- Been up to church for the women's group and had a great time. Making plans for next Monday when they're all coming round to 'sort me out'!! a.k.a. declutter and sort.
- Vacuumed the living room
- Washed the kitchen floor (and now it's all muddy again)
- Done 2 loads of washing
- Cleaned the bathroom sink
- Cleaned Tamsin's (shockingly dirty) windowsill and windowframe
- Cleaned doorframes upstairs
- Removed clouds of cobwebs from kitchen ceiling
- Done a bit more reading lessons of sounds 'a-e' 'o-e' and 'u-e', 'igh' and 'oa'. I'm not particularly expecting she will remember these from now on, or that they're totally 'done' in any sense, but she is keen now and very interested in words and reading so I'm just going with it as far as she wants each session.
- Been to the library and come back with stacks of books and read about 2/3 of them.
- Watched nervously as Isabelle has taken to the hammer and ball toy with great ferocity!
- Watched and choreographed Tamsin's ballet/dancing round the living room.
Tuesday, January 10, 2006
Monday, January 09, 2006
Very briefly...
...as I am very tired and about to go to bed:
I was on playschool parent's rota this morning and it was very busy, so was very tired afterwards. Isabelle had a fab time toddling about with the 'big' kids and was particularly excited by being set free in the big playroom - she's never had so much room to walk and she really enjoyed herself! She hasn't said any words at all since last Wednesday though.
Not much done this afternoon except Tamsin's played on her My Little Pony CD-Rom and we had a brief reading lesson covering 'ee' 'ea' 'ai' and 'ay'.
I was on playschool parent's rota this morning and it was very busy, so was very tired afterwards. Isabelle had a fab time toddling about with the 'big' kids and was particularly excited by being set free in the big playroom - she's never had so much room to walk and she really enjoyed herself! She hasn't said any words at all since last Wednesday though.
Not much done this afternoon except Tamsin's played on her My Little Pony CD-Rom and we had a brief reading lesson covering 'ee' 'ea' 'ai' and 'ay'.
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
First word - English; second word - Spanish!
Isabelle spoke!! It was so sweet to hear real stuff coming out of her mouth! Of course she has said mamamam and dadad and so on but I'm not confident that's been more than babbling yet. So today, Tamsin was getting a little frustrated at Isabelle's yelling, and shouted "Shush!" at her, and Isabelle said "Shush!" back!!!! It was really funny. She said it a few more times when prompted too. And then later in the day when Isabelle had climbed the stairs, and I was helping her down step by step, Tamsin was saying "Abaho!" (Spanish for 'down') (may have spelled it wrong) and Isabelle repeated "Aho.... Aho...". How about that - a bilingual baby! Of course, she wouldn't demonstrate for Daddy when he got home, so we'll have to see what utterances if any we will get in the coming days.
Apart from that, it's been another good day today. My sink is still clean! I am taking Flylady very very slowly this time. I first signed up in Jan or Feb 2001, and remained signed up for 4 years and didn't really get any of it done. I improved slightly in a couple of things, but not significantly. So last year I gave up. I think maybe I just kept trying to do too much at once, or trying to get to grips with the whole programme before I really started it properly. So I've signed up again and after a year's break I am reading the e-mails with fresh eyes, and they are speaking straight at me!! And I am committing to nothing more in January than keeping my sink clean. I may do a few other bits, but am not trying to. Very slow babysteps for me this time.
So this morning, we did some writing practice of the letters in this week's Sound of the Week - 's' and 't' so that helped start to turn her 's' around - she's been doing it backwards for a while! And she really enjoyed doing that. She's also done lots of jigsaws and other letter/word puzzles. Later we went into town to pay cheques in and post parcels and letters. Got home and did some more games and puzzles, and then went up to Kate's house for a bounce on their new trampoline and lots of girly games. While I was nit-combing her hair (nothing live in there this time but must keep at it to make sure!!) she drew a lovely picture of Daddy complete with wispy hair on top and then a picture of her best friend from playschool who she is excited to see again tomorrow morning when she goes back.
I have so enjoyed having this time off work, particularly in the past week, and feel I've had a much better time with Tamsin because of it, but it's back to it tomorrow unfortunately.
