Archives: elaine

Assembled a bike this weekend. Another bike for Jude; a birthday present. It’s more a BMX model & he’s really only just big enough for it. I’ve lowered the seat as far down as it can go – so hopefully this will satiate him. Eve is keen to pick up use of his older bike now that poor Bluebell has lost her glamour somewhat (never properly recovered from having the back wheel run over & tyres changed to non-whitewall

It turned into a task getting the bike home from Bradford where we bought it. Was a shame that it needed to be assembled really as that took that frisson of excitement out of the whole thing for Jude; although, I don’t think it dampened the day too much for him in the end: he was happy & excitable at home in the evening even without the actuality of the bike. On the whole it’s been quite a good weekend. We met up in Bradford with Louise’s mum, as planned & dibbed off to Pizza Hut. Been years since I’ve been in such a place & as we had not had the forethought to book we had to wait a while to get in. The kids still behaved themselves: we didn’t have to mutter about not doing things as we waited. They were good in the restaurant (if you can truly call it that) as well – well, Esme stood on the set & they were a little noisy (but didn’t have to be told not to be) but these tings blended in well & they all enjoyed themselves & their grub. I guess such places are designed with families in mind… You wouldn’t think of going to Pizza Hut for a business meeting really… well, maybe not a besuited one. I think we killed a couple of hours n there – which was a little surprising.

Thence back to the bus station for a free bus down to the … big warehousey shop area on the edge of the centre of town & we bought Jude’s bike (& some skates for Eve & Jack) Esme didn’t need retail therapy to feel included; such things are not on her radar as yet. I wanted to get a new bag, as they do some cheap there, but I couldn’t get a decent compromise between style, price & size, so I left it after Louise frowned at my ‘too expensive’ choice. At least I have a better idea at what I’m aiming for, I suppose. I’m not sure even that one would have managed an A3 sketchpad that’s an ‘agenda’ item I don’t think I’ll quite ever manage. Jude’s bike was in a big heavy box… so started lugging that home. It was inconvenient to carry & dug into my fingers, and n the end Jack & Louise carried the last litle bit up the backstreet, but we got it hone fine & by the time Jude went to bed it looked like a bike (I just had the brakes to fit & adjust). By the morning it was ready & when he was dressed he had ago (in a pause in the rain) & came back a little put out muttering about it being too big. I took the seat down to the absolute minimum & he tested it, agreed that it was better but has yet to go out in it again… oh, well… when the time comes… when the time comes… Oh – and it’s all black, with white lettering – looks a bit swish.

Sunday was more a ‘climbing uphill’ day, Lots of rain never helps motivate a day. Eve had a ‘last minute’ invite to Isobel’s birthday party. We had a standby present that seemed a little lacking, so I bought a pad & pen when ut doing the shopping as a supplement. Then Louise topped her off up the valley for the party (not quite a small walk away). Jack decided to start his Ecodome, but was also distracted by playing with his remote control helicopter with Jude & Jo, so in the end I had to nag him to tidy things up – which he ‘sort of’ did… in that it’s tidied up from outside, but not put away. I can’t begrudge him though as he was in a good sharing mood all day. Most of the weekend… The silly grudge match started over a Gogo on … Thursday evening with Jude seemed to blow over quite nicely, so that was a relief.

Well, Esme did a lot better last night – she’s slept quite soundly. On Friday to Saturday she was quite disturbed with the Chicken Pox making her uncomfortable & the fever making her too warm, and on the Saturday to Sunday she was initially being driven nutty by the itching. We gave her some Piriton in the end (should have thought of it earlier) & she was still very frustrated until the small hours & the medicine started kicking in & it all calmed down. Gave her Piriton before settling to sleep last night & she was much better for it. She came up when I was drifting off just after 11 & as she was warm she had some ibuprofen & she seems to have slept soundly most of the night. I slipped out & had some sudofed then so that I could breathe without a gaping mouth & I feel rested this morning as well. Spent yesterday with a headache & things crawling in the corner of periphery of my vision – mainly lack of sleep, with some head cold thrown in for good measure. Not half as bad as Esme’s been having; she’s been doing well really. Clingy & weepy, but she has been playing for the most part. Late afternoon yesterday she tried playing with Lilly when she came round, but had to give up & be held again. I think she was a bit annoyed that she didn’t get to go out with me that day. I’d taken Jude out to his party at Jitterbugs in Littleborough (James & Daniels’ birthday) & Eve had tagged along. Amber had gone out, so Eve had no direction & she wanted to come & was upset that I initially refused on the grounds that she wouldn’t be allowed to the party. This provoked quite a reaction (weeping & gnashing, “You don’t understand!”) so as long as she understood that there was no way she could stay at the party it was fine – I let her tag along. As it turned out we only had tome to go to the supermarket &then a café before we had to scoot back to pick up Jude. Still – it was pleasant to have her along (probably good for Louise to have her out of the way if she was going to be bored & whinging at home). & good for Eve to just be out instead of bored & frustrated. Jack was very sweet with Esme while we were out & made her a colouring book from internet printouts, but Esme was tuckered out when we got back (public transport back from Littleborough was not so good & quite expensive).

