Mrs Yoastie blog

Traditional parenting.

2011-10-04T20:57:00.002+01:00

We have decided to do what all good parents do when their child is afraid of dogs. That's right, get a dog.

We have been to look at dogs at dog shelters but they seem to be mainly Staffordshire Bull terriers. Not my kind of dog. Alternatively the dogs available are Rottweilers - too big for our house and also not my kind of thing.

We have looked at books about dogs. The youngest is pretty certain she knows what she wants. We are going to go to Discover Dogs to meet some breeds. I have been in touch with a breeder, so fingers crossed we will soon have the patter of 4 little feet.

talking of chocolate

2011-10-03T09:47:00.003+01:00

Recently read this post. I like dark chocolate. Husband brought this back from Switzerland last week. It's just like eating cacao powder. Not sure what I'll do with it. Chocolate cake anyone?

Settling back into school

2011-10-01T10:34:00.002+01:00

The girls seem to be enjoying school so far.
The eldest now has violin lessons and school choir and so far she likes it. The teacher did decide to teach them French. She was not impressed. "Well I speak English and Dutch and I can ask for apple juice and ice cream in German and Italian. Why do I need learn French?" Hmm because it's part of the curriculum?

The second daughter is not sure that her new teacher is giving her enough work though. She has had to ask for homework. She wants homework. Her teacher is happy to provide it but as he is newly qualified he doesn't always have time to provide with extra work.

Luckily the mac turned up. It was in the PE kit.

Eight years old

2011-09-26T09:58:00.003+01:00

She is eight years old. I have been a mother for eight years and husband has been a father for eight years.

First week of school.

2011-09-16T16:12:00.002+01:00

Well so far so good. We have the first week of school behind us. The tally so far:

One cardigan lost - but returned later that week
One bright pink pack a mac - still MIA
One new school polo shirt with paint that doesn't wash out.
One knee with scab with matching hole in tights.

About the knee. Dear Daughter 2 wanted to keep the plaster. "I like the pattern the blood has made". Oh dear. I may have a budding "modern" artist.

New shoes

2011-09-02T09:55:00.004+01:00

Look new shoes.
They are Hush Puppies Noella. I am not used to walking on heels so not sure if they fit all right but they are so red and lovely...

Been a while.

2011-08-15T08:24:00.000+01:00

Sorry I've been busy. I'll try to be better.

As a reminder

2009-03-24T17:21:00.003Z

The 5 year old stuck this to the front door, so that "you don't forget!"

Small indulgence

2009-03-14T20:19:00.002Z

Today we acquired a Douwe Egberts Senseo machine. Not the one I really really want just the bog standard one. But hey this one was free the Latte I would have to pay 150 Euro, so that's on hold for now.

My Aunt S one our Senseo in a staff raffle. She does not drink coffee, so passed it on to my Dad. Dad has a serious coffee habit. For him it worked out only slightly cheaper than going to Starbucks, so he went back to using the old filter machine.

My Sister-in-law has the Senseo Latte. I want to point out that I am not someone who is covetous but baby I want that machine. I am in love with the lattes, the cappuccinos, the frothy milk and the chocolate powder to go on top.

I mentioned my current lust object to my Mum today. And she pulls the Senseo out the cupboard. Mine free of charge.

Now for a lovely cup of coffee and some Green & Blacks dark chocolate.

Infectious

2009-03-09T20:46:00.002Z

In our little town there is a group of very strict Christian. No TV, no internet, girls wear long skirts or dresses and cover their hair. Boys and girls do not mix after a certain age. (presumably there is an age at which they are allowed to mix again, otherwise there would be no new children ;-) )

At pre-school we have three children who belong to this group. One of their rules is that they must not eat with members outside their church. We have snack time. Most under 5's can't go more than a couple of hours without food. So we have milk, bread and fruit (provided they are not allergic of course).

When snack time came round today I had to place our three Christian children at a separate table. Two other boys wanted to sit with them. They are friends and there was space at the table. I had to tell them to sit somewhere else. "Why? Why can't I sit with them? Have they been naughty?" asked J. "Are they infectious? Mummy is a nurse and she says you shouldn't sit with infectious people. Are they ill?" asked B.

Very good questions I thought. And explaining to them that is was due to their religion did not work. "What like S. not eating meat because she is Mussels? But she sits with us." Quick think - mussles?? oh Muslim. I had to admit that I didn't know the ins and outs of it. "Well I hope it isn't catching, this religious." stated B clearly not wanting to let go of the illness theory.

It's a shame that sometimes religion can isolate people.

Washing powder

2009-03-03T16:57:00.003Z

I used to watch Charlie Brown and the Peanuts. One of the gang is a little boy who is covered in dirt and walks around in a cloud of dust. I can't remember his name but if you watched Peanuts you'll know the one I mean.

At pre-school we have a little boy who reminds me of that character. He comes in grubby in the mornings. The next day he is grubbier still. We normally clean his breakfast of his face first thing we do. Little peanut is potty trained but he needs reminding a lot of the time. My colleague had changed him once already after an accident. The clothes in peanut's bag were just as grubby as the ones he came in with. Just before lunch he wet himself again. It was my turn to change him as his spare things had been used already I got some clothes out of the emergency box. "Ah!" sighs peanut "washing powder." as he sniffs the clothes. After some questioning it turns out he wets himself so that he can wear our spares because they are clean.

Apparently this has been raised with his mother before. The older brother used to come in so dirty that my supervisor had a word with the mother. My supervisor was saddened to hear that standards were slipping again. I hope for little peanut that his clothes will be washed more often as he clearly does not like being dirty.

Expedit

2009-02-26T16:28:00.002Z

I have done some online shopping. I ordered an Epedit from Ikea. It will be delivered on 6 March.
I think Mr Y is a feeling a bit cheated. No 1.5 hour drive there or 1.5 hours back. No meatballs, no lugging heavy stuff or buying things in the market hall.

Sometimes unpopular decisions have to be made. But hey storage space in the house is needed.

I never knew

2009-02-24T20:32:00.002Z

I was a geek at school. Let me be honest I was a nerd. I was good at science I wore glasses and was somewhat lax about my personal appearance - hair was a mess most of the time. I had spots for goodness sake. I was teased but not much. Either because my brother beat them up for me or because I gave them a sharp set down.

I grew up. The acne cleared, the puppy fat disappeared due to lots of rowing. I was however still a nerd. I did not drink at parties and did not seek out the dark corners of the sport's field in male company.

One of the girls I went to school with is now an author and writes a column in a national newspaper. She was popular at school, pretty, slim and wasn't acne riddled. She was also not above a bit of heavy petting. In her column she talks about her struggles with bulimia and depression. Apparently this was all going on at the age of 15 and carried on till in her 20's.

I was shocked. I never knew. As far as I knew she had a great life. Her big brother didn't beat up boys who asked his sister to the school disco. She was popular. Apparently she had a great fear of failing and of disappointing others.

I never thought of myself as a happy teenager but looking back maybe I was. I knew who I wanted to be and that whatever happened my parents and brother loved me. I really hope my daughters will grow up to know who they are and that we love them. And that they do not have to go through such insecurity to find themselves.