Apart from that, it's been another good day today. My sink is still clean! I am taking Flylady very very slowly this time. I first signed up in Jan or Feb 2001, and remained signed up for 4 years and didn't really get any of it done. I improved slightly in a couple of things, but not significantly. So last year I gave up. I think maybe I just kept trying to do too much at once, or trying to get to grips with the whole programme before I really started it properly. So I've signed up again and after a year's break I am reading the e-mails with fresh eyes, and they are speaking straight at me!! And I am committing to nothing more in January than keeping my sink clean. I may do a few other bits, but am not trying to. Very slow babysteps for me this time.
So this morning, we did some writing practice of the letters in this week's Sound of the Week - 's' and 't' so that helped start to turn her 's' around - she's been doing it backwards for a while! And she really enjoyed doing that. She's also done lots of jigsaws and other letter/word puzzles. Later we went into town to pay cheques in and post parcels and letters. Got home and did some more games and puzzles, and then went up to Kate's house for a bounce on their new trampoline and lots of girly games. While I was nit-combing her hair (nothing live in there this time but must keep at it to make sure!!) she drew a lovely picture of Daddy complete with wispy hair on top and then a picture of her best friend from playschool who she is excited to see again tomorrow morning when she goes back.
I have so enjoyed having this time off work, particularly in the past week, and feel I've had a much better time with Tamsin because of it, but it's back to it tomorrow unfortunately.
Monday, January 02, 2006
Busy day
What a difference it makes to me not to be working in the morning. It means I do so much more with Tamsin and we have a much better day.
So, this morning we were up around 8.30am, more tears about the lack of mummymilk, but came downstairs for breakfast and, a la Flylady, did my morning routine (empty dishwasher, have breakfast etc) and cleaned my sink. Which led to cleaning the kitchen worktops, the cooker hob, the oven door, the back door, some of the tiles on the wall, and the back doorstep. Whew! During which Tamsin watched Piglet's Big Movie or whatever it was on BBC1. And Isabelle was happy to copy me cleaning the oven door, which was very sweet to watch!
Since when, we have done beads on Scoubidous, wrapping presents, Tamsin writing labels and putting them on the tree and opening them (!), first chapter of A Year at Maple Hill Farm and Berenstain Bears book of Science and Nature, hence covering months, seasons, snow and the New Year; quite a bit of tidying up, and various other doll-related games. We've also done a new Sound of the Week lesson - the first for a couple of months - covering the 'st' sound and she had great fun cutting out all the words and pictures and sticking them up. Later I hope to get her to practice writing the s and t letters as her letter formation method is not good atm! She's also done a lovely fuzzy felt picture and told me the story, and in turn I did one too.
Tamsin got a doctor's outfit and medical kit for Christmas, so she's spent a fair bit of time since then (and before, but less well-equipped!) pretending to make people better - we keep having to be 'ill' and she gives us pills and injections and takes our blood pressure. She also frequently tends to her dolls and animals. She was a little confused at first as to how she could be a doctor when she was a girl (where on earth did she get that from??!! Not me, certainly.) but we put her straight and now she is happy as Dr Goldie.
It all feels so much better than a normal weekday when I work several mornings and feel too tired and groggy in the afternoons to do much with her.
So, this morning we were up around 8.30am, more tears about the lack of mummymilk, but came downstairs for breakfast and, a la Flylady, did my morning routine (empty dishwasher, have breakfast etc) and cleaned my sink. Which led to cleaning the kitchen worktops, the cooker hob, the oven door, the back door, some of the tiles on the wall, and the back doorstep. Whew! During which Tamsin watched Piglet's Big Movie or whatever it was on BBC1. And Isabelle was happy to copy me cleaning the oven door, which was very sweet to watch!
Since when, we have done beads on Scoubidous, wrapping presents, Tamsin writing labels and putting them on the tree and opening them (!), first chapter of A Year at Maple Hill Farm and Berenstain Bears book of Science and Nature, hence covering months, seasons, snow and the New Year; quite a bit of tidying up, and various other doll-related games. We've also done a new Sound of the Week lesson - the first for a couple of months - covering the 'st' sound and she had great fun cutting out all the words and pictures and sticking them up. Later I hope to get her to practice writing the s and t letters as her letter formation method is not good atm! She's also done a lovely fuzzy felt picture and told me the story, and in turn I did one too.
