Saturday, August 15, 2009
Don't panic!
Alex and Hannah had me in stitches yesterday. They were playing at being fire officers. Alex had a lego boat and Hannah had a plastic helicopter. Alex said "Hannah quick, the boat's on fire, put it out!" Hannah replied "OK I'm lowering the winch down". Alex yelled "No Hannah! That's too slow! The winch won't work! Put the fire out now!!" Hannah yelled back "it's NOT too slow! That's what you have to do, put the winch down!" "No it's too slow!" "Not it's NOT!" They continued yelling at an over each other for a minute or so about winch versus no winch, with each getting increasingly exasperated, before Hannah eventually yelled "STOP PANICKING, ALEX!" So funny.
Hannah's bridesmaid duties
Pierre's brother Dom got married in June; Hannah was a bridesmaid. A selection of pics...
Alex helping Pierre be an usher. Or a 'husher' as Hannah called it!
Alex helping Pierre be an usher. Or a 'husher' as Hannah called it!
Family get-together
We went away in our caravan in May near Nottingham; mum and dad came too, and my uncle and aunt and Grandparents came over for the day. It was nice to all get together since Peter and Julie live in America. Sadly my cousin Claire and sister Helen were missing.
so long?
Good grief, has it really been 5 months since I updated this?? Must do better. News in brief: We're all fine, Pierre's job's going OK, I'm just about managing to keep up with my final year of studying for my pyschology degree, Alex's reading is now fabulous, although his spelling and writing still struggles; Hannah moves into reception and full time school in September, which she's really looking forward to, and Josie is growing up too fast!
Following a camping trip at Easter in which we decided that a tent and three small children is far too much like hard work, we bought our own touring caravan, which is fabulous! We've only used it for long weekends so far as our main holiday had already been booked, but we're probably going to take it to France for a couple of weeks next summer.
Following a camping trip at Easter in which we decided that a tent and three small children is far too much like hard work, we bought our own touring caravan, which is fabulous! We've only used it for long weekends so far as our main holiday had already been booked, but we're probably going to take it to France for a couple of weeks next summer.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Alex the superstar
Very very proud parent moment coming up...
Long time readers/friends will be aware we have worried about Alex and dyslexia for a long time - way before he had formal literacy instruction in school - for all sorts of reasons which I can't be bothered right now to go into (read back through the early year or so of this blog for more details). Anyway, he's been significantly behind in reading and writing compared to his peers. At the end of Year 1 (Summer 2008) his teacher told us he was a year behind, and said she shared the same concerns as us...but they can't assess for dyslexia until age 7.
In Oct 08 he was a year behind his chronological reading age - ie he was aged 6y 3m, but had a reading age of 5y-ish. By just before Christmas - he was starting to catch up a little bit, but suddenly stopped fighting us at the slightest mention of reading. By Feb half term - more progress - 6m behind. Only 4 weeks later - ie now - he's now *AHEAD* of his chronological age, at 6y11m. His teacher still says he's playing catch up, as he's still behind the 'average' for his year - but I say b*gger off!! He's the third youngest in the class, with a June 27th birthday, has been a year behind until recently, he's made 14m progress in only 6m...playing catch up, my arse!! He's a superstar!!!!
He still has some way to go in comprehension (ie he can read but not always take in what he has read) and spelling, but that follows on from reading, I reckon. We are chuffed chuffed chuffed to bits with him, and with his school for all the extra help they have given him, and SO pleased he has done so magnificently. We've gone from worrying like mad that he would always be behind, and always struggle at school, to thinking 'he'll be FINE!' and that is a huge weight off our minds and one of the best things we could have asked for!
Long time readers/friends will be aware we have worried about Alex and dyslexia for a long time - way before he had formal literacy instruction in school - for all sorts of reasons which I can't be bothered right now to go into (read back through the early year or so of this blog for more details). Anyway, he's been significantly behind in reading and writing compared to his peers. At the end of Year 1 (Summer 2008) his teacher told us he was a year behind, and said she shared the same concerns as us...but they can't assess for dyslexia until age 7.
