Another good day today. Lateish start cause by very little sleep as usual, although Charlie was up at a reasonable time.
He made loads more geomags shappes and stuff this morning and then settled down to his SL. Whizzed through History and Science and then some reading - interesting reading positions adopted as shown on flickr!
Maths was a bit easy today as it was a 5-7 Spark Island book. Miquon blue is getting a bit hard for now so I gave hime the choice of either of the two wizzard whimstaff books or the spark island and he did 3 pages.
He did some more of his painting by numbers again - as shown on flickr and then spent time geomaging, drawing and reading - books everywhere in this house and they all belong to him. Today he had 8 open on the floor in his room, one on the landing, two in my office, one in the stock room, one in our bedroom, one in his bathroom, none in the en-suite thankfully, 6 in the sitting room and two in the kitchen! All except 2 were reference books too.
I've actually got a free weekend for a change as I've finished all my work. I just remembered though that I want to my first VAT return this weekend, and there's a little bit of biz filling and paperwork to do.
We were going to bugger off across the channel tomorrow until Sunday, but Bev put the dampeners on that, so I'm trying to find somewhere to go. It's going to be a sorcher apparently - temps only dropping to 21 over night tonight! Want somewhere with shade and/or some indoors attraction too.
Friday, June 30, 2006
Thursday, June 29, 2006
Definitely a better day today Charlie-wise. No meltdowns or tantrums which is a good thing. Didn't get round to finishing sorting out the routine that he wanted to put in place but a good day anyway.
Charlie was busy looking through the Geomag new releases leaflet in more detail when he noticed the dynamic ones and promptly ran off to try and replicate what they are supposed to do with his geomags. He half managed and then satisfied himself by just building other geomag models for hours. He's decided as well as the dynamics, glitter and glow geomags he now really wants the pastelle panels too!
After lunch he did some maths and science stuff on the bbc schools pages - he seemed to really enjoy this and I must make an effort to find more interactive maths stuff online for him.
Charlie was busy looking through the Geomag new releases leaflet in more detail when he noticed the dynamic ones and promptly ran off to try and replicate what they are supposed to do with his geomags. He half managed and then satisfied himself by just building other geomag models for hours. He's decided as well as the dynamics, glitter and glow geomags he now really wants the pastelle panels too!
After lunch he did some maths and science stuff on the bbc schools pages - he seemed to really enjoy this and I must make an effort to find more interactive maths stuff online for him.
It's been a busy week and I can't believe it's nearly the weekend already!
I've been very grateful for the overwhelmingly good feedback on the site. It's always good to know that hard work pays off. Thanks to all those that took the time to look and comment from here as well - much appreciated.
Sold 6 boxes of fun blox last night to someone from the Netherlands, so that was a welcome addition to the bank balance. Only problem is I now need to reorder already. In fact there are several products I need to reorder already, so need to do some strategic planning. Off the back of the strength of the site I've been accepted by two major suppliers this week so that's quite nice too.
Started to get christmas product details through which is incredibly scary!
I've also now hired a marketing company to write and design my flyers and other promotional material which is exciting.
It's been another difficult week for Charlie, several major meltdowns included. I think the move has affected him more than I realised, especially in terms of not having any he'ers to socialise with here and him desperately missing the old HE group and his friends there.
We had a huge chat yesterday and he said that today he wants to talk about implementing some kind of routine for him that is written down. He also said he wanted to talk about having a daily sheet on a pinboard in his room so he knows what "work" he wants to do each day. So we'll see what ideas he comes up with later. This all goes against my parenting ideals, but he's asking for it and he wants to try it so I guess it counts as automonous.
He also asked last night whether we could discuss government today so that should be interesting.
I've been very grateful for the overwhelmingly good feedback on the site. It's always good to know that hard work pays off. Thanks to all those that took the time to look and comment from here as well - much appreciated.
Sold 6 boxes of fun blox last night to someone from the Netherlands, so that was a welcome addition to the bank balance. Only problem is I now need to reorder already. In fact there are several products I need to reorder already, so need to do some strategic planning. Off the back of the strength of the site I've been accepted by two major suppliers this week so that's quite nice too.
Started to get christmas product details through which is incredibly scary!
I've also now hired a marketing company to write and design my flyers and other promotional material which is exciting.
