Lulabelle's MFW Diary

HelenDaveKids

I am overspent but about £2 but don't get paid till 26th, on the positive, I have bought quite a lot of school stuff and my tank is full!

Sooo glad have parents nearby in the school hols!

lulabelle1

HelenDaveKids wrote: »

I am overspent but about £2 but don't get paid till 26th, on the positive, I have bought quite a lot of school stuff and my tank is full!

Sooo glad have parents nearby in the school hols!

Yes, must be lovely to have parents around.... neither of us have any family around us so we always need childcare.....

MallyGirl

same here - my DD is in holiday club this week, then being farmed off to each set of grandparents for a week each which means every weekend we are driving hundreds of miles to drop her off or collect her, then we have 1 more week of holiday club and a very expensive week of water sports (they don't take childcare vouchers and it costs more anyway).
We got some uniform for DD's new school at the open day but I am waiting for the 'back to school' offers for school bag, trousers and shoes.

lulabelle1

Yes - I'm waiting for the marks and spencers schoolwear promo for the two boys.... just need their trousers, we've got everything else, although school haven't yet cashed the chq. Oh, and of course school shoes, but will get them the week before they go back.

HelenDaveKids

Its the school shoe shopping I dread the most. I am starting to lose the battle of keeping them in clarkes, as they are very particular about whats cool and whats not. We have a clarkes factory outlet a few miles away and generally they are a 1/3 or even 1/2 the retail price.
I give in and let them have "cheap" ones and the only last a few weeks. grrrr. I always get my work shoes from clarkes and they last me yonks. I recently bought factory shop sketchers for about £40 and never felt "comfy" and they just didn't look as smart.

I have trousers and blouses to do as well....

nattypants

I do feel for you re childcare costs and arrangements - both my kids went through Nursery / Childminders / After School Clubs. Financially and logistically it was a nightmare.....particularly as my son hated every form of childcare. I used to feel guilty, however had to work (and was single parent).

My two are now encouraging me to go for an attic conversion for my FUTURE grandchildren to stay over:rotfl:

lulabelle1

I always insist on Clarks for School shoes, easy as my son is only 9, so whilst he may protest every now and then, he still does as he is told. Also, he has no interest in fashion at the moment really, so he's quite easy. I plan on doing the same with my youngest. The thing I like about Clarks is that you know the shoes always fit properly - I'm never convinced about the fit if I pick up a pair in the supermarket or next etc.

I feel guilty too Natty sending them in the school holidays - but, I guess its just a few days a week, so they're quite lucky really.

September is going to be a total nightmare with DS2 - he will be at school from 9-11 for 2 weeks. I then have booked him in to nursery from 11-5 but I need to go and pick him up from school and then take him to nursery. So, this means I can't book in any meetings, trips etc as I will need to be around every day. And then, the third week is 845/115 - so I will have him at home with me when he finishes. It's just as well that I have a very understanding business partner. Down side is that I will most likely have a very busy Oct/Nov with travelling as I'll need to catch up on everything that has been put back.

MallyGirl

I have to get Clarks or Startrite as my daughter has long, narrow, shallow feet. Thankfully she seems to have slowed in growth but had reached a 4.5E before she was 10
Finding size 5 shoes with no heel that will stay on her feet will be August's challenge. Since I wear a skinny 9 I know exactly where she gets it from - I took a 7 by the time I went to senior school so hopefully she will end up with slightly smaller feet than me.

lulabelle1

I'm getting rather used to the heat now. Loving it. I don't tend to sit out in it until after 6pm, but it's just glorious. So lovely not having to take a jacket/wear a cardigan/carry an umbrella around.

I'm meeting with my business partner today - catch up and lunch half way. We usually meet in Bicester, but since I'm trying to be really good and avoid spending temptation, I've requested a change of venue. Hoping to sit outside for a nice lunch and perhaps even go really wild and have a glass of wine as we've had a good month so far.

Today will most likely be a NSD, hurrah.

1 sleep until pay day.

lulabelle1

MallyGirl wrote: »

I have to get Clarks or Startrite as my daughter has long, narrow, shallow feet. Thankfully she seems to have slowed in growth but had reached a 4.5E before she was 10
Finding size 5 shoes with no heel that will stay on her feet will be August's challenge. Since I wear a skinny 9 I know exactly where she gets it from - I took a 7 by the time I went to senior school so hopefully she will end up with slightly smaller feet than me.

Oh blimey, sounds like you have a little challenge there in regards to the shoe buying..... best of luck finding something suitable for her.

On the bright side, do you find that you are able to get nice shoes for yourself in the sales? I'm a common size 5, which is usually always sold out....