It sort of crept up on us,we thought the tinlids were at school for another week.
Their Daddy was going to ask for a few days off, but alas he left it a bit late.......so this week the tinlids have been coming to us.
I don't actually get frazzled by the tinlids, but I do get frazzled by himself.......I maintain the sort of discipline that I know is practised at home.....whereas, himself just tells me(when they are running round like crazy dervishes)....'they are only children'.
Talk about stating the obvious!
I have never been of the opinion that adults need to be 'friends' to children.
I have always thought that adults are there to lay down the boundaries...and children are there to see how far those boundaries can be pushed....in my case, not far.
In his case, it is a case of 'what boundaries?'
This doesn't make for a very calm or relaxed atmosphere....especially where Madam Bossy boots is concerned.
She sidles up to her grandad and looks up at him with cow eyes(they match the rest of her) and says something along the lines of.......'Margaret says we can't have any sweets'.......whereupon he whispers to her 'don't worry you can have some when she isn't looking'. (Is this good cop - bad cop psychology being worked here?)
Now my lamps are getting a bit dim, but I can hear a cockroach trump.
The tinlids have been up to see Ma too.
They are a bit too rumbustious for her....and she smiles, but I know that the smile is painted on.
Ma likes peace and quiet.......order is the watchword of the day....and while Ma would never say don't bring the children up....I know she is glad to see them skip off down the hill.
The children like to go to her house......it is full of interesting things......the piano for instance.
They go into Ma's living room, plonk themselves down on her extra wide piano stool - easily wide enough for two bottoms......and then they play loud discordant tunes......they love it.
Himself has taken them to the park most afternoons....and to the bowling green where they watched a bowls match.
We have cooked.......Chicken and Mushroom Risotto today...it was what they chose. I figure if they choose what we make then there is a good chance they will eat it.
They help weigh the ingredients(or measure them.....as today it was cupfuls of stuff).
They helped to peel the shallots, wash the mushrooms, crush the garlic....but the knife stuff was left to me...but they watched and asked why I didn't do it like their mum(the way the chefs do it).......I told them it would be more likely that they would be eating finger risotto if I tried to chop the shallots like their mum does it
Cheesy Pasta bake for tomorrow......with onions, mushrooms, tomatoes, spinach and plain pasta curls in a creamy cheese sauce with a cheddar cheese topping. They are looking forward to lunch tomorrow, because they helped to prepare it this evening.
They have ridden their bikes around in the backyard, we have read stories....funny ones, like The Smelliest Day at the Zoo......which made us laugh until the tears streamed down our cheeks...especially the bit where Mr Crumbles mistakes Crocodile poo for meatballs(don't ask).......we have drawn picture(I had to scratch my brains for some of the techniques learned at school)....the pictures I drew were then carefully coloured...and labelled.
So we have done quite a bit of stuff...none of it has cost us much in money.
The good news is, it's Friday tomorrow.....back to school Monday......Hooray!
I'm going to have to put some serious thought into keeping them occupied over the six week holiday!
Their Daddy was going to ask for a few days off, but alas he left it a bit late.......so this week the tinlids have been coming to us.
I don't actually get frazzled by the tinlids, but I do get frazzled by himself.......I maintain the sort of discipline that I know is practised at home.....whereas, himself just tells me(when they are running round like crazy dervishes)....'they are only children'.
Talk about stating the obvious!
I have never been of the opinion that adults need to be 'friends' to children.
I have always thought that adults are there to lay down the boundaries...and children are there to see how far those boundaries can be pushed....in my case, not far.
In his case, it is a case of 'what boundaries?'
This doesn't make for a very calm or relaxed atmosphere....especially where Madam Bossy boots is concerned.
She sidles up to her grandad and looks up at him with cow eyes(they match the rest of her) and says something along the lines of.......'Margaret says we can't have any sweets'.......whereupon he whispers to her 'don't worry you can have some when she isn't looking'. (Is this good cop - bad cop psychology being worked here?)
Now my lamps are getting a bit dim, but I can hear a cockroach trump.
The tinlids have been up to see Ma too.
They are a bit too rumbustious for her....and she smiles, but I know that the smile is painted on.
Ma likes peace and quiet.......order is the watchword of the day....and while Ma would never say don't bring the children up....I know she is glad to see them skip off down the hill.
The children like to go to her house......it is full of interesting things......the piano for instance.
They go into Ma's living room, plonk themselves down on her extra wide piano stool - easily wide enough for two bottoms......and then they play loud discordant tunes......they love it.
Himself has taken them to the park most afternoons....and to the bowling green where they watched a bowls match.
We have cooked.......Chicken and Mushroom Risotto today...it was what they chose. I figure if they choose what we make then there is a good chance they will eat it.
They help weigh the ingredients(or measure them.....as today it was cupfuls of stuff).
They helped to peel the shallots, wash the mushrooms, crush the garlic....but the knife stuff was left to me...but they watched and asked why I didn't do it like their mum(the way the chefs do it).......I told them it would be more likely that they would be eating finger risotto if I tried to chop the shallots like their mum does it
Cheesy Pasta bake for tomorrow......with onions, mushrooms, tomatoes, spinach and plain pasta curls in a creamy cheese sauce with a cheddar cheese topping. They are looking forward to lunch tomorrow, because they helped to prepare it this evening.
They have ridden their bikes around in the backyard, we have read stories....funny ones, like The Smelliest Day at the Zoo......which made us laugh until the tears streamed down our cheeks...especially the bit where Mr Crumbles mistakes Crocodile poo for meatballs(don't ask).......we have drawn picture(I had to scratch my brains for some of the techniques learned at school)....the pictures I drew were then carefully coloured...and labelled.
So we have done quite a bit of stuff...none of it has cost us much in money.
The good news is, it's Friday tomorrow.....back to school Monday......Hooray!
I'm going to have to put some serious thought into keeping them occupied over the six week holiday!
