Monday, Tuesday, No Monday!

A very good nights sleep where the boys forgot to wake me at 7:30 so I had a bit of a lie-in. My throat still hurts and my voice is weird and I have a slight cough that strips my throat OUCH! After the boys went to school I watched a bit of TV with my breakfast and was very tardy in getting dressed, which is why I had a visitor (to be fair she did email me first but I didn't see it). It was ExerciseNic who wanted to borrow some Silver Birch Logs for a photo shoot she is doing.

This morning I went grocery shopping and stocked up the pantry. Back home I put everything away and Huffle and I had lunch. We are watching the This is England series which we are finding very funny. I don't know how we missed this as we were still in England when it aired. We have three series to watch and lucky for us, Channel 4 have them all on their site. This afternoon I went for a lovely forest walk with NoCustard. It was perfect conditions - no mosquitoes, warming sunshine but cool enough to walk, nice soft paths and we met a couple of lovely dogs on the way. It was nice to catch up properly with NoCUstard and we are hoping to try and make it twice a week for our future walks. We walked for about 75 minutes. While we were walking I got a call from the Principal at school. Smallest had had an incident where his knee and elbow was scraped when another boy tripped him up. This is the same boy that has hurt him in one way or another three times now. The principal wanted me to know that she was dealing with him and the situation and that she was letting the parents know. He said he did it on purpose but that it was because he asked for his football to not be played on the pavement in case it burst, and the other kids were playing with it. IN MY OPINION, IF YOU ARE GOING TO BE SO PRECIOUS ABOUT SOMETHING THEN YOU SHOULDNT BE TAKING IT TO SCHOOL. The principal thought there were two incidents and I informed her that there had been three. Small apparantly took care of Smallest and took him to the office and helped to clean his wounds. That's nice. He also kicked the boy in retaliation to the same boy kicking Small - that's not nice and I told him to keep away as it wouldn't look good if Small got into trouble for hitting a boy younger than him despite what the other one was doing. Huffle is not pleased and says this is the last chance for the school to sort it before he goes knocking on the parents door!!!!

Before I went out I roasted a whole Cauliflower with garlic and onion and when I got back I made it into a soup. PARP SAYS I. The boys came home from school and I patched up Smallest's wounds before he had his piano lesson. Small struggled with his finger so we may have to stop lessons till it is healed but they both did well. They are going to learn Toy Story Theme as a duet. Smallest and I made Chocolate Zuccini Muffins too.

After dinner we all got on our bikes and cycled to the other end of the Hamlet to take the boys to Scouts and Cubs though on the way we got an email saying that Cubs starts next week! We helped to deliver leaflets with the Cub Leader and his son. We covered a good distance going up and down all the drives and finally finished past 7:30pm. By then it was dark so we cycled home.

I think I may have overdone it a bit today. I'M DONE!

 

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Feeling Chilli?

Poor Huffle had to sleep in the loft last night as My nose was so blocked I was snoring all night. Small came and woke me at 5am because his splint had slipped off and he couldn't get it back on (that was tough to do at that time of the morning). The boys then woke me again early on because they were loud watching the TV.

We all went to the Chilli Festival at Port Perry today. $10 for mug and a spoon and a chance to taste ten different chillis. The boys had a mug between them and Huffle had his own. I of course don't eat meat so this was useless to me. Luckily the town is full of stalls and open shops, music and a few crafts for the kids.

The boys did a tin craft where they had to draw a picture on craft tin, wrap it around some card and then put shoe polish on, leave it to dry and shine it up. They looked quite effective. They could have decorated a pumpkin each too but they ran out.

Some of the queues for the chilli were really long but they ended up trying all ten chillis and were pretty sure about the ones they liked and the ones they didn't. One had lumps of meat in it and the beans weren't cooked, one was made of pulled pork, there was a veggie one but Huffle said it was like a vegetable soup. Huffle and Small agreed on their favourite (the butchers) but Smallest chose a different one (a supermarket chain - the one with lumps of meat - little dinosaur).

I went into a restaurant and asked if I could have a soup to take away (I don't think they normally do it and I wish they had told me no because I had to wait so long which is ridiculous because I was standing there like a lemon and it wasn't like they had to make it from scratch). One of the chilli places were giving away free beer tasting but because Smallest stood in line he got a sticker instead. HASNT HE LEARNED YET THAT HIS MOTHER DRINKS BEER? I got my testing and it was very nice.

We listened to music, checked out the petting zoo, tasted a sample of ice cream and had a proper one later and walked along the waterfront. Small bought some popcorn and we bumped into NoCustard and had a chat.

