From our annual ‘Autumn Walk’ because every year, there’s a kid homework about Autumn, and this seems the easiest way to do it!
Random Autumn Pics
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Tag Archives: Sunderland
A day off work
Without the kids, it doesn’t happen often
And some classy Sunderland graffiti on the way home…
Lost and I’m calling out….
So, this is my bed. I’m ‘working’. I don’t think my husband would agree with that, I suspect he’d say I was making a mess. However, I am faced with the fact that I have agreed to teach people to crochet. At my work. So, this is people I will actually see outside of ‘class’, unlike my previous (not too unsuccessful) delves into teaching. Being at my work means avoiding taking books with me, as this could be construed as me recommending them. Which, in all honesty, I probably would be. This is not appropriate. So, I’m going book free. And am therefore, collecting patterns and scribbles in notebooks and on post it notes into one ‘bible’ – something I should have done years ago.
However, in my brain, it’s fine to keep recipes for actual food, play dough, and crochet patterns in the same notepad. Meet the mammylu book…
It’s had a hard life. Apologies for the bad lighting, there is actually a baby sleeping in here, and I’d like to keep it that way.
Anyway, I am listening to iPod. And somewhere between finishing the new eels album and heading for Sam Baker, (I got a bit depressed as I can’t afford to go see the eels and am jealous of those who are), I came across The Lake Poets. So am now on the single ‘City by the Sea’. I’m a single behind and hope to rectify this when husband gets paid on Thursday. The ‘b-side’ (are they still called that?) to this song is called ‘Small Town’ and between the 2 songs, you can pretty much get a rather apt description of where I live. I mean it’s not all gloom and doom, I’m sure there are some nice places, I’ve just never been to them. However, I wouldn’t (maybe couldn’t) actually consider moving away from the sea.
Which is odd really when you think about it. It’s bloody freezing, foggy, soggy and sometimes a bit smelly. But I can leave my house and be at the sea in less than ten minutes.
So I have to agree with the singer, cos
when I die, it’s where I want to be, in a grave, in that city by the sea
So, go to iTunes, download the single. It’s good. Try the new one too, I’m sure it’s good also.
Anyway, I should be working, (and instead I’m shirking). So, good evening all!
-Mammylu x
Going to the beach in the snow
So, I felt a bit rubbish today. Which didn’t make much difference to our plans, as largest child goes to football training (if you can call it that when they’re that young?) which he loves. He learns football skills through playing games, there’s lots of running about and stuff, and it tires him out. So we do it every Sunday!
After lunch, both boys napped. Which gave us a problem…
What to do with two reenergised small people on a rainy/snowy/sleety afternoon? Answer- go for a walk on the beach! I’m not mad, honest. I don’t see why we can’t stick our waterproofs on and go for a walk when it rains (which is often). Husband complained. A lot. Which is normal.
But everyone else had fun! And we were warm because, due to the incoming tide, we had to hurry to avoid getting stuck and frequently run to avoid getting wet.
And afterwards we followed a traditional seaside tradition, icecream! The good thing about bad weather is no queues!
How do you get ice cream on your head though?
Little’s – what the hell is that? Face.
It is St Patricks day today also. So another reason for ice cream, as a year ago today I went into labour (and then stopped, and started again 4 days later). And so, this resulted in littlest’s middle name being Patrick. So he got ice cream to celebrate his saints day. Thankfully, there are no snakes round here for him to chase away!
Soft Play Torture?
I spend a lot of time at soft play, (when I’m not at work anyway)
From experience, kids are happier when they’ve had exercise. Weather does not allows permit a walk to the park, and differing children ages mean my little crawler ends up left in his pushchair whilst my larger child runs about.
So… The solution.
The Soft Play Area…
Sticky surfaces, germ infested ball pits, screaming kids, excessive sugar, tantrums, manic races to get small people to the bathroom, practising your yoga to follow your small person through impossibly small places, overcoming claustrophobia, rescuing stuck children, lukewarm coffee, small people who refuse to leave….
I really could go on all day! What’s not to love?
We frequent a toddler group, based in the play area of a pub chain. For £2.50, I get to set the large one free (he likes to make friends, then come and play me and small) he gets juice and biscuits, and I get a coffee. Small one is currently playing for free, until he’s less small, anyway.
I get to down my coffee, then walk/crawl round in my socks for an hour. Not my idea of a fun morning! But the small people very much enjoy it.
And smallest person gets to learn new skills in a slightly safer environment. Last week I taught him to climb up steps, and this week (unsurprisingly) I focused on getting down them safely.
Then I bribe them with sweets, and bring them home for food, and hopefully some quiet playing while I my housework done. That’s where we’re at now, so wish me luck!
What does everyone else do to tire out the kids?