At last a post for December...

...poor neglected blog.
This may well be my only post for December as we've all agreed to banish the computers over the Christmas season.
We've been very busy planning for Christmas, shopping, working and learning.
We've been to several Home Ed groups, several Home Ed parties and numerous other places since I last posted, I won't even try to catch up.

Today we've been to see Nanny and Grandad Bill, who took us out for a lovely meal and gave us bags full of pressies.
Then we popped in to see Grandad and Wendy, who have a new little dog. LA had wonderful fun playing with this friendly little creature.
LA continues to astonish us with her unique understanding of the world. James is currently teaching her to count in 3's, and she continues to absorb everything she hears.

We've spent about 5 hours in the car today, so feel exhausted.
Back to normal tomorrow.

Have a good Christmas.

quiet

Busy busy busy.
Back soon.

A busy week

Almost stopped now from frantic non-stop go mode. We need some down time, some time to stop and think instead of go and do.
Most of the week has just been running errands, but we did go to HE group on Wednesday, and LA had a wonderful time playing with her friends.
We've also (and I hate to admit this) got the Christmas craft box out and have started to make Christmas cards.
Next week is looking fairly calm, so we hope to get some interesting things done and not so much headless chicken stuff.

Photos

A quick catch up of photos...

LA with Bud from the Skyline gang from our week at Butlins at the beginning of the month.

LA looking very smart and grown up (except for the heels halfway up her legs) ready to see The Sooty Show.

Today, at a HE outing about Homes in the Tudor times. She had a fantastic time but as usual when the structure ended she became rather manic and we left before she destroyed something. This has gotten me thinking that maybe the way to get through the days at the moment with less stress would be to add more structure to the days. Maybe LA needs some structure, maybe LA needs to run riot too - but I need to see if I can get the riot time to happen when it's more appropriate (i.e. not in Sainsburys, a museum, the library or in the car...).

So the plan for the next week is - try a bit of structure. Well, maybe not next week...it's half term and Rich is off so it will be chaos anyway, maybe the week after.

Nothing happening here...

...well, nothing that I think is blogworthy anyway.
Home Ed groups, cooking, shopping, reading, usual stuff...

The most interesting thing I have to report is that our house smells like rubber fish as our dog is in season again. Where's my Vax???

Goodbye Nursery

After 2 weeks of not going (illness and holiday), LA decided that she didn't want to go to Nursery ever again.
We talked about the reasons for this, and it really comes back to: 1. Her friends leaving to go to school and 2. Wanting to be with me. It's very odd, but I find the first reason much more acceptable, even through I know she's only 4.
Anyway, we walked to nursery this morning (with bag incase she changed her mind) and cancelled her place. Then we came home, baked bread and went for a lovely autumn walk.
So for now, we've escaped from the system.

Feeling a little brighter today...

...both of us, that is. LA is tired and quiet, but much more herself than yesterday and I'm feeling happier. I've allowed her a TV day to vegetate and recover as she's a little overly emotional. I have to spend the day tidying up, apparently they were going to tidy last night, but as we came home early - they didn't! Even when I asked...

I do have to share this...
I am a people watcher, I love to sit back and watch rather than get involved. I can heartily recommend Butlins to people watchers, its like People watchers heaven. Forget the cheesy redcoats and all the characters for the little ones, Butlins was worth every penny I paid for it, because the people watching opportunities were excellent...
I'll give you an example:
LA and I were sitting in the cafe eating our Jacket potatoes and Salad, when a very large man walked past which 8 puddings (4 hot and stodgy with custard, 2 rice puddings, a gateaux and Ice cream and Jelly) on his tray. "Oh" methinks "That's a kind man, looking after his family like that." Then he sat down near us and one by one scoffed the lot!!!
I wish I'd seen what he had for the other 2 courses...

Butlins

LA and I have just got back from Butlins.
We went on Monday and came back tomorrow....
Well, we were supposed to come back tomorrow but we had to leave early today as LA developed the fiercest diarrhea and sickness that I've seen in a long time, and we had to leave (they did give us a refund!!).
We have surprisingly (to me) had a great time. LA loved the shows and the swimming, the funfair and the characters. I enjoyed watching her have a great time, she can be quite shy, but is also very kind, so she does tend to come out of her shell if someones upset, or if she has something she can share.

