't I snorkel?

Look out for hunters!

C'mon in the waters lovely!

Can I see any birds?

legoland (3) Beth learnt to "drive"

2009-08-05T07:54:00.003Z

seat belt on, find the accelerator

easy does it

I've got the hang of it

watching the other drivers

I got my "license"

legoland (2)

2009-08-05T07:30:00.004Z

we took the train...

balloons...

and horses ...

too meet this man!

Legoland (1)

2009-08-04T12:42:00.003Z

The begining of legoland. Beth took this photo of the entrance while we were waiting for Grandma and Richard and her cousins.

There is someone missing from this photo- and some extras that don't belong to us LOL. But it was the only way to fit all the children AND the dino clock in.

These are the rides that Beth can ride on.

We need the loo, say Beth and her new friends.

Quickly, Beth's gone already!

Poor Sian :o(

2009-08-04T12:34:00.002Z

Sian has managed to get the chicken pox from where we know not! Probably school as they finished two weeks ago.

Yesterday she was meant to go to Legoland with us to see her Grandma & Richard and her cousins who are staying with them this week. She ended up staying at GrannyJan & Grandads for the day instead (thanks mum and dad, hope you're resting today!)

Today she was meant to have a friend over to play. Tomrow was yoga- I was going to send Beth in her place but Clive has decided he can work now (grr he KNEW he was meant to take Rick to baby clinic tomorrow!)

Thursday we were meant to be at soft play and Friday we have our tickets for a trip to see her friends in Swindon!

Who'll be next? Beth or Rick?

Forget Wally LOL. Where's Sian?

2009-08-02T11:09:00.002Z

This is the sight that greeted DH and I the other night...

There are two children in the bed really!

So not sure why I try keeping their bedroom tidy LOL. A couple of days later their beds look like libraries and the toys are once again over the floor!

1st chocolate!

2009-08-02T10:55:00.003Z

Photos in reverse order as usual LOL. I just realised I can't remember *when* Beth had her first chocolate. I know Sian was almost 2 before she had milk chocolate but had dark her 2nd easter.

All gone!

Hmm....What a messy boy!

It tasted Yummy!

How big a chunk of chocolate can I eat?

It's gone, I want more!

more of the kids photography

2009-08-02T07:46:00.002Z

They are so alike!

2009-07-28T09:43:00.002Z

Something in both the girls reports was almost identically worded!

(insert name here) is a very articulate child with a large vocabulary.

Beth's was follwed up with a note about her pronounciation of some words- she still uses "D" for "T" in some words (dired instead of tired) and there are a few others. And even so her speech is much clearer than a LOT of other 3yo's I have come into contact with.

They both listen well and are happy to share their experiences within a group or in a one to one situation.

Sian has been in trouble for chatting to her friends at school a few times, yet some how they always manage to get their work done as well!

Sian End of Year

2009-07-28T06:07:00.004Z

Sian got enroled at Rainbows. I could NOT get her to stand still for a decent photo!

Sian was a teddy in a toy shop in her class assembly. In the top photo she's 3rd from left at the back. I heard her right at the back of the hall when she said her line :)

Sian has had a fantastic time in the FSU at KMS by all accounts! She's learnt to read (and is the first child that the head of the unit even KNOWS of to reach the turquiose level books, to move on from them requires comprehension skills as well as sounding out skills... she started with that about 3 levels ago!) She can write now- when she started she couldn't hold the pencil even. It is even starting to go in straight lines! I have her work book from this year, I'll scan in some of her work later.

I had her parent/teacher meeting a couple of weeks ago. Miss Rosborough is going to miss having Sian and the rest of her class and has told me that Sian fitted in fantastically with her peers. If anything homeschooling helped her rather than hindered and she's at the same level or ahead of her peers. Her report was written about a month before the meeting and the things that she wrote as goals were already acheived or almost acheived by then LOL

In spite of being late once (we had to go back home and change some tights) and off sick for a week, her attendance was fantastic at 96.4% from the time she started right up till the report was written. I found out in the last few days of term that Sian was nominated for a school sheild for her work in phonics & reading. She didn't make the shortlist but her head teacher put a note in her book bag letting me know that she'd been nominated.

