Signs we have been in Bosnia for a loooong time and there may be some readjustment required before entry back into the UK:
1. When the traffic lights go green, my first instinct is now to hoot the horn, then to put the car in gear.
2. Pedestrians, what are they? (in my defence, if you take the definition of safe driving to be driving in a way that people expect you to, then stopping to let pedestrians cross the road does constitute dangerous driving as people will go into the back of you).
3. When I look out of the window and see some metal poles in the garden opposite, my first thought isn't ooo, look, football goalposts, it is oooo, look, a place to bash carpets.
4. It's 6pm. I've just decided to make the boys burgers for dinner, but we have no mince or buns. But that's ok, because we can nip round the corner to the butcher (open every day until 7pm) and then wander along just a little further to a bakers (open everyday until 10pm). On the way back I'll stop at the little local store to pick up some fresh tomatoes and free range eggs from the chickens in their backyard (open every day until 10pm). Total walking time for the entire round trip. 5 minutes. Total cost, not very much at all. England is going to come as a shock. I'm dreading Tesco's and the thought of the local convenience store veg there is making me feel a bit sick.
5. A no-smoking table? What's that?
6. A coffee in a cafe can last a good 90 minutes. Possibly longer.
7. Activities and meeting up with friends are to be arranged no earlier than the previous day. Any earlier, and the other person will just forget anyway. I've learnt to look at my week, stretching before me with nothing arranged at all and not be scared. I'm a little worried if I look at a week with many activities planned, I'm going to go into controlled chaotic panic.
8. Everything can be mended, fixed, put back together. Throw nothing away. If nothing else then the boys can play with it outside.
9. An obsession with cleaning windows has taken hold. The Bosnians are forever hanging out of high towers to ensure their windows are sparkling. It's quite nice, particularly when compared to the greasy smeared efforts of our house in the UK.
10. On learning that we have to go and see a Bosnian ministry, our first thought is now 'who do we know who might be able to help us' rather than just heading over with hope in our hearts and confidence in the system.
Signs that I will never be a Bosnian however long I stay
1. I do believe that sljivavica (plum brandy, the national drink) is not fit for human consumption. I am now ducking for cover as the Bosnians recoil in horror and start proceedings for our instant deportation.
2. My Bosnian is torture for the listener. But they seem to understand much better when I put on my best James Bond villain accent. Then I have no problems. Well except for the attack of the giggles as I imagine myself a karate chopping, leather wearing, sleek black bob sporting, kick ass kind of girl.
3. I can't wear jeans that tight. I just can't.
4. Dumping rubbish, especially in the parks and areas of beauty is just not acceptable. Smashing bottles all over the place isn't remotely amusing either.
5. I can't take the ticks. The season has started. I now spend my evenings grooming the dog and extracting them from her fur. They are disgusting creatures and meet their doom in a glass of sljivavica (see point 1).
6. When I say no chocolate for the kids, I really mean please don't give them any chocolate. Feeding them sugar out of the sugar bowl isn't acceptable either. Particularly when one has already been car sick that day and we've got a bit of a drive home.
7. I have no idea if food will be served when we go to visit someone. I've lost count of the number of times we've been served up an enormous meal, with multiple courses when all I was expecting was a coffee.
8. I like set meal times. Breakfast at the beginning of the day. Lunch after some morning activities. Dinner when it is getting dark. I have no idea when the Bosnians eat their meals, but it certainly isn't the same schedule as mine!
9. I like my children to go to bed by 8pm at the latest. By 8pm I have had enough of them, and they have had enough of me. Plus I want to have a bath in peace. The thought of them still being up at 10pm and later makes me feel a tad teary.
10. Playgrounds are good things. Playgrounds that are open are better. Playgrounds that aren't built on the thickest gloopiest mud imaginable are better still. Playgrounds with all of these and without nails sticking out of the equipment are best of all. My boys are going to be in seventh heaven when they get back and see their first playground since November. Come to think of it, so will I.