She is disappointed, she wanted to see the pantomime today and (maybe its the 36 hours without sleep) I feel very very sad for her. She had been looking forward to this break for a whole year.

Happy Birthday James

Today, 19 years ago, I became a Mum.
It was the best thing I have ever done.

Happy Birthday James.

All Change here for adulthood...

This week James and Kate have started college. They are both studying for National Diploma's (4 A level equivalents) at local colleges. Well Kate's isn't that local, its an hours bus journey away- but its studying animal management and as she wants to be an RSPCA inspector, it's the course she needs.
Also today James has finally got a job. HOORAY!!!
It fits in nicely with his studies and it sounds like fun. He's going to be working in a children's playhouse in a pub, running children's parties.

HOORAY!!

Up and Down again

Oh what a rollercoaster of a fortnight.
First I felt great that LA wasn't going to school, then the guilt got me, then I felt all happy again and now I'm back with the guilt. I know that pretty much describes parenting, but these last few weeks have been awful.
LA went back to nursery today (she has to go to childcare for 2 session a week, I have to work or the bills don't get paid) and she was really sad as all her friends have left to go to school. I had to make a sharp exit or I'd have stood and sobbed. Actually thinking about it, I was sadder than her - she was happy to see the staff. Still, she made it clear that she didn't want to go and if she sticks with that then I'm going to have to cancel my plans to go to uni this year.
I don't mind having to cancel them, she comes first - I just want it all to work out well.
I could cancel my course and she could just go to our childminders, who she adores. Unfortunately our childminder can't have her on the days that I need to be in Uni, so I can't just slide everything around.
I need to cancel my course soon if I'm going to do it and I won't know if she's going to be happy at nursery or not... hence the stress today.

Synchronicity

My last few posts have been about timing, and how we were feeling the wobbles due to term starting.
However, LA has reassured us, in her own special way, that we have made the right decision. She has taken the "We are learning at home" to heart and has spent the last 48 hours relentlessly asking questions.
Yesterday started by wanting to know why things bent when she looked at them through a glass of water and went on in much the same way.
Today began with a question about pollution and how it could be prevented. This topic went on for some time and covered pollution in rivers, the sea, beach, cities and landfill. We then talked about deforestation and transport in cities.
We played some games, read some books, cooked some pancakes and went to the park.
LA then wanted a discussion on the human body, including what red blood cells did and how, the lungs, heart and the dreaded babies topic...
hehehehehe....

Feeling better

Despite the anxiety I'm currently feeling about LA not starting school, I have something that has made me feel so much better.
LA and I were in Borders today, browsing when I found a magazine aimed at Primary teachers. A quick peak at it suggested that Primary teachers didn't think school was the best place for 4 year olds either...intrigued, I parted with my hard earned cash and have spent an enlightening 30 minutes reading it.
Wow, so many teachers declaring that Reception class is not the best place for children, complaining about the extended school hours taking away children's free time, becoming angry with their more controlling colleagues who want to ban football in the playground, despairing at the governmental controls - EYFS, SATS etc etc etc...
So, here I am feeling better - yes anxious, but I'm sure that will pass. Just imagine how anxious I would be if LA was starting school tomorrow...

thinking...

This week LA should start school.
I'm not sure how either of us feels about that.
She doesn't appear to care other than being sad that she won't be able to play with her friends so much now. She hasn't expressed any desire to go to school for several months now and she seems happy with the idea that we will be learning at home and going to lots of fun places. We have a holiday at Butlins (no expense spared!!) at the end of September. I booked it so that she would have something to be excited about while all her friends were getting excited about starting school. It seems to have done the trick.
Personally, I feel this strange mixture of relief, excitement and sadness. I wasn't expecting the sadness. I feel sad that I'm preventing her from taking part in this rite of passage, like i'm depriving her of something that she'll regret later. Yet, I have no doubt that she'll do much better at home than she would at school. She doesn't even appear emotionally up to going to school, she's still very clingy and very much a mummys girl. I think a lot of this is coming from work, there are several parents there whose children are starting school this week and they chatter on about how excited little **** and **** are about it.
I guess time will tell...

