School Reports, Waldorf Steiner and Reception.

LBR has just received his first school report, and to be honest it was a bit of gobilly gooch! There were hundreds of ticks on loads of different categories. I wasn't even at school at his age,( we started the term after our 5th Birthday)  and he is being accessed on  Communication, Disposition and Attitude, Reading, Writing, Problem Solving. . .and on it goes.


Before LBR started Reception, he knew about 70% of his letters and to be honest absolutely no Maths. 


Like Steiner, I believe children shouldn't start school or academics until they are 7.


Steiner Waldorf
"Formal learning of the three R's does not feature in the Steiner EC curriculum in the belief that a child will learn these skills more effectively if he/she has had plenty of time and opportunity to develop socially, emotionally and physically first in a creative, secure, enabling and harmonious environment. The foundation skills in literacy and numeracy are laid through an environment rich in hands on activity and play and where language and communication are enabled through a rich oral tradition."


They should concentrate on life skills and socializing. It doesn't matter how intellegent you are, if you don't get on with people, you are not going to get on in life. 

LBR being a little boy. . .or a monster!










So I sit here looking at my (only just) 5 year old's report and wonder if they should be accessed so intricately. Surely at this stage in their lives, they should be playing and learning about the world they live in.  


It is difficult not to get caught up with it all. . ."what do u mean my sons fine motor skills aren't up to par?"  For about 5 seconds I worried and then I thought about his amazing  Lego creations http://reddslego.blogspot.co.uk/ and I realised that is a load of bunkum. He has no interest in writing, so refuses. It's not the lack of his  fine motor skills, but the fact he has his own mind. . .in my book a darn site more important.

Ryanair, Mallorca and So called Cheap Flights!

Only 3 more sleeps and we are going on hoilday. We have been counting down from about 40. LBR is VERY excited! We are lucky, we live about 20mins from Bournemouth International Airport or Hurn if you're a local! The flight fly's directly to Palma, so it's quicker to get to Mallorca, than it is to get to my parents near Huntington. We have an evening flight, so in theory the boys may sleep. (yeah right!)

I just wanted to have a moan about Ryan Air(I'm not putting a link to their website!) Not only did I have to pay over £80 to book with my debit card, but they also wanted £88 to check in a suit case.

I have dithered whether to take one on not. We know the village we are staying in. We can buy everything there. But stuff like suntan lotion, shampoos, mosquito repellent, are going to be extortionate. So it might end up being cheaper to pay the £88 and take everything over.

The Ryan air website also won't let me book in on-line, it keeps freezing. . .and to top it off, my printer won't work(LBL has been using it as a step to get on the sofa.) which I need to print the boarding cards off.

But I am not complaining too much, as this time in 4 sleeps, I will be sitting by a pool in the sunshine! Or more likely, running in and out of the villa getting, juice, suntan lotion, food, towels, cameras. . .you get the picture!!

Flatcoated Retriever & Bournemouth Beach

Its been a long day, It began at 4.15am this morning. I can hear you say " That's because you have children"  It wasn't the children it was the darn dog!

Finaly my flatcoated retriever, likes to catch sand and water. I met "The Husband" through this particular fetish.
Finlay made friends with a white Labrador who loves to dig.The perfect combination. The white lab dug and Finlay stood behind her and caught. A match made in heaven. So the labs owner and I used to have to stand around whilst they played. It was inevitable that  Mary and I became friends.

A couple of Months later Mary invited me round for supper as well as her nephew. . . . .who later became "the Husband"

I digress. My niece took the dogs out onto the beach last night to see the Olympic celebrations. The first of the Bournemouth fireworks. (my dogs are gun dogs and LOVE fireworks!) It was perfect hunting ground for sand catching,as the kids where out in force.

The conclusion was, half the beach on the floor through their coat and the other half due to poor Finlay being sick. (having swallowed half the beach and sea water) So that's what I was doing at 4.15 this morning! The day could only get better!

