After a bit of a frantic start to the day, things definitely got better.
We got to pre-school a few minutes late, partly due to the frantic morning getting ready to leave the house, but also because when we got out of the car in the car park, a group (is it a gaggle?) of geese flew right over us, honking away as geese do. It's such a special sight, I was totally caught up in the moment, pointing the geese out to Mr F, following their flight as far as we could see. Mr F said something which I didn't hear due to being away with geese (!), "what did you say sweetie?" I asked thinking he was as enthralled as me, "can I play football?" was the question of complete irrelevance (to me anyway!) and bang, there I was back down to earth, thanks!
We did some gardening together this afternoon. I cut things back and Mr F spread them around the garden for me! No, that wasn't what I wanted, but hey something's aren't worth an argument. We found a couple of caterpillars which distracted him for a short while, but I think he was somewhat disappointed to hear that Mummy didn't know where the caterpillars were going. Sometimes I think I completely lack imagination as I could have made up a wonderfully exciting fairy tale about the caterpillar instead of being a misery Mum! Next time.
Daddy goes back to work tomorrow after 10 days off, so that will be interesting to see how Mr F reacts. Will he not care or not notice or will he harp on about Daddy all afternoon? No prizes for guessing the right answer, it's just for fun!
X
Tuesday 18 September 2012
Saturday 15 September 2012
Good morning. Another bright and beautiful day!
As the sun is shining, obviously Mr F is playing outside today on his slide and swing in the garden. Oh, silly me I was daydreaming, he's sat in front of the tv watching Little Einsteins, his new favourite tv programme. This is slightly better than his new favourite toy, the iPad! It was a bad parenting idea to let him have some games on that as it's really hard to pry it away from him. They are educational games, but even still.
Yesterday we went to Granddad's. It's only about 40 minutes drive, but without fail Mr F will be asleep before we get there and yesterday was no different, falling asleep about 10 minutes before arriving. I parked on the drive and left him sleeping in the car for a few minutes, but next door was having some building work with a cement mixer lorry parked outside so it was noisy and also what little boy doesn't like a cement mixer!
Once he was awake we went into the kitchen and he then spent the whole time peering round the back door to see the cement mixer, and jumping up and down with excitement. So Granddad took him to the end of the drive to watch the cement mixer in action, wow!
Then we gave Granddad a small project to do in his workshop and watched him in action. I was given some wooden tunnel and bridge pieces that wouldn't stand up on their own, so Granddad made some supports to make it work and then he made a top piece for it too. So now it's an integral part of the Thomas railway track and is the perfect platform for Cranky the Crane. So cool!
After Granddad's we decided to eat out as it was mine and Daddy's anniversary the day before. We ate in a nice pub, The Swan and despite a fairly lengthy wait for food, we had a lovely meal (thank goodness I had the Alphablocks magazine and a tin of pencils in my bag otherwise we'd have been in trouble). I had beef stroganoff, Daddy had steak and new potatoes and Mr F had pizza, chips, peas and sweetcorn, followed by another lengthy wait and then delicious vanilla ice cream. Yum.
Off home for a wind down and then early to bed. Yep, too good to be true. For the second night running, Mr F threw up and I had to change his PJs and strip the whole bed again. Poor little man. I have 2 duvets on the washing line today, thank goodness it's a sunny day. Fingers crossed for a no problem night tonight. Enjoy pictures from Thursdays pre-school. xx
As the sun is shining, obviously Mr F is playing outside today on his slide and swing in the garden. Oh, silly me I was daydreaming, he's sat in front of the tv watching Little Einsteins, his new favourite tv programme. This is slightly better than his new favourite toy, the iPad! It was a bad parenting idea to let him have some games on that as it's really hard to pry it away from him. They are educational games, but even still.
Yesterday we went to Granddad's. It's only about 40 minutes drive, but without fail Mr F will be asleep before we get there and yesterday was no different, falling asleep about 10 minutes before arriving. I parked on the drive and left him sleeping in the car for a few minutes, but next door was having some building work with a cement mixer lorry parked outside so it was noisy and also what little boy doesn't like a cement mixer!
Once he was awake we went into the kitchen and he then spent the whole time peering round the back door to see the cement mixer, and jumping up and down with excitement. So Granddad took him to the end of the drive to watch the cement mixer in action, wow!
Then we gave Granddad a small project to do in his workshop and watched him in action. I was given some wooden tunnel and bridge pieces that wouldn't stand up on their own, so Granddad made some supports to make it work and then he made a top piece for it too. So now it's an integral part of the Thomas railway track and is the perfect platform for Cranky the Crane. So cool!
After Granddad's we decided to eat out as it was mine and Daddy's anniversary the day before. We ate in a nice pub, The Swan and despite a fairly lengthy wait for food, we had a lovely meal (thank goodness I had the Alphablocks magazine and a tin of pencils in my bag otherwise we'd have been in trouble). I had beef stroganoff, Daddy had steak and new potatoes and Mr F had pizza, chips, peas and sweetcorn, followed by another lengthy wait and then delicious vanilla ice cream. Yum.
Off home for a wind down and then early to bed. Yep, too good to be true. For the second night running, Mr F threw up and I had to change his PJs and strip the whole bed again. Poor little man. I have 2 duvets on the washing line today, thank goodness it's a sunny day. Fingers crossed for a no problem night tonight. Enjoy pictures from Thursdays pre-school. xx
Monday 10 September 2012
Hi everyone and apologies for our absence, but Summer holidays were over fast and furious and I didn't find the time to blog about all our escapades!
But now we're back....
Mr F was back to Pre-School today and he was so happy! Not only was it the first day back but also the hall has been redecorated and updated, so it all looks like a new space to explore all over again!
He's had a major growth spurt over the Summer break so he's got new clothes and shoes for Pre-School, so it's just like being a big boy now having new kit for the new school year (only cheaper, just!)
He's also grown in learning, it happens so fast! Last night we were messing around on the sofa, and he was in just a t-shirt as it was quite warm (and he is partially potty trained!), and he picked up his little quilt that sits on the back of the sofa, put it around his shoulders and launched himself at daddy and me shouting "Superhero!". It was very funny, and I didn't know he knew the word "Superhero" let alone what it meant. So proud!
Result! First day back at Pre-School and Mr F has produced artwork, fantastic. Enjoy!
This afternoon we visited Hobbycraft, which is Mummy's heaven. But obviously not heaven for Mr F as he spent almost the entire time in the buggy pulling down the rain cover to hide under, saying "I've got to hide!" Is there street cred at 2 and a half years old?!
Good to be back :-) xx
But now we're back....
Mr F was back to Pre-School today and he was so happy! Not only was it the first day back but also the hall has been redecorated and updated, so it all looks like a new space to explore all over again!
He's had a major growth spurt over the Summer break so he's got new clothes and shoes for Pre-School, so it's just like being a big boy now having new kit for the new school year (only cheaper, just!)
He's also grown in learning, it happens so fast! Last night we were messing around on the sofa, and he was in just a t-shirt as it was quite warm (and he is partially potty trained!), and he picked up his little quilt that sits on the back of the sofa, put it around his shoulders and launched himself at daddy and me shouting "Superhero!". It was very funny, and I didn't know he knew the word "Superhero" let alone what it meant. So proud!