Daktacort

2009-02-08T10:01:00.003Z

Just a quick update. The prescribed cream, Daktacort, seems to be working on the ringworm/eczema. The only problem is it needs to be kept in the fridge. I manage to remember to apply it in the mornings but in the evening I normally forget it. This means one cold walk downstairs to get it out the fridge and then another one to return it. And no, I could not just apply it in the kitchen. Somehow that feels so wrong.

Ringworm

2009-02-06T15:55:00.003Z

I have managed to get ringworm. Well, that is to say the GP is not sure it could be eczema. Luckily the pharmaceutical industry has realised that GP's can't always tell the difference. I have therefore been prescribed a cream that should treat both ringworm and eczema.

This is not the first time I have had ringworm. I caught it of a horse when I was younger. Our Tervuren caught it of me. On his nose - his rosette winning best in breed nose. The dog was taken to the vet to see what could be done. The poor thing did not like the gel stuff for his nose. He even tried nip my father as he applied the cream. Most unlike our dog. He was devoted to my dad and never tried this before. So, as the source of infection was my leg, I had to try the gel on my leg - the vet prescribed dog friendly gel, which did not mention if it was child friendly. It stung, it really hurt. Cleared up the ringworm a treat though.

The dog was taken back to the vet's. He was prescribed a new treatment. My parents were asked to please not try out any other dog treatments on their children.

Snow

2009-02-05T20:15:00.004Z

It snowed. In fact it snowed snowed so much that the primary school and all other schools in our town were shut.

The children didn't mind one bit. They spent the morning building snow cats.

Inspiration

2009-01-20T21:39:00.002Z

I am afraid I lacking inspiration. Well that's not quite true. I could write lots about my job at the pre-school. I don't do this as I worry about confidentiality.

Could write about the fact that my brother and his family are emigrating. But I get a little upset thinking about that and my feelings about it are complicated.

I could write about my grandmother and that I feel she is unfair. But she is 95, so what the point be? She isn't going to change now.

I am also guessing that no one wants to know about my flu. The oldest daughter's sickness (and the fact that she gets all colds and illness).

I will try harder.

Teaching

2008-12-15T20:08:00.004Z

Britain has a shortage of secondary school teachers. Especially science teachers, maths, IT, RE and modern languages. So, basically most subjects except PE and drama.

I have a science degree. I have been looking into teacher training. I would like to take up work again now that the little ones are older. I don't think accountancy is for me anymore. The five year break means lots of re-learning and also retaking of exams. Month end is unsociable and there is no 6 week break in the summer.

Problem is: Getting qualified will mean working long hours. Now this does not worry me unduly. However Mr Y.'s new job entails lost of long days and lots of working away from. Where is the difference with the old job I hear you ask. Well it's not international travel. Makes all the difference- apparently.

I can't commit the time at present. I want the girls to be settled into their school. I could ask my mum and dad to help out but somehow that feels wrong. They are in their 60's they don't have the puff to look after two lively girls.

The Teaching Development Agency are clearly desperate though. They have sent me on a three day taster course, organised school visits and are now trying to find a flexible course for me. I never knew chemistry was that much in demand. Hopefully I have managed to let them down gently. I told them that I would be unable to start before September 2010. "Don't worry Mrs Y." he said with a not unappealing Welsh lilt "I'll call you in six months time." "Why?" "Well now, you'll be needing to get your references in order and your application form. Don't worry though. I'll be there to help you through the process."

I think I had better dig up the old Chemistry text book.

Christmas Tree 2008

2008-12-12T21:58:00.004Z

The tree is up. BC (or before children) we had classy trees. They were themed silver or blue or silver and blue. Now our trees are colourful and garish.
I think I like the after children trees better.

Top picture was taken by the 4 year old daughter.

Christmas Prep

2008-12-02T10:09:00.003Z

Advent has begun and we have put up the Advent's calendars. We have four this year. Auntie H. decided not to check with us and sent them calendars. Nice thought but I had already bought them one each. I don't think the girls mind. The more Playmobil the merrier.

It is difficult to celebrate Sinter Klaas with just us. It seems a bit flat. No one else gets it. There is a Dutch society in Oxford. Mr Yoastie looked into joining but felt he had nothing in common with the people who went there other than his passport. Normally we have pepernoten etc. but my father-in-law is in hospital. Understandably sending Sinter Klaas stuff to grandchildren isn't really foremost on my mother-in-law's to do list.

But on a more cheerful note CS is one of the angels in the Christmas production. Apparently during rehearsals Mary was worried about the lack of hospital facilities in Bethlehem. The angels at least stick to the script. Mummies and Daddies are allowed to come and watch. We are a little worried that younger sisters are excluded, well CE is worried. Mr Y. will do his best to work from home on the opening night (lunch hour), so that he can see our eldest perform.
Luckily the school provides the costumes. I am not sure I could have mastered angel wings.

I will get on with some baking later. We have new biscuit cutters in the shape of reindeer and they need to be used.

My New wheels

2008-11-16T10:00:00.004Z

Well here it is my new transport. Well, it isn't really for me. It is for my shopping. But never mind.
I know I haven't written much lately but it has been busy here. The girls have both been ill. First one for a week then the other. I dislike clearing up sick. I know it is not their fault and I feel sorry for them. There is so little you can do for them.
Started my new job. So far so good. Though for now I think I am more of a hindrance for the other teachers and not much of a help. But I hope to soon learn where the paint is kept etc.
I have had to look after Dad. Well not really but Mum went to my brother's as his wife has just had baby number 3. So Dad was on his own and lonely. Luckily daughter 2 loves her Opa, she phoned him lots and invited him over for apple pie.
I hope to soon have more interesting posts. But probably not I seem to lead a fairly mundane life.

Job offer

2008-11-06T11:13:00.002Z

I've been offered a job.

All right, so it is to look after children two mornings a week. Not much change from what I do now. But I am excited. I am going to be a nursery school teacher. Mess about with paint and glitter and get paid for it. How cool is that?

Loo seat

2008-10-27T09:27:00.003Z

We had a bit of a lavatorial disaster day. First the oldest daughter decides to help by putting new loo paper on the roll thing (holder? what do you call those anyway?). The whole new roll ended up in the unflushed loo. So that went straight into the bin.

Later on that same day I hear a crash and then the inevitable shout of "Mummy". The loo seat on the downstairs loo had come of. Sheared off. How on earth did she manage that? All right, the downstairs convenience is in need of refurbishment (or bombing or something) but our plumber has let us down, so this is on hold for now.

Luckily my youngest saw the positive side of things. "At least Daddy won't have to lift the lid anymore when he wants to go. And we won't have to tell him off for leaving it up."

I have taken this into consideration but have decided to opt for a new seat.

Shameless bragging.

2008-10-14T20:40:00.004+01:00

Parents evening was a success. Mrs P. was very pleased with CS and told me that she was a very clever and intelligent girl. Well that saved me having to point this out. No need to worry about being a pushy parent :-)

After half term the class will be taught in small groups according to their ability in given areas (eg maths, reading, spelling). Bigger topics like history, science and geography they will all still be together. The only thing that worries Mrs P. is that the rest of the class are not on the same level with Maths as CS. In fact she thought CS would find a better match for her abilities in year 1 or 2. So, if we don't mind CS will be taught Maths on her own for now. Well I asked CS and as long as she gets to do plus and minus she does not care.