Tamsin got a doctor's outfit and medical kit for Christmas, so she's spent a fair bit of time since then (and before, but less well-equipped!) pretending to make people better - we keep having to be 'ill' and she gives us pills and injections and takes our blood pressure. She also frequently tends to her dolls and animals. She was a little confused at first as to how she could be a doctor when she was a girl (where on earth did she get that from??!! Not me, certainly.) but we put her straight and now she is happy as Dr Goldie.
It all feels so much better than a normal weekday when I work several mornings and feel too tired and groggy in the afternoons to do much with her.
Sunday, January 01, 2006
My sink is clean!
Although not shiny, 'cos it's one of those white ones. But anyway, it's a start. I wonder how long I can keep it that way?
Nice day today - church this morning, then my Dad and his wife Pat over for lunch afterwards. I managed some proper cooking (!) and it seemed to be much appreciated. Inbetween all this stuff Tamsin has done jigsaws, played animal dominoes, done some puzzles (spot the difference, etc) in a book, watched a DK Eyewitness video on the Human Body, and, at bedtime, read nearly half a book! It was a beginner's reader from the library, but I was most impressed. She needed some hints and tips but did incredibly well! It felt most odd sitting there watching her with a book on her lap sounding out and reading words. My baby! OTOH, it's been her first full day of no mummymilk - so not such a baby anymore. She's not too pleased about it and had a good long crying session about it this morning, but I just have to trust she will not be traumatised forever!
Nice day today - church this morning, then my Dad and his wife Pat over for lunch afterwards. I managed some proper cooking (!) and it seemed to be much appreciated. Inbetween all this stuff Tamsin has done jigsaws, played animal dominoes, done some puzzles (spot the difference, etc) in a book, watched a DK Eyewitness video on the Human Body, and, at bedtime, read nearly half a book! It was a beginner's reader from the library, but I was most impressed. She needed some hints and tips but did incredibly well! It felt most odd sitting there watching her with a book on her lap sounding out and reading words. My baby! OTOH, it's been her first full day of no mummymilk - so not such a baby anymore. She's not too pleased about it and had a good long crying session about it this morning, but I just have to trust she will not be traumatised forever!
Saturday, December 31, 2005
NY Eve
We've had a nice couple of days, just relaxing, having fun all together and chilling. Very nice. I don't go a bundle on NY Eve so off to bed in a minute, but just wanted to blog one resolution only: get this house in order!!!! I have re-signed up with FlyLady and will no longer live in mess and clutter. Wish me luck!
Friday, December 30, 2005
7 things
I think this is the best I can do! Films are not my strong point!
7 things to do before I die
1. Travel round USA in a motorhome
2. Ski as much as possible
3. Get a job/career in nutrition
4. Get an MSc or PhD
5. Swim with a wild dolphin
6. See my children grow to be healthy, happy, loving adults
7. Get a full night's sleep again
7 things I can’t do
1. Be tidy
2. Get anywhere on time
3. Say 'I love you' to my parents, even though I do
4. Eat coconut
5. Stop loving my beautiful girls
6. Dance
7. Feel sick without panicking
7 things that attract me to my spouse (in no particular order)
1. His kindness
2. His crinkly blue eyes
3. His big hands
4. His absorbent shoulders
5. His patience
6. His intelligence
7. His humour
7 things I say most often
1. Get OFF my leg, Isabelle!
2. You're so lovely (to Tamsin)
3. You're so scrumptious (to Isabelle)
4. This place is a mess!
5. Where is/are my keys/the hairbrush/the scissors/my shoes/....
6. Oh, FFS, where ARE they?!!!
7. I'm so tired
7 books I love
1. The No-Cry Sleep Solution by Elizabeth Pantley
2. Mere Christianity by C S Lewis
3. Taking Charge of your Fertility by Toni Weschler
4. Mister God this is Anna by Fynn
5. Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain by Betty Edwards
6. Anything by Walter Wangerin
7. Principles of Anatomy & Physiology by Tortora & Grabowski
7 films I’d watch again and again
1. Dances with Wolves
2. Grease
3. Whale Rider
7 people I’d like to join in (that others haven’t mentioned)
1. Bill (in comments box)
7 things to do before I die
1. Travel round USA in a motorhome
2. Ski as much as possible
3. Get a job/career in nutrition
4. Get an MSc or PhD
5. Swim with a wild dolphin
6. See my children grow to be healthy, happy, loving adults
7. Get a full night's sleep again
7 things I can’t do
1. Be tidy
2. Get anywhere on time
3. Say 'I love you' to my parents, even though I do
4. Eat coconut
5. Stop loving my beautiful girls
6. Dance
7. Feel sick without panicking
7 things that attract me to my spouse (in no particular order)
