Day One Hundred and Two
dsc01849.jpg(click here for photo)Tonight I made a cake for Annie’s party tomorrow. I started making my own cakes when Daisy was born and now I feel like I can never stop in case I hurt someone’s feelings. I dread doing it but tonight I got a real buzz from making a Tombliboo cake. For those of you with no need to watch CBeebies in your lives, they are the latest craze to come from the makers of Teletubbies. Completely surreal, nonsensical creatures, which all toddlers seem to love. Where would we be without pink and yellow food colouring and marshmallows? I love family traditions and I think this is one I’m stuck with for another few years.
Day One Hundred and One
Annie’s second birthday. The little sweetheart, I can’t believe where the time has gone. She is so affectionate and I love her shyness. The physical similarities between her and Daisy are really striking but as she gets older the personality differences are more stark. Its great seeing her blossom into her own little character and I’m not going to compare and explain the differences but its just amazing to see how every child really is unique. I love them both so much my heart could explode. Happy Birthday Bubbles!
Day One Hundred!
Tomorrow is Annie’s second birthday so tonight I spent the night at Toys r Us appreciating how great it is to have a kid’s birthday in February. There were amazing post Christmas price cuts and the Dora the Explorer craft table I was intending to buy was less than half price, making it £20 instead of £50. I love toy shops, especially when its just me and no kids. I love really taking the time and choosing something I think they will love. I found Shrek ears in the bargain bin that I will use for party bags, or maybe just use myself someday to cheer myself up while I’m doing the housework, very comical.
Day Ninety Nine
I made plans for tonight a few weeks ago, I was planning to eat Chinese with my girlfriends. Unfortunately I had forgotten about a prior arrangement I had made to sing at my Uncle’s church. My uncle recently had his 15 minutes of fame when he spoke on National Television at George Best’s funeral, and I really respect him and love him dearly. It did mean a rummage in the back of my drawer to find my black velvet hat that one MUST wear when singing in his church. The one redeeming feature of this evening was that I miraculously managed to bribe my busy and in demand brother to come and play the piano for me. I promised him ‘a chip’ from the Bethany but instead we went to Bennetts and had coffee and baileys cheesecake which was much more civilized. A good chat, definitely worth a hour of piety in my hat and skirt.
Day Ninety Eight
A phone call with a friend I had been meaning to have for a long time. One of those people who it is impossible to have mundane small talk with. It was good to think about the big stuff, question myself and ask myself why I believe the things I do. I was saddened and frustrated by his unending cynicism, but glad we had touched base and kept each other in the loop of our lives.
Day Ninety Seven
Another wet day, will it ever stop raining? A nice afternoon with the in-laws, food and childcare, a winning combination every time.
Day Ninety Six
A blustery Saturday spent in doors. We spent the day building Ikea bookshelves for the kids, they played for hours, loving their new tidy rooms. I’ve been very aware recently that we are really coming out of the ‘baby’ stage with Annie. Sometimes I have short bursts of loving how cute her sleepsuits are, or how cute she is running around in her nappy, and worry I’ll miss having a baby/toddler in the house. And yet it is wonderful feeling sane and well slept again. Both girls sleep and can amuse each other, I can think clearly and love this new stage of parenthood.
Day Ninety Five
I have an fifth form English literature class who I adore and I actually dread them leaving. I have never felt that about a class and think the combination of their personalities and sense of humors is truly inspired. Today I gave them back their mocks and can’t believe in a few months they will have finished a two year course. There was a real sense of camaraderie; we were all on track today, determined to get the best from each other. They are the pupils who made me feel immediately welcome in a new school, they have endless energy, honesty and wit. I only hope I can do them justice.
Tonight I found a wonderful new TV series ‘The Choir- Boys can’t sing’ on BBC2. A teacher tries to start a choir in all boys comprehensive. It actually made me cry, some had voices like angels but bad, bad attitudes. Heart breaking TV. The timer is set for next week’s installment.
Day Ninety Four
I made a powerpoint for school tomorrow that for once I’m proud of. I struggle to bluff my way through my job in a ’specialist school for ICT’ which claims all its teachers are experts at using technology in the classroom. I have an interactive whiteboard and it has been a criminal waste of funds sitting in my classroom. I’m learning very slowly and it feels good to no longer be the remedial teacher who needs her pupils’ help to turn it on.
Day Ninety Three
I have a school formal to go to on Valentine’s night and I spent this morning at a friend’s house getting kitted out from top to toe. It can only be a good thing knowing people who own stunning black dresses from Karen Millen. Many times I have gazed longingly and lovingly with my nose pressed up against the shop window, now I have one temporarily hanging in my bedroom. It truly is a thing of beauty, thanks Alice x
