Xmas goodies

Inspired by Kirsty and Phil and their Christmas parties, the kids and I have been getting creative.  We've been making polar bears and penguins for the top of our Xmas cake (OK the cake was shop bought but you can't have everything. 

If you want to make you own polar bear

We had some left over marzipan and made a Santa and pressie too.

Oh and don't forget the mince pie we made yesterday, they taste amazing.  Here's the recipe

Hope you have as much fun making them as we did.

Happy Christmas.

XXX

Xmas panto fun

Have some fun and let someone else make a donation.

Here's the Haines family panto or heres the full address http://www.worldsfastestpanto.com/?guid=23730f13-c384-468d-83bf-969947c61413
After you've seen us, make your own and post the link in the comments box below or email it to us so we can share.

For all this fun O2 make a donation of 50p for every panto made upto a set amount of course. The money is going to Think big

Birthday Wishes link

In case you subscribe to this blog you will have received yesterdays blog about My Mum's birthday. However unless you looked on the blog itself you would have missed the video. So for anyone who missed out here's the link.
Haines family sing happy birthday.

Birthday wishes

Tomorrow is my Mum's birthday. We had planned to go up this weekend but the weather has scuppered our plans. So I thought I write this blog for her.

I just want to say I'm your number one fan. You appear cool calm and most of all confident (even if you do then fret about it after). You talk sense and give great advice, even if we don't always listen.
I would like to say a big big thank you for everything you do, my sounding board, my proof /sense reader, my concious and my guide.

I wish we lived nearer so I could repay all your help to me, when I've been ill, or at a loss what to do.

We all love you so much.

I think that you have two more little fans that have something they wanted to say something to you.



Happy birthday Grandma XXXX

Bad hair day for Children in need.....

Kai's school decided on holding a bad hair / non uniform day.  A lot of time and effort went into some of the other kids hairs, some were spray painted stripes and pipe cleaner creations, but for Kai we just about made it look messy.  Mainly by gelling it last night trying to get it standing up right, then making him sleep in it, then more gel this morning.
Thought you might like a look.

Apparently Bad hair day = Monster face too.

Poppy Day

Last week on the way to a firework display, Kai turns to us and says

"I need to get a rose, so I won't die",

well as you can imagine this kind of took us by surprise but with a little probing we worked out that his school were selling poppies, and I tried to explain to him that they were to remember people who had been in wars. 
Now we don't do Guns toy or imaginary in our house, so having to explain war and why we want to remember people to a four year old was quite tricky, but he seemed happy with the idea by then of our discussion.

He got his poppy and today being poppy day I suggested he put it on.  Well Kai's uniform is made up of a polo shirt under his jumper so the only button hole is front and centre.  I put the poppy in and within two mins he wanted it off because it way annoying him.
When I tried to persuade him to keep it on for a bit his response was

"I can remember the people, without it"

I think this is something we should do every day.  Whilst I am greatful for those who have or do serve their country I wish for a more peaceful future where guns are not a children's toy and people respect each other regardless of where they live, what religion they follow and what colour eyes they have. 

I appeared in someone else's blog

As some of you know I joined a choir in Stone, about 7 miles away. I found them on Google on a blog post saying they were looking for new members.

Well last night Jamie who writes the blog,  came along to see the choir in action and take a pic.

To see what he wrote about the choir and me.

Yes I am in the photo, honest just right at the very back.

Mother and Son keyboard lessons from a book.

We got Kai a little keyboard a couple of years ago, he liked playing the demo songs especially Jingle Bells which was set to be the first one for some reason obviously someone wanting to punish parents all year round.
The other morning he brought it in and actually tried playing a song on it. 
Now I'm sad to admit but I don't actually read music or know how to play anything other that a few notes of the Eastenders theme tune on it, so went on Amazon and managed to get a Usborne beginners Piano book. 
I expected being a childrens book to find very simple instructions and just a simple few songs. 

We had a few spare mins while Alana napped at the weekend and Kai was so keen to play something, So together we read through a lot of information, we marked out the keyboard with the notes, and I tried to explain about crotchets and quavers.  The book even tried explaining about 2/4, 3/4 and 4/4 time but that went over my head a bit.