1. His kindness
2. His crinkly blue eyes
3. His big hands
4. His absorbent shoulders
5. His patience
6. His intelligence
7. His humour
7 things I say most often
1. Get OFF my leg, Isabelle!
2. You're so lovely (to Tamsin)
3. You're so scrumptious (to Isabelle)
4. This place is a mess!
5. Where is/are my keys/the hairbrush/the scissors/my shoes/....
6. Oh, FFS, where ARE they?!!!
7. I'm so tired
7 books I love
1. The No-Cry Sleep Solution by Elizabeth Pantley
2. Mere Christianity by C S Lewis
3. Taking Charge of your Fertility by Toni Weschler
4. Mister God this is Anna by Fynn
5. Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain by Betty Edwards
6. Anything by Walter Wangerin
7. Principles of Anatomy & Physiology by Tortora & Grabowski
7 films I’d watch again and again
1. Dances with Wolves
2. Grease
3. Whale Rider
7 people I’d like to join in (that others haven’t mentioned)
1. Bill (in comments box)
Wednesday, December 28, 2005
Flicks and friends
I haven't gone down with the vomiting lurgy yet, so I plod on apprehensively, each day planning how I will cancel that day's affairs if necessary - such is the life of an emetophobic ....
Anyway, today has been nice-ish. It didn't start too well, with me feeling gloomy and negative about Christmas and how we spend it and my whole life and how I spend it, and the impossibility of changing anything as I've been over all these things before, etc, etc, blah, blah, blah, but later on we got busy and that was better :-)
We collected Tamsin's friend Holly, and then all went up to Stratford-on-Avon where Bill dropped me and the 2 girls off at the cinema to see Nanny McPhee - Tamsin's first time at the cinema. They settled down well and didn't mind the dark and the loudness of the film, but Tamsin for one didn't seem to follow much at all. "Mummy, who is that woman?..... Mummy, why are those children being naughty? ..... Mummy, why are they all spotty? ..... Mummy, why can't I see my popcorn?"...... Aaaargh!!! All these constant interruptions of my most enjoyable ogling of Colin Firth ..... And when it got to the point where Holly was asking when we were going home and then outright saying she wanted to go home, I gave up and we left. So I still don't know whether the yummy CF ended up with kind Evangeline and whether the children turned out to be kind and well-behaved, but I guess I'll find out one day via DVD hire or something. We then came home and Tamsin and Holly painted pictures and spread copious amounts of glitter around, while I made dinner. The young ones had dinner and then Holly and Tamsin disappeared upstairs for an hour or so, which as I said to Bill is the reason why it's good to have a friend over to stay - it gets Tamsin out of our hair! And it was even more delightful to find that the task that was keeping them so busy up there was tidying Tamsin's bedroom - and they did a really good job. As Holly is staying the night they got ready for bed and had a great, exciting time giggling and tumbling around under duvets together, and then Holly at least has dropped off to sleep very quickly. Tamsin always takes a while....
Tomorrow morning I'm having my hair coloured - don't know what like until Linda my hairdresser comes and we discuss it. And Bill is out all day as he is driving up to Liverpool to collect a (hahahaha) so-called car which I am too embarrassed to even name on my blog.
Anyway, today has been nice-ish. It didn't start too well, with me feeling gloomy and negative about Christmas and how we spend it and my whole life and how I spend it, and the impossibility of changing anything as I've been over all these things before, etc, etc, blah, blah, blah, but later on we got busy and that was better :-)
We collected Tamsin's friend Holly, and then all went up to Stratford-on-Avon where Bill dropped me and the 2 girls off at the cinema to see Nanny McPhee - Tamsin's first time at the cinema. They settled down well and didn't mind the dark and the loudness of the film, but Tamsin for one didn't seem to follow much at all. "Mummy, who is that woman?..... Mummy, why are those children being naughty? ..... Mummy, why are they all spotty? ..... Mummy, why can't I see my popcorn?"...... Aaaargh!!! All these constant interruptions of my most enjoyable ogling of Colin Firth ..... And when it got to the point where Holly was asking when we were going home and then outright saying she wanted to go home, I gave up and we left. So I still don't know whether the yummy CF ended up with kind Evangeline and whether the children turned out to be kind and well-behaved, but I guess I'll find out one day via DVD hire or something. We then came home and Tamsin and Holly painted pictures and spread copious amounts of glitter around, while I made dinner. The young ones had dinner and then Holly and Tamsin disappeared upstairs for an hour or so, which as I said to Bill is the reason why it's good to have a friend over to stay - it gets Tamsin out of our hair! And it was even more delightful to find that the task that was keeping them so busy up there was tidying Tamsin's bedroom - and they did a really good job. As Holly is staying the night they got ready for bed and had a great, exciting time giggling and tumbling around under duvets together, and then Holly at least has dropped off to sleep very quickly. Tamsin always takes a while....
