Hideous!

That is the word for today;  Hideous.

It started quite well playing with the new tea set,

It's the set from Green toys and recycled from milk bottles.  It really is quite nifty.  I had planned on a tin set I saw, but was informed the tinned sets get bent and damaged very quickly, so bearing in mind Rye and minded children that will play with a tea set, I decided to go for something more robust, and this so far, is ticking the boxes.

However chaos soon descended as Rye tried to control the play and my mindie was not of a disposition to be controlled...

Rye: nooooo, you don't have cake in coffee Clare.
Snatches cake, cue much yelling.
Me: give her the cake back, If she wants to pretend to mix cake into her coffee she can.
Rye: no but.....
Me: give it back
Rye: no but.....
Me:Ryan give her the cake, Clare is not your slave or toy, you cannot tell her what to do. You can ask or make suggestions, but she can still say no.
Rye, sulkily: I only wanted to make you a birthday cake.

FAIL

The day continued to deteriorate.  Mindie bent one of the tea set spoons (thankfully it did bend back), but I was so miffed I banned her from playing with the set for the rest of the day.. so she sulked, then the children played dens.....

 Except Rye kept telling her that it was not ready and she wasn't allowed in it... so blanket was taken back upstairs and I decided to take the kids into town instead......and it was simply hideous.

School holidays +  Fireman Sam visiting the town centre meant the place was heaving and the children were simply manic.  Mindie kept disappearing into the crowds because she'd spy a little boy and she'd just follow him - arrgh.  Rye kept winding her up or suggesting she did things that just were not appropriate for being in town........ and omg in the Works I ended up yelling, "Out, out, both of you get OUT now!" after a barrage of  "Can we have...." and "I want".

Utterly frazzled and frankly pissed off, I hussled the children back to the lifts and out walks Fireman Sam.  Admittedly, their faces were a picture; and Rye keeps telling me, in utter wonderment, that Fireman Sam is actually real!    I briefly considered taking them back to where Fireman Sam was doing, well, whatever he was going to do to entertain the children..but after just hurrying my two through the hoardes, I quickly dismissed the idea and bundled them into the lift and virtually ran for the car!

Popped round to a friend's house for a few hours, bit of a mistake as all the children just fed off the weird manic energy of today.  I have to say, today I was insanely glad to hand mindie back to her mum and yes, I insisted Rye go upstairs to his bedroom and listen to the new story cds on his new cd player.  I sat down with a cuppa and wished it was whiskey with a nice menthol fag! 

Rye actually fell asleep, so I did enjoy an hour of peace before calling him downstairs because I wanted to nip through to sorting office to pick up a parcel.....

And the parcel turned out to be the clothes I bought in the Muddy Puddles sale... and I'd also picked up the camouflage.... cue a very happy Rye.  He's sat in there at the mo with the tea set, pretending to make our friend M, a coffee.

And, yes of course, the reduced, but still expensive snowsuit I bought Rye for next winter........... fits him now.  Typical.  Gah.  Not sure I can return something bought in the sale either.....

Roll on tomorrow.

Lost!

My camera, that is.
Hoping it will turn up during the clear up today. 

Our life is pottering along down on Firs Lane.  Rye is enjoying freedom to play.  Play that involves lots of building and using imagination, and practising those fine gross motor skills.   He is progressing lovely with Reading Eggs and Study ladder; even able to remember how to spell some words, even though, technically, he's not reading. 

Saying thaat, I do feel I need to "strew" in unschooling fashion.
There is a sameness to the days, I'd even go so far as to say a wee whiff of stagnant.
So, shelf contents are being re-shuffled.
Art and craft supplies, moved around to allow access to different things.
Different books, and indeed a feeling that we need to get back into regularly visiting the library.

