tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64467826211744662832024-03-13T04:11:11.803-07:00Busy SquirrelI love crafting and being a mum, hope you find some inspiration here.Catherine Flynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15726557834983247145noreply@blogger.comBlogger104125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6446782621174466283.post-7547184557087325902015-08-12T13:21:00.002-07:002015-08-13T03:34:15.441-07:00Day 27 - summer hols (thank goodness for water balloons!)Today was a good day! The plan was to take the boys to oldbury court park but we ended up having a happy day at home instead. Ellis watched a Tom and Jerry pirate movie in the morning and then decided he wanted to be a pirate, so they both dressed up and I filmed them both in their very own pirate movie, with four parts including the swing and the lounge as locations.<br />
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They loved it, well, Ivor was a bit bemused but loved watching it all back on the iPad.<br />
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Then they instigated their own water balloon play which involved a lot of soaking each other. All in good fun though, Ellis was very kind, a great time for the boys to bond playing together (and soaking each other!).<br />
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Then we had a picnic lunch in the back garden as I had already prepared a packed lunch to take to the park. After lunch Ellis watched two Sarah Jane adventures while Ivor and I looked at books. Then upstairs together to play while I put clothes away, then I got out the mega blocks to see if Ivor would be able to play with them, with Ellis. Ellis enjoyed it and Ivor did, but he's still a bit young to want to build stuff. So back it went in the loft. It was as good upstairs play though.<br />
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Afternoon movie, Ellis watched home alone 2. They both had sweets and hung out, then me and Ivor played diggers in the garden while Ellis carried on watching. After the movie, the boys did more water play in the garden and then we had risotto rice and chicken. Ellis didn't really like the rice unfortunately. We played hoopla together as a team, then found some caterpillars, then it was bedtime.<br />
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So all in all a good day. I put to bed my wish to meet up with people and instead just surrendered to being at home. I decided to look at it from the point of view of it being a day for Ellis and Ivor to spend time bonding with each other as brothers. The movie helped, and Ellis getting Ivor South of the tree helped too. He'd got his head stuck between some branches!Catherine Flynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15726557834983247145noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6446782621174466283.post-22935477780729530722015-08-11T13:36:00.001-07:002015-08-11T13:36:46.170-07:00Day 26 - Summer hols (park)Today was not our best day! Today was one of those days I wished someone would call me up and invite me over, but no one ever does. I invite play dates, I host people. But i just get the feeling sometimes the favour doesn't get returned, and then I just feel flat. I wanted it to be a good day for Ellis and Ivor. I did try, but it was with a heaviness today that I sometimes carry around when I wish Ellis had a play friend who really matched his zaniness and imagination. We went to poundland and bought water pistols, then I set up a water gun fight with Ellis and Ivor against me. They enjoyed that! We made gingerbread biscuits then went to the park to meet up with fran and boys. Thank goodness for Fran! Unfortunately, Ravi didn't want to play guns with Ellis, he wanted to play tag with his older brothers and their friend. So Ellis was left with no one to play with. We tried asking Ravi but you can't make a kid play! Ellis was disappointed and so was I. So we went home. <div>
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After feeling low for a while and letting Ellis watch Sarah Jane adventures while I read to Ivor, I picked myself up and made the best of the the rest of the day. We played water gun fights, threw water balloons, put the water slide on and filled the paddling pool. The kids enjoyed the afternoon. </div>
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Errol came home and did more water balloons and water gun fights which was great too. I love my husband. He knows when I've had a hard day. The thing that makes me happiest is seeing Ellis play in full flow. I didn't achieve that today but at least Ellis and Ivor bonded over the water play. That was an achievement. </div>
