NotSheep

Well, a bit more, if I’m honest. More long-time-no-blog. Sigh.

Okay. Beginning at the beginning. A week ago - ah, no, almost two weeks ago now - it was the end of British Summer Time. Not that we actually experienced a summer, you understand. As for all those people on the radio etc saying things like, “You get an extra hour in bed tomorrow morning!” - well, uh, no, and quite clearly you don’t have children. Because no, I didn’t get an extra hour in bed, and didn’t expect to.

Sunday (not last Sunday - all days referred to mean over a week ago, until further notice) was spent doing bits and pieces around the house. The boys all studied, having spent most of the week watching movies. Freddy got frustrated whilst exploring tangrams because his hexagon “isn’t a sensible one!” Definition of a “sensible hexagon”: Uh, I dunno.

The positive side of being up an hour early (which is what happens to parents when the clocks go back) was that I got a lot done - or at least, I felt that I did. By 6.45, dinner was over, the kitchen had all been cleaned up, the dishwasher was running and all my children had had baths and were in pyjamas (except Barney, who’d showered on Saturday and isn’t yet quite willing to shower daily). Maybe I just need an extra hour every day?

On Monday morning I got up with plans to tidy up before the arrival of a friend I haven’t seen in a long time, but those plans took second place on the discovery that I couldn’t actually get Barney’s bedroom door open due to the massive accumulation of all sorts of things behind it. I decided he’d been warned enough times and started to go through it all myself. Many bits of Lego and K’nex and goodness-knows-what-else were reallocated to their homes in other bedrooms. I filled two bin-liners with bits of paper and broken toys and things collected from long ago - and I didn’t actually throw out anything he cared about. Except, perhaps, the charger for Jack’s GameBoy SP. Hm. Anyway, I expected him to be royally hacked off at me afterwards, but he didn’t even seem annoyed. We talked about it a day or two later, and I suggested that maybe he’d been a bit relieved - that he didn’t have to do it all himself and/or that it was all decluttered (because really, it was Cluttered!) and/or that a lot of what was removed was stuff he’s probably too old for now, but maybe it was hard for him to let go. He agreed with all of that, saying that sometimes change is difficult. Hm again.

After the Great Bin-It Adventure, Barney spent a few hours - well, it seemed that way - making toast for everyone. Toast and more toast and more toast. They all finally stopped eating about ten minutes before it was time to start thinking about lunch…

My friend T arrived with her daughters, who pretended to be shy at first but were soon bouncing around the house as though they’d spent their entire lives living with six boys. I was feeling fairly organised, with dinner in the slow-cooker before they even arrived - but it was needed, because I knew I had plenty of taxi-ing to do on Monday evening. First Barney was left at Air Cadets - oh, no, first we had to convince Toby that it was okay that Scratchy’s car was parked in the wrong spot in the driveway (I’d moved it to the back of the drive because he wasn’t going to be using it for a week). Then I took George and Freddy to ju-jitsu. On settling down in the car outside ju-jitsu to entertain Jack and Toby (Louie already being asleep) for the next hour, Jack moved into the front seat and spent a few minutes admiring my dashboard: “You have lots of lights up here!”

I’d arranged for Barney to get a lift home from Air Cadets - they’re supposed to finish at 9.30 but it’s regularly between 10 and 10.30, and I really didn’t want to be sitting in the car with five other children waiting for him - so was able to be home with all the other children in bed by about 8.40. I’m glad I don’t have to do that every week.

On Tuesday morning Louie woke before 6 a.m. - changing his internal clock isn’t quite as easy as changing the one on the microwave (something I have to figure out twice a year, having completely forgotten since the last time - every time). I managed to keep everyone upstairs until 7ish, but then gave up and went downstairs and made us all cinnamon French toast. Some excitement was provided when we had a flurry of snow. Jack came wandering into the room and I told him to look out the window. “It’s raining?” he asked - uh, yeah, like that’s something that’s worth remarking on here! “It’s snowing!” I told him. Jack’s response came in an amazed voice: “It’s winter?”

He watched the snow for a few minutes, then turned to the table with a pencil and paper, and asked me for a reminder on how to write a capital L. I told him, he wrote it, checked with me that it was right, then balanced his paper on the window-sill and held up his hands with his thumbs sticking out (left hand making a capital L). “The snow is coming from the left,” he announced. I thought all that demonstrated impressive problem-solving skills

With my stress-levels rising on Tuesday afternoon (a product of the usual trying-to-do-seven-things-at-once), I handed Louie to Barney, who took him into the living-room. I went in to check on them a few minutes later and found Louie on Barney’s lap, with Barney reading to him - from Shakespeare. Hey, it worked

Dinner was early, in part because I was exhausted and in part because Toby was looking very likely to fall asleep. All parents know what a bad idea it is to let a three-year-old fall asleep at dinner-time.

