Back to Nursery School

This morning we walked to nursery school to drop I-B off - she quite happily scampered over to the mat where they sing their welcome song. I snoozed while Mummy walked home and then stayed snoozing in the garden while she hung out the washing and did a snail audit.

I-B claims she didn't play with anyone at Nursery School (!). However, she did some painting (although she forgot to get her name written on the painting/ write her name on the painting so it didn't come home with her. Anna the songstress was there today. She sat next to Carmelo at lunchtime.

I impressed the ladies at Tumbletots with my new crawling skills. There were lots of babies there today so we had great fun squealing at each other!

Lunch was followed by a visit from the estate agent. This involved Mummy talking to some chappy about houses with interjections from I-B and interruptions when Mummy turned me round once I had crawled to the edges of the room.

I slept through most of the Sainsburys visit but I-B and Mummy had it all in hand.

We had the Very Hungry Caterpillar as a bedtime story and then I-B had Charlie Cook's Favourite Book. Once we were safely tucked up in bed, Mummy pootled in the Garden and watched the parakeets.

Rainy Tuesday

Today we mostly went to Chessington with Jane and Thomas. It was all rather rainy so first stop was the Sea Life area. I-B was most interested in the anenomes and the Sharks. My knowledge of sea-life is all derived from Disc 2 of the Finding Nemo dvd!

Next stop was the indoor soft play area - grown-ups weren't allowed on the equipment which was a shame - I-B needed a bit of help finding the slide! This was followed by lunch and a show - something to do with Dragons and Monkeys and Elephants - I-B seemed to enjoy it. We then ambled our way out via the merry go round and the ice-cream emporium. Following a minor day while hunting for keys (don't ask) we then headed home.

Once home, P-L had a snooze and I-B played in the garden while I washed up and prepared a carroty meal (soup if you're a grown up, mush if you're a baby). Once P-L was awake we played with the alphabet cards and things that made lots of noise. P-L and I-B had great funny shaking things and laughing at each other. I-B and I also played with the Pingu magnetic book but I-B told me off for putting snowball magnets in an indoor scene!

P-L has been very mobile today - crawling lots although when playing "cafes" we couldn't get her to crawl from one end of the lounge to the other!

Monday

Term-time activities started today so we were back at Tumbletots this afternoon. I-B was very good at clambering and climbing on all the equipment.

This morning we had a relaxing morning at home where Mummy did things with drawer liners although now hers and Daddy's room smells of furniture polish. I-B mostly played with the t-set (with Hiddy too) and did some sponge painting. She was very good at tidying away the paints etc afterwards.

After Tumbletots we wandered up to the post office (I was asleep) and I-B picked a Balamory magazine.

At home I relaxed in the exer-saucer while I-B had a go on the Wii Fit. She then decided that the garden looked much more fun so she and Mummy played hula-hoops again while I watched from the pushchair. After a while I-B got a bit frustrated when rolling the hoop - which meant that she didn't roll the hoop very well, which made her frustrated. Aaaah the vicious cycle of toddler frustration.

Dinner was followed by some quality time spent crawling round the carpet. Everytime I moved towards Mummy, she took one step away from me. I then looked up as if to say "oy, I know your game!"

Before long it was time for bed. My bedtime story was Mr Snow. I-B's was the Night Pirates and she took Count Worm to bed with her to "read".

Sunday Sunday

This morning I wanted to go to the playbarn so off we went. However when we got there it was too noisy and although I don't normally mind, today I didn't want to go in. Instead we played in the outside area.

Afterwards, Mummy suggested we went to asda-tasda for a hula-hoop. But they didn't have any. Mummy had a cunning plan which involved driving home via the nearest Tesco as we had seen them in there last week. This was all very tiring for me and P-L so we fell asleep. Thankfully Mummy had the pushchair for me and the sling for P-L. A very nice man apparently carried the sandpit sand to the car for us and when I woke up Mummy had bought two spangly hula-hoops.

After lunch we put them to the test and even though Mummy is a hula-hoop champion on the Wii Fit she's not very good. So we played games involving rolling the hoops to each other and throwing frisbees (another onotok purchase of Mummy's today) to land in or through the hula-hoops. I then put my new sand to the test and Mummy picked 5oz of Gooseberries. The question is - what to make with them? Actually Mummy's thinking Gooseberry and Pear Crumble. What do you think?

