A little gem

The whole 'web' thing can be a little overwhelming and it can be difficult to find just what you are looking for. But sometimes you stumble on something really clever. I recently found this Number Bond game on the Ambleside Primary School site. The really clever part is that you can set it to suite your child's ability, so learning number bonds to 10 or 20 or 50... Marvellous!

Customer Service

2 simple words but a whole load of meaning. Even the boys are beginning to notice. Our lovely waiter at Pizza Express went beyond the call of duty and the boys understood. They were totally overrun - 'Sorry, no potwashers!' he had said the first time he whizzed past as we fiddled with our menus. Many customers were getting a bit stressed. For the first time in a while, we had time on our hands and we opted to go with the flow - so we offered up D & B as potwashers! And how that waiter smiled. So we laughed and joked. There was no Appletiser, no Fanta, so D went for Sprite. Then the waiter returned with an Appletiser! The waiter even found us an extra money-off voucher. Had a great time - service wasn't so good when we had a coffee later in the day. D said, 'Wow, he's a grumpy waiter!'

Sorry Miss Frank

How sad that Miss Frank should fall victim to what seems to be some game the nation's X Factor's voters are playing. We thought Miss Frank was great. B said that, thanks to Graziella, they were a cross between Whitney Houston (with her dress in tact) and Flo Rider. We rate Danyl too but he may have to work on his 'likeability factor', according to B. We all share the same opinion about John and Edward. B thinks they must be getting the Scottish vote with Ricki gone (I'm not sure how to take that!). But surely they have to go - though they should get an award for being so incredibly thick-skinned. B also reckons the split Welsh vote has to end in tears for one of them. Great family viewing - it has sparked many interesting conversations.

Texting Rules OK

Confession time - I think I may have totally underestimated the power of texting. After my previous blogging, I have made a point of noticing when 'we' are using it. With our sons D (now 12) and B (now 13) I think perhaps it is actually a useful communication tool, in many different circumstances. Last night, for instance, I texted D just after he had gone to bed to remind him to try to read a couple of pages of his book. He is always shattered at bedtime and sometimes he just simply forgets (sometimes it is ofcourse a conscious decision!). He texted back 'maybe' and as it happens he did. Perhaps texting can bring a new, gentler and very much 'cooler' side to the artful mother's nagging.

Ultimate Texting

Just had to let all you www.zoobookoo.com blog readers know about B's recent text. Mum, Dad and D were watching Man U in the European Championships. B had a race (he's running quite a lot now - around 3km) the following day, so he had an early night. Around 9.45pm Dad picks up a text on his phone - from Brad upstairs!! 'Is it half time yet. Can D bring up cough mixture and nail cliprz.' We didn't know whether to have a go at him for being so lazy or to admire his ingenuity, not to mention his personal hygiene. Seems as if we soon won't actually have to talk with each other - although, could be handy through the grunting phase.

That would be logical but...

I was just helping D online accessing a games site that he had used previously. He had forgotten his password and wanted to request an email for a reminder. But no matter how many times he tried to input his email address, it was always rejected. He asked me for help (that's a first as they usually go to their Dad with anything techy or monetary!). Anyway, I watched him go through the process again. 'But D,' I said, 'You've put in an extra letter after the '@' sign.' 'No, Mum,' he said. 'It's 'at' - so I put '@ t' just like everyone always says!' We had a chuckle....

Thanks to EADT

Many thanks to Steven Russell and the team at the East Anglian Daily Times. Lovely piece you did about www.zoobookoo.com - didn't expect it to be nearly so detailed. Thanks again.

More nagging - me?

I commented to the boys how silly Maz (our cat - Maserati) is to sit outside under the hedge in all this pouring rain. B said, 'Actually, Mum, he's fed up with you always complaining about his muddy footprints - so he's sitting out there in the pouring rain, freezing his butt off, totally traumatized, thinking we don't love him anymore - knowing that he daren't risk rushing in and 'leaving muddy footprints everywhere.' Feeling very guilty now.

To nag or not to nag!

The other day I heard our older son nag his younger brother about a dropped 't' in the word 'better'. Joy of joys, music to my ears. The nagging must be working, though it always makes me feel such a nagbag! Keep on nagging (nicely!).

Tough Love

I read an interesting article about the merits of praising your children for just simply every little thing versus being honest with them when really what they did was not up to the mark. It is a tough one for us doting parent types. But in the parenting skills course (contact your local council - ask for community learning and skills) I did, we went into this in some detail. And at home now we are trying to put into practise the idea of praising but in a moderated way. So maybe, 'That was a really good effort. But you have to check your work as there are still quite a few mistakes in there. Would you like me to go through it with you?' Beware - this does bring a bit of sadness or frustration or even anger. But I really believe it's a better preparation for life than letting them think they are stars all the time. Of course, they still got buckets and buckets of unqualified praise where deserved.

