Just to close the year I thought I would write a quick post.
2013 has been an ok year. We haven't had too bad a ride of it.
Health overall has been good for us all. We've not lost anyone close to us nor have we had any family births.
We've had a couple of family scares from the attempted suicide of my cousin and hubbys grandads heart attack but all seems well on both fronts these days.
In all, 2013 can easily be described as consistent.
I've said this before and I'll say it again, whilst I am a person that enjoys and looks forward to change, there are sometimes in life when it's just nice for things to stay the same.
Very little seems to have changed in 2013 and that's not necessarily bad.
I am settled with this life and I love the way my family have developed and grown up in the past 12 months.
If I could have a wish for the forthcoming year, it would be that I would like next year to be pretty much like this year.
I wish health and love to all my friends and family throughout the year.
We've had up and down days, we've had the general bugs and little injuries here and there but that happens to everyone.
Nothing really big has happened this year and that can be seen as a blessing as much as anything even though I look upon this year as an easily forgettable year.
It also makes me a little apprehensive as to what the new year may bring as we've had it fairly easy for some time.
So to one and all I wish you a happy new year with much happiness. xx
Tuesday, 31 December 2013
Saturday, 21 December 2013
Christmas Recap So Far
1) I loved James's nativity. They all looked so small.
2) Matthews Church Service got rave reviews from most parents at the school saying how lovely it all was. I don't know if they were being polite or if they went to a different service to me. I went because of Matthew but to be honest, it was a long slow hour that I would have been happier being at home for. Matthew didn't enjoy it either.
3) Liams little service was the best of the three. The kids went into the school hall and did all their singing and dancing on the stage. They were so CUTE. Mrs Farmer his teacher gave every child the oppertunity to announce a song or recite some song words as she pointed the microphone towards their little faces. When it came to Liam, he wasn't having any of the pointed microphone business. He grabbed it with both hands and jumped up and down with excitement shouting "Snowman, Snowman". I have a future star in the making!
4) We've started the present exchanging with some family and my best friend. We buy for each others kids and that's it. We only started last year as we've only known each other a couple of years but I felt bad that she buys for 3 of mine and I only buy two of hers so I sneaked in a little box of chocolates for her. On Friday I collected my presents (I did it in a drop before collecting Liam from nursery - this is to keep the Father Christmas illusion very much alive. I'm sure I got suspicious seeing bags and packages handed between parents - then collected ours on the way back after drop off yesterday) Whilst collecting our presents, she told me off for adding that extra present. She then started laughing saying that she'd hidden something in there for me as well. Great minds think alike!
5) Hair and brows done. Feeling ready for Christmas now. Big night out tonight.
6) I've rearranged that appointment for James. (See the last Bitching post) It's now January 20th and the only issue is I need someone to pick Liam up from nursery but I'm sure I can get that covered. Part of the problem is that the school is trying TOO hard. It's been very public in the press that our county of Suffolk (County = tiny State) is falling behind in the education leagues by rather alot. We are in one of the lowest success stories of the country. So there are more pressures on the Educational System. More pressure on the head teachers and more pressure on the teachers. It's a headache for everyone. Whilst I do understand they are trying to help and reach targets, it's annoying that everything has to be just so and kids are treated as statistics on how well a county is doing. Kids are being treated as numbers and so are the parents.
7) Kids all had school Christmas dinner this week. Matthew was put out because he didn't get a sausage to go with his turkey whilst Liam got a double helping!
8) The weekend at Butlins was lovely. It's been many years since I was photographed with Father Christmas but hey....it's Christmas.
9) We are all ready for Christmas. I can't wait. The kids are all set for Christmas and getting all excited. Liam last night saw some presents that are to be dropped off at my mums today and the little magical look on his face had me all choked up as he said "Father Christmas takes those" He was in real awe and it all seemed so special. I am really relishing these days. They are going to be so grown up before I know it.
10) Speaking of which, three weeks today, Matthew will turn TEN. Where has that decade of my life gone?
I hope to get one more post in on Monday or Tuesday to wish everyone a happy Christmas and update on the Christmas grown ups night out. x
2) Matthews Church Service got rave reviews from most parents at the school saying how lovely it all was. I don't know if they were being polite or if they went to a different service to me. I went because of Matthew but to be honest, it was a long slow hour that I would have been happier being at home for. Matthew didn't enjoy it either.
