Wednesday, January 26, 2005

Is it just me or does anybody else think paying £30.00 for kids shoes is a lot of money. I wont even pay that much for myself.
Recently Matthew was seen by a physiotherapist for an assessment into whether or not he had dyspraxia. He hasn't, but he is very flat footed and has very low muscle tone, which is why he finds balancing and large motor things hard. As a result of this assessment, he was measured for shoe inserts and has recently got them. His current shoes were too uncomfortable with them in, so off we went last night to Clarks to get some new ones. You can tell they're expensive, as there are no prices on the shoes. He was measured and fitted. He has the inserts in and says there very comfy so I don't mind paying for them really, its just a lot of money for shoes that will be ruined in a few weeks.
Whilst out I bought Heather a doctors set, she loves it and has been playing doctors ever since. Her doll baby Bella has been having lots of needles in her bum. The rest of us have had our fair share of things prodding and poking us.
I have been trying to find activities for Matthew after school but it's not been easy. On Wednesdays he stays bedind in school for cookery and gardening club and he really enjoys it. We tried Karate but Matthew didnt like it so now on Monday night he goes to his first Beavers session and so far is really looking forward to it. Lets hope he stays.

Wednesday, January 19, 2005

Well Saturday was pure bliss.
I arrived into Liverpool city centre about 10.45am - my treatment was booked for 1pm so I had lots of time to shop and get lunch. It was so nice looking aroud clothes shops on my own, not having to worry about the kids (or Ian) being bored. After lunch I went to put my bags in the car and go into the massage centre.
Firstly I had half an hour in the sauna and relaxation room, on my own may I add. I have to admit to not really liking the sauna much but once I lay back and relaxed it was sooooo nice. There is a shower and drinks cabinet in the room also and CD player so I could have just stayed in there.
After the sauna I was taken into one of the treatment rooms for a body polish - very strange - it was the first time I have ever had this done. It was erm...both nice and not at the same time. The first polish was a little uncomfortable a bit like ahorse grooming, but when the exfoliating cream was used it was very nice.
This was all washed off me then we moved into a different room were I had to rather embarrassingly undress completely and have very, very cold mud applied to my body. A very strange feeling.
I then lay on the bed of the vibro sauna where a mud mask was applied to my face then I was enclosed in the pod with just my head popping out. The lights went out, CD player on, and the timer set for half an hour. I was woken when the music and vibrations gently stopped. I moved my arm forgetting about the mud, not for long though. I had to get up whilst the mud was cracking all over my body. I then prayed knowbody was out side my room as I made my way to the shower. As I washed off the mud my skin felt so soft. I sat for a while and had a drink before moving on to an aromatherapy massage to complete the treatment. I think I fell asleep during this as well. All in all it was pure heaven and I would totally recommend it.
So once again a very big thank you to my wonderful husband.

Last night I tried to do an audio post, as you can see it didn't work. I'm not sure what I did wrong but I may try again some time. The kids are fine and Ian and myself are finally getting the house back to normal after Christmas now that the Ian's office move is over and we are both at home together.

Thursday, January 13, 2005

Early last year I said hello to a new couple who moved into our close. Little did I know that less than a year later I would be hiding from their sister in my own home !

It's not that bad really. When they moved in the lady (L for short) was very heavily pregnant, and over the months we became friends. They are both from Nigeria and we both enjoy learning things about each others cultures. Several months back L's mother-in-law came to stay for 6 months to look after the baby. I would always say hello and try to make some attempt to communicate when I saw her outside with the baby. It usually ended with us both smiling politely at each other. As our understanding of each other got better we enjoyed our chats, the 6 months went very fast and we said our goodbyes.

Not long after that, L's sister came to stay for 6 months - we smiled at each other and L would interpret for us both. To cut a very long story short, last week just as I got in from work, still had my coat on the doorbell went. It was L's sister and the baby. She just walked in and said hello, then told me that L had said she should come and visit me - so she did! L is at work for most of the day so her sister is at home all day with the baby and they don't go out - she says its much too cold. She stayed for an hour and then went home saying she would see me tomorrow. Well she did, only this time she waited until Matthew was home from school so she could see him. Don't get me wrong I like talking to her but she makes me feel uncomfortable in my own home. She is always asking to help with house work or if any jobs need doing then tells me that at home friends help each other. It has got to the point that two days this week I actually came in and closed the blinds so I could avoid her. I feel awful doing it, but feel worse saying 'don't come and visit'. I feel sorry for her I would want company if I was on my own every day. But I don't want to see her every day.

Thats enough about that - what else has happened this week...
Ian moved offices, and as a result of that had to spend lots of extra time at work so we didn't see each other that much last weekend. On the Sunday I took the kids to see him so they could see his new office. I have to say it is very nice, the kids loved the fountains in the carpark. All is back to normal now.
As we didn't see each other much and as a thankyou Ian has booked me a mud wrap treatment for tomorrow and I am going shopping on my own for clothes for me. So I think I will have a very nice weekend.

Matthew had his first and last Karate lesson on Monday night. When we were there he seemed to be quite happy and even told the instructor he wanted to come back. Once we got home he changed his mind and asked if he could never go back. Not sure how to play this one - do we be the evil parents and make him do it or respect his wishes and stop going. Hmmm tough one.

Thursday, January 06, 2005

Well it's been a while since I was last here. Let's think what's been going on...

Christmas was lovely, both Ian and myself were off work and went back Tuesday just gone, so we had lots of time with the kids, which was great. Matthews second tooth fell out on Christmas Day, so that made things extra special, then when it snowed later on and he was overjoyed. The kids both enjoyed the day and so did I. I got lots of lovely pressies off Ian and the kids.

New Years Eve is my sister's birthday so we went to visit her earlier in the day then came home and we let Matthew stay up to see the new year in. To be honest I fully expected him to fall asleep half way through our game of Monopoly. Talking of which, Matthew was on my team and we played against Ian guess who won .... yep me. Matthew was delighted and he stayed awake. When we went outside he didn't like it as he hates fireworks and there certainly were lots. Heather slept through the lot.

Do you remember Matthew won the compertition in Ian's work to desine a Christmas card and part of the prize was to choose a charity to make a donation to. He chose Oxfam (or Oxford as he calls it). Well yesterday he received a lovely letter of thanks from Oxfam telling him what had happened to the money so hears what he got for the donation,
Two goats
One Hundred trees
Twenty chickens

Not bad !
Ian also received a letter from them as he sorted the donation it said that we should be very proud of Matthew and do you know what - we are. I don't think we could be prouder. Matthew is growing up to be a very caring little boy.

Me - well not much going on. Went back to work this week, we had a new girl starting - that doesn't happen that often in our place so I got to show her around and I took her with me to see what we do when were out and about in schools. I have had one of my kids taken off me and tomorrow I am meeting a new little girl who is five. I have to say I am looking forward to it as I love that age group.

Saturday, January 01, 2005