Michael Fish was wrong - again.

Michael Fish, the weatherman, predicted heavy rain fall today - and instead it's been utterly beautiful.  The morning was a little cloudy to begin with, and there were a few drops of rain - barely noticeable though.  I know some folks aren't haven't a brilliant summer - but down here in Folkestone, the weather has been pretty terrific for weeks - the mugginess of the past few days has past so I'm a much happier mama, too.

Anyhoos - what we being up to, eh?

Well, it's been another busy and fun filled week.  There's been new exciting stories about tigers coming for tea and witches on broomsticks.  There's been songs and dancing and rapping at the teatime table. 

This morning was toddler group - gawd it's gotten busy, thankfully some of the kids are moving on come September, so it will be a bit less chaotic.  The I "joined" the surestart centre I've been going to, both as a parent and as a childminder.  Means my details as a childminder will be added to their list they keep and give to parents looking for childcare, and I will also receive information on various events they hold.  Their summer programme is looking pretty good!

And then once C had been picked up, Rye and tootled off down to the beach  for the Kent and London Home Ed Beach Day.  Alas, I couldn't tell who were the home ed lot, so it was just Rye and me - that isn't to say we didn't have fun, though.  We did, lots:

A busy little digger, it travelled all over the beach, went through sand tunnels, helped to create fearsome dinosaur heads and kept a certain little boy very entertained.

'Cuse the display of bra there... trying to get a photo of us both and Rye was protesting - "I don't want to!"  Sigh.. that is his latest mantra.  I've taken to saying back to him in a sing song voice:  "I don't want toooooooo".. which at least smoothes away the frowns and brings back the giggles.

Ahhh, the fearsome dinosaur head... hmmm, well perhaps not fearsome.. freakish?

I love this determined stroll of his, down to the sea.  "I'm going to the sea, mama".  hehehe.

Mama had as much fun in the sea - which after that initial, "OH my GAWD it's freezing..." the water actually felt rather warm, so we frolicked, jumped over waves (well I sort of ungainly skipped because of the bad knee), kicked water at each other and again more giggles :-)  Gotta love the giggles.

And, no perfect beach day would be complete without the chips.. liberally "salted" with sand of course.

  Mark of a good day, we didn't arrive home till almost 7pm - and I feel chilled and wonderful..doesn't feel like I've been working this morning at all!  Another mark of a good day - the little man is snoring softly on the sofa beside me, curled up under a blanket :-)

Love Thursdays.

Thursdays are a ridiculously full day; but I love em and so does Rye.

Today I woke just after 7am and no little man snuggling so I legged it into the bathroom for a blissfully child free wash.  I actually got to wash my hair without Rye poking my bum and giggling - cheeky monkey!  It wasn't long though before the boy himself was awake and running riot.

Tried to pay the rent and nearly had an heart attack as I appeared to be £100 and odd quid short.. then realised that a cheque that's suppose to be clear today; wasn't showing up as funds available.  I guess quart to eight is too early for the Halifax!

Packed the bag for the day, using my new bag from the Lactivist, which I "won" because I joined the facebook group.  Then unpacked and used a rucksac because I realised it was raining really hard and the library books would get wet.

Set veggie tomatoe sauce slow cooking for tea,  (will add veggie balls once back home).

Walked to toddler group.
Walked to library, apologise for the state of a book and was a little disturbed that the assistant said I may be charged - every library I've ever belonged to before has accepted that books for littleys will get chewed and it wasn't in great condition when I got it out!
Walked to soft play.
Walked home afterwards

Popped on pasta, added veggie balls to the slowcooked sauce - ate tea; finished muffins off.
Quick tidy up and then upstairs, Rye requested to watch Captain Pugwash - but then fell asleep... I don't have  heart to move him into his own bed, so he can sleep in with me tonight.

And tomorrow;  there's a one off muscial and messy play event on at a kids centre in town, so we'll probably go to that.  The weekend tho, will be spent at home... oohhhhh preparing for our guests arriving next Friday and we will all be attending the Faery Festival in Canterbury!

Terrific Thursday :-)

Phew, busy day.