Naturally, the cold weather has triggered hibernation tendencies, which means life down Firs Lane  has become rather sedate, but not particularly relaxing.  Sedateness and 5yr old boys do not mix overly well.  While I am fighting the urge to snuggle down under blankets and crochet, read or just watch a film, Rye races the big wooden train round and round in a circle on the laminate floor.  The noise makes every cell in my body hunch and irritation quickly begings to surface.  The carriages slide across the floor, randomly smashing into the side of the table leg, chair leg, pram.  Irritation turns to annoyed anger that he's not been more respectful of a beautiful wooden toy. 

Hot wheel cars are spun across the floor, banging into the doors or walls, again the sound on the laminate is causing me to haunch.  Playsilks are thrown around; heads that do no want to be covered, are covered, tears ensue, strong words are spoken.  Hands are waved and jiggled, feet skipping out, jumping, the buzz of energy is palatable.

Aye, there is a need for a shake up and some strewing, including a re-newed committment to being outdoors EVERY SINGLE DAY for at least 30 minutes, preferably an hour or more.

Thus I'll be joining Rachel over on Our Free Range Family with the "Outdoor Play Everyday 2012" challenge.

Germ Incubators.

There is an aspect of childminding I'm not a huge fan of; the little darlings are germ incubators.  One kiddie comes to me with a cold, not long before they all, and grown ups usually aren't long behind with the sniffles either.

Rye has been really under the weather for a few days, and to add to his misery is his reaction ot his own snot; emotionally and physcially.  Poor kid, the snot chaps his face, his lips, making him red raw; and he stresses so much when he's snotty, screaming he's snotty and crying.  I am firm with the stress, and instead ask him to politely ask me for a hanky, or for help blowing his nose etc.  It's working he is less dramatical about it; still it clearly distresses him. 

I forked out a small fortune on Monday picking up remedies; oblas oil, euclyptus oil, belladonna, wealda weather protection cream (fantastic!), manukee honey (ouch!), and other stuff I needed too.  So a very expensive trip indeed.  It's helped though, Rye is very much on the mend.  I have also been making natural lemslip:

apples
1 small lime
inch or so of ginger
pinch of cinnamon
large tsp of manukee honey
drop or 2 of Echinea tincture.
Hot water. (not boiling.)

I juice the fruit and ginger, add the cinnamon, honey and echindea, stir well and then add some hot water to make the drink nice and warm.  Oh my, it tastes beautiful, and I'm convinced it's why... touch wood... I'm not ill, and if I do get the sniffles, I'm hopeful it will be a mild dose.   Still, my darling germ incubators will undoubtedly lay me low at some point this winter.... we've already had the winter vomitting bug, so fingers cross that one won't be paying us a visit again.......  just have to wait and see,  I guess.

Today was our fortnightly Letterland day,, at the beginning of the week I really did not think we'd make it today.  Last night Rye snuggled up to me and miserably told me he'd prefer to stay home and snuggle today.  This morning, he leapt out of bed, telling me he felt much better and could we go to M's after all?  **melt**  So off we went, along with venision meatballs (letter V today) and Rye's old 6 foot bean bag bed, as I have no room for it, now I've bought Rye his first real bed (a mid sleeper with a slide).

Today was not a calm meet.  All the kids were in the throes of colds and coughs, so lots of big feelings, whinging, tale telling and lack of tolerance for others.  So a wee bit stressful for the grown ups.    Mind, I do feel performing a huge 2 finger salue to Matthew Wright though - I obviously did not see his show, but I've heard via Face book about today's show on Home Education and the usual claptrap sprouted.

The old chestnut of course is Socialisation... it's usually used in the context of children making friends, and seemingly experiencing bullying to toughen 'em up for later life.  - Sigh, don't get me started on that crock of shit.... but anyway, socialisation.......... apparently home ed kids are kept home all day, lonely and live in a bubble....

So no, we didn't spend 7 hours with 2 other home ed families, total of 10 kids; learning and working through things like, working together, science experiments, tolerance, give and take, eating together, receiving and following instruction from grown ups other than the parent(s), managing emotions, anger, learning what is acceptable responses and what is not...and just good old fashion play.......... nah none of that. 