3) Liams little service was the best of the three. The kids went into the school hall and did all their singing and dancing on the stage. They were so CUTE. Mrs Farmer his teacher gave every child the oppertunity to announce a song or recite some song words as she pointed the microphone towards their little faces. When it came to Liam, he wasn't having any of the pointed microphone business. He grabbed it with both hands and jumped up and down with excitement shouting "Snowman, Snowman". I have a future star in the making!
4) We've started the present exchanging with some family and my best friend. We buy for each others kids and that's it. We only started last year as we've only known each other a couple of years but I felt bad that she buys for 3 of mine and I only buy two of hers so I sneaked in a little box of chocolates for her. On Friday I collected my presents (I did it in a drop before collecting Liam from nursery - this is to keep the Father Christmas illusion very much alive. I'm sure I got suspicious seeing bags and packages handed between parents - then collected ours on the way back after drop off yesterday) Whilst collecting our presents, she told me off for adding that extra present. She then started laughing saying that she'd hidden something in there for me as well. Great minds think alike!
5) Hair and brows done. Feeling ready for Christmas now. Big night out tonight.
6) I've rearranged that appointment for James. (See the last Bitching post) It's now January 20th and the only issue is I need someone to pick Liam up from nursery but I'm sure I can get that covered. Part of the problem is that the school is trying TOO hard. It's been very public in the press that our county of Suffolk (County = tiny State) is falling behind in the education leagues by rather alot. We are in one of the lowest success stories of the country. So there are more pressures on the Educational System. More pressure on the head teachers and more pressure on the teachers. It's a headache for everyone. Whilst I do understand they are trying to help and reach targets, it's annoying that everything has to be just so and kids are treated as statistics on how well a county is doing. Kids are being treated as numbers and so are the parents.
7) Kids all had school Christmas dinner this week. Matthew was put out because he didn't get a sausage to go with his turkey whilst Liam got a double helping!
8) The weekend at Butlins was lovely. It's been many years since I was photographed with Father Christmas but hey....it's Christmas.
9) We are all ready for Christmas. I can't wait. The kids are all set for Christmas and getting all excited. Liam last night saw some presents that are to be dropped off at my mums today and the little magical look on his face had me all choked up as he said "Father Christmas takes those" He was in real awe and it all seemed so special. I am really relishing these days. They are going to be so grown up before I know it.
10) Speaking of which, three weeks today, Matthew will turn TEN. Where has that decade of my life gone?
I hope to get one more post in on Monday or Tuesday to wish everyone a happy Christmas and update on the Christmas grown ups night out. x
Thursday, 19 December 2013
One More Day Of School Thank God
This week I have had enough!
I'm so glad it's the last day tomorrow then the holidays because if I don't get a break from that school soon, I swear I will have some form of meltdown and upset a lot of people.
I am so damn frustrated and annoyed.
I thought that teachers finish telling you what to do when you left school. I didn't think that they carried on doing it to adults and parents alike.
I am at the end of my patience and fit to burst.
I like the way that the school does treat kids as individuals, I just wish they could do the same for parents.
To stop treating every parent like they are an only child family. To take into account you have other kids that you are responsible and that sometimes they need attention too.
James has been given an appointment at the Child Development Centre that we've waited 3 months for. We were given very strict instructions that no other children were allowed, that they had no childcare facilities and it HAD to be a parent and James alone. So, we get the appointment for 9am January 3rd!! Slap bang in the middle of the school holidays when everyone I know who could possibly look after the big 2 are back at work. Hubby has no holiday left. My family all live half an hour away, work and would have to be at mine for 8am for me to get there in time.
Being honest and telling the school I have to reschedule it, I'm the big bad guy for not attending that appointment as they are so hard to come by!
I'm sorry, but instead of having a go at me for it being the most inconvenient time EVER maybe the people at these centres should look into family graphics before making pathetic appointments.
This is the last in a long list of "you should do this, you should do that" from the school regarding each child. All of which I've done. It just never feels enough.
The school just seems to make me feel and more of a failure despite doing everything I am advised. It's getting beyond a joke.
I've even given up being a volunteer as I just feel so bloody useless! What hope have other kids got with me helping them if I can't help my own.