Zoobug Sun Glasses

Sun glasses (for children) "to buy, or not to buy? That is the question"

LBL with Moma's glasses!














The great people who design Zoobug  glasses would definitely say "buy."


I have to say "I LOVE their collection"

With a black front, red trim, an orange lining and bright orange tips these sporty, wraparound sunglasses not only look good but ensure that UV light does not get in through the sides. Temples feature bold laser-engraved stripes with a street wise feel

Features Zoobug's award-winning adjustable rubber tips allowing parents to tailor the fit to their child's face.
Comes with a Zoobug  case and premium  microfiber  lens cleaning cloth. Ages 3-5 £35

Aviator M04

Zoobug's Classic Aviator in luxe Gold with mirrored will ensure your little one looks cool at home or on the beach!

Hypoallergenic stainless steel frame with flex hinges.Ages 3 -7  Retail Price: £35

Part of the ZOOBUG MINI RANGE of sunglasses designed specifically for younger children, these styles are made from a flexible memory plastic and soft rubber. Now available in four bright, fun colour combinations: fuchsia/white, solid red/white, pink/fuchsia and blue/orange. Ages 0-2 Retail price £18

Sunscreen & Vitamin D

We are off to Spain next week, so I have started to think about what to take for the boys; lotions, potions and clothes. When LBR was small, I lathered him in factor 50 Sunscreen, put him in a sun suite, hat and was terrified a hint of sun might touch his precious skin. 

Factor 50 sun suite

I know the dangers of the sun, I know it can cause skin cancer, premature ageing and just damage your skin. So was I doing the right thing?  I have just read an article from the guardian which explains the danger of lack of vitamin D.                      

"Low vitamin D levels are responsible for rickets, a disease causing bowed legs in children. And now there is growing evidence that a shortage of vitamin D may make us more susceptible to other health problems, from heart disease and cancer to multiple sclerosis.

All of us in the UK are struggling to make enough, and some criticize dermatologists for their campaigns to make us cover our skin, seek the shade and coat ourselves in sunblock. Public health guidance does now suggest we should all have our daily 10 minutes, cream-less, in the sun, but the fear generated by skin cancer warnings lingers on.

But if vitamin D has become a hot topic, it is because of a growing belief that a great deal more is now at stake than the health of our bones – important as that is, especially in small children and the elderly. The blood pressure study was one signal. Other work has suggested vitamin D could be a powerful weapon in helping the body fight infections such as tuberculosis. It is recognised to play a role in the immune system. Some studies have suggested it could help prevent some cancers, but there is no clear evidence as yet. "There is a huge amount of work going on in this whole area of vitamin D and health," says Goldberg.

Perhaps the most dramatic hypothesis is that low vitamin D levels may be a factor in multiple sclerosis, the devastating degenerative neurological condition. One of the most powerful arguments is geography – there are significantly more cases at northern latitudes, such as Scotland.

Professor George Ebers of the Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences at Oxford University is one of a group of international scientists who believe Scotland's food should be fortified with vitamin D to try to cut the MS rate. His work on human genetics, showing connections between the inability to make vitamin D and MS, supports the observational evidence. "

So I sit here wondering what the right thing to do is? I don't think i'll apply sunscreen between 8.00am and 10.00 am. I will then apply a factor 30. Take them out of the sun between 11.30 and 2.30 then apply one more coat of factor 30 for the rest of the day.  But am I doing the right thing?

The Birds and the Bees & Boys Trunks!

LBR has been asking me "how did I pop out of your tummy?"  I decided with my children any thing to do with sex and their bodies,  I would answer as truthfully as possible and as accurate as possible. So I told him where he "popped" out. (if you call 35 hours of child birth a lot of medical intervention, popping out!) we then had a discussion on how painful it was and obviously being a boy he wanted to know how gory it also was.