How time flies!

I thought we had heard all the 'haven't done my homework,' excuses, but B found a new one today. 'I knew I had homework for October in my journal, but I thought it was still September!'

What a pickle!

B was talking D through making the tea as I drove home. S was working upstairs. Keep it simple, we had thought - pizza, salad and some pickles. B instructed D to go to the fridge and get some pickled onions, gerkins and beetroot. Some time later D phoned back to say, he thought the pizza was done - in fact possibly burning - no smoke but bit of a burning smell. B said to take it out of the oven and turn that off. He asked if D had found the pickles ok. D said, 'I could only find the gertroot!'

Lucky Charms

As we drove to football training one evening recently I commented on how lucky it was that the rain that had been pouring down all day had finally stopped. D replied, 'It's because I've got my lucky pants on!' 'I didn't know you had lucky pants,' I replied with surprise. 'Yes, those grey ones. They've always been lucky!' The mind boggles.

Dawn French Rules OK

Finished reading Dawn French's autobiography. Many gems of worldly advice and beautiful turn of phrase. Cried and laughed. She is an inspirational woman who reminds us to be who we are and nice to everyone else. Even hubbie read it!

To yoga or not to yoga...

– that has been the burning question for years. So last night I gave it a go. Lots of stretching and breathing (I don’t usually have time to breathe) but you know I nearly fell asleep during the relaxation bit at the end. I’m going again next week. I’ll let you know how I get on…

Getting a deal

Running our family business we are very aware of the need to support our fellow local small businesses whenever we can. However, Tescos does come up trumps for us with its Clubcard Vouchers. Last weekend, we treated Dad to a special Drive Day at the Everyman track near Loughborough. It was a great day out for all. The boys were official photographers, the weather lovely and the long lazy picnic relaxing. Dad spun round that track in a Porshe, Lamborghini, Aston Martin and a Ferrari. He even booked him and the boys on a speed thrill of three laps in a suped up Ford Fiesta. Though that was extra, his drive day didn't cost a penny - just around £500 in Tesco vouchers - £500 we would probably not have spent straight out of our own pocket. You really feel as if you are getting a deal. Tescos have lots of options for using vouchers (magazine subs is another we've used recently).

She is wonderful!

Have you read She magazine? Everyone at ZooBooKoo has, especially since they covered our Maths Wraps - and it is a really good read. You can subscribe on-line for only about £1 an issue (see the link on the right) and take time out for yourself with features perfectly pitched for parents who 'juggle'. Thank you to the team at She for the fab photo of the Maths Wrap and the editorial about how it helps your children learn their times tables.

Oooh didims!

Waiting at a countryside T-junction the other day, my eye was drawn to three young men seemingly loitering across the road. They were dressed in t-shirts and shorts, with plenty tattoos showing, one with peroxide spiky hair and another with a couple of nose rings to match his earrings. But I wasn’t judging. Who knows what fashion sense will befall our two boys as they navigate adolescence? The object of the young men’s interest was in fact a baby hedgehog snoozing on the road. Clearly there was a discussion about the best course of action and finally a consensus was reached. Mr Peroxide held their bikes while Mr Nose Ring and Mr Tattoo found a couple of pieces of wood and between them, they carefully lifted the lucky hedgehog and placed him tenderly in the hedgerow. Job done, they all glanced over at the gawping mother of two and her boys, and treated us to ear-to-ear grins, which we returned. D said, ‘They are kind people!’

The utility room is blessed!

The new kitchen is still not finished, though definitely taking shape. The utility room is in a mess befitting a utility room, with some temporary puzzling plumbing solutions. We are either in dishwasher mode or in washing mode, but never in both as S is currently switching the dirty water pipe between the two. I was in full swing this morning, whistling through the chores to get out for a run and back for a shower and ready for business by 9.30am. I filled the washing machine thinking I’d get a load done before the plumber arrives and switches everything off again. But ooops, you guessed it. I flew back in having hung out the washing from the previous cycle at warp speed, only to find the whole of the utility room flooded. The NEW utility room!! B was asleep (13 years old!) so D fetched every towel in the house and we started mopping. Our utility room has now been christened!

All in good time

Our youngest is dyslexic and we have been through the pain that most families go through as they try to find the root cause of the ‘challenges’ and then lay plans to meet them. D, diagnosed at 6 ½ years old, is a great example of the sometimes painstakingly slow but measured progress which can be made. He has just finished his first year at high school and he is now using his handy expressions such as: ‘thingymyjig’, ‘wotsit’ and ‘you know what I mean,’ less and less. Just this week he used three what I call ‘significant words’ in the correct context. He asked for a ‘substantial snack’! He declared that his was a ‘valid reason!’ And he told us about a ‘dilemma’ he was facing! Tears of joy (and possibly just a little relief) are dripping onto my keyboard.