Holiday Number 4: Brighton

We have returned early from Brighton due to this:

and

But we did have some fun, LA adored the pool on the seafront:

But I think the lasting memory from this holiday will be that it was even too wet for the frogs, this one decided that our tent was a good place to stay...

When we got home we discovered that we had been invaded by wasps. Loads of them, in every room. I hate wasps.

So back to normalish for now, waiting until Rich goes back to work next week and James and Kate start college the week after and for HE groups to begin again.

York Minster

We have been revisiting the remnants of our Christian Faith. I must admit that my remnants seem to become more and more fragmented every time I pop by to visit them, but hey - whatever!

On the way home from Scarborough we visited York, this is where Rich and I spent our Honeymoon 19 years ago. We went specifically to visit the Minster.
It really is a magnificent building, fascinating to wander and admire.

Why are 2 pagans taking their 4 year old to see a symbol of Christianity? Probably because we are bonkers, but alongside that was a desire to let her see that other people believed differently to us and had created this wonderful beauty in their desire to pay respect to the glory of their God.
...it was a little different to the trees she's used to.
We gave her something to think about, so we achieved our aim.

Personally I have been reading a book by Terry Waite "Taken on Trust", about the time he spent as a hostage in the Middle East. He spent 4 years in solitary confinement and his faith shows through the entire book. However, it wasn't this that has left me with the feeling that this is a book I am never going to forget, it was the intregity of the man that did that. I don't think I have ever had the privledge of meeting a man so grounded, so solid and so real. Despite the "opposing" religious beliefs, this book is going straight on my favourites list, although I don't think I'll ever have to read it again as it was so clear and has made such an impression the first time!

Holiday Number 3: Scarborough

We're back from our 3rd holiday this summer. As usual we stayed in luxury accomodation.
We stayed near Scarborough on Humble Bee Farm. A lovely site, but so high up, we were in cloud.

We spent most of our week on the beach playing diggy up.

And we visited the Sealife centre:




It was a bit wet and windy but we enjoyed ourselves.

Next week: Brighton (hopefully).

Holiday Number 2: Staffordshire

LA and 1 have 5 holidays this summer. All small and cheap, but totalling 5.
Last week was number 2. We went camping in Staffordshire and spent 2 days at Alton Towers. If you haven't guessed yet, we like theme parks....
Here's some photos:

LA learns to drive...or not...

LA learns to fly.

Kate (she'll kill me for this...)

and this one, because...well...it's me and it's a decent photo - not many of those in the world. I don't look 40 do I? (insert threat here...)

A good time was had by all, and James enjoyed himself at home alone (with beer...and probably not so alone judging by the random socks we keep finding).

Next week - we are off to Sussex.

eeeekkkk....

My little baby boy James has passed his driving test. He passed first time (cos he's really clever).
He's just taken my other little baby Kate out in my car and I'm left at home...

It's a very strange feeling, watching him drive away from the house.
I wonder, with a feeling of dread, how bad the day he leaves home will be. I am very aware that I had already flown the nest when I was his age. On a more positive note, it's absolutely wonderful to watch him transform into an independent adult.

It just doesn't get any easier...

Oh yeah...the blog...

We've been far too busy to keep a blog...it's summertime you know!

Anyways, here's what we've been up to:

On Sunday 22nd June (yes its been that long...) My Mum and Bill came up to see us. They brought us loads of flowers that I still haven't planted in the garden and a video recorder. In return we gave them our old computer. Mum is still getting used to it, but intends to get on the Internet, I better behave here now, just in case.

So here is a picture of my Mum...just so she knows that I can use this blog for evil as well as good...

(Hi Mum!)

Then on Friday 27th June Rich, LA and I went down to Legoland. We managed a little better than our usual travelodge.

We spent Saturday at Legoland:

Then on Sunday we drove back up to Birmingham to see CBeebies at the theatre.

A very good weekend.

