Half term – day 3

The kids are up at 5.45am, and the day starts with cuddles on the sofa and dvd’s on the TV, sugar puffs and blinis for breakfast.

CD leaves for work at 9ish and GM and LML take Lolly to nursery half an hour later.  They walk the mile to nursery, LML riding on the buggy board and walking – she is charming and funny all they way, cooperative and responsive to requests.  GM thanks LML profusely when they get to nursery. Goodbye kisses and hugs  to Lolly, who begins playing as soon as she arrives at nursery, and GM sets of to the train station with LML.

The pair go to visit Grandma, intending to stay for lunch.  The journey is great, LML being her usual loud self, but lacking any major challenges or tantrums.  They arrive early to hear that there are a number of other family members expected, and lunch will not be until 1.  GM worries that it will be a struggle to entertain an increasingly hungry and tired LML for another hour and a half, and manages to get LML to lay down with her for 15 minutes when she sees her teetering on the edge of a ‘naughty’ spiral.  This does the trick and LML continues to be delightful, if a bit – or very – cheeky with grandma.

She runs up behind the 80+ year old and smacks her bottom, or tickles her leg, or taps her elbow and when grandma turns and say’s “who’s that?” LML runs away laughing, then turns to blow a raspberry.  Grandma blows a raspberry back and makes a move in LML’s direction, making her laugh more, blow more raspberries and be more cheeky.  The pair play the game over and over throughout the visit, adding variations and developing a loose routine.  GM knows that LML will pick this game up again, next visit and hopes that her mother will remember and engage in it as enthusiastically!

8 people eventually sit down for lunch, LML eats plenty, especially given the number of people.  After lunch GM leaves for home, calling in at a playground on the way to the train station.  LML is really flagging by the time they arrive back in the home town, and falls asleep on GM’s lap on the bus home.    CD arrives home with Lolly about 45 minutes after GM and LML, and LML has had time to settle down back home and is watching a dvd when they get in.  Lolly has cuddles from GM and very very few ‘hits’ from LML and both enjoy a stress free bath time.

LML murmurs night night as she is put to bed, alreay more than half asleep.

GM leaves the room, feeling proud of her eldest daughter, and relieved that they have had one really ‘good’ day during the school break.

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Half Term – day 1

When she was at nursery, it was clear that LML did not really enjoy ‘time off’.  Holidays at home tended to be stressful for everyone, so the mostly functional parents kept her in nursery for her two days a week, unless it was closed or they were actually going away.

School holidays are something that the family will have to navigate carefully.

Day 1 – Lolly & LML are at home with GM.  A quiet and domestic morning is followed by a bus ride to a nice park with a great playground.  GM has arrange to meet a good friend and her children, the eldest being the same age as LML.

GM leaves early, deciding that it’s better to be out than in.  The girls have a lovely time in the play ground, but are starting to flag a bit, when the friend arrives half an hour late (that’s babies for you, always holding things up!).  The children renew their friendships, run and play , chase and generally interact.  LML only hits or pushes her friend 3 times in 15 minutes, and the friend copes well.

After 20 minutes GM can see that LML and Lolly really need to move on from the play ground so the group walk, skip, run and zig-zag through the lovely park, to the animal house (rabbits, rodents, fish & reptiles).  It’s closed – it shuts it’s doors at 3.30pm!  GM and her friend grumble at the stupidity of that and take the girls to the bandstand for a run around.

After 5 minutes LML has hit her friend about 6 times, so she is confined to the push chair.  It’s clear that she has had enough running and social interaction as she puts her thumb in her mouth and settles into the buggy.  Lolly still seems raring to go, and runs away over and over again as the group make their way to the exit, and screams her objection to being put on the buggy board.

The bus is due in 10 minutes so snacks are purchased and eaten, to ease the wait.  The bus doesn’t turn up.  Eventually, after 30 minutes, four tantrums (Lolly – 1, LML – 2, GM -1), a push chair switch-over and  half an apple, the family are safely and warmly on the bus.  LML wants to sit on a seat by herself, but GM makes her sit on her knee – “you need my body heat sweetheart” she explains and soon LML is wrapped around her mum, snuggling under the coat and warming up.

Fish fingers and chips go down a treat and it’s nearly bath time.  CD texts to say that he is stuck on a stationary bus in almost unmoving traffic.  LML has hit or pushed Lolly a dozen times in last half hour and GM is flagging big time.

After much roaring (GM) and crying (LML), both girls are bathed and ready for bed.  Peace is restored, rice cake and milk consumed.  Lolly is dozing in GM’s arms when she is carried upstairs to bed, and LML is having a cuddle and nodding off when CD finally arrives home.