It's been another difficult week for Charlie, several major meltdowns included. I think the move has affected him more than I realised, especially in terms of not having any he'ers to socialise with here and him desperately missing the old HE group and his friends there.
We had a huge chat yesterday and he said that today he wants to talk about implementing some kind of routine for him that is written down. He also said he wanted to talk about having a daily sheet on a pinboard in his room so he knows what "work" he wants to do each day. So we'll see what ideas he comes up with later. This all goes against my parenting ideals, but he's asking for it and he wants to try it so I guess it counts as automonous.
He also asked last night whether we could discuss government today so that should be interesting.
Monday, June 26, 2006
A new dawn
It's official the website has now gone fully live.
www.anara.co.uk for anyone that would like to have a look. Geomags, art/craft stuff, and loads more will be added over the next couple of months.
www.anara.co.uk for anyone that would like to have a look. Geomags, art/craft stuff, and loads more will be added over the next couple of months.
Friday, June 23, 2006
Excellent day
Started well with no fuss wake up, get dressed etc from Charlie. He did more SL, started a new reader, did some science about nocturnal animals and some Miquon blue maths.
Apart from that he has neopetted, drawn stuff, read loads as always, and perfected his image download skills.
Managed to finish all my weeks work - yay and had a very enlightening conversation with a web designer from a business forum I use. He gave me loads of useful tips and info.
The day ended perfectly with the site being formally handed over to me by the designer ready for launch on Monday which is exciting. So I'm spending the evening working on marketing stuff and watching the BB eviction - can't wait to see Lisa's exit.
Apart from that he has neopetted, drawn stuff, read loads as always, and perfected his image download skills.
Managed to finish all my weeks work - yay and had a very enlightening conversation with a web designer from a business forum I use. He gave me loads of useful tips and info.
The day ended perfectly with the site being formally handed over to me by the designer ready for launch on Monday which is exciting. So I'm spending the evening working on marketing stuff and watching the BB eviction - can't wait to see Lisa's exit.
Drooling over geomags
Received info today on their new releases and some of the new stuff is going to be fab! Glitter and geomags looks interesting and there are loads of other new products - about 50 odd altogether. Yet more stock that will no doubt end up in Charlie's room :)
Thursday, June 22, 2006
Totally manic day
Most of it spent on the phone or e-mailing my web designer or my merchant account manager but all sorted now. The end result was very little paid work being done so I had to work this evening to make up for it. It was worth it now as with the exception of a few very minor things (oh and a great big box of stock from Germany which can't go on the site yet anyway due to no images) the site has now been tested by 6 fab volunteers and all is ok and working and feedback v good which is pleasing. Wish/gift list and newsletter functionality due to be completed any day now so I am pleased that the site can now finally go live on Monday.
Charlie has been a star today and yesterday actually, getting on with normals as asked without too much fuss. Today was learning more about ancient greeks, writing another page of his story, the second page of Miquon blue and most surprisingly for me, doing a couple of pages from MEP7 on angles, after we followed the link from Merry's blog. As regular readers will know I have agonised over Charlie and maths since the start so to see him doing this stuff for 11 year olds with relative ease was great.He's been bugging me for stuff about angles for a while so it was handy to find it and he also wants to do some graph stuff and again MEP7 looks good for that.
Bev took Charlie to the park this afternoon so I could get on with the calls I needed to make, very useful and nice for Charlie to get some alone time with Mummy 2.
Charlie has been a star today and yesterday actually, getting on with normals as asked without too much fuss. Today was learning more about ancient greeks, writing another page of his story, the second page of Miquon blue and most surprisingly for me, doing a couple of pages from MEP7 on angles, after we followed the link from Merry's blog. As regular readers will know I have agonised over Charlie and maths since the start so to see him doing this stuff for 11 year olds with relative ease was great.He's been bugging me for stuff about angles for a while so it was handy to find it and he also wants to do some graph stuff and again MEP7 looks good for that.
Bev took Charlie to the park this afternoon so I could get on with the calls I needed to make, very useful and nice for Charlie to get some alone time with Mummy 2.
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
Thinking about the future
Had a nice weekend recovering from camp - my parents came for lunch on Sunday and we had a lovely time - mum was the most chilled I've seen her for years which was nice. Still had the odd run in with Charlie and trying to tell him what to do but I managed to redirect her! We had a fab time taking it in turns to play catch ball with Charlie and as mum and I were the only two to "beat" him we had to play a winners game. That is until mum managed to catch the ball and break her bat thing just as I was about to win and so the game ended prematurely!