Tomorrow morning I'm having my hair coloured - don't know what like until Linda my hairdresser comes and we discuss it. And Bill is out all day as he is driving up to Liverpool to collect a (hahahaha) so-called car which I am too embarrassed to even name on my blog.
Monday, December 26, 2005
Will someone please tell me .....
what brand of liqueur chocolates I have to buy to get that lovely sugar crust inside? I just can't seem to get them anywhere!!
Sunday, December 25, 2005
Not quite as planned ....
Our day started with copious vomiting by Bill .... who spent the rest of the day alternating between the bed and the toilet. Poor soul. Not a morsel has passed his lips all day till 9pm when he has managed a small sandwich.
Tamsin woke around 6.30am and opened stocking presents - her favourite seemed to be the satsuma at the bottom! Breakfast of cereal and croissants was followed by joyful ripping and tearing - she was delighted with the Baby Annabell and has carried her round all day, the Thomas Aquadraw and the various games (Misfit/Greedy Gorilla) have all been investigated thoroughly, and a few things are still left to be investigated properly (My Little Pony computer game, Finding Nemo LeapPad book). Isabelle has mostly just enjoyed standing up, taking a few steps, laughing and waving her arms victoriously, and sitting down again!
My clever and caring husband gave me a CD he had put together with all the tracks on that 'Soundtrack of my Life' meme we did on the blogring a while ago - I filled up with tears just looking at the titles, so who knows what will happen when I listen! What a sweetie - shame he was ill in bed so missed my opening it.
I took the girls to church and got home about noon. Things got a bit stressful after that with my Mum and I trying to produce the lunch with constant interruptions and demands from Tamsin for attention. *Must* do something about her total inability to function without me for more than 30 seconds if she knows I am around. Lunch appeared around 2pm and was delicious! Consecutive naps for Mum and I were followed by sandwiches, baths and bed for the girls, and the very final bedtime mummymilk for Tamsin. She has one more week to have it in the mornings, and then that's it. I have drawn my boundary, probably much later than I should have done, but I have really had enough.
Bill surfaced around 5pm but didn't last long and went back to bed, but has appeared again now and appears to be on the mend. Probably just a 12-hour stomach virus. Just a shame it was this particular 12 hours. Am now madly praying I don't get it - I am phobic.
Tamsin woke around 6.30am and opened stocking presents - her favourite seemed to be the satsuma at the bottom! Breakfast of cereal and croissants was followed by joyful ripping and tearing - she was delighted with the Baby Annabell and has carried her round all day, the Thomas Aquadraw and the various games (Misfit/Greedy Gorilla) have all been investigated thoroughly, and a few things are still left to be investigated properly (My Little Pony computer game, Finding Nemo LeapPad book). Isabelle has mostly just enjoyed standing up, taking a few steps, laughing and waving her arms victoriously, and sitting down again!
My clever and caring husband gave me a CD he had put together with all the tracks on that 'Soundtrack of my Life' meme we did on the blogring a while ago - I filled up with tears just looking at the titles, so who knows what will happen when I listen! What a sweetie - shame he was ill in bed so missed my opening it.
I took the girls to church and got home about noon. Things got a bit stressful after that with my Mum and I trying to produce the lunch with constant interruptions and demands from Tamsin for attention. *Must* do something about her total inability to function without me for more than 30 seconds if she knows I am around. Lunch appeared around 2pm and was delicious! Consecutive naps for Mum and I were followed by sandwiches, baths and bed for the girls, and the very final bedtime mummymilk for Tamsin. She has one more week to have it in the mornings, and then that's it. I have drawn my boundary, probably much later than I should have done, but I have really had enough.
