Silent Sunday 20.07.2014

Prom Related Issues

Mini is in Year 2- I know right? It seems five minutes ago that I was writing about her first day of school, and now, at the end of this term, she leaves to go to Juniors.

Well, actually she (and Littlest) will both be leaving anyway, and if they were already at school in Earley they would stay put and then this whole post wouldn't be here. But we'll let that slide as, until September for Mini at least who finally got a school place, they are stuck in Maidenhead for school.

At their, soon to be ex, school, they have a Leavers Disco come prom thing.

Now, as you know if you read regularly, Mini likes an excuse to go all out and dress up. She has known about the disco since December. And, as a result, she has plans. Dress plans, and hair plans, and having her nails done plans. Don't even ask her about shoes. Of course the "who is going to pay for this plan" is firmly in my lap. Or, by the time I've finished, in Elders.

The problem is that, she gets so into it that my "never did girl things as a kid as I liked cars and bikes and was too tall and gawky and not blonde" side comes out and I tend to join in and get slightly caught up in the excitement too. 

Hence, when we have gone to Slough the odd time, and walked past a shop whose window is full of big dresses with sparkles, and sparkly shoes, and tiaras, we have both ohhed and ahhed and made mental notes of what we think she should wear. 

I did chat with Elder about a big dress, and perhaps a limo (shared with some other parents). He did that look he does where he raises his eyebrow, looks sceptical and then simply says no. And no doubt wonders if it is him who is the ex-traveller and if I'm not secretly ex of traveller stock too.

I will admit, I loved some of the little girl dresses some of the kids on there wore, the kind of white frothy communion dress. I was in love with how happy and excited the kids were on that show to be wearing a big, fancy dress. They looked like they were living out their ultimate princess fantasy. I fail to see what is wrong with that if its for one event once.

As long as this is for one night only, and not taken to the extreme of spoiling a kid every day with horses, toys and stupid designer labels (apart from those craftily bought from eBay), then I am all for it.

As, of course, is Mini.

I am happy to be able to do her hair and nails myself. After the purple hair chalks at the disco, curling her hair with my Angel Curl wand and dabbing a bit of pink nail polish will be tame in comparison. 

She has already spotted that primark have some nice glittery shoes which, granted will probably fall apart after two wears but cost about a fiver.

The Limo isn't happening down to the move as it would cost loads too much to pick her up first from Earley and then everyone else from Maidenhead. Which is a shame but we can always put some ribbon on the Mini (if Elder doesn't do the look again and the no).

Its just the dress t go and I'm tempted to call up my old mate eBay for one, as I'm sure these types of dress are worn once for a party or do and then sold on.

What do you think?

Would you allow your daughter to instigate Princess mode? Or send them in jeans?

Comments below guys :)

Mini and The School Play

Mini, as most know by now, is a bit of a diva. Kind of like an X Factor wannabe mixed with a theatre school kid, but with added confidence to boot.

So, being given a good part in the schools year 2 play was a dream come true, which could only ever be seconded by the possibility of snogging the girly looking one from One Direction.

Mini was chosen to play the Rainbow in a play called The Wonderful World of Weather, and had a couple of lines at the end of the play, along with, as we thought, singing "I Can Sing a Rainbow" with her class.

We went to see the performance on Monday afternoon, Mini had a rotten sore throat all weekend and Monday morning, so she was a bit nervy that her voice might go but she went to school regardless and we had told her to do her best, as always.

Mini on the left with her bestie friend "O"

Well, the play was great, every kid in the entire class had a part to play, the scenery had been made by one of  classroom assistants and her family, and the costumes by another (although Mini made her own out of a stripey Monsoon dress and raiding my bangles box for colourful bead bracelets), and they were all weather related and very convincing.

It has to be said, I've watched her class grow from timid, tiny 4 year olds to the confident, funny 7 year olds they are now, and every one of them got their lines spot on. Special mention has to go to two lads who danced to "Hot, Hot, Hot" and "Ice, Ice Baby"  as they were utterly hilarious and seemed to dance in a more exaggerated fashion the more us adults laughed.

The use of songs met with Elder's approval too, with Bob Dylan, Johnny Nash and songs from Mary Poppins and Singing in the Rain featuring.

Soon, it was he finale, with Mini front and centre on the stage. She nailed it (yes, I'm biased of course, but there was barely a hint of nerves or croaky throat to hear), and we got a surprise as the first bit of her song she sang on her own.

She lapped up the applause, bowing as she went back to her seat. She sang so clear and despite sometimes singing a bit too high pitched (I'm forever telling her to sing low enough that adults and not just dogs can hear her), she was bang on pitch.

She even managed to critique herself, watching the video back, that she was slightly ahead of the backing tape.