Nor am I taking Rye to forest school tomorrow, in which there will be a range of children and grown ups, he won't be interacting with people, he won't be learning about the woods and it's fauna and flora, I won't be encouraging him to stretch his wings and experience some independence from me... gosh no, I want to keep him tied to me forever!

Gah.  I mean, seriously?

Moving on.
Inspite of colds and coughs, I think the kids had fun; there was a new huge bean bag to jump on, a volcano to make, lava to spew, other experiments with fizzy vimto and palma violets... to see if the violets sweets caused the vimto to spew like coke does when mentos are added to it.  There was reading stories, writing on a big blackboard (the kids not me), helping at tidy up time, sharing meals together... and yes there were a lot of tears because everyone was feeling a bit blah and the slightest knock meant the end of the world, the slightest push past, or taking a toy that someone else wanted to play with, was the destruction of the universe. 

Rye, being on the mend, has been a little less stressy, and he certainly enjoyed himself.  He didn't want to leave this evening, and was upset when he realised we would not be going back to M's house tomorrow.

And in between this all not socialising, I've been enjoying some stolen hooky time and reminding myself how to make the african flower motif, which has been adapted into a mandela pot holder.  I've lengthened the sleeves on Rye's jumper, which I love and irritates me in equal measures; the neckline is really naff and to me it's screaming it's not even etc.......

I've kicked myself again for not writing down how I made the first slipper boot and I've made a list of scrubbies, face clothes, decorated jars, beeswax candles, decorative edging etc for Yule gifts.  Started a list of things to do each day for our "advent" to Yule, which here will begin on the 28th Nov.

It's all busy, satisfying and fun............. and to my joy, I've found being more gentle in my parenting, modelling the behaviour I would like to see, and encouraging the children to try again if they speak unkindly to each other, snatch, or are generally stroppy - and by jove it's working.  While there's still snatching and unkind words etc; there was far less arguing and screaming at each other today.

So yup feeling very positive.

Blimey, how times flies.

Well, what can I say, it's been a while.  Excuse me while I blow the dust off.  :-)


Life has been consuming; in a good way.  Rye and I have enjoyed much more peaceful communications; although of course there have been the odd fraught moment.  I'm not a mama that does leaping around and silliness in my tiny lounge, very well; the shoulders begin to meet my ears, the stress levels increase and the urge to yell becomes almost irristiable.  So, to counter that we've been out quite a bit; especially as I've had a 3rd child for 2 weeks, from 8am to 6pm Mon to Friday (Thurs excepting).  Three over excited, silliness and leaping around children...... ***shudder***.    Ah yes the maxim to control the environment not the child.  I should really remember this more, attempting to control children never works anyway; leads to tyranny and a hellva lot of shouting.

Vast reduction in sugar made for a very calm and enjoyable letterland meet with a couple other families, the other week.  I left in the evening feeling buoyed up rather than drained and a pounding stress headache threatening.  The introduction of a craft activity after lunch ensured the calmness continued.   The get together was productive, friendly, and enjoyable for everyone!

There have been proud moments, affirming moments where Rye has suprised and delighted me; joining in forest school, going with the group to collect items without me present.  At home drawing more and more detailed people, visiting my brother and having a whale of a time, and bless him, insisting we take a couple of work books and reading books with us.  We were only staying overnight.  Mind, I did discover that the numeracy workbook he has is far too easy for him.  Still he's enjoying it, and if nothing else it reaffirms what he already knows and helps with his confidence and self belief in his abilities.

Trips to the park, to soft play, to friend's houses.
Gentle parenting being predominant.
And in and amongst all the kiddy stuff I've managed to find time for this:

 Finishing off mits to match Rye's hat and scarf - although as you can see I need to redo the bottom mit.. clearly not paying attention because the "thumb" is too far up the mit.  Not sure I'll be able to unpick this either, the Rico Riot chunky, is quite a fluffy yarn and not the easiest to frog. 