I am just feeling dragged down and the teachers are so bloody patronising repeatedly telling me this appointment will help him etc and ya know, I SO want to help, I want this to be over, I want to get this done, I don't want the same shit different day crap for the next year or two, I just want to get it all done. The waiting is frustrating but so are the impossible to keep appointments as no-one has the brain cells to realise that it's probably not a good idea to give people appointments when there's other kids off school. They are obviously back after new year so why do they feel that no-one else may be?
I could just scream sometimes.
Of course, I know the teachers are just trying to help but at times like this, they really aren't helping at all.
I'm so glad it's the last day tomorrow then the holidays because if I don't get a break from that school soon, I swear I will have some form of meltdown and upset a lot of people.
I am so damn frustrated and annoyed.
I thought that teachers finish telling you what to do when you left school. I didn't think that they carried on doing it to adults and parents alike.
I am at the end of my patience and fit to burst.
I like the way that the school does treat kids as individuals, I just wish they could do the same for parents.
To stop treating every parent like they are an only child family. To take into account you have other kids that you are responsible and that sometimes they need attention too.
James has been given an appointment at the Child Development Centre that we've waited 3 months for. We were given very strict instructions that no other children were allowed, that they had no childcare facilities and it HAD to be a parent and James alone. So, we get the appointment for 9am January 3rd!! Slap bang in the middle of the school holidays when everyone I know who could possibly look after the big 2 are back at work. Hubby has no holiday left. My family all live half an hour away, work and would have to be at mine for 8am for me to get there in time.
Being honest and telling the school I have to reschedule it, I'm the big bad guy for not attending that appointment as they are so hard to come by!
I'm sorry, but instead of having a go at me for it being the most inconvenient time EVER maybe the people at these centres should look into family graphics before making pathetic appointments.
This is the last in a long list of "you should do this, you should do that" from the school regarding each child. All of which I've done. It just never feels enough.
The school just seems to make me feel and more of a failure despite doing everything I am advised. It's getting beyond a joke.
I've even given up being a volunteer as I just feel so bloody useless! What hope have other kids got with me helping them if I can't help my own.
I am just feeling dragged down and the teachers are so bloody patronising repeatedly telling me this appointment will help him etc and ya know, I SO want to help, I want this to be over, I want to get this done, I don't want the same shit different day crap for the next year or two, I just want to get it all done. The waiting is frustrating but so are the impossible to keep appointments as no-one has the brain cells to realise that it's probably not a good idea to give people appointments when there's other kids off school. They are obviously back after new year so why do they feel that no-one else may be?
I could just scream sometimes.
Of course, I know the teachers are just trying to help but at times like this, they really aren't helping at all.
Tuesday, 10 December 2013
Operation Christmas.
Nearly a month has past since my last post. It's just all so chaotic these days. I knew life with 3 kids would be busy but never this CRAZY!
I've managed to get all our Christmas shopping done. We still have great grandparents wanting us to get gifts the for the kids and tell them how much they owe us. We might actually give them the cash after Christmas so they can buy something they want themselves as we're running out of ideas.
So, forgetting last week here's the diary:
Mon 9th December: James nativity play. His first one. He was the cutest little sheep ever!
Tues 10th December: Must dye my hair. Looks and feels a mess. Need it ready for next weekend!
Wed 11th December: My mum and nan are visiting and having lunch with myself and Liam before going off to see the nativity themselves.
Fri 13th December: We are going to take the kids to Butlins for Christmas again. We were very undecided on whether to go or not this year but decided since we've realistically only got up to 3 or 4 years of Santa being magical - We have to do these things whilst the kids are still little.
Sun 15th December: Return home
Mon 16th December: Matthew has no school play this year so is up at the Village Church to do a Christmas service. Not really sure how it will turn out but I hear there is a Christmas Rap and Matthew and some of his friends are beatboxing!?! Whatever happened to traditional carols?
Tues 17th December: Getting a beauty treatment. Oooooh!! Getting my brows done professionally. Tint, wax and shaped. Never had it done so excited. This is swiftly followed by Liams little nursery Christmas sing song service.
Wed 18th December: Last day to meet up with bestie. We're off for a cuppa something nice somewhere nice and maybe lunch out to celebrate the end of the year. It's also School Christmas Dinner day so Liam is staying for lunch club!
Thurs 19th December: Christmas parties day at school! I've volunteered to help out with the nursery.
