Back to school

This year the summer holidays have mostly involved activities at home.  We usually go out a lot in the school holidays but going out with 4 children, a wheelchair and a double buggy is challenging to say the least. 

I decided to take a book or film each week and do activities around the theme.  I also wanted to make sure we did some messy play, to try and encourage Isaac.  I think we did well, considering we have a small baby.

Malachi making paper dolls in hairspray week

 

Jeremiah in the secret passage during famous five week

 

Isaac making snow angels during the lion, the witch and the wardrobe week

 

Playing with spaghetti during harry potter week

 

We even made it on holiday to Wales, where Jeremiah climbed Snowdon

 

Isaac wheeled himself round Cardiff.  Malachi kept trying to make breaks for freedom and Ezekiel mostly slept and fed.

 

So now the older boys are back at school.  We are having our bathroom refitted so mostly I am keeping Malachi out of the way of the builders.  I'm also focussing more on Malachi-centred activities rather than helping him join in with whatever I have planned with the older boys in mind.

 

Ezekiel's needs are still mostly milk, cuddles and sleep.  His weight gain has slowed down so we have been trying various things to help that.  Weigh in tomorrow and then hip scan on Thursday.





 

 

 

 

Back to school again

We spent half term doing mostly nothing apart from a trip to puxton park.

So now Jeremiah and Isaac are back at school.  Parents evening tonight, physio with Malachi tomorrow.  Only 7 weeks until the Christmas holidays and yes I am counting!

Things we haven't done yet

During the summer term if the older boys want to do something that's going to take up a lot of time I often tell them we will do it in the holidays.  At this stage of the holidays we usually realise we haven't done most of it!  So this week we have been to Upper Holway play area and French Weir park.  Just got playing in the ball pool, making new all about me books and tie dying t-shirts to do before they go back to school.

Playing quidditch

Well, the 4th week of the holidays has gone and we have mostly been playing quidditch in the garden.  Everyone riding on brooms, mops, toy golf clubs etc.  Trying to get the football (quaffle) in the trampoline net while also trying to find the bouncy ball (snitch) in the grass.  It has mostly been just me, Jeremiah and Isaac playing but today I sat Malachi on a broom and ran around with him and he was shrieking with excitement so I must make sure I help him play again next time.  Simon's Dad also played and spent some time moving the snitch around which make it more fun as the games were lasting longer and more chance to score goals.

Yesterday Simon, his dad, Jeremiah and Isaac went on a 6 mile hike.  Simon spent most of the time trying to get the wheelchair through the mud and I had to clean the wheelchair afterwards but I'm glad Isaac was able to be included.  Today on the radio they were talking about the paralympics and someone mentioned wheelchair rugby so I think I got off lightly.  I wouldn't want to clean a rugby players wheelchair!

Photos

Because I keep forgetting to include photos with my posts.

Malachi playing with his jumping frog

Reading

Jeremiah and Isaac waiting for a bus in the rain

The park, snow and the price of cot sheets

Yesterday we went to the park again.  It was probably one of the sunniest days we have had all summer.  There were lots of people feeding the ducks, playing football and sunbathing.  Jeremiah and Isaac enjoyed themselves and came back covered in sand as usual.

Isaac spent a lot of the time on the slide/climbing frame in the shape of a train.  Jeremiah spent most of the time moving too fast for me to take photos.

Today we played snow on a baking tray.  We got some toy cars and some of that weird soapy foam stuff and Jeremiah had great fun burying the cars in the "snow".  Isaac wasn't too keen.  He said it was messy so he watched from a distance, letting out a shriek whenever Jeremiah flicked "snow" at him.

I need to move Malachi out of the moses basket into the cot.  He still fits it it fine but I'm hoping that having the room to roll around will encourage him to do it more.  It's kind of sad though, knowing that when I put the moses basket away it will be for the last time.  I've washed the hood and the lining so it's all ready for the final photo.  I thought I'd buy some new bedding for the cot as the stuff I've got has been puked on and washed so many times it's looking tatty now.  When I looked on the mothercare website I was quite shocked at how expensive everything was.  £22.99 for a cot blanket!  Babies r us were charging similar.  I'm going to look on ebay.

fun with balls

This week I've been trying to do things with the children that we won't have time to do once the new term starts.  So today we got out my old birth pool.  I thought about filling it with water but when I thought about how long it took to fill and then to empty and dry last time we used it, I decided to put balls in it instead.

Jeremiah has grown a lot since the last time he was in here

Isaac

fun with balls

I thought it would tire them out but by the end of the afternoon they were more hyper than usual.  They enjoyed themselves though and even Malachi joined in.

Time with Malachi

While Jeremiah and Isaac were with Simon's mum and dad I took the opportunity to spend some time with Malachi.  I got out the play nest thing that we haven't used since Isaac was a baby because it takes up half the living room.  We played with the treasure basket which Malachi loved.  Malachi's favourite thing was playing with Isaac's keyboard.  Of course this morning when I suggested to Isaac that Malachi might like to play with his toys I got "the look" from Isaac and a determined "no I don't think so" which is the standard response to anything he isn't keen on.

Now we are into the last week of the holidays.  I know it's a cliche but it's flown by.  Next Monday Jeremiah is back to school and next Wednesday Isaac starts preschool.  I will miss the freedom that we have in the holidays.

Trip to the park

Today we went to Vivary park.  Isaac did a lot of walking.  Malachi went on a swing for the first time.  It's not a park we go to much as it's in Taunton and normally we go to Taunton for the shops.  The park has had a huge makeover since we were there last and all 3 boys had a great time.  We came home very tired and covered in sand.  I found it quite hard keeping an eye on all 3 of them without going cross-eyed lol especially while taking photos too.  I think I might take the younger 2 boys when Jeremiah is at school next time or go at the weekend when Simon can help.

Jeremiah - 5 years 1 month

Jeremiah built this at the weekend.

It was bigger than this, there is a section that went under the table as well.  I was seriously impressed.  It's the first time I've seen one of my children do something and I've thought I couldn't do that.  Although Isaac can bend over and put his head through his legs and I can't do that either!