MSE Parents Club Part 5

honeypop

redmel1621 wrote: »

ds1 will be virtually 13, ds2 will be virtually 11 and ds3 will be not too far off 5yrs when he finishes!!

When my youngest sister was born there was my brother aged 13, me aged 9, and sister aged 5 - so similar ages to what yours would be. Us girls played together a lot, brother not so much but then he was the only boy, but we all got on very well and still do to this day, me and brother are very close, as am I to the youngest sister, other sister does a lot of 'woe is me, poor middle child', and is a completely different person to the rest of us however we all still get along well despite the age gaps. In fact I preferred it like this than a closer age gap like some friends had with their siblings which meant they had to do things together or at the same time when we got to be our own person and not have to share ALL activities with siblings.
I would say, having lived those age gaps, there was no problem at all - just to give you that view. Doesn't help your longing, but shows it works just as well as closer siblings.

MrsTinks

My plans for presents are Pictures of Alexandra for family back home in Denmark (and OHs in Spain and Scotland) - maybe some hand plaster prints etc if we get a chance
For friends that we see regularly I want some small bottles as I have just strained and sieved my sloe gin from last year and still have to do my blackberry vodka liqueur Ready for making a new batch for next year lol!

Had a bit of a scare this morning - looked like the dishwasher had given up the ghost - sounded like it did when the hose popped off not long ago and was thinking I'd have to drag it out and attach it myself rather than call the dude out. But thought I'd give it a chance in case... and it seems to be working fine again wonder if it was something blocking a pipe somewhere? Typically I have no whitewine vinegar in so off out to get that later to let it run through a cycle to hopefully clean and decalcify it just in case...
Also need to nip to library to get the 2 books I have reserved (actually 2 of about 5... about allotments and produce etc )
Later I will look and see if there are any exciting new things I can think off to do with beetroot as far as storing them is concerned.
I won't manage it THIS year but next year I'd love to give everyone presents originating purely from my allotment and the hedgerows
Actually I have a HUGE rosemary bush and loads of thyme - maybe flavoured oils? Hmmm Bit of a pain to make safely but doable

SusanC_2

feelinggood wrote: »

<backs out of the room slowly>

Someone let me know when we stop talking about junkies!

:grouphug: People who have never been addicted to anything [STRIKE]cannot comprehend[/STRIKE] finds it hard to understand what it is like. Also those with addictions who don't care give all addicts a bad name.

Krystaltips wrote: »

We just went through the christmas present pile to see what we've got and compile a spreadsheet in an effort to avoid over spending on Aimee again this year... They actually both have the same number of presents at the moment, although we plan another 3 or 4 for aimee as part of her big present and just 1 or 2 more for caitlyn seeing as she's not going to appreciate them anyway... Can't believe how behind I am on the Christmas buying this year... Not even halfway through the list and I'm usually finished by the end of September!

Unusually the only person we have anything for so far is Alice. Usually we have at least half the presents by now. For other people, I just keep an eye out all year round and buy anything I see which would suit someone and then in November we go through the people we still haven't got for and buy them all before December (because OH has a temp job in December with funny hours so it's easier to get it done before then). For Alice we buy and put little toys/books/games aside in a box all the time and then when it's coming up to Christmas/birthday we have a look through and decide what to give her and whether we want to get her anything else. For her first Christmas and birthday we did give a "big" present (both things we would have got for her anyway) but the last ones we didn't. This Christmas she's getting a trampoline because we found a really good deal a few weeks ago.

Becles wrote: »

My parents never bothered to come and visit on my birthday last month, and nobody made me a cake or cooked my tea for me, so I was a bit sad

:bdaycake:

BrunoM wrote: »

I want to hear that Weezl is ok please! Thanks!

Me too.

MrsTinks

Adding to my gifts idea above - I might make people muffins if they're people we're likely to see the same day... hmmm not very gifty tho... Might do the chocolate slabs again... they seemed to go down a treat
Normally I have Christmas nailed by March - this year I haven't even started! :eek: I need to go back on the celebrations board more - the darned thing was my idea and I haven't had much chance to be there recently! Whooooops!

SusanC_2

BrunoM wrote: »

However I am "already" 35 :eek: and I don't want to be a "pensioner with a teenager" - I have slowly over a period of many moons talked her round into accepting that a 2-3 year gap is best

You've got ten years still before a baby would be a teenager when you were a pensioner.

Krystaltips

Hubby wants another baby, he thinks the 5 year gap we have with Aimee is a god one so whenever I say "no way no how" he always replies with "We'll evaluate it in 5 years" I know I won't of changed my mind then!

We don't really have a budget for each child at christmas, but an idea of what we want to get them and a determination to get them for the best possible price... EG, Aimee's big present this year will be this She has also asked for this. But we have recently sold some of her younger toys on eBay so she has £55 towards the house meaning it will only cost £20 really meaning we can get a family and a couple of room sets to go with it and we will mention to the family that she's now interested in Sylvania to boost her collection...

For Caitlyn, I bought some of the Amazon deal of the days when I was pregnant so she already has some v-tech toys, and an ITNG bath toy from the argos bargain clearance... Hubby wants her big present to be a ride on something, and I'm trying to put him off getting her anything else as she really won't know or care how much she gets...

We've also got one of these on the cheap from bargain clearance... I think we should give it to Caitlyn, I know it's a bit old for her but I think she'll like the little puppies... And I know Aimee would end up playing with it anyway... He thinks we should just give it to Aimee... Might leave it a bit until Caitlyn's bigger then broach it again...

Weezl, you ok hun?

Krystaltips

Argh, forgot it was Wednesday... Bloody pop man still isn't getting the message!

BrunoM

SusanC wrote: »

You've got ten years still before a baby would be a teenager when you were a pensioner.

But there's baby 3 to consider here! :eek:

(and "pensioner" is a bad term when I really mean "old tired person" and was thinking 60+ )

feelinggood_2

Krystal - did you not manage to hide upstairs? Could you leave him a note for next week saying you won't be buying anything for a few months?

Sami_Bee

Oh r. Mac remnded me we only by immediate family gifts from shops IYSWIM eveyone else get something from the boys that costs around £5to make last year it was a bauble with our wedding photo on one side and photo of Chris dressed as a reindeer on the other. Year before was a photo calendar and this year will either be framed hand/foot prints or calendar again coz it's nice turning the page each month and seeing a pic from 12mths ago and how much they've grown!!!