On Monday I had the day off from work so did lots of last minute adjustments to the website and Charlie helped me get out and weigh each individual product (just over 100 now!) so that I could enter the weights into the database and calculate the international shipping charges - so much fun - not. But v. educational for Charlie using the scales and discussions about tare, ISO codes and shipping charges and zones etc
I've been thinking recently about asking to go part time and only work four days a week and now that my parents definitely aren't selling their business I decided to talk to my mum about it today. She was fine about it and thought it was a good idea. However, after she'd entered what my new salary would be into the payroll program and came back and told me, I wasn't so sure. I'd guesstimated that I'd loose £200 a month net but it would actually be more like £315 net a month.
Thing is, Charlie desperately needs more time with me and I with him, he is becoming increasingly difficult at times and although I am aware that it's probably an over-reaction on my part as I know really that it's probably just normal childhood cheekiness etc *I'm* not used to it from him. He had a massive meltdown last night after being *so* rude to me all day. Yet today he spent as much time as he could on my lap cuddled up and sucking his thumb. It's so odd for a child who's attitude at the moment is so typically teenagerish and then acts like he's still my baby.
He is so aware that he is now big enough that I can't *make* him do things he doesn't want to - such as getting dressed and that makes it hard sometimes. I've always had the philosophy that there is very little he *must* do and most things are by choice but that doesn't help when I *really* need him to get dressed or whatever so we can go out. He knows I can't physically carry him to the car and strap him in, so threats of taking him in pj's are futile.
His favourite sayings at the moment are am I bothered, whatever, and bugger off. It all sounds so petty when you blog it as its hard to remember the other stuff that is worse and his attitude and tone are so appalling and he is so disrespectful.Sometimes, despite being very committed to AP/UP, it would seem easier to just resort to mainstream parenting. But I know that's a cop out and the easy way out and not how I want our lives to be.
When he's been fine and "normal" for a few days at a time and then you get a day where there is this constant moodines, stroppiness, banging around, rudeness, attitude etc and it goes on all day until 11pm or whatever it's very draining and that's only one child!
I've tried asking him what's the matter and is anything bothering him because to be honest he really has been like it since the beginning of the year, although there were signs of it in the later half of last year. He just says he doesn't know or that nothing is up. He was fine at camp last week except for one meltdown when he was tired and we certainly didn't get the attitude.
I can't put it down to any changes in his life because there haven't been any for ages, its been 18 months since we returned to HE now and took him out of school, its been 3 1/2 years since his dad stopped seeing him, its been 14 months since Bev moved in with us and 7 months since we moved here - which he is loving due to being so close to my parents.
So I'm getting towards my wits end on the bad days, and desparately wanting to drop that day of work but at the moment loosing £300 odd pounds of "spare" income isn't viable for various reasons - mainly that most of it needs to put into the business until the business starts making money.
I suspect he is lonely since moving as there is no HE scene in this part of the county, but I don't believe that is what is causing all this as the HE group where we lived before was only once a month, although we did see HE friends fortnightly and there were trips too.
Any input gratefully received and please forgive any typos but I'm too tired to check the post.
On Monday I had the day off from work so did lots of last minute adjustments to the website and Charlie helped me get out and weigh each individual product (just over 100 now!) so that I could enter the weights into the database and calculate the international shipping charges - so much fun - not. But v. educational for Charlie using the scales and discussions about tare, ISO codes and shipping charges and zones etc
I've been thinking recently about asking to go part time and only work four days a week and now that my parents definitely aren't selling their business I decided to talk to my mum about it today. She was fine about it and thought it was a good idea. However, after she'd entered what my new salary would be into the payroll program and came back and told me, I wasn't so sure. I'd guesstimated that I'd loose £200 a month net but it would actually be more like £315 net a month.
Thing is, Charlie desperately needs more time with me and I with him, he is becoming increasingly difficult at times and although I am aware that it's probably an over-reaction on my part as I know really that it's probably just normal childhood cheekiness etc *I'm* not used to it from him. He had a massive meltdown last night after being *so* rude to me all day. Yet today he spent as much time as he could on my lap cuddled up and sucking his thumb. It's so odd for a child who's attitude at the moment is so typically teenagerish and then acts like he's still my baby.