Bragging wasn't too bad, was it?

Conkers

2008-10-10T10:44:00.003+01:00

"Would you like to feed the cat?"

"No, we are busy ... stuffing conkers in your gloves."

Pushy Parents?

2008-10-07T16:19:00.002+01:00

Life has been busy. The whole Yoastie household has had to settle into a new routine. CS has to be in school by 8.50 or else there will be a late mark. CE isn't due at pre-school till 9.15, so plenty of time to get there. The schools are next door to each other, so normally I have to wait around for 25 minutes. Not bad when the weather was nice. But we are in England, so mostly it is not nice.

Mr Yoastie has a new job. It does not come with a company car, so we have said goodbye to his Mini. I am now without car as Mr Y has mine. Mostly that is fine as we live close to town centre and the shops. But as this country would benefit from a roof I am missing the car.

Next week is parents evening. I have been told by my daughter to tell Mrs P that school is fun but why doesn't she get to read more? Or write? or do numbers over 10? that is so pre-school numbers up to 10. And what about the plusing and minusing? why aren't they doing that?
So, I am now worried about how to get all this across without seeming like a pushy parent. I think I'll take her, that way she can teacher all about it herself.

Patchwork Blanket no1

2008-09-19T11:34:00.003+01:00

Finished!
It only took me 19 years to complete :-)

I know it isn't perfectly straight and all that. But that is a two person job. I had to do this on my own; well with hindrance, sorry meant help, from a three year old.

First day of school.

2008-09-04T12:21:00.002+01:00

We survived the first day of school. No tears. Well, a bit when CS fell over and grazed her knee but other than that the day went smoothly.

D-Day

2008-09-02T20:02:00.002+01:00

The uniform has been washed, ironed and name-labeled. Together with the socks and book bag it has been put out ready to be worn for its first official outing tomorrow.

My eldest is going to be taking her first steps on the road to education. I am worried. She can't wait to go, tough she "may miss me a bit at lunch time". I will definitely miss her at lunch. But I will just have to be brave - and of course she is right when she tells me that.

It won't be easy for me though.

Net Curtains

2008-09-01T22:46:00.004+01:00

"My, My. That opaque glass is not opaque." I thought yesterday as I was drawing the curtains.
The neighbours' son is home from Uni. He has a rather toned and muscled body, not displeasing to the eye. Since the neighbours took the curtains down in their bathroom I saw a lot more of their son's body than either he or I ever expected. I am a married woman, so of course averted my eyes.

Today alas I had a rather less pleasing view. The mother from across the road was getting ready. Lets just say that she has less muscle tone than her son (think German sauna and you'll understand what I mean).

Now my dilemma is:

Do I tell them and risk embarrassment for them and myself?
Not tell them and face the possibility of seeing the pater familias in the nude (one business lunch too many)?
Wait till term at Uni starts again and then try to drop it casually into conversation that their bathroom window is see through?
Get net curtains?

Nuts

2008-09-01T12:03:00.002+01:00

I am glad to note that "Allergen information: this product contains nuts"

Bemused

2008-08-26T09:58:00.005+01:00

Whenever we go to see Opa and Oma Nederland the girls are given far too many presents, clothes and spoiled rotten. But as we only go twice a year I guess they will just have to endure this :-)

Oma bought then some clothes at V&D. This is the wash label. Wash inside out with the same colours.

This is the t-shirt. Which same colours. Would that be the green, pink or the stripes on the back?

Any suggestions?

Fear

2008-08-24T09:27:00.003+01:00

"When I am old I am going to have a dog"
"Is this wise? You are afraid of dogs."
"Not when I am a Mummy. Mummies aren't afraid of anything."

If only it were true. I am still afraid of the dark - retrieving things from the garden in the dark is only done with a good torch. I am still afraid of thunderstorms (I do think they are spectacular but scary). Ghost stories give me the chills and I certainly think birds are fearsome. Yes, birds. I have a fear of their flappy wings. Just thinking about it makes me shudder.

I think mummies or in any case this mummy have plenty of things they are afraid of. But you must not let them know that. I think that is the big difference. If I ran to hide under the bed every time there was a storm where would we be?

I still don't like birds though.

Sunflowers

2008-08-19T21:38:00.004+01:00

This what my sunflowers turned out to look like. Not too shabby considering the snail problems they've had.
They botanically minded among you may spot the sweetcorn. We had our first four cobs last night. I fear they may be the last as the weather here is useless. Wet and cold, I had to check the date to make sure it wasn't autumn.

Off

2008-08-08T11:53:00.003+01:00

We are off to Holland for a few days. This was not planned. My in-laws were supposed to come over to the UK but my father-in-law has become ill. He is getting better but a trip to the UK would be a long old haul for him. I am not sure that two active under fives will be helpful for anyone's recovery but it is worth a go.

Hippos

2008-08-02T19:55:00.003+01:00

"Mummy? How long do you think it took them to train the hippos to swim synchronsisated?"

Nigella's Chocolate Gingerbread

2008-07-27T20:51:00.005+01:00

FOR THE CAKE

175g unsalted butter
125g dark muscovado sugar
2 tablespoons caster sugar
200g golden syrup
200g black treacle or molasses
One-quarter teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons ground ginger
One and one-quarter teaspoons bicarbonate of soda
2 tablespoons warm water
2 eggs
250ml milk
275g plain flour
40g cocoa
175g chocolate chips

FOR THE ICING

250g icing sugar
30g unsalted butter
1 tablespoon cocoa
60ml ginger ale

Don't worry if you don't have golden syrup, runny honey works just as well. Also I used Lebkuchengewuerz (2 tbsp) instead of the spices.

I couldn't find chocolate chips, so I bought normal bars and with the help of two under fives and a rolling pin smashed them to pieces.

Preheat the oven to gas mark 3/170C and tear off a big piece of baking parchment to line the bottom and sides of a roasting pan of approximately 30 x 20 x 5 cm deep.

In a decent-sized saucepan, melt the butter along with the sugars, golden syrup, treacle or molasses, cloves, cinnamon and ground ginger. In a cup dissolve the bicarbonate of soda in the water. Take the saucepan off the heat and beat in the eggs, milk and bicarb in its water. Stir in the flour and cocoa and beat with a wooden spoon to mix. Fold in the chocolate chips, pour into the lined tin and bake for about 45 minutes until risen and firm. It will be slightly damp underneath the set top and that's the way you want it.

Remove to a wire rack and let cool in the tin. Once cool, get on with the icing.

Sieve the icing sugar. In a heavy-based saucepan heat the butter, cocoa and ginger ale. Once the butter's melted, whisk in the icing sugar. Lift the chocolate gingerbread out of the tin and unwrap the paper. Pour over the icing just to cover the top and cut into fat slabs when set.

Do not leave unattended.

Rinse off children. Clean up kitchen.

Wolf whistle

2008-07-20T12:24:00.002+01:00

I got whistled at! Yes, really. I checked there were no 19 year olds anywhere or other females. It was one of the bin men who had whistled. I almost had to ask if he was sure he meant me.