In Oct 08 he was a year behind his chronological reading age - ie he was aged 6y 3m, but had a reading age of 5y-ish. By just before Christmas - he was starting to catch up a little bit, but suddenly stopped fighting us at the slightest mention of reading. By Feb half term - more progress - 6m behind. Only 4 weeks later - ie now - he's now *AHEAD* of his chronological age, at 6y11m. His teacher still says he's playing catch up, as he's still behind the 'average' for his year - but I say b*gger off!! He's the third youngest in the class, with a June 27th birthday, has been a year behind until recently, he's made 14m progress in only 6m...playing catch up, my arse!! He's a superstar!!!!
He still has some way to go in comprehension (ie he can read but not always take in what he has read) and spelling, but that follows on from reading, I reckon. We are chuffed chuffed chuffed to bits with him, and with his school for all the extra help they have given him, and SO pleased he has done so magnificently. We've gone from worrying like mad that he would always be behind, and always struggle at school, to thinking 'he'll be FINE!' and that is a huge weight off our minds and one of the best things we could have asked for!
Actress/Model/Whatever?
As soon as I got my camera out, Hannah was there, posing..."take a picture of me, Mummy! I'm a pirate! Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum!" (she really did say that..!)
"Shiver me timbers!" (where does she get these phrases from?)
Flutter those eyelids
Now then. I'm not a big fan of celeb mags, but any cursory glance over 'Heat' or 'OK' will show countless starlets on the red carpet. Apparently this side on, elbow out, hip out, pose is the classic red carpet flattering pose that you will always see the celebs doing. So - er - why does my daughter know how to do it? I never buy these mags, I'm a jeans and trainers kind of woman, and yet I have a 4 year old who can strike a pose, instantly. She's a diva in waiting. West End - watch this space...
"Shiver me timbers!" (where does she get these phrases from?)
Flutter those eyelids
Now then. I'm not a big fan of celeb mags, but any cursory glance over 'Heat' or 'OK' will show countless starlets on the red carpet. Apparently this side on, elbow out, hip out, pose is the classic red carpet flattering pose that you will always see the celebs doing. So - er - why does my daughter know how to do it? I never buy these mags, I'm a jeans and trainers kind of woman, and yet I have a 4 year old who can strike a pose, instantly. She's a diva in waiting. West End - watch this space...
Hannah's musings on picking up dinosaurs
Hannah: "Mummy? If you get a really tall person, what can stretch a reeeeallly long way, could they pick up a dinosaur?"
Me: Um..well no, because people and dinosaurs weren't on earth at the same time, so that would never happen (too literal for a 4 year old mind?!)
Hannah: Well - if you got a really tall stretchy person, could they pick up a pretend dinosaur, like what is in the museum?
Me: No, I think that would be too big to pick up.
Hannah: What about if the person could stretch *THIS* big (flings her arms out as far as they can go)?
Me:Nope, still too big.
Hannah: What about, if the stretchy person, could, like, maybe pick up a little flying dinosaur?
Me: (sensing this conversation will not end until she finds out a person could pick up a dinosaur!) - yep, I reckon that would work.
Hannah: OK!
Me: Um..well no, because people and dinosaurs weren't on earth at the same time, so that would never happen (too literal for a 4 year old mind?!)
Hannah: Well - if you got a really tall stretchy person, could they pick up a pretend dinosaur, like what is in the museum?
Me: No, I think that would be too big to pick up.
Hannah: What about if the person could stretch *THIS* big (flings her arms out as far as they can go)?
Me:Nope, still too big.
Hannah: What about, if the stretchy person, could, like, maybe pick up a little flying dinosaur?
Me: (sensing this conversation will not end until she finds out a person could pick up a dinosaur!) - yep, I reckon that would work.
Hannah: OK!
Josie the minx!
She's trouble, our Josie. In the nicest possible way, of course. She's got a habit of starting to do something she shouldn't (dangles food over the side of her high chair, about to throw on the floor...stands up on the sofa and starts to bounce...)...and she might only be 15 months old, but she understands 'no', and knows what is not allowed...so she starts to do these things, looks at me, grins, shakes her head at me like she's telling me 'I'm not allowed to do this, am I?" and then DOES IT ANYWAY! Grinning all the time. No respect for my authority, at all. Good job she's so cute or she'd be in trouble!