Bill surfaced around 5pm but didn't last long and went back to bed, but has appeared again now and appears to be on the mend. Probably just a 12-hour stomach virus. Just a shame it was this particular 12 hours. Am now madly praying I don't get it - I am phobic.
Saturday, December 24, 2005
Final preparations
We are ready! One final present was bought this afternoon. Also suddenly remembered I needed a roasting tin for the turkey - oops! Could have been a tricky omission, that one! This morning Tamsin went to the church Christmas party - she was a little wavery for a while so we had to stay with her for about an hour before she settled enough to be left. Mum and I went for a wander round Chipping Campden with Isabelle, and had a coffee in a posh hotel.
This afternoon I have slept, catching up from a bad night in which Isabelle was sick (for the 3rd time that day, although not seeming ill in any other way) and stayed awake for over an hour - maybe two, who knows? This evening we've had a yummy dinner and put Tamsin to bed with a reading of the nativity story and the poem "Twas the night before Christmas", which I note several other blogring members have used for their title today!
I do feel I've missed out by not making it to a church service today but there just hasn't been time this afternoon/evening, and I'm always too tired to make it to the midnight one (although I am still up ....). I also missed the Carol Service from Kings College, Cambridge on the radio which usually gets me in the Christmas mood. So I actually don't feel festive. Still, off to bed now after I've filled Tamsin's stocking, and see what time she gets us all up in the morning!
This afternoon I have slept, catching up from a bad night in which Isabelle was sick (for the 3rd time that day, although not seeming ill in any other way) and stayed awake for over an hour - maybe two, who knows? This evening we've had a yummy dinner and put Tamsin to bed with a reading of the nativity story and the poem "Twas the night before Christmas", which I note several other blogring members have used for their title today!
I do feel I've missed out by not making it to a church service today but there just hasn't been time this afternoon/evening, and I'm always too tired to make it to the midnight one (although I am still up ....). I also missed the Carol Service from Kings College, Cambridge on the radio which usually gets me in the Christmas mood. So I actually don't feel festive. Still, off to bed now after I've filled Tamsin's stocking, and see what time she gets us all up in the morning!
Thursday, December 22, 2005
WALKING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Isabelle kept the best till last today, but after she should have gone to bed but I was procrastinating, she took 2 steps! Daddy missed it - he was looking the other way - so thankfully she then repeated it. And then laughed and clapped in delight! I grabbed the video camera, and she resisted performing to command for a while, but eventually did it again. And then again, and again, and again. She is so pleased with herself, and we are all delighted too. Maybe it won't be too long before I can stop saying, "Isabelle, get OFF my legs!!!"
Wednesday, December 21, 2005
I seem to have forgotten something.....
Oh, I know! It's Tamsin - she's not here! What a very strange feeling. Tamsin was very excited to be offered the chance to stay at Kate's and sleepover with her 3 daughters, so this is our first ever night apart. I feel like I've had something amputated, but also very free! It's quite a step forward for Tamsin, who's never wanted to stay away overnight before despite having had the chance.
And I've also told her she will have to stop having mummy-milk by the end of the year, which she seemed to accept without any qualms. We'll just see how it goes at the time. It's only been morning and evening for quite a while anyway.
So, she's growing up. Sob ...... and hooray!
Tonight has been wrap-fest ... and all except Bill's prezzie are now wrapped. I seem to have got Tamsin rather a lot. Hmmm. I have been feeling grateful I am not Merry, with 4 kids to wrap for!!!! OTOH, it's probably worth it ;-)
Must go to bed. And, if I'm lucky, sleep with less disturbances than usual, as there will be one less person in the bed.
And I've also told her she will have to stop having mummy-milk by the end of the year, which she seemed to accept without any qualms. We'll just see how it goes at the time. It's only been morning and evening for quite a while anyway.
So, she's growing up. Sob ...... and hooray!
Tonight has been wrap-fest ... and all except Bill's prezzie are now wrapped. I seem to have got Tamsin rather a lot. Hmmm. I have been feeling grateful I am not Merry, with 4 kids to wrap for!!!! OTOH, it's probably worth it ;-)
Must go to bed. And, if I'm lucky, sleep with less disturbances than usual, as there will be one less person in the bed.