I've updated my website

especially the Home Ed part.
Please take a look.
www.wiselittleacorn.co.uk

Pee-d off...

Tanker drivers get a 14% pay rise, because they held us all to ransom. News.
Nurses get 8% over 3 years...because they don't. That's less than 3% a year...

Whats more with the increase in the cost of petrol, this community nurse finds that she's paying for the fuel to go and visit her patients as expenses no longer cover it.

I never expected to be well paid - but this really is taking the p.

Religion...

Religion - it's a funny old thing isn't it?

I consider myself to be religious, although I know a lot of people disagree with me, claiming that my beliefs are not part of a religion. But to me, that's just word games, it has nothing to do with the fact that I have beliefs that I feel are religious.

My beliefs are Pagan, I believe that I am a child of Planet Earth, the great Mother. I believe that I am part of the whole, not a separate entity and that my life is equal to and as important as any other life on Earth. I believe that as part of this, I should be more involved than modern life likes us to be. So I try to keep in touch with the seasons, I look to nature for guidance and inspiration and I maintain a lifestyle which is as "green" as I can make it.

I also very strongly believe that when I die, I will rot. I will return to the Earth that gave me life and the circle will be complete. I do not believe my spirit will live on.

I work with a Pentecostal Christian, who yesterday decided for the umpteenth time to try to steer me clear of my controller - the devil. I know his intentions were good, but they were very misguided. I had 5 hours of Christianity and anti-paganism (aka Devil worshipping apparently) as I was stuck in a car. So today, I feel I really need to have a good spiritual wash.

My beliefs are harsh, I know that. I would truly rather believe that there was a Heaven than nothing - but don't believe that. I am envious of those that do, but it doesn't alter the fact that I cannot change what I believe. I don't think it is even possible to change your beliefs unless there is an educated argument that teaches you something you were previously lacking. I haven't heard an argument like that for Christianity in many years, but I have been questioning myself.

I find it hard that people can be so dismissive and derogatory towards my beliefs, while I remain respectful and understanding of theirs even through it is alien to me.
I also remember with real sadness the distress that a supply teacher inflicted upon James when he was 7. He told him that unless his Mummy and Daddy rejected the Devil and returned to God they would "burn alive in the fires of hell forever".

Princess at the Castle

Last week LA decided that Castles were her thing. So being good parents we fished out all our books on Castles, fetched some more from the library and set off to Ashby de la Zouch to see the Castle.

Big Birds.

LA has found a new interest - Falconry.

We went to Brocksby College Open Day on Sunday. They had a display of Birds of Prey and various volunteers from the public were flying them.
These volunteers all had one thing in common - they were bigger than the birds they were flying.

Not that this stopped LA trying her hardest to get noticed or running into the centre eagerly. The only problem was the Eagle owl she wanted to fly was larger than her!

She was very upset and didn't really understand why the man wouldn't let her try.

We're back...

...not that we've been anywhere, but we are back online.
My old laptop decided to burn my knee (ouch) last week, and Rich has kindly bought me a new one. Its a bright pink one!

Apart from that we've been busy.

On Thursday LA and I went to F's pony party. We both had a great time, as I think did everyone there. It was nice to be able to relax and chat to some home educating parents and LA made some new friends.
LA said it was "the best party ever".

Then I worked the following 5 days, it's currently very very busy at work. There's not a moment to take a breathe before beginning again.

On Tuesday at LAs request (she wanted to see the friends she had made at the party), we went to a HE group we had been to before but not really enjoyed.
However, maybe it was because it was half term and quieter than usual, maybe it was because we know far more people now so we are no longer relegated to standing on the sidelines but it was very pleasant and LA had a lovely time and so did I, so we will be returning.

Today, LA has been manic and driving me bonkers, so I hope to take her out tomorrow to get her to use up some of her excess energy.

My I-pod

I finally saved enough Nectar points to get my i-pod !!!

Oh Yes!

My life is complete...

Weekend at Nannys

For LAs final final birthday treat, we spent the weekend down at my Mums in Suffolk.

We left our teenagers behind and ran for it, because LA was staying at my Mums overnight - Rich and I had An Evening To Ourselves, the first in 18 years.

