Of Book Fairs and Class Rewards

So tomorrow is the school Book Fair for #1 Son.

As far as I can tell we give him money ($20) and he and his classmates toddle off to somewhere presumably in the school building I can’t imagine they let them out and spend the money on books. Apparently for every dollar spent some additional funds go somewhere that allow the school to purchase additional books for the school library. Which in my opinion is actually pretty epic. Kids don’t seem to enjoy reading quite so much as well I did when I was little but perhaps I am an anomaly.

What me? Odd? Never!!

In addition #1 Son’s kindergarten class have won a class reward which involves wearing their pyjamas to school tomorrow. I was a tad sceptical until I received an email from his class teacher confirming it. It is also apparently National American teddy bear day or some such fiddle-faddle so he can also take in a soft toy of some description for the day. He has chosen Happy.

Who is a plushie snowman gifted to him by my cousin Jenny just before our big trip.

He’s been pretty much inseparable from that snowman since we got on the plane. And he has been named Happy because apparently that “is how he made him feel”.

Nenny you rocked that!

I’m not crying you’re crying.

He also has a “bedtime stories and hot cocoa” evening on Thursday this week from 17:30-19:00 and pjs are the requirement then too so both kiddies will look insanely cute.

On the TT front, she has discovered the joys of the phrase “no, not yet <thing which I want her to do>”

This is me:

She did also spontaneously count from 1-5 tonight and jumped for joy after (I may have been making a huge fuss 🤣)

I’ve also gotten her to accept Moana (which is “BURD” because of that damn crazy chicken)

In addition she will now occasionally allow one of the Ice Age franchise.

Which is saving my sanity a bit.

As for me, I’m not in the best place mentally today. I’ve attacked my fingers and my scalp a bit. I don’t consciously do it, but it’s not a great stress reaction.

Thinking of going to the doctor after the holiday and seeing if anti-anxiety medication might help. Should probably track my blood pressure a bit first.

I did some knitting though so yay. Need to finish my non sock project.

Health Update

So, I’ve had another Zoladex stabbing today.

Going to a specific gynaecology practice made the experience marginally more pleasant.

It still hurt like a bastard, but much less bleeding and (so far) no bruising.

Hysterectomy is still not booked, but I do have a colposcopy booked for 29th November, which happens to be the same day as #1 Son’s Parent-Teacher conference, but thankfully the appointments do not overlap.

It just means that the hus-creature will need to work from home that day.

I earned geek cred with a lovely RN at the clinic for wearing this t-shirt:

She is a fellow GoT geek and we chatted a lot about Season 7 twists and turns.

NO SPOILERS!!!!

I was also wearing Hufflepuff socks, but I didn’t need to show ankles today…

Today was a hard day for #1 Son and we are awaiting an email from his teacher to explain why.

But he did come home sporting this:

So it clearly wasn’t all bad.

TT has spent the last 4+ hours inconsolable for random reasons and I am now counting down the minutes until bedtime.

My new PC

I play video games. Not as many as I once did – I have children – and I also have my fibre arts which take up time, but I do still love a good gaming session.

(My sniping skills may be a leetle rusty I admit)

My beloved PC, which was pretty top of the range when we built her, is now over 6 years old – constructed in June 2011.

And she is therefore, sadly, getting on a bit. I haven’t been able to obtain Mass Effect: Andromeda because she can’t run it.

Do not misunderstand, she’s still a pretty darn fine PC, but she is no longer in her prime, and once a gaming machine can no longer run newly released games, it’s time to consider a replacement.

With BREXIT and the corresponding drop in the value of the £ the hus-creature did not wish to look at replacing her until we were moved and settled.

Well my friends today is that day!!!!

😁😆😁😆😁😆😁😆😁😆😄😆😄😆

Over the last few weeks, boxes of varying sizes and shapes have been arriving, as the hus-creature finds decent deals for things.

(Yes I had input do not worry, I just tend to bow to his expertise here).

So tonight is PC building, pizza and cocktails night.

(There may also be the final episode of GoT)

👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 👍🏻👍🏻

Gentlemen and ladies, start your engines:

The case is unboxed. Yes she’s red. She’s gorgeous. And yes, she’s another mini ATX.

I now have water cooling!!! Yeah Baby!!!

A virgin motherboard muhaha 😈 Hard drives are so last season, Solid State Drives are the current “must have” dahlinks:

A terabyte’s worth to be precise:
r. RAM. Ewe. Now for the processor, PULL THE LEVER: (Actually push it) The motherboard, she is complete:
Now safely installed: All cabling now attached: All that remains is

  • Graphics Card
  • Attaching the cooler (kind of integral to the whole water cooling system)
  • Power supply

While I was ordering pizza the hus-creature finished all of the above:

She is now installed next to her predecessor, as I will be dual-PCing it for a short while to ensure that everything is copied from one to the other.

Living the dream I am I am, living the dream I am.