End of Beth's time at private nursery

2009-07-28T05:42:00.003Z

Beth finished at Grovely Hall nursery and will be missed. Her group teacher was off sick the last week she was there so she couldn't say goodbye :( I've been told she'll be absolutely fine at school and I'm thinking she will do. She seems to have pretty much outgrown the nursery here and needs the challenges that school nursery will give her.

I had to laugh at some of the comments on her report from nursery. They appear to be comparing her to her two best friends, who are both a school year above her and 6-9months older than her! Unfortunately they won't be at the same school next year, but I have her bestest friends contact details and we're going to meet up after school, in the holidays and at weekends with any luck.

I need to scan in her Nursery photos still but when I have done I promise to share!

The last week included such fun as doing a sponsored Toddle.. they had to cancel due to the weather the original day. I'm not sure how they managed it the next time (I took some umbrellas with me!!) as they only had 3 members of staff pretty much the whole week. But if they hadn't done it then the kids, and the charity, would have missed out. And there was a teddy bears picnic too- I made teddy bear shaped sandwiches for that one LOL. So much fun but I wasted so much bread too!

I forsee tantrums in September when she doesn't start school until 2wks after Sian! I know that one day we've got 20minutes to get home so that her new teacher can come and do her home visit LOL. And in spite of her telling Miss Rosborough (Sian's teacher) that she's not excited about starting at KMS, she's been sleeping with and wearing her school cardigan!

Fun in the Sun!

2009-07-27T14:37:00.001Z

We have a favourite park. It's the sort of place you take a picnic and stay all day. We didn't take a picnic, but we did stay all day! Broomhall Lane Rec in Sunningdale is lovely, well maintained, has clean loos, a small cafe when it's dry (their words!)

There is a fenced in play area for younger children (up to about 11) with a sandpit, and on the other side of the fence is a fantastic "fitness" facility for older kids, and adults! Think of the sorts of things you might find in a gym.. rowing machines, leg presses.. and the circus.. tight rope, trapeze.. you have that sort of thing adapted for public use.

For a small fee there are 3-4 tennis courts to be played on. A container library stops there once a week. And in spite of the fact that people take their dogs to run over the vast amount of playing field? All the muck is cleared up and put in the bins.. This weekend was the first weekend we saw anyone hadn't had the manners to clean up. Behind the park are some woods that are great for exploring, and in the middle you come to a sign post "Narnia Style" but this time it points you to the station, back to the rec and to one of the main roads!

This week we decided to splash out and get pizza for lunch instead of taking a picnic (a desicion assisted by the fact that I hadn't got any groceries in!) I grabbed some bananas and drinks to keep us going till we could get for a late lunch. Pizza Express has a fantastic childrens menu now that kept my two happy, although Beth would have been happier had the pasta option come in a cheese sauce! (She got her macaroni cheese tonight so she's a happy bunny!) Frederick doesn't warrant his own servings of much yet, he gets shares in everyone elses food still. But he charmed the waiter into his own little bowl of ice cream. It was so cute watching him grab the spoon then tip his head back to swallow the treat!

We walked back to the park after the pizza and were going to leave at 3.30, 4, 4.30.... eventually we left the park at 5 and bought the girls sausage and chips on the way home. Rick was meant to share with Beth but he'd done so much all day that he slept from the time I put him in his car seat right up until 7pm! I cooked him a veggie burger and chips at home instead LOL. Even so he was in bed by 9pm.. he seems to have decided that 9pm is a good bedtime. And 5am is a good time to come into Mama and Daddy's bed for morning snuggles and boobage!

Broomhall Lane Rec (Frederick everywhere else!)

2009-07-26T09:05:00.002Z

Broomhall Lane Rec (Frederick in the Sandpit)

2009-07-26T07:49:00.006Z

Broomhall Lane Rec (girls)

2009-07-26T07:01:00.007Z

2009-07-23T06:20:00.003Z

we fed ducks... and there are lots of ducklings now, some even smaller than these. The pigeons were a right pain the the rear though.

Rick likes to sit on his sisters chair... and cuddle milo!

Beth being cheeky.

Rick is sooo cute.... ok, I am a teensy bit biased!

At soft play having tried to climb *up* the slide!

Beth snapped this (and several other in need of lightening!) photo of Rick at soft play a couple of weeks ago.

Check out the gorgeous rainbow we saw! The phone pic came out better than the digicam pic LOL

Beth under a block?! Don't ask!