Caught red-handed emptying tupperware boxes out of a kitchen drawer
"What? These boxes? From this drawer??"
"Not me, guv"
"Yeah, OK! Bovvered?! I'm putting them back, OK!"
Laughter after tears - aka beautiful!
Caught red-handed emptying tupperware boxes out of a kitchen drawer
"What? These boxes? From this drawer??"
"Not me, guv"
"Yeah, OK! Bovvered?! I'm putting them back, OK!"
Laughter after tears - aka beautiful!
Hannah the insomniac
Pierre was called upstairs late one night recently by Hannah crying. When he arrived and asked what the matter was, she sobbed "I can't sleep...I keep falling awake!"
Friday, February 13, 2009
News
Overdue news update.
Pierre is still working for a corporate finance company in London. I'm just starting the final year of my psychology degree...two weeks in and I'm behind already (blame the snow/school closures and having kids around more than anticipated)! Alex is enjoying school and is starting to catch up with literacy - he's made 8 months progress in reading in 5 months, so although still a few months behind the 'average' is narrowing the gap. Hannah has just been given the first level of books in the reception year reading scheme, although she doesn't start reception until September, so she's a few months ahead of the 'average'. Josie is largely happy and placid and smiley - she has a fantastic sense of humour and loves to crawl away giggling her head off when she's been asked to come hither. She's just starting to walk - she can do a few steps in a row before falling over - so we're all pretty good!
Here's some recent pics of Josie...she tends to be missed from here a bit more than she should.
Alex put her in a box. Alex is always putting her in places. I don't think she minds, really.
This photo was taken approximately 11 seconds after we'd finished hanging the baubles...
Her first birthday. Not entirely sure what the birthday cake thing is all about...
Aaaah...NOW she gets it...
The aftermath!
Pierre is still working for a corporate finance company in London. I'm just starting the final year of my psychology degree...two weeks in and I'm behind already (blame the snow/school closures and having kids around more than anticipated)! Alex is enjoying school and is starting to catch up with literacy - he's made 8 months progress in reading in 5 months, so although still a few months behind the 'average' is narrowing the gap. Hannah has just been given the first level of books in the reception year reading scheme, although she doesn't start reception until September, so she's a few months ahead of the 'average'. Josie is largely happy and placid and smiley - she has a fantastic sense of humour and loves to crawl away giggling her head off when she's been asked to come hither. She's just starting to walk - she can do a few steps in a row before falling over - so we're all pretty good!
Here's some recent pics of Josie...she tends to be missed from here a bit more than she should.
Alex put her in a box. Alex is always putting her in places. I don't think she minds, really.
This photo was taken approximately 11 seconds after we'd finished hanging the baubles...
Her first birthday. Not entirely sure what the birthday cake thing is all about...
Aaaah...NOW she gets it...
The aftermath!
Hannah's huggles
Hannah came into me this morning when I was still in bed saying "I've come to give you a huggle, mummy. Which kind do you want?"
"I'd like a pink and purple striped one please," I said (see post below about the cuddle colour system).
"That's a reeeeally big massive kind" she told me, "is that why you wanted it?"
"Yeah! I always want the massive ones!" I said.
"But if you put that in your lung," she mused, "it would be SOOOO MASSIVE that your tummy might go POP! So I think you should put it in your huggle packet in your head instead and then it can go zzziip!"
What planet does my daughter live in?!
Hannah came into me this morning when I was still in bed saying "I've come to give you a huggle, mummy. Which kind do you want?"
"I'd like a pink and purple striped one please," I said (see post below about the cuddle colour system).
"That's a reeeeally big massive kind" she told me, "is that why you wanted it?"
"Yeah! I always want the massive ones!" I said.
"But if you put that in your lung," she mused, "it would be SOOOO MASSIVE that your tummy might go POP! So I think you should put it in your huggle packet in your head instead and then it can go zzziip!"
What planet does my daughter live in?!
Kids photo shoot
I took these photos trying to get a decent one of all three kids together that I could frame for my mum's birthday. It was a nightmare and nigh on impossible to get one single shot that had them all looking decent and towards the camera. However I think if you put a load of them together it kind of tells a story all of its own about the three of them. So here you go...