However at the end of our first session we both had played "Mary had a little lamb", which seems to have satisfied Kai's interest for now, but now I need to make the time, to read on a bit and learn for me, probably won't help my singing much but at least might be able to practice at home a bit.

Alana then got up from her nap where Kai and I had been playing with one finger, she comes along and was playing what sounded like chords.  She then moved the keyboard and was dancing round the room with it, so I thought you might like to see them in action.

Halloween 2010

Well we've have Nanna (my Mother-in-law) up for the half term week, and Mark took her back home to Surrey this weekend.  This left me an the kids at home.  So today being halloween turned into a very creative day.

We started by making the jack-o-lantern (something I've never seen or done before).  Alana loved  helping me to pull the insides of the pumpkin out but Kai wasn't too keen on the slimey feel of the seeds and raced off to was his hands.

I'd also bought some gummy sweets that can with gel pens that you could paint decorate the sweets with, which amused this kids too.

 Finally we made some Thomas (the Tank engine) cupcakes which they got to decorate in the afternoon. 
I brought down the bag of dressing up clothes and the kids decided on which costume they wanted to wear.

In the evening Kai decided that he would rather stay at home and give out goodies to trick or treaters than go out and about himself (although we did pop next door to show of my little cuties pies.)

As soon as people knocked on the door (and on a couple of occasions before they had a chance to knock) he'd open the door and hand over his pumpkin bucket full of chocs. 
He even invented a new word rather than trick or treaters he called them "trickles".

Kai kept his costume on until bedtime, although Alana wanted her's off much earlier.  I did like hearing all comments when he opened the door and was still in costume, although quite why the wrestler costume for Halloween I'm not sure. 

Can't believe that tomorrow Kai goes back to school and that's the end of our half term, we've done so much, he probably needs a rest.

Chester Zoo day out

Today, as the weather was still supposed to be quite nice we decided to go and try out Chester Zoo.  We arrived about 15mins after it opened, even then there were quite a few people in the car park.  We went into the Zoo and started to follow the recommended route.  We hadn't got far before we came upon, the monorail station. Of course this got Kai very excited, and my theory was we get on do a loop of the zoo see what there is to see and then continued on our route.  However that would have been too easy. 

Having just forked out over £40 for the three of us to get in, (Alana was free being under three) they still expected us to pay to ride the monorail and the boat ride.  But to top it off the ride was only half way round the zoo, you had to get off the monorail and re board (paying again of course) if you wanted to go all round the Zoo.  So we got on (feeling a bit cheated).  It was a nice ride, and great to see the layout from the tree top level, but it was obviously too cold for a lot of the animals as it took a while for us to see any animals.

The Zoo was well looked after, and the animals all had space and looked well looked after.  We saw the Elephants including a baby who was born in July 2010



3 month old baby elephant





I want to hold your hand!





We went into one of the indoor areas and found the Komodo dragon, who looked rather seeply.

Komodo Dragon

  We needed an ice cream break.  Alana managed to make it last for a very long, long, long time, but she was determined not to let anyone else eat it.

Ice Cream Break



A painted Rhino





A giant tortoise shell.

We had a great day out, saw a lot of animals (eventually), watched baby Elephant, Orangutans, giraffe, dear and a whole lot more.  OK the Zoo's a bit sneaky trying to get money from us at every turn with money press, monorails etc.but nothing that other places don't do all the time too.

They had a lifesize shell from a giant tortoise  for the kids to pose in, So Kai got in and Alana was sat ontop Overall we had a great day, and we recommend to everyone, with or without kids Yong and old, everyone would have a great time

Rudyard Lake & New clothes

Last week on Sunday afternoon we dashed down after football and lunch to another small railway line Mark had heard about at Rudyard Lake near Leek. (Kai's fascination with trains means the whole family spend many weekends checking out new railways, ideally steam but he''ll take what he can get).
The sun was shining and it was a fab afternoon.  We pulled into the car park and there was a train sitting at the platform so we rushed and got out seats.  Having paid the guard/ driver we relaxed and sat back for a lovely little ride along the side of the lake, waving to the people walking.  Our engine was called Escaliber, and there was a another one running the opposite direction called Pendragon.

When we got to the end of the line Mark got out and decided to "race" us to the visitors centre station.  He set off and thanks to the kids distraction half way of luring him over with a love heart sweet saying "I love you" we managed a draw.