Catherine Flynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15726557834983247145noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6446782621174466283.post-15255773979859118632015-08-10T13:29:00.001-07:002015-08-10T13:29:30.100-07:00Day 25 - Summer hols (@ Bristol)Good day for the boys! After starting the day wondering what on earth I was going to do with the kids all day, thank goodness fran got in touch. She really saved me! Ellis went for play with Ravi so I managed to get shopping done, a bit of work and read the gas and electricity meter. Whooo get me! Ivor and I picked up Ellis and brought Ravi back with us. Then I took us all to @ Bristol with a packed lunch and met Fran the kids there. Lunch together in the picnic area then off to explore. I lost fran for ages, but made sure I kept my eye on Ellis and Ivor. They played, ran around etc etc. it was exhausting, and very buSt and hot. But they enjoyed it! Caught up with Fran. They watched a weather show, and then we made our ways home. Ravi came for dinner. The boys played well which was nice to see. Ivor watched some telly because he kept throwing stuff at Ellis and Ravi.<br />
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Today was totally exhausting. Am very glad to have at last had a bath and some time to myself.Catherine Flynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15726557834983247145noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6446782621174466283.post-46053450301451110082015-08-10T13:23:00.002-07:002015-08-10T13:23:37.208-07:00Day 24 - Summer Hols (cinema visit)Errol and Ellis went to see the movie 'inside out' while Ivor and I wandered around the shops. Ivor was ok for a while then protested about any clothes shop I tried to venture into, so I gave up and we did our best to enjoy the mall while waiting for the movie to finish!<br />
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We visited Blaise castle park after the movie as its on the way home. Ivor did brilliantly with his climbing skills. Ellis had a bad leg but managed to climb on everything! They still spent most time on the swings, their favourite thing. Both Errol and I feeling tired today. I was glad to get home, felt cold and tired in the park. Anyway, at least the kids had a good run around. Home for late lunch. Errol cooked Sunday dinner while I researched instant pot recipes, Ellis was on the kindle and Ivor was asleep.<br />
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Lots of crying from Ivor when he woke up, he hates waking up from naps these days! Lovel Sunday dinner. Errol ate too much as usual!Catherine Flynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15726557834983247145noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6446782621174466283.post-49207792911313049242015-08-08T12:35:00.001-07:002015-08-08T12:35:32.586-07:00Day 23 - Summer Hols (Saturday, a lovely day, Pizza Express in the sun)Yay, a great day had by all! We caught the boat from The Cottage into town. The kids got into their swimming costumes and played in the water, first the steps, then the fountains and then finally by At Bristol. Very hot day. They played until they were hungry then we went for lunch at Pizza Hut with our Sainsbury vouchers. What a treat! Then we caught the boat home, had cake in the garden and Ellis watched Sarah Jane Adventures while Ivor slept. We had a bit of time out. Then pimms snacky dinner for the kids followed by a bit of balloon spotting in the front garden for the Balloon Fiesta. Errol is now snoring on the sofa!<br />
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<br />Catherine Flynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15726557834983247145noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6446782621174466283.post-21913290859253847662015-08-08T12:26:00.000-07:002015-08-08T12:26:14.072-07:00Day 22 - Summer Hols (playdate with Ivor)We met Cara and Ivor and Nora down the park so Ellis could have a play with his friend from school. It was already hot in the morning, lovely weather. Ivor enjoyed a kick around with the football, swinging around on the big boy swing down the other end of the park. We were there for two hours, left at midday! So a morning of activity followed by an afternoon of a whole lot of not much. I felt a bit washed out and ended up flaking out on the sofa as Errol came home at lunch time. Ellis watched Home Alone on the telly as he was tired as well from yesterday's drive as well as a morning in the sun. Ivor lay down with me for a bit, ate for a bit, generally milled around. He was tired too. We tried going to the library but it was closed. I eventually went at 4pm and got some new books for Ellis and Ivor, then to Aldi to get some salad. I have to shop when I can as Ellis hates going to the supermarket!Catherine Flynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15726557834983247145noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6446782621174466283.post-28237846127295392942015-08-08T12:21:00.001-07:002015-08-08T12:21:28.305-07:00Day 