**********************************************************
As you can see by the post, we are not sitting on a flight from Belgrade as was looking likely next week. The boys and I are coming back on Tuesday instead. I'm looking forward to the flight as much as the thought of searching for a bracelet in a bucket of vomit. To get me in the mood of flying with two small children I'm off to read the flying with kids carnival put together by Mellow Mummy. And then I'm stick my head in the sand about moving for a bit longer.
Showing posts with label carnivals. Show all posts
Showing posts with label carnivals. Show all posts
Friday, 26 March 2010
Tuesday, 12 January 2010
Not clueless
English is a funny old language. There are so many phrases that are grammatically correct, but we just never say them.
Yesterday afternoon, I was musing over (ok, I was being dragged by the arm and being encouraged to think about) what had happened to the playmobile pirate's sword. The boys were looking for it and I was muttering darkly that I didn't have a clue what had happened to the sodding thing but it would be certain to turn up piercing my foot shortly. Luke stopped me in my tracks, excitement filling his little face.
'Mummy! I have a clue!'
Why do we not say that more often? Why do we never have a clue, but seldom have one? I think I prefer the toddler take on it. I shall be endeavouring to have a clue more often. It is much more fun that way.
**************************************
Victoria, over at It's a Small World After All, is planning a round the world trip with her three children, they have just bought the tickets and everything. Getting into the swing of this travel thing, she is hosting a travelling with children carnival, complete with the horror stories of getting children from a to b with sanity far from intact, clothes vomited on and not enough time to go for a pee without small people opening the cubicle door. There are some brilliant reads, in an oh please let that not happen to me kind of way.
Yesterday afternoon, I was musing over (ok, I was being dragged by the arm and being encouraged to think about) what had happened to the playmobile pirate's sword. The boys were looking for it and I was muttering darkly that I didn't have a clue what had happened to the sodding thing but it would be certain to turn up piercing my foot shortly. Luke stopped me in my tracks, excitement filling his little face.
'Mummy! I have a clue!'
Why do we not say that more often? Why do we never have a clue, but seldom have one? I think I prefer the toddler take on it. I shall be endeavouring to have a clue more often. It is much more fun that way.
**************************************
Victoria, over at It's a Small World After All, is planning a round the world trip with her three children, they have just bought the tickets and everything. Getting into the swing of this travel thing, she is hosting a travelling with children carnival, complete with the horror stories of getting children from a to b with sanity far from intact, clothes vomited on and not enough time to go for a pee without small people opening the cubicle door. There are some brilliant reads, in an oh please let that not happen to me kind of way.
Wednesday, 14 October 2009
Here Comes Winter. Bring It ON!
It is officially the end of summer. The end of warm weather and playing outside all afternoon. The end of laundry drying in an hour (and there's barely any laundry anyway, a couple of shorts and the odd t-shirt). It is the start of the mud fest, both in and outside the house. It is the start of needing to find shoes, socks, jumpers, coats, hats, scarves and gloves and get them onto 2 small wriggly boys every single time we go outside. It is the start of Everest style piles of additional laundry which takes weeks to dry. It is the start of very dry chapped hands which no amount of hand cream can sort out. It is the start of indoor play, day in, day out.
I'm not pleased about winter.
It has arrived in a classically Bosnian style. On Friday we were frolicking around outside in shorts and t-shirts, temperatures were 30C (86F), way hotter than an English summer, and we thought about having a barbeque outside. Yesterday Sarajevo got snowed in, cutting off roads, electricity and phonelines. They had forecast the same for us, it has mercifully not appeared just yet, but it is cold enough for it. This sudden and dramatic fall in temperature is not unusual here. No wonder everyone gets sick.
Oh yes, winter has arrived.
But this year, we are ready for whatever winter wants to throw at us:
Winter tyres on the car? Check.
Snow Chains in the car? Check.
Emergency provisions - chocolate, crisps (I like to feed them healthy stuff), the odd packet of dried fruit in case we get caught in a snow storm and can't get out. Check.
Rugs, Blankets, extra jumpers and warm clothes in the back, again just in case we get caught in an unexpected blizzard? Check.
