In At The Deep End

Until I had children I never used to use a diary; I always knew what I was doing and when and if I wrote things down it was more because I felt I ought to than because I really needed to. I didn’t always get everything done, but at least I knew what I should have been doing
When I was expecting J my memory definitely deteriorated and writing things down became a necessity However, the act of writing things down made them memorable so that was okay. After K I had to write them down and look at it. After L I bought a Dodopad and then an organised mum lifebook This time around things are deteriorating rapidly already: I keep forgetting to put things in the diary/on the calendar – and when I do remember I promptly lose the diary!
Last week Monday saw an unexpected cancellation from E and J, which set me off on the wrong foot, I guess, although in a way it was quite welcome as we were all tired from the Baby Show the day before and a day of mooching was probably a good idea. The boys deliberately sabotaged my plan to get to Mustard Seeds (and yes, it was deliberate – they admitted it later!) by being as awkward and slow as possible getting ready until I gave up and we just stayed at home, so in return we did extra maths and english and lots of household pottering. I’m sure we did something else as well, but true to form I didn’t write it down so now have absolutely no idea what it was – must blog more often!
Tuesday was Hallowe’en and we had been invited to go to S’s house to celebrate in true American style, so spent the early part of the morning finding costumes (L was a fairy princess, K Buzz Lightyear and J a fireman with trousers which barely reached his knees – must invest in some larger sized dressing-up clothes!) and making fairy cakes – green ones for the boys, which they decorated with white and brown icing pulled out to make spider shapes and little plain ones for L, which she dipped into pink icing and then crushed parma violets – very dainty
At S’s we painted pumpkins, did a candy hunt and played a lot, then ate pasta, cakes and rather less of the candy than the children would have liked lol.
Afternoon was French club, as usual: Jolie Ronde – excellent, but may end next year as school look likely to put it into normal curriculum instead of doing after school. I need to look into doing the franchise and offering classes to CHEF, if only so that my children can continue!
On Wednesday we had a very lazy morning, as reading/science was cancelled for various reasons, and ended up going to Bouncearound, which was great J and K especially really enjoy helping with the tidy up, as it involves lots of nice young men (parish assistants – good role models ) who are happy to spend a little extra time to involve a couple of well-behaved children who would like to be helpful
Afterwards we did a bit of shopping, mostly in the shopping centre on the way to drama so that we could go there afterwards and see if it was on, because I couldn’t remember – only having got that far I then totally forgot about drama and we came home, only to glance at the calendar and see what we had missed

Thursday was parents and tots, which I set up and then abandoned to go downstairs with a lady who had offered (on Freecycle!) to give me antenatal yogacise classes because she needs to do a certain number as part of her training. I felt a bit guilty leaving everyone to it (and to look after my children!) but it was great and worth every penny I wasn’t having to pay Will be doing that again this week, hopefully While we were doing stories and songs at the end G took J down to do a bit of music (partly piano and partly practising some of the skills he will need to do the choir stuff) and then she and another HE mum and I got a bit carried away chatting while our children played around us Thursdays look like developing rather more, as French and music which currently happen on Fri (and we don’t currently do) may well move to Thurs if I end up doing the French (G does the music so that would suit her anyway) and also the lady I’ve been contacting about Relaxkids has suggested Thurs lunchtime as being good for her. Looks like it might turn into a full day HE-fest!
B and F came for tea, as usual, and things seem to be settling with F. Not sure if she is less tired from school and therefore less grumpy or if we are just getting used to each other When she first came she played really well with L or K, but then seemed to go through a phase of “Oh no, not you!” which both L and I found rather wearing. I think peer pressure at school has a lot to do with it…
Friday was Friday club, and another rather ditzy day – had to come back several times for all the things we’d forgotten and ended up getting there rather late It was fun, though, and the children spent some time in groups making up autumn poems, which were actually very effective and then doing printing with leaves, fruit, vegetables and similar natural objects. Judicious provision of paints in terms of colours gave some lovely seasonal pictures
After lunch (picnic at Friday club) we went off to Norfolk to stay with my aunt and uncle, Bob joining us rather later (especially as he missed the train he had planned to take due to huge queues for tickets), where a great time was had by all – deserves a post of its own really, and I need to go shopping or we’ll have no food tomorrow, so will stop now