What a long but fantastic 3 days we have just had in London, the kids were up and dressed by 7am on sunday morning, which is probably the first time ever that we have been up and ready that early. We were happily seated around a table on the train by 8.20. A bag of food and entertainment supplies sat in the middle of the table. The kids coloured and talked and got excited at all the wonderful things we would see and do. The ex sat on the seats opposite, after a huge argument the night before there was a massive possibility that he wasn't coming with us. But because the show was only booked for me and the boys, I needed him there to look after Princess.
We arrived just after 10am and sent the ex to go store the suitcases in left luggage, while me and the kids had a snack and a loo visit. We then headed to the tube station and to Green Park, now this is the first time Me and the kids have been on the tube and I really wasn't sure how Einstein would cope, but he loved it, he refused to sit down because he liked standing up and feeling the tube move. We had a lovely stroll through Green Park and over towards Buckingham Palace, in time for the changing of the guard, some ignorant adults wouldn't even let the kids stand in front of us, but some were kind enough to let them through, one lady helped the boys climb onto the railings so they could get some photos. She spoke little English, but was very kind to the boys, Princess mostly sat on the ex's shoulders, so she could see. The kids were interested in why they do they ceremony and were surprised to hear the Guards band playing Queen songs and songs from James Bond. The atmosphere was lovely, many people singing along to the band. We walked round the barricades to the Victoria monument and had some lunch, the band marched past as we sat there. After eating, we headed up the Mall only to find that it was closed off for maintenance work. We back tracked and as we got to the entrance to Green Park it started to rain, the sort of rain that appears from no where and is fast and heavy, there was no where to hide and we didn't have raincoats so all we could do was to shelter the kids between us, my jacket lasted about 3 seconds before it was drenched through and within 30 seconds my clothes were soaked, the kids found this very funny, the scream people made as the rain started was really loud and watching hundreds of people run for shelter when there wasn't any was very funny. A very kind spanish lady let the kids shelter under her umbrella for a while. We continued to walk around the back of St James' Palace, me carrying my coat as there was now no need to wear it , I didn't care as after all it was only water and I would dry, but the disgust on peoples faces that I was allowing myself to get wet was awful, some people really do need to smile more. Anyway, we walked up Pall Mall and the kids spotted lots of sports/prestige cars, so they were happy. We went into the National Gallery and spent a good few hours wandering around, the kids loved it, although I think their interest started to wain towards the end. Cake and a drink soon brought them back to life, and me a heart attack, £27 for 5 pieces of cake and 3 cans of pop, won't be doing that again!
After the gallery, the ex took Princess to the hotel, near Kings Cross, and me and the boys went to see the show Horrible Histories, it was fantastic, really well written and acted, very different to the tv show, as there were only 2 actors, but for 11 and 8 year old boys it was perfect at an hour long. EInstein struggles to sit still and his legs start to hurt if he is still for too long. luckily there were empty seats to the side of him so he was able to move about a bit. We then took the tube to the hotel, basic, but clean, odd bit of threadbare carpet and extremely soft mattress, but what more should I expect in a travelodge in an old building near kings cross for £180 for 2 nights for 5 people including breakfast!!!
I didn't sleep well, as I was sharing with Einstein and by gods he wriggles a lot. But we were all up early and filled up on pastries and toast at breakfast. Then straight onto the tube to Westminster, we had a look at Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament then got on the river cruise up to the Tower of London, the kids enjoyed hearing the commentary about the different buildings along the river edge. Once at the tower we explored lots of different areas, unfortunately it was a very warm day and the massive amount of things we had done the previous day, meant we were all lacking energy. We viewed the crown jewels, the kids didn't believe they were real, and to be honest they got me thinking, couldn't they be sold and the money used to help rescue the financial situation this country is in? what is the point in having these crowns and sticks with jewels on sat there? People didn't seem that impressed with them, the kids were definitely more interested in the gruesome bits like the beheadings and traitors gate. We ate ice-cream and people watched, well army men watched as we tried to count how many were hidden in upstairs rooms, spying out of slightly opened windows. Eventually we ran out of energy and headed back to the boat. A trip back along the Thames and another commentary picking up on different buildings, but by now we had a very tired Princess. I decided we should head back to the hotel and not bother with going to see the Golden Hinde, and there was no way Einsterin was gonna go on the London Eye, he couldn't even look at it without being scared. He has a fear of glass at heights so I pretty much knew we wouldn't be going on the Eye. Pizza and burgers for tea and an early night was had.