Mid afternoon we drove to our local town for the Football Trials for Smallest. Yesterday his coach told us that smallest was on no matter what but we didn't want to tell him that and I think he was a bit nervous. The club told us that over 40 kids were trying out but there weren't nearly that many, maybe half and that included most of the original team. Half way through the coach came over and said he thought that Smallest wasn't playing at his best today but even if it was his worst then he was far better than most of them there today. There seemed to be a couple of good new ones but overall they weren't great. There is another try out next week so hopefully there will be some more then.

One of the new boys should have passed to Snallest but instead he hugged the ball. The coach shouted "if you want to play by yourself, play tennis!"

Huffle and Small played football while the trials were going on and I sat and watched. After an hour and a half, we came home. Smallest wanted to play football in the garden (doesn't he ever stop?) and Small wanted to play on his tablet. Huffle watched the football from yesterday (where Stoke couldn't beat Leicester, just got a draw) and a we watched the last of the Lord of the Rings films. Apparently I went to the cinema to see the last one but I don't remember a thing about it. I think Huffle took his other girlfriend!!

 

 

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All weather football

An awful nights sleep once again. My throat hurt, my nose was blocked and then ran constantly, I was coughing, sneezing, hot and cold and of course I kept waking Huffle up too. In the end I came downstairs around 3pm and sat on my own for a while until I was so tired I went back to bed.

Everyone got up early so we could get to Smallest's last festival. His first game was at 10am and it was a 30 minute drive away (that's if it is in the place your map tells you it is, if it's not then you end up in a car park with no other cars and a small playing field that certainly does not fit 20 different teams!). We found a phone number and called the coach who told us where we should have been. Luckily there was still plenty of time for warming up and practice (though Huffle had to drop Smallest and I off while him and Small parked the car, which took forever).

The first game was against the toughest team we have had so far (and the one that our biggest rivals and absconding team members couldn't beat - that made our Coach very happy especially as we beat them). 3-2 win for us against this slick team. Small and I walked about three kilometres to go to the toilet when we could have just walked 300 yards but we had a good chat on the way.

The second game (Smallest was Captain) was against a dirty team with no subs and a changing goalie. One of our team clipped one of the opposition when he was holding him and then rolled around crying on the floor. Miraculously he got up and was healed instantly but then stuck his boot out (Huffle edit - it was a dangerous tackle with a very clear intent) for one of our players. Our fans were disgusted, the referee didn't know what to do (despite the fact that Huffle was shouting instructions at him). Eventually they put him in goal out of the way. At the end of the game 2-1 (to us) the other team skulked off without handshakes, no comments from their coaches or fans or family NOTHING NADA - disgusting!!!!!!

The weather was very strange all day. We had rain, hot sun, dark clouds, wind and a storm threatened. One minute we were under cover with waterproofs on and the next minute trying to get under the shade because the sun was too hot. We drove to a restaurant and had dinner and watched a few of the days sporting highlights on TV. The Rugby won by the Japanese, EPL football, Golf and Baseball.

We got home just before a huge rainfall started and then we all settled down for a late afternoon/early evening of relaxing, watching TV and playing.

 

 

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Terry cross the Mersey

Today the boys ran around their school field for the Terry Fox Run. Small ran for Aunt Pear and Smallest ran for Uncle Dermott (though his label actually said Grandpa - it seemed he got a bit confused and told the person who was writing the labels that Uncle Dermott was his Great Grandad and they wrote Grandpa). The whole school raised money for Cancer Research.

I went off to knitting today despite the fact I felt really rough. I desperately needed to get HB's socks finished and I only had to cast off one sock. However when I finished it I couldn't get it over my foot so El took pity on me and did it for me. It was then packaged up and I spent the next half an hour (so slow) in the Post Office. Honestly, I don't think it has ever taken me so long to knit anything. Sorry HB.

I picked up a few things for lunch and dinner and came home for lunch with Huffle. Mid afternoon, Huffle and I went to school for 'Meet the Teacher' day. We were met at the front door by the new principal who guessed we were Small's parents from our accents (she is a new Head Teacher there and she doesn't know all the kids but because Small has been in her office signing the accident book, she knows him, plus she commented on his accent too).

We found Small's classroom and his teacher was busy talking to another parent so we looked around the classroom and tried to find his desk. Another mum (who we know well) barged in and started talking to the teacher. WHY DO WE HAVE TO BE SO BRITISH AND WAIT FOR SOMEONE TO SPEAK TO US FIRST, OR WAIT FOR OUR TURN. We have to change this else we will be walked all over FOREVER! This mum was even ruder when I mentioned that Small would not be going to Scout Camp (one of the leaders) because of his finger. She sneered at me and said "I know when I heard I thought SERIOUSLY is it that bad?" I said "well it's broken!!" How bad does it need to be? Surely a Scout Leader doesn't want to take responsibility for a newly broken finger especially when the theme of the camp is War re-enactment. Honestly, some people are SO RUDE!!!!!!