All in all, it was emotional, and I'm very pleased that this year she wasn't hidden at the back.

I think we may have to find out about drama clubs in the area as she seems to have no fear when it comes to singing and dancing like a loon. She has far more confidence than I ever did at that age (or after) and I do think its something she wants to pursue herself.

I am one very proud Mummy, that's for sure.

Silent Sunday 23.03.2014

          

Silent Sunday 15.12.2013

Silent Sunday, 28.04.2013

Silent Sunday 14.04.2013

Mini: From Newborn to Six, and Everything In Between

Yesterday was Mini's sixth birthday and we had a bit of a quiet one. What with the disgracefully poor spring time weather we've been having, and the fact Littlest is once again unwell, we decided not to organise a party like last years until June, so both the Brats can enjoy one together, and hopefully the weather may have got its arse in gear by then! After all, who wants to be stuck in jumpers and boots on their birthday?

I took her swimming, which she utterly loves, and then we watched a film of her choice, followed by birthday cake and all her favorite foods.

She was happy and off she went to bed, singing along to her Little Mix album and asking whether today will be Doctor Who day.

After sitting down with a glass of wine, as parent's we started remembering the last 6 years, how much our little girl has grown, her changing tastes and attitudes. I always feel that birthdays are of course for those born on that day, but there is a cause for celebration to those who brought about the birth in the first place.

We've seen her grow from an over confident, born performer to being more quiet and considered recently. She has calmed down the tantrums, and has an air of "I'm so grown up now," yet still likes her teddy whites for bedtime and still wants a hug in the middle of the night.

She has very definite opinions on everything: boys are stupid (except her boyfriend), Doctor Who is very obviously real (or he'd not have been in London filming), and school is crap (bar having fun with her mates). She loves Doctor Seuss books, anything sci-fi, and music is brilliant as long as its current and nothing at all what Mummy and Daddy like. Unless Mummy lies and tells her its Little Mix's Mums and Dads. 

She likes her teacher, sort of, as long as she's not moaning at her, and she likes her room tidy. She wants to be a fashion designer and she likes drawing on any piece of paper she can find. She likes being the tallest in the class, and that one of the classroom assistants refers to her as Dolly (as in Dolly Day Dream as she's always doodling), she hates spelling tests and homework, but wants to start sewing club as she's bored of zumba now.

She makes me laugh with what makes her laugh. She can be a pest but 99% of the time she is just a funny little thing to be around. She cares alot about her brother, but bosses him around all the time, in a good natured way.

Yep, as daughter's go, I think we're pretty lucky with what type we have ended up with. And I hope she continues to be a funny, intelligent and confident girl.

Silent Sunday 07.04.2013

Mini and the Tooth

Mini is growing up fast, she'll be six next Wednesday- which frankly feels ridiculous as only a little while ago she still felt like a baby.

As such, the changes as she gets older have been more and more noticeable  She has lost her babyish face, she is very opinionated and knows why she has that opinion. The things that make her laugh are defined, and she loves certain music and hates others. Namely, she likes anything we don't like and hates anything old.

The last bastion of babyhood has been her teeth.

Silent Sunday 27.01.2013

Nativity Play Nightmares Part 3: After the Play

My last post was an update on the role given to Mini in her nativity, and how she hated the costume and the part. Well, yesterday, we finally got to see the costume and the whole play.

Nativity Play Nightmares Part 1

Its getting rather chilly of late, meaning that the winter term is nearing. In a few weeks there is half term, and then the days will get shorter, the cold will set in for the next few months, and everyone will be looking towards the events that Christmas brings to the school.

Last year, this just meant that Mini went to the local indie theatre to watch a play with the rest of the school. This year, being in Year 1 means carol singing at the local church, joining in with the extra special treats (which start this week with a trip to the cinema). 

And the Year 1 Nativity play.

Mini: Not Such a Fitting Nickname Anymore

Mini, as you know, is now 5, and to be fair I was always told that starting school has a big effect on a child and their life.


I wasn't quite expecting her to change quite so drastically though. Until a few months back, she was still quite happy to watch pre-school TV on CBeebies, listen to nursery rhyme albums at bedtime, and generally was just the same old Mini. 

The changes have been subtle but rapid. She has lost those baby features of her face, the chubby cheeks have gone and she looks staggeringly grown up- her height helps and she is often mistaken for two or three years older than her age on a weekend. She is super skinny, mainly down to her being unwell for four days after Britmums Live, so we are feeding her up again, but you'd think she has hollow legs as, no matter how many rich dishes I shovel in, she has hip bones teens would kill for. Her hair has gone from just one colour to having streaks of gold and brown that a hair dresser would be proud of achieving.