This morning we were out of the door for just after 9:40pm to walk to toddler group.  Lovely morning, Rye had a fantastic time and my charge seemed to enjoy herself too.   Until today I don't think I'd really appreciated just how important it is for Rye, especially now I'm childminding.   He generally plays lovely with C; there is some taking toys off her, sometimes being a little too precious, sometimes being a bit too rough and boisterious, in the main though he does play well with her, and looks forward to her arrival on a morning.  I think perhaps it was so noticeable too because for the past few weeks we haven't been to our usual groups because first of half term and then last week because of chickenpox.

Toddler group and Kidz Planet afford Rye with the opportunity to be a 3yr old without me continually refereeing his play because of C being younger and smaller; and he gets to play with kiddies of similar age to him and older too.  It was rather plain he relished zipping around the hall at toddler group and in the main, being left to get on with the important business of riding a tractor around and around the hall.  Similarly, C clearly enjoyed playing without Rye butting in and taking over. 

And he was in his element at Kidz Planet; racing around, climbing up, sliding down, chasing after the other HE kids, making friends with other kiddies his own age and running around playing "chase me".  And C enjoyed playing in the under 2 area on the slide and the play house etc.  Lovely for me too because my friend with twin boys has started coming along too so we both get to have a natter while also keeping an eye on our kids, (well, charge in my case).   I relish Thursdays a lot, as does Rye :-)

Ohhh and now Spring is making her presence known; (although according to the forecast we might get some snow on Sunday), I shall venture down to the beach again; whole days out of the house - wonderful; and of course days spent in the garden too - looking forward to that because it makes it easier to invite people over - the house is too small; the garden tho, is a pretty decent size :-) I already have plans for play dates and bbqs rattling around in my head lol.




Ohhh and a new weekly activitiy will begin from next Tuesday too.  I have organised swimming at our local pool for the HE group.  Really looking forward to that :-)  Next week will be busy - Monday Fossil Hunting with my local pagan community, Tuesday Swimming, Wednesday - hmmm, haven't decided which grp to try out yet, Thursday Toddler group and then Kidz Planet and Friday... lol, I think Friday we might just stay home.

Interesting Day.

Today, I decided, we would check out the toddler group at the Baptist Church down in the village.  It is somewhat more structured than the group we attend on a Thursday morning at the Methodist Church; there's a section for the children to play on the ride on toys, a section for babies and those beginning to crawl, a craft table, story time and songs, snack is a small bowl of chopped fruit, and all for £1. 

Unfortunately, I feel very uncomfortable at this group for the simple reason I had no idea when I went that it is Church run and the story time is really nothing more than an opportunity to share stories about the Bible and then to say a prayer afterwards and songtime is thanking God for being able to jump, march, clap etc.  Naturally, this doesn't sit very well with me; at first I was rather bothered that I was bothered and wondered if it was a really a big deal; but after thrashing it out somewhat on the GP forum, I've decided that actually for me it is.  Had I known the group wasn't a secular group I wouldn't have gone in the first place, so while the kids did have a wonderful time there, I shan't be going back.  I toyed with swallowing my discomfort as the kids did enjoy it; but I have to be honest, I probably would have used the slightest excuse not to go and as it seems a popular group the spaces that were going to be offered to us should really go for a family that will make good use of the group.

My little cyclist is banned from riding his bike down in the village too.  He scared the beejeebers out of me several times and in the end I made him get off the bike and walk.  Now he's comfortable on the bike and can get a turn of speed up he's really quite dangerous; especially as he doesn't always watch where he's going; and several times he nearly rode off the pavement straight into oncoming, heavy and fast traffic (it is a very wide pavement), and also getting up that turn of speed and the freewheeling, means he's getting further ahead than I like and a few tmes he hasn't heard me shouting stop and rode straight out onto the road - thank gawd nothing was coming!  

Once back home, Rye played in the garden while I took C for her nap, (and wow she slept a long time), then teatime, stories and our little guest left for the day... oh, and a little man beside me is snoring; so I shall take him upstairs, give him a bath (he only had one the other day; but he's had a few accidents today; going through a frustrating stage of him waiting too long to go for a pee and wetting himself) and then bed.

And while the toddler group this morning isn't my cup of tea; I have to say, it was lovely to see the kids playing and absolutely no squabbling whatsoever :-)

Christmas Party.

