a bit of common sense...

Ever since Bucket jnr was little he has always had a really, REALLY good gag reflex (this could get yucky so if you want to look away, now is a good time).

We've been caught short a few times in restaurants (funnily enough mainly in France) where he's wanted to try something and then all you can see is all of us diving for the napkins and shoving them in front of him to lessen the damage.

Now, we've brought up our children saying "don't eat with your mouth open" and Bucket jnr does this very well and we didn't foresee a problem but....

A few weeks ago I had a phone call saying that Bucket jnr had been sick at school so I went to pick him up and was mortified for him that it had happened in the lunch hall. But when I questioned him, he wasn't sick or suffering from an illness - he gagged at all his friends showing him their mushed up food in their mouths whilst eating (can't say I blame him).

Well, as all mums know, once a child is sick they have to stay off school 48 hours after the last sign.

So he stayed off school. Perfectly all right. No problems at all.

I had a little chat with him about what to do if this happened again and nothing happened, for about a week.

Well, there I was Christmas food shopping when I get the dreaded call again. I raced home, as safely as I could of course, and picked him up.

Yep, he gagged...AGAIN.

But hope shone through and common sense prevailed - I had a phone call from his teacher later in the day who let me know that as he isn't sick he could go back into school again and we will try and manage this.

YEAH!!! I am soooo glad, I was really dreading all the schooling he would miss until this was sorted out. But it does mean, for the moment at mealtimes, I have to show him my open mouth full of food so he can learn to look away and ignore it.

It does seem a little step backwards in teaching manners but it's a hell of a lot easier than trying to teach all the other kids to close their mouths whilst eating. Sam xx

Inappropriate clothing...

Aaaaaarrrrrrggggghhhh - my eyes, my eyes..

Source: Google Images

Just had a bit of a shocker this morning when dropping Bucket jnr off at school.

Now, can I just say that I'm NOT a yummy mummy or a runny mummy (the really energetic ones that wear skin tight running gear). I'm a mum who prefers jeans and converse, sometimes with/without makeup (if I have the time or inclination), hair tied up if I haven't had the time to wash it and looking fairly, well......normal.

But there is a dress code of sorts for dropping your kids off and I don't think that BUILDERS BUM is one of them. That was a sight I hope to never, never, EVER see again - especially that early in the morning.

One of the dads (thankfully someone I didn't know) was dropping his kids off to another class and as I got within eyeball range he moved, his jumper lifted and there it was - saggy jeans hanging low and everything on show.

REALLY???? Do I really need to see that at school; early in the morning and after only ONE coffee. If I wasn't totally awake before then I definitely was after that. It wasn't just me either, another mum saw it too and we both started giggling (out of shock I think and because that image is now burned into our brains).

My day can only get better after that. Sam xx

Chocolate Fudge Cake..

The Infant school where Bucket jnr goes has a very good parent association - they help and organise loads and raise money for the school.

I've decided to help a little more and this weekend they had a Food Festival where new and current parents met and mingled with some food and drink.

The idea was that we make a dish (savoury or sweet) to bring along, so I made a Chocolate Fudge Cake.  I don't really have a savoury dish that I wanted to share but this cake we make every Christmas and at other times when we remember to. It's one of those dishes that only get made at a certain time i.e. pancakes, simnel cake, roast turkey... you know what I mean.

The only thing was, I had to make two - one for the school and one for us.

This recipe was given to me by my Mother-in-law and she had it as a recipe card from Bourneville (the chocolate).

Chocolate Fudge Cake

4 oz butter
2 tbsp golden syrup
8 oz digestives
1 oz raisins
2 oz glace cherries (halved)
5 oz dark chocolate

Fudge Icing

2 oz chocolate
1 oz butter
3 dessert spoons water
6 oz icing sugar

Grease and base line a 1lb loaf tin.

Melt the butter and syrup in a saucepan. Stir in the biscuits, fruit and chopped chocolate until mixed. Press firmly into the prepared tin and leave in a cool place to set.  Later turn out onto a board.

For the fudge icing melt the chocolate and butter with 3 dessertspoons of water over a gentle heat. Remove from heat and stir in sifted icing sugar and beat until cool and thick.  Spread the icing over the cake and dust with icing sugar to decorate.

Now this makes a really nice cake but it's not that big and you might find that it goes WAAAAY too quickly. So do what we do.... double the ingredients and make a WHOPPER of a cake. Sorry, forgot to take a picture straight away but this cake never lasts long in our house as you can see.

Also, with all the butter and syrup this cake is quite rich so don't cut huge chunks off until you've actually tried it and know that you'll manage to eat it (piggy).

The cake disappeared in double time at the Food Festival and I also had a couple of the mums asking for the recipe, so I was really chuffed.

Thanks Mother-in-law. Sam xx

Teacher's gift...

It's that time of year again and what is more appropriate than an apple for the teacher.

The pictures are of the same apple but just thought I'd show the different sides to it. You'll also notice, if you click on the link, that I didn't do the stalk but added a button on the top and bottom instead.