She needs a network name and sadly as my former PC is Lady Raincorn

And my laptop is Gunter (no not that bloody pig dammit)

 

All the good names from our current naming scheme are taken. And apparently there won’t be a new naming scheme for a while. I’m pushing for a Game of Thrones inspired one. I might even allow Sansa/Melisandre rather than Arya/Danaerys for my new baby, since she is red after all… Sadly, there are a few technical glitches at the moment which mean I cannot yet share my new shiny in all her glory.
Stay tuned folks.

All Hallows’ Eve

Stateside is just magical.

 

No really, it was amazing.

#1 Son had a party and parade at school. He has worn not one, not two, but three costumes today:

  • Pumpkin Ghost – he made this himself, consisting of his long sleeved jack o lantern t-shirt and red trousers (they had to be red)
  • Dinosaur costume – a National History Museum official one for the school party. They were not allowed masks, makeup, blood or weapons.
  • The Blue Power Ranger – for Trick or Treating with me and TT.

TT was Harley Quinn – because daddy couldn’t find “Demon Spawn From The Hell Pits” in a 2T.

The shoes didn’t make it home 😐🙃

So the city of Melrose ran a Halloween Trick or Treat event 15:30 – 17:00. So given it gets dark, and TT is still so little we did the full run. Local businesses along Main Street were handing out candy and doing activities with the kids.

So. Many. Costumes. I had dressed up as Cleopatra for the heck of it, and I wasn’t the only adult in costume. Not only that, but one of the staff from the local Mexican cantina was wearing the same costume!

So. Much. Candy.

No really, this is TT’s haul:

With a shout out to Aunty Diana for the bags, which had TT shouting “Kitty cat” a lot.

#1 Son (rather sensibly) disappeared his haul to his room as soon as he got home. He has slightly more than her, but she soon got very good at shouting “my turn” whenever she saw him get candy.

She charmed extra out of one business by saying “ta” when she was handed chocolate.

We had so much fun, honestly. It was a perfect afternoon, beautiful weather, fun activities – there were at least two haunted houses and both kids loved it.

We initially planned to go out as a family later, but #1 Son was overwhelmed after all the people and noise (and I wasn’t far behind him if I’m honest), it was very close to TT’s bedtime, and daddy had a new shoes blister; so we decided to put a pin in it for this year.

Sadly we have only had one set of house-to-house Trick or Treater’s but hey ho.

What we did at the weekend

We decided to put the new shiny (car) through his paces.

Took the kids out for lunch on Saturday where #1 Son actually ate food. TT demanded a burger then refused to eat it.

No change there then. 🙄🙄🙄

The wonderful hus-creature then dropped me off for my nail appointment.

Due to unforeseen casualties, which included breaking every nail, and actually ripping two of them (and yes that did hurt. A lot.) I had been forced to cancel and reschedule. It had therefore been three weeks since my last one.

So poor Lily had a bit of a mess to work with, but she managed these amazing Halloween nails:

She didn’t have all her brushes so the free style drawing is, to me, even more impressive! She’s actually on leave in a fortnight (how very dare she 😂🤣) so I’ve been forced to book for another 3 weeks time. Ah well, they’ll be gorgeous for thanksgiving at least.

Sunday was even better. We went to New Hampshire (first time I’ve crossed state lines) to spend the afternoon with friends at their small holding.

It. Was. Awesome.

First we stopped for lunch:

Then once we arrived I met all the animals I’ve heard so much about.

The goats:

Lib will be breeding the biggest goat soon for milk and bebbeh goats 💕💕💕

The steers:

They are being raised for meat. Faux and Lib asked us to stay for dinner (which was not expected and very generous of them) and we ate Ronald. Who was their previous beef steer. With apologies to those vegetarians and vegans who may read this, home reared meat is delicious.

I met the alpacas. Knit and Purl.

 This is Knit, she hates everyone and will eat your soul given half a chance.

She definitely has resting bitch face:

This is Purl, who is slightly lighter in colour, and will tolerate humans and the very occasional pet:

There were all the chickens and ducks:

I was also given a dozen fresh eggs to take home. I’m planning yumminess with those… store bought eggs here are just not the same.

Also the next dinner:

This cockerel is being evil to the other males so at some point omnomnom.

It may seem cruel to some but honestly? I’m genuinely impressed with the set up, and it teaches where food really comes from. Could I slaughter or pluck myself? Maybe not, but knowing the animal is genuinely free range? Priceless.

There are also various house animals including a dog (who was shut away as #1 Son was nervy), two house cats we didn’t meet, and a house rabbit that TT just adored. There were also baby chicks and barn cats that stayed aloof. It’s such a wonderful setup.

All the kids had a blast, and I got some adult time 👍🏻

Our week

But not in pictures.

It was pretty normal up until Thursday.

On Wednesday I went up to my yarn shop to their “Sit ‘N Knit” class – which is $7 per session and you can pay in blocks but as the current block finishes in three weeks, I’m paying the instalments until then, then I will buy the block.

It’s been lovely to hang out with like-minded ladies. I’m hoping they will teach me the Continental style.

Now, on to Thursday.

#1 Son has been pretty stable at school for the last few weeks. His days average around 50:50 with some escapes out of the classroom but usually only into another kindergarten classroom.

Which does make me feel a little sorry for the other teachers. But they don’t seem to mind too much.