Radiators in the house all checked for faults? Check.
Municipality Heating on? Check - oh, yes, check, check, check - came on on Tuesday. I nearly cried with delight, we were going to be in for a chilly few days if they hadn't got it all sorted in time.
Plans for indoor activities? Check - although will probably only last for a week then we'll have to fly by the seat of our pants until we all get into the groove of indoor play. I'm still working out how I'm going to burn off the excess energy of two small boys in order to proceed with all the planned indoor activities, but I'm sure we'll work it out eventually.
Plans for outdoor activities? Check - the sledge is in the garage ready to go. Outdoor activities with snow not a problem, it is the piss awful filthy days when it is about 3C, raining, no sign of snow and noone in their right mind will think about venturing outside that are the problem.
Boots that are waterproof and can be worn in snow? Check - the obtaining of said boots deserves a post all of its own, but the end result is a check with two frazzled parents still in shock from the experience.
Summer Clothes packed away (bye bye small boy Crocs, I shall miss you, you are a lot easier than shoes, socks and boots). Check.
Winter Clothes unpacked? Check. How is it possible for the jumpers take up that much room in a cupboard?
Stockpiled Calpol/Calprufen? Check - not needed yet, but surely only a matter of time.
Extra brooms to give the boys to help brush up the mud bought into the house by boots and filthy muddy dog? Check.
Ok winter. Bring it on.
***************************************
A HUGE thank you to those who identified the random fruit given to us by the dear old biddy down the road, for a quince it was. And we made jam. And the jam? It is GOOOOOOD. I'm so excited as I've never made jam before. Anyone else finding themselves with a bit of left over quince should try this recipe for quince jam which was incredibly easy (a necessity for me, I'm no cook) and produces amazing jam.
Also, the Best of British Parent Bloggers Carnival is up over at Family Friendly Working, so get a cup of tea and settle in for more tales from the parenting front line.
I'm not pleased about winter.
It has arrived in a classically Bosnian style. On Friday we were frolicking around outside in shorts and t-shirts, temperatures were 30C (86F), way hotter than an English summer, and we thought about having a barbeque outside. Yesterday Sarajevo got snowed in, cutting off roads, electricity and phonelines. They had forecast the same for us, it has mercifully not appeared just yet, but it is cold enough for it. This sudden and dramatic fall in temperature is not unusual here. No wonder everyone gets sick.
Oh yes, winter has arrived.
But this year, we are ready for whatever winter wants to throw at us:
Winter tyres on the car? Check.
Snow Chains in the car? Check.
Emergency provisions - chocolate, crisps (I like to feed them healthy stuff), the odd packet of dried fruit in case we get caught in a snow storm and can't get out. Check.
Rugs, Blankets, extra jumpers and warm clothes in the back, again just in case we get caught in an unexpected blizzard? Check.
Radiators in the house all checked for faults? Check.
Municipality Heating on? Check - oh, yes, check, check, check - came on on Tuesday. I nearly cried with delight, we were going to be in for a chilly few days if they hadn't got it all sorted in time.
Plans for indoor activities? Check - although will probably only last for a week then we'll have to fly by the seat of our pants until we all get into the groove of indoor play. I'm still working out how I'm going to burn off the excess energy of two small boys in order to proceed with all the planned indoor activities, but I'm sure we'll work it out eventually.
Plans for outdoor activities? Check - the sledge is in the garage ready to go. Outdoor activities with snow not a problem, it is the piss awful filthy days when it is about 3C, raining, no sign of snow and noone in their right mind will think about venturing outside that are the problem.
Boots that are waterproof and can be worn in snow? Check - the obtaining of said boots deserves a post all of its own, but the end result is a check with two frazzled parents still in shock from the experience.
Summer Clothes packed away (bye bye small boy Crocs, I shall miss you, you are a lot easier than shoes, socks and boots). Check.
Winter Clothes unpacked? Check. How is it possible for the jumpers take up that much room in a cupboard?
Stockpiled Calpol/Calprufen? Check - not needed yet, but surely only a matter of time.