We popped over the bridge to visitors centre for a drink and watched the boat leave before heading for home.

The next week I had to go shopping for something new to wear for an interview.  For the first time in a very long time I bought myself a skirt and top (OK I bought some thin leggings to wear under the skirt but that was instead of a petticoat).   I thought I'd share this with you as many of you won't have seen me in much other than tracksuit bottoms / leggings

Unfortunately I didn't get the job but never mind, there's more to apply for and I'm sure I can fill my time with Pippas Web - Web design

The Cat's Back and Kai's still Misbehaving

Haven't written an update for a little while so thought I'd do a quick one now.

Last week we were quite sad ad Buffey our eldest cat ( and first baby really) went out on the Friday night, only the second time she'd been out since the move and didn't come back.  She's used to having the luxury of a cat flap but there isn't one here, so the door had been locked, and we think the neighbourhood cats chased her off.  We saw nothing of her all week until Saturday morning, while trying to get kids dressed, I looked out the window and saw a small black cat on the fence at the end of the garden.  I sent Mark out to check and it was Buffey but she wasn't too keen on coming in.  She'd found a nice hiddy hole between the fence panels to our house and the one to the house behind, so Mark spent a lot of Sat trying to coax her out, she'd pop out for food then run straight back.

However on Sunday he tried again and managed to coax her further out of her hole and grab her and bring her in.  She was never a big cat but she's lost weight (maybe I should go hide out in the garden for a week or two see how much I could lose).


Kai's behaviour hasn't improved lately.  He says "I don't know why?" if you ask  him. (Same answer if you ask him what he's done at school strangely enough).  So having established that his behaviour gets worse when he's tired, we asked him about his extra classes at the weekend. 
The upshot is that as we'd just got to the end of the first four week block of his football (which is paid in 4 week blocks luckily) he won't be continuing with it.  Supposedly so he can have a lay in on a Sunday.  So Saturdays after Ballet we're going to have a quieter day????  Then we've got Sundays to go out or do something if we want, (after our lay in of course).

Just aside thought it was 10/10/10 this weekend, which brought with it changes in the energy.  Did anyone feel totally wiped out at all this weekend, (OK I know it's a normal state for me but any feel it more so than normal)?  I know Kai friend at school had similar behaviour issues to Kai over the weekend which he doesn't usually do, so perhaps this latest burst was just in response to this latest energy change?  If so roll on Ascension and Dec 2012

Pony Rides and Mood Swings

Today being Saturday we started with Kai's latest classes and ballet.  His teacher greeted him and said he'd done well last week.  At the end of the session Kai announced his shoes were in.  I'd asked the Ladies who deal with all the money when I'd paid his terms fees about them when we'd arrived but they told me next week.  I was a little concerned to find that elastic to hold them on was only attached on one side.  OK I know I'm dense but didn't realise I'd be left to sew elastic into his ballet shoes, my Homework for the week.

After a brief interlude into town we went to a craft fair at Aston Marina near Stone, there were a few nice little stalls, but not worth the drive over there for us.  The one nice thing was there were a few horses and Shetland ponies doing rides.  Kai and Alana got to ride in the little cart behind the pony.  Alana's welly fell off a couple of times and she slipped down trying to get it, luckily the man with them was keeping and eye out.  But the did have fun. 

The next stop was at the Fire and Rescue HQ, opens day.  I think it was about here we started with Kai refusing to do what we asked, generally getting in strop if things didn't go his way.  Like he wanted a toy police helicopter, I'd said no we got stroppy, I said what about a helmet "I don't want one of those"  ten mins later of please can I have a helicopter he gives up and wants a helmet, by which time I've had enough.

By the number of strops and yelling sessions we've been having lately he's obviously tired from school, but if we put him to bed earlier he just wakes earlier, so what's the point. 

This week, we'll try a week of going to bed  earlier and no sneaky late bedtimes.  See if we can persuade nice Kai to come out and play again, as we know he can be lovely manners (at school) but shame about what happens when he gets home.

Star Awards

While trying to load Kai and Alana back into the car, on Friday afternoon after school, the little girl from next door yells hi to us from the playground.  She told me that Kai had won a star award.  I thought it was just something she and her friends were playing, but on investigation in his reading folder I found a certificate.