How dark? This was after the 8.50am school drop off... in the middle of JULY. 10 mins up the road and it was bright again

Please don't take me for a picnic Mama, pack sandwiches instead! Gotta say I LOVE my JJB bags from Missie at babythings she's super friendly and gets your order out almost as soon as it's hit her doorstep!

Impromtu Hair Salon...

2009-07-23T06:09:00.002Z

Before I got pregnant with Frederick I did a hair dressing course. Sian and Beth aren't allowed to touch Mamas hair dressing bag... but they did. I think the punishment of losing her beloved locks was enough for Beth and Sians hair is... choppy but you can't tell too much luckily! Photos go AFTER then BEFORE cause I forgot to put them up in the right order and can't be bothered to try and change them around here as I always mess it up!

The AFTER Picture, I had to do some serious chopping on Beths hair!

Just cause I think he's cute

Sian before, goodness only knows why she's eating one hand and got the other in the air!

Beth before, see how loooong her plaits were? She cried, lots when I told her she couldn't have her hair in plaits any more!

Lucy Ladybird came to stay!

2009-06-30T16:33:00.003Z

Sian brought the class mascot home last weekend. We had a busy weekend, which I am writing up for Lucy and Miss Rosborough. But here is a snapshot of some of what we all got up to. It was a good time for Lucy to come and stay as we were babysitting while Sian was at a rainbows circus camp on Saturday (then we went out for a meal with Sian still in her face paint!) and on Sunday we had Sian's half birthday fancy dress party (no pics from that, sorry!)

We took her out for a meal

She said hello to our friends baby girl

Helped us to baby sit another friends little boy

Watched some TV with Beth

Had her hair done by Rick

and played on the big trampoline with Sian

Sian's 1st Sports Day

2009-06-28T05:47:00.003Z

Dribbling race

Bean bag race

balancing race

Running race

The weather was lovely for KMS sports day. All the races for the FSU were done in teams and ALL the teams went back to class with a variety of "well done!" stickers.

Hampton Court Pics

2009-06-22T10:30:00.004Z

Playing hide n seek I think!

Even the ducks came out to say hi

I just liked it :o)

Sian in her cape

Beth in her cape

Learning the pageant actions

finding out what they were going to do

running off lunch!

good place to sit and think

MMMmmm! Lunch time!

A weekend to my sisters

2009-06-10T17:27:00.002Z

My youngest neice showing off her strength!

My ever so handsome nephew

Beth and my oldest neice (neither of whom smile very much!)

Sian with Ditzi.. Sian's afraid of dogs!

Sian having given Buster a kiss! He's getting on now but if you ever needed a dog who'd tolerate whatever a kid could throw at him? Buster was the dog.

Wales as ever was wet! But it was nice to see the new house. Ty Mawr, Mawr, MAWR!!! Ok in English the place is bloody HUGE! We had the rooms at the very top of the house. I never did count the stairs but it was sorta three floors up. This was the only time I was glad that Sian and Beth don't wake to use the loo at night! Them steps was steep!

I bought some new fluff (I like my cloth and some of it is getting old having gone through three before Rick came along!) and some wondabalm and all natural sunscreen.. wait, the sun has gone! I got a few new cloth wipes too. Now to find the spray bottle so I can start using my cloth wipes at home again!

But I left the nappy that needs repairing at home (was the whole reason for meeting the upsydaisy ladies!) and then left my phone charger in wales (bigger mistake, my phone is now unusable till the charger reaches me!) We came home to the electric having gone out and the food in the fridge/freezer needing throwing away. Fan-bloody-tastic.

Frederick at....

2009-06-10T15:33:00.003Z

Soft Play...

The Library...

The Spray Park...

A Frederick Post

2009-06-01T22:27:00.005Z

HOW big was mama's roll?!

I can feed myself!

Yes, I'm fed up I want to *MOVE* darnit (and now he can!)

my new outfit and a hat that fits

I have the cutest dimple when I smile

Sorry about the sideways video!

Hampton Court Bank Holiday Monday

2009-05-27T16:26:00.002Z

We went to see the fun and feasting that happened during the Marriage of King Henry VIII to Kateryn Parr on Monday. So much to see, so little time to do it has never held so true!

