'supporting each other through really tough times'

lisakay_2

congrats, yay, brill to all those with good news xxx

some funny goings on in this house the other night. all the plug sockets went off for no apparent reason. reset the fuse box and it happened again the following night. all the fairy lights were off and nothing to explain why, until i got some icecream out of the freezer in the garage to find it was starting to go soft. sent DH out to investigate and it was off. a big chest freezer, well stocked
the damn mousies have been nibbling at the wire and chewed straight through it, surprised they didn't get fried!!
DH has replaced the wire and plug and got it back on before we lost all our food thank goodness.
we've not had mice since we got the cat, he must be getting lazy.

If I put poison down and he eats a poisoned mouse..??

DD1 very nearly made me cry last night on the way home from school.
She said 'mummy, me and adam have been talking today. we discussed father christmas and we have decided that he's not even real and can't possibly exist. the parents must do all the work and just pretend to the little ones'
Noooooooooo, it's far too soon for her to think this, she's only just turned 7! too young to use phrases like we have discussed and can't possibly, too young to be so cynical and ...well, just too young.
phoned the young mans mum and asked her to have a chat with him (we both think it's too soon!) and try to convince them both they're mistaken.
i was so upset!!!

kidcat

Lisa - when my DS14 first made similar comments, I laughed and told him that was fine but that Santa doesnt visit the kids that dont believe. We then had a really elaborate Christmas that involved sleigh bells on the roof, etc I have no idea if it truly worked, I sort of think that once you have opened the box you cant go back, but its worth a go.

Have you used the portable north pole web page and done her a free personalised video, we do that each year and the kids love it.

lisakay_2

yep, do the pnp message every year, i love it as much as they do.
we also go on the norad site to track him on christmas eve. we bake especially for the big FC, sprinkle reindeer food in the garden, make 'snowy' bootprints by the fireplace. leave crumbs on the plate and take a bite out of the carrot...we do all this every year.
She's very grown up, clever and cynical. I'm not sure how she got like it but it's a dangerous mix!:eek:
I'm not convinced the two of them decided all on their own, i think one of the older kids must have had some input. If I ever find out who I'll make sure they're straight on the naughty list!!!

kidcat

Lisa you are probably right, it may even have been a class mate with older siblings who have taken delight in spoiling it for the younger ones.

Softstuff

Lisakay, I'd say you're raising an intelligent critical thinker, and that's lovely. It'd be a shame to try and change that.

katep23 wrote: »

It's frustrating isn't it - I contacted a few foodbanks in the area to find out about when they were open to accept donations and only one has got back to me. I appreciate they are probably struggling for time but they don't make it easy to donate do they.

The place I volunteer at is the one that got back to me! I tried volunteering for 3 other charities, each one I approached twice in the manner that they advertised (they were actually looking for volunteers) and I didn't get so much as a reply. I was pretty disheartened, but finally came round to applying for this one.

Frankly you'd think a young, able bodied, intelligent and experienced volunteer might be in demand....

My mum has just spent 2 weeks trying to contact a homeless charity to donate dads things (near new coats, jumpers etc). She finally got the right person and it's happening, but it took some persistence.

I wonder how many people do have the good intentions, but not the time and determination to manage to bypass the difficulties of donating something.

Mrs_Veg_Plot

Happy birthday for yesterday VJ's mum :bdaycake: I think that those of us with birthdays so close to Christmas should be able to officially celebrate out birthdays in the summer, it's mine tomorrow

MrsCD

Happy birthday to Mrs VP and VJ's mum. My friend's birthday is on Christmas day and she hates it. It spoils the day for her even though the family split the day in two for her.

I found out that our local foodbank collects between 10 and 12 every morning Mon-Fri so I just went in with a box of food and toys I'd collected from people at church and at work. It's based in the Salvation Army building and they were all very appreciative of what we took.

I have a friend who volunteers in a charity shop so all our unwanted items go there - no problem for us thankfully, but it must be discouraging when you want to help and no-one listens.

It's such a shame when the fun for little ones is spoiled. I would do all the suggestions that have been given to try to keep the magic alive for a little while longer - they grow up quickly enough.

Today at work, a family came to see Santa but they hadn't booked up so they couldn't see him The toddler was upset, but magically, one of Santa's elves left a story book in our shop for them, because Santa was upset that he couldn't see them today. The whole family went away very happy and the spirit of Christmas lives on...

bluebag

My eldest daughter was born close to Christmas, in a massive effort to never let her birthday meld with Christmas I point blank refused to have anything Christmas related displayed in the house until her birthday was over.

Thankfully it was taken well and family and freinds always give her seperate gifts. Woe betide anyone who thought they could do otherwise!

Popperwell

katep23 wrote: »

It's frustrating isn't it - I contacted a few foodbanks in the area to find out about when they were open to accept donations and only one has got back to me. I appreciate they are probably struggling for time but they don't make it easy to donate do they.

I know exactly what you mean(this at a time where it is said three foodbanks are opening every week)

I will donate again even though the worry is that one day I may have to use them myself, hopefully not but none of us know!

savingqueen

Happy birthday belatedly to VJs mum and for today for Mrs VP. _party_:dance:_party_

glad you got your freezer sorted lisakay. DS8 knows about Father X now - I know he does and he knows I know he does. However we are both playing along with it and its working so well I think he's convinced himself that Santa is real after all. I was hoping another year for him but he is 8 I guess. DS6 has just turned... well....6 and I don't want the magic spoiled for him just yet.

I remember I had it all sussed from a young age but played along for my mum's sake for ages. One year I knew where part of my Christmas pressies where hidden... on top of a heavy old fashioned wardrobe. I managed to climb on top and retrieve all the books, read them all and put them back. I was rumbled when my little sis (4.5 years my junior) blurted out on Christmas morn that I'd already read them and I was never one to lie so confessed. I would be livid if mine did anything similar!

Saw DS6's nativity yesterday and helped out in the school nursery today including their nativity - both were so lovely although the madness behind the scenes trying to get 24 3-4 year olds, several with extra needs into their costumes !! Most of the parents watching their little ones today would have no idea. One little boy with behaviourable difficulties escaped from the flock of sheep and made a beeline straight for the angels on the stage and started leaping from the top. It was a nativity to remember for sure.

Made 66 cupcakes this eve for boys' school parties tomorrow - did lots of different coloured icing and toppings - looked very amateurish but in a fun way and think kids will love them. Only thing it all took longer than I thought and the icing still hasn't set - I need to pack them in 6 old icecream tubs - will go and check in a mo. I really need my bed!

DH is still poorly, so much so he had to miss his 1st exam today but managed to get another date in Jan, a week before his 2nd exam (which is on my birthday so won't see him all day/eve til about 10pm )

Tomorrow I am visiting a dear friend with some Xmas gifts. Her old cat passed away today so I know she will be feeling very down and dreading telling their little boy. I managed to make 2 big blueberry muffins as well as the party cakes so will have a cuppa with her. She has enough on her plate as it is and really feel for her.

Then I am hoping to finish wrapping everything before school run, have tons to wrap for stockings (well sacks actually!) and I am really pleased with what I have for the kids. Can't wait to see their faces! Getting there but there again not many days left!

sq:)