Archives: jack

My hair stinks. I rather hoped washing it this morning would cure it, but I am very aware that it still stinks. We got ‘the cure’ for the nits yesterday. A bunch of little bottles; the contents of which needed to be rubbed into dry hair – so we did. It took Louise long enough to get it as well – she went down to the health centre & then off to the pharmacist who needed proof that nits were present. No nit combs though… they gave her a leaflet though – had plenty of them. Louise had to go home to use our comb to extricate another & we all went down to the pharmacist again when I got home.

Bottles of potion collected we took a diversion to the park for half an hour or so – pushing Jack on the swings, spinning on the roundabout & watching Eve cope with climbing the slide & positioning herself to come down (she sits before she has her legs in position, so she has to pull her legs round from under her… not a trick she will be able to do as she gets older – flexibility of toddlers).

Jack is reluctant to play out at the moment. It could be that he is afraid of midges – he already associates the nit biting with midges… something we need to dispel – midges fly head lice can do nothing but crawl. Louise suspects that there is something else troubling him about playing out at the moment though – perhaps some of the bigger kids have scared him… It’s so difficult to tell, really. It’s like he wants the assurance, when he does play out, of being on home ground. It does make you think that there’s a motive that he is not wholly telling about his reluctance to play out. Parents worry.

That morning fatigue descends. I’ve got to the station with time to spare & it’s just this journey to work now before my body has to react again. It’s trying to tempt my brain to sleep… but I will persist in exercising my hands to type…

We did the expedition to Ikea on Saturday. The kids had been up foolishly early the past few days, so it was on Saturday – granting us the chance to set off early. We were at the station for the 8:19 – which arrived at 8:30 & were on our way. Got to the shop at 10:00ish. The shelves we were looking at in the catalogue proved to be a bit naff in real life – so we opted for the trusty expandable units that they do. Got the beds for the kids – well – a proper mattress for Jack for now, & a ‘storage bench’ type thing. Basically, all that we went there for. Was not too stressful, as getting there that little bit early we were just ahead of the wave of busy that hits the place. We did get caught up in that after a spell in the restaurant, which all got a bit claustrophobic, so by the time it got to the place where all the knick-nacks are at the end, we were ready to flee – thus missing a couple of sundry items we would have searched for otherwise. Ah, well. Journey home again. I had Eve on the back carrier, & was OK with it until the end of the day where it seemed to be starting to get heavier & heavier. Eve really enjoys it in there though. She’s only really been in it once before & that was as good while ago, but she remembered it when it was brought out & was stamping with excitement to get in. All in all the kids did very well. Jack fell asleep a couple of times when travelling, but Eve, who had been late off yesterday, just kept going & going. By the end of the day she was a bit manic & fragile though.

On the Sunday the furniture arrived. Have a few boxes still to do, but the main one – their beds – is sorted. Eve’s bed was the only task I was set to do, really. Jack was very interested in helping & hijacked one of the alum keys to ensure my cooperation in allowing his assistance. He can be quite helpful, but at one point I decided that the mangled phillips screwdriver I have needed replacing. This meant stopping what we were doing & popping to the Sunday market to get one from one of the stalls there. Now, Jack is still not the right way out at the moment. He is getting frustrated & annoyed at us when we tell him we & thus he is going to do something. As with us all he wants a say in how things should be done. Unfortunately for him, the options we sometimes offer are not what he wants – like the other day when we were moving the bedrooms about & he wanted Jessie to come & play – but he did not want to go out to play with him. This time we needed to go out – me to get the screwdriver & Louise needed to go for a shop – supermarket – provisions – no milk in the house! Jack was not too keen – to put it mildly & was I was stupidly determined that he should go. So, Jack & I get mad at each other. I get really mad, but you cannot take these things out on your children. I did put him outside the back door in the rain without a coat, as I was heartily sick of his going on. Was a bit spiteful & Louise soon rescued him from getting wet. I stormed off – as it was the best option. I would have only continued to rage in the house. I went to get my stupid screwdriver. Louise caught me up later when I had just finished mulling between the stalls as to which one actually looked like it might last more than 5 minutes. Had a chat with our neighbour Andy while I was there as he is staring up a new recycling business thing. Must try to find his website to put a ling here as he has some swanky stuff.

Anyway – after the weekly shop & cafe – where Jack was very good! We went home to finish off the bed. Eve fell asleep which left Jack & I to complete it in relative pace (no extra person climbing over things).

