Muddling along, with a pinch of sarcasm…
May 4, 2012 4 Comments
We are heading off on a round robin of visits this weekend, it occurred to me that I might just need to take my phone. Modern technology is so incredible isn’t it.
So, this is a bit of a test post and a bit of a ‘I love Bluebells post’.
Now I shall run off to the lap top and see if it works….
November 28, 2011 3 Comments
Dear Other Mothers of Daughters…
We all sit precariously on the tip of an iceberg, it’s dangerous up here but at least the view is pretty, unlike the minefield that I allocate to being a mother of boy’s, that’s a bit of a mud magnet; No, the view is pretty, so much more pink and sparkly from up here…
I’m just starting to feel the fear though… My daughter is 5, she has just started school and this term it is “Ohhhh Sooooo Booooring!” apparently this is the term where they get that it’s going to last forever and they have to do as they are told and it’s tough titty.
Then, this morning we had the jumper row. We have had a few tiffs over what clothes she wears, she needs guidance in the world of stripes and patterns and still has her fathers ability to pick the twp colours that clash the most whilst dressing; loud is good you know. The school sweatshirt is a row that has been brewing for quite a while. Until today it has been cast aside every morning with protestation but today she’s sniffling a bit and complained of the cold so I told her she had to wear it.
“But it’s horrible!” The nose wrinkles and the curls shake.
“It’s not horrible, it’s just uniform, the other girls wear it. All the children wear it. You need it to keep you warm.” Mummy is using her reasonable voice, this should really act as a warning to any child, it never works though…
“S**** never wears her’s, nor does M****!!”
“That is up to their Mummies, I know for a fact the other girls do.”
“But it’s horrible!!!” Foot stomping ensues…
“You need to wear it all day otherwise you will get ill and not be able to go to school at all!” She seems to be calculating this… “You will have to stay in bed all day, no wii, no telly and I have jobs to do.” Dire threats indeed.
“I will take it off in school though.”
“If you keep it on all day I will find you some chocolate.”
“OoooooKaaaaaay.” Down turned mouth and grumbles but the jumper is on.
All the way to school I got, “I hate this jumper it’s horrible. I want a cardi like…” so and so…
When she got out the car and saw her little friends to show her Hello Kitty scarf, hat and gloves set off to she forgot all about the horrid jumper, we shall see if it stays on but I have come through my first clothing row relatively unscathed. I must remember to tell Grandma not to tell the story about turning her school waist band over 6 times to get a mini skirt in the ’60′s…
I was amazed the other week when she started using the shower on her own, I mean, I get to turn it on and put the mat down but she gets on with playing washing herself. I was happily putting the laundry away when I realised she had been in there 30 minutes.
“It’s time to get out!”
“One more minute!”
Ten minutes later…
“It’s time to get out!!!!”
“One more minute!!!”
Mummy turns the electric off, shower goes cold.
“Aw Mum!!”
I thought I has at least another 7 years before we got to bathroom hogging… not so. Then there is the flaming lip gloss make up muck and little pink sparkly make up sets… So far I have put my foot down firmly NO. but it’s only a matter of time, society seems to want my baby to grow up too fast so it can sell her products, well hear this society, this Mum is going to fight back a little! I realise it’s a fruitless endeavor and in the end she will do the things all girls do, that somewhere in the dim and distant past her mother did before her, it’s a delay tactic, I will let you know if it works…
So Dear other mothers of daughters… any advise from the tip of your own personal iceberg?
Got a cold bottom yet? 
October 20, 2011 9 Comments
One of my most enduring memories of my childhood must be the image of my Mum sat on the sofa with a book. She is still, as she has always been, a huge reader. I’m not sure she is ever without a book she’s reading, except perhaps in that little lull you get when finishing a great story where your mind just wants to absorb what you have read and relive parts before moving on to the next.
As children we always had books. I have some of my favourites still, my Dad used to be able to read ‘The Trouble with Timothy’ without looking at the words and Mum and I are still searching for a penguin classic copy of “Ned the Lonely Donkey” & “The Discontented Pony.”
We have books as a family which I feel is like passing on an inheritance to my children, one of these being “Snow”
My step sister was given this book, pre becoming my step sister but we all grew up with it and I loved it, so much so I’ve purchased a copy for each of our families, my daughter has a copy which sits next to my new favourite “Tiddler” by Julia Donaldson, along with several of her others, Julia’s books are always a pleasure to read.
This week we started a new journey as a family, the journey into learning to read. I’ve had some mixed thoughts over the last term concerning this new adventure, perhaps they are the same as every other Mothers, perhaps not… I will share them with you and you can tell me.