Firstly, very annoyed with myself, I forgot my camera!  Particularly annoyed because it was Rye's first Christmas Party.

The toddler party was great, Rye had a fantastic time, he particularly enjoyed the food, a LOT of sweet stuff.  Poppet seemed to really enjoy the party too and tucked into her food, (just savoury for her).  The magician was a big hit with the kiddies and Santa was a bit mute today lol.  It was my ex-childminder's daughter, she did really well and the kids loved their pressies.  The party didn't cost a thing - well apart from the wee presents for each child the parents brought with them.  And ok it was bog standard kiddy party food - i.e. looks of junk but then, as my whole philosophy is based on everything in moderation; I didn't fret and just let him tuck him - with gusto I add lol.

After the party we then walked down to Kids Planet, Rye wanted carrying, so I popped him on my back and pushed Poppet in the buggy - hehe, wish it was the other way round, she is sooo light.  A great time was had at Kids Planet too, first hour I played with poppet and just followed her around to observe how she was getting on.  She's a bright spark, bless her, very sociable and friendly with a lovely sunny nature.  It was very cute watching her follow Rye around and much to my suprise he did sort of "take care" of her.  I expected him to run off and play with the other HE kids - and sure he did, but he did keep coming back to check on her. 

Shattered again - lol at this rate I won't be suprised if the weight drops off me; I'm so busy running after my charge and Rye that, apart from a few nibbles at the party I'd not eaten until I got home - which was lovely sweet potatoe casserole, which Poppet seemed to really enjoy too.

Bath tonight, I ache lol.  I hate to admit it, but Rye is really getting to heavy for me now.  It feels fine when he's on my back, later though I do ache, particularly my lower back, which I have problems with anyway.  So yeah, I think I may need to look into a double buggy.

A full day - tomorrow we are staying close to home and chilling. 

Thursday crafting.

Phew a busy day.

Toddler group this morning - we were rather late but Rye loved playing on the tractor and the moochy walk back along the highstreet afterwards - particularly the puddle splashing.

Found a bargain ELC spiral pattern maker set for £1.50 in a charity shop that will be added to the craft pack I'm creating for Rye for Yule.

Play in a rather windy and cold park - this mama was feeling a bit of a wuss so we didn't stay long.  We did find some fantastic leaves, which led to much crafting:

Attempting to spray paint around a leaf using a toothbrush, so this mama had a re-think:

And encouraged hand and finger printing around the leaves, which worked quite well.

Then a brain wave:

Dabbing watered down pvc glue around the leaf:

And then shaking glitter over the leaf and paper:

Rye loved doing this; and the glitter tubs we have have an integral shaker, which is very handy:

 

Then this mama had another idea:

Covering some of the leaves we collected in watered down pvc and sprinkled with glitter.

(covering both back and front with pvc will also preserve the leaves)

Add to our string "wire" over the season table:

 

And the other pieces of art produced today:

The glitter is everywhere of course, still Rye had so much fun, and I was really chuffed with the results, so will be doing glitter pictures again I think :-)

Today.

Aye, it's late - or very early, depending on your perspective; and I can't think of a snazzy title.

Today has been a fallopping kind of day; brief visit to check on a friend this morning and then rest of the day was spent playing with cars, puppets, drawing, trains, rocking on Sidney, watching Beauty and the Beast DVD and having a go at playing a wooden flute:

I was quite impressed how well he managed to get a note out of the wooden flute.  It's on a cheap little thing I picked up years ago; still Rye had fun; slobbery toddler and wooden reed do not mix however, and after a while it was barely whistling.  Oddly enough I didn't mind too much by this time and suggested to Rye we put it away and allow it to dry out and maybe play with it tomorrow ;-)

Still crocheting away; the rows I had to frog out of the dress are back correctly now and I'm feeling much happier about it.  Feel such a ninny though, I've read the pattern a dozen times to ensure I understood it... and it was one little word that my brain just fogged over:  "each".... as in decrease by 1 treble at EACH end of row six... sigh.. I read it as decrease at the end of row 6, which after a while sent me scrabbling to Ravelery to ask advice as I was fairly sure it should be shaping on both sides.  Even then the response I receive didn't click, I just kept puzzling how they could say it was shaping both sides, when it clearly wasn't....... and then my eyes caught that word and a light bulb flashed.