Later that day he was complaining of the itches getting in again. ‘Itches’ are the midge flies that attack you on the evening in the garden around here. Right annoying they is. Nasty thought occurred – we had a warning letter from the school the other day about head lice! As we had been given a lice comb I went & dug it out & gave him a comb… uh,oh… what’s that?

It looks like Jack has the dreaded blighters. A quick heck of the rest of the family looks like Louise & Eve had one or 2 & I have scalp debris & fluff, but nothing, as yet. Poor Jack – they must have been a torment… & of course it’s not over… we have to be rid of them proper – any eggs & all! Gah!

Eve’s hair is very fine – the comb teeth seem too large for her, but she gets knots in her hair from sleeping. Jack & Louise share similar hair – although Louise’s is denser & thicker. Jack needed a good ol’ combing & I did so until I could find no more. In the process he fell asleep on my lap, so we put him to bed in his new bed & he slept quite well. For the 1st time in few days he was still asleep at the time I set off to work.

Now then… have you itched your head reading that? ‘Itches’ – there’s a thing that catches psychologically…

Feel guilt about Jack being so upset & me getting mad at him for all the performance & all that yesterday… sigh…

What can you do? He wants everybody so much at the moment. He dashed back to the window when Louise’s mum went home yesterday – knelt on the windowsill to see her disappearing down the street & it upset him – just a little cry before tea. He just wants everyone to be there all the time. An ambition that he will never realise, & an emotional break he is going to have to learn to deal with.

Louise was feeling guilty as well. She thought that they were going to have to go to the dentists yesterday. Jack had an appointment, but the days got mixed up & he had already missed it. From gearing him up to going, he suddenly wasn’t – so there was no being picked up from school early to go to the dentists for Jack, & she had to tell him that. He must have taken it reasonably well, but when at school it sounds like he just mooched off to play with the jigsaws in the class on his own. Must have been quite forlorn as Louise said that it upset her that he was plainly unhappy.

It also struck how restrictive the play is at school. At the moment it’s all letters & little else. There’s none of the creative freedom of a playgroup where you had a lot more choice over what you could do & there was just painting for the sake of painting & playing (sandpit – water etc) for the joy of playing. This is how it is with school though. I guess… & will continue to be. I guess you realise how young they are all over again.

Moved the kids into their ‘new’ bedroom last night & squeezed ourselves into the old. Our bed actually fitted, which was a relief. It all got a bit fraught though as one of Jacks friends – Jessie – who lives on the adjacent street came by, & wanted to come in just as we were moving things. Jack wanted him to come in, but we said no. We said that he could go out to play if he wanted, but he didn’t want to… thus a standoff of momentous proportions began. He drove us absolutely nutty shouting through windows for Jessie & Jessie hung around quite a lot in the belief that he might actually get into the house. No chance – if we were moving furniture, we did not want the grief of ensuring someone else’s kid gets into no bother. All very fraught, & demoralising. Jack was persistent beyond belief. He made Louise cry & thus distress Eve greatly as well. He made me really mad when Louise had had to just get away from him – he still persisted. He cried until he made himself sick. I was so mad that my response was to put him in the bath – silly boy

Still – they are in the new room now…

Weird… I actually finished our/to be the kid’s room last night. The walls are all now painted – 2 walls pistachio & 2 walls varnished lining paper. I might get a couple of days rest while I recoup & maybe sort out a few bits & bobs; reviews & alike.

We should be able to sleep back upstairs again. Louise & I have had to resort to the sofa bed, as it’s been a bit smelly. The kids have not been too put out by this – perhaps a little confused, but they liked ligging on it in the mornings before it got put away.

Do I have a sense of triumph at having finished the room? No, not really; more bemusement. The kids could be in there in a couple of weeks as we are now plotting an expedition to Ikea so that we can get them a bed each. Not sure what other furniture we might need, but we cannot plan for too much at the moment. We will move into their small room while I sort out the decorating of the attic room. A setback up there is the fact that we have leak around the chimney breast again. With all the heavy downpours we’ve had recently a seriously damp patch has appeared. The builders have been called again to have another look at things, but we worry. Louise was talking of having the pot removed & roofed over, but how would that leave us if we wanted to put a fire in? I would like that option to remain. Not that I want a ‘real’ fire – having tended some in my time their a bother in a world of convenience. I do not have the patience to fret over keeping something going & cleaned out like some flipping pet. A mechanical (pet fire) which you switch on & off with gas would be my ideal there. Time may come.

