HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

Including Mummy, Daddy and Jamie, we had 32 people around for a Halloween Party (19 adults and 13 children) at the weekend.   Daddy had been working on the Haunted House / garage since last year and it was super scary - there was a lot of hand holding.......and then later it turned into a disco with 'Ghostbusters' blaring out of the speakers.  

We had pumpkin soup; made by Nanna B, and Cobbs brought Chilli Hot Dogs!  We got to use our fire pit that we had bought with our wedding money, and auntie Christine helped cut some super pumpkins.  Most people - and all of the children - came in fancy dress.

And for the first time, we played 'The Mummy Game'.  Not sure if we played by the official rules but it was brilliant!   There was toilet roll all over the garden when we had finished, but with the promise of some 'Treats' we managed to clear most of it away.

Next year, Daddy says we are moving the scary to the end of the garden.  Perhaps I will have a spooky summerhouse by then!

Jamie's Targets

Following out chat with Jamie's teacher (see: http://grumpymumtobe.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/parent-consultation.html)  we have now been given Jamie's targets for the end of term.

Reading
I recognise the first 20 sounds from phonics.
I can hear and say the initial sound in a word.
I can match initial sounds to pictures and objects.

Writing / Pencil Control
I can write my name using the correct letter formation.
I can write the letters I know from phonics with the correct letter formation.
I am beginning to write initial sounds as labels for my pictures etc. when working independently.

Physical / PSE Development
I know which order to take my clothes off and put them on.
I can ask for help with buttons, turning clothes through etc.
I can get dressed by myself.

Good Signs...

Once upon a time, the thought of driving to Nottingham would have filled me with dread!  But today, I prepared my route, took a deep breath, set off (very) early and conquered all my fears.  Other than a small altercation on the roundabout; where I found myself in the wrong lane, I actually enjoyed my drive there and (even better) back.

It was all about being positive and looking for signs.  When the radio mentioned Huey Lewis being Number One on the American Billboard with Fore!  X number of years ago (I don't want to show my age) and then played 'Stuck with you', I got a warm feeling.

And once I got to the course venue, I had some time spare to catch up on some reading; rather than rushing in late, like the last course I went to......

Parent Consultation

Monday night me and Jamie went for a little chat with his teacher.  Jamie had got in from school only an hour before and had fallen straight to sleep, so I was worried he might be rather mardy.  However, he behaved himself perfectly, and even had a little chat with his teacher at the end.  It is clear to see she is doing her job well; not only because he has come on leaps and bounds in the last few weeks, but also because of the way that Jamie interacts with her.

Her main concern was that Jamie worries too much.   He worries he can't put his coat on, then worries no one will help him and then worries he will never learn to put his own coat on.  Jamie thinks that if he can't do something, then he is doing it wrong.  It probably doesn't help that there are Year One's in his class who (being a year older) can all put their own coats on.  As his teacher emphasised to him.  Its not that he is doing it wrong.  He just needs practice.  Jamie has often said that his teacher won't help him with his coat, but I think it is more to do with the fact, she wants him to TRY !  He knows what to do, he just gets frustrated and gives up too soon.  She emphasised it was ok to ask for help, but he needs to try to do it by himself before he asked for help!

I asked her whether or not he was on a level with the rest of the children and his teacher said there were no worries with regards to his level at all.   I mentioned about cousin Lucy being able to read already, but also told her about Jamie knowing the words to The Incredibles. She said this was really good as it showed Jamie was understanding the story structure; how words fit together to make the story etc.

His confidence has certainly improved enormously and there have been no problems at school. He has certainly settled well into Ling Moor. He has already made some new friends, as well as the friends he still talks about from pre-school.  His talking has improved tremendously!

I was very pleased with what she said.  So much so, that I took Jamie for a little shop afterwards and bought micro chips, chocolate, cheese balls and a Disney Comic (£3.99 !!).

We are just waiting a list of Jamie's targets for the coming term.

Halloween has come early.....

Jamie had a little accident in the playground yesterday.  Running about madly (as he does) at dinner time, and he falls flat on his face.  I asked him if there was anywhere else that he had hurt himself, but it seems it was just his face.  There was a first aid note in his bad.  It stated 'First Aid Done', which I think meant putting some ice on his lip.  It doesn't seem to bother him.  He just looks a bit of a mess.

And mummy? Woke up this morning with a large stye in my eye, that meant I struggled to open my eye for a while.  Have got it open and have taken some anti-histamines and paracetamol, but it doesn't look pretty.  According to the NHS website the best cure is bathing it in hot water, which I have done; along with putting eye drops in throughout the morning.

If I worked in a shop, they would have me stacking shelves in the back today....

Contented......

 

Had a lovely Hen Night on Friday night with Kerry and all of my closest friends. There were 12 of us in total.  A few people were unable to make it (sadly) due to illness (its that time of year), but I have had a number of messages / texts from people who seem to think they should have been invited. 

 

All those people who joined us on Friday had made the effort so send a card and / or buy a present to congratulate me on my wedding.  Perhaps I am old fashioned, but I feel this defines how people feel about you.  Just making that extra effort to show how they care.   And then other people come along, asking why they weren't invited.  Friendship (for me) is more than a name on Facebook or a contact in your phone; its someone who cares enough to go that extra mile.  I am glad to say (and contented) that I have some lovely friends who do that for me.  

 

Perhaps its my age (or because I am a mother), but I am beginning to see people for what they are.  Life is about Quality not Quantity.  In the old days I would have invited everyone on my Hen Night and would not have felt it was a good night unless there were loads of us.  But all I wanted on Friday were my closest friends.  And I got them.  With Cocktails!!!

 

Mr Incredible

Lying in our (new) bed last night with Daddy dozing beside us (as he is on nights this week), I sat and read a number of books with Jamie.  When we got to 'The Incredibles' I could not believe it when Jamie started 'reading' along - word for word.  He knew most of the story.  I doubt he was actually reading the words, but he certainly had memorised the story. 

It was amazing, and however he did it, we were very proud!!

"Superheroes Don't Wear Long Socks"

According to Jamie......

What do you do if your 4 year old still sleeps in your bed?

Buy a bigger bed!!

Just invested in a King Size......

Blog Baby 37

Congratulations to Katy and Grey on the safe arrival of Emilia Kerry Joan Clements born at 7.30am on the 6th September weighing 8lbs 11ozs.  A little sister for Will.   All the best from Jamie and the rest of the Simpsons Xx

Our Wedding Poem : The Meaning

To love is to share life together
to build special plans just for two
to work side by side
and then smile with pride
as one by one, dreams all come true.

To love is to help and encourage
with smiles and sincere words of praise
to take time to share
to listen and care
in tender, affectionate ways.

To love is to have someone special
one who you can always depend
to be there through the years
sharing laughter and tears
as a partner, a lover, a friend.

To love is to make special memories
of moments you love to recall
of all the good things
that sharing life brings
love is the greatest of all.

I've learned the full meaning
of sharing and caring
and having my dreams all come true;
I've learned the full meaning
of being in love
by being and loving with you.

- Kellie Spehn –