Result! First day back at Pre-School and Mr F has produced artwork, fantastic. Enjoy!
This afternoon we visited Hobbycraft, which is Mummy's heaven. But obviously not heaven for Mr F as he spent almost the entire time in the buggy pulling down the rain cover to hide under, saying "I've got to hide!" Is there street cred at 2 and a half years old?!
Good to be back :-) xx
Tuesday 31 July 2012
Yesterday Mr F and I had to go to work. In an odd moment a few months ago I decided it would be a good idea to deliver local magazines, you know the little freebie ones that come through the door every month. So I now have a round of just under 600 to deliver, which I thought would be great when Mr F is at pre-school, but the flaw in my plan is of course..... summer holidays! I now have to deliver with the help of Mr F, oh joy!
Luckily I made a start at the weekend delivering to some flats. Just as well, as they were the blocks of flats that don't have communal post boxes on the ground floor, boy my thighs knew about it! No way could I have taken the little man up and down all those stairs, he'd have gone on strike pretty early on I think. When I say gone on strike, what I mean of course is that he would have staged a one man sit-in, bottom firmly planted on the floor and arms securely folded is the preferred style!
We had a couple of sit-ins on our round yesterday, but a trip to our favourite NY coffee shop with a bout of play, an innocent fruit smoothie and 2 (miniature) cupcakes later (aka bribery), we were ready for the off again.
Then we spied a Mr Men special offer in The Works book shop window across the road, so we went to investigate. Mr F likes a Mr Men story at bed time, and nearly split his sides laughing the night before when we read Mr Skinny. Not that the story is that funny, but I guess my Mr Skinny and Doctor Plump voices were just sooooo good!! Hmm, another missed vocation?!
Anyway, what did we buy? The offer was 99p per book or 6 for £5, so what do you think?! Yep we got 6, despite Mr F insisting quite loudly for the first few seconds that no he didn't want any, but quickly folding and opting for 6 new bedtime books. We picked Mr Grumble (can't imagine why!), Mr Cheerful, Mr Clever, Mr Strong, Mr Good, Mr Perfect. We read 3 last evening at bedtime, but none of them a challenger for the current favourite which is Mr Uppity, I know not why!
After our bargain purchases, we were back on our round again. We did quite a bit of walking, up long steep steps up to houses and back down again and I was really impressed how Mr F kept going and for the most part stayed by my side.
Then it was time to finish for the day, so we ended in the playground, result! Mr F isn't the most active player in the playground, so this was a welcome treat to end the day. Best activity in the playground.......wobbly balance log thing, great fun.
So today, as it's wet and horrible outside (please bring back the sunshine that I moaned about before!) and yesterday was busy, today we're having a pyjama day. Yay! Catch up soon. xx
PS Tomorrow we are off to the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust place in Arundel and looking forward to that. Please be sunny.
Luckily I made a start at the weekend delivering to some flats. Just as well, as they were the blocks of flats that don't have communal post boxes on the ground floor, boy my thighs knew about it! No way could I have taken the little man up and down all those stairs, he'd have gone on strike pretty early on I think. When I say gone on strike, what I mean of course is that he would have staged a one man sit-in, bottom firmly planted on the floor and arms securely folded is the preferred style!
We had a couple of sit-ins on our round yesterday, but a trip to our favourite NY coffee shop with a bout of play, an innocent fruit smoothie and 2 (miniature) cupcakes later (aka bribery), we were ready for the off again.
Then we spied a Mr Men special offer in The Works book shop window across the road, so we went to investigate. Mr F likes a Mr Men story at bed time, and nearly split his sides laughing the night before when we read Mr Skinny. Not that the story is that funny, but I guess my Mr Skinny and Doctor Plump voices were just sooooo good!! Hmm, another missed vocation?!
Anyway, what did we buy? The offer was 99p per book or 6 for £5, so what do you think?! Yep we got 6, despite Mr F insisting quite loudly for the first few seconds that no he didn't want any, but quickly folding and opting for 6 new bedtime books. We picked Mr Grumble (can't imagine why!), Mr Cheerful, Mr Clever, Mr Strong, Mr Good, Mr Perfect. We read 3 last evening at bedtime, but none of them a challenger for the current favourite which is Mr Uppity, I know not why!
After our bargain purchases, we were back on our round again. We did quite a bit of walking, up long steep steps up to houses and back down again and I was really impressed how Mr F kept going and for the most part stayed by my side.
Then it was time to finish for the day, so we ended in the playground, result! Mr F isn't the most active player in the playground, so this was a welcome treat to end the day. Best activity in the playground.......wobbly balance log thing, great fun.
So today, as it's wet and horrible outside (please bring back the sunshine that I moaned about before!) and yesterday was busy, today we're having a pyjama day. Yay! Catch up soon. xx
PS Tomorrow we are off to the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust place in Arundel and looking forward to that. Please be sunny.
Thursday 26 July 2012
I know I shouldn't say it, (I can hear the tuts and cringes already), but it's too hot!
I'm rubbish in the heat and I'm hoping my son hasn't inherited that from me. He's in with a good chance of being able to enjoy the sun and the heat as Daddy's from Egypt after all. But he has been a little out of sorts these last few days and so far has managed to be just a little bit sick 3 days in a row now.
When I say a little, it's just been the once each day, the first was Sunday night after putting him to bed. I then had to change the whole bed clothes including the duvet, and thank goodness for the sunshine so I could get it all dry! How old do I sound?!
Monday we went to Granddads and he was a bit funny there, off his food then stuffing down satsumas and jammy dodgers. He kept disappearing too, and we'd find him sitting on the back door step, all forlorn. When my brother arrived home, Mr F was delighted to see him as he thought it was Uncle Richard from Northampton, and it didn't matter how many times we told him it was Uncle David and not Richard, his mind was made up thank you very much!
On the way home I had to stop the car after he was poorly again. Poor little guy, I had to undress him on the side of the road and mop up the car seat well enough to get us the rest of the way home. He was so excited to be sat in the front seat playing with the radio and air vents, he didn't make any fuss about being covered in yuk! Once again thank goodness for the sunshine as I had to get the car seat covers washed and dried for the next day.
Tuesday, after waiting in for a fab eBay purchase to be delivered, a huge slide, climbing frame and swings for Mr F (new project for Granddad!), we went to Aunty Pauline's in the afternoon. We sat playing trains and cars, which basically meant crashing them into each other. At one point Aunty Pauline was involved in the crash as she was driving Mr Fs num chuck, to the rest of us that's a dumper truck, and so she said "oh no I've crashed, I need a tow", and in a flash Mr F was there to save the day, offering up his leg and toe as requested.
Yesterday was a quieter day, staying out of the sun for the most part. Still Mr F was a wee bit off in the morning, but definitely picked up by the afternoon, helped by his marathon watching of Chloe's Closet on tv, which is apparently his new favourite programme. It's cute the first time, three little kids playing dress up, but after a while, it was numbing! I only allowed it to be played repeatedly so as to keep Mr F from being out in the sun too long, honestly!
No idea what today will bring, but I'll let you know later! And if I'm lucky and I'm a good girl I might even get a "well done Mummy!" from Mr F, which is his new saying and is very funny as it's said with such feeling. I achieved my first "Well done Mummy" for finding a puzzle piece yesterday, it was a marked achievement! xx
I'm rubbish in the heat and I'm hoping my son hasn't inherited that from me. He's in with a good chance of being able to enjoy the sun and the heat as Daddy's from Egypt after all. But he has been a little out of sorts these last few days and so far has managed to be just a little bit sick 3 days in a row now.