Wednesday morning was very, very cold. I’d been resisting putting the heating on for more than a few minutes morning and evening to get the water heated, but I gave in. I felt justified when I read later that the temperature had been the coldest recorded in October since 1934. We had dinner for lunch - partly because I felt, even if nobody else did, that we needed something substantial inside us to warm us up, and partly because it was just easier that way. Then, of course, we had lunch for dinner. Jack and Toby certainly didn’t seem to be suffering any lack of energy though - they wore themselves out by hopping all over the kitchen because it was entertaining Louie so much Maybe my fatigue was more to do with being up from 4.50 a.m. with Louie, who seemed to have misunderstood the whole idea of clocks going back and had switched his clock an hour forwards instead.

Scratchy was due to arrive back here on Thursday morning, although for a while we weren’t at all certain that would happen. First there were delays in Toronto due to air-traffic control. Then there were the high winds at Toronto Airport, and snow forecast here. He got to the airport in Toronto early, and managed to catch an earlier flight to Newark, which turned out to be just as well, because the flight he was booked on was delayed even longer, and he’d have missed his connection from Newark - which would have meant him spending 24 hours in Newark waiting for the next one. And that would have meant him getting back on Friday morning, rather than Thursday morning - and that would have meant me taking all six children with me when the Open University met Barney.

Oh, and we’re back to days of the week meaning their most recent occurrence - that’s progress…

Barney and I, accompanied by Louie, went into the city by train, which, compared to driving, was a) slower and b) more expensive (even taking parking into account) - but it had the advantage that I could have Louie in my arms or even nursing while travelling, rather than listening to him cry through the end of the morning rush-hour. He seemed to like the train - lots to look at, both inside and through the window. And Barney was happy too, because the staff maths tutor at the OU agreed that he could do the course he wants to do. The paperwork was submitted and now we just need to wait for his student number to arrive so that he can log onto the website and start the assessments (having already worked through the textbook!) - and to find out if his funding application has been accepted. We’d assumed that he couldn’t get funding, but the OU staff we spoke to all said it might be possible so we might as well apply. All the better!

The boys watched a movie on Friday afternoon - I was told what it was, but can’t remember. Anyway, they asked, “What year was this made?”, and when Scratchy said “About 1982″, their response was, “Really? It’s so modern!” Er…1982 was modern. Wasn’t it? I distinctly remember 1982, and I’m only…uh, well, perhaps the less said the better

Friday evening found lots of children in costumes flitting about the street, of course, as mine and others went trick-or-treating. Barney dressed as ART - which stands for A Ridiculous Thing, and has to be seen to be believed. I do have photos, and I will get them up soon. He took Jack and Toby out while George and Freddy stuck together - which worked well, because it allowed Scratchy to be here to man the door, and that allowed me to take off to bed with Louie

Where are we? Oh yes, up to last weekend. I spent most of the day planning things - studying for the boys, to-do lists for me, Christmas plans… I had hoped to make most of the gifts for others this year, but I suspect that might be too optimistic, given my lack of ability to get two hands available for anything. I did think about buying some kits from Opitec, but they’ve decided to charge us ridiculous postage too now - £25 for any order up to £250. I’d only be spending about £30, so I’m not doubling it with the postage charge. So instead, I went out yesterday to try to at least make a dent in the “need something for so-and-so” list. Lots of people oohing and aahing over Louie in the Storchie. I had to stop at about 1pm to nurse him, so I fed myself at the same time, and had a conversation about breastfeeding with the woman at the next table. She had no children, and was very positive about breastfeeding and fascinated by how it all works, but was obviously a bit nervous about asking at first. I did make a few (very) small dents in the shopping-list, but mostly what I got was sore feet. How I used to shop all day in stilettoes is beyond me - as is why I used to enjoy it! I think there’ll be as much on-line ordering as possible done this weekend, and then I’ll have to brave the stores again to fill in the gaps.

Someone yell at me if I haven’t blogged again by this time next week…

Fourteen years ago (ignoring the time-difference between the UK and Canada), I was in hospital, experiencing the beginning of the induction of the labour of my first child. Nothing would happen overnight, but I would spend the following day in labour, and give birth shortly after midnight.

This evening after dinner, that first child was given an electric shaver, as a birthday gift.

I can’t believe it’s been fourteen years since I first looked into Barney’s face. I remember being awed by the process which started with an ovum and a sperm, and produced a baby. I’m still awed by that process, but I’m perhaps even more astonished at how that baby turns into…well, almost a man.

Fourteen years. A lifetime. And somehow, also, the blink of an eye.

An assortment of stuff.

Good stuff:

I have done a fair bit of the Christmas shopping, and even wrapped most of what I’ve bought.