21 - Summer Hols (Nana's funeral)We drove to the seafront and examined pebbles, collected pebbles, threw pebbles, then visited the RNLI shop. Ellis got some rock, so Ivor had to have some rock. Then it was time to drive to the funeral. Difficult time, Ady read an amazing eulogy written by Dad. Errol took the kids to the park while I was there. We all got together afterwards in the Twelve Knights which was lovely. Great to speak to family, especially Chloe and Mark. Ellis was initially shy with family, but then after a lemonade he got into his stride and ended up using his shark toy to annoy everyone. Ivor ate and ate and ate and ate some more. We stopped off at the services on the way home for Burger King, the easiest food on the go for kids unfortunately.Catherine Flynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15726557834983247145noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6446782621174466283.post-78738339192403391442015-08-05T12:56:00.002-07:002015-08-05T12:56:47.476-07:00Day 20 - Summer hols (surviving Sooty!)We did it - we made it through Brean Leisure Park and back out again. What a place! Thank goodness the kids liked it, so it was worth it! :-) Ellis and Ivor finally met Sweep, then Sooty and Richard. And after the long wait, yes it was worth it. Richard Cadell was really nice. Ellis and Ivor gave him some pictures they had drawn, and he took the time to look at them. Which was considerate of him considering the long queue of people all waiting for their meet and greet!<br />
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Hilarious photo of Richard doing his best pose while Ellis tries to persuade a very reluctant Ivor to join in the photo shoot!! Here's the final shot:<br />
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I know that Brean Leisure Park is a soulless place, and there were moments, many of them, where I thought, what on earth am I doing here. But the kids are going through a Sooty phase, and they did enjoy meeting the characters. So to sum up the day in one sentence....never again, but I'm glad we did it.</div>
<br />Catherine Flynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15726557834983247145noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6446782621174466283.post-51995069685574160742015-08-04T14:43:00.000-07:002015-08-04T14:43:05.557-07:00Day 19 - summer hols (Visits from Sarah, Alys, Sally)Ellis never wants to go out, so today I honoured that request and we stayed in all day. I find it difficult to stay in, not so much when it's hot and we are out in the garden, but on days when it's a bit more overcast and we are all rattling around inside. Ellis seems to love it though! I said we could stay in as long as we didn't watch telly, so we started the day off like that. Kids played... There's a constant tussle over toys, when Ellis picks up anything Ivor immediately wants it, cue arguments, crying etc etc. it's hard work having them at home together all day. I'm balancing the apple cart all day long! I can't think of one particular thing they did consistently all day long. I keep the mantra in my head going, let them be bored, let them be bored, in the hope that they will make their own play..sometimes it works but sometimes it doesn't, as Ivor ends up annoying Ellis or Ellis ends up annoying Ivor. Nice play in the front garden in the afternoon. Bubbles, kicking the ball, Ivor riding around on his little red car. TV ended up going on at 4 o'clock for a bit but then off again.<br />
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Sarah came to visit with Alys late morning, and Sally came to visit in the afternoon. It was nice to have visitors, helped break up the day.Catherine Flynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15726557834983247145noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6446782621174466283.post-17172947374068293732015-08-03T14:02:00.002-07:002015-08-03T14:02:43.753-07:00Day 18 - Summer hols (Portishead swim & park)We trundled off to Portishead for another swim visit together. Ellis didn't want to go initially, he just wants to stay at home full stop! But that would drive me insane... Anyway, when we were on our way he had changed his mind and wanted to go. By the end, Ellis didn't want to leave the pool and Ivor kept asking for food and towel! Ellis makes friends very easily, he played with two different boys and had loads of fun on the slides. Ivor loved the slides too. We were there for around two hours so a very long play. I managed to keep Ivor going with ginger biscuits hidden in the locker. After swimming we went to the park. Ellis made friends again and played zomie destruction with them and some of his birthday toys. Ivor and I hung out together while he played. We all had ice lollies then back home. Ivor fell asleep on the way home, so while Ellis watched Sarah Jane adventures and Ivor slept, I manged to do a little bit of work. Then cooked coca cola chicken for dinner. And manged to squeeze in cooking a quick veg and quorn stir fry for Errol. It's pretty much non stop all day. I did get some stuff to the charity shop though so got some more decluttering done.<br />