When I say a little, it's just been the once each day, the first was Sunday night after putting him to bed. I then had to change the whole bed clothes including the duvet, and thank goodness for the sunshine so I could get it all dry! How old do I sound?!
Monday we went to Granddads and he was a bit funny there, off his food then stuffing down satsumas and jammy dodgers. He kept disappearing too, and we'd find him sitting on the back door step, all forlorn. When my brother arrived home, Mr F was delighted to see him as he thought it was Uncle Richard from Northampton, and it didn't matter how many times we told him it was Uncle David and not Richard, his mind was made up thank you very much!
On the way home I had to stop the car after he was poorly again. Poor little guy, I had to undress him on the side of the road and mop up the car seat well enough to get us the rest of the way home. He was so excited to be sat in the front seat playing with the radio and air vents, he didn't make any fuss about being covered in yuk! Once again thank goodness for the sunshine as I had to get the car seat covers washed and dried for the next day.
Tuesday, after waiting in for a fab eBay purchase to be delivered, a huge slide, climbing frame and swings for Mr F (new project for Granddad!), we went to Aunty Pauline's in the afternoon. We sat playing trains and cars, which basically meant crashing them into each other. At one point Aunty Pauline was involved in the crash as she was driving Mr Fs num chuck, to the rest of us that's a dumper truck, and so she said "oh no I've crashed, I need a tow", and in a flash Mr F was there to save the day, offering up his leg and toe as requested.
Yesterday was a quieter day, staying out of the sun for the most part. Still Mr F was a wee bit off in the morning, but definitely picked up by the afternoon, helped by his marathon watching of Chloe's Closet on tv, which is apparently his new favourite programme. It's cute the first time, three little kids playing dress up, but after a while, it was numbing! I only allowed it to be played repeatedly so as to keep Mr F from being out in the sun too long, honestly!
No idea what today will bring, but I'll let you know later! And if I'm lucky and I'm a good girl I might even get a "well done Mummy!" from Mr F, which is his new saying and is very funny as it's said with such feeling. I achieved my first "Well done Mummy" for finding a puzzle piece yesterday, it was a marked achievement! xx
Monday 23 July 2012
Today is the first day of the Summer holidays, and wow and OMG the sun is shining and it's a beautiful morning. I do hope this is a good omen for the whole of the Summer break.
We're one of those families who isn't having a holiday (again! Not that I'm bitter or jealous of anyone that is, much!) Once again my answer to anyone who asks "are you going away?" is "not this year, no, but next year we will". Luckily Mr F is too little to care.
So what plans do we have for the 6 weeks (and counting) Summer holidays? Hmm! Today we are going to Granddads after lunch, tomorrow meeting up with a friend and going to soft play or National Trust (weather dependant), Wednesday no plans. So yep that's it, I have plans for 2 whole days! OMG.
Obviously that's not all I have planned.
No, I'm not prepared to share all my plans.
How could you think that I'm bluffing?! Pah!
Ok, I'm bluffing I really don't have any more plans.
But hey I've just remembered I bought 6 bottles of bubbles yesterday, so that's the holidays sorted after all! Never underestimate the power of bubbles!
We have plans yet to be made too, so that's good. Really, we do. We are going to stay at our friends for a few days in hopefully sunny Northampton (and there I was telling you we weren't having a summer holiday away!) I must just share a little story with you. Last weekend we went to our Northampton friends (sorry wasn't in a bloggy mood then so didn't update any). They have an allotment which is a short-ish walk from their house. So Uncle Richard took Mr F for a walk there and back. It's a lovely allotment area as they have 2 playgrounds for the kids and they have toilets! Amazing! Oh and there's lots of plants and stuff too! Mr F when walking back home made a little bottom burp (sorry tried to phrase it as best I can!), and carried on walking quite happily completely ignoring the occurrence, so Uncle Richard being a bloke, decided to join in and so made a bottom burp too. Mr F turned to Uncle Richard and asked earnestly "do you have a poorly tummy?" I don't think Uncle Richard will be joining in again!
We do have a couple of pre-school friends to catch up with in the holidays, no doubt I'll tell you all about that when we do, and some other friends that we've agreed to do a bit of gardening with here and there.
And we have National Trust membership, so I'm sure that'll come into it's own this Summer. Last week I was doubting we'd ever get a Summer, and now being the optimist, I'm planning a full 6 weeks of it! Which reminds me, I must get the outside tap mended so the paddling pool can come out. Oh and I've just bought a climbing frame/slide/swing off ebay, so if it doesn't take me 6 weeks to build it, we'll have that to play on too!
On that note, enjoy the sunshine and I'll update soon. xx
We're one of those families who isn't having a holiday (again! Not that I'm bitter or jealous of anyone that is, much!) Once again my answer to anyone who asks "are you going away?" is "not this year, no, but next year we will". Luckily Mr F is too little to care.
So what plans do we have for the 6 weeks (and counting) Summer holidays? Hmm! Today we are going to Granddads after lunch, tomorrow meeting up with a friend and going to soft play or National Trust (weather dependant), Wednesday no plans. So yep that's it, I have plans for 2 whole days! OMG.
Obviously that's not all I have planned.
No, I'm not prepared to share all my plans.
How could you think that I'm bluffing?! Pah!
Ok, I'm bluffing I really don't have any more plans.
But hey I've just remembered I bought 6 bottles of bubbles yesterday, so that's the holidays sorted after all! Never underestimate the power of bubbles!
We have plans yet to be made too, so that's good. Really, we do. We are going to stay at our friends for a few days in hopefully sunny Northampton (and there I was telling you we weren't having a summer holiday away!) I must just share a little story with you. Last weekend we went to our Northampton friends (sorry wasn't in a bloggy mood then so didn't update any). They have an allotment which is a short-ish walk from their house. So Uncle Richard took Mr F for a walk there and back. It's a lovely allotment area as they have 2 playgrounds for the kids and they have toilets! Amazing! Oh and there's lots of plants and stuff too! Mr F when walking back home made a little bottom burp (sorry tried to phrase it as best I can!), and carried on walking quite happily completely ignoring the occurrence, so Uncle Richard being a bloke, decided to join in and so made a bottom burp too. Mr F turned to Uncle Richard and asked earnestly "do you have a poorly tummy?" I don't think Uncle Richard will be joining in again!
We do have a couple of pre-school friends to catch up with in the holidays, no doubt I'll tell you all about that when we do, and some other friends that we've agreed to do a bit of gardening with here and there.
And we have National Trust membership, so I'm sure that'll come into it's own this Summer. Last week I was doubting we'd ever get a Summer, and now being the optimist, I'm planning a full 6 weeks of it! Which reminds me, I must get the outside tap mended so the paddling pool can come out. Oh and I've just bought a climbing frame/slide/swing off ebay, so if it doesn't take me 6 weeks to build it, we'll have that to play on too!