He is so aware that he is now big enough that I can't *make* him do things he doesn't want to - such as getting dressed and that makes it hard sometimes. I've always had the philosophy that there is very little he *must* do and most things are by choice but that doesn't help when I *really* need him to get dressed or whatever so we can go out. He knows I can't physically carry him to the car and strap him in, so threats of taking him in pj's are futile.
His favourite sayings at the moment are am I bothered, whatever, and bugger off. It all sounds so petty when you blog it as its hard to remember the other stuff that is worse and his attitude and tone are so appalling and he is so disrespectful.Sometimes, despite being very committed to AP/UP, it would seem easier to just resort to mainstream parenting. But I know that's a cop out and the easy way out and not how I want our lives to be.
When he's been fine and "normal" for a few days at a time and then you get a day where there is this constant moodines, stroppiness, banging around, rudeness, attitude etc and it goes on all day until 11pm or whatever it's very draining and that's only one child!
I've tried asking him what's the matter and is anything bothering him because to be honest he really has been like it since the beginning of the year, although there were signs of it in the later half of last year. He just says he doesn't know or that nothing is up. He was fine at camp last week except for one meltdown when he was tired and we certainly didn't get the attitude.
I can't put it down to any changes in his life because there haven't been any for ages, its been 18 months since we returned to HE now and took him out of school, its been 3 1/2 years since his dad stopped seeing him, its been 14 months since Bev moved in with us and 7 months since we moved here - which he is loving due to being so close to my parents.
So I'm getting towards my wits end on the bad days, and desparately wanting to drop that day of work but at the moment loosing £300 odd pounds of "spare" income isn't viable for various reasons - mainly that most of it needs to put into the business until the business starts making money.
I suspect he is lonely since moving as there is no HE scene in this part of the county, but I don't believe that is what is causing all this as the HE group where we lived before was only once a month, although we did see HE friends fortnightly and there were trips too.
Any input gratefully received and please forgive any typos but I'm too tired to check the post.
Saturday, June 17, 2006
MudPud Camp
Saturday
We didn't have any trouble persuading Charlie out of bed today - the anticipation of camp was too much to bear! We set off at 11am and made good progress until we hit the M40/M25 interchange - lots of traffic jams for no apparent reasons. After a stop at the services on the M25 for lunch, a bit of football viewing (Bev only) and petrol we were back on the road and away.
Charlie was a star as usual for the entire journey, listening to Pure Dead Magic on his iPod and we eventually arrived just after 4pm.
After unpacking everything and being rather surprised at how easily the static swallowed all the stuff we had bought with us, we decided to try and find the camping field and see who else had arrived. Charlie played with some of the little ones in a self styled sand pit (dry mud pit).
As we were leaving the camping field to go and get some dinner Charlie fell over and cut his knee rather badly but wouldn't let either of us near him, so we struggled back up to the static listening to the screaming ab dabs!
We were so tired that we couldn't be bothered to go out for dinner so we just got some fish and chips on site. Charlie then persuaded us to go into Sparky's but he didn't like the noise level so we left pretty quickly and went back to the static and put Charlie to bed and we followed shortly.
Sunday
We all slept pretty well although it was *really* *really* hot all night even with the windows open, so we were all up by 8.30 for breakfast.
We set off for Lowestoft at 10am and had a mooch around for a bit, including looking for a new camera for Charlie and buying Bev some new clothes. We were back in the static at lunch time and after sandwiches and cake we all chilled out for a bit and read as it was so hot.
At 2.00 we set off for the beach where everyone was due to meet for sandcastle building. Charlie was really taken with Ady, as he always is with men who are willing to talk to him. Charlie had a fab time and was really thrilled to see Fran again and played with her for ages trying to build a huge wall around the sandcastles. He also played with Maddy a bit but got rather upset when the wall kept getting destroyed!
He also did a serious amount of paddling and enjoyed splashing with some of the others. Bev got serious ganged up on by some of the kids who were determined to drench her!