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I keep feeling like I should be making the summer holiday have some kind of long lasting amazing memories for my kids, full of freedom, play, etc etc. I don't know if I'm really achieving that. At least, not in the way I wish it could be. Like it was when I was growing up. But then, seriously, what was I doing when I was six?! I feel reassured by a survey I read recently that says children list playing in parks and in their garden as their favourite things to do in the summer. We are doing a lot of that!<br />
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Before dinner, Ellis and Ivor hung out in the garden, playing with water pistols and swinging on their nest swing.Catherine Flynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15726557834983247145noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6446782621174466283.post-12003126655026900632015-08-02T13:24:00.000-07:002015-08-02T13:24:05.792-07:00Day 16 - summers obols,(Mansi family bbq)Bbq.Catherine Flynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15726557834983247145noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6446782621174466283.post-17326333320094426682015-08-02T13:23:00.002-07:002015-08-08T12:45:56.986-07:00day 15 - summer hols, water slide<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Water slide day. Making gingerbread men, chicken in coca cola and tomatoes for dinner. No water slide photos as I don't publish naked photos! </div>
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Catherine Flynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15726557834983247145noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6446782621174466283.post-65842477907768769622015-08-02T13:23:00.000-07:002015-08-02T13:23:01.878-07:00Day 14 - summer holiday, play date with samSam came to visit,Catherine Flynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15726557834983247145noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6446782621174466283.post-58305755018829878602015-08-02T13:21:00.001-07:002015-08-02T13:21:13.443-07:00Day 13 - summer hols (relaxing at home)Errol back at work. Day at home relaxing after our hols. Ellis shared his chocolates from Orlando and India, so I said I'd buy him a bag of eclairs as he was so good at sharing. So we went to sainsbury to buy them. Watched a movie in the afternoon.Catherine Flynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15726557834983247145noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6446782621174466283.post-13018291935131779392015-08-02T13:16:00.004-07:002015-08-08T13:07:30.171-07:00Day 12 - summer hols (legoland day 2)Another great day had by all! Much more relaxing on day two. Ellis and I went on the water ride which was fun. Up in the balloon as well for all of us which Ivor loved. Watching the pirate show with icecreams. Ellis and Ivor both behaved so well on both days, not too much tiredness, lots of enthusiasm! Long drive home.<br />
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Catherine Flynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15726557834983247145noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6446782621174466283.post-39520248422861841662015-08-02T13:16:00.001-07:002015-08-08T13:02:37.883-07:00Day 11 - summer hols (legoland day one)Great day had by all! Lots of rides, Ellis very brave, went on everything he could including the roller coaster. Cafe Rouge in the evening for dinner, lovely experience eating together. It's been a long time coming, being able to eat out together as a family without feeling stressed!<br />
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Catherine Flynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15726557834983247145noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6446782621174466283.post-69332616309563708592015-08-02T13:15:00.000-07:002015-08-08T13:08:39.567-07:00Day 10 - summer hols, ( Ellis's 'birthday' travel windsor)Up early, Ellis opening birthday presents. The power ranger key phone was his 'first best present'!<br />
Travel to Windsor, via the science centre. Great place to stop off. Pizza express opposite the castle for dinner. Ellis made friends with two kids at the table opposite. We applauded the chefs before leaving. Lots of bouncing on the bed by Ellis and Ivor.<br />