I realise that my feminist principles should be outraged. I should be worried that I was inappropriately dressed. Now, I have no principles and I was in standard "bring children to school" outfit. So for 15 mins I felt good. Then I started to worry: what if he was taking the mickey? What if it was just a dare from the others to see how I would react? On balance I decided to go for compliment.

Marriage

2008-07-14T20:36:00.004+01:00

At breakfast.

"Mummy? Can you marry your best friend?"

"Yes, of course you can. I was friends with your Daddy before I married him."

"Oh good! I'll marry Thomas then!"

After pre-school:

"I told Thomas I would marry him. He said that would be all right with him."

I must ask Thomas' Mummy how she feels about this. I think he will be a lucky man indeed. She's a good catch my eldest; clever and beautiful, if a little stubborn. But maybe they should to wait another 13 years give or take.

School Uniform

2008-07-01T10:43:00.006+01:00

Well it is really happening. CS will be going to school in September. My first born, my little blond baby. I am feeling daunted at the prospect of her being "locked up" from 8.50 to 3.00. She thinks it will be a great adventure.

During the course of the summer holidays we will have to buy school uniform. I am not against uniform. I went to a school which did not have uniform and the bitchiness about labels and looks was terrible. Also I will just be able to say: you have to wear it, no arguments.

Things I have so far discovered about uniform:

It is shapeless and mostly drab.
It is inexpensive but 100% polyester.
Most shops stock some form of uniform. You do not have to go to a special outfitters.
Royal blue is not a standard colour, so you do have to go to the specialist.
It is all different than is Germany (or 20 odd years ago when I was at school)
Black school shoes are "so my favourite and my best"
The youngest is jealous of the uniform.
Mr Y. is not helping as "it isn't like this in NL" either.

Interview

2008-06-25T22:23:00.002+01:00

So, I went and had my interview. I thought it had gone all right. After all I was dying of a cold but other than that...

I got a call to say I didn't get the job. Apparently I did not have enough experience to work in the "arts centre" side of the job. Sorry, I thought I had applied for admin job. How is admin for an arts centre different to admin for a buying department? I guess I'll never know.

Cold

2008-06-20T21:54:00.003+01:00

If I were a man I would be dying of pneumonia as we speak. As I am not however, I merely have a cold. A nasty sniffley (is that a word?), almost lost my voice cold. What makes it worse is that I am allergic to Sudafed. This is an over-the-counter flu and cold remedy that makes me come out in hives. This I hasten to add is a recent discovery; yesterday.

I am a woman, so I struggle on. After much make up and aspirin I went to my job interview today. I hope they didn't think I sound that husky all the time.

However on the bright side Gin and Tonic has no medicinal effect or allergic ones, so right now I don't care.

Holiday Photos

2008-06-19T10:05:00.006+01:00

Longleat

2008-06-16T15:16:00.004+01:00

We went away for a midweek break to Longleat.
Longleat is in Somerset and is the ancestral home of the Marquess of Bath. In the 1950's the then Marquess was short of cash, so he decided to open his home to the fee-paying public. He was the first person to do so in the UK. Later he opened a Safari Park in his grounds. It is doubtful whether Capability Brown envisaged sea-lions in the lake or zebras and giraffes grazing on the rolling hills.
The present Marquess has added the attractions. He is an artist and has added murals to his private apartments. These are on display for small tours. I don't think they are pretty but the are impressive. The girls were very impressed by Lord Bath's excellent taste. He has painted the paneled doors in vivid colours. Pink and yellow for one set and purple and green for another.
We spent a lot of time at Pet's Corner. We saw the parrot show twice. CS got a kiss from one of the parrots. CE got to stroke lots of rabbits. We also saw fruit bats, otters, ferrets, tarantulas and the playground.
Only Mr Y was a little disappointed. He did not see Kate Humble. The BBC were filming for the Animal Park show but only Ben Fogle was there.

And what did you like?

2008-06-06T23:08:00.004+01:00

We've been away for a few days. When I asked the youngest Yoastie what she had enjoyed most:
Petting the rabbit at Pet's Corner and feed the tiny, teenie duckelings.

So next year we will just take her to the local park and pet shop ;-)

Trouble

2008-05-31T20:53:00.003+01:00

The fact that Cat thought the flower bed could be his new loo was bad news. But not as bad news as the slugs and snails. Of the 18 sunflowers planted out only 12 are still standing. This is war. No more Mrs nice Yoastie. This year there will be no beer for the slugs to slowly and merrily drown in. This year it is slug pellets.

Garden

2008-05-27T20:12:00.006+01:00

They have spent long enough in the greenhouse. It is time to let them out in the wild.
This is what the flower/vegetable patch looks like all freshly dug and planted.

This is what I hope it will look like.

This will probably not happen as someone really likes the fact that we loosened the soil for him.

Daily Bread

2008-05-26T20:07:00.003+01:00

We have a breadmaker and bake our bread fresh every day. Sometimes white, mostly brown and sometimes with raisins, nuts and honey. When my father and Mr Y. have a fish eating day (my mother and I loath fish, so father and hubby sometimes gang up and buy fish anyway) I make rye bread for them. I have recently found a good maize flour at the local health food shop, now corn bread is also possible.

My mother always baked her own bread - without breadmaker- and I always loved the bread she made. I therefore assumed the young Yoasties felt the same. However recently CS asked whether we could have nice bread "like they have at T's house". Bemused I asked T's mother what kind of bread CS had had when she was over for lunch. "Oh just normal sliced white bread." "From the baker?" "No, Hovis. It's in the brown bag, second aisle at Tesco."

Schools part 6

2008-05-19T21:02:00.002+01:00

We got a letter from CS's school. There will be three open days on Thursdays in June. Slight snag they are at the same time as the girls' swimming lessons. I have managed to change the swimming lessons to Tuesdays. This will be a rush as I need to pick up the girls, get them changed and into the pool in 15 minutes. Never going to work but hey.

Included with the letter was a "pupil enrollment form". Standard questions like date of birth, address and parental details. One of the last questions was whether the child speaks another language at home and if the parents need a translator. I was so close to putting yes. Part of me thinks it would have been great to meet the local Dutch translator but the good part of me thought that was just a silly prank. There is always child number 2 ...

Text Twril

2008-05-16T21:42:00.003+01:00

Hello, my name is Mrs Y. and I am addicted to text twirl.

A while ago now I joined Facebook. I thought what harm can it do? Chat to some old school friends, ex work colleagues. No harm in that. It is not like I'll be doing the "poking" thing - that is just childish or cyber slapping etc - total nonsense.

It started with scrabulous. You know, slowly playing with other friends. But this wasn't enough. Friend A. is a pilot and scrabulous wasn't fast paced enough for her. She convinced me to add text twirl and give it a go. I did (hangs head in shame). I am too slow at typing, so I got Mr Y. to type for me while I called out the words. I know I shouldn't have done it... but now I can't stop.

I am afraid to say it but I think I may be a nerd. Admitting it to yourself is the first step. I will try harder to resist.

Swings

2008-05-11T11:23:00.004+01:00

When our neighbours moved back to Australia we inherited their swing (swing 1.1). This was fine except that the girls kept fighting over who's go it was. I spent at lot of last few months in the garden as peacekeeping force with the trustee egg timer to make sure both had the same length go.