I don’t often sit with a book, in the corner of the sofa like my Mother does. I’m there with my laptop of course, bashing away at the keys or, yes, reading something on it, but it’s not a physical book. We also have an Ipad and due to the way the world is, I have started reading the odd ‘book’ on that. That is all very well but it isn’t going to encourage my children to pick up one of their books… no, it’s all Angry Birds. We do have several educational games on the Ipad and she loves those too but it’s just not the same as wallowing in a bed covered in books. Perhaps I need to alter my behaviour…
As I grew I developed a love of books, I love the weight in my hands, the smell of the paper. Libraries and book shops are a treasure trove of wonder for me, I need to think of how I pass this love on to my children. It’s important to me.
School have been busy with the phonics, they seem to be taking a really sensible approach to it to be honest, they are doing a letter a week and really getting involved with it. It seems a more thorough approach then some of the schools I’ve been hearing about, throwing 2 ‘sounds’ a week at R2 children, (but y’know I’m no teacher) apart from being rather over awed by all the motions and sounds (yes, me. She seems to take it in her stride ) I’m liking what I’m seeing. This is of course alongside numeracy, topics, pe, cooking and so much else my mind spins!
I was very concerned that she would have to coast wait while some of the others catch with her, she is the oldest in her class and a bright button. Her nursery started sending her home with books over a year ago, she has already done the level of book that school is now supplying her with. This week she came home with one she has read before; but as she herself explained to me after just 2 weeks at school “Mummy, we know I can do this don’t we but Mrs ——- says I need to prove to her I can!” Which I guess is fair enough, it makes me think ‘Where’s the fire.’ as long as she is not bored and feels she is learning something and is happy at school she can learn at their pace. I can happily say this because I know that I personally will not be stopping reading our books at home together and encouraging her to try… Because I want to make sure they can’t just read; but do it well and become ‘readers’ and that is my task, isn’t it.
So here we enter the world of Biff, Chip and Kipper… I’m wondering if choosing pretty names for my children was an error
And I’d hate to be a pushy Mother. Surely this way, with the slow and steady approach, there is no way we might miss something along the way. Is it not better to be thorough? To ensure she covers everything and totally understands each stage, rather then racing ahead just because we can?
I’m hoping that I’m the type of parent that whilst I’m not too pushy, encourages positively. Because while I appreciate that childhood is a critical time for learning lessons which will set them up for their whole lives, it’s also the most magical and awe inspiring time of there lives too, this wonderful time of being loved and cared for, for playing and discovering, before all the pressure starts with exams, jobs, mortgages, life goals and all the other things that humans find to complicate our lives and make ourselves ‘happy’.
September 7, 2011 2 Comments
I’d forgotten this feeling.
The loitering at the back of the crowd trying to be unnoticed feeling because you are the new girl, the nervously making conversation with other nervous looking newbies too…
I never liked it much and I’m pleased that it will probably not last long.
Last Friday, standing on a small patch of grass outside school waiting for collection time I heard one of the other Mum’s say “Well this is me for the next 11 years!” and my heart did a flip! It’s eight years for me, the little man starts school next September. Blige I thought, she’s right.
Quite a few of the Mum’s already know each other well, they are scattered through the villages around the school and have children the same age – obviously. They seem a happy bunch and very pleasant to chat too although I do feel like an invading ‘Townie’ I guess by large that is because I am.
The Dad’s loiter at the back too looking rather shifty and uncomfortable, so it’s not a bad place to be
So we are cutting ourselves a little routine these two weeks of half days, flying out of the door at the last minute as ever, although the last minute is half an hour earlier then we needed to leave last year. We park up on a handy verge somewhere and either play car roulette in the tiny country lane with the other parents as they arrive to drop off or charge down the cutest little ‘no vehicles allowed’ lane to the school where we bustle ourselves into the cloakroom and get the Little Lady settled at a table then my little chap and I charge off at full throatle to get him to nursery back in town. It’s all go you know!
And so this is the latest stage of my ever changing life, my role as Mummy the taxi driver has begun…
…but what about her? I can hear you asking… Well she loves it, adores her teacher, got a sticker today for “Being Good, Sitting Nicely and making the classroom Tip Top Tidy.”
No worries.
July 31, 2011 1 Comment
It’s Sunday and it’s been a great day.
Thanks to my understanding husband I’ve had some head-space today, I took the opportunity to dust the blinds and clean the front room windows. Then I cleaned all the ornaments and re jigged our vast collection of books around the shelves a bit. It needed doing as my Bristol Blue glass was started to look like an archaeological find!
Doing chores like this so rarely reminds me that it would be easier if I did them more often, however I’m pretty well documented in my dislike of housework being #notadomesticgoddess I’d always rather be doing something more interesting and enjoyable with my time. Like reading the wonderful article I found this morning via my new favourite website Advice to Writers which was by Anne Lamott, it’s called “Turn off Twitter” in which she writes
at 80, will they be proud that they spent their lives keeping their houses cleaner than anyone else in the family did, except for mad Aunt Beth, who had the vapors? ……. but maybe accidentally forgot to be deeply and truly present for their kids, and now their grandchildren?