P-L has been moving forwards - they're sort of bunny hops but I think she's starting to think about moving her legs behind her. Also she surprised up by pushing herself up to standing - using the musical keyboard which I used to use for the same purpose!

I'm now in bed after Mummy and I read the night pirates - my favourite story at the moment. I did escape and come downstairs but Mummy explained that it was bedtime and that if I was still awake when she had finished on the Wii, she would come and read me another story. I don't think I stayed awake long enough...

Getting Mobile

This morning while I snoozed, Mummy and I-B made some sticky sweet mice. I-B was responsible for something known as "QUALITY CONTROL"! Once I woke up we headed off to the garden centre to buy some potting compost, netting and an off piste seedling that Mummy couldn't resist.

Once home I-B played in the garden while Mummy got lunch ready - some of the neighbouring children were playing on next door's trampoline so I-B had lots of fun chatting with them and once she had finished her lunch she went next door to join them.

It was then naptime for me so Mummy got I-B to come back round - at which point she was invited to play on the other next door's trampoline (where there was a grown up outdoors). This enabled Mummy to get on with some planting - sugar snap peas, morning glory and clematis round the arch. She thinned out the Nicotiana (which Daddy had planted with a shaky hand) and the Japanese Lanterns. By this time I was awake but I was happy to sit on the picnic blanket while she planted the Camomile, the Delphinium and the Cucumber (replacing the Sugar Snap pea plant which had been decimated by our one-footed friends. This has been planted in the pot by the arch in the [vain] hope that it revives...

Next it was scooter time but I-B was too tired to make it to the swings so we came home for a rest while Mummy got dinner ready.

While Mummy tidied up I worked out a way of moving forwards instead of backwards. There was an inflatable ball in front of me but a little out of my reach. While putting as much weight as possible on my hands I "revved up" and dragged my legs forwards. I had made it closer to the ball. The ball rolled away a little. I made it closer to the ball. The ball rolled away a lot. I-B rolled the ball back to me. This is a very exciting breakthrough for me and I look forward to putting these newfound skills into practice tomorrow.

After bathtime it was time for a well-earned rest.

Ah new Shoes

Today was a soft play and farm day. On arrival I managed to recognise all the letters in the word "welcome" (completely unprompted). I spent an hour in and out of the soft play - sometimes lurking and sometimes going in there. People had to climb over me to go down the big red slide but at least I wasn't trying to climb up it today! Our friends arrived at about 11.30 so we went outside and played on the vehicles. We stopped for a lunch of jacket potato with cheese and beans - which Mummy finished off. P-L had a very orange mush which Mummy finished off. Wearing.

After this we went to see the farm animals - I liked the goats best and wanted to take them home with me.

We then ambled over to the outdoor climbing area which I enjoyed tremendously - once I had my ice lolly.

After this we went into town where Mummy got carried away buying half price -age in the health food shop. We then picked up some bits for cake and sweety making but we didn't have time for that today because I wanted to have my feet measured. It was good that I did as my feet had grown. I came away with a lovely pair of shoes. They're the best shoes ever and I even kept them on while Mummy got me ready for bed!

We saw Aunty Clare and I showed her my playdough and rainbow painting.

OH I do like to be beside the seaside

Except the tide was out so the sea-side was a long way away today.

This morning we drove to the swimming pool to meet Grandma and Grandad and 4 of my cousins - Megs, Sam, Eth and Henners. We had lots of fun - me in my bond villain seat and I-B in her floaty ring. I-B clearly enjoyed the floaty ring as she was pushing off from the side while wearing it and lifting her feet off the bottom and floating and kicking! After lunch in the park we drove to the beach.

For me, the beach involved sitting on the picnic rug and nibbling the picnic rug label. Once I'd tired of that I discovered that grabbing sand was good fun. The other grandchildren took it in turns to be buried in the sand - including I-B! I-B was a little less convinced by the feel of damp squidgy sand as she walked to fill the bucket with water!

The rain clouds were looking darker and darker so we decided to head back to Grandma and Grandad's for dinner (Spag Bol for everyone else; chicken and veg rissoto mush for me).

Following this it was time to drive home...