Extra brooms to give the boys to help brush up the mud bought into the house by boots and filthy muddy dog? Check.
Ok winter. Bring it on.
***************************************
A HUGE thank you to those who identified the random fruit given to us by the dear old biddy down the road, for a quince it was. And we made jam. And the jam? It is GOOOOOOD. I'm so excited as I've never made jam before. Anyone else finding themselves with a bit of left over quince should try this recipe for quince jam which was incredibly easy (a necessity for me, I'm no cook) and produces amazing jam.
Also, the Best of British Parent Bloggers Carnival is up over at Family Friendly Working, so get a cup of tea and settle in for more tales from the parenting front line.
Monday, 31 August 2009
Things said this weekend
- The weather forecast is great for today. I know, lets go on a day trip this weekend.
- Have we got the map with us?
- Everyone in? Lets go!
- What do you mean you want to do a poo? What, now? Why didn't you do when when I asked you 5 minutes ago before we left the house?
- Where are we?
- Where are we supposed to be going?
- Ok, lets go to Brcko (pronounced Birchko). We haven't been there before.
(When they signed the peace agreement to stop the war they split Bosnia into 2 entites, the Republika Srpska and the Federation. However, both sides wanted Brcko to be in their entity so badly that they basically had to say that because they couldn't agree who would have it then neither side could, confirming my suspicion that high level political negotiating is not that different to dealing with toddlers. They did the equivalent of putting Brcko up really high on the shelf out of everyone's reach. It has to be said that Brcko probably did pretty well out of the deal, it has its own government and by most economic indicators seems to be doing rather better than the rest of Bosnia.)
- There's a big river in Brcko, Jess could go for a swim.
- It is really hot.
- Look boys. That is the border. Over that river is Croatia. Lets throw some stones in for Jess.
- That fish that just flip flopped in the river was ENORMOUS.
- I don't know why the restaurant has cannons in the garden.
- Luke, put the axe down please.
- Dave, there was a lot of fighting round here in the war. I don't think we should go off the map.
- Lets head home. The sign says that way to Tuzla
- This isn't the way we came.
- The sign definitely said Tuzla this way. Lets give it a go.
- Look at the view! That's amazing. So green and beautiful.
- What is that sign?
- Boys, listen to Mummy very carefully. Do you see this sign? The red one, with a skull and cross bones on it, that looks a bit like a pirate flag but is red? If you ever see that sign, do not ever ever put a single foot off the road. Do you understand me? This sign means that there are mines. Do you know what mines are? Mines are bombs that men have hidden under the ground and when someone steps on them they will explode. Mines kill people. You must never, ever, step off the road if you see a sign like that.
- What do you mean you need a wee?
- Nearly home now. Is that the police ahead?
- Looks like there's been an accident, we'd better find another route. Let's try going left.
- I know this road isn't tarmacked, but it is marked on the map. There isn't another way to get around.
- The man on the tractor said we were going the right way. We must have faith. Let's keep going and hope for the best. I know we haven't seen a house in about half an hour.
- It's looking pretty dark over there
- WOW! Did you see that lightening?
- Asphalt. Phew. I think it is really going to pour and don't fancy driving on the dirt track in the rain much.
- Rain? This isn't rain! This is someone throwing a bucket at the car.
- There's a river in the road. It is flowing faster than we are driving.
- Home! Home home home. Never have I been so pleased to see you.
- You enjoyed the adventure? You want to do it next weekend? Are you quite sure?
- Darling, I think we've got two adrenaline junkie sons on our hands.
-----------------------------------------------------------
Mummy Do That, a German living in Glasgow, has put together a Bilingual Childrens Carnival. I strongly advise anyone thinking of bringing up children bilingually to head on over there for a read. There are problems, stories and support for parents of children trying to get their heads around two languages. This carnival will be a monthly affair so any contributions from other parents of bilingual (or not so bilingual as the case may be) would be very welcome.