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<br />Catherine Flynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15726557834983247145noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6446782621174466283.post-9021022067339219202015-07-29T13:59:00.001-07:002015-07-29T14:00:16.647-07:00Day 9 - Summer Hols (Upfest Lollygate)What did we do on Saturday - I have absolutely no idea!! Oh I remember now - Errol drove to Manchester to play a gig. What a >>>>>!!! So me and the kids at home alone, again, going to a local festival without Errol - again. Bleuaghgh. It took some persuading to get Ellis out of the house - always does when he's at home on the hols. I managed to persuade him by tempting him with the opportunity to draw on a huge doodle wall. We made our way to the Tobacco Factory only to find that there seemed to be no doodle wall for Upfest - well we couldn't find it to begin with. After much searching by a steward she finally confirmed that, yes, that wall over there is for drawing on. It was completely white, undrawn on, with not a kid in sight... and no pens! The biggest graffiti festival in Europe, one big white wall and nothing to draw on it with. Good thing I brought some sharpies with me. Ellis drew a tardis and Ivor scribbled everywhere in bright pink! So good so far.<br />
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Then we bought some healthy icelollies. Distaster! They cost £1.50 each. Ellis didn't like the first one, so I bought him another one. He didn't like the second one, so then he cried. So I bought him a brownie which he chose. He didn't like that either. Four quid down and one crying child saying "This is my worst day ever", meanwhile, Ivor has eaten his ice lolly and is now making his way through the rejected brownie. Looking grubbier by the second! Crying all down North St. I couldn't bear to buy him Mr. Freeze from McCalls! We finally came to an arrangement whereby I bought him some popping candy for 30p. Phew. That was it. That was Upfest. We got out of there and went home to hang out in our peaceful garden. Was very glad to get home.Catherine Flynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15726557834983247145noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6446782621174466283.post-15900961949802429462015-07-29T13:44:00.000-07:002015-07-29T13:46:49.368-07:00Day 8 - surviving Summer hols (play date)Max and Rufus and Rachel came over at 11am for a play. They had a great time, Rachel brought two pizzas which went down very well! After two episodes of Odd Squad, food and muffins, the boys crashed and zonked out in the den. Ellis wanted to carry on playing but Max and Rufus were tired. When they left after lunch, Ellis was really upset, he wanted them to stay for longer - he's used to them staying for a long play I think. I hope we manage to see them again over the Summer as he thinks they are his best friends. I just wish he had friends like I did when I was young - friends he saw all the time and built up a great friendship with. But I think that's sometimes comes down to the luck of the draw - who's in your street, if you have cousins nearby. I think perhaps I need to get on with organising the playing out sessions, maybe we could then find some friends who are really local, who he could see more regularly. He does like Joel who's a bit older. I'll have to send their mum a text and see if he's about for a play.<br />
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I think we watched a movie in the afternoon. I can't quite remember!Catherine Flynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15726557834983247145noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6446782621174466283.post-84207822271434035752015-07-23T13:05:00.001-07:002015-07-23T13:05:33.828-07:00DAY 7 - Summer Hols (The Castle Park magpie...)<div style="text-align: justify;">
Today was a good day. Ravi, Vikram and Veejay came over from nine till twelve as a favour to Fran. It was great to have them all over. They played really well together. There was lots of playmobil play, reading Harry Potter, swinging on the swings, Ellis and Ravi fighting baddies, playing in the bedroom, watching just one episode of Odd Squad then out in the garden on the swings. </div>
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Ivor enjoyed getting into a bit of everything, but then Ellis didn't want him playing in his bedroom, so he watched a good bit of Cbeebies which unfortunately he seems to love at the moment. He loves asking for Mr. Tumble and Peppa Pig! We made dalek and sontar biscuits which Veejay helped with, and they ate the whole lot! </div>
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After the boys left, I took Ellis and Ivor to MacDonalds for a treat. They loved playing the floor game, and Ellis made friends with a little girl. They waved goodbye to each other through the window, and Ivor too. Then we drove to Castle Park where the boys scootered to the play area, and played for ages. Ellis made a friend and played chase while I spent the whole time catching Ivor who liked jumping from heights. </div>