Tuesday, December 20, 2005
A little bit of everything
When I think about it, on a day when I feel I've just chased my tail and done nothing much at all, quite a lot has happened.
At breakfast time, Tamsin asked to look at the "Adventures in Literacy" file which a friend had bought for her birthday in June. So we covered the 'ea' 'ee' 'a-e' and 'i-e' sounds, and she successfully read many of the words. She's written many of the gift tags of the presents we've wrapped today. At tea-time she was playing with her number balance, on which she hangs numbers on each side of a balance to try and get them equal. TBH, she hasn't really had a clue what she's been doing - she just likes messing around with it, so in an attempt to make it clearer, I used the mini-pegs with which we've been hanging up the Christmas cards, and did several problems of the "If I have four pegs, and you have two, how many more than you have I got?" type. To help make it clear, I paired up hers opposite mine, so she could see how many extra were unpaired. I think it's taken her a step or two further on in understanding addition and subtraction which till now she hasn't got anywhere with.
So that's been a decent-sized reading lesson, maths lesson and writing practice, all casually dropped into a day of much chaos and frustration. Isn't that just the joy of home-ed?! I feel like I've been chasing my tail - trying desperately to tidy up so that I can concentrate on Christmas decs but not getting anywhere. Every time I turn round there's more mess, not less. Tamsin demands so much attention and input from me, and Isabelle only wants to hang onto my legs all day, that it's intensely difficult to get anything much done. One of those days when it took about 2 hours just to get us all dressed and breakfasted.
Still, I've got 2 loads washed and dried. Went out and bought more Christmas decorations. (Hmm, I see I'm doing my usual trick of buying more supplies for crafts and activities and then never actually getting round to using them!) Tidied Tamsin's bedroom. Set up a Brio track while Isabelle was napping. Got some Christmas lights up in our front window. Isabelle did a little painting (including all over her face and hands). Ooh, and the thing that really felt like an achievement today (because it was on my To Do list!) was to plan the Christmas food, make a shopping list, and arrange with my Mum who was doing what.
Inbetween, Tamsin has pretended to be a chameleon, an elephant and done a wonderful Christmas dance which I videoed! And Isabelle has climbed the stairs again, and spent more time perfecting the trick she discovered yesterday of bending upside down and peering through her legs - she loves viewing the world from this new perspective! This week has not been the fun-filled dec-fest that I wanted it to be, but maybe if I get off this computer and into the living room to tidy up, I might make a little more progress tomorrow!!
At breakfast time, Tamsin asked to look at the "Adventures in Literacy" file which a friend had bought for her birthday in June. So we covered the 'ea' 'ee' 'a-e' and 'i-e' sounds, and she successfully read many of the words. She's written many of the gift tags of the presents we've wrapped today. At tea-time she was playing with her number balance, on which she hangs numbers on each side of a balance to try and get them equal. TBH, she hasn't really had a clue what she's been doing - she just likes messing around with it, so in an attempt to make it clearer, I used the mini-pegs with which we've been hanging up the Christmas cards, and did several problems of the "If I have four pegs, and you have two, how many more than you have I got?" type. To help make it clear, I paired up hers opposite mine, so she could see how many extra were unpaired. I think it's taken her a step or two further on in understanding addition and subtraction which till now she hasn't got anywhere with.
So that's been a decent-sized reading lesson, maths lesson and writing practice, all casually dropped into a day of much chaos and frustration. Isn't that just the joy of home-ed?! I feel like I've been chasing my tail - trying desperately to tidy up so that I can concentrate on Christmas decs but not getting anywhere. Every time I turn round there's more mess, not less. Tamsin demands so much attention and input from me, and Isabelle only wants to hang onto my legs all day, that it's intensely difficult to get anything much done. One of those days when it took about 2 hours just to get us all dressed and breakfasted.
Still, I've got 2 loads washed and dried. Went out and bought more Christmas decorations. (Hmm, I see I'm doing my usual trick of buying more supplies for crafts and activities and then never actually getting round to using them!) Tidied Tamsin's bedroom. Set up a Brio track while Isabelle was napping. Got some Christmas lights up in our front window. Isabelle did a little painting (including all over her face and hands). Ooh, and the thing that really felt like an achievement today (because it was on my To Do list!) was to plan the Christmas food, make a shopping list, and arrange with my Mum who was doing what.