On that note, enjoy the sunshine and I'll update soon. xx
Monday 2 July 2012
Wow, the sleep over on Saturday night was a success. This wasn't inevitable, far from it. Last time there were huge tears at bed time and bed time was very, very late. This time only small tears and not so late, so that in my book is a success! And this time Mr F was in a bed, not confined to a cot, so pretty darn amazing. So, very well done Mr F and Aunty Sonya's kids too.
Hurrah, this means we are no longer confined to sleeping at our house for the rest of eternity..........and Mummy can sometimes get to see friends, and have a real conversation, and perhaps a glass of wine, and the list is endless! Perhaps not endless, but certainly it's progressing.
I know you're wondering what disasters befell us. Nothing too major........ really, only little things like dinner. My friends husband did the kids dinner which was cottage pie. Mr F likes cottage pie, so naturally I'm relieved that this is the choice as I know he'll tuck in and generally he's not a fussy eater so we're lucky with that.
What I don't know is that my friends kids won't eat cottage pie unless it's all mixed up like baby food. Unfortunately Mr F on the other hand won't eat cottage pie if it is mixed up like baby food.
When presented with his portion of cottage pie, I sat cringing when Mr Fs reaction was "yukky" and the plate was rapidly pushed away. Obviously I tried in vain to persuade him with pleas of "just one mouthful for Mummy" and "look, peas and carrots, you love peas and carrots". The only response I got was yet more confirmation that it was "yukky". Cringe, smile, cringe! Thankfully, some tomato pasta was brought out in reserve and he ate that quite happily, reassuring me that my friends wouldn't now think I had a fussy eater for a son.
Then pudding. Strawberries, yay he loves Strawberries, and trifle, oh dear. Not good. We had a bad experience with trifle just a few days ago so I couldn't see this turning out well. One mouthful. He's eaten it, that's good. Maybe not. He spat it out again. "Yukky". Once I'd washed the strawberries so no trifle remained, (I ate the trifle first, then washed off the remnants if truth be told!) he then ate them all up, and had some melon and pineapple for good measure.
I'm just grateful that my friends hadn't actually homemade the cottage pie or the trifle so weren't mortally offended that my son was labelling their cooking as "yukky".
If Mr F is a fussy eater it's of the good kind as fruit and veg are top of his favourites, so I can't rally complain can I?!
xx
Hurrah, this means we are no longer confined to sleeping at our house for the rest of eternity..........and Mummy can sometimes get to see friends, and have a real conversation, and perhaps a glass of wine, and the list is endless! Perhaps not endless, but certainly it's progressing.
I know you're wondering what disasters befell us. Nothing too major........ really, only little things like dinner. My friends husband did the kids dinner which was cottage pie. Mr F likes cottage pie, so naturally I'm relieved that this is the choice as I know he'll tuck in and generally he's not a fussy eater so we're lucky with that.
What I don't know is that my friends kids won't eat cottage pie unless it's all mixed up like baby food. Unfortunately Mr F on the other hand won't eat cottage pie if it is mixed up like baby food.
When presented with his portion of cottage pie, I sat cringing when Mr Fs reaction was "yukky" and the plate was rapidly pushed away. Obviously I tried in vain to persuade him with pleas of "just one mouthful for Mummy" and "look, peas and carrots, you love peas and carrots". The only response I got was yet more confirmation that it was "yukky". Cringe, smile, cringe! Thankfully, some tomato pasta was brought out in reserve and he ate that quite happily, reassuring me that my friends wouldn't now think I had a fussy eater for a son.
Then pudding. Strawberries, yay he loves Strawberries, and trifle, oh dear. Not good. We had a bad experience with trifle just a few days ago so I couldn't see this turning out well. One mouthful. He's eaten it, that's good. Maybe not. He spat it out again. "Yukky". Once I'd washed the strawberries so no trifle remained, (I ate the trifle first, then washed off the remnants if truth be told!) he then ate them all up, and had some melon and pineapple for good measure.
I'm just grateful that my friends hadn't actually homemade the cottage pie or the trifle so weren't mortally offended that my son was labelling their cooking as "yukky".
If Mr F is a fussy eater it's of the good kind as fruit and veg are top of his favourites, so I can't rally complain can I?!
xx
Saturday 30 June 2012
Good morning! It's Saturday and in recognition of that we're off to Aunty Sonya's later this afternoon. We're having a sleep over. It's only the second time we've done this at Aunty Sonya's so it could be a long night! She has two children, older than Mr F, her son's 6 (I think) and her daughter's nearly 4 (I think), or is that 7 and 5? Sorry Sonya, I'm rubbish at remembering ages.
Hey I'm good at the "S" theme for Saturdays aren't I? Second sleep over at Sonya's! Gold stars for me.
This morning when asked what Mr F would like for breakfast, the answer was one of the following:
1 cereals
2 toast
3 cake
4 spaghetti
Often, the answer is actually spaghetti, although I assure you that request is not fulfilled, and I have no idea where it comes from! But this morning the breakfast order was.....cake. Of course, cake. So being a good mummy, I set to work at making cake at 8.00 this morning! Mr F helped, he's quite good at holding the bowl! We made fairy cakes from my favourite Netmums victoria sponge cake recipe, which is the easiest and tastiest and bestest sponge cake recipe ever (in my opinion).
So, by 9.30 we'd had cake for breakfast, yum. It's Saturday, it's allowed.
I've just noticed whilst sat writing this, that there's a large splodge of chocolate smeared on my dining room wall, with several smaller spatterings below. I very much hope it's chocolate, even though I don't remember Mr F eating any yesterday. I'm sure it is. Anyway it's gone now and I don't intend to analyse it!
I'll update you tomorrow on how the sleep over went, ttfn. xx
Hey I'm good at the "S" theme for Saturdays aren't I? Second sleep over at Sonya's! Gold stars for me.
This morning when asked what Mr F would like for breakfast, the answer was one of the following:
1 cereals
2 toast
3 cake
4 spaghetti
Often, the answer is actually spaghetti, although I assure you that request is not fulfilled, and I have no idea where it comes from! But this morning the breakfast order was.....cake. Of course, cake. So being a good mummy, I set to work at making cake at 8.00 this morning! Mr F helped, he's quite good at holding the bowl! We made fairy cakes from my favourite Netmums victoria sponge cake recipe, which is the easiest and tastiest and bestest sponge cake recipe ever (in my opinion).
So, by 9.30 we'd had cake for breakfast, yum. It's Saturday, it's allowed.
I've just noticed whilst sat writing this, that there's a large splodge of chocolate smeared on my dining room wall, with several smaller spatterings below. I very much hope it's chocolate, even though I don't remember Mr F eating any yesterday. I'm sure it is. Anyway it's gone now and I don't intend to analyse it!
I'll update you tomorrow on how the sleep over went, ttfn. xx
Friday was a funny sort of day, not the fun funny, just funny. We had to get my husband to a hospital appointment first thing. We just about made it in time. Hospital waiting rooms are great for kids as they nearly always have books, those wonderful wooden bead maze toys and fish. Mr F was delighted. We said hello to the fish. Fish aren't very sociable are they? Then he settled himself at the wooden bead maze table and that's where he stayed.
Daddy went off for his appointment and Mr F stayed happily playing trains with the beads. Of course he did greet anyone entering the waiting room, with "where's Daddy?" which I would accompany with a little shrug and a strained smile, and that 'isn't he sweet' look! When Daddy came back, we said goodbye to the fish (they still weren't in a chatty mood) and off we went with a little chorus of goodbyes from the waiting room.