I am not going to have to do this anymore. We now have swing 2.2.

Dress 2

2008-05-09T22:49:00.003+01:00

I have finally managed to sew the ribbon onto her dress. It wasn't easy. It has been in the washing machine twice before it was officially finished. But here it is.

I won't stay clean for long though.

Babies

2008-04-30T22:37:00.003+01:00

CE: "Mummy is Auntie K. going to have a boy or a girl?"

Mummy:"We don't know yet. We'll know when it is born."

CE:"But will it be a girl? Auntie K. wants a girl. She likes pink"

CS:"Don't worry it will a human baby."

Auntie K. has had her baby and it is human and a little girl.

Sewing

2008-04-29T16:06:00.004+01:00

I have finished my first sewing project. CS was able to go to the 5th birthday party in her dress. Now I need to finish CE's dress. It is almost done. Well she has been wearing it already.
But her dress needs a ribbon on the waist too. "Shiny red, because I have red strawberries on white". Then a look of worry crossed her face: "It will match my pink shiny shoes, won't it?"

Nosey

2008-04-20T20:16:00.003+01:00

I have told my daughter on any number of occasions not to put things up their noses. Today my youngest CE stuffed a foil wrapper from an easter egg up her nose. You know those little easter eggs and the foil can be scrunched up into balls? Just such a ball found its way up her nose as I was cooking dinner. This is a rough outline of the events:

Screaming three year old comes into the kitchen in a blind panic. "It's up my nose it won't come oout! Mummy!" Try to calm her down while searching for emergency out of hours doctor's phone number.

Call parents to line up emergency babysitter while still trying to calm child and find number. Decide to phone normal GP's and get answerphone, which tells me the right number. Need to call answerphone again as CE has another panic screaming fit. Write down number and call out-of-hours-service. Someone will call back.

Give dinner to self and eldest while trying to keep youngest calm. Grandpa decided to come over see whether he can help. GP calls back, if I haven't managed to get the ball of silver foil out of the child's nose then I can come to the Minor injuries unit but would I mind having another go, as they are a bit busy. Thanks.

Panicky toddler is not impressed by the idea. Try to extract the foil ball with eyebrow plucking tweezers. D*mn doesn't work. Curse husband for misplacing my long tweezers. Have another go with the eyebrow ones. Meanwhile the daughter is screaming the house down. The foil so tantalizing close yet so far.

Work out conspiracy theory as to why this sort of thing always happens when husband is away. Remember that the sewing machine came with long tweezers.

Shamelessly bribe daughter with a Shelly (this was bought in the Christmas sale a future bribe for eye drops) if she lets me have one last go. Daughter has seen tweezers and is having none of it. CS has seen Shelly and realises she could be in for a present too. Combined force of Grandpa and CS to hold CE down while I remove foil ball.

Hurrah it worked.

Snotty foil ball was admired by child who now stopped screaming and is rosy and happy.

So two happy and content girls have gone to bed. All I need to do now is find a new bribe for when the need eye drops.

Baking disaster

2008-04-14T17:04:00.003+01:00

Well this is what happens if you do not grease the baking tin. Tastes lovely though. Maybe I will try and stick it together with some jam and cream...

Photoshoot

2008-04-11T15:13:00.004+01:00

CE found out how to use the camera. These objects may look random to you but she chose to take pictures of them.

Holiday

2008-04-03T16:03:00.001+01:00

Just booked our summer break. Really excited.

The girls approved; it has a swimming pool.

Thank you

2008-03-25T12:30:00.003Z

Dear Startrite,

Thank you for making "daisy dot raspberry patent". They are the pinkest most shiniest shoes and they are mine. Not my sister's, all mine and I am not sharing. And they are pinker and shinier than Ellie's shoes. I think she is jealous.

May I suggest that for future product development you consider making the hearts on the soles pink as well. Only my sister has a purple fairy on the soles of her shoes and I don't. Thank you in advance.

Yours sincerely
CE Yoastie

One a penny, two a penny

2008-03-20T10:01:00.004Z

We made hot cross buns. The hot cross buns are supposed to remind one of the crucifixion hence the cross on the top. Unfortunately I have no piping bag, so they are just hot buns.

There were more than two but by the time I found the camera ... Well at least they liked them.

Are you sure this works?

2008-03-01T18:09:00.003Z

The new kitchen is installed. But we needed to test some of the important equipment, so we made cupcakes.

It does work. Which was a relief all round.

Schools part 5

2008-02-28T16:00:00.002Z

We were afraid that the school of choice would not have a place but they do. Hurrah CS will go to School in September. She will only be 5 years old but she is really looking forward to it.

Colour Run

2008-02-23T13:34:00.002Z

Argh! I forgot that CE's pale pink swimming costume and dark blue swim hat were in her white towel. I washed them and the erst of the towels at 90C. Now we have gray towels and a purplish swimming costume and one very upset daughter.

So I'll be off to the shop to buy colour run. Hope it works.

Kitchen part 2

2008-02-15T13:06:00.001Z

The kitchen has arrived.
Maybe we should leave the shrinkwrap on. Should make cleaning easier.

Things I worry about

2008-02-13T21:40:00.002Z

In general I don't have too many really serious things to worry about. Some things do occupy me though.

Why did Harry Potter never cure his own short-sightedness?
Pure-blood wizards must surely be inbred. Why is there never any mention of hereditary conditions in the wizarding community?
In the Chamber of Secrets we are led to believe that Slytherin designed the chamber in the middle ages. How then did he know about modern plumbing? If we are to believe Adam Hart-Davis taps as we know them (or described in the book) weren't around till 1800 odd.
In Heroes the TV show why is Mohinder's voice over so patronising?
Why do none of the participants in Property Ladder ever listen to Sarah Beeney's advice?
Why do not more people follow the teachings of Trinny and Susannah?

Ikea

2008-02-12T09:33:00.000Z

It may not have escaped your attention that Mr Y loves Ikea. Well they have finally taken his love for them on board. A new range has been named after me. We got a thing in the post from Ikea with new products and the eldest daughter spots my name. Indeed there is a new range of textiles named after me. Almost, your spelling has to be that of a 4 year old but nevertheless.

So one down three to go Ikea :-)

Just wondering if we need some new cushions. hmmm

Rock a bye baby

2008-02-03T19:54:00.000Z

Re the above nursery rhyme:

" Why is the cradle in the tree, anyway? Don't they know that's dangerous?"

Sauna

2008-01-29T20:06:00.000Z

My Living room feels like a sauna. The plasterer has been and now the wet plaster needs to dry out. The radiators are on and the damp is making a lovely sauna like effect.

"Unfortunately" Mr Y is away on business till Thursday. The plaster should be dry then. I am not one for conspiracy theory but Mr Y's business trips have all been very convenient for him lately with regard to the kitchen fitting. hmm....

Winner

2008-01-20T17:39:00.000Z

Hurrah I am a winner. Well all right then, a runner up. But I was impressed. My very own porcelain gold bunny.