Snow days
It has snowed here recently. A LOT - well - a lot for the UK! The kids had four out of five days off school recently and we still have snow patches nearly two weeks on. It's made life a little difficult at times but the kids have had fun!
Hannah falling over - again!
Cold, but happy!
Sledging in a blizzard
View from our window
Night time version
Walk to the sledging hill
Hannah having fallen over...again!
Hannah falling over - again!
Cold, but happy!
Sledging in a blizzard
View from our window
Night time version
Walk to the sledging hill
Hannah having fallen over...again!
Tuesday, January 06, 2009
Alex at Anfield
Pierre took Alex to Anfield on Boxing Day to watch Liverpool/Bolton. At one point there was apparently a hotly 'debated' foul which went against Liverpool. The LFC fans on the kop obviously made their feelings towards the ref known...!
Alex then asked "Daddy? Why does everyone have angry faces?"
Thinking quickly, Pierre responded "Because the referee's blind, Alex"
There was a pause, followed by "Daddy? Which one is the referee?"
"The one in black running around everywhere."
"But Daddy!" came the horrified response, "How can he run around if he can't see?!"
Alex then asked "Daddy? Why does everyone have angry faces?"
Thinking quickly, Pierre responded "Because the referee's blind, Alex"
There was a pause, followed by "Daddy? Which one is the referee?"
"The one in black running around everywhere."
"But Daddy!" came the horrified response, "How can he run around if he can't see?!"
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Hannah's cuddle system
Hannah has a very complicated and well-organised system for doling our her cuddles. First - they are colour-coded. She has pink and purple striped ones, blue and red ones, white and silver ones, and just really any colour that takes her fancy.
Second - they are named. This results in occasional discourse as follows: Pierre - "Hannah, can I have a cuddle?" Hannah - "Nope! I don't have any with your name on!"
Third - storage system. These various cuddles are stored in her cheek packet, tummy packet or head packet.
Fourth - origin - she tells us she has run out of cuddles with our name on, or of our chosen colour, and that she will have to visit the cuddle shop "in America" to re-stock.
Fortunately, if you negotiate well enough, it seems to take a matter of seconds to visit the cuddle shop in America for her to re-stock and deliver your requested cuddle. Awwww...
Second - they are named. This results in occasional discourse as follows: Pierre - "Hannah, can I have a cuddle?" Hannah - "Nope! I don't have any with your name on!"
Third - storage system. These various cuddles are stored in her cheek packet, tummy packet or head packet.
Fourth - origin - she tells us she has run out of cuddles with our name on, or of our chosen colour, and that she will have to visit the cuddle shop "in America" to re-stock.
Fortunately, if you negotiate well enough, it seems to take a matter of seconds to visit the cuddle shop in America for her to re-stock and deliver your requested cuddle. Awwww...
Friday, November 07, 2008
The many functions of breasts...
Alex asked me the other day why some ladies have boobs even if they don't have babies to feed. I told him so that they were ready if they ever did have babies - and then whispered mischeviously "and also, some grown up men quite like ladies boobs."
He giggled, and said "do they like to jiggle them?"
I said yes, they do.
Alex giggled and told Hannah "Hannah you will have boobs one day!"
And Hannah, wayward child that she is, replied gleefully "YES! And when I have boobs MIKEY can jiggle them!"
(I should explain that Mikey is one of her best friends and the boy who she maintains she will one day marry. So she does have some standards. But still!!)
He giggled, and said "do they like to jiggle them?"
I said yes, they do.
Alex giggled and told Hannah "Hannah you will have boobs one day!"
And Hannah, wayward child that she is, replied gleefully "YES! And when I have boobs MIKEY can jiggle them!"
(I should explain that Mikey is one of her best friends and the boy who she maintains she will one day marry. So she does have some standards. But still!!)
Hannah's 4th birthday
I can't believe Hannah's four already. It only seems like yesterday I was posting pictures of Alex's 4th birthday!
We hired the school hall and a magician and let the professional take the strain - he was really good and Hannah had a ball!