We woke early again and were having breakfast by 8.30, straight on the tube to the Natural History Museum. Which is next to the grottiest, smelliest subway and tube station I have ever seen, which we found odd to say we were in one of the nicer areas of London, Knightsbridge. The museum was awesome, we barely covered a quarter of it, but did have time to see the Dinosaurs, me and Einstein explored the 'about me' section and the ex took StuntMan and Princess to see the Mammals section. We met some lovely home edders for a quick picnic lunch then we headed to the Science Museum, which again was awesome. The ex took Princess to a special under 7's area while me and the boys explored the space area, then an area looking at different eras, then onto a human body exploration section and then onto Launchpad. This area was full of hands on fun experiments. Princess joined us in there. We had a cuppa and ice-cream and then another half hour in the area before heading to the tube to King's Cross station to head home. I sent the ex to get a Burger King for us all for the journey home, they only announced the platform 8 minutes before the train was due to depart, which meant we had to near enough run for the train as it was on the furthest platform and our seats were on the furthest carriage. It turned out our seats hadn't been reserved, which was very annoying, luckily some people moved and allowed me and the kids to sit together. We were soon back in Doncaster, I found a fiver in the lift out of the station and dad was waiting outside to take us home. One thing we all noticed was how clean the air is here compared to London.
Kids went to sleep pretty quickly.
I would really like to know what people think to my blog, so feel free to leave a note :)
Thursday, 28 June 2012
Tuesday, 19 June 2012
The Dating Game, it's a joke!!!
Well, I've been single for nearly 8 months, I've dated someone for a few weeks, and had one other date since, both completely disastorous.
The ex from 8 months ago, is still around, so he can see the kids, now this is where it gets complicated cos he isn't their dad! The kids dads are tossers (sorry but it's true) the first is alcoholic and hasn't see the boys since they were just 6 months old and 3 years old. The other sperm donor has never met his daughter, he has accidentally seen her as I've driven past him. He lives in the same village as me and fought for custody of his 2 other daughters who he has with him (and they called me mum for a while), he left me when I was pregnant, for my best friend, who was married. (yeah I know you couldn't make this stuff up and be believed) I am extremely angry with him still to walk away from a child yet fight for others, makes me think the ex friend had a lot to do with it, but it's their loss, cos I get to enjoy 3 amazing children growing up.
Anyways, so my ex (who I refer to in my blog as the ex) is still around, by his own choice, he takes the kids out and sees them loads, which means I do get some free time. So I thought it would be a good idea to start dating again.
After the disaster of the few weeks seeing a lass over xmas (she turned out to have very different opinions on raising children and was a bit of a stalker in the end), and the one horrible date from hell (compulsive liar and very loud too), it hasn't put me off. What is putting me off is the calibre of men and women on these dating websites.
Now I'm no supermodel, (well ok if you squish one down to 5ft and make her eat 3 others, then I am!!) and I'm no Einstein, but jeez some of these people are awful.
Am I just being picky, I sometimes think, but then I think about what went wrong with the ex, he isnt very well educated and has no interest in anything, so I know I want someone with some brains. The ex's have either been walk overs or abusers, so I know I want a middle ground, someone that isn't scared to tell me to shush, but also someone that won't intimidate me. Now I love sex (oh how i miss sex) but I don't want it to be the first thing that is discussed online, I also don't want to discuss my bust size or recieve pictures of his manhood (of which isn't normally that impressive!).