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I spotted a tent on one of the nearby hills and got Ellis to take some food over. Unfortnately he tripped over a tent peg and the man came out to see what was going on. He invited us all over to show us his little magpie which he feeds dog food. He's nursing it back to health it as it was injured. It looked quite happy sitting on his arm. Then we went to find some more people who might need food. Ellis left a can of food and some biscuits next to a sleeping man so he'd have a surprise when he woke up. Then we found one more man who Ellis gave the rest of our food to. I'm hoping giving food will have an influence on Ellis in some way.</div>
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We got home about four o'clock. Just enough time for a bit of Sarah Jane Adventures then spaghetti bolognese for tea. </div>
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<br />Catherine Flynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15726557834983247145noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6446782621174466283.post-40003964313660347872015-07-22T11:57:00.001-07:002015-08-08T12:49:19.604-07:00DAY 6 Summer hols (Portishead swim and Muscaty visit)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Today was a good day! As it was Wednesday we went treasure hunting in peoples' recycling boxes in the morning and came back with treasure to make things out of. Ellis started making straight away, but then we decided to get going swimming. Off to Portishead. </div>
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The boys had a great time in the pools - Ivor running into the pool and splashing his little legs, Ellis going down the slides with Ivor trying it out too, a bit more hesitant, but then he wouldn't let me catch him at the bottom so went straight under, he seemed to like it though! I thought we'd be in there for ages, but then Ivor got hungry and kept signing for food, and wanting to eat the lady's crisps who was sitting by the side of the pool. So we decided to get going. We popped into the Muscatys, didn't think we'd be there for long, but they put on a lovely lunch and Ellis played really well with Aurelian. Lego followed by watching Aurelian play computer games on the computer - Ellis had a bit of a go as well. Ivor enjoyed his hot dog, and eating my lunch as well. He's a big fan of rice. Cheryl's daal was amazing! It was great to catch up with Jenan. Back home for movie and some sweets - we all watched Matilda for the first time. Ellis wanted to not watch it after about half of the film, but we stuck with it and I'm glad we did as I needed him to see that there was a happy ending, with the kids being empowered! Ivor was happy to roll around on the sofa with me while we watched too. Burgers, corn on the cob and mini waffles for dinner. </div>
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Ellis then made a gun out of a bleach bottle. So the recycling adventure was definitely worth it! Then ten minutes of telly before bed. I'm just glad today didn't involve so much TV as it sometimes can on the weekends. If every day of the holiday is like this I'll be very happy!!</div>
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Catherine Flynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15726557834983247145noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6446782621174466283.post-88580552738696546112015-07-21T12:38:00.002-07:002015-07-21T12:42:15.306-07:00DAY 5 - surviving Summer hols (Chew Magna's most expensive sandwich)So this is the last day with Errol before he goes back to work. We had a lovely morning hanging out at home, then I decided it would be a great idea to go to the Home from Home cafe at Stanton Drew for lunch. We got there only to find it was closed, so we had to go for lunch at a cafe in Chew Magna... that was such a rip-off, that Errol and I ate the kids crusts for lunch. £3.75 for a basic ham sandwich. Seriously! No wonder we avoid eating out with the kids. Anyway, we made the best of it and joked a lot about it to lift the mood, and left feeling fine. We must have looked like a right bunch of reprobates as no sooner had we left the cafe, when Ivor decided to throw his wooden sword across the road - which bounced off a car. Thankfully there were no marks! It was a pleasure to come home and enjoy the afternoon. Splashing in the paddling pool, watching a bit of Dr. Who, a bit of Mr Tumble, tidying up the garden. Then Tes and Sally joined us for a BBQ in the garden. Ivy bit Ivor on the cheek which upset him - I felt more sorry for Tes and Sal, total nightmare for them. All