oops now 2014 and no update!  A lot has happened over the last few months including Danny and I starting new jobs at the local shop. Not a brilliant job, but brings in some money while looking for other work.

WE've had the Bridgwater Carnival to see - 

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.  

Busy year...?

I hadn't realised it had been so long since my last post. This was why I could never keep a diary!
Well we haven't changed much. Still trying to get divorced (but closer to completing it!) I still work as a carer. I still run a Brownie Unit, but an stepping down to Assistant with Rangers.

I'm now working on an NVQ in Learning and Development which needs to be finished in the next few weeks.
Next year I plan to retrain in holistic massage as mum's health is getting worse so I need to be able to work from home if necessary.

Alanna is now four and a half (mustn't forget the half!) and is acting very grown up somedays. We haven't registered for school so have started on our home educated life. We currently have a massive time line on the dining room wall which I keep looking at and think we should add to. Our seasons/topic table needs something doing with it as it is currently stuck in May with a maypole in the middle. By Alanna's request we have just ordered sticker charts for when she does some reading and writing. She also wants a job chart which I have said after 5 stickers she will get 50p. My daughter thinks it should be either £10 or £100, the next Alan Sugar...?

I've just had a look for pictures from the last year. We have Halloween at the nursery, needed no bribary to wear her outfit. Alanna finally left nursery at Easter this year which was a big step, more for mummy than her I think. we gave each room she had been in a small present and she received a card from each one. Some came in the post a month later which she thought was wonderful!

The snow last year was more fun for her, not sure if it was for Grandad!

In October (just after the Girlguiding centenary celebrations, my friend had her first son who I'm now Godmother to. He winds his parents up no end with what seems like endless illnesses, but hopefully he will get them all out the way now and be healthier for it - hey Sue?!

I discovered Alanna loves trampolining. Particularly with a friend!

This year we seemed to have done loads of trips with photos, plus recently visiting Peppa Pig world, although no photos from it!

We've been to Basing House a couple of times and now have an annual pass. I'm making the most of annual passes this year as next year I'll have to pay for Alanna most places! It is a lovely walk to the grounds as well as around the site.

In April we went to lambing day at the local farm shop and Alanna went on some rides at a local funfair. She now loves the dodgems, but I don't think Grandad is so keen!

She has joined a gardening club called little seedlings at Dobbies garden centre. This is a free club for 4 - 10 year olds and she loves it.

In May we joined in the annual home ed safety day. Alanna loved finding out about the police (although now regularly tells people she's been in a police van without telling them why!) and the fire brigade. She wasn't too sure about first aid, but seemed ok with the RNLI and will happily tell you what colour flags you can swim between.

We went to scarecrow festival at the Vyne. Actually these seem to be everywhere now a days as Overton also had one recently.

In May we went to the Battle of Newbury by the Sealed Knot. Alanna loved this and was actively looking for dead people and also watching the first aid tent! She now has her own sword and shield which most people try to hide from! When she is old enough she wants to join them.

We've also been to Mottisfont Abbey with friends and Wellington Country Park. I think I'll save other visits for another post!

Other updates for the last year include Alanna starting with a childminder who unfortunately has had to take a several months break (hopefully back in the next couple of weeks!), but she has been looked after by a good friend of mine who she has got on well with. Her swimming keeps improving and she can now swim a short distance on her own front and back!

Also I have started a new relationship. It's still early (ish) days, but we have both been through separation so know how we both feel about somethings. He also has children and the youngest is close in age to Alanna so she is getting on well with the whole family. Although we do need to work on the spoil only child scenario! This week we are looking forward to going on holiday for a few days with them.