I want a nice chat (over a couple of weeks) and see if we click, then meet up and have a cuppa and take it from there. Not a lot to ask is it??
So I log on each day in the hope of finding Mr or Miss right, but the decent sounding don't message back or turn out to be married, the weirdo's always message me asking if they can have my phone number or take me out even though they don't even know my name! And the women! well I think they are worse than the men, 30-40 year old women who's interests list; getting pissed, partying and drinking. Not exactly my ideal match.
I'm fed up of reading the same kind of profile over and over again,
'I enjoy socialising in the pub with mates, I play football and work hard'
woohoo how exciting! NOT!!
or then there are the ones: 'I like cycling, mountain climbing and travelling the world, I'm 45 with no children and would like to settle down'
Hmm.... if you get to 45 and haven't settled yet I don't think you ever will, especially when your first question is 'where are you going on holiday this year?' and I reply with 'caravanning in the UK' and they delete you, clearly not ready to 'settle down'.
Oh and then there are those looking for 'single, sexy, skinny and blonde' get real with a face like that you will be lucky to pull a dog.
I talk to someone for a few weeks, nearly everyday, I think ooh this is sounding good, they're interesting and chatty, local ish etc, then they disapear never to talk again .......
Then there are the ones that don't read my profile that clearly states that I'm cuddly and tattooed, have 3 kids and don't work, yet they ask 'what work do you do?' 'oh! I didn't realise you had kids.' and the best one SILENCE and deleted as soon as the conversation includes me being a big girl. So many people are really shallow and it now doesn't upset me at all, it just unfuriates me that these idiots have wasted my time, by not reading my profile that I took ages to write.
I wonder whether I will find my ideal partner, then I remember what an awesome time me and the kids are having and I smile and realise I don't need a partner, I would like one though. I miss the cuddles and waking up with the one you love, that feeling of excitement of knowing you are going to see them soon, having someone to discuss your day with, someone to help make those important decisions. But for now, I will be happy with snuggles with the kids and ringing my mum for a chat and obviously those with shares in Duracell batteries will be happy I am still single.
The ex from 8 months ago, is still around, so he can see the kids, now this is where it gets complicated cos he isn't their dad! The kids dads are tossers (sorry but it's true) the first is alcoholic and hasn't see the boys since they were just 6 months old and 3 years old. The other sperm donor has never met his daughter, he has accidentally seen her as I've driven past him. He lives in the same village as me and fought for custody of his 2 other daughters who he has with him (and they called me mum for a while), he left me when I was pregnant, for my best friend, who was married. (yeah I know you couldn't make this stuff up and be believed) I am extremely angry with him still to walk away from a child yet fight for others, makes me think the ex friend had a lot to do with it, but it's their loss, cos I get to enjoy 3 amazing children growing up.
Anyways, so my ex (who I refer to in my blog as the ex) is still around, by his own choice, he takes the kids out and sees them loads, which means I do get some free time. So I thought it would be a good idea to start dating again.
After the disaster of the few weeks seeing a lass over xmas (she turned out to have very different opinions on raising children and was a bit of a stalker in the end), and the one horrible date from hell (compulsive liar and very loud too), it hasn't put me off. What is putting me off is the calibre of men and women on these dating websites.
Now I'm no supermodel, (well ok if you squish one down to 5ft and make her eat 3 others, then I am!!) and I'm no Einstein, but jeez some of these people are awful.
Am I just being picky, I sometimes think, but then I think about what went wrong with the ex, he isnt very well educated and has no interest in anything, so I know I want someone with some brains. The ex's have either been walk overs or abusers, so I know I want a middle ground, someone that isn't scared to tell me to shush, but also someone that won't intimidate me. Now I love sex (oh how i miss sex) but I don't want it to be the first thing that is discussed online, I also don't want to discuss my bust size or recieve pictures of his manhood (of which isn't normally that impressive!).
I want a nice chat (over a couple of weeks) and see if we click, then meet up and have a cuppa and take it from there. Not a lot to ask is it??