Eve has been a little manic now & then recently. Canniness are still teething. They’ve both been a little over tired of recent due to disrupted sleep – Eve through her teething & Jack as he’s woke a little earlier than he should. They’ve coped well with it though – not really grumpy or anything & still playing together quite well. Jack did get a bit frustrated with his trains last night though, as they would not stay together in a, …uh, train. They are a set not designed for uneven carpets – so they keep coming apart – which makes him howl with frustration.

Eve’s language continues to develop & amuse. Not a good example of her language skills, but; as she woke from her afternoon nap yesterday, she pleaded, “Tooaaasssttt” – to which Louise asked if she would like her to do some toast? “No, crisps!”. Sigh.

Um… Not sure what this is… Looks a bit like a crab?

On the way to work… sigh.

Didn’t want to leave this morning, wanted to stay with the family… but c’est la.

Got a letter from the ‘useless plumbers‘
demanding payment for the callout that they attended late & did nothing even
tho they knew what the problem was as we told then’ again. Makes me indignant
(flambé), but it looks like we may have to pay the useless prannets. We
were not on the ball enough to take the initiative – which makes it all the more
galling. Bah.
It has been abnormally warm for the past couple of days. Been fun playing out with the kids on an evening. We were out as the sun descended yesterday & Jack & I watched stars emerging. We also say bats… Most I’ve ever seen of them. May have been just the one, as we only saw the one at a time, but it flew around a sodium street light & then flitted to one further down the backstreet. Quite exciting! I have only ever seen them flit past the window before, so sustained watching was real novelty. Could also just about hear it – a very high pitched chirrup. I suspect Jack could hear them better – but it’s pleasing to note I haven’t blasted by ears listening to loud music.

Grr – that useless plumber letter still wrangles.

hmm

Dear useless fuckwits

Thank you for your letter dated 12/10/01 regarding our non-payment of scandalously charges. We feel that such a fee is inconsistent with the services provided. As we pointed out in our previous letter dated (look up the date) we had informed you of what we perceived to problem to be & your operative still did not have the wherewithal to turn up with any parts that may be useful to correct the problem. In fact he did not turn up with much wherewithal at all; possibly still being drunk from the previous night (complaining of a hangover). He proceeded to take a dim view of everything & sawed through floorboards to get to the source of the problem, possibly due to the fact he could not think of how to lift them without causing damage. He seemed moderately surprised of the problem, even though it was what we suspected on his arrival. He informed us he had no parts for the job even though we had informed yourselves what we suspected the problem was on our initial calls & possibly to the operative himself when, after stating in all day waiting for him he called us late afternoon to inform us that he could attend possibly at 21:00 hrs – when our young children would actually be asleep. His general unpreparedness & reluctance to deal with the problem in general left us with no confidence in your services & left us with no alternative but to go without water until out usual plumber returned from holiday.

Your incompetence put us at inconvenience, which is our general grievance in your insistence that we pay. The amount you suggest is also outrageous, but as we understand that you would take remedial action & charge us even more should we decline, against our better judgement — here’s the dosh you money grabbing bastards.

Yours, with the fondest wishes that you fall of the face of the Earth,

Paul

Wankers.

Well – I finished off the wallpapering in the bedroom the other day. As it was just a bit above the door, It was a bit ‘is that it?’ – an anticlimax. I now have to varnish the paper. Joy. Still, that should not take too long, &then it’s protected. I guess we now have to plan an expedition to Ikea to get the kids new beds.

Jack takes a keen interest in Louise’s tum (growing babe). He likes to listen to it, & feel the baby kick. The other night Louise woke up & Jack had fallen asleep on her tum. Whether he’d moved in the night or what it’s difficult to tell, but it’s right sweet.

I’ve been trying to ensure I get to bed early. Well, when I say early, it essentially means, not late. But I have been falling behind on getting what I want sorted done. ZUM! is progressing annoyingly slowly again & My own reviews have slipped again. I am not meeting my exacting demands… thankfully I don’t work for me, or I might get annoyed with me. I remain frustratingly nearly focussed.