Small's teacher was very happy with the way Small had settled in and said we could come to him anytime if we had any concerns or problems and so could Small. He had him last year for Maths and Science so he knew who we were. We peeked through the window and watched Smallest running round the field. It looked like he had a huge bruise on his cheek and we were worried he had been hit again so we went to check on him. It was a tattoo!

Next we saw Smallest's teacher who showed us his desk (not too messy) and a piece of work he had done about 'his hero'. Huffle was disappointed to read it wasn't him. It was Peter Crouch! Honestly, not even Filbert Fox!

He was very happy with the way he has settled in and especially liked me telling him that Smallest was very happy when he wrote on his agenda that he had an excellent first week. He said he was very intelligent, reading a very advanced book and were we going to test him for The Gifted Programme. I told him that I was told not to get Small tested a few years ago because the school would not support the program and he would have to be moved to a different school. Smallest's teacher said we should do it anyway and just see first and worry about it later. He said we could decide what to do in a couple of years if we wanted. We took the forms and filled them in. I think they get tested in November.

While Huffle went back to work, I popped to MrsRoyals and had a cup of a tea and good chat before coming home to find the boys had played football in the garden, had a milkshake and were playing on their tablets. We all made dinner and ate it in front of Lord of The Rings ll.

Huffle heard from Grandad today from his jolly boys holiday - he is in an all inclusive resort - oh dear, that could be dangerous!! Last time Grandad was in an All inclusive resort he purchased a coconut full of rum from a beach vendor (silly Grandad), oh and also rented a jet ski and ran out of petrol. I know that has nothing to do with anything but wanted to share.

 

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Fast Freddy - The British Bulldog

When I woke up this morning my throat hurt soooo much. I felt very rough. Huffle had had a better nights sleep due to some Night medicine he had taken (I can't take anything with 'night' in the title as I feel drugged in the morning). Small's finger seemed a little less swollen but he is still full of cold. Smallest has a bit of a cold.

After the boys went to school, Huffle (he took a half day) and I went off to Ikea. We need to get a new kitchen as ours is old, handmade and just a little bit wonky. We had already planned what we wanted online and by the time we had got through all the horrendous traffic and found our way to the kitchen department, we were ready for business. I think I expected someone to sit with us and plan bit by bit what we wanted. In reality we were logged onto a computer screen and told to get on with it. We did have 'Dave' to occasionally stop by and give us some help and advice. He also had a few wry smiles when we asked our questions too.

First we looked at the all the mock kitchens and decided on the doors (this added a bit more to our original price), then we chose the handles (add on more money) and we decided on definitely needing the soft closing option on EVERYTHING (surprisingly not more money added as they come as standard on all cupboards and can be added on drawers too). The tap (faucet) we chose online was disregarded due to its ferocity and hard to clean design (take away some money) and we found a much nicer, much more expensive sink but then had to chose a different later on. It took us ages on the computer, lots of swearing on Huffles behalf and much patience on Dave's part and finally we were done. We had moved the fridge, added on cupboards where the fridge used to be and put a cupboard on the end of the dishwasher. SORTED! We added on $1,200 (dollars not pounds - half in case you don't convert) to our original plan (well I tried to add an extra $500 too for a lovely island but when I got home, I put tape on the floor so I could see if it would fit and it really doesn't go). Huffle edit - that's a right result.

We had a quick wander round and picked up some shower curtains and bath mats, had a quick dinner and came home. We got stuck in really bad traffic and Huffle dropped me at the library before rushing off back to work. I grabbed my books and made my weary way home. It was very hot walking back. After my exercise class yesterday, my legs only hurt when I kick (I was showing Huffle one of the moves we did, that's how I found out they hurt) and my shoulders and arms ache when I lift them over my head (taking off my top, putting it back on).

I had to make more Flapjack for the Football party this evening so I FaceTimed Moo while I made it. The golden rule when making Flapjack (Mary Berry's recipe originally) is to line the tin with Parchment Paper and definitely NOT greaseproof paper as the latter sticks and the only to get it off is to use a hairdryer (yes I have done it before), but I had run out so I tried Tin Foil instead. It stuck but I rescued it thankfully.

The boys came home, did a chore and played on their tablets. Early evening, we all went to Smallest's Football Party which was held on the football fields. The weather was perfect and everyone had brought something, cakes, beer, pizza, salad, pasta, crisps, vegetables, dips etc.

The coach had set up the field with cones, obstacles and nets. He got all the team together and we took photos and then he drew each boys name out of a hat and they had to do a timed run with the ball. Around cones, shooting in a tiny net, over and under some jumps, round some more cones, another shoot in net and then, with their head on a cone going round it five times and running to the finish line. Smallest got third place and won an Adidas T-shirt. Everyone got some food and the boys were presented with a bag which included a big poster of Messi, Suarez, Ozil, a random football shirt (though Smallest's wasn't random - he got an AC Milan top chosen by Huffle a few weeks back, well it could've been Arsenal or Toronto).