It said

Star Award
presented to
Kai Haines
for
fantastic manners and following school rules

On investigation (probing Kai is quite hard work). I found out he'd been given this in class assembly, in front of the whole school.  They seem to do this every Friday in Assembly.  Wow how proud do I feel.  Well I feel proud and then I fell cheated because he's so good at school he wins awards yet home the rules are there to be ignored.

For a treat to celebrate we went ten pin bowling.  Kai has been a few times now but Alana had never been but she enjoyed it, and Kai was thrilled because he got a strike.  All I can say about my performance is say that I'm very glad that we had the bumpers up.  Considering Mark had been bowling with his friend in Worcester the evening before I ended up only being about 10 points behind him in the end.

What clever, well mannered(?) children I've got.

How do you know when I've written something new?

There are several ways of being told I've added a blog / post on here, some of you will see a link to it on facebook, or you can subscribe using igoogle or google reader.  However the one I think I've now fixed and probably the easiest to do is to add your email address to the box on the side and you'll recieve an email in your inbox to let you know.  (To be honest this post has been written for me to test it's working so unless another message appears saying there's still a problem then hopefully it should work).
Let me know if you want to subscribe but can't or if you have any problems.
cheers

New hair cut

New hair cut

I've even treated myslef to a new hair cut to go with our new life here in Stafford.  Although it's straight now, it's designed to allow it to curl as I just can't straighten it by myself.

Alana was such a good girl sitting in her buggy while I had my hair done too.

1st Days

Obviously new town means lots of new things, but the two biggest for our family were Kai starting school and Alana starting at Nursery.

Because of the move all happening durring the school holidays, we couldn't do much about visiting the school or even speaking to anyone about it as there was no-one in.  We'd spoken to the council who'd given Kai a space at Tillington Manor about 1.7miles from home (according to Google maps).  We were told the teachers would be in on the 6th Sep and the kids go back on the 7th (fab for them, short notice for us).  So first thing on the 6th we rang and arranged to pop over and see the school and meet Kai's teacher (Mr Tucker), he seemed very nice and the class was all laid out ready for the next day so we go a sneak preview.

That night Kai went to bed as normal.  But after we went to bed he kept coming up to us.  So I took him back down and he asked for a story, I explained it was late and we talked for a little while, I leaned over to kiss him and SNAP the bed broke.  Great, just what he needed.
So Kai had to sleep on the spare matress in our room.  So at least we did eventually get some sleep.

The next morning we all got up,  washed and dressed, had breakfast.  Kai looked very smart

There's only one market stall in Stafford that sells Tillington Manor school uniform, and that was closed on the Monday after our visit to the school, so his first day Kai just went in his polo shirt.    We took him into his classroom, found his peg for his coat.  Parents were allowed to stay for a few mins, Kai and I looked around at al the activities he could do and once he found the train set he was ready for us to go.  I couldn't stop the few tears, my little boy was growing up and I knew this was the end of lazy mornings, kiddie classes and Mummy and Daddy being the centre of his world.                                                                                                                  

We then had three hours to fill, so we went to town to buy him a school jumper, then had breakfast in Asda before going to buy him a new bed, which would be delivered on the Friday afternoon.

Waiting for him to come out at lunch time was an anxious time, would he have enjoyed it, would he have made any friends?, would he even want to come home?

He came out of school looking all disheveled, trousers undone (at least we know he used the toilet by himself ok) shirt untucked (well so was his teachers, so can't have eveything).  He had a certificate for surviving his first morning, some raisins and a big grin on his face.  Ok Kai being Kai we'll never know exactly what he gets up to at school as his super memory always lets him down when it comes what he's done during the day, but he'd had fun and wanted to go back, so who could ask for more.



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New full uniform



The next day he had his jumper, and while we were waiting for the door to open another boy in the class announced that Kai was in the same class as him.  Since then they've been inseparable.  They've already played at ours and us at their house.    

action shot

One week on  I decided Alana needed to make some new friends too.  So we went to speak to the childrens centre near to Mark's work.  They do a child care option, and had spaces for her to go  on mon and tuesday mornings, which will allow me some time for working on Pippas Web, and maybe even a spot of house work, you never know.
We arranged a few settling sessions, after all Alana's never been left with someone else without us or her big brother there before. 
We had a quick look round her new room and got the guided tour, with the plan of going back the following week to meet her key worker and seeing how she got on with out me.