We went into town and sat in the NY coffee shop (it's the Peter Andre one) for some cappucino's and juice. We go here because they do good cappucino, they're friendly and they have a little play corner for kids, which is the best bit. Mr F knows it well enough now to ask to take his shoes off and then he's away. There's a little people garage and cars (and a fire engine!), some blocks, a couple of little desks and books. It's ideal for a coffee break where you can actually relax and have a half decent conversation as Mr F is playing happily in the corner.
The only time that this doesn't work out (which is quite often) is when another child enters the play area (how dare they?!) as then Mr F turns into a total wimp and creeps past them and slopes over to our table, throwing backward glances all the while. As soon as the conquering child has left the play area, my brave little soldier is straight back in there! We have the same trouble at the playground and the softplay places!
Is it because he's an only child? (though he does go to pre-school and before that he used to go to nursery so he's used to being with and playing with other children) so I'm not going to analyse this behaviour any more. No, no, no. Ok, later I will, probably over a glass of wine!
On the way back to the car we stopped off at the little book stall that's sometimes there and sometime not. And we found 2 new Ladybird books, The Little Blue Tractor and The Forgetful Little Fireman. We've a little collection of The Little Ladybird books. They're great at bedtime.
Not much to say about the afternoon as Mr F had a good long snooze on the sofa thanks to Wimbledon on the tv. I love tennis! xx
Daddy went off for his appointment and Mr F stayed happily playing trains with the beads. Of course he did greet anyone entering the waiting room, with "where's Daddy?" which I would accompany with a little shrug and a strained smile, and that 'isn't he sweet' look! When Daddy came back, we said goodbye to the fish (they still weren't in a chatty mood) and off we went with a little chorus of goodbyes from the waiting room.
We went into town and sat in the NY coffee shop (it's the Peter Andre one) for some cappucino's and juice. We go here because they do good cappucino, they're friendly and they have a little play corner for kids, which is the best bit. Mr F knows it well enough now to ask to take his shoes off and then he's away. There's a little people garage and cars (and a fire engine!), some blocks, a couple of little desks and books. It's ideal for a coffee break where you can actually relax and have a half decent conversation as Mr F is playing happily in the corner.
The only time that this doesn't work out (which is quite often) is when another child enters the play area (how dare they?!) as then Mr F turns into a total wimp and creeps past them and slopes over to our table, throwing backward glances all the while. As soon as the conquering child has left the play area, my brave little soldier is straight back in there! We have the same trouble at the playground and the softplay places!
Is it because he's an only child? (though he does go to pre-school and before that he used to go to nursery so he's used to being with and playing with other children) so I'm not going to analyse this behaviour any more. No, no, no. Ok, later I will, probably over a glass of wine!
On the way back to the car we stopped off at the little book stall that's sometimes there and sometime not. And we found 2 new Ladybird books, The Little Blue Tractor and The Forgetful Little Fireman. We've a little collection of The Little Ladybird books. They're great at bedtime.
Not much to say about the afternoon as Mr F had a good long snooze on the sofa thanks to Wimbledon on the tv. I love tennis! xx
Thursday 28 June 2012
Huge apologies for being absent, I've been making some progress on getting my business up and running, so sorry but that had to take priority for a bit.
But that's yesterdays news and now I can do what I enjoy most which is rambling here about my bonny boy! I'd like to take you back to Monday as Monday was the pre-school outing to Ladyland farm in Horley.
I was very excited and I think Mr F was too. We set off in good time and arrived in the parking field. Wellies on, suncream on, hat on and we were good to go! I must say that my bag with packed lunch, change of clothes, nappies etc looked somewhat larger than most of the other bags I could see, but that won't be a surprise to anyone that knows me as travelling light I do not! I think my friends husbands are always rather alarmed when we visit for a stop over at the size of my suitcase in comparison to the number of nights we are staying! You know who you are!!
Fabulous place Ladyland Farm. I'd never heard of let alone visited before and I thought it was lovely, they call it the living classroom and it really is. Our group was met by Farmer Jen and our first delight was to see, hear all about and hold fluffy yellow baby chicks, very excitedly and very nervously with a 2 and a half year old strangler in tow! The chick survived you'll be relieved to know.
Next were the calves which were a different experience obviously. We gave them some milk, you had to be quick as boy can they guzzle it down rapidly. And we got to stroke their beautiful soft heads, they were adorable. Mr F didn't agree and stood well behind mummy shaking his head and saying quite clearly "no"!
Never mind, next we were off to see little goats and fluffy bunnies, no problem there for my little farmer. Or so I thought. We were allowed to stroke the kid goat who was held by one of the pre-school teachers, but no thanks said Mr F with folded arms and head firmly facing the other way. Fluffy bunnies then? Nope. We tried to get him to stroke a tiny weeny adorable little bundle of fluff with downy soft long ears and Mr Fs arms couldn't have got any further above his head if he'd been Inspector Gadget himself!
Probably not going to be a farmer, or vet then. So might have to rethink future career options.... After the bunnies we got to feed goats and chickens and sheep and guess what? No, see you're wrong, my brave little farmer won through and very steadily held out his hand for the animals to take the food. You could have knocked me over with a feather, astounding. I think the difference being these animals were the other side of the fence, so not a problem. (And I have to say he gets that from me as I love animals but am a total wimp.)
Then the best bit, the grand finale, the moment we'd all been waiting for, or Mr F had, as I'd had to remind him of it several times when he was wimping out asking to go home. It was the TRACTOR RIDE! Yay! Mr F was so excited, he told anyone and everyone we were going on the Big Tractor. And if you were there you'd be laughing at this as it wasn't so much what he said as how he said it, "Biiiig Trat-tor", said very earnestly with eyes as large as saucers.
Needless to say, the tractor ride was a great hit. We, the passengers, were stood in the back of an open trailer holding onto the side rails for dear life, being bumped along and around a muddy field. But I'm sure if he could Mr F would tell you a very different story! Awesome!
Fab day, will definitely go again. xx
But that's yesterdays news and now I can do what I enjoy most which is rambling here about my bonny boy! I'd like to take you back to Monday as Monday was the pre-school outing to Ladyland farm in Horley.
I was very excited and I think Mr F was too. We set off in good time and arrived in the parking field. Wellies on, suncream on, hat on and we were good to go! I must say that my bag with packed lunch, change of clothes, nappies etc looked somewhat larger than most of the other bags I could see, but that won't be a surprise to anyone that knows me as travelling light I do not! I think my friends husbands are always rather alarmed when we visit for a stop over at the size of my suitcase in comparison to the number of nights we are staying! You know who you are!!
Fabulous place Ladyland Farm. I'd never heard of let alone visited before and I thought it was lovely, they call it the living classroom and it really is. Our group was met by Farmer Jen and our first delight was to see, hear all about and hold fluffy yellow baby chicks, very excitedly and very nervously with a 2 and a half year old strangler in tow! The chick survived you'll be relieved to know.
Next were the calves which were a different experience obviously. We gave them some milk, you had to be quick as boy can they guzzle it down rapidly. And we got to stroke their beautiful soft heads, they were adorable. Mr F didn't agree and stood well behind mummy shaking his head and saying quite clearly "no"!