They did some penalty shoot outs and had to choose a family member to go against. Smallest chose me because he expected me to be bad (and to be fair I was, though I was on target). They had a few races and Smallest then won a Barcelona top and at the end the Coach gave him an England top. Whenever he called out Smallest's name, he called him Fast Freddy the British Bulldog. They also played 'closest to the pilon' which is a cone.

I had lots of good comments about the Flapjack and one Mum asked for the recipe. The coach's wife asked Smallest "Your Mum's flapjack is the best, does she make this often? What day?". We had to endure a talk from the Main Man who is obviously a Used Car Salesman with all the cr&9 he came out with. I had to walk away and left Huffle half listening (he's good at that). Apparently he told us all about the Rep Trials which are going on this weekend and next so that means we can take Grandad along to the trials as Grandma and Grandad will be with us next week - he'll like that.

It was a good evening and Small got to run around too, fetch some balls and practice corners. The coach gave him a poster too for his help.

 

 

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Pardon my reach volume 2

Small went off to school with his left pinky strapped up. I rang the school secretary to inform her of his finger break. When he broke his thumb a couple of years ago, the secretary never called me because she knew that we were entertaining family in Toronto and didn't want to bother us (plus she didn't know it was broken). Ever since that time, she calls me for everything (just in case). When I told her he had broken his finger but that he never told anyone it hurt she said "thank goodness for that, oh I mean not thank goodness but you know". I did know. I said there was no blame with the school but I thought they should know as he did it there and it might need to be entered into the accident book.

I went off to my exercise class which was very hot and sticky. We worked hard so I guess I won't be able to sit down again tomorrow. It was fun though and we had plenty of laughs. Back home after my shower I called the hospital and made a follow-up appointment for Small's finger. We have to go next Wednesday morning. I think they will X-Ray it again and make sure it is healing.

I went to Suffolk's house and we went for a nice lunch together and a quick trip to a Farmers Market and a fabric shop which smelt of cigarette smoke, Thats not a good smell for material is it?! We popped to a supermarket and picked up a few things for dinner and I came home with two more slabs.

The boys came home. Small's finger was very hot and we took his splint off and let his finger sit in cold water to cool it off. It's not an easy splint to get on and off though. Homework and chores were done and tablets played on while I made dinner.

This evening we went to register the boys for indoor football starting in October. Huffle had registered online and we just needed to prove their date of births and pay. Outdated system that it is, you can't pay online. There was a long queue when we arrived and when we finally got to the front we were told that we had to register both boys (we didn't register Small because of Rep) and we had to have the receipt numbers. Huffle asked if we could use a computer there but we weren't allowed despite the fact that someone later was using it to do exactly the same thing! Eventually we sorted it all out and paid. Both boys are ready to play.

 

 

 

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That famous footballer Paylay

Huffle worked from home, the boys went to school and I went to work. Today I did cuttings of Coleus. Many many many types of Coleus. One of them was called Pele and I heard "oh Paylay the soccer player"! For coffee break we had some of Jan's lovely maple Butter Shortbread (oh I need that recipe too). She brought me the recipe for last week's Pecan Brown Sugar Squares. Watch this space!

Huffle and I had lunch and then I Facetimed Moo. Unfortunately she was on her way out so we only spoke briefly. I spent an hour on the side garden putting down the two heavy slabs I got yesterday, doing some weeding and moving a couple of plants.

The boys Squash' are growing very big now - my foot in photos to show size

The boys came home, Small had his first lot of homework and in gym had hit the end of his little finger on a football. It was swollen and a bit crooked but he could bend it so he got an ice pack and did his homework. I went off to get my eyes tested - my Long Distance Is 20/20 and my near sight is the same as before so I keep my reading glasses.

When I got home I made dinner and then we all played Squarrels. Small's finger was very bruised, very swollen and was pulsing. It hurt him to move it so I took him to the local emergency hospital. Last time he was here he did a similar thing but it was just a strain and he was in and out in no time. When I brought him here when he broke his thumb we were there for five hours. It was busy today and no-one could even register us because there was no one free. After half an hour we saw the Triage Nurse, got registered and moved into a room by ourselves with a TV. We had brought our IPads in case we were there all night. Not long after he was x-rayed. All in all we were only there for 80 minutes when we found out he had broken his finger. It is on the growth plate but the doctor didn't think there would be a problem. He had a bendy thing put on and taped (easy take on and offable) and I have to call the Plastics Department tomorrow to get an appointment in about 10-14 days. They will need to x-Ray it again to make sure it is healing properly. Poor Small, though he says he is fine. He was supposed to be going off to camp this weekend but that will have to be cancelled now and Basketball starts next week.

 

 

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