Alana ready for her first day at nursery

So after droping Kai  off at school we went to the nursery.  She acted all shy to start with and held on tight to me, we filled in the paper work and eventually with a little coaxing she went of to bounce on her own on the trampoline. I think she worried the key worker that she was so clingy to me.
The next morning, she played painting in puddles and then I went out to the reception and she played without batting an eyelid.  When I went back in 20 mins later she'd been out side playing all the time.
Wed morning, I left her to it after only 10mins and apparently she'd got a little upset when they stopped play and sat in circle time (I don't think it was because she missed me, but because she had to stop playing and sit down for a min).
She's got some more settling sessions booked for next week, then the following week hopefully she can start properly.  I'm sure given a week or two she'll be bossing them all around, as long as she has fun that's ok.

Two holidays and a house move

This summer, to allow me time to pack, Kai went on holidays on his own to visit his Nanna first, and then he and Alana went to Grandma and Uncle Lee's.

We drove to Mark's Mum's convinced there'd be a scene at the end of our stay and that Kai would want to come home with us, but in fact he was thrilled to be stopping with his Nanna.

We'd made the mistake of telling him about a visit he was going to make to see a friend of his Nanna and her Granddaughter, and despite the fact it wasn't due to happen until the end of the week Kai start the usual questioning when we go to ......?

It was a bit strange not having him around for such a period of time (1 week) but we spoke every day ( well Kai's idea of talking to people).  However I did notice I was generally less wound up by him on his return which made me happier and I'm sure he would agree.

He'd just got settled home when it was decided that he and Alana would be going up North during the move.  We were waiting for our completion date.
I drove them to the halfway point at Charnock Richards services on the M6 arriving after Mum and Lee.  As it was the day before my birthday Mum had even brought some birthday cake for us to share. 

Unfortunately after we went our separate ways, Mum, Lee and the kids got held up in static traffic, thanks to the M6 Jumper (who didn't).  Even with the additional delay they were really good for them in the car.

While they were there they did things like cake making and Kai had lessons from Uncle Lee.  Kai even got a train ride. My Mum couldn't get on the train with him so she asked on of the train enthusiasts that were there, I think he would have appreciated it more if he was a bit older.

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Kai at the park



Alana and Upsy Daisy



Kai got a ride on the train, and made a new friend.



Lessons with Uncle Lee.
















On Wed 25th Aug after over a year of being on the market, we finally moved house.
The removal men arrived just before 9am, and while I was still packing around them we managed to load everything onto the lorries.  We left a few cleaning things behind so Mark could come back to tidy up the next day, then retrieved the cats who'd been locked in the loft, did one finally run to the dump and then away we drove up the M5 / M6 to Stafford.  We had to go to the letting agents to get the keys then make our way to the house where the removal guys were trying to catch 40 winks waiting for us.

They unloaded everything.  Our Divan bed and wrought iron headboard of course wouldn't go up the second set of stairs to the  loft room that we'd decided would be ours.  The number of boxes piles in the lounge meant you had to squeeze through between them and the sofas (which looked way too big).  So our first job after the removal men was to go bed buying about 4:30pm.  We checked several shops and several beds, we needed a flat pack one to get up the stairs but also quite sturdy to take our weight.  We managed to find one but it would be over a week till it could be delivered.  Luckily we had some flat packed single beds from the old house that had been in the attic there.  So Mark spent his first night setting the beds up.

That night I awoke at 3am and started to panic about the house and all that needed doing and got my self in a right stew.  So I went downstairs and started to right to do lists and a welcome letter to the new owners of our house in Worcester.
Mark got up at 6 by which time I'd stopped panicing he went back to Worcester to sort out cleaning the house, handing over the keys etc.  which left me to sort the new house.  Not too much got unpacked between phone calls to the agents about the stuff that needed sorting and calls from Mum and the kids, calls to say tradesmen were coming to sort the house etc.

