Sweet music

Little bear is 'being good'.  It is way past his bed time, but he is listening to a cd in his bedroom and it is the cd of the piano lessons.  I can hear it really clearly over the monitor.  I didn't realise how quickly you could get sick of a cd.

I should go up and read the riot act, but I know the arguments - it's not fair, it's really quiet (it isn't), it's helping him go to sleep and it's for the piano.  He is starting early with the, '...but it's educational...'  excuse.  To be honest - I am just too exhausted.  The cd doesn't run for ever.  It just feels like it. 

And add to that, darling father has brought home a guitar.  A little bear sized guitar, just right for him, no doubt confident that I can remember nearly thirty years ago to when I played the guitar and teach little bear.  He is somewhat optimistic if he thinks that. 

So Proud of little bear

Little bear has just come home from school with his very first report, and it is brilliant!  He is above the expected level across the board and is described as popular, polite and sensible.  He loses the polite and sensible on the way home, but I am soooooo proud of him.

Off for proud mum gloat!

The world is so interesting...

I wish I had known about this, but I could not have afforded it - a Victorian vampire slaying kit!  The story on the BBC here makes me feel all mischievous.

I have too many stories to write.  This may make it into one of them.

Grumpy again

School - two clear days notice for particular clothing.  It isn't too bad, it is just for a particular colour and yes, I can scratch around and get it, but really!  Two clear days!  I have too much imagination and can think of dozens of reasons why finding top and trousers of particular colours with no logo within two days could be a stretch. 

They have known about this for weeks.  Is it so hard for them to give us a little more notice? 

Not so grumpy today

It is interesting - I am not so grumpy today.  I was sick in the night (tea is beginning to affect me more and more and not in a good way) and the garden looks like a duvet has been sick in it.  The local large stand of poplars are shedding their fluffy seeds everywhere, and I feel I have to be careful not to inhale the dratted things.  At least with this stormy weather the seeds haven't settled as much as they usually do.  Normally it looks like a duvet has been been disembowelled.

However I am actually quite cheerful.  After dropping little bear off at school I walked along to Makro, withstood looking at anything else and bought 5 litres of white vinegar, for cleaning purposes.  Then without a pause or stop I walked back to the house.  Eighteen months ago I couldn't have done this, it would have been physically too much. 

I have no idea why I am getting better, but I am.  Now all I need to do is channel that a bit positively. 

Evil cat is not happy

Evil cat cannot be having with this sort of weather at her time of life.  Yesterday she was queuing at the door, demanding to go out.  The rain was coming down like a solid sheet and I was doubtful but she was insistent, so I opened the door.  The poor old cat stuck her head out into the driving rain, reversed hurriedly and gave me a filthy look.  Why had I left the shower on outside?

In the afternoon there was a dry patch with only the wind being severe.  Evil cat trotted out, her ears blew backwards and she looked extremely grumpy indeed.  She tried having a little wander around but for a short haired cat she has quite long fur and it was being blown into all sorts of clumps.  She came in, sat in front of the fire and glared at me.  She is very clear - it is my fault and she is not happy. 

Bad news

Little bear has brought home the class bear.  This is not good.  Well, actually it is good because he is the 'Star of the Week' and is brilliant.  However we have to not under any circumstances lose the class bear - and take a photo of it doing something exotic.  Last time we got the class bear it was snowing, so the *%@& bear could be photographed next to a snow man.  OH suggests positioning the hostage to fortune on top of a slide this time.  I am considering something that is not suitable for a younger audience.  I mean, what do you do?  Apart from glare in frustration at the teacher who isn't aware of how terrified I am of the class bear being happened to while in our care. 

And breathe. 

And on top of that, the class photo.  The least expensive option is £8.  That's on top of £40 for Martial Arts Summer camp, £17 entry to Martial Arts competition and £15 t-shirt acquired in dubious circumstances (not the Martial Arts fault I hasten to add - they are brilliant!).  Then there is the out of school club he wants to go on, and the £72 I have just paid out for piano lessons, etc etc etc.  I have just booked for us to go for another week in Whitby next year. It is like the money is growing legs and marching out of the door. 

The £8 would get you just one photo.  If you want more, you have to pay for each one, of course.  And then there is the deluxe version, with a calendar on it, for £10.  I can hear the sound of doting relatives' purses opening as these things land home. 

Now I have to go and extract little bear from darling father's room and force him to practice his piano.  He will object, argue and sulk - then really enjoy himself.  Sigh.