The overall actual classwork amount he completes varies day to day. But he is at least managing some per day. Although I can’t shake the feeling that he is starting to lose the advantage he had from a year in reception class.

However I think I got cocky. I was starting to feel that just maybe he was settling down. Thursday put the kibosh on that one a bit.

I missed a phone call from the school at roughly 11 o’clock. That will teach me to change the Tiny Tyrant’s nappies!!!

They then rang the husband creature who texted me in a bit of a flap. Actually that is unkind of me, as he was really very calm and controlled. (This normally doesn’t herald anything good).

The school were ringing to tell us that #1 Son had escaped out of his classroom and actually managed to escape out of the school. This has been something they have feared since he started playing this particular little trick.

They didn’t have a choice and this time had to call the police to go and find him. They apparently allowed one of the paras (which seems to be the equivalent of a teaching assistant) go with the police so that he had a familiar face. Which was a good thing as the whole “stranger danger” conversation is not one we had really been focusing on because of his tendency to focus on the exact opposite point of the conversation.

This has now been rectified.

With some urgency!!!

It was all hands on deck. Daddy raced home from work and I called the lovely J for a lift to school to collect him.

Gave TT a chance to model her new coat which is for three year olds:

So we got him home. School were apologetic and we would “start again tomorrow”

I rained hell fire on him without shouting. I never thought I could do that but it is possible.

I also docked his allowance. Which he was more upset about than losing screen privileges. (Which also happened)

It’s not been a fun day, and I am then dreading parent-teacher conference but onwards and upwards.

Friday was much better. I had to pick him up from school so as he had a very good day, we went for ice cream.

After ice cream we went to the park.

TT decided that swinging for an extended period (rather than < 30 seconds) was fun and #1 Son was playing appropriately!!!

I did find myself saying “I don’t care what the other little boy is doing, he is not my son” when I caught #1 Son trying to climb up onto the roof of a playhouse to copy one of his new little friends, and was outraged that I wouldn’t let him follow suit.

And, perhaps most importantly, we met another little boy and his older brother, who is also on the spectrum. There was only a day’s difference in their ages too.

Although he seemed further along the spectrum, they played together so nicely. Both boys played with both #1 Son and TT, and I had a lovely chat with a mom who “got it” and could advise me on Stateside services.

I’m hoping that we might catch up with them this Friday too.

It’s the little things

That make your heart sing.

We just had to rouse #1 Son for a toilet trip (if he doesn’t have a bedtime wee we will have an accident).

After telling daddy “no thank you” and trying to go back to sleep, we did the necessary.

I gave him a little cuddle, told him I loved him and the smile I got from him as daddy carried him back to bed just melted me.

I’m currently an emotional not-tent.

He also got another REACH sticker today which is two weeks in a row.

💗💗💗💗

School Update

Well since I’ve ranted here, I feel I should also twirl with excitement.

We are seeing improvements!!!!!!

He’s had over a week of decent days, and at least one excellent one. Two that his teacher has termed awesome.

  • He has done work.
  • He has used words when upset.
  • He has told a teacher before leaving the classroom

And

  • He is leaving the classroom less

 

I could just burst with pride I really could.

He’s also undertaking homework with me with minimal fuss and getting it done.

I am so proud of my boy.

Here is his school picture, which is, quite frankly, his best ever:

Oh, and he wrote a book today at school (Well he illustrated it and dictated the words to his teacher, who was his willing transcriber) and wanted us to read it to him at bedtime.

We of course obliged.

💕💗💕💗💕💗💕💗💕💗💕💗💕💗

The remainder of our week

So, it didn’t start out very well. But, #1 son improved tremendously by the end.

This was his journal entry from his teacher I was ecstatic.

He has actively engaged with school work which is a miracle!!!

Today is a public holiday (Columbus/Indigenous People’s Day) and we were going to go to the zoo, but the weather is awful for that, so after TT wakes up from her nap, we will head off to Lego Land instead.

It’s a fun couple of hours for both kids.

TT? Meh, not so good. She managed to destroy a treasured memory from our very first trip to Paris, but the hus-creature believes he can arrange for a restoration.

She also trapped her foot in a tight metal space, is hitting a lot, and just generally working my last nerves.

Her speech has come on amazingly, and she can get her own trousers on, so it’s probably a leap, coupled with boundary pushing Terrible Two-ness.

Butter wouldn’t melt right?

I have signed up for a two-day class on learning magic loop and sock knitting which I am so looking forward to.

$65 bucks for 4 hours 1:1 with other local yarny folks? Bargain!

I have the best husband ever

No seriously I do.

I have had what you might call a trying time this last few weeks, culminating in this last one.

Now it did improve by the end for #1 Son but TT? Ahhhh no.

So I have been a leetle stressed.

Today is/was my usual standing fortnightly date for nails.

They are purdy. And the patterns appeal to my twisted brain 💗

So as I left I noticed a message from the hus-creature.

He had paid for me to have a full massage.

So here I am, after a gorgeous steam shower, full body Swedish massage. I feel amazing.

He is a wonderful man

And I know what I may ask for when my birthday rolls around 💕💗💕💗