Friday 26 July 2013
Wednesday 24 July 2013
Sharing is (Not) Caring....
......is actually cheating!!
Came home from work yesterday to a manic Jamie - not what I want in my first week at work!
Managed to persuade him to play 'Snap' with some of my old picture cards that I found on my recent de-clutter.
Jamie was fine when he won, but he insisted on taking the pile when mummy won as well!! And when I complained, I was told that 'Sharing is Caring.' That pre-school has a lot to answer for......
Came home from work yesterday to a manic Jamie - not what I want in my first week at work!
Managed to persuade him to play 'Snap' with some of my old picture cards that I found on my recent de-clutter.
Jamie was fine when he won, but he insisted on taking the pile when mummy won as well!! And when I complained, I was told that 'Sharing is Caring.' That pre-school has a lot to answer for......
Sunday 21 July 2013
Summer Holidays Are Here!
And just at the wrong time - as mummy gets a job!
Part of me is sad, part happy. We need the money, but I had been looking forward to my last summer with Jamie.....
So that means we have 6 weeks to make sure someone is looking after / entertaining Jamie. My diary is a mass of scribbles at the moment as I try to coordinate who is working when (daddy currently working a 3 shift system) and who is free to look after Jamie.
Luckily Nursery can have him for two days during 3 of the weeks, and between Nana and Grandad we have (just about) covered the gaps. We offered Nana payment, but she just asks that we pay for her hair appointments. I think Nursery is going to cost about £160, but it will be worth it as once Jamie starts school my job fits perfectly around him.
Unfortunately, this means we have used up all our babysitting points, so no nights out between now and September. We do have a holiday booked in the middle of all this though, and am looking forward to being able to treat us all....
......and can you believe I have now been writing this blog 6 years?
Part of me is sad, part happy. We need the money, but I had been looking forward to my last summer with Jamie.....
So that means we have 6 weeks to make sure someone is looking after / entertaining Jamie. My diary is a mass of scribbles at the moment as I try to coordinate who is working when (daddy currently working a 3 shift system) and who is free to look after Jamie.
Luckily Nursery can have him for two days during 3 of the weeks, and between Nana and Grandad we have (just about) covered the gaps. We offered Nana payment, but she just asks that we pay for her hair appointments. I think Nursery is going to cost about £160, but it will be worth it as once Jamie starts school my job fits perfectly around him.
Unfortunately, this means we have used up all our babysitting points, so no nights out between now and September. We do have a holiday booked in the middle of all this though, and am looking forward to being able to treat us all....
......and can you believe I have now been writing this blog 6 years?
Friday 19 July 2013
Present for teacher
While Jamie has been at Pre-School, the leader of the Caterpillar Group; Amelia, has always been very good and looked after Jamie. This is why I decided to buy her a special present to say 'Many Thanks'.
I know that a lot of the other mums bought presents, and I can see that it is something that is almost expected nowadays, but it certainly wasn't in my day! I can't remember ever buying a teacher a 'Thank You' present. But I do think Amelia worked hard with Jamie and so was pleased to be able to give her something that showed how grateful we are.
I just hope she likes it!!
I have to add that I almost cried when I gave her the glass heart, as it was the last time I will see her and the pre-school team.....my little boy is growing up.....
Wednesday 17 July 2013
That hat mummy made......
.....for Jamie's graduation (I was so proud of myself doing something creative) must have made an impression as.....
....this morning a young lady called Isobel brought a drawing she had done especially for Jamie!
....this morning a young lady called Isobel brought a drawing she had done especially for Jamie!
Tuesday 16 July 2013
Jamie's Graduation from Pre-School
Jamie has spent all morning trying to convince me he can wear his Superman outfit to his graduation (and photos before)......
Monday 15 July 2013
Street Dance!
Took Jamie to Street Dance / Cheeky Monkeys Crew (age 3-5) on Saturday.
http://www.spotlight-ds.com/
He loved it!
I think it helped that his friend Harry was there, but as I watched from the next room he was great at following directions and doing the moves!! Going to take him back for the next few weeks before they break up for summer......
http://www.spotlight-ds.com/
He loved it!
I think it helped that his friend Harry was there, but as I watched from the next room he was great at following directions and doing the moves!! Going to take him back for the next few weeks before they break up for summer......
Friday 12 July 2013
Mummy Got a Job!!
Which is good and then its not...
It's good because mummy will have some money - which if course will pay for nice things. However, she won't have any time to spend with Jamie (or to spend the money) - bit of a Catch 22 situation!
So today I have been trying to get all of the niggly jobs out of the way - like Tax Assessment Forms, Contracts, Health Questionnaires, not to mention housework, while waiting to see if there are any places during the holidays at Park to take Jamie. Nana says she will look after him a couple of days a week (it is only for 5/6 weeks) but I need to find out which days they have free (if any) at the Nursery.