So what do we do with our evening, well we visit a few of our old haunts from the days when we had a life. They hadn't changed at all, one was even playing Gary Glitter songs! Unfortunately for us, it seems we have changed and we felt totally out of place. We'll have to plan it better next time.

Sunday was a great day, we went to Felixstowe with Nanny and Grandad Bill. Grandad Bill has been very ill recently, but is currently looking very well.

We had a great time playing on the beach and paddling in the sea.

Happy 4th Birthday Little Acorn

6.20am:
"Am I 4 yet?"
"Yes darling its your birthday today, but its still early..."
"My body still looks the same, it hasn't changed..."





LA was 4 yesterday. We all had a lovely, if somewhat overexcited, day.

Birthday celebrations started on Sunday, when we went to Twycross Zoo for the day (pictures later). Then we spent a really nice day together as a family yesterday, it doesn't happen very often anymore, so it was extra special to all be here together.

LA had a lovely day and her favourite present was the "connecta straws", not the bike. We played party games and ate party food.

The birthday celebrations (much like the Queens) will continue for a week, as we are going down to see my parents in Suffolk next weekend and LA is having a "sleepover" at my Mums house.

LA looks a little lonely here, but don't be fooled, its just the teenagers who were sitting behind her ran for it when a camera appeared...

Correction to my last post...

I was just reading back through my last post...
"I will live like the queen with a personal driver" I glibly wrote.
"Lucky its payday tomorrow" I smirked.

Some hope.
My personal driver seems unable to get out of bed...and
The NHS decided I had been sick since last September (despite the fact they were paying me for night shifts!!) and stopped my pay...

So I'd like to amend my previous post.

"I will live like a pauper, I will have insufficient funds to fill my car with petrol and therefore even if I had a driver who was awake, I would be unable to go anywhere."

Dinosaurs and driving teenagers.

We've been back to New Walk Museum to inspect the dinosaurs and found ourselves fascinated by the geology exhibit instead.
We went to see Dinosaurs following LAs recent interest in the subject and my complete inability to find anything new to say about them.
But those rocks were fascinating to both of us. LA loved the colours and textures and I stood in awe that the Earth could accidentally produce such beautiful rocks.
James (aka BA) joined us after his visit to the job centre and we went on to explore the natural world exhibit. We tried the Ancient Egypt room, but it was full of school kids.
And I've just forked out a small fortune to insure James on our car.
Lucky its payday tomorrow...and now I shall live like the queen with a personal driver!!

Today we..

made bread,
read a book about dinosaurs (twice),
cleaned up,
made playdough,
washed all the playdough toys,
planted some bulbs,
did some shopping,
went on starfall,
did some writing,
made a spinner,
did some "cutting",
played with dolls
and went to bed.

The Poo Museum

We spent the afternoon at Abbey Pumping Station in Leicester.
LA likes museums, at least - she likes specific parts of them and fixates. But then museums are so full of strange collections that I guess thats normal.
We didn't do museums when I was little, so I can't compare.
The pumping station has lots of information and displays on trams and lots of interactive things to do. Her favourite was racing the trams, one of track and the other not, she soon learned that if she had the one on a track she had an advantage!
Then of course there is the poo...plastic poo (I hope, although I didn't get too close). The museum has a toilet which has a see through u-bend and clear pipes. LA spent a good 20 minutes repatedly flushing the poo and watching it go down the pipes.
Then we stopped at McDonalds for lunch - which Rich says is just a continuation of the poo theme.

Hatching feet

"What are you doing?"
"I'm hatching my feet"
"...oh..."
"Come and listen, can you hear them cracking?"
"...no?..."
"Listen properly Mummy"
"Oh yes, I can hear it"
"Lets have a look"says LA unwrapping her feet... "Oh look, baby feet, aren't they cute! They are so small and pink. Oh, how lovely."

Not so bad...

LA's first days at Nursery went well. She made friends and had such a fantastic time that she's still telling us about it 5 days later! Yes, that wonderful news, but hasn't helped the "Am I doing the right thing not sending her to school" wobbles.