The next day we went swimming. He went up to the first lady he saw and proceeded to tell her, "I popped out of Mummy's girl bits. I had a very big head and it hurt her lots and lots. It was quite disgusting because I had lots of blood all over me.  It was OK though as Mummy wished and wished for me and God let her have her wish. . .if you want my mummy can tell you all about it!" I declined that one and so did the poor elderly lady who was just putting her shoes on!


We are off on holiday next week, so I thought I would show you a few pairs of trucks from Hatley and Small Paul

Hatley Boys Swim Trucks

Hatley Boys' Swim Trunks - Wild Pirates

Have some fun in the sun and the water with Hatley's board-short style boys swim trunks. The Wild Pirates swim trunk features two velcro-close cargo pockets, elastic waist, faux-fly with tie string, and mesh lining.

Some thing a little different. 

Paul Frank Swim Trucks

Fantastic swimming trunks from Paul Frank in Red with blue  and white stripes and classic Julius the monkey design. Made from 80% polyester and 20% lycra.  Price £17.90

Mighty Oak in memory of lost Babies

Whilst walking I came across this beautiful tree. I don't think I need to write an explanation.

A Plaque commemorating lost babies 

The commemorative Oak Sapling

In Memory of Freddie

Remembrance Ribbons

In memory of the baby we lost through miscarriage.  "The husband" and I have a diamond on the inside of our wedding rings. (people who know me, often see me kissing my ring) 

Pinecone, Merino Wool Boys Wear

I have found this lovely clothing range from Baby Pinecone. They  are a "a merino wool clothing range for babies and children which was founded in Maida Vale, London. The clothes are very high quality, individually made from 100% superfine New Zealand merino wool and are machine washable. Merino wool is a luxurious, lightweight fabric which adapts to all weather conditions — keeping you cool in the summer and warm in the winter.

The collection incorporates timeless designs and subtle detailing, using a bright palette of colours with contrasting neutrals that look fantastic paired with other everyday fabrics, especially denim and cord. The clothes are simple yet stylish and perfect for keeping little ones warm without being bulky and great for layering. You won’t want your kids wearing anything else!"    I couldn't have said it better myself!

I found them because I was looking  to write a feature on boys jumpers. But after looking at their range I wanted to show you a few more of their things. . .they really are absolutely beautiful.

Baby Pinecone Pinwheel Hat

I love hats. These are really practical and they look fantastic and retail at £12 (a bargain!)

100% Superfine Merino Wool. Individually made.
The hats are available in blue and grey, white and grey, pink and white, pink and grey, pink and chocolate, chocolate and grey and black and grey in sizes small (0-1 year), medium (1-2 years), large (2-4 years) and extra large (4-6 years).
This hat has a great design and shape. Cosy and warm, they feel soft against little ones’ skin. The design also means that your baby’s face won’t look swamped, as its snug fit ensures it stays above the eye line! Pinwheel hats can be worn all year round, due to the special qualities of merino wool, which adapts to the body’s temperature.
Because the hat isn’t bulky, when it’s extra cold you can layer it under a hood, and in the spring and summer months, when you don’t want a heavy winter hat but still need to keep heads warm without overheating, these are the perfect solution. Perfect for newborns.
Machine washable at forty degrees and quick drying.


Merino Wool Baseball Jacket: Retail £46

100% Superfine Merino Wool. Individually made.
Available in blue with grey, grey with white, grey with candy pink, chocolate with grey, black with grey in sizes 6-12 months, 1-2 years, 2-4 years 4-6 years.

This baseball inspired zip jacket is a staple for any child’s wardrobe, it is a light weight jacket in Summer & Spring or can provide and extra layer in Winter without being bulky.

Machine washable at forty degrees and quick drying.

And my favorite. . . Retails at £29

Available in grey with blue, grey with pink, grey with chocolate and grey with black in sizes 1-2 years, 2-3 years, 3-4 years and 4-5 years.

 This is a great everyday staple, which looks perfect paired with most materials, but especially denim, cord and jersey. This top is perfect for layering, as it keeps kids warm without being bulky.