Stripping

2008-01-15T20:38:00.000Z

Mr Yoastie is back from Atlanta. He came bearing gifts of Disney Princess Tattoo plasters, Peanut butter and M&M's. (Somehow Gold, Frankincenses and Myrrh sound better).

Once unpacked Mr Yoastie got down to stripping. The wallpaper of the kitchen ceiling. Yes, the new kitchen has been ordered and will arrive soon. In five weeks soon. We have to get the ceiling plastered and electrics re-routed and plumbing done.

The builder called back on Monday and asked whether the electrician had been in touch. He had and I was happy with the quote. But the plumber was proving to be a problem. "Well Mrs Y if you get your other half to take the paper of the ceiling. - Oh, he has done so already. Blimey, he's quick. Well Love I'll get the plumber sorted for you."

The plumber called today will be round tomorrow. First time ever I have had anyone in the building sector who has actually called back and sorted out others. Should I worry? We'll find out.

Lonely

2008-01-10T22:37:00.000Z

Mr Yoastie is away for a whole week. I think this is pretty lonely. Also Atlanta has a useless time difference with the UK. So phone calls are not able to take place at length.

But I have come to realise that there are some positives. I have had a nice evening in with Russell Crowe and some fudge ice cream. Master and Commander is according to Mr Y. a "girl film". The box of Lindor chocolates that was not eaten at Christmas has slowly been decimated this week. I have had a play on facebook and I have not tidied up my sewing machine all week.

I do miss him though.

Swimming

2008-01-09T20:06:00.000Z

Tomorrow is swimming lesson number two. The girls have been packing and then emptying and then packing and repacking their bags.

They want me to take photos of them swimming, so that Daddy can see what they are up to. I don't think I will be allowed to take pictures of them. I saw a big sign last time that cameras were not allowed. I have promised to ask however, so fingers crossed I'll be able to take a photo of them.

Car Sickness

2008-01-08T20:33:00.000Z

It stinks. It really stinks. The car and the fact that I have to clean it up.

The eldest child was sick in the car. Not just a little bit but lots. Think the Exorcist. The poor child was so stoical through it all and never complained. Her sister on the other hand screamed her head of. "Mummy! It's disgusting! It smells! She up throwed over my book!" I was well aware of the first two points. Breakfast had been rice crispies and a large glass of milk. Now it was decorating the back seat of the car and the child.

Our trip out the Oxford was cut short or rather abandoned. My first born was cleaned up successfully, as were my clothes, her sister's book, the booster seat and the floor mats. Now I have the rest of the car to do.

Mr Yoastie is away with a large time difference, so can't be relied upon to lend me a sympathetic ear. I called my mother. Helpfulness personified she reassured me that it is really hard to get vomit out of the door handles and window buttons. She was speaking from experience. Oh, cheers Mum. I will have to do my best.

It still stinks though.

The car now smells of washing powder, with sour notes. I think I may have to seek professional help.

Busy

2008-01-05T20:17:00.000Z

We have had a busy few days. The girls had their first ever swimming lesson. We were there far too early and then they changed into their swimsuits really quickly. They had to wait for 15min and were very impatient to get started. The other mothers were impressed with the fact that I had brought toweling bathrobes for them, rather than trying to dry two children of at the poolside. Seemed odd to me as all of the children in my swim class in Germany came with robes but this just goes to show that all countries are different.

Today Mr Yoastie flew out to Atlanta. So now the cat is the only male in the house. To take my mind of being on my own (with the girls) we went to the cinema. They have an early showing of children's films that have been out for a while. Today's film was Surf's up. It did get scary (if you are under five) but had a happy ending. I now have the task of find out what type of penguins they were, why chickens can surf and why they would want to. Also why the penguin chick wanted to be rescued all the time.

Princesses - chapter two

2008-01-04T12:50:00.000Z

Once again the daughters were in their Princess outfits. CE was dancing away in the living room, CS was busy scrubbing the kitchen, as she had been ordered to do so by the wicked stepmother.

""Oh, my fingers are worked to the bone!" sighed the Princess. But then she heard a knock at the door. The Prince was there. He had come to marry her. And his brother had come to marry princess CE. "Princess CE" called Princess CS. "It is the prince and his brother they have come to marry us.""

"NO, I don't need a Prince! I am fine dancing by myself!"

I think this just about sums up their characters.

Things I have learned

2007-12-27T20:31:00.000Z

Here are some things I have learned over the last few days:

Do not try to whip single cream. It will not form "soft peaks" even after 25 minutes of whipping. You need whipping cream or double cream.
If the recipe says that it makes 48 peanut butter cups it will. Do not try to use large muffin trays with small muffin cases - they deform - the cases not the trays. (I only have two 12 hole mini muffin trays, hence the large ones)
Hide the peanut butter cups from Mr Yoastie and my parents otherwise you will not get any.
The cat can not pass his bowl over to you even if you insist. Unfortunately the three year old daughter has not learned this. Neither has the cat learned to stop meowing at the three year old with the cat food and rubbing up against her.
Father Christmas uses the same wrapping paper as us. This has made number two child very suspicious. Not even her big sister explaining that Father Christmas must have bought it at the same shop convinced her.
Do not trust Woolworths to get the ordered present to you by Christmas. It still hasn't arrived.

Christmas Princess

2007-12-20T19:33:00.000Z

The girls got Christmas / Princess dresses today.

The following was overheard.

"Pim Pom went the doorbell. Who could that be? wondered Princess CS as she went to answer the door. It was the Prince.! He had come to marry her!"

Presents

2007-12-19T10:24:00.000Z

CS: "Mummy, Daddy and I bought you a present. It's a secret. It is to go on your bracelet and it has green dots."

Mrs Y.:"Well sweetie, if it is a secret you had better not tell me."

CS: "CE got you a pink one."

CE: "Can you help us wrap them? you mustn't look though. Promise?"

I promised not to look. So the wrapping paper may not be straight. Hope I won't mind.

The presents have been wrapped and hidden in Daddy's office drawer. A place so incredibly out of bounds even Mummy won't dare to look there.

Work Christmas Party

2007-12-14T13:48:00.002Z

It is Mr Yoastie's work Christmas party. Mrs Yoastie dislikes office Christmas parties. I will probably have nothing in common with anyone. I can't decide on an outfit and Mr Yoastie says I can't go as Goth-girl. Apparently I am now a responsible mother of two and need to dress accordingly. Hmph.

Netherlands

2007-12-12T21:11:00.000Z

We have been away to NL and now I am tired. REALLY tired. We had to visit everybody and their dog.

I also believe that for every day you are away it takes about a week to get the children back to normal. So it should only take about 10 weeks then :-). They currently believe that "Chocomel" can be had on tap, someone will call out "oh, look aren't they cute" every time they do the smallest thing and if they decide not to like dinner someone will make them something more to their liking. Oh and bedtime is optional. I guess their Grandparents don't see them a lot and also they are the only grandchildren, so it is only to be expected.

More of our Dutch adventures later but now I am going to find my very own bed.

Advent Advent ein lichtlein brennt

2007-11-29T20:29:00.000Z

Not quite yet but I have already built their advent calendars. On the box it states 25 min assembly. Maybe if you are a trained assembler but it took me longer. But I was watching Heroes at the same time, so maybe that didn't help.