 Playing with my own design for a slipper sock.  Need to pick up some insoles to give these a little more insulation from cold floors.   Just need to make the second one now.. and ooops no, I didn't write down what I did either, so I'll be winging it.

Current WIP, actually, it's a finished WIP, just completed this evening.  I shall leave you all wondering though, as I'd rather take photos in the morning of the finished piece, when hopefully the light will be better.  Again, this is my own design - and this time I wrote down what I did.  The colours of the Anchor magic cotton are sublime.  And this is my very first piece of this nature.  Amazing considering the years I've been crocheting.  It's not perfect, the design needs some tweaks, still I'm inordinately pleased with it, and can't wait to show it off properly tomorrow.

The crafting frenzy is on with a vengence; to my shock it's only just over 4 weeks to Yule!  4 weeks!   And this year Rye is making gifts for a few friends and his dad.   I had planned on crocheting a few decorations/snowflakes to sell too; but I'm not going to have time, so I'll stick with making some for us and a few friends.  One of these years I'll be organised!  lol.



Thanks, Becks for checking in on me :-)

Running Back.

Well, I may have wanted to run away in my last post... but now I'm running back to embrace parenting with open arms :-)

Rye has been at his dad's for 3 days.  Gosh, I've missed him, all the while really needing that break, including an evening with a friend, crochet and natter! 
Rye must have missed me too, because he raced across the front garden and flew into my arms.  He ws so excited to be home.  Somewhat marred by my ex deciding to stick his oar in, after I'd just pulled Rye up for being a bit rude to one of my mindies.  Ex had a go and told him to be nice, and Rye burst into tears and was incredibly resentful.  There was no need for it either, I'd dealt with the matter.  Ex clearly thought he was adding his "weight" to my discipline..but all he did was completely ruin it.  sigh.  Oh well, moving on.

We had a lovely evening, Rye was naturally boisterious - ex had taken him to a fire work display, and Rye did enjoy telling me about that, including the sweets and fish and chips - yet again, that he'd eaten.  Seriously, can't the man think of anything else to feed the boy?  Every time fish and chips!

Moving on, lol.

Today has been a rather successful day.
There has been play at the park with scooters and a ball.
Helping to tidy up toys and clearing aways dishes after snack/lunch.
Circle time - some disruption here and I did have to speak firmly to Rye at one point.  The ideal would be to do Circle Time and for Rye to join in as much or little as he pleases, unfortunately, he's so disrruptive, I do have to rein him in.  There again thinking about it, maybe I need to apply my friend's advice of ignoring his behaviour a bit more and instead concentrating on the other children.  Hmmm, yes I think that might work a bit better. 
Went to Kids Planet, and it was great.  Minor mishap when another parent asked us if the older boy with blond hair belonged to us... unfortunately, Rye had been pushing Bailey around in one of the ride on cars, and accidently knocked a younger child over.  I apologised and had words with Rye to be a bit more careful, while at the same making it clear that actually he's only 4, unfortunately his height means he's often mistaken for being around 6 or 7yrs old.
Stayed till the end at KP, then came home, quick tidy, recyling put out for the binmen in the morning, and then we read some stories, and Rye had a go at reading some of his "Funny Fish" book from the Oxford Learning Tree series.  Bit too tired to really be interested, so I read it mostly and just asked him the odd word....

And then bed.  His own bed; wash, pjs and into bed by 7.30pm, and he could barely keep his eyes open. 

And tomorrow is Letterland Day at our friend's house.  The letter U.  I do have an idea for a U craft; making unicorn horns.  I had thought to use icecream cones, icing and then decorate with sugar glitter... but, obviously these will be eaten, and I'm wanting to avoid sugar............ so dunno, might forgo that, and instead make glitter playdough and ask the kids to make Unicorns?  Or alteratively, square peice of paper curled around to create a cone shape, and they can decorate than as the unicorn horn? 

I was speaking to my friend and we both agreed that we'd like to avoid the sugar binges that some of the Letterland days have turned into; when you've got 11 excited kids in one house... adding sugar to the mix really is daft! lol.