We hired the school hall and a magician and let the professional take the strain - he was really good and Hannah had a ball!
Hannah's Peppa Pig birthday cake - made by me (with a little help from Pierre's mum)!
Auntie Hels looking after Josie 
Hannah trying to figure out how the magic was done
Blowing out her candles
Hannah magicked a real life rabbit out of a hat!
Hannah's musings on the capacity of small cars
Hannah: Mummy? Do you think you can get two seats in the front and two seats in the back of a car what is as small as a mice?
Me: Um...yes, I think you can.
Hannah: What, even a car what is as small as a tiny mice?
Me: Yes
Hannah: Even one as small as a tiny baby mice?
Me: Yes, even that small.
Hannah: EEEVen...even a car what is as small as a baby mice what hasn't been born yet?
Me: Um...yes, I think you can.
Hannah: What, even a car what is as small as a tiny mice?
Me: Yes
Hannah: Even one as small as a tiny baby mice?
Me: Yes, even that small.
Hannah: EEEVen...even a car what is as small as a baby mice what hasn't been born yet?
Wednesday, September 03, 2008
Holiday
We went on holiday to the West coast of France in July with our friends the Martins and their 3 kids. It was the most relaxing holiday since we've had children! We had free time! The older Martin and Clarke sprogs went off to the kids club on the campsite, or went off on their bikes, or pottered around playing nicely together - parents not required! Josie is still young enough to stay where she's put and play with her toys for a while quite happily. I read three books! Three! I almost didn't take any with me, thinking I wouldn't have a chance to read them.
Sadly I fear next summer won't be quite the same, with a spirited 18 month old toddling around looking for escapades - but I will remember this holiday very fondly in the interim.
There are far too many photos to post on here but you can see them here if you're interested - http://www.new.facebook.com/album.php?aid=46750&id=691416300&l=16b9a7f54c
Sadly I fear next summer won't be quite the same, with a spirited 18 month old toddling around looking for escapades - but I will remember this holiday very fondly in the interim.
There are far too many photos to post on here but you can see them here if you're interested - http://www.new.facebook.com/album.php?aid=46750&id=691416300&l=16b9a7f54c
Alex's arty trousers
Alex has decided he's going to be a professional artist when he grows up. He was so chuffed the other day when my Dad bought a dinosaur picture from him for 30p, his little face was beaming from ear to ear!
As we were climbing into the car to go home, Alex asked "Mummy, does one of my trousers say that I'm good at drawing?"
"Trousers? What do you mean your trousers say you're good at drawing?" - I answered, more than a little confused.
"You know!" he said crossly. "When there's a little bit inside of you which says what you're going to be like - like brown hair..."
"Ah!" I laughed as I recalled a recent conversation about inheritance. "You mean genes!"
As we were climbing into the car to go home, Alex asked "Mummy, does one of my trousers say that I'm good at drawing?"
"Trousers? What do you mean your trousers say you're good at drawing?" - I answered, more than a little confused.
"You know!" he said crossly. "When there's a little bit inside of you which says what you're going to be like - like brown hair..."
"Ah!" I laughed as I recalled a recent conversation about inheritance. "You mean genes!"
Laundry puzzle
When you wash a duvet cover with other smaller items of laundry, HOW on earth do all the smaller items manage to find the duvet cover entry, sneak in and wriggle their way all the way to the opposite end of the cover and enmesh themselves in the corners? They do all that while being crushed in a tiny space by their fellow washing machine inhabitants, rotated at speed and being flung against the sides by centrifugal force.
If a bloody sock can do all that, why does it take me about five minutes to locate and get into the duvet cover entrance and retrieve said sock from the inside corner with the benefit of being stationary, having plenty of space, plus of course eyes, two hands, long arms and opposable thumbs? I really hate being outwitted by a sock/duvet cover partnership. They shouldn't be that clever...
If a bloody sock can do all that, why does it take me about five minutes to locate and get into the duvet cover entrance and retrieve said sock from the inside corner with the benefit of being stationary, having plenty of space, plus of course eyes, two hands, long arms and opposable thumbs? I really hate being outwitted by a sock/duvet cover partnership. They shouldn't be that clever...
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