Wild Flowers

………..update the rest of this week soon but a programme on Stephen Poliakoff is just about to start and I adore his work so I’m off to watch it.

Saturday dawned bright and early- well before 9 is kinda early .Hectic day ahead-Pea 1 and 2 are having a birthday tea. It’s strange how when I was a kid and my mum used to say I could only invite x number of friends over for my birthday I thought she was mean and now I’ve done it . After many arguements and the vetoing of boys by Pea 1 (apologies to all my friends with boys,not my decision the list was finally complete.Unfortunately,as I’m so disorganised, only three of the five had actually been invited before last night.
Having emailed one of the birthday tea invitees at 1:30am last night, I was very glad to receive a call from her to confirm that they’d be able to make it today (Thank you both for coming. It was great to see you both ) and we had a lovely chat. Then it was time to dash to my mum’s to pick up the cake. She’d done a great job with it and had painted Ruby Gloom on it, as the Peas are going through a goth phase at the mo ( apparently Pea 1 is going to dress like Ruby Gloom when she’s grown-up but I suspect, in complete rebellion, she’ll probably look like she’s stepped out of the next catalogue-nothing wrong in that but neat and business-like is about as opposite to me as it gets lol.) .Stopped for a while to socialise with my mum,two brothers who were at home and say goodbye to my little sis as she’s heading back off to uni and then dashed off to ask another guest to tea.
K and L have probably written me off as completely nuts now ( if they didn’t already know it )as I turned up on their doorstep at 2:00 to ask if A,their teenage daughter, could come to the tea -the tea started at 3:00 lol. Luckily A agreed to come and we dashed off home to finish tidying the house. I couldn’t find the hoover attachment GRR and the front room took ages to do but everywhere was resembling tidy when the guests arrived.
The Peas all held court, played with their new presents and all their friends and allegedly watched Labyrinth-though I think it was merely background noise. MANY sweet things were eaten and C and I had another lovely chat whilst hiding in the kitchen. Then the delivery pizza arrived. Unfortunately,the kids had all had their fill and didn’t really eat any!!The Peas would like to say a big thanks to everyone for coming and I would like to say a big thanks to all the grown-ups who ate pizza and saved me the extra calories as heaven knows I certainly don’t need them .
As the party wound down, DEP and my sister turned up and the people next door knocked to apologise as their daughter had not attended as they’d forgotten and she’d gone to stay with her aunt overnight.Gave them some cake anyway even though they didn’t deserve it .
My lovely sister N ( I should say that there are loads of us-6 to be precise-4 girls and 2 boys.I’m the eldest,followed swiftly by C and N(twins), T currently at uni and M and M (16 this year ) was talking to C in the kitchen and just casually dropped into the conversation that she’d been in hospital for tests and made me look like a right uncaring twat for not knowing this but, even though she’s been sulking and not speaking to me for 4 weeks because I wouldn’t do her a favour, I was still hurt that she was having problems and hadn’t told me. She’s just so stubborn and hasn’t learnt yet that life’s too short for that crap.
Anyway, it was lovely to see her and the peas all had a lovely time.On days like this I love my life………….and pizza

Fairly laid back day today ( are any not recently ? ).Persuaded Peas to write a diary entry for yesterday and tidied the house in preparation for tomorrows birthday tea. Bad mom moment, when I realised that,after telling the children that we had ages to enter the Blue Peter music makers competition, we’d missed the deadline-oops!!!
My little sis popped over this afternoon with birthday pressies, as she heads back to uni tomorrow, and we dropped her home after the usual Brownies run. Pea 2 and SweetP had their thinking badges tonight so they were chuffed (must sew the blooming things on as they’re piling up on the side now and requests are being made that ‘ if I’m too busy can Grandma sew them on ‘-and I want to sew them on like a good Brownie mum lol. I’m about as good at sewing as the aforementioned badger as well ).
Can’t believe that Pea 1 and 2 are 9 tomorrow. They still look so little all snug in bed.
Late to bed and the house still looks messy but why do today what you can put off ’til tomorrow.
EDIT
Forgot to say that I was woken this morning by SweetP saying “it’s the day of the test today.Can we have it straight after breakfast?”It took me a while to realise that she was talking about the spelling test I’d suggested earlier in the week (she is a strange child sometimes lol ).Now, this was something I’d suggested to Pea 2 might help with her spelling as she was getting annoyed about having to make corrections in her work. They all liked the idea so I suggested that I pop a list of 10 words up on the wall on Monday and we have a test on Friday each week ( for every spelling they got right I suggested that they could have a sweet-added incentive).Well I forgot about the test until just before tea when SweetP reminded me, and my sister retreated into the front room as we very industriously went through the ‘test’. Pea 1 and SweetP both got 7/10 and Pea 2 got 6/10 and were all rewarded. Made me chuckle at the missing and added R’s in all their spelling especially as Pea 2 had popped an R on the end of Grandma and missed an R in Africa and SweetP had missed out R’s too. They all seemed to enjoy the test and have requested another one next week so that’s good