We walked back to the camping field with the puddles and Charlie disappeared into their tent with Fran. We had to break up their playing after a bit as it was time for dinner at Pizza Hut as we still hadn't done any shopping! A quick play at the playground and then we went into Sparky's. This was our first proper look at what went on there and Bev and I both taken aback at how adult some of the jokes were and the general madness of the whole Sparky thing. After only a few minutes I decided that I needed vodka (I never drink!)so I retreated to the bar and got much needed drinks.
Charlie sat down with Fran to watch the Sparky thing and they danced together too. At one point they were sat down swaying together to a slow song - very sweet. We were back in the static around 9.30 and did Charlie's scalp oil and let him read until 10pm.
Monday
Another really hot night meant I was awake and up by 8.30, those statics really hold the heat until it gets cold that is. After we'd all had breakfast and showers we wandered down to the camping field and spent some time chatting before going to tie-dye Charlie's t"shirt. Kath and her hubby did a fab job with this activity, I couldn't get any photos of it being done and Bev and I had to do Charlie's for him but we got a picture of the finished article. We were surprised how easy it was once it had been explained and Charlie chose his colours.
After we had finished we went back to the static and hung the t"shirt up to dry and then went out for lunch at Livingstone's which was absolutely yummy. We had planned to go back for dinner another night, but never quite made it.
It was still really hot when we got back to the static so we chilled out and read whilst Bev went for a walk. Charlie and I were too tired from the heat to walk anywhere! When she got back we wandered down to the camping field again and sat with the others still doing their tie dye so that Charlie could play with Fran (again!). After dinner Charlie went to the playground and then somehow persuaded (dragged?) us back to Sparky's.
Charlie had a fab time dancing the night away and somehow once the rest had gone I managed to get myself dragged into some parent and child dancing competition and won. My prize? A park resorts "winners" mug! Less said about that the better I think.
Tuesday
A later start for us all this morning - all that dancing the night before was exhausting.
This mornings activity was plaster of paris models and Charlie decided to make a mountain range scene. He really enjoyed this and playing with Fran, Maddy and Claudia afterwards. He made me a lovely bead bracelet too.
We went off to Morrisons and as well as food got Charlie boules, catch ball, disposable camera and paper and crayons - he chose wax for some reason. After lunch Charlie was really tired and lay down for a bit - almost dropping off several times. He read for a while and also did some drawing.
Then it was time for kite making which he really loved and after going back to the static he played with Abi and Becca.
I didn't feel up to the BBQ so we had dinner and after Charlie washed up we went for a walk.
There was a really bizarre moment when we saw a peacock in the front garden of a house which nearly caused a learner motorcyclist to crash.
Charlie had a huge paddy when we got back to the static and eventually fell asleep at 9.15 in our bed.
Wednesday
I woke up at 7.45 after a really bad nights sleep due to the heavy rain which sounded incredibly loud on the static roof. After I showered and dressed I woke Bev and Charlie up at 8.45 so we weren't late for Africa Alive. Charlie was very reluctant to get up.
After breakfast the static was suddenly surrounded by loads of ducks so Charlie gave them some bread.
We got to Africa Alive on time and duly handed our money over to Nic. We checked out the lions, rhino, hyenas otters and meerkats and listened to the otter and meerkat feeding talks.
At 11.15 it was time for our animal encounter. Charlie absolutely loved this and it certainly seemed like all the other children did too. They all got too meet and hold or stroke a giant african land snail, cockroach, 2 rats and a snake.
The lady doing the talk was really fab and we really enjoyed this. After lunch we saw more animals, funny goat like thingies, reject chimps, tortoises etc. Bev and Charlie tried to feed the goats but they kept eating it straight out of the machine.
Charlie bought a literacy pack from the Discovery Centre and a dolphin ornament and aqua clock in the gift shop. After we left Africa Alive we went into Lowestoft as I needed a new memory card for the camera.
After dinner it was back to Sparkys AGAIN for more dancing and bizare game playing before bed.
Thursday
I had a huge lie in today as I was exhausted after a difficult nights sleep, first it was freezing and then boiling - couldn't win! We lazed around reading until 11.00 ish and then went swimming. Alison was there with her youngest three and kindly lent Charlie one of their swimming rings. Charlie loved the pool, he hasn't been swimming for yonks, and we all rather liked how warm the baby pool was which we lounged in for a minute or so as Charlie was too young for the jacuzzi.