The main point of the article is about finding time to write, of course, why else was I reading it but squinting at the tiny screen of my HTC in bed this morning, reading this article, reminded me that with a little time management and some carefully employed entertainment for the smalls, I can find head-space in every day, if only for an hour.
During this quiet dust removing thoughtful activity it occurred to me that I might find it helpful to plot our course through the holiday with Diary type entries, they really don’t need to be very long, perhaps photographic or a few words here and there, it will give me a focus and the smalls something to get involved with too. Win/win? We will see. Now since I’m a blogger of sorts it seems natural to me to do that here. So I shall.
This is also a pivotal summer for us, my daughter starts school in September. Putting the really tense battle to get her into the school I wanted for her behind us and moving on to this eventful day should be fabulous, she is more then ready to go and talks about her school or “when I go to school” daily. I know she is going to change, to learn, be stretched, form friendships and perhaps opinions which are not the same as her parents, I’m looking forward to this with slight trepidation but I’m not going to be one of the clingy Mum’s crying in the playground. She needs this. It’s another big step in the huge learning curve of making her a well informed independent young lady.
Excuse me while I have a wistful smile on my face for a few moments, I’d dearly love to keep her as a four year old for a few more years, the same as I’d love to be able to revisit the 10 month old her and have a cuddle and a nonsensical conversation like we once did. Sadly it’s not to be, all the more reason to keep a summer diary.
Knowing me I will forget, although I think it is important to make the time to do it, remind me to get on with it will you?
May 31, 2011 8 Comments
I’m so very totally and speechlessly grateful for my beautiful children… For all the hard work, noise, taxiing and nagging, they are supremely lovely, well behaved, gifted and loving. My daughter dances like a angel and my son ‘huggles’ like a prince.
But you have seen them soooooooooooooooo many times! *yawn* so I thought I’d change the angle. Today (Tuesday 31st) my small people were given a camera for the first time. It’s Daddies birthday and we visited the New Forest Wildlife sanctuary, apart from arguing about who took what they did a pretty good job.
I present to you, today, a family outing as photographed by my children, who I am pride burstingly grateful for…
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Please take the time to visit The Gallery at Sticky Fingers (Wednesday)
April 7, 2011 Leave a comment
So, the invasion of the mouseling continues…
Angelina Ballerina is still the favourite new toy, she is subjected to all manner of activities on a daily basis (and is whipped away when ever possible by the Little Man) and made to sit through her very own new DVD “Pop Star Girls” as often as the Little Lady is allowed to play it.. So some part of most days…
Now, I have only seen bits of the DVD, flitting in and out of the room as us Mothers do but I have seen the transfixed look of worship on my daughters face and yes, I can hear the wailing (sorry) singing along with the soundtrack clearly enough, I’m happy enough with the content as we have had to watch Angelina on the TV on and off for the last year or so; the determination to succeed and learning about responsibilities story lines can only have a positive effect can’t they, (although there is way too much pink involved for my liking!) I can honestly tell you that she is loving it, and that is the important thing, right?
We also seem to be spending a lot of time stiffing giggles whilst having to watch a “performance” of rather sweet ballet ‘interpretation’ including much waving of the arms and flicking of the head to peek at how well she’s being received. In fact, I asked the little lady if she would like ballet lessons, she said “why?” and looked put out, I said “So you can learn how to do ballet” and she replied with relief “I already can do ballet” followed by more arm swinging and pirouetting.
I’d be daft not to conclude that Angelina is a huge hit with both of my children as the little man is right behind his sisters wishes to watch the DVD, he even requested watching “Angemouserina” whilst she was away at nursery this week and his 3yo interpretation of her dancing is beyond hilarious! He tells me “Pink is my fay-it” (favourite for those who don’t speak little boy) which I calmly refuse to worry about after my sisters experiences with my nephew and the “pink spiderman costume” saga….
December 15, 2010 8 Comments
*Bursts with pride in a most alarming manner* – nuff said 
Pop over to Sticky Fingers for more sparkle
October 20, 2010 3 Comments
This weeks the Gallery at Sticky Fingers is all about the colour Red.
I spent an hour or two running through the photo albums and digital stuff I’ve take on the laptop and was totally uninspired. My 4yo little lady is currently very mistrusting of Halloween and hates all the pictures of ghosts and skeletons everywhere, she wants to be a princess at the Halloween party we are attending. All hallows eve has always meant different things to me to from the normal run of the trick or treating ideas, partly for me it is the night before all saints day.
So, I looked about for other inspiration which my little lady provided for me this week returning from nursery with her usual pile of art work including these two pictures…
So this week, my gallery entry is via my daughter and her love of sticking 
