So how was swimming Sarah?

‘cos it went well here. We were late, again, but it wasn’t our fault – is it just me that thinks signs saying “Swimming pool carpark” imply that the car park is meant for users of the swimming pool? Apparently there was a cross country taking place somewhere around the place – so the carpark was full, we had to go park down the hill on the roadside. Grr…

Anyway, Big made a good attempt at everything in the lesson, and thoroughly enjoyed herself, except for the minute when she decided I was laughing at her and burst into tears. 🙁 In my defense she was having such a hard time swimming on her back with a back float belt on (I need that devil icon off Alison’s blog…)

We went and paid in a cheque at Morrison’s, where there was a chap selling poppies. This led on to a discussion of why, and wars, and what various bits of our family did in the war (WW2, I’ve no idea who did what in WW1), who was in charge where, how ppl fought…you get the picture.

Next stop was the library, so as well as learn to read books (she chose them!) we got a couple about the way, and the conversations continued on the way home and at home. We looked for pictures of Flanders fields with the poppies, read some poetry, and discussed it all with Tim as well. I think we might build this into a bit of a project over the next few days – I’d like Big to talk to her grandfather about it as well. He was in the navy. Not sure whether my grandad’s sword is still about – he was dropped at Arnhem (it’s my mother’s middle name as he was listed as missing afterwards – she was born Jan ’45).

This afternoon I decided to try to excavate this room – was a bit of a mistake as I located several credit card bills. 🙁 Not that I didn’t know about them, I did, but it’s somehow different to see them in a pile. I think that after Melrose, unless things get very different, very quickly, I’m going to be looking for a job and a childminder. Big helped with the sorting of stuff, and Small was a little horror. I don’t know what you are supposed to do with small children who hit ppl – Big never hit anyone particularly, but Small likes to climb on your back and beat you round the head.

I got lower and lower all day – the finances, or lack thereof, of our life getting to me a bit. So when the children were eating tea, I went and plastered mud all over my hair. I’ve still got it on, along with clingfilm and a towel.

The one good bit about today was that Small didn’t get a nap, so he went to sleep really early. I’ve watched Hornblower and read blogs (not that all that many ppl have updated them, sigh) and now I’m going to start work, about an hour earlier than I usually get to.

oh, and I almost forgot – I’d like to ban fireworks with plastic bits. When it’s illegal to drop litter, and you can get fined for it, how can it be legal to fire bits of plastic into the air to land in other ppl’s gardens????