I have finished - yes, finished! - writing my Christmas cards. I did it in short spurts, because I figured I wouldn’t get arms-free time for a long spurt. And I’ve finished. I might even get them posted on time this year.

Someone told me I didn’t look old enough to have six children - which is weird*, because I’ve certainly been feeling old enough recently.

Barney got his OU books - and confirmation that he’s receiving full funding for his course.

And he turned 14 (see below).

George and Freddy graded at ju-jitsu. George, who took some time out from ju-jitsu, is a belt behind Freddy, so he was tested for, and passed, his orange belt grading. Freddy was supposed to do his blue-and-white belt grading in two weeks, when he’d have to go to a leisure centre in the city, because he’s at the stage where they start to grade outside the club - but due to a mix-up, we were given three hours notice that he was going to be grading at the club last night. Still, he passed too.

Toby had an assessment with the paediatrician, who is no longer at all worried about him (I think her worries disappeared about two minutes after she met him and me, but anyway…) and who has discharged him. I was going to ask if we could just drop the assessments anyway, because there really is nothing to worry about now, but as soon as I mentioned it, she said she’d been going to suggest it too. She says she’s “quite certain that if there are any concerns, you will access whatever he needs”

During a conversation with Barney (remember, he’s 14), I said, “I’m far from being a perfect mother” - and he looked thoughtfully at me and replied, “You’re very near, actually.” Cue tears from me - I don’t think I am at all, but it’s lovely to hear he feels that way

Bad stuff:

Ju-jitsu grading. Yes, I know that’s under “good stuff” too, but this is about the badges. The ones that are really difficult to sew on, and are really huge. As someone said, on hearing the size of the blummin things, “That’s not a badge, it’s an advertising hoarding!” Indeed.

Jack’s breathing is not good - he’s been using his inhaler regularly recently. I’ve made an appointment for him at the asthma clinic, but it’s still a couple of weeks away. You’d think they’d prioritise things like breathing.

Someone hacked into a retailer database and got a bunch of credit-card numbers - just the numbers, no expiry dates or names or anything - including mine. And the credit-card company decided to cancel all the accounts and re-issue the cards. And that meant I couldn’t shop on-line until the replacements arrived. When I pointed out it was a month before Christmas and I’d six children and about eight websites with full baskets, the guy said he’d get the cards sent special delivery. Good - except that I had to be home to sign for them. So I waited at home. And waited. For 11 days, before they finally showed up - in the ordinary post, with no signature required.
(Yes, I could have used another credit-card - but I get cashback on the main one. And yes, I could buy on-line with my debit-card. But I like the legal protection and extra insurance I get with the credit-card.)

Louie has a wicked rash on both cheeks. I’m hoping (but not very hopeful) that it’s not eczema

Cute stuff:

Jack, in the middle of a discussion (involving all the children old enough to talk) about why giraffes have such long necks. “I think,” he announced, “that it’s so they can watch the clouds go by.”

Jack again - this time, cleaning up the kitchen after breakfast - with a tea-towel slung over his shoulder, like a proper little chef.

Toby, on the umpteenth request to do something, responding with his impression of a stroppy teenager.

Louie. In general. But also in particular the tuft of hair which sticks straight up, due to his double-crown, and which has resulted in him being nick-named TinTin - which seems to amuse him

Weird stuff:

I got ogled whilst breastfeeding Louie at a shopping-centre! By an old bloke, who was obviously also a rather sad bloke if he had to rely on glimpses of my flesh for kicks.

Words from Freddy, while Jack was trying to get out a pizza-cutter: “Stop it! I don’t want this turning into a blood festival!” Erm…

A phone-call from…well, I don’t know who it was from, because the caller asked for someone I’d never heard of. I told her she’d reached the wrong number. She replied, “That’s okay, I’ll give him a call later.” Uh…

We spent part of Barney’s birthday on Youtube, seeking out Showaddywaddy vids. It’s a bit of a long story, but it involves Mock The Week, Hugh Dennis and Jimmy Saville. I’m sure you all understand now.

*Maybe the bit about me being told I didn’t look old enough to have six kids should have been in this section.

Ranty stuff:

I still can’t cope with the website for the library system. Or it can’t cope with me. Either way, it’s horrible.

As-yet-uncategorised stuff:

Tomorrow, Barney is off to Liverpool, to fly planes - his first time (he was supposed to do it before, but the weather was uncooperative). At least, he’ll be off to Liverpool if they let him on the plane to Liverpool. Because his passport expired earlier this year, and we weren’t told until last night that he’d need a passport. Or a driving-licence. He’s how old? Oh yeah, 14. Right. So the plan is that we’ll take him to the airport with his expired passport and keep our fingers crossed. According to the Easyjet website, he can use the passport for domestic flights up to two years after it expires. Also according to the Easyjet website, under-18s don’t need photo ID anyway - but the Cadets woman says they’ve had problems with this before - so, uh, why couldn’t they have mentioned the passport thing more than 33 hours before the flight?