We haven't made it far this week, mainly due to excessive decorating. Of course, any amount of decorating at all is excessive, and believe me - what we've been up to recently is REALLY excessive. The ex-garage now bedroom is completely complete, and moved into by BA. The little bedroom is completely complete and we moved LA in on Monday night (our room to ourselves at long last!!), and now we have started on bedrooms 3 and 4. Yes, it may have been sensible to do one first, but Rich has started desmantling the wall in the back bedroom and there's nothing I can do in there, so I started on the front bedroom.

We did make it out today, we went to Knighton Park for a walk, a play and to blow bubbles. It was very cold. Afterwards we went for a wander around Oadby, as we hadn't been there for many years.

childcare...and guilt

We have had some major changes to our childcare. Over the Easter break, it became clear that LA was being ignored at playschool - something I had worried about and asked the play leader about and been assured that it wasn't happening - but apparently it was. No one spoke to LA at playschool apart from the helpers. No one spoke to her, no one played with her.

Obviously we couldn't let this go on, so we removed her. Then we were faced with a dilemma - do we leave her with "just us" (a small non extended family, who are very insular), or do we find somewhere else? In the end we decided to visit the local private nursery (which MA went to when she was small), and LA adored it. She played games and joined in instantly. So the decision was made for us.

She is due to start (2 mornings a week) tomorrow - and I'm feeling like "Bad Mum" tonight. I know that this is right for us right now - I have to work so we need childcare - but still, its more time in childcare and less time for us. The plan is to have 2 terms at 2 days a week and reduce to 1 day after Xmas to leave when she is 5.

Also feeling really really guilty that we don't have any little people to invite to LA 4th birthday party! We invited lots last year and only 4 showed, so we don't want to risk it this year...we have persuaded her that a sleepover and party at Brown Nannys house and a visit to the seaside would be much more fun! But listening to her talk about inviting her "friends" when these are the same kids that have been ignoring her for months, is heartbreaking.

Home Ed wobbles? Oh yes - - - and its the usual culprit - socialising.

Equinox

Happy Spring Equinox.

We have spent the weekend celebrating the spring (yes - amongst the snow!).
On Friday MA and I went to a private celebration in the woods, then on Sunday Rich, LA and I went through the melting snow to the public ritual by Charnwood Grove.
I find this all very grounding and it tends to put all my worries back into perspective.
LA had spent the morning painting eggs and was looking forward to the egg rolling, which unfortunately was cancelled due to the very very bitter cold wind and the snow.

And even more good news - my new vegan diet has meant that I have now lost 1 1/2 stone since January 1st.

I am black pepper...

You Are Black Pepper

You may be considered ordinary by some, but you're far from boring. You elevate the mood of any discussion, and people miss you when you're not around. You are secretly very dominant and powerful. Most can only take you in small doses.

Many more of these at www.blogthings.com

New web site

Many many years ago, I started a web site for my 2 big children. Its gone now, but at the time was popular (there wasn't a lot around for children on the web in 1994).

Recently I began work on something similar for LA.

Have a look at it and see what you think. There's not a great deal of content available, but I'm working on it.

Its here -> Wise Little Acorn

All comments welcome.

Plans

I have come to the conclusion that I need to plan. If I don't have a plan - I do absolutely nothing.
So I have been busy collecting information on things that are happening over the next few months around here.
In the plans we have included Angelina Ballerina - a ballet at De Montfort hall - booked for next Wednesday. LA is VERY excited about this. She has been showing me her "Good toes, naughty toes" all day!!

It really is surprising what goes on when you look. We seem to have a very busy few months lined up ahead.

In addition, in a crazy attempt to ban carrier bags from the house MA and I will be trying to produce cloth bags with fabric and threads obtained from freecycle. We counted the amount of carriers coming into the house each week and it has crept up to an astonishing 25. Although most of them get reused for rubbish, they are all still going in the rubbish.

We will be green.(greener?)

Disaster part 2

and yesterday the roof was blown off the shed in the garden.

As an old friend pointed out - as a pagan family we've got it covered this week...