Dante's missing layer

Today we have mostly been at the layer which Dante missed - soft play on a rainy half-term wednesday. This wouldn't be so bad if there was a cafe area for the mummies etc but a bench along one side trying to prevent the babies being squooshed by 6 year old boys who are incapable of looking where they are going.

Actually it wasn't that bad - it was nice to see Jacqui and the girls (and the new nanny who is going to put out feelers for me - probably approaching friends of hers who are also want to move away from a nursery working environment).

A more relaxing afternoon making chocolate fruit (we'll make some more for you next week) and biscuits - we'll make some more for you as we will take them with us tomorrow.

Evening was rounded off with some toe-nail painting (or was it just toe painting - you be the judge: ).

I have just put I-B back into her bed having found her asleep on the landing! Photo to be posted in the usual place

Tuesday

Today Mummy was mostly attending a "stakeholder engagement" meeting about the future of local maternity and childrens' services.

I had much more fun at home with P-L and Thamu. We played with Duplo and arts and crafts stuff. When Mummy got home I greeted her with a glittery smile! We then went off to the Playbarn for an hour. At first I didn't want to go into the soft play but Mummy suggested I went in and she would time how long it took me to get from one end to the end with the big red slide. I don't think I made it to the slide, I was too busy making friends on my way!

I ate very well - polishing off lots of the chicken we brought home from the Christening and nearly two bananas! P-L and I were very good at bedtime. I wanted a Bright Bear the Pirate story but instead Mummy and started to make a list of things to go in his treasure chest: cotton wool and some glitter.

Now. How do I add a title?

Well today we have mostly been saying our farewells to Daddy as he flies off to Mexico on business. Come back soon Daddy...

We then went to see Nanny J and Grandad D and all the family. I had a nice sleep in the Bmer only to wake up in a busy house surrounded by chaos and mayhem. It's only a month since I last saw everyone but a month is 1/7th of my life so it's a long time to me and it took me a while to remember who was who...

The usual spread was laid out by Nanny J - mexican chicken (ooh the irony) or meatballs for main course. Mummy had the Mexican Chicken and I-B had the Meatballs. This was followed by the usual 24 desserts - all homemade (bar one) and all delicious. I nibbled a couple of strawbs and I-B tucked into the fruity pie concoction. Mummy had fruity pie AND chocolate cake - well it was right next to her. My Jar of pasta mush went down very nicely. Mummy was surprised as I voluntary opened my mouth for this - she didn't have to prise it open! Thamu had Mexican Chicken and something called Almond Ambrosia.

I-B spent the afternoon playing with the cousins and watching a bit of Pirates of the Carribean while playing with a pink power ranger - known to her as "your highness". Hiddy was absent for the afternoon. I mostly spent the afternoon rolling around the floor while Mummy and Thamu made sure all the small toys and bits of plastic were safely out of my way.

After a brief drive home I am now tucked up in bed and asleep (as is I-B) - my last act of the day was to dictate this (aaaah burble aaaaaaaaaaah eeeeeeeeeeeeeh) for Mummy to type.

Night Night Daddy. We love you lots x

I said I'd be back. Didn't I? anyway, after a brief flirtation with myopera and a less brief dalliance with facebook, I'm here. via the wii - two years since my last post and a new piece of technogeekery has found it's way into our lives. that and the bluetooth watch... watch this space...

SPONSOR US!

Isha's going to do a sponsored toddle to raise money for Barnardo's. If you would like to sponsor her please go to the following page:

www.justgiving.com/ishaboo

Go on. You know you want to.

Spazzy Mogs (Pt II)

This time it's Ringo. We have security cat flaps - after being woken up at 3am by 2 cats fighting (neither of which were mine) I decided it was time for paw-print recognition security. The mogs weren't happy with this idea so we compromised with magnetic collars.

Tipper's experience has been fine - apart from the time he got tangled up in his collar, poor little chap.

Ringo? How many collars has he lost? I lose count. I'm now looking into sourcing a bulk supply of magnets and collars. Where are they? Is he selling them on the black market? Maybe they're piling up at the bottom of the garden.

Still, at least neither of them have got stuck to the radiators or fridge.

My Excuse this time?

No excuse. Return to UK, Chrimbo, Birthday, Return to work, work-related arrangements, watching the Darkness in concert last night, setting up new PC. Any and all of the above....