Many thanks to The Wool Food Mama for showing me how to make this time and time again.... Sam xx

Sports Day fun...

Yesterday was a scorcher, which was definitely a good thing as it was Bucket jnr's Sports Day.

I went up to his school lugging a bag of picnic goodies, camera and his spotted dog which he'd asked me to bring and sat down in the sunshine chatting to another mum.When I looked across to Bucket jnr he looked really miserable so after a quick run across to give him a hug, sat back down to watch all the kids.

The kids did brilliantly and had a great time but Bucket jnr sat and looked like it was the worst day ever. I waved and grinned at him across the running track and he eventually cracked a smile when I stuck his dog on my head and bobbed it up and down as though it was waving at him.

Just another typically sane mum then.

He lined up for his first running race and I got up and walked a little way forward to take a picture but as I was aiming the camera I saw that he was looking for me. Cue the arm waving and shouting his name, he eventually saw me but missed his cue to go. Luckily he's a fast runner and came second but I knew that I'd pay for that one later - I put him off - bad mummy!!!

His second race involved beanbags and he shot off, Speedy Gonzales I swear - he was determined that he was going to win this one. I kept sitting during this race.

Afterwards we munched and chatted with other mums and kids and generally just enjoyed the day.

Good thing it was yesterday, the weather today would have been awful.

Fun Day...

There was a 'Fun Day' at Bucket jnr's nursery class today. All the kids went in their home clothes and we had a picnic (in the classroom as too cold outside); farm animals were loose in the playground (need to watch where you step) and then ice pops for snack.

The kids (and the adults too) loved it. Wasn't that restful for the animals but overall the kids behaved brilliantly.

At the end of it the little pony took a shine to me and waited with me until it was time to be loaded onto the truck. It was such a sweet moment until I got home and found a load of flea bites on my arm - ouch.

But now I'm feeling really snotty and sneezy, don't know if allergies have finally kicked in or I'm coming down with a stinker of a cold.

For another sweet moment, during one of my nose-blows, Bucket jnr went to the bathroom and came down with a handful of toilet paper for me "just in case". Altogether now.... aaaahhhhhh. Sam xx

Fog & Books...

What is going on with this weather???

Look at this, my garden is out there somewhere, on a clear day we have houses at the back of us but not today - it is almost a complete pea-souper.

Now yesterday was another matter altogether, it was the first time that I'd put the washing out this year - IT WAS GLORIOUS.

Although, I left it out a little too late so it got cold and felt damp again BUT that's not the point. It was actually sunny enough and felt warm enough for me to want to put my washing on the line.

Also it was World Book Day and I managed to pick up these goodies for the kids.

Yes I know that I've only got two children and you get two book vouchers - the Skulduggery Pleasant book was for me as I love the stories and I'm going through a teen-read at the moment. I can't recommend this series of books enough if your kids have grown up with Harry Potter, are now a bit older and want another supernatural (in an easy going way) series of stories.

Well anyway, back to World Book Day and it was another day at school where you are encouraged to dress your kids up. Now I generally love this, it's fun watching the kids dress up in their costumes but why do I always seem to leave it to the last minute. It's the same with Comic Relief Day (spots) and Red Nose Day (anything red). Oh well...

I got a great idea from Freya at Tutorial Adventures and made Bucket jnr a brilliant dinosaur costume that went with his book "That's not my dinosaur".

   Although, he was a bit put out when one of the other kids thought he looked like a chicken. I don't know, kids today.... if I saw a chicken that looked anything like that, I'd run a mile. Sam xx

Reindeer-itis...

I'm channelling my inner Rudolph today.... that is to say, I have a glowing red nose that keeps itching and running. I think it's going to be the only athletic thing about me today.

I've also been reading some of the lovely blog entries that I follow and feel that I really must get my crafty vibe on soon. My fingers are itching to make something, it's just time that's against me. I keep thinking that 'today is the day' and before I know it the day is over and getting ready for bed.

But I've decided that, for me, 2012 is the year of the Crochet.

I tried at the weekend to make a magic circle and let me tell you, it's NOT that easy. It's probably because I'm a bit out of practice with holding the wool so I'm going to practice a little bit first on my stitches so I get comfortable again then I'll give it another go.

I will be doing a little sewing today, Miss Bucket has shot up in height so I had to chase down some new school trousers. Usually the stock of girls uniforms is bigger than the boys but this time all I could find were loads and loads of boys trousers (she hates skirts). I did ask her if I could buy those instead (noone would notice) but got a big NO. So finally tracked some down on the M&S website which are lovely but a little bit too long, so I'm going to be hemming today.

So it's going to be a little tea and sewing today and except for the occasional HONK as I blow my nose, it should be fairly peaceful. Lovely.

Sam xx

Helicopter Mum alert...

I've tried not to be but I finally realised that.... I'M A HELICOPTER MUM AND PROUD OF IT!!!

Sorry, just had to get that out. I'm not that bad normally and try not to interfere too much in my kids lives - when they're having problems with friends I just try to talk it through and give them ammunition help to get through it.