Never mind, next we were off to see little goats and fluffy bunnies, no problem there for my little farmer. Or so I thought. We were allowed to stroke the kid goat who was held by one of the pre-school teachers, but no thanks said Mr F with folded arms and head firmly facing the other way. Fluffy bunnies then? Nope. We tried to get him to stroke a tiny weeny adorable little bundle of fluff with downy soft long ears and Mr Fs arms couldn't have got any further above his head if he'd been Inspector Gadget himself!
Probably not going to be a farmer, or vet then. So might have to rethink future career options.... After the bunnies we got to feed goats and chickens and sheep and guess what? No, see you're wrong, my brave little farmer won through and very steadily held out his hand for the animals to take the food. You could have knocked me over with a feather, astounding. I think the difference being these animals were the other side of the fence, so not a problem. (And I have to say he gets that from me as I love animals but am a total wimp.)
Then the best bit, the grand finale, the moment we'd all been waiting for, or Mr F had, as I'd had to remind him of it several times when he was wimping out asking to go home. It was the TRACTOR RIDE! Yay! Mr F was so excited, he told anyone and everyone we were going on the Big Tractor. And if you were there you'd be laughing at this as it wasn't so much what he said as how he said it, "Biiiig Trat-tor", said very earnestly with eyes as large as saucers.
Needless to say, the tractor ride was a great hit. We, the passengers, were stood in the back of an open trailer holding onto the side rails for dear life, being bumped along and around a muddy field. But I'm sure if he could Mr F would tell you a very different story! Awesome!
Fab day, will definitely go again. xx
Tuesday 26 June 2012
On Sunday we all went to Grandad's house for Sunday lunch. Grandad makes the best Sunday lunch, which is borne out by the fact that both my husband and my son nearly always clear their plates of food which is a rarity in my house! We had roast beef and all the trimmings and it was lovely, thanks Dad.
Mr F also enjoys it at Grandad's as there are different toys there, so half the fun is going into the cupboard in the spare room and getting the toys out. We've an old oval shaped train track which an old friend from work gave us and Mr F loves this. It has a road track in the centre so both trains and cars can come out to play. I think Grandad got a bit fed up of us using his wine bottle holder as a bridge, it's a very nice arch shape and makes a perfect bridge over the tracks. So on Sunday he had a lovely surprise for Mr F as he'd made him a special bridge out of wood and duck tape. Fantastic!
Grandad's pretty good at that sort of thing as he's a carpenter by trade and well, I feel it's my duty to help him keep his hand in with such a worthy skill and I can assure you that on a regular basis he is kept busy with little projects for me and Mr F. When I eventually find the missing wheel to the big white limousine Mr F has broken, then Grandad'll fix it!
After a great afternoon, it was time to go. This is most definitely not the fun bit. Mr F is fascinated by Grandad's pond in the front garden especially as it has water snails in it, and to get to the car we have to pass nearby the pond. It's a tiny pond but still holds a dread for anyone watching when Mr F goes running over to it shouting "Tails" (interpret = snails). There's always a chorus of "stop", "slow down", "mind the pond", and various others. I don't think he'd fall in as he's done that in our pond at home and that's a whole other horror story (but obviously one with a good ending).
Having seen "tails" in the pond, we then pry him away. I wish I could say he trots over to the car, gives Grandad a big hug and kiss and sits amiably in his car seat, I wish! We forcibly extract him from the garden and deposit him in the chair whilst bribing him with a milk bottle in order to get him buckled up. He then ignores Grandad and sulks tearfully and noisily in the car seat. Eventually he gives Grandad a kiss and that special look of don't make me go home with these people. On that note, we depart.
No sooner have I parked the car at home then Mr F throws up, yep all over himself, the car seat and the car. Of course my first thought was yuk that's all over my car, no just kidding my first thought was yuk the car seat, no just kidding again, really my first thought was has he finished, get him out of the bl@@dy car quick!
He was fine 5 minutes afterwards, we went indoors and stripped off the yukky clothes and he played happily on the floor with his trains as if nothing had happened. Resilient little things toddlers! No stresses at bedtime either as Daddy put him to bed (only because I had an important phone call to make, believe me it's not usual and especially not when illness is involved!)
The rest of my evening was spent relaxing and enjoying the pleasant summer idyl of a lazy Sunday evening. In my dreams. My evening consisted of stripping off the car seat covers and seat belt straps and getting them washed and put on radiators to dry before the morning as we had a pre-school outing to get to for 10am! Argh! I do so enjoy our relaxing weekends together........
xx
Mr F also enjoys it at Grandad's as there are different toys there, so half the fun is going into the cupboard in the spare room and getting the toys out. We've an old oval shaped train track which an old friend from work gave us and Mr F loves this. It has a road track in the centre so both trains and cars can come out to play. I think Grandad got a bit fed up of us using his wine bottle holder as a bridge, it's a very nice arch shape and makes a perfect bridge over the tracks. So on Sunday he had a lovely surprise for Mr F as he'd made him a special bridge out of wood and duck tape. Fantastic!
Grandad's pretty good at that sort of thing as he's a carpenter by trade and well, I feel it's my duty to help him keep his hand in with such a worthy skill and I can assure you that on a regular basis he is kept busy with little projects for me and Mr F. When I eventually find the missing wheel to the big white limousine Mr F has broken, then Grandad'll fix it!
After a great afternoon, it was time to go. This is most definitely not the fun bit. Mr F is fascinated by Grandad's pond in the front garden especially as it has water snails in it, and to get to the car we have to pass nearby the pond. It's a tiny pond but still holds a dread for anyone watching when Mr F goes running over to it shouting "Tails" (interpret = snails). There's always a chorus of "stop", "slow down", "mind the pond", and various others. I don't think he'd fall in as he's done that in our pond at home and that's a whole other horror story (but obviously one with a good ending).
Having seen "tails" in the pond, we then pry him away. I wish I could say he trots over to the car, gives Grandad a big hug and kiss and sits amiably in his car seat, I wish! We forcibly extract him from the garden and deposit him in the chair whilst bribing him with a milk bottle in order to get him buckled up. He then ignores Grandad and sulks tearfully and noisily in the car seat. Eventually he gives Grandad a kiss and that special look of don't make me go home with these people. On that note, we depart.
No sooner have I parked the car at home then Mr F throws up, yep all over himself, the car seat and the car. Of course my first thought was yuk that's all over my car, no just kidding my first thought was yuk the car seat, no just kidding again, really my first thought was has he finished, get him out of the bl@@dy car quick!
He was fine 5 minutes afterwards, we went indoors and stripped off the yukky clothes and he played happily on the floor with his trains as if nothing had happened. Resilient little things toddlers! No stresses at bedtime either as Daddy put him to bed (only because I had an important phone call to make, believe me it's not usual and especially not when illness is involved!)
The rest of my evening was spent relaxing and enjoying the pleasant summer idyl of a lazy Sunday evening. In my dreams. My evening consisted of stripping off the car seat covers and seat belt straps and getting them washed and put on radiators to dry before the morning as we had a pre-school outing to get to for 10am! Argh! I do so enjoy our relaxing weekends together........
xx
Sunday 24 June 2012
Saturdays are for shopping, Socatots, swimming, or something else beginning with S!