So I log on each day in the hope of finding Mr or Miss right, but the decent sounding don't message back or turn out to be married, the weirdo's always message me asking if they can have my phone number or take me out even though they don't even know my name! And the women! well I think they are worse than the men, 30-40 year old women who's interests list; getting pissed, partying and drinking. Not exactly my ideal match.
I'm fed up of reading the same kind of profile over and over again,
'I enjoy socialising in the pub with mates, I play football and work hard'
woohoo how exciting! NOT!!
or then there are the ones: 'I like cycling, mountain climbing and travelling the world, I'm 45 with no children and would like to settle down'
Hmm.... if you get to 45 and haven't settled yet I don't think you ever will, especially when your first question is 'where are you going on holiday this year?' and I reply with 'caravanning in the UK' and they delete you, clearly not ready to 'settle down'.
Oh and then there are those looking for 'single, sexy, skinny and blonde' get real with a face like that you will be lucky to pull a dog.
I talk to someone for a few weeks, nearly everyday, I think ooh this is sounding good, they're interesting and chatty, local ish etc, then they disapear never to talk again .......
Then there are the ones that don't read my profile that clearly states that I'm cuddly and tattooed, have 3 kids and don't work, yet they ask 'what work do you do?' 'oh! I didn't realise you had kids.' and the best one SILENCE and deleted as soon as the conversation includes me being a big girl. So many people are really shallow and it now doesn't upset me at all, it just unfuriates me that these idiots have wasted my time, by not reading my profile that I took ages to write.
I wonder whether I will find my ideal partner, then I remember what an awesome time me and the kids are having and I smile and realise I don't need a partner, I would like one though. I miss the cuddles and waking up with the one you love, that feeling of excitement of knowing you are going to see them soon, having someone to discuss your day with, someone to help make those important decisions. But for now, I will be happy with snuggles with the kids and ringing my mum for a chat and obviously those with shares in Duracell batteries will be happy I am still single.
Home Ed holidays are never actually holidays
Wow I'm exhausted, the kids have worn me out, we've climbed and explored sand dunes, explored castles (so many I can't remember) been to a working water mill, paddled in the sea, been swimming loads and the kids have rode their bikes, we've seen seals in a harbour and storks (plus others we didn't know).
Northumberland is absolutely gorgeous, we drove the causeway to Holy Island and explored Lindisfarne Priory ruins, the kids love these sort of places and are intrigued with the architecture and history. We tried letting off Chinese lanterns over the sea but it was too windy, so they didn't work. (they were Eco ones so don't worry we wouldn't have hurt any wildlife)
The weather was gorgeous for the first part and we spent hours on the beach with another home Ed family that lived nearby. It's always great to meet other families, it's great meeting those that are only just beginning their journey, seeing the excitement of what could come is brill, knowing they will love it:)
We have been inside inhabited castles and the kids have compared the library of 14000 books to our own, and have decided we will one day own that many, I stupidly followed that castle visit with one to a second hand book shop. Now this wasn't any old bookshop, it's one of the biggest in the country (we actually ended up back there 2 days later!) in total the kids bought 37 books!!! For less than £50!!! Bloody good job we don't live any closer !!
Princess had a brill time in Alnwick castle, learning to ride a broomstick :) The boys did archery too, which they loved and pretended they were medieval archers :)
We've wandered around ruins and re-enacted battles, rolled down grassy banks and been scared by bats.
There was a minor glitch in that I stupidly thought the ex would like a couple of days with us, bad idea and won't be doing that again, but not gonna dwell on it, cos the week was bloody fantastic.
All in all an amzing week, we did way more than I have the energy to write :)
Oh and note to myself, towing the caravan (second holiday that I've towed ever) is nerve wracking, but driving with toes clenched means 3 and a half hours later, I can't walk LOL.