We started out with a lovely picnic in the Tiltyard gardens. The girls played their version of hide and seek amongst the trees when they’d finished eating, and a family of ducks came to say hello. Then GrannyJan, Sian and Beth all got dressed up in cloaks suitable to greet the King before we went to make merry.

First the children were all asked to act out a pageant of sporting achievements. The girls were tennis players and horse riders. Others showed his ability at jousting and boxing. The king enjoyed the show very much and the children were rewarded with a groat each. Beth still has hers (in the car somewhere!)

After the king enjoyed the children’s performance, everyone was invited to watch the fencing. Sian and Beth got caught up with the crowds and GrannyJan couldn’t catch up with them. I couldn’t as I was trying to wrestle Rick into his stroller! I thought they’d end up there and I wanted to see it anyway. So, off they went without a care in the world. Oh. My. Gosh. It was crowded. At least I knew where my two were headed so I could go after them and not be too worried. Another Mum lost her little girl in the crowd and the poor mite was petrified. I found the girls where I expected too. GrannyJan had other ideas though LOL. She couldn’t catch them so she got palace security to look for them! By the time they’d found them I had caught them up and we were happily watching the fencing. Unfortunately the only person with a phone was *me* so I couldn’t let the Grandparents know. I think the girls enjoyed the fuss though LOL. The security guards came and interrupted the fencing class to take them back to Granny. I rescued them from the end of the arena (couldn’t get through the crowds with the stroller) and told the security guard that sending children *back* to parents at the end of each event might be a better plan for next time. The day before apparently about 100 people went through to the fencing!!

Having got all 6 of us in the same place again and the girls unable to go back to the fencing class, we bought ice creams and waited for the land train ride. The carriages were pulled by two shire horses, named Aragon and Roy. They stood 18.2 hands high and weighed in at a good tonne each. Gorgeous beasts. It took us three attempts to get on the ride though LOL.

Refreshments in the Privy Kitchen were called for after that, as well as a freshening up in the facilities. I have NEVER seen a slice of chocolate cake disappear as fast as Sian’s did, I didn’t get a look in! Beth enjoyed what she ate of the banana and walnut cake and Rick, Sian and I all shared some yoghurt and fruit (mmmmm)

The final entertainment of the day was dancing for the new Queen arranged by her sister to remind her of her childhood. Sian and Beth joined in with that too. They didn’t quite get the steps right but they had a good old go and had lots of fun which was the most important thing of all!

I think we just had our first visit to Hampton Court Palace without visiting the kitchens! Normally we spend ages in there as its Sian’s favourite place to go. And they were working this weekend too- poor cooks! They use the methods and ingredients that would have been used when King Henry VIII was there and it was sweltering OUTSIDE , I can only imagine how hot those stoves must have felt!

(need camera batteries, will post photos later)

snap happy

2009-05-25T09:49:00.006Z

Peek a boo! I see you!

Get that camera OUTTA my face!

Mask we bought from Cirque du Soleil in Florida last year

the other Cirque du Soleil mask.. with a scary face from Sian!

Beth getting swallowed in a tyre!

My three cuties.. not sure what Sian and Rick were talking about there!

My gorgeous girlies

Sian showing she still fits in the laundry basket.. yeah she needs to get washed when she gets in from school! I have NO idea what she gets up to there but she's always filthy!

Rick turning in to laundry

Blue skies at the park

Frederick Exploring

2009-05-25T08:11:00.003Z

Lookie who's got mobile! He's been surfing the floors a while now and last week starting escaping the living room. Better get my baby gate back soon for the stairs! He came to find me in the room we're decorating

randomness of kids photography

2009-05-25T06:41:00.004Z

eczema...

2009-05-25T06:19:00.003Z

Rick has (ok, had) some really nasty eczema behind his knees and on the tops of his thighs. I should have taken pics, especially after i put the *prescription* moisturizer on him. Poor boy looked like he was burnt. I got some Aveeno for him (must get the gp to do me a prescription for that) and it helped a LOT, just one day and the redness subsided by 50%. But the thing that is really making a difference is this from upsydaisy nappies. Just ONE application and his skin was sooo much softer. I can see the difference just a few days later. His skin is still red at the knee backs but the thighs the redness is just from his nappy digging in a little (can't have it looser or he gets in there and scratches!

The girls got a hold of my camera (with permission) and I just found a photo to show how much it's improved.. so you can imagine how it *was* from this pic