After lunch Charlie played with Abi, Becca and Lottie and managed to fall and scrap his other knee and elbow - he looks a right sight covered in plasters now. After dinner it was time to go down to the camping field for the cabaret. When we reached the puddles tent, Charlie popped his head round their tent opening and announced " hello muddle puddles" in a very broad yorkshire accent. Fran, Maddy and Amelie excitedly told me what they were planning on doing in the cabaret and we chatted about the Little Mermaid. Their faces when we told them we had met Ariel in Disney World were a picture!
The cabaret was quite impressive and there are some really talented MP'ers out there.
I tried hard to get photos of everyone performing but failed miserably due to not being close enough most of the time which meant with my lens good photos weren't always possible - next year I will have my zoom lens hopefully and will do better!
After the cabaret we headed back and Charlie played on the swings for a while with A,B and L before getting back to the static and falling asleep in an exhausted slump.
Friday
After waking after yet another terrible nights sleep due to the mattress and me feeling decidedly unwell due to an oncoming mirgraine we decided that we would go home today rather than tomorrow. So we packed and checked the static and were on our way by 11am. An awful journey meant we didn't get home until just after 5pm.
We didn't have any trouble persuading Charlie out of bed today - the anticipation of camp was too much to bear! We set off at 11am and made good progress until we hit the M40/M25 interchange - lots of traffic jams for no apparent reasons. After a stop at the services on the M25 for lunch, a bit of football viewing (Bev only) and petrol we were back on the road and away.
Charlie was a star as usual for the entire journey, listening to Pure Dead Magic on his iPod and we eventually arrived just after 4pm.
After unpacking everything and being rather surprised at how easily the static swallowed all the stuff we had bought with us, we decided to try and find the camping field and see who else had arrived. Charlie played with some of the little ones in a self styled sand pit (dry mud pit).
As we were leaving the camping field to go and get some dinner Charlie fell over and cut his knee rather badly but wouldn't let either of us near him, so we struggled back up to the static listening to the screaming ab dabs!
We were so tired that we couldn't be bothered to go out for dinner so we just got some fish and chips on site. Charlie then persuaded us to go into Sparky's but he didn't like the noise level so we left pretty quickly and went back to the static and put Charlie to bed and we followed shortly.
Sunday
We all slept pretty well although it was *really* *really* hot all night even with the windows open, so we were all up by 8.30 for breakfast.
We set off for Lowestoft at 10am and had a mooch around for a bit, including looking for a new camera for Charlie and buying Bev some new clothes. We were back in the static at lunch time and after sandwiches and cake we all chilled out for a bit and read as it was so hot.
At 2.00 we set off for the beach where everyone was due to meet for sandcastle building. Charlie was really taken with Ady, as he always is with men who are willing to talk to him. Charlie had a fab time and was really thrilled to see Fran again and played with her for ages trying to build a huge wall around the sandcastles. He also played with Maddy a bit but got rather upset when the wall kept getting destroyed!
He also did a serious amount of paddling and enjoyed splashing with some of the others. Bev got serious ganged up on by some of the kids who were determined to drench her!
We walked back to the camping field with the puddles and Charlie disappeared into their tent with Fran. We had to break up their playing after a bit as it was time for dinner at Pizza Hut as we still hadn't done any shopping! A quick play at the playground and then we went into Sparky's. This was our first proper look at what went on there and Bev and I both taken aback at how adult some of the jokes were and the general madness of the whole Sparky thing. After only a few minutes I decided that I needed vodka (I never drink!)so I retreated to the bar and got much needed drinks.
Charlie sat down with Fran to watch the Sparky thing and they danced together too. At one point they were sat down swaying together to a slow song - very sweet. We were back in the static around 9.30 and did Charlie's scalp oil and let him read until 10pm.
Monday
Another really hot night meant I was awake and up by 8.30, those statics really hold the heat until it gets cold that is. After we'd all had breakfast and showers we wandered down to the camping field and spent some time chatting before going to tie-dye Charlie's t"shirt. Kath and her hubby did a fab job with this activity, I couldn't get any photos of it being done and Bev and I had to do Charlie's for him but we got a picture of the finished article. We were surprised how easy it was once it had been explained and Charlie chose his colours.
After we had finished we went back to the static and hung the t"shirt up to dry and then went out for lunch at Livingstone's which was absolutely yummy. We had planned to go back for dinner another night, but never quite made it.