Northumberland is absolutely gorgeous, we drove the causeway to Holy Island and explored Lindisfarne Priory ruins, the kids love these sort of places and are intrigued with the architecture and history. We tried letting off Chinese lanterns over the sea but it was too windy, so they didn't work. (they were Eco ones so don't worry we wouldn't have hurt any wildlife)
The weather was gorgeous for the first part and we spent hours on the beach with another home Ed family that lived nearby. It's always great to meet other families, it's great meeting those that are only just beginning their journey, seeing the excitement of what could come is brill, knowing they will love it:)
We have been inside inhabited castles and the kids have compared the library of 14000 books to our own, and have decided we will one day own that many, I stupidly followed that castle visit with one to a second hand book shop. Now this wasn't any old bookshop, it's one of the biggest in the country (we actually ended up back there 2 days later!) in total the kids bought 37 books!!! For less than £50!!! Bloody good job we don't live any closer !!
Princess had a brill time in Alnwick castle, learning to ride a broomstick :) The boys did archery too, which they loved and pretended they were medieval archers :)
We've wandered around ruins and re-enacted battles, rolled down grassy banks and been scared by bats.
There was a minor glitch in that I stupidly thought the ex would like a couple of days with us, bad idea and won't be doing that again, but not gonna dwell on it, cos the week was bloody fantastic.
All in all an amzing week, we did way more than I have the energy to write :)
Oh and note to myself, towing the caravan (second holiday that I've towed ever) is nerve wracking, but driving with toes clenched means 3 and a half hours later, I can't walk LOL.
View of Lindisfarne Castle from the Priory
Etal Castle
Alnwick Castle gardens/StuntMan riding a tractor
Olympic Torch relay, near Tracey's House (new home edder) in Berwick upon Tweed
Princess learning to ride a broomstick (Alnwick Castle, where some scenes of Harry Potter were filmed)
StuntMan and new home ed friend playing on the beach
Etal Castle ruins
Boys in Bamburgh Castle
Kids learning cool stuff at Etal Castle
Lindisfarne Priory
Bamburgh Castle
Little bit of rain at Bamburgh
Einstein reading one of the new books
Not a great picture, but it is a seal just in front of us in the harbour at Eyemouth
Bamburgh Castle
Princess at Alnwick Castle
Boys at Bamburgh
Princess and her broomstick at Alnwick
Alnwick Castle
Monday, 4 June 2012
What a week!!!! Nieces, autism, politics, jubilee and tattoos
Please somebody keep reminding me that I need to say no more often, I'm so exhausted I fell asleep eating tea yesterday.
My nieces ran me ragged the whole week, neither of them settled very well at all with me :( which in turn meant my kids were restless and hardwork. My sister picked them up on Saturday and they've now moved 100's of miles up to scotland, which means I won't see them much anymore :(
We did have a wonderful day out and lots of fun in-between the rougher bits and 4.30am wake up. My eldest niece found a toad in the park and was determined to tell everyone she met, she told a member of staff who decided to go and find it, it was a long way from water so she wet it and put it in the shade nearer to the water, unfortunately it didn't survive. But I was very proud of all the kids, they were all so caring towards the horrid looking toad ;)
I've only just got my sister back after an awful falling out and now she's gone again, I wish her well but would have been nice to have her around a bit more.
I've been busy trying to get people to be interested in replying to the education committee enquiry into home education, but it's really disheartening at the number of people that are not interested or don't think it's important :( this could be a big turning point for home educators. It could be the formal recognition needed that LA's act ultra vires on a daily basis, with their bullying tactics and lies :( I've tried helping people organise themselves to reply as a group? But only 2 small groups are interested, I've been good and said no to organising something. I don't think my brain would cope with any more at the mo.
I've been dealing with our Ed psych team trying to convince them that home educated kids should still be entitled to assessments, they've finally agreed and will be seeing mathew soon. We are still waiting on an appointment with the autism assessment team. Long story short we started the diagnosis process, met a wonderful occupational therapist who helped loads with his sensory issues but then we started home Ed so didn't see the point in pushing for a diagnosis. But the longer I've spent with mathew the more I pick up on his quirks, and realise that if he ever wanted to go into formal education he would need some support, so off we go again on waiting lists.