Inbetween, Tamsin has pretended to be a chameleon, an elephant and done a wonderful Christmas dance which I videoed! And Isabelle has climbed the stairs again, and spent more time perfecting the trick she discovered yesterday of bending upside down and peering through her legs - she loves viewing the world from this new perspective! This week has not been the fun-filled dec-fest that I wanted it to be, but maybe if I get off this computer and into the living room to tidy up, I might make a little more progress tomorrow!!
Ahhh, the innocence!
Tamsin just asked me, "Mummy - after this Christmas, will there be another one?" She was quite delighted to hear it happens every year! Whereas I, a couple of days ago, was musing on the fact that I could possibly still have 40 Christmases to come .... which just feels like too many!!! Surely I will be bored sick of it by then?
Today so far we've tidied Tamsin's bedroom, but the rest of the house is a tip. Just off to wrap a few prezzies, then must tidy and decorate a bit more. Still haven't planned the food and I need to phone my Mum once I have to see which bits she will bring/contribute.
Today so far we've tidied Tamsin's bedroom, but the rest of the house is a tip. Just off to wrap a few prezzies, then must tidy and decorate a bit more. Still haven't planned the food and I need to phone my Mum once I have to see which bits she will bring/contribute.
Monday, December 19, 2005
Right!
Time to get busy! I've just spent the last 45 minutes reclaiming the kitchen from 'condemnable by Environmental Health' standards. The rest of today's list includes:
put up tree
get decorations from loft
decorate tree
post cards
ice cake
wrap and post presents
plan Christmas food
have fun with kids making Christmassy things
None of which is easy when your 13-month old grabs and climbs up your legs at every single opportunity - I've developed a nifty little hop and skip to quickly get out of reach when I feel her grasping at my trouser legs.
Memo to self: To go in the '7 things I say most often' list - "Get OFF my legs, Isabelle!"
Will update later!
10.40am - tree is up!
10.55am - Isabelle climbs the stairs from bottom to top, despite never having managed a single step before (not for lack of trying)
1pm - Cards and presents are wrapped, stamped and posted
4.45pm - Tree is fully decorated
put up tree
get decorations from loft
decorate tree
post cards
ice cake
wrap and post presents
plan Christmas food
have fun with kids making Christmassy things
None of which is easy when your 13-month old grabs and climbs up your legs at every single opportunity - I've developed a nifty little hop and skip to quickly get out of reach when I feel her grasping at my trouser legs.
Memo to self: To go in the '7 things I say most often' list - "Get OFF my legs, Isabelle!"
Will update later!
10.40am - tree is up!
10.55am - Isabelle climbs the stairs from bottom to top, despite never having managed a single step before (not for lack of trying)
1pm - Cards and presents are wrapped, stamped and posted
4.45pm - Tree is fully decorated
Wednesday, December 14, 2005
Quick blog as the Muse still has not returned.
Health pretty much back to normal - bit of a cough left but not bad. Am having the usual panicky feelings about getting ready for Christmas but actually not doing too badly - prezzies mostly bought (all except Bill), food semi-organised and card labels done. Just card-writing and decorations to do - hope to do tree tomorrow afternoon.
We're off up north on Friday evening to visit Bill's folks - staying at a Travelodge and coming back on Sunday.
Blergh - just have no other words to say really.
Health pretty much back to normal - bit of a cough left but not bad. Am having the usual panicky feelings about getting ready for Christmas but actually not doing too badly - prezzies mostly bought (all except Bill), food semi-organised and card labels done. Just card-writing and decorations to do - hope to do tree tomorrow afternoon.
We're off up north on Friday evening to visit Bill's folks - staying at a Travelodge and coming back on Sunday.
Blergh - just have no other words to say really.
Saturday, December 10, 2005
Don't worry!
I am still alive! Still coughing, although it is gradually improving. Bill will go back to work on Monday, so 2 weeks and 1 day off work, and I went back for a couple of hours on Wednesday, and then Thursday and Friday mornings. Just can't be bothered to blog, really, or anything much else.
Sunday, December 04, 2005
One day ...
somewhere in the distant future, I'll feel better, I know I will. Just wish it would hurry up and get here. Still coughing, still aching, and now a blinding headache has joined the fun. Cannot be bothered with anything - just wish the children would emigrate for a while.
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