Fri 20th December: Last day of school. Liam in lunch club second time this week. My haircut at 1pm.
Sat 21st December: Collapse and fall asleep until Christmas eve! Nope, Christmas party!!! Woop woop.
Can't wait. I have my dress, boots and all beauty things will be complete. Sorta the Cinderella of the Village this year. Visit the local farmers market in the morning for Christmas local Vegetables.
Sun 22nd December: Rest away any hangover feelings.
Mon 23rd December: I think this is actually a free day BUT will most likely be the day we do the Christmas food shop after leaving the kids with a responsible adult family member to reduce the stress. Defrost turkey.
Tues 24th December: Christmas eve. Make Santa fresh mince pies, make sure reindeer have carrots. Sort out tv planner over festive days. Hope I remembered to take turkey out on Monday. Hopefully all presents will be in the right homes. No idea when or how we are gonna distribute presents this year.
Weds 25th December: Christmas Day.
Thurs 26th December: Family over for boxing day tea, play games in the evening.
Sat 28th December: Christmas dinner at my father in law's. We've never been invited before so this will be a new experience. I've heard he's a very good cook!
Tues 31st December: New Years Party with the local Indian Restaurant gang. Hope I can still fit in my dress!
Wed 1st January: It'll be frigging January in no time!!!
Happy Christmas and Happy New Year just in case I don't get to post again in a hurry, xxxx
I've managed to get all our Christmas shopping done. We still have great grandparents wanting us to get gifts the for the kids and tell them how much they owe us. We might actually give them the cash after Christmas so they can buy something they want themselves as we're running out of ideas.
So, forgetting last week here's the diary:
Mon 9th December: James nativity play. His first one. He was the cutest little sheep ever!
Tues 10th December: Must dye my hair. Looks and feels a mess. Need it ready for next weekend!
Wed 11th December: My mum and nan are visiting and having lunch with myself and Liam before going off to see the nativity themselves.
Fri 13th December: We are going to take the kids to Butlins for Christmas again. We were very undecided on whether to go or not this year but decided since we've realistically only got up to 3 or 4 years of Santa being magical - We have to do these things whilst the kids are still little.
Sun 15th December: Return home
Mon 16th December: Matthew has no school play this year so is up at the Village Church to do a Christmas service. Not really sure how it will turn out but I hear there is a Christmas Rap and Matthew and some of his friends are beatboxing!?! Whatever happened to traditional carols?
Tues 17th December: Getting a beauty treatment. Oooooh!! Getting my brows done professionally. Tint, wax and shaped. Never had it done so excited. This is swiftly followed by Liams little nursery Christmas sing song service.
Wed 18th December: Last day to meet up with bestie. We're off for a cuppa something nice somewhere nice and maybe lunch out to celebrate the end of the year. It's also School Christmas Dinner day so Liam is staying for lunch club!
Thurs 19th December: Christmas parties day at school! I've volunteered to help out with the nursery.
Fri 20th December: Last day of school. Liam in lunch club second time this week. My haircut at 1pm.
Sat 21st December: Collapse and fall asleep until Christmas eve! Nope, Christmas party!!! Woop woop.
Can't wait. I have my dress, boots and all beauty things will be complete. Sorta the Cinderella of the Village this year. Visit the local farmers market in the morning for Christmas local Vegetables.
Sun 22nd December: Rest away any hangover feelings.
Mon 23rd December: I think this is actually a free day BUT will most likely be the day we do the Christmas food shop after leaving the kids with a responsible adult family member to reduce the stress. Defrost turkey.
Tues 24th December: Christmas eve. Make Santa fresh mince pies, make sure reindeer have carrots. Sort out tv planner over festive days. Hope I remembered to take turkey out on Monday. Hopefully all presents will be in the right homes. No idea when or how we are gonna distribute presents this year.
Weds 25th December: Christmas Day.
Thurs 26th December: Family over for boxing day tea, play games in the evening.
Sat 28th December: Christmas dinner at my father in law's. We've never been invited before so this will be a new experience. I've heard he's a very good cook!
Tues 31st December: New Years Party with the local Indian Restaurant gang. Hope I can still fit in my dress!
Wed 1st January: It'll be frigging January in no time!!!
Happy Christmas and Happy New Year just in case I don't get to post again in a hurry, xxxx
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