I’m very pleased with myself now, as I just sorted the link in the last post all by myself
This is quite an acheivement for me as I’m about as computer literate as your average badger lol . Mind you, I could have asked the children, they’d probably have worked it out faster .

As Pea 1 and 2 are 9 on Saturday (where does the time go! ),today was the day for our traditional family day out - all of us including DEP- obviously fun for the adults,fixed grins at the ready.Actually,in the beginning, when DEP and I were as friendly as two cats in a bag, this day was sheer hell but as the years have gone by and I’ve grown up (one of us had to lol ) it’s become quite fun.
This year, as the Peas were still feeling ropey yesterday,we had no grand plan for the day so DEP grabbed croissants for brekkie and headed over for 9:45.Meanwhile, I had woken up with the mother of all hangovers ( I presume this is how hangovers feel as I don’t ever get them ) this being a bit weird as I hadn’t had a drink for weeks.My head was throbbing and I couldn’t speak ( much rejoicing from DEP at this ).This morning it took two cups of tea,a croissant and two paracetamol to make me feel human- I’m glad in a way that this cold only seems to affect me when I get up, and then I’m fine after a slow start, but I wish that it would just blow over.
The Peas decided that bowling and here were on the agenda with a bit of shopping and lunch as well. DEP was in a less than pleasant mood as he’d already had a row with the nice lady in Tesco who informed DEP the croissants were lemon, even though they were labelled chocalate, and couldn’t see why he had a problem with the mis-labelling (lemon croissants= strange tasting but not disgusting unless, of course, you don’t like lemon which DEP doesn’t ).So, we headed out for a spot of pleasant shopping and the promise of a nice play in the park before bowling. Obviously the heavens opened at that point so shopping seemed our only option .
Parked up and DEP’s car doors wouldn’t lock .But it was quickly sorted and we popped into TKMAX for a quick look at the toys.Saw my lovely mum and little sis inside and arranged a small birthday cake for the Peas. mum had already baked one in anticipation of being asked as she knows how disorganised I am .
O.K so nothing could make me angrier than losing the ed report I thought but, no, apparently the sheer bloody minded selfishness of some people does it.Right,so we’re stood in the toy isle of TKMAX and the Peas have spotted some littlest pet shop sets that they think are great,I’ve spoken to DEP and he would like to buy them for the Peas birthday.All good so far- in fact almost too easy-great pressies they love,I like the look of and not too expensive.Now, as I’m speaking to the Peas,and explaining if they want them,they can have them, another customer walks up the isle,bends down and pick up one set of the toy-no problem,there are two of one lot and three of another (all £15 each not cheap ),then she picks up the other one of the same design,walks around Pea 1 and proceeds to slide the other THREE off the shelf as I starded in open mouth astonishment and walks off with them all !!!!GGGGRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!
I practically had to be restrained by DEP when the shock wore off as she must have overheard the Peas say which toy they wanted and just didn’t care.Even DEP-only ever really vocal in annoyance at me, said in a loud voice ” I hope she trips over those boxes and breaks her neck”.The Peas were very disappointed but , being far more laid back than I am, Pea 1 picked something similar and Pea 2 was happy to look elsewhere.This did lead to a very educational discussion on karma though
Then,we went bowling-well they did,I had to hold the camera .It made me realise how much fun I have watching them all bowl when I’m not-I hate bowling with a passion as I always get beaten by them all,even SweetP,by miles and I get all stressed at being SOOO bad at it that it’s no fun. We all took it in turns to take some great pictures and had a really good giggle. DEP made me laugh when he said that the reason I don’t enjoy bowling was because I took it all too seriously, when he was stood there with a large bag containing his own shoes and balls (bowling obviously as I have the others in a bag in a cupboard ).
After an hours bowling, we headed off to MD’s for lunch.We had to wait ages for our food,it was cold and burnt and I don’t think any of us enjoyed it.I’ve really gone off MD’s in the last year, still, the Chicken Little toys went down well,especially the cut out finger puppet which was played with with loud giggling as we drove to our next stop-the House of Marbles.
OH MY this place is FAB!! Not only is it free and educational (this was Pea 1’s suggestion bless her) but it elicited all the birthday squealing you could wish for and I now know what to get DEP for his birthday . We looked in the marble museum and watched the amazing marble machines-to quote SweetP “I’m going to watch this contraption now”( 7 going on 70-perhaps too much Wallace and Gromit lol). They were in here for ages and, then there was the glass blowing to watch-which fascinated DEP and I, and a small pottery museum and of course the shop where everyone got to pick 5 marbles each and DEP paid - 3 happy Peas for less than £3.50 FAB.Ohh and then we noticed the HUGE marble machine, on one wall above the stairs, that had pool balls for marbles and did all sorts of exciting things and this kept all our attention for ages.We all can’t wait to go there again
A quick visit to Trago on the way home, to aid Pea 1’s Sylvanian family addiction ,get a little something for Pea 2 and see some fluffy bunnies, and then home for tea.
DEP tried, valiantly, to sort out my broadband probs (I still keep getting disconnected ) but to no avail, stayed long enough to throw coffee over Pea 2 (luke warm and entirely her own fault mind ) and scarpered while I made tea and turfed them off to bed .
Nice Tesco man tried again this evening to sort the broadband prob but, as I’ve had to reconnect about 4 times since starting typing this, we evidently had no joy.
Off to bed now, as I’ve just realised how late it is and will undoubtedly feel yuck tomorrow, but we’ve all had a GREAT day