It's the queens jubilee this week which means the ex has today and tomorrow of work, which gives me a few hours to myself, I planned on getting a tattoo but it's not looking good financially :( he turned up late today, his excuse was that he over slept, what he meant was he over did it at his mothers!!! So the kids have to suffer, she hasn't liked me from the day we met, tattooed, pink haired, single mum to 3, not exactly every mums dream daughter in law, but she made life hell, so bad in fact the ex stopped talking to her. Till we split and he's now there every few weeks, his attitude has changed and I can tell when he has seen her cos he gets selfish again :( he isn't the kids dad, but is the closest they've ever had and he wants to carry on seeing them but I do wonder how long that will last.
Even though he is a dick at times the kids love him and they finally got sorte and went out to a butterfly/animal place and had a lovely day. I on the other hand ran around like a mad woman: beds all changed, washing all done, went to town, had car brakes checked, went to 2 different pet places for a fish tank light, and covered all the caravan cushions and cleaned the caravan ready for next week.
Tomorrow I have no idea what I'm gonna do with myself, knowing me I'll clean or do DIY instead of actually stopping and resting.
My nieces ran me ragged the whole week, neither of them settled very well at all with me :( which in turn meant my kids were restless and hardwork. My sister picked them up on Saturday and they've now moved 100's of miles up to scotland, which means I won't see them much anymore :(
We did have a wonderful day out and lots of fun in-between the rougher bits and 4.30am wake up. My eldest niece found a toad in the park and was determined to tell everyone she met, she told a member of staff who decided to go and find it, it was a long way from water so she wet it and put it in the shade nearer to the water, unfortunately it didn't survive. But I was very proud of all the kids, they were all so caring towards the horrid looking toad ;)
I've only just got my sister back after an awful falling out and now she's gone again, I wish her well but would have been nice to have her around a bit more.
I've been busy trying to get people to be interested in replying to the education committee enquiry into home education, but it's really disheartening at the number of people that are not interested or don't think it's important :( this could be a big turning point for home educators. It could be the formal recognition needed that LA's act ultra vires on a daily basis, with their bullying tactics and lies :( I've tried helping people organise themselves to reply as a group? But only 2 small groups are interested, I've been good and said no to organising something. I don't think my brain would cope with any more at the mo.
I've been dealing with our Ed psych team trying to convince them that home educated kids should still be entitled to assessments, they've finally agreed and will be seeing mathew soon. We are still waiting on an appointment with the autism assessment team. Long story short we started the diagnosis process, met a wonderful occupational therapist who helped loads with his sensory issues but then we started home Ed so didn't see the point in pushing for a diagnosis. But the longer I've spent with mathew the more I pick up on his quirks, and realise that if he ever wanted to go into formal education he would need some support, so off we go again on waiting lists.
It's the queens jubilee this week which means the ex has today and tomorrow of work, which gives me a few hours to myself, I planned on getting a tattoo but it's not looking good financially :( he turned up late today, his excuse was that he over slept, what he meant was he over did it at his mothers!!! So the kids have to suffer, she hasn't liked me from the day we met, tattooed, pink haired, single mum to 3, not exactly every mums dream daughter in law, but she made life hell, so bad in fact the ex stopped talking to her. Till we split and he's now there every few weeks, his attitude has changed and I can tell when he has seen her cos he gets selfish again :( he isn't the kids dad, but is the closest they've ever had and he wants to carry on seeing them but I do wonder how long that will last.
Even though he is a dick at times the kids love him and they finally got sorte and went out to a butterfly/animal place and had a lovely day. I on the other hand ran around like a mad woman: beds all changed, washing all done, went to town, had car brakes checked, went to 2 different pet places for a fish tank light, and covered all the caravan cushions and cleaned the caravan ready for next week.
Tomorrow I have no idea what I'm gonna do with myself, knowing me I'll clean or do DIY instead of actually stopping and resting.
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