Monthly Archives: March 2009

The more jaded Tuedsday… Perhaps clock changes having their effect?

Jude & Esme enjoyed the extra hour of sunlight yesterday; they went out onto the backstreet after tea & got themselves right giddy – playing football, & assorted games & generally being cheeky & shrieky, to the point where I had to go out & take Esme in for a dumping I the bath, Jude made a grab for her to stop me taking her (all part of their game) but turned away & he only bounced off me (poor thing; a necessity though because I now we’d have had more trouble than I was worth trying to hoist her into the house attached to him). It was getting late, they were being too rowdy (& would have been in trouble with someone else before long) and part of being a dad is being a spoilsport…

So, it was Esme’s birthday over the weekend. It’s official now, she’s four. She feels (in herself) a four year old – she is sure that she can do more things now (& because she can feel she can, she actually can). They were playing in the big playground in Manningham Park (Bradford) at the weekend & she cold get up to the big slide & slide down the tube thing – stuff lie that; she feels the increment of 4. I wonder how common this is? When your young can you can take such a tangible change & make it more real? I certainly couldn’t remember ever feeling different on y birthday, but then I’m never is sure how I ‘feel’ in that respect because I have such an ambivalent feeling of time (which is probably why I let this fleeting thing slip all the time).

We went off to Bradford on Esme’s birthday; popped into some shop along the way to get Jack a new pair of shoes (the old ones were no longer comfortable). Same shoes, just a bit bigger.

Then off up a ig hill (children aided by mini-eggs (chocolate) to catch a bus. A brisk walk up the side of the park & thence to Louise’s mum’s flat. Elaine (Louise’s sister) & Kyle only arrived a few moments before, so we did quite well, really. (usual hurry to try to get to the station etc).

The kids were happy, & it all went well. Pizzas were ordered & at least Jude Jack & myself stuffed ourselves silly while the rest were a little more temperate. Jude was the only one to have overdone things & although he managed a little more chocolate that was offered he barely ate another thing all day After Elaine & Kyle parted we went off to the playground, and because it was a dull day with a biting cold wind there were not many people there. Our lot like their play, so perishing day means nothing to them. Esme (as say) got into the slide & they were all reluctant to leave (excepting Jude who needed the toilet). Bit f a settle down & then the jurney homeward . Whike we were wiaintng on the train platform Esme went in the waiting room to chat to a young lady there (Eve joined in to keep an eye on things), & while o the the train she chatted non-stop to the couple on the seats behind her. He’s an amazing flow of patter, but uunless you know what she’s been up to her tangents are a little hard to follow (they take some grasping when you know). I don’t think she repeated herself all the way back.

Well, I’ve been distracted again…

Audiobooks this time – John Wyndam’s ‘Day of the Triffids’ being the best of the lot but I’ve also cycled through Arthur C Clarke’s 2001 & sequels.

I’ve more to do, but I’ve elected to type this morning; not because I’m aware that I’ve neglected things, but because it felt ‘more right’ to do so.

I think I’d left with going to parent’s evening at Jack’s school. Because there’s a lot more pupils the set up is a lot more …efficient. You need to locate the teaches dotted around various locations around the school – boy’s gym, hall or girl’s gym. They sit behind a desk in such a location with various other teachers of that year & you get 5 minutes or so at your allotted time. All went well – we didn’t miss any one & we were earlier for others (so managed to dib in & get done. Starting with Geography: Jack is a good pupil, attentive & always willing to contribute; able to answer queries put to the class (ale to see the lead of conversation from teacher to pupil & extrapolate the right answer – something that is ‘easy’ in Jack’s view). Things went on in a similar vein all the way through. The German teacher made me uncomfortable because he suggested that Jack teach me German… I really should take Jack up on that… Didn’t see the Art teacher (as the cookie crumbles) but we got to see most all the main ones.. No, I’m sure all the main ones.. English was an interesting fellow; businesslike in his delivery of matters, but still there was a slight touch of the playfulness that Jack professes is there on class. The Maths teacher was interesting because he’s a young teacher & less used to the formalities. Evidently nervous & aware that we knew that Jack had expressed worry over his brusque behaviour in class. He was a little forcibly jovial (attribute this to nerves) but on the whole he seemed fine to me. Discussed with Jack on the way home, Jack said that he was not ‘like that’ in class. We pointed out to Jack that the poor man had huge bags under his eyes & some mild eczema – suggested that he doesn’t get enough sleep & is somewhat stressed because this will be a demanding job (the nature of the school & the demands of the pupils) & to try to cut the fellow a little slack; basically although he’s a teacher also remember he’s human.

Next day was parent’s evening at Jude & Eve’s school. I took them back home wile Louise dealt with matters… That is after we’d purchased something from the book fair; assuaging their acquisitional desires: Jude got a ‘Where’s Wally’ book, Eve stationary & Esme… Oh, something.