The daughters were very impressed. The wait is just too long. Especially since eldest daughter knows what should be in there. "But Mummy it will be too dark for the poor playmobils. Shouldn't we let them out? They may be frightened."

Pom Pom

2007-11-29T20:21:00.000Z

We made pom pom animals. The brown one is a hedgehog and the pink one is a cat. Now all I need to do is scrape the PVA glue of the tablecloth.

Not Well

2007-11-24T20:20:00.000Z

I don't feel well. Mr Yoastie has been left to fend for himself and the daughters all day. I think he did all right. Both of them are still alive and so is he. But he is exhausted. He is not used to their demands, their petty squabbles and their seemingly endless need for cuddles. Talking of which I had better see if he needs looking after.

Advent

2007-11-22T13:14:00.000Z

"Just eight more days and it will be December. Do you know what that means?"

"Yes, we get to have the advent calenders that are in the eaves room."

"Oh? And where are they exactly?"

"On top of the suitcases behind the curtain. There is a blue one and a pink one. Do you want me to get them?"

Such much for that surprise then.

Birthday CE

2007-11-21T21:47:00.000Z

Yesterday was CE's third birthday. She is now a big girl. We have binned her potty. CE has decided she can now use the loo. Hurrah.

No birthday party though. "I think I see the other girls enough at school Mummy. I don't need to have a party. Only You, Papa, CS, Opa and Oma and Me. Oh and the cat." She kept insisting no party, so no party was had. We did go to Waitrose to pick out chocolate cake. (She had Waitrose cake at Opa's birthday and was most impressed by its quality). CE was allowed to choose what she wanted for lunch - a white bread roll to be eaten while we were in the shop (this is not normally allowed so the girls were really pleased). Drinks to be had with the cake were to coffee, this was vetoed by her mother for all those under five, but pink milk aka Nesquik strawberry flavour was allowed. And for afternoon snacks CE asked for Walker's Thai sweet chilli crisps. And if it really was her special day she wanted pasta with red pepper, mushrooms, tinned tomatoes and "rookworst" for dinner.

Opa and Oma brought best present ever - the Playmobil pink palace. I am sure that Playmobil never took one and a half hours to assemble when I was little but hey it stands proud in our living room.

So now we need to get back to reality and realise that not every day you get to be spoiled like that.

Nativity Play

2007-11-15T19:51:00.001Z

"Mummy, why did they stay in the stable."

"There was no room at the Inn. All the rooms already had somebody in them, so there was no room available for Mary and Joseph."

"Maybe they should have booked a hotel room before they left."

"Yes, but in those days there was no telephone or internet, so it will have been more difficult."

"Could they have written a letter maybe?" Pauses to mull this over "Maybe they did write Mummy and it was stuck in the postal strike like the very old Oma's card. "

"Maybe"

Recycling

2007-11-13T16:26:00.000Z

Friday is recycle day. The green bins need to be placed outside the night before because usually the bin men are round early. Not this Friday.

I was taking my two girls and the neighbour's boy to pre-school. Rory is three months younger than CE and about a foot shorter (well maybe 10cm). We toddled up the road past the green bins. We pass No 11 and their bin contains adult top-shelf magazines. Of course the children all think this is odd. "Look!" shouts Rory "Naked!" Oh great. How am I going to divert their interest? I know lets have a race to the end of the road.

Now this incident has kept me thinking. Of course recycling is good but why place such magazines at the top of the bin? Why not have newspapers on the top? Why decide to recycle on a windy day when they can blow away across the neighbourhood (as indeed they had done)? What did the bin men think when they saw this? All questions I think that should maybe stay unanswered.

Mummies and Dinosaurs

2007-11-05T20:35:00.000Z

It may or it may not come as a surprise to you that I do NOT like spending money. I blame that fact that long ago I had Scottish ancestors who moved to the Netherlands. As you can imagine I was really pleased to learn that the museums (or is that musea?) in Oxford now have free entry. Hurrah, hours of priceless entertainment.

The daughters and I decided to give Opa a Dutch treat and take him to the Ashmolean to see "the dead Egyptians." For all those who have been to Oxford they will know that parking there is not easy. No problem we take the park-and-ride bus. Imagine my horror that they now charge £2.20 for the bus and £1 for the car park. Luckily the girls got on for free but Opa did not. He did have a disagreement about this with the conductor but he is not yet old enough even though he draws his pension.

After most exciting ride on the bus "Look! We are as tall as the houses" "Look out for the tree Mr Driver." (it is a double decker and we got to sit on the top at the front) the Ashmolean was a bit of a disappointment. Well it was for the under 5's. The Mummies were "too scary"according to CE and CS was not allowed to touch anything, so lost interest quickly. So after 15 minutes it was agreed that we should go to the Oxford University Museum of Natural History.

We were on familiar ground here. Dinosaurs, fluorescent rocks "in the little tent" and lots of stuffed animals you are allowed to touch. Opa knew more than Mummy about the Dinos, so once again regained the place of favourite grandparent.

After a packed lunch of sandwiches (cheese, so as not to upset the stereotype) and some dinosaur hunting in the museum grounds it was time to go home. CE had a go at taking pictures but I think it will be a while yet before those can be published.

Nursery Rhymes

2007-11-03T10:43:00.000Z

"Daddy, please stop singing. You are hurting my ears."

Vet

2007-10-31T21:19:00.000Z

Last week was half term and it has been an eventful half term. Both girls had croup. First number one child to be followed a couple of days later by the younger one. Of course CE had it worse and she is useless at being ill. So sleepless nights for me.

To round of the week of the cat was in a fight. Not that unusual after all they are territorial creatures. But he got hurt and he now has an infected wound on his paw. Luckily he is the most docile cat when it comes to being manhandled. He purrs at the vet and we can get antibiotics into him without the aid of a towel (to swaddle cat so that he can't scratch you).

This is almost unheard of behaviour and the vet was stunned. Her normal patients are more similar to my old cat Lucky. Lucky was a lovely cat but she hated vets, injections and pills. If truth be told I think I was the only one she liked. My father was convinced she lived till she was 20 years old just to annoy him. We used to have to force her into the carrying basket. Then tend to the lacerations on the arms of all parties involved in her capture. Once at the vet any escape routes had to be blocked and the cat had to be taken hold off in a vice like grip more often seen in wrestling. The vet was no fool and would don his anti cat gauntlets. This was no use she could find bare skin. Anyway pills were impossible to administer and I still bare the scars.

Hello Kitty

2007-10-24T22:05:00.000+01:00

We recently received a care package from our friends in the US. Mr Yoastie has already finished off the peanut butter cups and is steadily working his way through the other peanut based products.

The little Yoasties weren't forgotten. They recieved Hello Kitty knickers and Hello Kitty plasters. The knickers were tried on (all 3 pairs at once) and then shown to the girls next door. They are 7 and 8 so not as impressed as my two but then again they were not the recipients of the knickers.

The plasters were not allowed to be tried out. I know they are pretty but there is no need to just hand them out. Every time a finger was squashed or a foot was bumped a plaster was needed to make it better. At last CS has earned herself a Hello Kitty plaster. She tripped over on the way to the shops. Here is her knee in all its glory.