Its not just the physical either. She is less likely to throw tantrums, but she is a big softy. I had to ban her from watching The Voice in the end because, when the chairs didn't turn for a singer, she got very upset on their behalf. She cried at Toy Story as well. I now find myself checking the content of programmes just in case! ET, for example, has been deemed a total non starter.


She has started throwing in words like "actually,""fabulous" and "gorgeous" when she talks, 95% of these are appropriately used and its comical when she does use them- she told her brother he looked "gorgeous and super cute" when he came down from getting dressed at the weekend. 


Then there is her love of different music. She loves Jessie J (although the album was downloaded we had to remove certain songs. I didn't really fancy her singing Do It Like a Dude). She has suddenly developed an appreciation of Justin Bieber (a cross I feel  I have to bear after insulting my parent's ears with years of Take That) and has a poster of him next to her bed now. Which I have caught her saying goodnight to.


She's not so nervous now, and fiercely gaining independence from us both. She went to a friend's party on Saturday and usually wants me to stay. This time, she told me to leave and come back later. She's also been helping when the Nursery children pop into her class to see what it's like there for September when they move up a year. Her teacher, who once found her a bit noisy and babyish when upset now says she's one of the most naturally caring children she's ever met, always ready to dish out hugs whenever needed.


Sometimes, when she turns round, I hardly recognise my little girl as this child she is now. She is such a pretty thing and her face is changing as the baby features leave.


Along with the baby features, my little Mini is not so Miniature anymore. But its lovely to watch the changes.

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Mini and The Specs

It would appear that Mini doesn't just look like me. It seems she has also become another victim of the Curran "Blind as a Bat" syndrome too.

Dear So and So, Mini, Littlest and Driving Instructors

I haven't joined in with Dear So and So at Kats blog for a while, but felt compelled to today. Here are a few rants and musings from this week.

Am I the Meanest Mother...Ever?

.....Mini seems to think so.


As you'll recall from my last post, Mini and her diva like behaviour (making me nickname her Mariah and/or Cher Lloyd depending on the mood at the time) has become such a concern even her teacher, Mrs C, has remarked upon it (and its effect on her education. Not to mention her classmates hearing).


It was decided, between Elder and I that action was needed to curb this, as frankly my head cannot take any more headache inducing screeching.

Silent Sunday

HELP! Is My 4 Year Old More Stylish Than Me?

I love having a little girl.

Hold on, scrub that, I love both my kids unconditionally, but its kind of nice having one of each as me and him indoors can take one each at certain times and for certain things (like Littlest's new fascination with his boy bits (ahem) and his constant worry that it is "broken").

Mini, you may have noticed, is ever so slightly a girly girl, and is very picky on what she wears.

Mini Moments: I got 99 Problems and a Teen Shouldn't Be One.

The Child Formerly known as Mini is at it again.


I know kids grow up fast these days, but this is ridiculous.


Recently, Mini, she who is usually reasonably behaved (when compared to her brother), has decided in her infinite wisdom that, now she is fast approaching four, she is "bored" with the Toddler years, and can't be arsed with being a tween either.


No, instead, she has skipped to almost teen like behaviour.


She doesn't like to get dressed on weekends, preferring to slink round the house in her hooded dressing gown, with the hood up, and her fringe swept over one eye (it having now grown out). 


She has also decided that, rather than ask for something to snack on, she'll just wander to the fridge, open the door, stand peering inside, whilst sighing presumably at the lack of sweets and cakes (due to the diet), before slamming it and bogging off back to her sofa. 


Yes, its not my sofa anymore, its hers, as she proves by reclining across it, hugged in a blanket, remote in hand (even though she has no idea how to actually change channels with it, thank heavens).


She has also embarked on "Operation Annoy Younger Bro". Which she does by forcibly removing any toy from him, or book. Tickling him. Following him around the house poking him. Which has the secondary outcome of Littlest screaming at the top of his voice, and me getting a migraine at least 3 times a day. 


She knows what she will and wont wear-eg. she wont wear anything I pick out.


Its quite daunting. She even pushed me into the Hairdressers to get her hair cut cos its "minging Mummy", except I had left my bank card in my other purse and had a tenner on me, so couldn't let her have it done. 


She greeted me at Playschool with "Oh I wanted Daddy, you'll have to do. Where's my sausage roll?". Delightful. 


Now, I know they do have to get older, its a fact of life. But seriously? Not this fast. I feel old enough already without my daughter being on a mission to be 4 going on 14. If she's this bad when she's only practising, well, I'm done for.


Mini, please be a baby for as long as possible. Trust me, once you're older, its all down hill. 


Having said that, she does have delightfully babyish moments.


Like today, whilst in Wilkinsons with her Daddy, when, having spotted a display of toilet rolls, she shouted out, top of her voice "Daddy look, loo roll. For Poos". 


Out of the mouths of babes, indeed.