Once again, the start of a new job is made ever-more stressful because of the need to sort out child care!!
It's good because mummy will have some money - which if course will pay for nice things. However, she won't have any time to spend with Jamie (or to spend the money) - bit of a Catch 22 situation!
So today I have been trying to get all of the niggly jobs out of the way - like Tax Assessment Forms, Contracts, Health Questionnaires, not to mention housework, while waiting to see if there are any places during the holidays at Park to take Jamie. Nana says she will look after him a couple of days a week (it is only for 5/6 weeks) but I need to find out which days they have free (if any) at the Nursery.
Once again, the start of a new job is made ever-more stressful because of the need to sort out child care!!
Thursday 11 July 2013
Chat with Jamie's Teacher
Following my chat with Jamie's keyworker, see: http://grumpymumtobe.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/chat-with-jamies-key-worker.html) I was glad of the chance to have a short chat with Jamie's teacher.
I discussed the key worker chat, and said that I agreed with her that Jamie lacks confidence in social situations and often needs a lot of encouragement to join in. Jamie has never been one to push himself forward, but if feeling confident there is no stopping him!
I told her about the morning at the fire station when he said he did not want to use the water hose, but when I took him forward with me, he was soon having a fantastic time - on his own - not noticing that I had stood back!
She asked what he liked, so I of course said superheroes, and told him that everything was a Superhero at the moment. I said about not agreeing with his keyworker about his 'imagination' (below expectations) and described Jamie and daddy in the garden the night before; building a castle for the Hulk to break down!
She asked about his literacy and I told her about cousin Lucy being able to read already, but that Jamie could already recognise a lot of letters - certainly those in his first name and some of his second. I said we did a lot of reading and Jamie tried to follow the words as I read.
As for numeracy. I told her how he will often count 1 to 20 when playing hide and seek, but when asked to count to 20 can't sometimes do it! Too much pressure!
I said we did not think he was that sporty, but he does love music and dancing! I also told her daddy was grade 7 at piano and could play the guitar.....
She seemed happy with what I told her and said the main areas we needed to work on with Jamie over the summer were dressing himself and toileting.
I discussed the key worker chat, and said that I agreed with her that Jamie lacks confidence in social situations and often needs a lot of encouragement to join in. Jamie has never been one to push himself forward, but if feeling confident there is no stopping him!
I told her about the morning at the fire station when he said he did not want to use the water hose, but when I took him forward with me, he was soon having a fantastic time - on his own - not noticing that I had stood back!
She asked what he liked, so I of course said superheroes, and told him that everything was a Superhero at the moment. I said about not agreeing with his keyworker about his 'imagination' (below expectations) and described Jamie and daddy in the garden the night before; building a castle for the Hulk to break down!
She asked about his literacy and I told her about cousin Lucy being able to read already, but that Jamie could already recognise a lot of letters - certainly those in his first name and some of his second. I said we did a lot of reading and Jamie tried to follow the words as I read.
As for numeracy. I told her how he will often count 1 to 20 when playing hide and seek, but when asked to count to 20 can't sometimes do it! Too much pressure!
I said we did not think he was that sporty, but he does love music and dancing! I also told her daddy was grade 7 at piano and could play the guitar.....
She seemed happy with what I told her and said the main areas we needed to work on with Jamie over the summer were dressing himself and toileting.
Tuesday 9 July 2013
My Son - The "Super Noodie!"
Not sure if we can show many of the photos I have taken over the last few glorious weekends playing in the pool with Noah and then Will, but we have an awful lot of pictures to bring out at their 21st parties / weddings!! Jamie loves playing 'Super Noodie'.....
Sunday 7 July 2013
Trips Out!
Jamie has had two trips from pre-school this week and, as mummy is not working, she has been able to go along as a helper. I have to say I really enjoyed this, and it was nice to see Jamie playing with all his pals. Tuesday, Jamie went on the bus to South Hykeham School. We have visited the school before and it was actually second on our list of choices for Jamie. It is a lovely local school and the children enjoyed - not only the trip on the bus - but playing in the fantastic playground; which has its own castle.
On Friday, it was the rearranged trip to the local Fire Station. I made a few people chuckle on Facebook when I wrote I was only wearing lipstick for the SPF, but it was a lovely day! Originally it had to be cancelled due to the rain. This time the helpers (including me) led the children along the paths from Pre-school to the Station. Jamie was a bit nervous at the Fire Station and initially did not want to have a go with the hose, as he said he did not want to get wet. So I asked if he would 'come with mummy' and before long he was doing it all by himself!!