Earth - well, there was an earthquake!
Air - very angry air that took the shed roof off.
Fire - yes, did that...
Water - Oh yes, we did that in abundance..

and everyone laughed when I recounted my holiday activities at work yesterday...rotten lot.

Oh well, it has to get better -
LA and Rich have gone tree planting with the HE group this morning.
And I'm back at work for some more leg pulling this afternoon!

Disaster (s)

Oh dear, its not been a good week here in the acorn abode.

It started Sunday morning when the shower caught fire while I was standing in it. I noticed the smell - but didn't take too much notice until I turned around and saw the white plastic melting on the wall.
I had one of those moments when you think too fast. "I'm wet, I'm standing in a metal bath, I need to turn the electric shower off - oh help!!!"
So the new extensions carpet has been put on hold for a new shower!

Then BA decided to leave college, 3 months before his A2 exams. This has been a long time coming, he hasn't been happy for a long time. However, now I have an 18 year old with no self confidence about his ability to find work or a further course. The college used to treat him like a child, which really bugged him (and us), but has eroded his confidence by much more than I realised.

Then LA had her MMR on Monday, a brave but scary decision for us, as BA had an awful reaction to his and MA didn't have hers until she was 12. LA appears ok at the moment, certainly no dramatic episodes like we had with BA (phew).

and yesterday, I came back from taking MA to school and the house was flooding. The ball cock had come loose (rusted off) in the upstairs toilet, and it was continuously filling. Water was spurting out the overflow, and sheeting down into the kitchen and the conservatory. Looking on the bright side I had moved all LAs books the day before, if I hadn't they would have been ruined.
So yesterday and today has been spent clearing up the mess.

And today MA refused to go to college again. I have called them and asked for help - I don't really know what to expect, but her attendance is appalling. I don't think she's made a single complete week since September and this is GCSE year. She also hates the college (same one), but its far too late to change things now. She has been accepted at a different college for next year, but they will change their minds if her attendance continues to fall.

So much for my holiday, I'll be glad to get back to work tomorrow.

Happy 16th Birthday MA

Dear Middle Acorn
Happy 16th Birthday darling
You were born lovely and you remain lovely.
I'm proud to be your Mum.

Blatant plug

Theres someone who I've never met, who always goes out of their way to be kind to me. So I thought I'd give them a blatant plug.
We try to eat an organic diet, finances don't always allow - but we do our best. I desperately try to keep LA's food additives to a minimum, as she has a bad reaction to aspartame (she goes manic) and some other additives.
I buy her organic sweet lollipops from the Organic Sweet Shop. The folks that run it are really helpful and the lollies taste of real fruit. I've been buying her these ever since she was old enough to realise what a sweet was and make a fuss about not being allowed any!

Give them a go - well worth the extra pennies.

Our Extension....

...is almost complete. Our builder Karl, says he will be done by the end of the week!
We have an almost completed room (ex-garage), it just needs the concrete floor finishing off, and an almost complete porch, it just needs another door (the front door) putting on, the floor laid and the light fitted. Then we will have to do the decorating...
...carpet the ex-garage, paint the ex-garage, find some curtains and some furnishings for the ex-garage, paint the new hall extension and the old hall and landing to match, get some new carpet for the new hall, old hall, stairs and landing and lay it, and furnish it.
Wow, I wonder when we'll find the time to do that!!
Then we'll have the big move - BA into garage (ex), and decorate BAs old room. Then MA will move into BA's old room and we'll decorate her old room then LA can finally have a room of her own and we can decorate our room (which hasn't been decorated since we moved in 9 years ago) and have a lovely grown up space all of our own.

Oh dear...
Wonder if there's any overtime going?

Work

Well, yesterdays meeting was a waste of time and effort. The women I was meeting introduced herself and then said, "I have no idea why you're here". After explaining the project we hoped to do, and asking for the Trusts support in it, all I got was a load of negative answers.
I tried - I used my best mental health nursing skills to try to find out why she was so defensive, but to no avail. She says that she will need to talk to 7 other departments before making a final decision (thats the NHS for you - so much for improving patient care!!), and of course she's going to present our ideas in a negative light - so all hope has gone really.