I think pinecone get it right. Their clothes are practical, warm and stylish. They really are absolutely lovely. . (am I gushing too much?) I will be getting a few of these items for my boys (I will show you the picture on a later post)

Twitter and Lego Creations

While I was trying to get pregnant with LBR, carrying him, trying to  get pregnant again and carrying LBL. This whole world happened that I have absolutely no idea about. I was out of the Media and Marketing for about 5 years and  New Media  errupted. Twitter, Facebook, Intergram, Blogging,.Pinterest, Google+ to name but a few.  (they are the only ones I know of. . .I suspect there are hundreds more!)

I worked in PR and Marketing, I was always a hip happening type of gal. So how did this whole world pass me by? I have a very good friend who writes Liberty London Girl. She has a HUGE following. Makes a great living (and is also super talented) I would talk to her and still didn't register how massive all this is.

Tonight I have been trying to tweet, well, work out the purpose and why people tweet. I have linked my twitter page to face book and this blog. . . .I am very impressed with myself. But now I have to work out what to do with it all!  All of a sudden I feel so old!

To make matters worse, or to rub it in.  LBR wanted to start his own blog. I have over a few months been taking photos of his Lego creations. He is really good, but more importantly he loves building things. So that was our theme. The blog is called Redds Lego.  He is a typical boy and has shown no sign of wanting to write as its "too boring" I thought this might be a way of starting him off and something we could do together. 

The first entry was written by me, but in LBR words. Well,  within 5 minutes of uploading the page. He had 24 views. By the end of the day he had 90. It took me 5 weeks to have 90 hits per day on this blog, it took my 5 year old 5 hours. . . . Feeling very old and slightly inadequate! 

A grey detailed round neck t shirt w




ith a union jack on the front and a tour detail on the back.A bit like a band

A grey detailed round neck t shirt with a union jack on the front and a tour detail on the back.A bit like a band tour t shirt.A good rocker look for the tough guy.We love it.Fab with a pair of converse and a chunky belt.
 tour t shirt.A good rocker look for the tough guy.We love it.Fab with a pair of converse and a chunky belt.

Parkfield School . .

Today has been a disappointing day for a lot of parents and students in Bournemouth. Parkfield school. a free school was due to open in September this year offering a all through education from ages 4- 18,  has been differed until next year. The really really annoying thing about it is, it was because the Department of Education let us down. They failed to find us a suitable site in the time required. Or more correctly failed to contact Bournemouth Borough council to find out about planning regulations on our proffered site.

This school was a dream dreamed up by forward thinking parents, with the get up and go to move their dream forward, for a  co-educational free school offering a fresh approach and choice that allows pupils to discover learning, unlock their potential, find their place in their community and play their part in society. It was to be an answer to all of our school prays!  

The Governing Body were not being paid. For 18 months a group of parents met on a Monday night to discuss the project, plan and then allocate tasks. All this was done in their own time. They gave up their weekends to go to Free School seminars, to distribute leaflets. They paid out of their own pocket the printing, the paper, the time. They recruited the headmaster, sat on interview boards, again giving their time for free. The Head was in place. The governing Board was in Place. The teachers were all recruited. The students had been notified.  The Dream was alive!

The school has been backed by the community. Parents were very, very excited about how lucky we were in Bournemouth and Poole to have this opportunity. They have been meeting up to develop the school community. They have set up a Face Book page Parents of Parkfield. The support for the school has been and still is amazing.

And yet. . .here I write telling you this story because the last few weeks became a nightmare, because the Department of Education couldn't secure the building and therefore has let us all down.  The governing body has been frantically trying to find temporary accommodation. But to no avail!

What is amazing though is the continued support of the Parents, the Headmaster and the future staff.  It really is "Batten down the Hatches" The Spirit that makes you proud to be British!

Parkfield School WILL open in September 2013. It will be bigger and better than before. It will open purely because of the amazing power of a Dream. . . (And a lot of hard work!)