We went to a ‘parent’s evening’ at school last night. The 1st of many in this parental duty thing I guess. Jack’s teacher seems overall pleased with him. There were a few interesting insights. It seems he is more serious than we thought he might be. Studious. He was also not that keen at playtimes to start with. They were in the same playground as the rest of the school, & he must have found it intimidating. He would stay near the adult helper/teacher. It’s reported that he is now seen less near the adult, so must be getting used to this. It seems a little odd, as he is such a social creature, but then a playground full of screaming kids intimidates me. Also got an insight into the structure of their learning at this stage, which was interesting. He understands to look at the whole word when reading a word, that sort of thing… so I guess you could say he is doing well. Nothing ill to report at all, really. Louise & I were relieved that the teacher was not strict with us.

New hours started at work yesterday. It didn’t really occur to me going in yesterday morning, as the start time is the same… However, we finish earlier.

It was a bit odd… it felt like I was sneaking off early, which I guess I was (DUH!). Getting home early is distinctly pleasant. I like that a lot. Eve was asleep when I got back & it was time to wake her, as we needed to get off to pick up Jack from school. She was lying on the bed, so I lay in front of her, so she could see me when she stirred. We had prepared the way for a wake up of a grumpy girl, but it was not needed. Louise woke her by putting her boots on, she saw me, & smiled, & I smiled back. I think she was glad to see me as she had a very good wake up & was exceptionally cheery. I carried her down to Jack’s school & she just kept smiling & exclaiming her delight at the world in general. Ah, the sort of thing that really cheers the heart.

Jack was glad to see me as well. A bit of a surprise. Took advantage of me & got a ride on my shoulders home. Eve demanded a ride on Louise’s shoulders for a little while as well. Human transport. The television did not go on at home. Jack has got into the habit of flopping in front of it a bit when he gets home from school. Not something that Louise approves of; just tolerates, I might add. Another habit broke.

Of course this is just the one-day, so it remains to be seen how it will all span out. I am hoping that it will prove a useful chance to get the decorating sorted as well. Not much papering remains, then varnishing the paper & it’s ‘all change’.

Another morning on the train where I sit in front of the eMate & say… “Grunt”.

It’s not like I was late to bed. We went to bed early last night, but that does not stop you feeling like my brain has been replaced by mucus.

Anyway, yes, it was a good weekend. Caroline hopefully had a good time. We pottered about a bit. On Friday, after watching Jack do his sponsored run they went off to Hebden Bridge. The run sounded delightfully chaotic. The children were supposed to be running the one way around the pitch, but ended up that some groups ran one way, & others counter. I don’t know what the goal was, but Jack ended up doing 5 or 6 rounds. It’s a good job we put the relatives (who are unaware sponsors) down for ‘fixed amounts’ or we might have been out of pocket there. One of Jack’s friends was going in a ‘counter’ group, so they apparently stopped for a chat once or twice. Also, he had a friend from his class running with him, who was flagging a bit. Jack is a good runner.

Saturday we all went of to Howarth. Over the tops on the bus, top deck to see the views better. Went past the church & there’s some ‘allotments’ there where people keep chickens & goats, so the Jack & Eve enjoyed that. Up onto the start of the moors, just for a mini-walk. We did have the pushchair, so anything really adventurous way out of the question. Eve needed picking up when some horses went by on a nearby path. Like dogs, she is braver when they are not so close.

We had hoped we might catch a steam train from Howarth, but we missed one… Shame, as the kids… well, Jack especially, would have enjoyed that. He asked on Sunday (next day) if we could go to Howarth again… A sure sign he enjoyed himself, or perhaps is aware there’s something he missed out on… Ended up in Leeds from Howarth, but as it was getting on a bit, it was not really a major stop. As the trains were out on the Caldervale line that day, (Leeds refurbishment work?) we had to catch a coach back home. Eve so nearly made it home, but we were just getting back to Tod when travel sickness got the better of her. All in all it was a very busy day & the kids did very well. Were well behaved even though we were late getting back & they must have been truly fagged out. An easier day on Sunday, as Carloline needed to go home. As Jack woke up he asked (as mentioned) if we were off out anywhere special (Howarth). When told not because Caloline was going back to London today, he was most upset that she would be leaving. Both Jack & Eve really love her. We went off to Hebden again & as (yet again) the trains were not running, it was a coach at the station that took Caroline on her journey back. It was, of course late. Louise went to change Eve’s nappy, & while they were off the coach came. Jack & I said the good-byes. As Caroline settled on the coach Jack said, “I’m really sad now”. I gave him a hug & pointed out Caroline at the window, & then the coach pulled away. Jack returned a few blown kisses & started to cry.