Busy week

I have had a busy week but feels like I've got nothing to show for it!

Mon - Parents transition to school

All parents who children are starting school in my local authority were invited to attend an event. Went over the new Curriculum for Excellence which is moving away from the old 5-14 programme. It is thought to help educate the child as whole, taking in the kids strengths and weaknesses into account, but how practical that will be for a teacher with 20 kids we will wait and see. Up side is that it has been designed to be constantly reviewed so anything that doesn't work can be amended.

The morning gave me a lot of reassurance, and the professor who gave the talk on Curriculum for Excellence said that the best thing you can do for your child is read with them daily. Also to let them see you read and enjoying it. Like me and Keith said, do we read when they can see us doing it (during the day when they are awake) and therefore neglect playing with them etc, or wait until they are in bed? I did have a sly read of my book on the toilet the other day LOL. Multi-tasking to the max; toilet, reading, showing kids that I enjoy books too.

On the going to the toilet during the day thing - I don't get any peace, normally have two children right beside me, both wanting me to chat to them while I do my business. The joys of motherhood. I doubt I will ever had a shower again without someone coming into the bathroom, hubby included!

Tues - Didn't have anything official, just the nursery run, and tidying the house. played outside in the afternoon, have photos......






I made a cracking chilli con carne in the slow cooker though!

Wed - hubby was off, went to the library while Phoenix was at playgroup and I got a Torchwood novel. We went into town in the afternoon to get some things, Phoenix got his haircut and I took Rune to the health visitor to be weighed (hadn't been weighed since 6 week check.) He's 21 lbs, I felt her bedside manner was terrible and thankfully my friend who is a health visitor has reassured me about Rune. I think it's because Phoenix was SO big that I find it hard not to compare Rune to that and worry. I had Brownies in the evening, and I really enjoyed myself, our pack is a lot smaller now (21 girls compared to nearly 40 a couple of years ago.) and I feel like we can give them a better level of care, if you know what I mean.

Thurs - My dad came over tea on Thursday, made stew in the slow cooker, put doughballs in but it wasn't quite doughballs but cooked-balls as I left them in too long. Suppose it added a different texture to it!

Fri - we had a birthday party 4pm-6pm for one of Phoenix's playgroup friends, were all knackered by the end of it, so by the time the boys were in bed I had well and truly clocked off!

Today - I feel that today is another round of washing hung out to dry (hurrah!) and some cleaning. Hubby is working 'til 2pm (likely 4pm he said before he left this morning) so will potter about the house.

Sunday - Tomorrow is Mother's day, and hoping for breakfast in bed and general spoiling. Hubby is off for the next 8 days on holiday, so will great to helping hand around.

Monday - My birthday and day 2 of spoiling, hopefully I won't have a princess comedown on Tuesday. Hubby is baking my cake, not sure what it is going to be but looking forward to the surprise

Shopping like crazy!

I feel like I have been ordering lots online the past few days - I tend to go through cycles of ordering lots and then zilch, my postman must hate me when I am going through an ordering phase!

So far I have ordered a BBQ Sword for hubby's birthday...

New Robeez for Rune as be has just grown out of his last pair, and feel he's still a baby to have 'proper' shoes. Ordered Frog design, wanted the monkey but didn't have size (my boys have big broad feet).

And today I have ordered these:





Aren't they gorgeous?! They are for our picture day at playgroup, can't wait for it as last year Rune had the start of conjunctivitis and you could see it in the photo, well I could, so never gave it out to anyone (But I did buy it as it was the first picture of brothers after all.) Talking of conjunctivitis Rune has had it since Friday! Have tried breast milk, salt water and now trying cold tea (recommended by another mummy). To be honest I'm not cleaning his eyes enough (twice today, eek) so will make more of an effort tomorrow. Luckily, photo day isn't 'til 7th April, can only hope it has gone by then.

Logging off now so I can finish off my dear Friend's Christmas present. And what a dear friend she is, waiting patiently this long!

Phoenix through the ages

Just looking through my photobucket has inspired to me to post photos of Phoenix. I can't believe how grown up he has become, and I'm still in denial that he's going to school this year! Will spend some time another day writing what Phoenix has been up to, Rune has just woke up!

Had originally put all the photos in the blog but made a slideshow instead :-)

Veg Update

The veg have came on great over the weekend; the potatoes have exploded; I think we will need to thin them down!
This weeks plan is to get the peas out, thin the seedlings with weather permitting!

First Row L-R: Potatoes, garlic, carrots
Second Row L-R: Beetroot, onions

May Day!

Dear Sink,

The day has arrived... May 1st - The date which Keith and I had decided we would start 'trying'. It feels like it has been a life-time waiting on it coming, but I am so chuffed it's here!

Sadly however, as previously mentioned; I am now on day 17 of my cycle with ovulation past; so looks like we won't be quite trying just yet. I'm giddy.

We went to mothers and toddlers today where Phoenix got to dress up as a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle - My lord he was a happy boy!

Afterwards, heading into the town centre to get a few pieces for our trip; I still need to get Kag in a Bag; we'll probably get that tomorrow when we head through to Glasgow.

I was wanting to get some cleaning done upstairs when I came home; but totally lost the motivation once we had got home; we had been out from 9am 'til 2pm so were both knackered. On the up side; got two loads of washing washed and hung out on the line. Phoenix and I also spent the best part of the afternoon playing with a train set; so some quality time can't be sniffed at!

Dinner was random tonight; mackerel in spicy tomato sauce; with plain rice and salad. It was ate and enjoyed; and nutritious which is probably the main thing as it wasn't a culinary masterpiece.