Must be carnival season, as the Best of British Mummy Bloggers Carnival is up and ready to go over at ClareyBabble - so many new blogs are included. I'll be up all night having a good old read.
- Have we got the map with us?
- Everyone in? Lets go!
- What do you mean you want to do a poo? What, now? Why didn't you do when when I asked you 5 minutes ago before we left the house?
- Where are we?
- Where are we supposed to be going?
- Ok, lets go to Brcko (pronounced Birchko). We haven't been there before.
(When they signed the peace agreement to stop the war they split Bosnia into 2 entites, the Republika Srpska and the Federation. However, both sides wanted Brcko to be in their entity so badly that they basically had to say that because they couldn't agree who would have it then neither side could, confirming my suspicion that high level political negotiating is not that different to dealing with toddlers. They did the equivalent of putting Brcko up really high on the shelf out of everyone's reach. It has to be said that Brcko probably did pretty well out of the deal, it has its own government and by most economic indicators seems to be doing rather better than the rest of Bosnia.)
- There's a big river in Brcko, Jess could go for a swim.
- It is really hot.
- Look boys. That is the border. Over that river is Croatia. Lets throw some stones in for Jess.
- That fish that just flip flopped in the river was ENORMOUS.
- I don't know why the restaurant has cannons in the garden.
- Luke, put the axe down please.
- Dave, there was a lot of fighting round here in the war. I don't think we should go off the map.
- Lets head home. The sign says that way to Tuzla
- This isn't the way we came.
- The sign definitely said Tuzla this way. Lets give it a go.
- Look at the view! That's amazing. So green and beautiful.
- What is that sign?
- Boys, listen to Mummy very carefully. Do you see this sign? The red one, with a skull and cross bones on it, that looks a bit like a pirate flag but is red? If you ever see that sign, do not ever ever put a single foot off the road. Do you understand me? This sign means that there are mines. Do you know what mines are? Mines are bombs that men have hidden under the ground and when someone steps on them they will explode. Mines kill people. You must never, ever, step off the road if you see a sign like that.
- What do you mean you need a wee?
- Nearly home now. Is that the police ahead?
- Looks like there's been an accident, we'd better find another route. Let's try going left.
- I know this road isn't tarmacked, but it is marked on the map. There isn't another way to get around.
- The man on the tractor said we were going the right way. We must have faith. Let's keep going and hope for the best. I know we haven't seen a house in about half an hour.
- It's looking pretty dark over there
- WOW! Did you see that lightening?
- Asphalt. Phew. I think it is really going to pour and don't fancy driving on the dirt track in the rain much.
- Rain? This isn't rain! This is someone throwing a bucket at the car.
- There's a river in the road. It is flowing faster than we are driving.
- Home! Home home home. Never have I been so pleased to see you.
- You enjoyed the adventure? You want to do it next weekend? Are you quite sure?
- Darling, I think we've got two adrenaline junkie sons on our hands.
-----------------------------------------------------------
Mummy Do That, a German living in Glasgow, has put together a Bilingual Childrens Carnival. I strongly advise anyone thinking of bringing up children bilingually to head on over there for a read. There are problems, stories and support for parents of children trying to get their heads around two languages. This carnival will be a monthly affair so any contributions from other parents of bilingual (or not so bilingual as the case may be) would be very welcome.
Must be carnival season, as the Best of British Mummy Bloggers Carnival is up and ready to go over at ClareyBabble - so many new blogs are included. I'll be up all night having a good old read.
Tuesday, 18 August 2009
From the mouths of babes
An exchange earlier following a bout of cheek from my youngest:
Me: You are a cheeky monster!
Luke: You are a cheeky mother!
gales of hysterical laughter from both boys who are very pleased with this retort and repeat it many times to make sure that everyone has heard and understood it.
How on earth does anyone ever manage to keep a straight face?
----------------
Latest Best of British Mummy Bloggers carnival is up at OMG We're Pregnant! - head over there for your biweekly fix of tales of parenthood.
Me: You are a cheeky monster!