Yesterday was a Socatots Saturday, so we were up early, although when are we never up early? Actually this morning, Mr F somehow managed to open the child gate that is at his bedroom door and came pitter pattering into Mummy and Daddy's room. OMG! How on earth did he do that? His bedroom door doesn't shut properly and if it did he wouldn't be able to open it (or would he?) as it has an old fashioned latch not a handle, so instead we have a child gate (stair gate), to keep him safe you understand. It's one that you have to pinch in the sides of the handle whilst lifting it up at the same time, tricky enough for parents and supposedly not possible for a small child. Child genius???
Once dressed in bright yellow and blue footie kit Mr F was ready for the Socatots challenge. Basically what happens is for about 45 minutes, Mr F runs around doing mostly as he pleases whilst I try to get him to show case his incredible footballing skills (wishful thinking). Mostly he does the opposite of what Mummy says and then behaves beautifully for the instructor, perfectly mirroring her football skills and displaying an acute understanding of everything she says!
Once back home, we have a snack and we go into town with Daddy. We had BurgerKing for lunch and for the very first time Mr F sat at the table with his cardboard crown on, cute. After dragging him around countless shops, my husband does like to shop, and I'm not joking, we went into TK Maxx. I love this shop, not especially for women's clothes, shoes, bags which are all good, but because I can leave my husband to browse in the menswear whilst me and Mr F cruise the toys and books aisles, yay! We found a couple of great books and a lovely floor puzzle of "things that go", which is my picture for today as sadly, there was no time for artistry with all the S stuff going on!
When we got home, Mr F was fast asleep from the car journey (all 20 minutes of it!) and so we put him on the sofa for him to wake up slowly. In a nutshell, he didn't. He slept and slept, it's been a busy week. So by 7pm there was no sign of wanting to wake or eat, so we shrugged him into a clean nappy and PJs and went up to bed. We did our new stories for bed time, construction vehicles (would send me off to sleep anyway!), and he turned over and slept, bless and goodnight sweetie. xx
Yesterday was a Socatots Saturday, so we were up early, although when are we never up early? Actually this morning, Mr F somehow managed to open the child gate that is at his bedroom door and came pitter pattering into Mummy and Daddy's room. OMG! How on earth did he do that? His bedroom door doesn't shut properly and if it did he wouldn't be able to open it (or would he?) as it has an old fashioned latch not a handle, so instead we have a child gate (stair gate), to keep him safe you understand. It's one that you have to pinch in the sides of the handle whilst lifting it up at the same time, tricky enough for parents and supposedly not possible for a small child. Child genius???
Once dressed in bright yellow and blue footie kit Mr F was ready for the Socatots challenge. Basically what happens is for about 45 minutes, Mr F runs around doing mostly as he pleases whilst I try to get him to show case his incredible footballing skills (wishful thinking). Mostly he does the opposite of what Mummy says and then behaves beautifully for the instructor, perfectly mirroring her football skills and displaying an acute understanding of everything she says!
Once back home, we have a snack and we go into town with Daddy. We had BurgerKing for lunch and for the very first time Mr F sat at the table with his cardboard crown on, cute. After dragging him around countless shops, my husband does like to shop, and I'm not joking, we went into TK Maxx. I love this shop, not especially for women's clothes, shoes, bags which are all good, but because I can leave my husband to browse in the menswear whilst me and Mr F cruise the toys and books aisles, yay! We found a couple of great books and a lovely floor puzzle of "things that go", which is my picture for today as sadly, there was no time for artistry with all the S stuff going on!
When we got home, Mr F was fast asleep from the car journey (all 20 minutes of it!) and so we put him on the sofa for him to wake up slowly. In a nutshell, he didn't. He slept and slept, it's been a busy week. So by 7pm there was no sign of wanting to wake or eat, so we shrugged him into a clean nappy and PJs and went up to bed. We did our new stories for bed time, construction vehicles (would send me off to sleep anyway!), and he turned over and slept, bless and goodnight sweetie. xx
Friday 22 June 2012
Today, where to start? I decided that as it's Friday, it should be a fun day, a Mr F day and so that's where it started. After all, Friday is our day together as he doesn't go to pre-school, so it should be fun, right?
We spent the morning watching some Alphablocks on TV, playing with cars and trains and the Thomas the Tank Engine playmat (after a quick sticky tape repair, and a "That should do it!" from Mr F it's as good as new now!). And of course we did some drawing. Ah yes, there's no let up even though it's not a school day for my little man and the masterpiece produced today was of Daddy! So you'll now get to see the sheer brilliance that is Daddy's portrait, and it rather neatly follows on from yesterday's Mummy portrait completing the family portfolio.
After the obligatory battle to get Mr F dressed we managed to get out of the house around 2pm! That's not good going I know, but it's not awful either.
We went to the bank first as due to the Nat West banking problems I'd been unable to do some online transfers, sorry that's very dull but true. Whilst this sounds like a simple enough task, believe me it's literally an uphill struggle to get from the car walking nicely and holding hands all the way to the Bank. But in fairness to my little treasure he did pretty well today, so thank you little man.
From here we went to a soft play coffee shop. It may come as a shock to hear this, but today was the first time I've done this! OMG. I hope that's not gasps of horror that I've deprived my son of his rightful soft play entitlement, more gasps of pity that I've now been sucked into the hell-hole that is the soft play coffee shop! Don't get me wrong there's nothing bad about it other than the fact that you cannot enjoy a cup of coffee when a dozen or so kids are running about the place screaming and yelling and your little one is somewhere in amongst it, and there's some air compressor thing making an almighty din and a soft ball shooting gun being fired every few seconds. Or maybe it's just me? Perhaps I should now frequent this place in order to acclimatise to it and dull my senses? It's a thought........NO!
Anyway, Mr F had a fantastic time, he was brilliant and he loved it. Of course he didn't want to leave and I had to get in there and get him out, but I guess that was to be expected. Bless. Maybe we'll go again...........
xx
PS Best not to analyse or interpret the Daddy picture too much!
We spent the morning watching some Alphablocks on TV, playing with cars and trains and the Thomas the Tank Engine playmat (after a quick sticky tape repair, and a "That should do it!" from Mr F it's as good as new now!). And of course we did some drawing. Ah yes, there's no let up even though it's not a school day for my little man and the masterpiece produced today was of Daddy! So you'll now get to see the sheer brilliance that is Daddy's portrait, and it rather neatly follows on from yesterday's Mummy portrait completing the family portfolio.
After the obligatory battle to get Mr F dressed we managed to get out of the house around 2pm! That's not good going I know, but it's not awful either.
We went to the bank first as due to the Nat West banking problems I'd been unable to do some online transfers, sorry that's very dull but true. Whilst this sounds like a simple enough task, believe me it's literally an uphill struggle to get from the car walking nicely and holding hands all the way to the Bank. But in fairness to my little treasure he did pretty well today, so thank you little man.
From here we went to a soft play coffee shop. It may come as a shock to hear this, but today was the first time I've done this! OMG. I hope that's not gasps of horror that I've deprived my son of his rightful soft play entitlement, more gasps of pity that I've now been sucked into the hell-hole that is the soft play coffee shop! Don't get me wrong there's nothing bad about it other than the fact that you cannot enjoy a cup of coffee when a dozen or so kids are running about the place screaming and yelling and your little one is somewhere in amongst it, and there's some air compressor thing making an almighty din and a soft ball shooting gun being fired every few seconds. Or maybe it's just me? Perhaps I should now frequent this place in order to acclimatise to it and dull my senses? It's a thought........NO!