We had a few days to try and get things a little straighter, the kids bedrooms and the lounge were our priority before they were brought back on the sat by Mum.  I showed them their new rooms.  Alana also had to contend with the fact that we had made her cot into a bed, something she hasn't had a problem with at all. 

I'm so proud of my brave children  they've been off on holiday with out me or Daddy, and have taken to Stafford life as thought they've always lived here.  Although Kai misses his friends, he's been busy making friends with the two children next door and at school (more to come)
So really all that it leaves me to say now is Hello Stafford, Bring it on.

Buying the first school Uniform.

Well with the move to Stafford on the cards, we have been trying to get Kai a place in a school ready for September, the problem of course is it's now August and the schools are closed for the summer.  I've spoken to the county council in Stafford and they've got him into Tillington Manor.  Having searched on the Web For the school, I'm still none the wiser. 

Because of the move we wanted to get some uniform sorted before hand and Mark had to go find a uniform shop in Stafford just to find out what they wear.  Ok so now we know the jumper has a logo for the school and it's Navy Blue. 

So off I went to Tesco's and bought some plain white polo shirts, and grey trousers (which we were also informed make up the uniform).  Ok as my Mum say's he does look rather like he's wearing his big brothers clothes, but he is only just 4 and  he only has his little legs. 

Whatever I think he looks quite smart, and he was really proud about getting his uniform and lunch box.  Still need to get the jumper, pe kit, reading bag and shoes, but at least we've made a start and he'll have something to wear on his first day.

Oh and of course Alana HAD to get a look in too.

The Blog is resurrected

Well if all goes well we should be ready to complete the sale of our house and move to Stafford in under 2 weeks.  This is a big deal not only because it's now 14months since we put the house on the market, and nearly 9months since Mark moved into the Dr's accommodation at the hospital in Stafford during the week.   But it's the end of our Worcester experience, (Mark and I are gradually making our way back up the country)  I was brought up in Hampshire, moved to London and then Surrey, then over to Worcester, now heading North (of Birmingham, lol)  to Stafford.

Mark knows his way round quite well now, but  the test will come when we get up there and he has to find all new places likes schools, classes, activities etc.  I see me developing a very close relationship with "Sexy Shaun" my SatNav.

I feel, we've been living in a kind of limbo for the last year, with everything on hold, waiting for this move to happen, and now it's almost here I know I'll be gutted about leaving our friends behind.  So I thought I'd try and give my non-work blog a another go, in an attempt at being able to share our new life with you all.  Feel free to leave comments, and I hope you enjoy.

Santander Cards

Sorry for not posting, for the last few months but ill heath, Xmas and then writers block have all got in the way.
However something arrived in the post yesterday that makes me angry.

I have had an Evans account / card for at least 15years - I think, with varying amounts of money owing, at any given time.
Last month I didn't make the min payment (£4) and when my new statement arrived I now owe two months (oh and a late payment fee of £12). I didn't make the payment this month as I was having to juggle some finances to get back within my overdraft, so this will really help, thanks, but not a big problem.
I got a letter, a day or two later from Santander Cards to tell me I missed the payment. However the link on the letter to make payments didn't appear to work either, so I put it to the side, to make a payment in the normal manner later.
Yesterday when I got in from a lovely day out I looked at the post and there was another from Santander Cards! Apparently my card is coming up for expiration soon and because they have a "commitment to ensure they are lending responsibly" they won't be renewing my card, unless I correct the status of the card. So for missing £4, I now owe an extra £12 and am branded as being unable to use credit responsibly!!!!!

In case you don't know we're trying to sell the house and move to Stafford, at which point I will need to go an find some work, so will need to adjust my wardrobe to get some work clothes. Under normal situations I would probably get some using the card. I'm so annoyed I would prefer to pay off my card and close my account. So how many millions do I owe them, that has sent them into this panic that I will bring their company down, I hear you ask!!! Well including the late fee, I owe a grand total of £40.

While I'm all for banks and money lenders finally being responsible for their actions and checking things like this, I do feel that an automatic letter (like this one appears to be, having been sent out to everyone who happens to not be in credit that month) ought to have some sort of limit on it. Santander have only been looking after the cards for a short time and they've wiped out years of contentment with the service with one letter. A little common sense people, especially in the current climate, where things are tough on everyone.