{Photos and School Madness}

At last, the promised pictures. First the armwarmers - I did these like simple gloves with just the thumb hole. It was my first attempt at cable knitting, and I'm really chuffed with the results and the quick knitting time. Next time I will make them a bit longer.

Here is a photo of the Chocolate concrete cake; scrumptious with custard. Hard on the outside, deliciously soft on the inside.

Needless to say we have none left now.

I have had a nice couple of shopping trips recently - buying things that I never usually bother with. I have bought new make-up, costume jewellery, and 2 hats. I love hats. I used to wear them alot when I had long hair but when it was shorter hats never seemed to suit, so I stopped wearing them and stupidly got rid. Now my hair is growing again and (although it's still purple) hats seem to suit me again - well I think so anyway ;o) Chelsea is just adoring this new found mum as she is thoroughly enjoying doing all the "girly stuff" together, something that we have never really done before apart from the occasional painted nails session. As vain as it sounds, and as much as I hate saying it, the more I "look after" myself, the more self confident and better about myself I feel. I have always been a take me as you find me sort of person, and to some extent I still am, but I have been making a bit of an effort these past few weeks with my hair and make up, and feel a whole lot better for it. I have never gone the "whole hog" with the make up, never used foundation and all that stuff - just a bit of eyeshadow and eyeliner and maybe a touch of blusher and lippie. Amazing that so little can do so much :o)

As for the school madness in the title of this post, well I've just been listening to my local radio station when they reported a story about school children being threatened with exclusion if they have hair gel on their hair. ???!!!???!!!

More can be read here : http://www.geminiexeter.co.uk/Article.asp?id=902636

{All Quiet}

We had a lovely day yesterday. Chelsea and Joseph spent much of the day with their friends - either here, next door, or at the park. Tiegan went with my brother's girlfriend over to visit my parents for a few hours, and dh and I took Callum to the playground. The weather was glorious, the nicest we have had a for a long while. It was lovely being able to make the most of it.

The lady from next door came around in the evening to ask if Joseph would like to stay the night at theirs. Of course he would (silly question). She then asked if Chelsea would like to stay too, and then go with them to a majorettes competition that her daughter was taking part in in the morning. It meant Chelsea needed to be up by 6am *yawn*, but she wanted to go anyway. Whilst the older two were at their sleepover next door, I made flapjacks and chocolate concrete cake with the younger two. Yum. they toddled off to bed together, watching DVD's and Tiegan reading stories to Callum. I really love hearing Tiegan read, she is so fluent, so expressive, so darn good! I still can't believe how little input I have had for her to get to this stage. It really has been a real eye-opener for me of how child-led learning works at it's best.

So here I am this morning, with just 2 children around. Very odd. The house seems very quiet. Mind you, they have just started playing on the wii, so that peace and quiet will soon be shattered...

Last night I got one of my knitting urges. I haven't done any knitting for a long time. I've wanted to have a go at knitting a pair of armwarmers for a long time, but haven't got around to doing so. I need to buy some new wool, but thought for my first attempt I could use what I've got. I searched for an easy pattern, knitted flat and not in the round (haven't got any circular needles yet) and found a lovely one - but it had a simple cable pattern in it. I haven't attempted any cable stitching before, but it sounded easy enough. Fortunately it was, and I managed to complete the first one yesterday. I'll add a photo later when I've complete the other one. Of course the girls are already eyeing them up, so I can see myself knitting a fair few of them in the coming weeks :o) Next time we go out somewhere I'm going to treat myself to some fab new wool colours.

Sad news and knit wits.

The sad news came in the form of finding out what happened to cause such a disturbance yesterday. Sadly an 85 year old gentleman was involved in a motor cycling accident and he lost his life. My thoughts and prayers are with all concerned.

Other than that, today has been another good one. Schoolwork went well and to plan this morning, meaning the afternoon was free for, well, whatever. I went through all my knitting stuff, found a huge amount of wool stash that I'm embarrassed to admit to, and sorted out all my needles, patterns, and other bits and pieces. Much of my knitting gear came to me from my mother-in-law when she passed away, and I have always thought that I must keep it in use or find it a new worthy home. I'm absolutely determined that 2008 is going to be a year for **FINISHING WHAT GETS STARTED** and I will keep posting my projects on here so you can all nag me about them.

Due to my sort out, the girls both gained a renewed interest in knitting, so this is what the sofa looked like for much of the afternoon (in between trampolining in the garden)...

Tiegan took it straight away, whilst it seems Chelsea will take a little more time to be proficient. No doubt it will come though, she has the determination to succeed in anything she puts her mind to.

In between keeping a watchful eye on them, I did these simple bits and pieces:

A pair of baby booties, which Tiegan has claimed for her Baby Chou Chou doll...

A few tiny booties suitable for cardmaking or scrapbooking etc,

and I've made a start on a cropped jumper for Tiegan, this is the back so far...

Eventually it will be long-sleeved, and have picot-edging. Or that's the plan.

We haven't got much planned for the weekend, other than rushing around going to the places that will be awkward to reach without a car. We are going to have to be car-less for **enter random figure here** as the MOT expires on Monday and there is no way we can find the money to get everything done on it before then. Still, by making use of all the online services available now, and the occasional bus ride, we will be fine.