Luke: You are a cheeky mother!
gales of hysterical laughter from both boys who are very pleased with this retort and repeat it many times to make sure that everyone has heard and understood it.
How on earth does anyone ever manage to keep a straight face?
----------------
Latest Best of British Mummy Bloggers carnival is up at OMG We're Pregnant! - head over there for your biweekly fix of tales of parenthood.
Tuesday, 7 July 2009
Best of British Mummy Bloggers Carnival!
This being the summer and all, the Best of British Mummy (and Daddy) Blogging Carnival has got out its passport, packed its bags with suntan lotion, a very flattering swimsuit, the odd sarong and some glamorous strappy sandals and gone abroad. Not to the most obvious of holiday destinations, admittedly, but welcome to Bosnia. We’re sitting on the terrace, sipping a chilled white wine (some brave souls might be sampling the local slivovica or plum brandy but it is too strong for me) and chitchatting about the best tales of parenthood told on Mummy and Daddy blogs over the last month.
Grab a glass, get into the holiday spirit and let us begin:
To make us laugh, cry, sigh and nod our heads in empathy we have:
Perfectly Happy Mum writes a letter to her old boss in which she describes her feelings about his attitude towards her during her pregnancy and return to work post baby.
Yummy Mammy has a set back in court which breaks her heart. You should all read this post, it will make you think and causes much discussion on the terrace as people try to work out what we can do to help.
Four Down Mum to Go (mother to FOUR boys, how does she make it throught the day, let alone write a blog?) writes a wonderful post about how she feels about the love between a mother and her boys in Love Is...
Half Mum Half Biscuit isn't sure about meeting her exes new girlfriend in Isn't the Mind Weird?
Maternal Tales claiming that this will be the last ever poo story in Poo Stories RIP. We do hope not.
Battling with Sanity also recounts a poo based story in curls and crying and as mother of a recently potty trained toddler, I feel her pain
Sticking on the poo story tack (and fortuitously following on from my last post) is Are We Nearly There Yet Mummy?, whose husband requires a long receipt...
Mummy Do That isn't quite at the poo story stage of potty training yet, but can't believe that it might be that time already
Sandy Calico has quite a day travelling the full spectrum of mummy emotions (don’t worry, Sandy, the terrace is nodding in agreement, we have all been there) before singing live at a gig (the terrace is extremely impressed, few of us have been there!)
Being a Mummy has a VERY long afternoon as a very cherished possession has an unexpected adventure in The Longest Ten Minutes of My Life
Lush Wife has an afternoon of freedom and a freebie lunch with a new breed of journalists which differed somewhat to the freebie lunches when she was a ‘mere hackette’ in Don't Know They're Born
The Potty Diaries are featured in The Times Alpha Mummy site, but her husbands eye is caught by other things in Love and Marriage
A Modern Mother peruses the sights of the Henley Royal Regatta, a post to make any stressed mummy sit back and smile in Whatever Rows Your Boat
MammaPo is so proud of her daughter who demonstrates such character in her sports day in Sack Queen
Wife of Bold has also been cheering on her daughter at her sports day, reminding her competitive husband that it is not about the winning
Supply and Demands wonders why any of us adults would put ourselves through the competitive misery of sports day 30 years after we last HAD to do it
ClareyBabbling has quite a surprise at the vets in Balls!
Tattie Weasle has a novel idea for getting her boys to share in Are You a Saint Mummy (or why I will never be canonised).
Little Garden Helpers have been busy planting seeds with the help of Garden Cow
The New Mummy discovers all those moments that her baby thinks she is an Evil Mummy (and this mummy would add that the Evil Mummy moments only get more frequent as they get older, and mine are nowhere near teenagers yet!)
It's a small world after all have got the travelling bug, and learn a short history lesson from their trip to the Tower of London - much of which they would like to teach Boris!
Cafe Bebe is enjoying funny cuddles with her little girl
Yummy Mummy Tips has a very blonde day in Amsterdam airport
The To Do list of the Dulwich Divorcee remains frighteningly long, we just hope the teachers make it through in one piece.