Sad News

2007-10-22T14:08:00.000+01:00

There is some sad news in the Yoastie household. Mr Yoastie's new hobby (or skill depending on your point of view) has been put on ice.

The balloons have run out and now the pump has been broken. The little Yoasties thought it made a great syringe for the dolls, fought over it and now it is broken. And the dolls still haven't had their booster shots.

I could not see the much beloved so sad and forlorn. I have gone onto ebay and purchased a new balloon pump and 50 balloon.

Orthoptist

2007-10-09T13:31:00.000+01:00

The little Yoasties have squints. This means they have to wear glasses. The squint isn't too bad when they wear their glasses but without it one eye looks at the nose and the other at you. As a result of this we have to got to the hospital on a regular basis to have their eyes checked and monitored.

Going to hospital involves two adults. I can not take both Yoasties on my own as CS will answer for CE therefore rendering test results useless. Normally my father comes along to wait with one child as I take in the other. This time Oma went along. She was informed that frankly Opa is more fun. Well that is because Opas and Papas are there for fun. Omas and Mamas need to make sure there is some form of child rearing. Well that was Oma's explanation and I think she is probably right.

Once home Mr Yoastie arrived from work and wanted to know how our day had been. "Lemony had her hair different today! Normally she wears it up but today it was loose and it is really long and brown." informed CS
"I know they have strange names at your school but who on earth calls their child Lemony?"
"She is not a child. She is the orthoptist lady at the hospital." rolling eyes of disbelieve at her farther that he could be so silly.
Well she is really called Melanie. I tried to correct CS but she now insists that the orthoptist is called Melony.

Extra Mouth To Feed

2007-10-06T20:48:00.000+01:00

It seems that we have an extra mouth to feed. Our cat is not bothered by this intruder. We believe it is a she. For now she is called Dinner-Jacket-Cat or You. DJ-Cat was spotted in CE's bedroom having a kip in the window sill. I think she is making herself part of the family.

Strange Day

2007-10-03T20:18:00.000+01:00

I had a somewhat peculiar day today. Well to be honest most of it was run of the mill. The strangeness didn't start till I picked up CS from pre-school. CS lost her James (one of Thomas the Tank engine's friends) zip pull. No tears or upset, "oh, well maybe teacher will find it.". There was no discussion over how long we should stay on the playground either.

Later in the afternoon we were outside playing with the girls from No 36. Neighbour at No42 pops her head round the door. Would I please come in as she wanted to ask me my opinion about something. All right, no problem. She showed me her son's soiled underpants. Did I think he had diarrhoea? He had been sent home from pre-school because he had diarrhoea and wouldn't be allowed to return for 48 hours. She didn't think that this was the case and did I agree with her that it was just a motion the child had sat in.

Well what do you say in a situation like that? I have not made a study of other poeple's soiled pants and frankly I imagine that a pre-school teacher will have seen more filled pants than me. I sort of agreed with her as I did not really want to be near the smell anymore. Anyway a third opinion was needed and the neighbour at No 44 was called in. As her insight was not conclusive either neighbour 42 decided to call the pre-school to complain.

Apparently pre-school told her that they had been in the profession for 10 years and they would rather not see the son for 48 hours if it is all the same with her. Neighbour No 42 was heard to say that she had good mind to take the pants round to confront the teacher with them.

If I hear any news I will of course update you.

Pitt Rivers Museum

2007-10-02T17:39:00.000+01:00

We took the little Yoasties to the Pitt Rivers Museum. I thought it was very interesting but the girls were on the whole more interested in the Natural History Museum next door that had dinosaurs.
Sadly one of the teachers at pre-school passed away a couple of weeks ago. CS asked me today if teacher was buried in a sarcophagus and if they would dig her up to look at her under the telescope.

On the one hand I am of course a proud parent that my daughter remembered about the mummies at the museum and the microscope. On the other hand I really hope she does not ask one of the other teachers. I am afraid they may take it the wrong way.

Birthday Party

2007-09-30T15:17:00.000+01:00

Well CS has had her birthday party. All the little girls were enjoying themselves and all was going well until the excitement got too much for CS. She spent the last half hour of her party curled up on my lap.

The others had a good time though and the party bags (loot bags) were much appreciated. One little girl emptied out the sweets and filled her bag with popcorn. I am not sure if that is customary but she seemed happy with her popcorn.

One party down, next one in November for CE. BTW she is having everything in pink.

I can't go to pre-school because...

2007-09-27T10:03:00.000+01:00

'I Can't go to pre-school! I absolutely can't."
"Why not?"
"Because .... I have a cough. Cough cough"
"No you don't. Don't you like it a school?"
"Yes, but I can't go"
"I thought you liked being in red group. Are you unhappy at school are the other children not nice to you?"
"Yes, but I can't go to school today."
"Why?"
"Because at pre-school they don't have playmobil or Barbie."
"But you can play with them when you get home."
"Can CE come to school today as well?"
"No, she only goes Monday and Friday"
"But she might play with MY playmobil and my Barbie when I am at pre-school!"

At least she like her presents. But she has gone to school and I promised to not let CE play with her toys.

Preparations

2007-09-24T20:20:00.000+01:00

Tomorrow is CS's 4th birthday. This means that I will be busy this evening blowing up balloons and wrapping presents. I hope she will like her presents.

I have foolishly agreed to her having a birthday party. We will have potentially 8 girls aged between 2 and 5 years here on Saturday. I must be mad. I can't even think of party games or the rules. My mother is no help. My birthday parties consisted of 5 other girls and cake bought at the patisserie (my mother does not do baking. Gasps of horror of the German mothers in our town "Ach die armen Kleinen." "Wie kann das denn?") copious amounts of sweets and crisps. My mother never organised games, we were herded into the garden and told to amuse ourselves. This wasn't too difficult as the garden was huge and we had swings that were standard issue for a respectable playground. My father would then come home from work to take everyone home (normally via Eis Cafe Venezia). There was usually a fight for who got to sit in the boot of his estate.

I do not remember any negative feedback and nor does my mother. Will this free form arrangement for parties be enough though in the noughties (as in 2007, could call it 00's but that looks ttoo much like loo)? And what if it rains? So I guess I'll have to google party games. I hope the suggestions will be suitable for the under fives.

BTW I will be baking cake and I need to find Nic's recipe for apple pie.

Insurance

2007-09-21T20:18:00.000+01:00

When I took my driving license at 17 I thought great, I have saved all my pocket money, birthday bonuses and my earnings (well you know holiday jobs, so lousy wages for mostly dull and repetitive work) I'll buy a little motor. And so I went out and bought my little Renault 5 Campus. It had a tiny engine and managed about 60mph downhill. I loved her. Insurance was steep. Much more than I expected. I wasn't worried I had no other commitments, so the money could be spent on the car and its insurance.

I am now almost 17 years older than I was then. I have many years and miles of claim free and blame free motoring (please may it continue in this way for a long time). There are myths and legends that when you reach 25 your insurance will go down. I have just renewed my insurance for another year. It is in fact the same amount I paid 17 years ago. Yes, in real terms it will have gone down (inflation and I now drive a Mondeo). I know it is not a fair comparison but nevertheless I do feel up out.