Size matters

The slim seventeen year old son of a friend of ours recently went shopping at the Army Surplus Store. He was very chuffed with his new camouflage trousers and whipped them theatrically out of the bag to show his Mum. ‘They look a bit on the big side,’ she said, ‘Well, they’re a 34”, Mum!’ he retorted. ‘Yes, but you are a 34” leg, not a 34” waist!” He’s still wearing them, hoisted up with a belt!

Proud Parents

They can make you cringe, raise your eyes north in desperation or feel ever so frustrated. But bless them, when they get it right, it does feel so good. D was playing footie with some friends and a mum they know from the village asked for help carrying two big bags of beer up to the primary school for the annual BBQ. D and two others said, 'Sure we can help you'. At the school the mum offered them some money for their good deed. D said,' You don't need to pay us, we did it out of kindness!' Wow, were we proud! All that nagging and explaining does pay off.

Speed dressing (on a budget)

Our boys will be in for a big shock when they see how long it should take to get ready for a night out. Shopping took too long on Saturday. We returned home at 5.45pm and really needed to leave at 7pm for the wedding reception. So made dinner for the boys, then quick shower, donned my dress – hubbie bought it from TK Max £20!!, and jewellery from Dotty Ps £30, flattened hair, smidgeon of makeup, splash of Fendi, stuck on French Polish nails (Superdrug £6 – ‘Awesome,’ was B’s comment), painted six toe nails as they are the only ones showing, climbed into shoes (see Outrageously High below), and finally made big, multi-looped bow in wide slate ribbon (£1.50) which hubbie strategically placed on black velvety clutch (at least 15 years old) with huge safety pin (couldn’t see the pin – which was good). And we were out of there!! So as I say, boys will be in for a shock waiting for their girl friends to get ready!

Fathers' Day

As I picked the Fathers' Day cards up off the floor once more - knocked over with all the toings and froings and comings and goings of the guys camped out in the kitchen (one new kitchen in a lifetime is too many!) - I had to giggle again at B's card. He bought a lovely card for his Dad and scribed some serious words. Do all thirteen year olds think like this? - ‘Thanks, Dad, for all the support you’ve given me with my running! You seem to get wiser every year.’ He meant it in a lovely way, we think! In reality, of course, as Dad pointed out, it is B’s listening skills which improve as time goes on.

DIY is like marmite

We are having a kitchen fitted including new patio doors. Most of the project is being undertaken by various skilled craftsmen. However, hubby thought we should try to do something ourselves – show the children us doing DIY and trying to save some money. He chose painting the patio doors. 'Simples!' I said (and we'd save £75 - that's the Scot in me). Did you know there are 10 different pieces to preserve and paint (minimum 4 coats for each with sanding in between each coat)? The two main doors are particularly heavy and difficult to handle. And all the pieces are so deeply grooved with holes for hinges and locks and what not, that they are a real challenge. Paint everywhere! And then of course, 'you have to go with the grain!' and 'you can't let the paint run!' and don't get bits on the brush like that!' Personally, £75 was cheap at the price. However, we'd never have found the wood-worm in the right-hand door frame (which we had replaced!) if we hadn't painted them ourselves!

Outrageously high

No, it’s not the cost of food or holidays. It’s the height of my new shoes. I'm not a tomboy, but I was never one for the girly-shopping-clothes bit. Quite feminine but not particularly glam. Wow, has that changed. Went shopping with hubbie and he bought me a BSN (black slinky number because LNB just doesn’t do it justice) and new shoes which are so high, they come in a square box! Of course, we included the boys in this new venture – I asked their opinion. They thought I looked, ‘OK!’. I used the opportunity to show them that it is important to be learning all the time, just as I am, I said, as I researched walking in high heels without looking totally ridiculous!

The not so dreaded times tables

We have just had great news. ZooBooKoo commissioned an independent trial at a school to see just how effective our Maths Wraps are in helping children to learn their times tables. In the trial one Year 3 class used Maths Wraps and the other Year 3 class did not. Each class took the same pre- and post- times tables tests and worked through the curriculum for a four week period. The results showed that the Maths Wrap class doubled their speed of progress in learning their tables. These are amazing results - I think we deserve a glass of wine (or two) tonight to celebrate.

New extreme sport

Discovered new form of exhilarating extreme sport – fridge-boarding! Very tricky and not for the faint-hearted. We had to move the fridge freezer out of the kitchen (for the on-going project) and clever hubby fetched B’s Monsters Ink skateboard (I knew we had children for a reason!). And between us we got that fridge on that board and moved it into the next room – without emptying the fridge, without spillages and without (much) swearing!! Great lesson for the kids - so, we've got to move the fridge from A to B - how would you do it? This guy had a clever approach - and further to go!

Welcome to Blogdom

Oh gosh, I have just taken that great big step into Blogdom. My curiosity got the better of me and I thought I would give it a go. Not sure what I was or am expecting, time will tell.