Boys Winter Coats

A friend of mine made a cry for help as she was finding it difficult to buy a boys coat that wasn't black, brown or BORING. . . .what a surprise. For regular readers, it is such a bug bear of mine. Why oh why are boys clothes so boring? My friend wanted a coat that when she walked her son to school in winter, he would be seen and not blend into the winter dreariness. Like many mothers of boys she found it very difficult to find anything suitable.

I found these lovely coats while trying to help her, so thought I would share them with you.

This fabulous jacket is from River Island

BOYS BRIGHT BLUE WAXED YOKE QUILTED JACKET

Waxed yoke, zip through fastening, three pockets and detachable hood.

Comes in Red, Blue and Black.

And the best thing is. . .it is only £30

If you have a little bit more money in your pocket, Barbour have a great sale on at the moment with their lovely Nylon International Waterproof Jacket retailing at £71.47. Still great value

For sizes aged 2-9 

• 100% polyester outer
• 100% polyamide quilted lining
• Machine washable
• Back length: 22-28ins | 56-71.5cm
• Sizes: XXS-M | L-XXL

Terrible two's and Time moving on!

For regular readers,  apologies  for not posting for a while. I have no real excuse other than for some reason my joy of putting pen to paper (fingers to keyboard) left me. I hope to redress this in the next few weeks, I hope with a renewed vigor!

A lot has happened namely my 2 year old has gone from a toddler to a little boy (sob, sob!)

Caterpillar is potty trained (except for the past 4 days, when he decided it was "funny" to poo in his pants) Mummy hasn't laughed much!

Caterpillar has also dropped his sleep, so around 5 o clock is a little fraught in our household! The terrible 2s has hit with vengeance. How can a quiet loving little chap, turn into a tantrum throwing little monster, who blows raspberries at you when you tell him off!

Caterpillar has now moved into LBR room and his room has become a playroom.

Caterpillar is now an absolute demon on LBR scooter. He has the grazed chin and forehead to prove it!

Caterpillar has now started African Dancing and LOVES it. How can two children be so different. LBR absolutely hates noise (if he isn't making it) He still hates music, singing, dance and yet that is all Caterpillar wants to do. LBR idea of Hell is Caterpillars idea of heaven!

LBR is now able to read, really well. In a year he has gone from not knowing all his letters to reading well above his age. It really is very impressive what a good state primary school and  parent involvement can achieve!

Past, Present and putting Ghosts to Rest!

I have just come back home after a fabulous weekend. It is only the second time I have left the boys for the night and as I left yesterday morning with both boys holding each of my legs sobbing that they didn't want me to leave, I left with trepidation.

I was meeting my old school friends from the old boarding school I used to attend. It had been 28 years since I left and so consequently 28 years since I had seen the majority of them.

I arrived at St Georges with half an hour to spare and just sat looking at the boarding house reminiscing about how unhappy I was there. I hated being away from my parents. 12 years old is rather young to be sent away from school. (unfortunately it was necessary as I father moved 5 times in 3 years) When under stress, I still dream I am there and am trying to convince my parents I shouldn't be!

I digress. It was a fabulous trip down memory lane.
We ate supper and knew we were not allowed to get up from the table until 7.00pm, when we ran like Billy Bob to be the first in the TV room, to watch Top of the Pops.
The Ghost stories,
The midnight feasts.
The crushes we all had.

The smell was exactly the same, as was the peeling paint, the clock and prep rooms.

The boarders sitting on the teachers head table in the Dinning Room.

After our tour around the school, we went back to hotels to change for a night of drinking, a lot of laughing and a lot of catching up to do. 28 years of catching up in about 4 hours!

A good scolding at Starbucks

We have a had a stressful couple of days, not helped with me having the lergy, which is like man flu, but obviously a lot worse. (Thanks Louise for that quote!)

I have walked LBR, Caterpillar and the two dogs to LBR school for the past year and a half. I have tied them up outside the school gate, without any problems (the dogs, not the children!). . . until now! Last week a busy body of a teacher took exception to the dogs and couldn't think of a valid reason why they shouldn't be there, the only thing she could come up with was, she thought it was cruel that they were left tied up  for 20 minutes. Yesterday I had another teacher say, "they were not allowed to be tied to the rail anymore as it was school rules!" I explained, I have 2 children and two dogs, you want us to walk to school as much as possible for my children's health, but are now pretty much making it impossible for me to do that. (an hour walking the boys to school and back, then coming home and walking the dogs for an hour twice a day is just not feasible) So they have just made my life a darn sight harder.

Caterpillar and I have been sorting his toys and took a load to the charity shop this morning. I thought we both deserved a cup a tea and a babychino in Starbucks (our local). A new member of staff was on and unbeknownst to me, made his chino with BOILING hot milk and filled a tiny paper takeaway cup. You guessed it. The chino was put on the table, 2 seconds later it was tipped  all over caterpillars tummy, burning him through two layers of clothing. They put a burn dressing on him and told me to lie him down. He was so stressed from the burn and crying he fell asleep, which left me sitting in Starbucks from 10.30 until 12.45 without a drink, a paper, unable to move, with a beautiful  little poorly head on my lap!

It took me until 12.30 until I managed to get someones attention, to get me a drink and a paper. 10 minutes later Caterpillar woke up, with a very sore tummy. 

