a productive and organised day :)

Sunday saw Danny off to work for the day and me alone with three children having just finished a night shift!  The children were really good. After breakfast they were read the riot act.  There was the options of a DVD, their computers or playing. I was going to bed for 2 hours and they would not want to wake me up. I heard them a couple of times, but otherwise nothing. In fact, as I had told Alanna I was setting my alarm for 11.30, but if I wasnt up by 12 to call me she woke me at 12.20 saying,  I gave you a bit longer mummy!  After lunch we needed to go and buy some veg for dinner so took advantage of the weather and walked along the canel collecting nature things to make into mobiles.  The children loved it, and finishing the mobiles off today the eldest told me how much he had enjoyed the walk and thanked me!

Then when we got back the children all helped prepare the vegetables they had chosen. NO photos, as watching the three of the with knives was hard enough!  The 4 year old chopped the broccoli and a carrot and sprouts, Alanna chopped the butternut squash, sprouts and a carrot and the 7 year old had the swede and spouts and a carrot.  All in the saucepan ready, with potatoes and meat in the oven when Danny got home.  More organised than normal for me! Then we set about making the mobiles after dinner.  These are still work in progress so photos to follow. 

Children in Need

Well three children went off to school this morning all happy to be in normal clothes for Children in Need.  We were reminded by Alanna that there will be a cake sale after school, so must remember to take money back with us.  The girls went off with their faces painted, if it is still on when they come home photo will follow.  All being well they will get to watch some of it this evening. 
I should really carry on unpacking boxes, but need to find some motivation. 
The girls wrote their lists of positive attributes last night. Some suggested it may help Alanna to read it when she is feeling angry or low (thank you Green Parents!)  They both thought very carefully about it and took some ideas from a list created by SARK in her book. 



 If you have the time, or if not try and make the time to read this book by SARK.  It is full of ideas and thought provoking comments.  I turn to this book and another one by her regularly, and alsways feel better having done so.













 Right looking at the time, off to bed as back to work tonight.  :(  First time I will be missing most of Children in Need.  Will hopefully post the picture later of the children.

Seal Sanctuary

Due to her dad letting her down Alanna was with us this weekend.  However, we had a great time driving down to Cornwall to visit the Seal Sanctuary. We have been twice before and Lanie loves it there, occasionally saying she will work there when she is older.  She was excited to see the seal that she has fed on previous times, but was sad to hear that he has died following an illlness.  However, she loved seeing the seals again and there were several in the hospital this time, quite young pups.  We also saw the penguins and otters who now seem to respond to a beat box noise!  They do such an important job at the sactuary and many seals wouldn't have survived without their help over the years.

Help needed

Question for anyone out there.  Alanna enjoys school and seems to be doing well according to her teacher, she is keeping up with the work , understanding it and has been moved up in maths and reading.  However, her self confidence has taken a nose dive.  Her teacher has mentioned that she never seems very confident and when we took her out on Saturday it was obvious. We went to the Seal sanctuary in Cornwall (photos to follow) and she was very shy about asking questions or talking to people.  In the past she would be straight in there.  ANyone any ideas what might have happened or how to help her?

new life

Alanna and I have now started a new life in Somerset.  We are living with a wonderful man and his two children.  There are some issues to srt out settling down. Alanna and I have been on our own for so long it takes time to adjust, but I think it will be for the better in the long run for both of us. 

Alanna has decided to start school, which she is loving.  I'm currently spending the day wondering what she is doing and how I would like to see her learning and sharing her education.  I've got better since the start of term, but still find myself clock watching for when I can pick her up again.








When the boxes have been unpacked I'll be setting up as a massage therapist which will keep me busier.