Anyway, Mr F had a fantastic time, he was brilliant and he loved it. Of course he didn't want to leave and I had to get in there and get him out, but I guess that was to be expected. Bless. Maybe we'll go again...........
xx
PS Best not to analyse or interpret the Daddy picture too much!
I always find Thursdays particularly trying! Yesterday was no different. Maybe it was the weather? It's a very British thing to blame the weather, so that'll do for me as it saves me analysing the real reason (avoidance tactics again?!)
Mr F was in a defiant mood after pre-school. He ran away from me in the car park, and then wouldn't come indoors when we arrived back home. No doubt my behaviour/body language/spoken language played some part in that, but sometimes I think my little treasure is simply being defiant! I did try some usual things that work in these situations, like "let's see how many yellow flowers we can count to the house?", and "oh, an ant, how exciting, let's see if there's some more down this way?", that sort of thing, but oh no, not today mummy!
In the end I resorted to the final "GET INSIDE NOW!" shouting followed by running and grabbing his hand and dragging him inside. That sounds more dramatic than it was I promise!
I should probably explain that I don't have a driveway, so I wasn't just doing the "do as I say" thing, honest! When I park my car at home it's on a residential road, which we then have to cross to walk down a public footpath to our house, our front garden isn't enclosed and the public footpath leads down to a big block of flats, a waste patch of ground and a pretty busy road, breathe...... So there are endless hazards that I see as a parent and countless exciting opportunities that Mr F sees as a toddler, you see my point?
Once indoors, it's all forgotten, especially if Team Umizoomi is on the TV. Not seen it? Lucky you, I've seen it and heard it many times! My son loves it. We had an OK afternoon spent indoors as the weather was rubbish. Mr F was fractious and still in defiant mood, refused to have a nap which would have resolved this easily, so we had a so so sort of afternoon. Finally, after giving in at about 4pm he had a nap, which was both good and bad, as at 4pm it's too late really as of course it impacts on the bed time routine, but by now I'd had enough of "Mummy, what you doing?" when sat in front of him or next to him playing or drawing or whatever, and other little sayings and many little tantrums, I know he's 2 it's what they do!
Good news though, as when he woke up about 40 minutes later he was a new man! Hoorah! Welcome back lovely! My laugh out loud moment was when he ran into the kitchen dressed in only his t-shirt brandishing his toy microphone and rapping into it like a mini Snoop Dog! But without the swearing, I think! Although it's hard to tell as I don't think it was actual words, but then again, I don't understand what rappers say either - now I sound old!
I'll leave you with another stunning piece of artwork to enjoy, this one is entitled "Mummy" and those of you who know me will see that the likeness really is uncanny! xx
Mr F was in a defiant mood after pre-school. He ran away from me in the car park, and then wouldn't come indoors when we arrived back home. No doubt my behaviour/body language/spoken language played some part in that, but sometimes I think my little treasure is simply being defiant! I did try some usual things that work in these situations, like "let's see how many yellow flowers we can count to the house?", and "oh, an ant, how exciting, let's see if there's some more down this way?", that sort of thing, but oh no, not today mummy!
In the end I resorted to the final "GET INSIDE NOW!" shouting followed by running and grabbing his hand and dragging him inside. That sounds more dramatic than it was I promise!
I should probably explain that I don't have a driveway, so I wasn't just doing the "do as I say" thing, honest! When I park my car at home it's on a residential road, which we then have to cross to walk down a public footpath to our house, our front garden isn't enclosed and the public footpath leads down to a big block of flats, a waste patch of ground and a pretty busy road, breathe...... So there are endless hazards that I see as a parent and countless exciting opportunities that Mr F sees as a toddler, you see my point?
Once indoors, it's all forgotten, especially if Team Umizoomi is on the TV. Not seen it? Lucky you, I've seen it and heard it many times! My son loves it. We had an OK afternoon spent indoors as the weather was rubbish. Mr F was fractious and still in defiant mood, refused to have a nap which would have resolved this easily, so we had a so so sort of afternoon. Finally, after giving in at about 4pm he had a nap, which was both good and bad, as at 4pm it's too late really as of course it impacts on the bed time routine, but by now I'd had enough of "Mummy, what you doing?" when sat in front of him or next to him playing or drawing or whatever, and other little sayings and many little tantrums, I know he's 2 it's what they do!
Good news though, as when he woke up about 40 minutes later he was a new man! Hoorah! Welcome back lovely! My laugh out loud moment was when he ran into the kitchen dressed in only his t-shirt brandishing his toy microphone and rapping into it like a mini Snoop Dog! But without the swearing, I think! Although it's hard to tell as I don't think it was actual words, but then again, I don't understand what rappers say either - now I sound old!
I'll leave you with another stunning piece of artwork to enjoy, this one is entitled "Mummy" and those of you who know me will see that the likeness really is uncanny! xx
Thursday 21 June 2012
I'd like to introduce to you my little treasure. I'll call him Mr F as that's close enough until I get to know you better, and he's just over 2 and half years old now, going on 15 it feels!
Me, I'm one of those mums who thought it would be great to keep a baby book from birth. But never got round to it properly. I started filling it in and in truth, got bored, weight, height, first this, first that, woah! Too much, too soon. But of course now, 2 and a half years on.......I so wish I had done it!
So, I thought I'd start a blog and keep a dialogue of my little treasures daily exploits and also copies of precious art work that seems to be prolifically produced at pre-school! Yes, you too can share the excitement of my child's artistic talents! Yes, artistic, that is spelt correctly! For those cynics amongst you, no of course it's not an excuse for me to throw away said artwork to stop my house from being lost completely in the mountain that it's become, although I am possibly in the line up for the next tv series of hoarders! That aside, I thought it would be nice to share artwork instead of photos, photos, photos.
The other reason for starting this blog, actually there are several including: housework avoidance, ironing avoidance especially, work avoidance, gardening avoidance, bit of a pattern going on! The main reason for starting this blog was the absolute horror I felt a couple of days ago when I asked Mr F to do something, and the reply I got was "I'm busy!". The astute would recognise at once where this came from, but not I. My second horror was that I only realised the enormity of the words when I read one of those article that parents really shouldn't read, called something like "10 things parents shouldn't say". There it was staring me in the face, I say all too often "I'm busy!". OMG, bad, bad mother!
So I resolved there and then that I would stop that behaviour at once, she says sat here typing whilst trying to get Mr F to watch the tv for a few minutes before having to get ready for pre-school! But I am making the effort to change my behaviour as seriously it was a shock.
A little WOW moment for you to show that's it's not all bad here. When I asked Mr F to give me the special word when asking for milk, again perhaps the more astute (or more experienced parents, or both of course) would guess that the answer was of course "abracadabra!", which made me laugh out loud and absolutely agree that it really was a special word although not the one mummy was looking for! Bless!
Hope that's a good enough introduction to me and my treasure, and I'm really looking forward to updating this with new and exciting and perhaps frightening OMG and WOW moments. And of course the all important artwork, and here's the first of many (many, many) pieces for your enjoyment.
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