Mr Independence

LBL went to bed a beautiful 2 year old and has woken up as a completely independent little man. . . .it is driving me mad.

Caterpillar, time to get dressed.

My turn. . . . .half an hour later (and a tantrum if I try and help) he still hasn't got his socks on.

Good Boy Caterpillar, for doing a wee in your potty.

My Turn as he picks the potty up spilling it everywhere.

Caterpillar, please get in your push chair

Walk

No, with have to pick your brother up.

WALK! A wrestle ensues with lots of tears and tantrums.

MY TURN! to do the safety belt up

My Turn, to undo the safety belt

My Turn, to push the push chair.

My Turn, to clean his teeth.

Caterpillar, I need to wipe your nose/ bottom

My Turn, well you can imagine the mess.

Caterpillar, I need my phone

My Turn.

No, it's Mummy's turn. I put it in my back pocket and whilst bending over, he pick pockets me and chucks it on the hard floor. . . .my 3rd I phone in as many months!

. . .and it continues.

Eating, making up his milk, bathing,. . . . it’s a battle field!

Dandy Dijjie

Dijjie have designed some more beautiful baby suits.  It really is a shame both my boys are way too big for them!

How gorgeous is the "dandy doo" below?

Dandy Doo by Dijjie

It comes in sizes    0-3 months, 

                            3-6 months, 

                            6-9 months,

                            9-12 months

and a snip at £20.

The Dandy Doo is super soft and durable. The playsuit, is printed to give the cool but stylish look of dark indigo jeans finished with a dandy red neck scarf.

It has an edgy look but with the practical benefits of a romper. It is nickel-free, with branded poppers on the inside leg for easy access.
it is also machine washable up to 40° to blast all those baby stains!

Its All Change!

It has been a very busy few weeks. LBR has started back at school, the great leap into year 1.
LBR doesn't do change. 
So heading off to school with 2 new teachers (job share) a new entrance and a new part of school(built over the summer holidays) it felt like we were entering into a new world.  The first few days we have had tears. The last few has been really bad behaviour when I pick him up. Its not easy for any of us!

LBL is in and out of "big boy pants" completely dry and clean at home, but as soon as we step out of the house, he forgets he doesn't have a nappy on. To be honest I haven't persevered. He now wants to go to "the loo" so hopefully he has now got over his fear of falling down it! So over the next few days we are going to take the plunge! I will keep you informed!

As you know LBL had his adenoids out in the middle of August. . . the hope was to give the poor little munch a break from the snotty nose, the fever, the headaches. . . .He has lasted 3 weeks and he is full of cold. Really poorly! They were unable to take his tonsils out, because he was too young. I suspect in a years time, he will have to undergo another general anaesthetic to have them removed. I feel so sad for him! i thought i would get a break from snot covered clothes!

Silent Sunday

Eyeing Excellence Everywhere.

There have been a lot of tears shed by myself and The Husband over the past few days. The children have know idea what is going on.

We are again hooked on the Olympics. All I can say is. . . . WOW.    I am so humbled. Life can be hard enough in the best of times, but these young people have looked life in the eye and wrestled it to the ground, kicked it around a few times and worked so bloody hard to achieve these amazing fetes and be the best they can be.  We are witnessing the best of humanity! We are shedding tears by the bucket load!

When we have managed to tear ourselves away from the Para Olympics, we have wondered down to Bournemouth Beach to watch the Bournemouth Airshow. Another spine tingling experience. We actually stood on the cliff top, which made us eye level with the Red Arrows. So armed with my iphone we took some amazing pictures.

Red Arrows at the Bournemouth Airshow

Last year  pilots Jon Egging  and his colleague  Sean Cunningham lost their lives. (Jon, whilst trying to land his arrow after the display at Bournemouth airshow and Sean, in a training accident)  The Red Arrows displays, paid tribute in flight to their absent comrades and to the heroes of Bomber Command. They flew in a formation of seven and once again included  a Phoenix formation, with Red 10, Squadron Leader Mike Ling, telling the crowd: “We miss them very much. This is our memorial for Egg Man and Sean.”  It really was a fitting tribute!

Morning Routine

Momma, Momma, MOMMA, milkoo

MOMMA  MILKOO.

LBL is awake

 

Bottle made, kettle on.

LBL quiet for 5 minutes.

Momma Momma its Time.

Pick LBL up, nappy changed.

 

Teeth cleaned, dressed. (me not him)

Momma, Momma, I'm awake.

I'm hungry, I'm Thirsty.

LBR is awake.

 

I want my Breakfast, I want a drink,

Don't you mean "please may I ?"

LBL  wont leave me alone.

Momma, Help me.

MOMMA!

tired mother

 

LBR please get dressed.

LBL don't throw that!

LBR have you got dressed yet?

LBL I have told you not to throw that!

 

Momma I've spilt my drink,

Momma, LBL has thrown his breakfast on the floor.

Momma can I have another drink?

Momma LBL is feeding the dogs.

 

LBL please don't feed the dogs,

LBR eat your breakfast.

LBL please sit down.

Stop shouting!

 

Momma where is my sonic screwdriver?

Momma may I have a biscuit?

Momma watch this.

Momma play with me.

 

Please everyone can I have 5 minutes to drink my cup of tea?