Anyway, watch this space. I may post something other than a post about the fact I haven't posted anything (other than posts about not posting) for a while. Guess I'd better start posting post-haste.

My guide to Karaoke

Last night was the fourth time in my life I have indulged in Karaoke. I'm not the world's best singer, but I'm not the worst. I tend to save my bouts of singing for the car and for playtime with Isha. As my time in Philadelphia draws to a close, a few of us decided to use that as an excuse for an evening out. It was fun. My guide to Karaoke success follows.

Tip 1 Know whether you're a singer or a trier

Karaoke singers fall into two groups - those with fantastic singing voices, those who are prepared to try their best regardless. Make sure you know which category you come under and select your song accordingly.

Tip 2 Know your crowd

I chose to sing that Britpop classic, "Parklife" by Blur. It was a hit in 1994 and I have fond memories of my first term at University walking across our college quad (not as grand as quads in other colleges but a quad nonetheless) bellowing "Parklife" in a Mockney accent that Dick Van Dyke would have coveted. Alas, I'm not sure that anyone in the audience had heard of Blur let alone this timeless singalong classic.

Tip 3 Know your precarious balance between Squiffy and Slurry

Some people are natural born extroverts and will get up and sing/ dance/ perform at their first opportunities. Some people need a little squiffinss first. However, if you're too squiffy it's not going to be easy to navigate your way from your seat to the stage, let alone read the lyrics and ennunciate them the way your chosen songwriter intended. At the point when Karaoke has descended into all round singalong, the balance does not matter. At any other time of the evening, this balance is crucial.

Tip 4 Know the audience's precarious balance between Sq and Sl

A stone cold sober audience is a hard crowd to please. If you're too good, they'll hate you for singing so well, if you're bad they'll hate you for wasting their time. If they don't know the song, they'll hate you but they won't know why. If they know the song, they'll hate you because they wanted to sing it.

However, if the balance is tipped too far the other way, they'll be too drunk to listen.

You want them drunk enough to applaud anything and appreciate you whether you're a tryer or a singer.

Tip 5 Try it in a bar in a city in a country that you about to leave

It worked for me

First Words?

Isha has always been something of a burbler (like her parents, Suze and the blither badger.). As a very little baby she would frequently lie in her crib and burble to Whoozit- usually a surprised sort of burble.

Now she can burble in full sentences. Sometimes her burbles almost sound like real sentences. To her soppy parents anyway.

One morning she was happily sitting with us on our bed when she came out with something that sounded like "Real, Wow, Man" - I think she's been watching too much Easy Rider.

The other evening, we were walking along the street when someone in front of us said to their friend: "how you doing?" Isha promptly replied: "how you doing?" It honestly sounded like this!

The other night she woke up and was burbling away to herself. I was semi-awake but trying to keep this from Isha as she seemed happy enough and I wanted her to go back to sleep rather than have an added reason for staying awake. The next thing I hear is Isha, with a questioning tone in her voice saying: "Mama?" as she kneels up in her crib. Even at 2.30am I had to respond.

Message for Chelsea Boy:

Please can you direct all Spurs-related abuse to badgerblither. At least I assume it was you who posted the anonymous comment :)

It's a TORTOISE not a TURTLE



We went to Philly Zoo today - a good zoo, well run and laid out and the right level of focus on conservation.

One of my favourite exhibits are the tortoises. They are unusual-looking creatures and for a moment I wondered where Berilia, Tubul, Great T'Phon, and Jerakeen were. I then realised that I wouldn't find them since Discworld is carried by a turtle and not a tortoise. However, other people seemed to be confused and insisted on calling them "Toidells".

TURTLES and TORTOISES are different. OK so they're both members of the same family and I accept that the word turtle is sometimes used to describe various members of that family but why can't people read the sign and call them by their correct name? I mean, no one was admiring the Zebras and saying "look at the horsies" and yet they're both members of the same family. Maybe they were calling them horsies.

Need I say any more?

Why isn't it a pair of Diapers?

While getting ready to take my daughter for a paddle in the pool, it crossed my mind that while we wear a pair of pants, babies wear a nappy (or a diaper). Why isn't it a pair of diapers or a pair of nappies? Come to think of it, why do we wear pants rather than a pant. Why is it pantaloons and not pantaloon?