Tuesday 27 October 2009

CUTE

Nathaniel is just five and still getting to grips with the English language. This blog is just to record some of his latest offerings in this area. Some may be a bit personal but hope you enjoy the read anyway. RX

"Mummy play a game with me". "I spy with my lemon eye"!

"It's all topsy-toesy"

I'm in year-ception aren't I mummy?" (reception!)

"Mummy, Americans tend to take their clothes off alot when they're hot don't they?"

"Its on nicksplash.co.uk" (Lauren loves this one - he meant slash obviously!)

"Mummy, can I have a worm please? I'd like to call it Bertie and feed it cake!"

"Mummy do wishes come true? If they do I'd wish my cuddly dog could be real".

"Does the queen sit on her throne all the time?, How thin is she? , Does she sleep on her throne too?"

"Mummy I'm going to put it in here (his toy cockroach!) and when you open the door you'll freak out your skin!!"

"Look there's a smurf shoe?!" (slip on shoe lying by the side of the road)

He still says "hate you big" when I say "love you little" - my all time favourite.

And last but not least for today, he can sing all the words to Robbie Williams Angels ,beautifully.

How gorgeous are children? I don't want mine to grow up any more. Loving them right where they're at just now.
RX

Saturday 24 October 2009

STUFF

Lauren and Nat have decided between them that they'd like a hamster, each. As if we don't have enough pets with five cats, three guinea pigs and a corn snake, they want to increase the mini-zoo with two more furry creatures.

So, as a deterrent we've said no, unless they buy them themselves. Not just the hamsters, but the cages, the waterbottles, the wheels, the food etc. So altogether it adds up to quite a lot of money.

We had a trip to Pets At Home today, and after dodging the rats in cages (can't get my head around that at all. YUK) we reached the little furry hamsters. Oh yes, they make you go aaaah aren't they sweet but..............all that springs to my mind is the time that Nat thought the nursery hamster might like to jump from a great height, and nearly died,in our house, in our care. By the way if you'd like to read more on this please see a previous blog post all about it. Its most amusing, only because Percy survived!

We've calculated that L and N need to save over £40 each, so think we're safe for quite a while given that they each get just £5 a week pocket money, and Nat always wants to spend his the minute it hits his hot little hands. He's into Doctor Who cards at the moment, and holds up a pound coin asking how many card packs he can get with it.

Here's hoping the furry creatures are a long way off. Especially as I'd probably get the job of cleaning them out.

Little aside; Nat thinks Tinchy Stryder should be on X Factor. He thinks he'd win!! No doubt. Just about to watch John and Edward whilst writing this. Please,please, please don't let them stay in another week. They can't sing, and they look ridiculous so who the hell is voting for them?!

Another little aside; Nats new word for buttocks is buttocuts.

RX

Sunday 18 October 2009

COOL

I've come to the conclusion that my kids are 'well cool and well busy' (Nats phrase). I'm sure most parents think that about their kids but I'm saying it in relation to music.

I blogged a while ago and mentioned that Nat went to bed listening to the Foo Fighters. It relaxed him, really. Well, its changed now to Dizzy Rascal - Holiday in particular. Hardly soothing music but it works. He can be seen lying in his cabin bed, eyes closed, almost asleep mouthing to the tunes, word perfect.

Lauren on the other hand, whilst enjoying the likes of Dizzy and Tinchy (they've mixed their names up to Dizzy Stryder and Tinchy Rascal!)- she systematically went through Youtube the other day and watched all their latest videos, and now also knows the words - is more enamoured with Michael jackson.

Man In The Mirror was a firm favourite with all three of my kids last year in Cornwall. Chris has it on his Ipod in the car, and they used to request it and sing along on every journey. Great the first time, abit tedious the fiftieth!

She has all his albums on her Ipod and goes to sleep (with her eye mask on!) listening to Smooth Criminal. Possibly the 'extended version', possibly the 'radio edit' - she knows them all off by heart.

Bens a little more varied in his choice of music and will sometimes have 'shuffle songs' on to sleep to. Before he got his own Ipod he'd only moan if some of my country stuff came on (I have eclectic music tastes!)but think that was more because Chris told him country isn't cool (rubbish of course) rather than a proper dislike. He's rather keen on the Kaiser Chiefs, they think going to school is uncool too!

I love it that they have such a healthy regard for music. It is of course helped by the fact that mummy and daddy deliberately expose them to allsorts, via the Ipod, Youtube, TV and live concerts.

Ben's been to see the Foos live at Wembley with his dad, and I took him and some mates to see McFly a few years ago. Not quite so cool,we took him to see Westlife when he was four! and he asked me to ask all the ladies to stop screaming so he could listen to the music!!! Don't know what he made of the knickers being thrown at the band!

Lauren came with me and some girl friends to see Girls Aloud at Harewood - ok but their support, Simon Webbe was fantastic, not leat because he's very easy on the eye!! She's been twice to see Girls Aloud now, possibly an annual event from now on.

Best of all though, she's crazy about Hannah Montana/Mylie Syrus and Chris managed to get tickets for her concert at O2 just before chrstmas. Not a bad treat when you're seven! Whilst Lauren is really looking forward to it, think the pull of Santa at Hamleys the day after is greater!

They say music soothes the soul, and I've found it does just that. For me and the kids. I use it to cheer me up when I'm down, calm me when I'm angry and fire me up when I need some motivation (Anastasia is great to iron to!) And am teaching this to Ben, Lauren and Nat. I went to see Paulo Nuttini last week in Leeds and that was a really moving experience; he's so passionate about his music. I also saw Echo and The Bunnymen do a gig in their home town of Liverpool a few months ago. Ian Mcculloch was amazing. The whole concert gave me goosebumps.

So next time you've been shouting at the kids, or they're lacking in enthusiasm for life in general put some music on and get up and dance with them. I promise it works wonders - every time.

My next concert is Marc Almond (told you I have eclectic tastes)at the Grand Theatre. Not with the kids but with two guys I went to school with. One of whom I went to see Soft Cell with over twenty years ago (yes Geoff we're really that old!). Apparently Paul Ogrady is compering it, so it sounds like we're in for an erm, interesting, evening.

RX