PHEW!!!
Up to date - don’t worry I will blog 50 lines of
‘ I will not get behind in my blogging ‘
as punishment .
Today was quiet again-well up to a point.Concluded that the children must all feel better because I could hear arguing before breakfast-I however felt like the living dead and needed THREE cups of tea to get moving.Haven’t dared look at my half-saved ed report as I’m still cursing myself for not constantly saving the updated version so over saw ‘normals’ but couldn’t be bothered with Ambleside today.
Daisy practised her cello this morning, again without being prompted.She’s really picked up the pace since the cello coffee morning when she wasn’t happy with her performance and I wasn’t prepared to tell her it was good when i didn’t consider it to be. Whilst I consider it a vital part of being mum to be loving and supportive, I also think it’s my job to tell it like it is and to know which of those things to be appropriate at the time when asked.
Did intend to go to group today but Pea 1 threw an almighty hissy fit with sobbing about going and still seemed a bit flushed so we stayed home. However she’d obviously perked up by the time for SweetP’s music as, while that took place, she was chasing around the spare room with Pea 2 and the Boots crew and still felt well enough to go to drama.
SweetP and I enjoyed a secretive choccy bar and window shop and we headed home for tea,Noddy catch up (he’s teaching Spanish this week) and bedtime(and blog catch up obviously ).

Pea 2 and SweetP were feeling better so sorted ‘normals’ out and tried to inspire enthusiasm about something/anything.Instead we watched The 10th kingdom and Pea 1 continued to lounge. Today,however,we did at least get dressed.
I blame the blog myself-ever since I decided to write about our exciting and educational adventures all we’ve done is sleep,get ill and watch t.v -honestly it didn’t use to be like this pre-blog -well perhaps the sleeping bit
Highlight of the day was finishing the educational report completely .
However this was followed by the low point when my computer corrupted the file and ate it all
AAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I would continue with the smilies to accurately portrait my feelings but I fear that I’d either get RSI or my keyboard would wear out.
I don’t know if anyone got the email about the little cartoon guy smashing his head against the computer until he was dead but that’s how I felt at that moment.DEP tried to retrieve the file but it was totally corrupted and gone only about 10ish hours work-it was a thing of beauty that had made me realise how hard we all work together and how much we’d learnt in the last year (plus how everything sounds good with some spin )-gutted!
I giggle now about the timing of this next event but I didn’t at the time.
Just as I realised the computer had eaten my ed report and I was actually growling in an inhuman way,the doorbell went.At the door stood an angel with a huge bunch of flowers .Unfortunately,they were for the lady next door and I was merely being asked to take them in for her . Resisting the temptation to kick the door shut,I smiled and concluded the angel was actually the devil in disguise,having a laugh,and I should try not to look bothered.They were rather beautiful flowers but not as beautiful as my valentines card from Pea 1 that she made without telling me despite still being ill. I love her so much sometimes
Ran Pea 2 off to music class for a special surprise, as she didn’t know that I’d arranged for her to get her new cello (bought from a friend who’d grown out of it-Thank you)this evening and was really pleased.
Got home to a request for babysitting from next door(as I’d volunteered when they’d collected the flowers)and, after I’d cooked a lovely curry for tea with all the extras,the 2 extra children piled into mine and disappeared upstairs.L had decided she’d like to sleep but J had decided not to.Left them to their own devices for a while and then rounded them up for bed-the Peas and L at least. J checked on his chicks next door (his Grandfather owns a farm and he’s rearing some chicks of his own in an incubator in his room!) and we settled down to watch the mens figure skating and take the mickey.We chatted about baking too and he said his mum didn’t bake at all-though presumably that’s because her hands are usually full of large bouquets of flowers and I promised him some cakes next time I baked. He reminded me of the teatime conversation I had with the Peas about DEP’s cooking:
Pea 1 “He cooks fishfingers and onion rings and chips ”
SweetP “and beans and pizza”
Pea 1 “and spaghetti”
Pea 2 “and fishfingers”
A wide and varied diet I see lol.Although,to be fair, I know he boils eggs as well
It was great talking to J and having a laugh, as it’s been years since I talked to a boy of his age (10) and he reminds me of the boys I used to nanny. I’ve always found I seem to get on better with young boys rather than girls (no funny jokes at the back there-yes I mean you!)
so it’s a bit unfortunate that I’ve got all girls-still I’m sure the teenage years will be all fun !!!
At the end of another Valentines Day on my own, I realised that I don’t need a man for love and companionship-I need a man who can fix my computer lol.