And every now and then I'll stand in their corner if their teacher needs to know how they feel they're getting on in school.

When I was younger I didn't have that sort of communicative relationship with my parents but I want my kids to know that I'm there for them, not having to sort things out by themselves like I had to.

But today I felt like knocking a few 8 year old heads together. GIRLS!!!! They can be right little horrors at this age and it is really, really hard to stand back and not do anything.

Miss Bucket is a solid friend, she doesn't have a best friend but likes lots of people all the same. She's grown up with a group of girls from Nursery age and is always there for them when they fall out, argue, playing by themselves etc.

Tonight was a film night at school and Miss Bucket got there a little late. All her friends knew that she was going and yet none of them thought to save her a seat.

I was standing outside and I could have cried when I saw the disappointment on her face and how she tried to cover it up. I really wanted to jump in there, give her a hug and bang some heads. I don't think they were being mean, just thoughtless. If it had been the other way round, she would have waited and saved seats for all her friends so noone was left out.

Maybe it's just the way she's been brought up, maybe she's just a nicer person and thinks of others, maybe... Just thinking about it makes me tear up again.

I'm very proud of my kids and, at this moment, especially of Miss Bucket. I know that eventually she'll need to sort things out herself but for the moment I'm going to keep hovering behind her.
Sam xx

Oh yes I did .......

I am feeling totally shattered. I feel worn out and all I want to do is veg out in front of the boggle box and do absolutely nothing.

I have just spent the day with a load of school kids at the panto.

Don't get me wrong I loved it but even though it was a great day out I still had to be responsible for some of the children and help out with controlling some of the other terrors children as well.

My brain feels completely wrung out.

I must admit I shouted and laughed along with the rest of them although had to shush some of mine as they are at that age when they want to take away some of the magic by pointing out the wires and the actors that may have more than one part.

It all went fairly well but it was hard afterwards when they had finished lunch and their energy came flooding back by which time mine (and probably the teachers) was flagging. I have nothing but respect for teachers who have to do this day in and day out. I'm not too sure I have as much patience to be able to do this all the time.

I asked Miss Bucket if I was too strict but she thought I was easier than the teachers as I laughed at their jokes. 

I'm going to give myself a well-earned pat on the back but never again........well, probably until next time. Sam xx

Christmas play...

Mr Bucket and I went to Bucket jnr's Christmas asembly this morning, his FIRST one.

It was brilliant!!

I had hopes of it being hilarious as earlier in the year he did a Harvest Festival assembly and about halfway through started an elbow fight with the boy next to him (defending himself, of course) and then during a singing bit he decided he didn't want to sing - he wanted to dance....and so he did. It was soooo funny.

So we sat and waited to see what would happen this time. I'm afraid I put him off to start with as I stood to the side, like any pushy proud parent to take pictures. He just sat and looked at me instead of singing, so I sat back down again.

Cue lots of hand waving and smiling and bobbing up and down as he tried to see us. He also wasn't too comfortable in his shephard garb, by the end I thought he was going to strip off.

It wasn't just him though, we saw lots of yawning; waving; nearly falling off the stage; nudging; face pulling - in fact, just about everything that you'd expect from 3-5 year olds.

As I said, BRILLIANT!!! Sam xx

School fete...

Yesterday I went to a brilliant school Christmas Fete. Our local Infant and Junior school are on the same site but split in two so the school held the fete in both the school halls - infant hall for infant children and junior hall having older children's items.

Usually I spend way too much on tat that someone else has thrown given away to add to the ever-growing number of toys that my children will never play with more than once.

But this time they had some really good stalls at the fete, some of the parents were showing off some of their skills - card making, jewellery, sewing, honey. And yes, I did contribute some cakes to the cake stall. I didn't see them so I'm hoping that they were eaten very quickly because they did look really good (even if I do say so myself and Miss Bucket told me they were really tasty).

The plain ones are for Bucket jnr who doesn't like icing - finicky little so and so

The kids bought some great items, lovely books and there were even some magnets that featured Moshi Monsters (Miss Bucket's new obsession). I even bought something for me, a lovely tape measure made from felt which I'm going to treasure.

Only had one sticky moment when Bucket jnr saw a little dinosaur jumping toy. We were just sorting out the money when another lady reached across and picked it up - I wasn't having that....
"Excuse me.....".

Apparently she had gone away and came back to get it but, in my eyes, she'd had her chance and it was now ours and I wasn't going to let her take it away from Bucket jnr who had his heart set on it.

It wasn't handbags at dawn, more like I've got a shopping bag and I'm not afraid to use it.

We got it.

Everything went smoothly and then Mr Bucket was persuaded to buy me some mulled wine (well, it is nearly Christmas you know) - it was VERY strong but tasted lovely and it went down really well. I paid for it though, I don't generally drink too much and even that small glass gave me a fuzzy head.

I'm trying to think if I became louder after drinking it and did I become one of those annoyingly loud parents that you can hear across the playground (well, louder than normal anyway). Hopefully not, Mr Bucket didn't say anything and he's usually the first to let me know.  Sam xx