On Friday, it was the rearranged trip to the local Fire Station. I made a few people chuckle on Facebook when I wrote I was only wearing lipstick for the SPF, but it was a lovely day! Originally it had to be cancelled due to the rain. This time the helpers (including me) led the children along the paths from Pre-school to the Station. Jamie was a bit nervous at the Fire Station and initially did not want to have a go with the hose, as he said he did not want to get wet. So I asked if he would 'come with mummy' and before long he was doing it all by himself!!
Friday 5 July 2013
Chat with Jamies Key worker
Got a bit worried last week as we got sent home a sheet - a copy of which will be sent to Jamie's new school - that lists how he is doing at the moment. This is based on the Early Years Foundation, which has 7 areas of learning and development which are inter-connected and used to assess a child's development from birth to the end of their first (reception) year in school.
The prime areas being; communication and language, physical development and personal, social and emotional development. The other 4 areas are; literacy, mathematics, understanding the world, and expressive arts and design. Jamie was ranked 'As Expected', 'Beyond Expectation' and then 'Below'.
Now, I wasn't expecting him to be 'Beyond' in any, but I was surprised at how many he seemed to be below expectations... I therefore asked to have a chat with his key worker so she could show me what each section consisted of and what Jamie was being ranked against.
I have to say that I did actually agree with what she (mostly) had to say, but there were a few discrepancies between what they see at Pre-school and what we see at home.
The general feeling is that Jamie lacks confidence and would rather hang back than join in. We talked about what he is good at and because of this I have put him down for street dance rather than football this term! I am hoping this will bring him out of the shell that seems to exist when in the 'outside world'. It certainly does not exist at home!
I found this chat quite emotional. I even asked if she thought he might be 'Autistic' to which she replied; "We are all on the Autistic spectrum somewhere!!" Not sure this made me feel any better....
Got a meeting with Jamie's teacher on Wednesday so hopefully will be able to address some of the issues raised with her.
The prime areas being; communication and language, physical development and personal, social and emotional development. The other 4 areas are; literacy, mathematics, understanding the world, and expressive arts and design. Jamie was ranked 'As Expected', 'Beyond Expectation' and then 'Below'.
Now, I wasn't expecting him to be 'Beyond' in any, but I was surprised at how many he seemed to be below expectations... I therefore asked to have a chat with his key worker so she could show me what each section consisted of and what Jamie was being ranked against.
I have to say that I did actually agree with what she (mostly) had to say, but there were a few discrepancies between what they see at Pre-school and what we see at home.
The general feeling is that Jamie lacks confidence and would rather hang back than join in. We talked about what he is good at and because of this I have put him down for street dance rather than football this term! I am hoping this will bring him out of the shell that seems to exist when in the 'outside world'. It certainly does not exist at home!
I found this chat quite emotional. I even asked if she thought he might be 'Autistic' to which she replied; "We are all on the Autistic spectrum somewhere!!" Not sure this made me feel any better....
Got a meeting with Jamie's teacher on Wednesday so hopefully will be able to address some of the issues raised with her.
Thursday 4 July 2013
Happy Birthday Grandad!
Monday 1 July 2013
Afternoon at 'Big School'
"But I'm not big enough yet, mummy" was what Jamie had to say when I said he was off to 'big' school for the afternoon.
There were a few tears during the morning (as I did not send him to pre-school) but as soon as he saw Joseph walking towards him, as we got to the school gates, he was fine.
At the end of the session, Jamie left with a scrap book, in which he has been asked to put in photos, drawings, paintings, achievements and tickets etc. from days out during the summer. I had already planned to do with this Jamie, so this is nice that he has been given his own scrap book and his teacher will get to see it as well!
After he had finished his afternoon with his new teacher, daddy collected him, and they found out that it was sports day. Walking along the playing field they saw granddad and Auntie Tracy who were both there watching Alannah. So all-in-all Jamie had a good afternoon.....
......other than the fact he came home with a sick note saying 'Your child has bumped his head', but you would not have noticed. Only second day there and already he is already in the accident book!
There were a few tears during the morning (as I did not send him to pre-school) but as soon as he saw Joseph walking towards him, as we got to the school gates, he was fine.
At the end of the session, Jamie left with a scrap book, in which he has been asked to put in photos, drawings, paintings, achievements and tickets etc. from days out during the summer. I had already planned to do with this Jamie, so this is nice that he has been given his own scrap book and his teacher will get to see it as well!
After he had finished his afternoon with his new teacher, daddy collected him, and they found out that it was sports day. Walking along the playing field they saw granddad and Auntie Tracy who were both there watching Alannah. So all-in-all Jamie had a good afternoon.....
......other than the fact he came home with a sick note saying 'Your child has bumped his head', but you would not have noticed. Only second day there and already he is already in the accident book!
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