Imusttakesomephotos… Imusttakesomephotos… Imusttakesomephotos… Imusttakesomephotos…

I’ve been very remiss with respect to photography recently. I haven’t been taking enough of them, and I haven’t been flickring what I do take, which then means that none have been posted here. The evidence of this, which I’m not about to present, is these photos - some of which date from *ahem* August.

Anyway.

First up, my kids

Barney and Jack:

Freddy and George:

Toby:

And Louie:

The next few haven’t been delayed by quite so long - they’re from just under a month ago (as if you couldn’t have guessed, given the costumes):

And an extra one of Louie. Just because.

Photographs from Barney’s birthday celebrations will be along shortly; they are uploading to flickr as I write. Like buses, really, except that a lot more than two come along at once

Wednesday:
Despite his expired passport, Barney had no trouble getting on the plane. Or rather, he had no trouble once he got to the correct airport - Scratchy drove him to the wrong one and neither of them had the sense to notice it until they realised that there were no other Cadets around! They had a mad rush to the right place and just made it on time. Unfortunately when the Cadets arrived in Liverpool, the weather wasn’t suitable for taking them up for flying instruction (the cloud was too low), so he didn’t get a chance to fly a plane. But he got a day of wandering about the shops in Liverpool, and there will be other opportunities for flying, so he’s not too upset about it. I have a feeling that Toby was missing Barney while he was away; he was very, uh, challenging. It makes me think about how much little kids whose older siblings are always out at school must be missing out.

Thursday:
I went shopping, determined to finish off my Christmas gift-list. I didn’t quite make it - I have two gifts left to buy, both (I hope) in the same place, but rather than go there in the middle of the afternoon and then deal with a rush-hour journey home, I decided to just go home and leave it until another time. It wasn’t helping that I had all the children with me (which isn’t unusual) and that Barney was exhausted after being away all day on Wednesday and was thus quite the opposite of helpful (which is unusual). But overall, I’m feeling very pleased with how organised I am this year - all the cards are written, addressed, sealed and stamped, and with the exception of those I’ll deliver by hand, are sitting in a pile on the kitchen counter, ready to be posted tomorrow. I’ve also wrapped all the gifts I’ve purchased - there are a few that have been bought on-line which haven’t been delivered yet, but really, the bulk of it’s done. I can’t help thinking there must be some huge job that I’ve completely forgotten, and that is going to throw me completely off-course!

Friday:
It was my turn to be tired and grumpy - I woke stiff and headachy and hoping I wasn’t getting sick. I had a couple of people out to measure and quote for blinds for the bedrooms (the old verticals were well beyond the point of no return!) but otherwise there wasn’t much that needed done. After lunch I left Barney, George and Freddy at the barber’s, came home and put on a DVD for Jack and Toby, and snuggled with Louie on the sofa. My cunning plan to have the older three finished at the barber’s around the time that Scratchy would be on his way home didn’t quite work, as they were later than expected, but it did at least mean that I didn’t have to pack up the younger three into the car again to go and collect the others.

And then…Saturday:
In the morning we prepared for the arrival of various friends, and from early afternoon they started to drift in. Shortly before 4, those who were going to the movies left for the movies - the numbers worked out very nicely, as we’d 14 people going, so my friend K drove my car and Scratchy drove his and that let me stay at home with Louie and my friend J and cups of tea. The younger children attending went to see Madagascar 2, and the over-10s watched Ghost Town. The former finished half an hour before the latter, which gave just enough time for Scratchy to come home to collect Louie and me - what timing! At about 6.15, we all met up in the Pizza Hut just down the street from the movie-theatre and went about emptying their refrigerators. It’s quite amazing how fast such quantities of food can be inhaled when there are a handful of teens and pre-teens around the table!

Some of us were vegetarian, and when the second (or perhaps the third - I’d lost count) vegetarian pizza was served, it had something on it which looked suspiciously like sausage-meat. We pointed it out to the waiter, who was very apologetic. “I’ll go into the kitchen and make you a vegetarian one myself,” he said, “Honestly, that lot in the kitchen can’t understand simple instructions. They couldn’t manage an English GCSE between them!”

(We sort of disagree with him about the people in the kitchen though, because all the food was very good indeed!)

Barney’s birthday cake was presented and he set about blowing out 14 candles - except that there were 14 of those magic self-relighting candles on it, so it took quite a while!

Home afterwards for tea and talking around the kitchen table for the adults, and a riotous evening in front of various Nintendo-type consoles for the children. Some of them went home, some stayed over - and so I present - Sunday:

Everyone still here now is in bed, thoroughly tired out by a most excellent weekend. Thinking we might do a St-Nicholas-type thing next weekend, with chocolates in shoes followed by putting up the Christmas decorations