At least as far as work is concerned - I am going to continue on with the project without them. Its actually not something I needed them for, I would however have appreciated their backing as it would have given some strength to my arguments.
I won't bore you with the details of the project - it's a very nursey, networking type thing.

She also said "You will need to write a proposal - but don't waste your time doing it yet!"

Grrrr.
Thanks!

phew!

Well, what a hectic start to the week.

Home Ed group on Monday was excellent. Very busy and lots of fun. This time last year I thought I was odd, not wanting to send LA to school, and on Monday I stood in a church hall and looked around at the room full of children and parents - suddenly I wasn't so odd after all.
BA still struggles with school, how I wish I had known about HE 10 years ago. Hopefully, he'll stick at it long enough to finish his A levels, but I can see that its a real struggle for him.

MA on the other hand, has been accepted for a place in a college on the other side of the county, to study animal care. She had an interview on Tuesday, which LA and I drove her to. She is so excited, it's great to see. She wants to work in Customs or the police as a dog handler. Either that or an RSPCA inspector.

LA and I spent the day in today - despite the sunshine - sticking paper mache on a balloon to make masks. The dining room now has a lovely floury sheen to it!

Tomorrow its back to work, and an important meeting with some managers. (wish me luck)

Back to normal

I am pleased to report that we have finally managed to get life back to normal. For the past month, we seem to have been in total disarray, due I think to Christmas messing up our routine!!

Today has felt like a success.

LA and I sorted out BAs old lego this morning. She followed this up by a couple of hours in the garden and then this afternoon we made playdough and then (obviously) played with it.
Here is the meal she prepared...playdough bacon and eggs, with chips, onion rings and peas.

Just when...

...I thought I had lost the plot by even considering Home Education, brought about by an over-active, demanding, self-motivated 3 year old - I find her standing on a ledge in the conservatory closely examining a number poster. Listening in she was matching the words to the letters and identifying the ages of everyone she could.

Maybe it won't be so bad...

Big Head

My head is now so large that we are having to get the builders to adapt the new extension!
Why, you may well ask, has it swollen to this enormous size?
Well, I have been swamped with praise, and this is so unusual to me that it has gone to my head!

I had an idea at work a few years ago, but I couldn't get anyone to understand what I meant. So I went ahead and did what was necessary and presented it to them last week. When I returned to work yesterday, I found that my little project had made it all the way up to the chief exec who emailed me telling me I was wonderful!

Hence the extended head...

Other news, is that our extension is really progressing quickly. It's hard to imagine that in 2 weeks time our house will be dramatically different. It will be great to have the extra space, and to be able to use the never used garage (soon to be room)!

LA is still not sleeping the whole night and is waking about 2am. I have no idea what to do about this, she climbs in our bed and if we object wakes the whole house by screaming. I think I need a plan...

Diet

Recently I cut diary products out of my diet. Since I began, 2 weeks ago I have lost 8lbs.

WooHoo

:-)

Where we're at....

Well, I don't think I can catch up here, so I won't even try...

But here's where we're at:

We have a builder in who is transforming our garage into a room and extending our porch. Its getting there quite quickly. We will then move BA into it, MA into BAs old room and LA can finally move out of our room and into her own room. I say this gleefully, but actually - it's a little sad.

LA herself is currently not being the easiest person to live with. We seem to be into temper tantrum land again, as the reality of the world not conforming to her will sets in. We've reduced playschool days from twice to once a week in an attempt to leave slowly, and this will also allow us to attend HE group more often.
This September is when LA is supposed to start school, so I've booked us (just LA and I) a week away. The plan is to leave playschool completely during Summer half term (to avoid the "starting school" excitement), but as ever - this plan is open to changes.

Work wise, I have found a little more enthusiasm now. I still truly believe that I am worth more than my current role allows (and wonderfully people have been spontaneously telling me so!!!), but there is still a freeze on advertising empty posts in our NHS Trust, so I will try to make the most of where I am.

Still here

Yes, we are still here, but I can't find the time to blog.

Hopefully when the world gets back to "normal" (well, normal for us) next week, I'll find the time.
We had a good break.

Happy New Year!!

Jules