I had planned to finish the back of the dress today until I discovered just how cold Rye's feet are, especially since the temperature has dropped the past few days.  He's been ok up to know; being that he's so active, so socks were fine - no more.  Well, that compelled me to have a go at a pair of slippers for Rye, and this is what I came up with after adapting this incredibly easy peasy pattern

into these slippers for Rye.  Looking forward to the morning so Rye can try them on.  Very tempted to make myself a pair too, I used DK wool and a 4.5mm hook, I'm thinking a chunkier wool would actually work better though and give a bit more structure to the slipper - these are a bit floppy; but as it's 100% wool should still be lovely and warm - especially with a pair of socks on underneath. :-)

A few friends are pregnant too so I think I'll crochet a few more pairs as gifts. 
Right, I ought to get myself to bed, toddler group in the morning.

Mind like a sieve!

One more post to make, then caught up I think.

Wednesday was Rye's developmental check.  It didn't go well at all.  There was a wooden cube in reception of Caterpillars and the top twizzled around, which Rye loved.  So, he was not impressed when the HV called us - he spent the entire time trying to get out of the room to get back to the toy.  He did half come round when she got the foot ball out to see if he could kick a ball, he did and was happy to play with the ball, but she immediately took it off him and tried to get him to look at a book and tell her what hte pictures were.  He just shut the book and refused, similarly he didn't want to play with the rather grubby plastic fork/spoon/cup/plate and cow she lined up.  Although, not long before we left, he did give me each of the items as she'd asked him to do earlier, but she didn't realise. 

She tried to tell me he lacks concentration - Ryan?????  I don't think so, if anything he can be a little too focused sometime - if indeed one can be too focused.  She also tried to tell me to ignore him when he was crying and expressing his big feelings because he wanted to play with the wooden cube.  I ignored her and continued to talk to him and validate his emotions.  I was actually pretty pissed off by this time, and not at all impressed by the HV.  She wants to see him in a few months time to try and assess him again but I shan't bother.   Why on earth have such nice toys in reception and then manky uninteresting ones for the assessment?  It's crazy - and ok Rye is beginning to assert himself more and will NOT do something he doesn't want to, which can be a bit embarssing at times - but at the same time, he is entitled to his emotions and to have a degree of autonomony over what he does.

Still, there are times when I wish he wasn't quite so assertive; Thursday was toddler group again, and a photographer was taking photos of the children.  When it came for Rye's turn, would he sit on the sofa and engage with the photographer, nope.  In the end, we had to go out and try again at the end of the sessions.  The phototgraphy had the idea of using one of the older boys to show Rye what was expected.  Ryen still wasn't having any of it and told the photographer to put his toys away.  The guy said he'd never being told to do that before - lol so my lad is originial if anything :-)

In the end I picked him up and reminded him that it was time for juice and a buscuit and the sooner he sat on the sofa and played catch the sooner he could have a buscuit.  Worked a treat and the photographer managed to snap some shots; looking forward to seeing how they've turned out next week.

I am proud of Rye though.  He can be very easy going, so really, its nice to see him starting to assert himself a bit.  Bless him. 

I still can't get over the HV claiming Rye has concentration problems - I was too stunned to tell her she was completely wrong and I also quickly decided there was no point making her aware of my parenting style and that I am a HE'er - particularly as she was quite horrified to learn that Rye was still breastfeeding. 

Catch up: 22nd October

Blah, not the common cold, I think I'm coming down with the flu, I haven't felt this rotten well, I can't remember when.  Trying to ignore it and taking lots of vit C and echinea in the hope to nip this in the bud before it develops.

Took Rye to Toddler group, the walk wasn't too bad, although by the time we arrived home I was feeling very washed out.  I think Rye is coming down with a cold too; he sounded like a fog horn last night and woke a few times because he couldn't breath through his nose for all the snot.  It doesn't seem to be affecting him too much though he's played with his treeblocks, and then he found the farm animal puzzles in a drawer.

 

 

  He also found some foam shapes and to my utter astonishment he gave me a little red triangle and told me it was a triangle!  First time he's demonstrated that he knows different shapes.  We looked at the rest of the shapes he found and we sorted them into big and small shapes, into colours etc.  Arm chair learning at it's best lol.