Jo Beaufoix is getting rid of some steam with a word or two about Psychopaths and Solicitors
Dancin Fairy is just wondering what is actually needed by a new Mummy in Because My Last Request Worked So Well and is deep in conversation with Grown KTP, who tries to give some ideas in her Best and Worst of Baby Products post
The terrace is absolutely full now, sadly, we only have space for 25 and we've already packed more in than that. I hope that the people who couldn't make it are not too disappointed.
The evening draws to a close. All that remains is to clean up the debris and to make a date for the next one. Rebel Mother is up for the hosting challenge on 21st July. If you want an invite send her a link to your best post at rebelmother (at) googlemail (dot) com. I'm looking forward to it already.
Grab a glass, get into the holiday spirit and let us begin:
To make us laugh, cry, sigh and nod our heads in empathy we have:
Perfectly Happy Mum writes a letter to her old boss in which she describes her feelings about his attitude towards her during her pregnancy and return to work post baby.
Yummy Mammy has a set back in court which breaks her heart. You should all read this post, it will make you think and causes much discussion on the terrace as people try to work out what we can do to help.
Four Down Mum to Go (mother to FOUR boys, how does she make it throught the day, let alone write a blog?) writes a wonderful post about how she feels about the love between a mother and her boys in Love Is...
Half Mum Half Biscuit isn't sure about meeting her exes new girlfriend in Isn't the Mind Weird?
Maternal Tales claiming that this will be the last ever poo story in Poo Stories RIP. We do hope not.
Battling with Sanity also recounts a poo based story in curls and crying and as mother of a recently potty trained toddler, I feel her pain
Sticking on the poo story tack (and fortuitously following on from my last post) is Are We Nearly There Yet Mummy?, whose husband requires a long receipt...
Mummy Do That isn't quite at the poo story stage of potty training yet, but can't believe that it might be that time already
Sandy Calico has quite a day travelling the full spectrum of mummy emotions (don’t worry, Sandy, the terrace is nodding in agreement, we have all been there) before singing live at a gig (the terrace is extremely impressed, few of us have been there!)
Being a Mummy has a VERY long afternoon as a very cherished possession has an unexpected adventure in The Longest Ten Minutes of My Life
Lush Wife has an afternoon of freedom and a freebie lunch with a new breed of journalists which differed somewhat to the freebie lunches when she was a ‘mere hackette’ in Don't Know They're Born
The Potty Diaries are featured in The Times Alpha Mummy site, but her husbands eye is caught by other things in Love and Marriage
A Modern Mother peruses the sights of the Henley Royal Regatta, a post to make any stressed mummy sit back and smile in Whatever Rows Your Boat
MammaPo is so proud of her daughter who demonstrates such character in her sports day in Sack Queen
Wife of Bold has also been cheering on her daughter at her sports day, reminding her competitive husband that it is not about the winning
Supply and Demands wonders why any of us adults would put ourselves through the competitive misery of sports day 30 years after we last HAD to do it
ClareyBabbling has quite a surprise at the vets in Balls!
Tattie Weasle has a novel idea for getting her boys to share in Are You a Saint Mummy (or why I will never be canonised).
Little Garden Helpers have been busy planting seeds with the help of Garden Cow
The New Mummy discovers all those moments that her baby thinks she is an Evil Mummy (and this mummy would add that the Evil Mummy moments only get more frequent as they get older, and mine are nowhere near teenagers yet!)
It's a small world after all have got the travelling bug, and learn a short history lesson from their trip to the Tower of London - much of which they would like to teach Boris!
Cafe Bebe is enjoying funny cuddles with her little girl
Yummy Mummy Tips has a very blonde day in Amsterdam airport
The To Do list of the Dulwich Divorcee remains frighteningly long, we just hope the teachers make it through in one piece.
Jo Beaufoix is getting rid of some steam with a word or two about Psychopaths and Solicitors
Dancin Fairy is just wondering what is actually needed by a new Mummy in Because My Last Request Worked So Well and is deep in conversation with Grown KTP, who tries to give some ideas in her Best and Worst of Baby Products post
The terrace is absolutely full now, sadly, we only have space for 25 and we've already packed more in than that. I hope that the people who couldn't make it are not too disappointed.