in all a good day. Ellis tired out again by the end of the day. Watching Scooby Doo with a blanket on him and his icepack. It must take a while to adjust to not being at school. Who says that kids have endless energy. They need to recharge their batteries regularly!Catherine Flynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15726557834983247145noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6446782621174466283.post-86325271229049745282015-07-21T01:37:00.001-07:002015-07-21T12:42:43.495-07:00DAY 4 surviving Summer hols (Oxford, Nannie's Birthday)Me, Errol, Ellis and Ivor went to Oxford for Nannie's 69th Birthday. We were both really looking forward to going. The weather was overcast but warm, so great for hanging out in the garden. Lovely food. The boys enjoyed themselves, though Ellis was very much beyond himself for the most part of the day. I think the journey tired him out, and also he hasn't had one full day at home yet, so he continues to be a bit tired. And when he's tired, his voice changes and he can't stop himself from annoying Ivor constantly! "Ellis don't do that", "Ellis stop that", "Ellis please..." etc etc. We thought we were supposed to be staying the night but as Grandad Howard was there, there wasn't room. It turned out to be for the best anyway, as I hadn't expected Ellis to be so tired out, so it was good to get them home and into their own beds for a good night's sleep. Well - Ellis didn't sleep till 9.30 and they still got up at 6.30am!Catherine Flynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15726557834983247145noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6446782621174466283.post-72894740867567329062015-07-19T12:15:00.000-07:002015-07-21T01:38:36.754-07:00A record of our Summer holiday 2015I've decided to keep a record of the Summer of our boys being two and six together. It's going to be a long Summer, apparently 52 days in total. I thought by keeping a record, it would encourage me to be well intentioned in making the days really worthwhile... rather than the days involving Ellis and Ivor watching telly and arguing over the ipad infinitum. So here's what's happened so far:<br />
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DAY 1 - FRIDAY<br />
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Ok, so it's day one and Ellis is tired out from it being the end of a long Summer term. He's not yet even six, so today's plan was telly, telly, more telly, ipad, relax, do nothing, drink milk, eat biscuits etc. etc. basically, anything goes. But then, Ivor wanted to go to the park in the afternoon. So we went to the park, and Ellis was very happy to discover some of his friends were there, so then he didn't want to leave until they did. Which was a LONG time! So as we walked home, his legs were too tired for walking so I was then carrying a six year old while trying to supervise a two year old on his scooter. So much for conserving Ellis's energy ready for the long haul!<br />
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And why did I decide to make carrot and coriander soup, and courgette fritters, and coleslaw etc. etc. on day one of the holiday. It was all a bit too much, and I decided after that, that there would be no more full-on home made cooking while looking after the kids over the hols. Easy food for easy days.<br />
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DAY 2 - SATURDAY<br />
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Ok, so it's day two and Ellis is tired out even more and hasn't really recharged his batteries yet. In fact, he's not well. He has thrush and is doing lots of thumb sucking. And Errol's got a gig to go to today. We hung out at home, very relaxed morning. I took Ivor up the shops on the scooter to get some ham for lunch. We all went to the harbour festival - great parking Errol in the "full" carpark!<br />
Amazingly, we discovered BBC Doctor Who was on, and Ellis got to act the part of a cyberman. He really got into his role, even if it was only one minute long... but it involved a death scene, which he took very seriously. Even his arms were in character! Then, we went to Happy City and drew some pictures. Ellis drew for ages, which was really fulfilling to watch. Ivor was happy drawing scribbles. I was happy drawing too. Then Ellis wanted to go back to Dr. Who land to give them his picture, so we all went back and he gave it to the lady presenter. It was a lovely moment!<br />
We rushed off to Errol's gig, which was in the full on sunshine. So we managed to sit for one song while Ivor tried sitting upside down on his head. Then we left, glad to get home. Away from the crowds and the sun.<br />
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DAY 3 - TODAY, SUNDAY<br />