Nearly caught up now .
All Peas feeling pretty ropey today.We were supposed to be having Jo and O over but didn’t want them to get our bugs before they went away on tuesday so postponed.Will phone you L, when we’re up to visitors as we don’t want to give you our lurgee either.
Did our normals and watched films - really not up to much else. Pea 1 couldn’t even summon enthusiasm for GB so another early night with warm baths and story snuggling was in order.
9:30p.m I’m downstairs making a banner to go on next doors house for her 30th tomorrow and I hear crying.I go upstairs,presuming it’s Pea 1 crying in her sleep again (she did that a lot last night,which upset me but I could do nothing to help but calpol and cuddles ) , but it’s SweetP.She says that her tummy hurts, has a cuddle and is told that i’m busy downstairs so if she needs me to come down.
10:00p.m I hear crying.I’m busy making the banner,presume it’s Pea 1 and if she’s awake will come down and get me,so continue with banner making.
10:30 p.m SweetP appears, having been crying upstairs for 1/2 an hour,to say she has earache ! Why, oh why did she not come down when she was in pain even though she was specifically told to if she needed me? Now she’d been in pain for ages, when it could have been sorted with calpol and a hot water bottle-arggh.Now I feel like a bad mum for taking more care of a banner than a sick child . Still she was sorted quickly,once I was aware of the problem,and off to sleep again-though I, rather meanly, did grumble at her and explain that the pain could have been sorted quicker if she hadn’t been so silly.

Listened to loud music,tweaked ed report,went out on Sat for a friend’s 30th -danced a lot,moaned a lot about the price of coke (I was driving),shopped,planned next week, watched some t.v-not much really,very nice
Unfortunately,Pea 1 arrived back from DEP’s with a raging temperature and was fairly hysterical with shakes and coughing and feeling pretty awful . So had to spend Sunday night comforting her and I let her sleep in my bed to keep an eye on her- not very restful for me

Popped to library this afternoon to add to the booktrack.Despite finding the lost ‘women of Africa’ cd to return and obviously the car keys-did I mention I found the car keys -’Wow it’s worm’ the missing library book has not surfaced.Will probably have to pay for this one which is annoying, but it was lost before the purchase of our truly fabulous Muddle Puddle bookbags, so could be anywhere.I really value these bookbags as all library books are now confined, unless being read, and because of their bright colour they can always be found even in this untidy hovel(and some days I’m sure it is a hovel,not a house).All Peas coughed loads today and I think maybe we shouldn’t have gone out.
Brownie run in the evening-chocolate covered fruit this week-yummy!
EDIT to say i forgot my sister popped in this evening . This was a huge surprise as we thought she was still at uni until next week (she’s at Salisbury studying to be a nurse-I’m so proud of her). SweetP’s face was a picture when Pea 1 opened the door and T was there.They hugged her loads and we caught up and agreed to meet in the week for a nice long dog walk,as her dog,Max, and mine,Susie,love running about together and it’s great to catch up whilst walking somewhere beautiful and getting healthy-I like the walks that end in a cream tea best .