Saturday?

We had a jaunt out to Bradford, It had been previously arranged that we were going to Louise’s mum’s & meeting up with Elaine & Kyle (Louise’s sister). For…. various reasons we’ve not seen them for quite a while & I guess it all went well. Eve was chatty & friendly with Elaine & the kids behaved quite well.. We went out to the park. Jack took Jude & Eve on the boating lake (I didn’t have to do it) And they had a good little go to the playground. I was relieved to see (or rather had my underlying guilt assuaged) by the presence of another little girl who quite obviously had chicken pox. Esme’s pox are not so easily noticeable as they are mainly on her trunk, back of the neck & head – her hair covers the latter 2. You still feel a bit bad about her being about so much though; doesn’t feel wholly responsible. We were obliged though – it had been arranged – Louise’s mum expected us to be going. We were expecting to be off sooner, but before lunch (we apparently arrived late when we arrived just about exactly when we said we would) it was announced that we would have some eggs for tea? (For tea? – Oh.. OK, then).

The kids enjoyed it all – I think (probably) Eve especially as she loves the socialising & she also managed to pick up a few nicknacks. Jack & Eve even got to play around the fountains at Lister Hall for a bit (Jude got bored & wanted to go back so Jude & Esme went back to the flat with Grandma). Louise & I got to watch fascinating people who had a wedding at the Hall & a photo opportunity in the gardens – we do love people watching.

When the kids were asleep last night, we moved bedrooms. Thankfully it was not a noisy affair. We’ve now got a relaxingly large room to sleep in instead of a room that is only just bigger than the bed (well – it is a king size). It’s funny – the bed seemed bigger…
We went to Louise’s sister’s yesterday. Adventurously setting off to Leeds to meet them. It all worked rather well getting there (what with being able to set off early as the kids were up early). They took us to their house once we met up & the kids enjoyed themselves. Jude fell asleep on me (for about the 3rd time that day) & I managed to absorb more & more sleepiness to the point where I also sat down with him resting on me & fell asleep… That was a bit weird, & I suspect a bit rude… or at least bad etiquette. No one seemed to mind though. Amazingly the kids did not try to wake us. Back home & the day seems over far too quickly.
Bah
Louise said this morning, as I left how pleased she was with the house again. Actually moving upstairs has made the house seem bigger.

Train home. Train strike day – so not the usual trains. But pleasantly surprised to have a table seat – woo! Typing in comfort.
Feeling relaxed, but then I have not been thrashing myself to get things done. Underlying guilt, but no underlying stress.
Still nothing on whether I can have a holiday at the end of the month – so that I can attend that comics convention – but at least I remembered to chase up about it today.
Voted yesterday. It’s a shame that the Tories aren’t withering away & dying, but then the that would be the only glimmer of joy in the cynical, but grimly determined view I have of all this. I feared Maggie Thatcher might die before these (or any) election as it might bring out sympathy vote – terrifying thought.
Eve seems to be losing the whinging streak she had a bit – which is quite a relief for such a loud lass, & we have avoided mentioning that we are not going to Elaine & Kyle’s tomorrow to Jack – so he might still think we are going. We cannot – due to the train strike.
Jude most certainly seem to be teething. He tries to stuff his fist into his mouth to chew it. 3 months seems a little early, but then Jack cut his 1st teeth at 4 months. It does seem to drive him to distraction sometimes & he has chomped on my finger with such vigor he’s managed to hurt me a couple if times. Oh – & he drools a lot – but then babies do that.