It was still really hot when we got back to the static so we chilled out and read whilst Bev went for a walk. Charlie and I were too tired from the heat to walk anywhere! When she got back we wandered down to the camping field again and sat with the others still doing their tie dye so that Charlie could play with Fran (again!). After dinner Charlie went to the playground and then somehow persuaded (dragged?) us back to Sparky's.
Charlie had a fab time dancing the night away and somehow once the rest had gone I managed to get myself dragged into some parent and child dancing competition and won. My prize? A park resorts "winners" mug! Less said about that the better I think.
Tuesday
A later start for us all this morning - all that dancing the night before was exhausting.
This mornings activity was plaster of paris models and Charlie decided to make a mountain range scene. He really enjoyed this and playing with Fran, Maddy and Claudia afterwards. He made me a lovely bead bracelet too.
We went off to Morrisons and as well as food got Charlie boules, catch ball, disposable camera and paper and crayons - he chose wax for some reason. After lunch Charlie was really tired and lay down for a bit - almost dropping off several times. He read for a while and also did some drawing.
Then it was time for kite making which he really loved and after going back to the static he played with Abi and Becca.
I didn't feel up to the BBQ so we had dinner and after Charlie washed up we went for a walk.
There was a really bizarre moment when we saw a peacock in the front garden of a house which nearly caused a learner motorcyclist to crash.
Charlie had a huge paddy when we got back to the static and eventually fell asleep at 9.15 in our bed.
Wednesday
I woke up at 7.45 after a really bad nights sleep due to the heavy rain which sounded incredibly loud on the static roof. After I showered and dressed I woke Bev and Charlie up at 8.45 so we weren't late for Africa Alive. Charlie was very reluctant to get up.
After breakfast the static was suddenly surrounded by loads of ducks so Charlie gave them some bread.
We got to Africa Alive on time and duly handed our money over to Nic. We checked out the lions, rhino, hyenas otters and meerkats and listened to the otter and meerkat feeding talks.
At 11.15 it was time for our animal encounter. Charlie absolutely loved this and it certainly seemed like all the other children did too. They all got too meet and hold or stroke a giant african land snail, cockroach, 2 rats and a snake.
The lady doing the talk was really fab and we really enjoyed this. After lunch we saw more animals, funny goat like thingies, reject chimps, tortoises etc. Bev and Charlie tried to feed the goats but they kept eating it straight out of the machine.
Charlie bought a literacy pack from the Discovery Centre and a dolphin ornament and aqua clock in the gift shop. After we left Africa Alive we went into Lowestoft as I needed a new memory card for the camera.
After dinner it was back to Sparkys AGAIN for more dancing and bizare game playing before bed.
Thursday
I had a huge lie in today as I was exhausted after a difficult nights sleep, first it was freezing and then boiling - couldn't win! We lazed around reading until 11.00 ish and then went swimming. Alison was there with her youngest three and kindly lent Charlie one of their swimming rings. Charlie loved the pool, he hasn't been swimming for yonks, and we all rather liked how warm the baby pool was which we lounged in for a minute or so as Charlie was too young for the jacuzzi.
After lunch Charlie played with Abi, Becca and Lottie and managed to fall and scrap his other knee and elbow - he looks a right sight covered in plasters now. After dinner it was time to go down to the camping field for the cabaret. When we reached the puddles tent, Charlie popped his head round their tent opening and announced " hello muddle puddles" in a very broad yorkshire accent. Fran, Maddy and Amelie excitedly told me what they were planning on doing in the cabaret and we chatted about the Little Mermaid. Their faces when we told them we had met Ariel in Disney World were a picture!
The cabaret was quite impressive and there are some really talented MP'ers out there.
I tried hard to get photos of everyone performing but failed miserably due to not being close enough most of the time which meant with my lens good photos weren't always possible - next year I will have my zoom lens hopefully and will do better!
After the cabaret we headed back and Charlie played on the swings for a while with A,B and L before getting back to the static and falling asleep in an exhausted slump.
Friday
After waking after yet another terrible nights sleep due to the mattress and me feeling decidedly unwell due to an oncoming mirgraine we decided that we would go home today rather than tomorrow. So we packed and checked the static and were on our way by 11am. An awful journey meant we didn't get home until just after 5pm.
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