I'm really tired tonight; so sorry if this blog lacks charms.



Here are our potatoes; which are coming on great!

Bye for now,
Natalie
xxx

I'm good at cutting up butternut squash

Dear Sink,

Argh,
I haven't updated in a wee while sorry! Very busy. Where shall I start?
I went to my cousin's 21st Birthday party last Friday - I had a really good night; not much drinking for me, but good to catch up with the relatives. The Buffet was amazing. Perhaps the best Buffet ever. Yum Yum.

I have spent the rest of the week playing catch up in the house. I have seriously lacked any motivation this week - I am a bit down about Frenchie leaving so I think that's a part of it. Also, the old period came on Sunday so it always takes me a day or two to get back to normal. To top it off, I have three woman I have supposed to have phoned for the breastfeeding thing weeks ago, and now I am getting totally worked up about it. I keep reminding myself that it is peer support, and extra support, but I'm feeling guilty in case the woman have had a problem. Argh! I have kept myself wake in bed every night for the past week or so, worrying about it. I should really do it now, but instead I am on here! I am silly moo!!!!!!! I have promised myself that I will do it tomorrow, but then again, I have been doing that for weeks now!! Every time the day comes I just say, tomorrow, or it isn't convenient. What to do? Ok, will phone tomorrow, and like I say, it's just an extra ear for the women.

The dentist just phoned, to say that it was time for our 6 month check. They normally send out a letter; quite impressed as I have made the appointment for Phoenix and I for 11th May.

On the decluttering front; I did the cupboard in the spare room - I have 4 bin bags for the charity shop, and organised it a bit better. I managed to declutter underneath our bed, and filled 1 bin bag of rubbish! Just need to the drawers and wardrobe now, and our room should be pretty organised. Keith needs to get rid of some clothes. He has more than me, and he hardly wears most of them. Once I have finished our room, it'll be onto Phoenix's room of toys! I'm thinking I will box some of them and put them up the loft, or just give them away. The thing is, once you start taking them out to put in the bin, even though he hasn't played with them in ages, he starts playing with it again! Nightmare.

To top it all off, I am desperate to be pregnant again! Only on cycle day 4; last month I ovulated on day 11; so it would mean I ovulate next Wednesday.. Just did a ovulation predictor. If I did get pregnant this month the baby would be due Jan 18th. I really don't want a baby born in January, it's the worst month of the year, for me anyways. To top it off, it's Nicola's birthday on Jan 14th and my mum's would've been Jan 5th. Ideally I want to get pregnant in May, as if I get pregnant in June baby would be due March 10th; which is too close to both Leanne's and Craig's birthdays and my mum's anniversary. Both images are from Ivillage a website I really love, and log onto to everyday.



Also, found something else on ivillage. It's called a Chinese gender predictor. It says if I got pregnant this month it would be a girl; where as next month is a boy. I would rather have a boy again. The next third child (Touch wood!!) I would like a girl. But ultimately, of course, it wouldn't matter just wistful dreams, a girl has to use measures to keep within the agreed May 1st promise!


We're having 'Traffic Light Risotto' for dinner tonight. Started off as butternut squash risotto but I added spinach and red pepper; I'll add recipe after this, but may have to be later as the boy is due to wake from nap.

Signing off,
Natalie

Sneaking on....

Dear Sink,

My two boys are napping on the couch, so I have sneaked for some relaxing time.
House has been cleaned today, the big clean, and as well as 3 loads of washing, all of which are hanging out to dry.

Phoenix planted 'Forget me not' and 'poppy' flowers with the gardening tool set Frenchie got him from Easter. I have taken a picture of it, had to take it with my phone camera as digital camera is broken. It is really bad quality! I'm going to keep a photo diary of it so that Frenchie can see it while she is away. We will have to get a new camera, or at least, I will use Keith's phone!

I started decluttering our bedroom when I was cleaning this morning, but I had to stop, as we don't have anymore room in our refuse bin, and it doesn't get collected until Monday. Hopefully I will still be motivated my then. I have joined FlyLady.net , in the hope to help me declutter better. As said before, the house is clean, is just full of junk!

After lunch, Phoenix and I painted a mirror frame. It was previously white but I want it lilac, as we have a wind chime in the hall that is made from lilac rock crystals. I want the hall to be decorated a light lilac colour, that will happen in time.

Poor Keith is knackered, the shop's alarm went off 3 times last night, and he answered all 3 alarms calls at which meant getting out of bed and making sure the store was secure. I think he's supposed to be going swimming tonight with Kitch, will double check when he wakes up... They should wake shortly.

Dinner is nearly ready. We're having Spaghetti Bolagnaise from the Tana Ramsey recipe book. I have made it once before, and it has been the best recipe I have tried as it has a lot of sneaky veg in it. Since Keith and I have been living together, spaghetti bolagnaise has been the recipe I have had most difficulty making. It was just that every time I made it something wouldn't be quite right. One time I didn't cook the pasta long enough, and I can cook pasta! LOL. I think I am over my bad luck streak, thankfully.


I have also just joined up for Green Metropolis . It's a website where you sell on you're old books, and unlike Amazon or Ebay, you make £3 from every book sold, and 5p goes to the Woodland Trust to plant more trees. I think I will list some books later. All part of my declutter plan!

Time to head off, Keith is awake, and will be looking for his dinner.

Bye,
Natalie

Phoenix at Easter

Phoenix in the garden, playing football with Frenchie's brothers, Jay and Stephen. Last wee pic is of Emily my niece with Frenchie's brothers.