So, Eve is a star & conscientious & bright & willing. Poor Eve is basically very good; a diligent student & a caring person & although the teachers like this there is not a lot more that they say; she sometimes seems to get a raw deal just through being good.

Jude is interesting. Interesting that this comes from the teacher with whom Jack did not get along so well with. Jude is the neatest student in class, good at maths & also good at art. Now, I hadn’t noted that last one so well & it may be that I’m guilty of underrating him in the melee of the daily routine. He does sit down & he does do stuff, but I’m not the one he shows a lot to & I’m not sure he does so much. He does interesting stuff though… When asked to do a picture of his house late last year he drew all correct, but then he started drawing in the rooms through the windows, which Louie & I thought was a very nice touch, but apparently this was an unusual step. The thing that most strikes me about Jude’s art is the level of care & detail he puts into things… I guess he thinks about stuff.

Crikey – I had a day off work, Louise & I went shopping & al was well! We had a pleasant time & Louise got a few most definitely required things that she needed & although we forgot to do one or 2 other bits & bobs, the day went to plan.

It was good.

We were happy.

And getting home, the kids were all right – they were playing outside… & well… that’s good as well.

Jack’s been a little harder to pin down on his homework again (after having been subjected to a ‘talk’ on it the other day he’s still resiliently resistant…) And we have the problem of ‘don’t blame him’. I mean – I’m one to talk – I know I disliked the intrusion of homework but then I was very lucky, in that I was managed to avoid the task of doing said (through luck & ‘changing schools’ – nothing of my design). I disliked academic things in general though – I was not a good student. Louise was more diligent & …well… academic; I mean – she has a Masters Degree & I failed to obtain my HND – I think that speaks volumes. But even she concedes that she left things to the last minute (at 5 o’clock in the morning after being out the night before was possibly an admission too far (to Jack) I thought).

Well – it’s parent’s evening, this evening, at Jack’s school… All in all this should be interesting. I guess that we should be on our ‘best behaviour’ & all that… Okay – Louise is fine, it’s just me that has to try to do a little thinking before opening his big fat gob.

Been reading again – been avoiding writing as well. Not inclined, perhaps because I knew I’d moan on when I’ve little really to moan at; not in myself.

Jack had a day off school yesterday – reached a low ebb, was sick (suspiciously) & was behind on his homework. He’s caught up – he’s still not completely better (his eyes are still itching) but he’s less down – which is so much better. He had a good old talking to the night before with Louise & that did him some good as he was better grounded yesterday. If we could devote more time to cajoling & encouraging him he would not hit these funks, but … it’s not possible – he takes advantage of us at times & procrastinates & skives over homework. It’s a shame, but there is a lot of it – but when he does it – when he sits down & concentrates it doesn’t take him long & he does it well… He’s bright but still – his reluctance at times is quite understandable.

Made the rabbit hutch up yesterday. She’s better after being in the cage in the porch for a while. We seem to have covered the cost of it OK, & it’s sizeable enough to give her enough space; she now has an upstairs & a downstairs – enough room for her to move around freely. As she’s grown so, the same could not be said for the old hutch. I’ll get some bits & bobs from the market stall woman today as well. Shame it’s set to be a bit cold again.

When I set out putting the hutch together Esme & Lilly were all agog – wanting to watch & wanting to join in. Unfortunately the help that 3 year olds is limited; mostly limited to not helping, because they’re more likely to cause problems that be of real assistance. Jack didn’t want to miss out though – so he soon had his shoes & coat on & was about. He helped distract Esme & Lilly a bit, but they were still a little too active. I had to warn Esme off when she started using the old broom to brush one of the half made sides. At that point they (Esme & Lilly) took the old broom & plastic (toy) lawnmower & dashed off to Lil’s house. Esme was dressed as a cat & Lil a fairy. It being World Book Day they had gone to school (& playgroup) dressed as ‘their favourite characters’ Jude had gone as Dr Who (suit, trainers & accoutrements) & Eve as a school witch (she wanted to go a Hermione Granger but we couldn’t get stuff approximate enough)

Jack was happy to help & was keen to use the electric screwdriver thing (which I was thankful for having) but it ran out of juice. I have an aching forearm a from ‘manual screwing’ the thing together (Jack didn’t help with that) when finished we had everyone around; Esme & Lilly & Eve & Amber, but not Jude & Louise – Louise was having to read Famous Five to Jude upstairs. Hey did come down briefly, encouraged by Jack & proclaimed it good & “Jolly big” before Louise had to return to narration duties.

Put down sawdust & paper & hay, then the rabbit. She seemed happy to explore & scratch about but was not keen on trying to get downstairs, although having checked here this morning she did pop downstairs, so that’s good.