The evening draws to a close. All that remains is to clean up the debris and to make a date for the next one. Rebel Mother is up for the hosting challenge on 21st July. If you want an invite send her a link to your best post at rebelmother (at) googlemail (dot) com. I'm looking forward to it already.
Tuesday, 9 June 2009
Potty Training.. Round 4
The time has come. The weather is good and I can get clothes washed and dried quickly. The boys can run around outside all day which minimises mopping of floors and washing of sofas. We are not going anywhere for a while (actually given the state of our finances we are probably never going anywhere ever again). He is old enough, he knows what a potty is for, he has been known to use it. He is ready.
The current score is Attempts to Potty Train 3: Successful Attempts to Potty Train 0. Notwithstanding that sad statistic and remembering that it is the final attempt that counts, we are going in again. Luke, prepare to bid those nappies goodbye.
I'm pretty pleased that I am not alone in the bloggy world on doing battles with the nappies. Maternal Tales and Moaning Mum are also in the throes of it. I wish them luck in their venture and a call to arms to share stories of pain together to make me feel better and see the funny side of cleaning up poo smeared all over my clothes, the sofa, the dog. Actually Maternal Tales is pretty good at this already, her tales of poo and cars reminded me not to take any long journeys until Luke is at least 6. See I'm smiling and almost looking forward to it.
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Also, the Best of British Mummy Bloggers Carnival is up and ready to go. Head over to Rosie Scribble for all the tales of the best and worst aspects of parenting.
The current score is Attempts to Potty Train 3: Successful Attempts to Potty Train 0. Notwithstanding that sad statistic and remembering that it is the final attempt that counts, we are going in again. Luke, prepare to bid those nappies goodbye.
I'm pretty pleased that I am not alone in the bloggy world on doing battles with the nappies. Maternal Tales and Moaning Mum are also in the throes of it. I wish them luck in their venture and a call to arms to share stories of pain together to make me feel better and see the funny side of cleaning up poo smeared all over my clothes, the sofa, the dog. Actually Maternal Tales is pretty good at this already, her tales of poo and cars reminded me not to take any long journeys until Luke is at least 6. See I'm smiling and almost looking forward to it.
****
Also, the Best of British Mummy Bloggers Carnival is up and ready to go. Head over to Rosie Scribble for all the tales of the best and worst aspects of parenting.
Tuesday, 14 April 2009
Fairs and Carnivals
It is obviously the time for carnivals. We have a one going on down the end of the road. Enormous inflatable slides that are wildly exciting if you are 2 or 3 and wildly scary if you are a Mummy. Fairground car rides which go round and round and round. Trampolines. Nothing could be more fun for the boys or empty our pockets quicker. The only issue is how I am going to be able to avoid having to go every day for the next week as we literally have to walk through it to get home from nursery.
On the blogging side of things, the latest British Mummy's Carnival is ready to go at More than Just a Mother. So grab a cup of tea, chocolate hobnob (except please don't tell me about that as I'll drown my own puddle of drool) and have a read from the frontlines of motherhood.
For the expat Mums amongst us there is another carnival on April 21st highlighting the expat Mummy community at the Expat Mums Blog. Anyone interested email entries to expatmums (at) gmail (dot) com. I'm looking forward to reading a few tales from far flung places about how people are managing to bring up their families in a foreign environment.
On the blogging side of things, the latest British Mummy's Carnival is ready to go at More than Just a Mother. So grab a cup of tea, chocolate hobnob (except please don't tell me about that as I'll drown my own puddle of drool) and have a read from the frontlines of motherhood.
For the expat Mums amongst us there is another carnival on April 21st highlighting the expat Mummy community at the Expat Mums Blog. Anyone interested email entries to expatmums (at) gmail (dot) com. I'm looking forward to reading a few tales from far flung places about how people are managing to bring up their families in a foreign environment.
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