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I've been reading a lot about decluttering and this is one of the reasons why I have restarted my blog, to keep a record of how things are going with getting rid of stuff alongside how that will, I hope, eventually impact on our lives together as a family, or just impact on me, as I seem to be the manager of all the stuff in the house. The keeper of all things and where they live, and that is hard work!<br />
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Anyway, today with the kids... another Harbour Festival day. Today was a really good day. I feel like today the boys had a really good day and that makes me happy. We drove to Queen Square and while Errol set up his kit, I took the boys over to the enormous blow up slide (and baby slide). It was supposed to cost £5 each for ten minutes, but the man let us go in for £4 each and let us stay as long as we liked!... so we were there from the start of Errol setting up his kit until he played his last song. Talk about value for money! Ellis came up to me at the beginning crying saying he was too scared to go down the big slide and could I go down with him. SO I hauled Ivor up to the top of the big slide, honestly, it was so high up... and then Ellis managed to go down with the help of another boy anyway... and so there I was stuck at the top of this huge slide with Ivor throwing a mini tantrum because he wanted to go down the slide his own way i.e. probably head first with arms and legs tumbling all over the place. And me holding onto him saying no, while kids were happily walking past bouncing down this huge slide. To be honest, I was too scared to go down it! So I had to then haul Ivor back down the blow up "stairs", while children were climbing up past me. It was no mean feat. Seriously, my most challenging part of the whole day. But I did it. And I didn't thank goodness drop Ivor!!!<br />
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When Errol finished his gig, we had sandwiches, met up with Sarah and her kids for a while then went off hat shopping in the sun. Lifting Ellis up to see the boats as we walked over the bridge. Ivor falling asleep in the rucksack. Errol looking cute in his new cowboy hat. All of us deciding it was time to go escape the hoard. Walking back to the car and coming back to our calm home. Very happy day.<br />
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Tomorrow we're off to Oxford. So I haven't done a day on my own with the kids yet. I feel prepared though, which is a nice feeling. :-)<br />
<br />Catherine Flynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15726557834983247145noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6446782621174466283.post-30486063046552945222014-04-02T06:09:00.002-07:002014-04-02T06:09:34.208-07:00Boy's Easter Bonnet<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I haven't blogged for a long long time, and I'm only posting this so I can add it to Pinterest to inspire other mums who are looking for Easter Bonnet ideas across the globe.<br />
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<b>How to make!</b><br />
- Bunch of carrots with leaves<br />
- one child's straw hat<br />
- brown crepe paper<br />
- large piece of card<br />
- green paper<br />
- sellotape<br />
-little chicks<br />
- Pipe cleaners<br />
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1. Draw a circle round the hat onto the green paper.<br />
2. Cut two circles a bit larger than the circle you drew (so you can make grass). Also cut a hole in the middle of each circle so you can put the green circle over your straw hat and under your straw hat.<br />
3. Cut grass around the edge of your green circles and fold up.<br />
4. Stick the two green circles to the hat with sellotape folded over so the sellotape is double-sided.<br />
5. Cut your carrots quite short. Use little cross-head screws through the hat to hold the carrots in place! I know, desparate measures when glue just doesn't cut it.<br />
6. Stick eyes on carrots using sticky dots. (alien carrots!!)<br />
7. Wind the little chicks onto the pipe cleaners<br />
8. Place pipe cleaners into the carrot leaves<br />
9. Place card around main part of hat into a cone shape, cut around bottom so cone sits vertically. Stick it together with tape.<br />
10. Cover your tree trunk with brown crepe paper and stick.<br />
11. Stick your foliage down through the hole in the top of the trunk.<br />
12. Ta da!!!<br />
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It's best to do the foliage and carrots on the morning you do the school run, because otherwise the carrots go soft and the foliage wilts! I made the hat way too tall and he could hardly wear it, so had to lop a bit off the top of the tree to make it more wearable.Catherine Flynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15726557834983247145noreply@blogger.com0