Bathtime at Thing Central

And I said 'Come on Things, its bath time now!'

 Stupidly, I thought this would be easy somehow. 

 But of course; 'I can't!' pipes up Thing 1, 

'I had a toy motorbike, now its gone!'

 Out into the garden to root through the gravel, 

 I'm wondering, How far did this motorbike travel?! 

He looks in the mud, down the side of the bin, 

Behind the shed, by the pond, and then, he comes in;

 He looks under the table, behind the chair, 

In the kitchen cupboard, it just isn't there.

 I'm about to think it'll never be found,

Then a whoop of joy, a happiness sound. 

'Don't worry, mum! The bike! I've got it!

 It was here, all along, in my trouser pocket!' 

 'Bathtime, Things!' I begin again,

Halfway up the stairs ....and then... 

'I've lost my toy, my cuddly rabbit! 

 Where can it be? I'm sure I just had it!' 

Back down the stairs, a searching Thing 2,

 And down we all follow, what else can we do?

 A search commences, we look high and low,

 Where would a pink bunny be likely to go?

 Search under the table, bum in the air, 

No sign of the toy, it is not under there.

 Then a yell from upstairs; I've found my teddy!

 I forgot I'd put it in bed already. 

 Back up we all traipse, bath bound at last, 

 Another hour has managed to pass.

 We get to the bathroom, soon bubble bath run, 

I turn and I count; Thing 2 and Thing 1. 

Seemingly, now I've lost Thing 3, 

Where has she gone? Where can she be?!

 I look in the bedroom, behind the door, 

I feel as though I can't take much more.

 Back down the stairs, and sat on a chair, 

 A little Thing 3 is brushing her hair,

 Whilst she speaks to the remote like it is a phone, 

I take one look, and audibly groan. 

Pick up the escaped Thing and take her back up, 

Back to the bathroom and plonk in the tub. 

 Now they're all playing, happy with their lot.

 And do i look forward to this again? I do not

Spring fun day and horse-cows

Today, I visited nursery with Thing 2, for a spring fun day open afternoon. She was exceptionally giddy to have me in school.

We stuck lots of shiny bits onto a picture of The Rainbow fish. Then I was dragged outside by a hyper Thing, who showed me the sandpit, the flowers, the willow tunnel, the tyres; bouncing from one to the next like a pinball.
We were then to go into the forest school, first to go on a bear hunt (seeking out cuddly bears) and then finding items from a list and placing them in an envelope; dandelions, pine cones, feathers, daisies, leaves and much more. Thing 2's attention stopped at the words; feathers and pine cones. We ended up with an envelope just of these items.... Lots of these items; which we were then lucky enough to get to take home! (Yes, I said that through gritted teeth!)

Upon our return to the classroom, we ogled the tadpoles and then made puppies from the playdough (quite actually the most amazing playdough EVER! - it was full of glitter and smelt of mints! I'm amazed Thing 2 hadn't tried to eat it..... I'm amazed that I didn't try to eat it!).

Thing 2 was eager to get on with tidy up time and so decided, once she'd finished with the playdough, then she would begin tidying stuff away.... Even if someone was still playing with it.... Because that's how tidy Things roll!


We got to leave early, although we didn't take Thing 1 early as he had an after school club to go to. So me and Thing 2 had a nice stroll home together. thing 2's day was quite possibly made awesome when she spotted a 'horse-cow' in a field we were passing. Oh how pleased she was.

And, an improvement on last time we attended an activity day at nursery.... We didn't come home with any items that should've remained at school! Result!

Trams, Things and going underground

It was unanimously decided that, whilst in Llandudno, it was the prescribed law to visit the Great Orme at least once (and that you'd get AT LEAST 3 points from your being if you did - 3 added if you didn't - Thing 1).... So we did. Myself, three Things in tow.... Things' granny, grandad, two aunts, an uncle and 3 cousins.

We arrived at said tram (ridiculously tram- full) , purchased tickets (well, I didn't... I'm assuming that a sister or mother in law did .... Otherwise I'm a thieving criminal!). Do note, welsh police, I really did have tickets! (Or I hope my caring relatives did!).

We had a mini drama as I had to physically extract Thing 3 from her pushchair to get her onto the tram ... Then fold up said pushchair and wriggle my way on to the busy tram to find the rest of the family.

The tram ride was fun. The Things loved it. I did have to keep a check on Thing 1 who developed a habit of sticking his head out of the side rather a bit too far, and also on Thing 3 who would probably have jumped did I not have her in a bear hug. Thing 2 was being a girly girl and sitting with her glamorous hairdresser auntie, to whom she'd taken quite a shine.

We eventually reached the top and headed to the cafe for refreshments. A GIANT cookie per Thing, and teas an coffees all round for the grown ups.

The Things picked the smarties off the top of their cookies and then decided that they needed to visit the shop; where they gravitated towards oversized Biros.... I allowed Things 1 and 2 to have one each (I paid for these! Honest!) and convinced the Biro hugging Thing 3 that she would much prefer a fold up hairbrush.... I could pre-empt the state the hotel room walls may find themselves in, were I to allow a 1year old free reign of a biro!

It was then decided that Thing family would visit the Great Orme copper mines. Thing 1 was most excited about this fact and Things 2 and 3 soon caught on to the fact that they were embarking on an adventure.
The sun shone brightly; the heat was lovely; it actually felt like we were on set of 'The Flintstones'. The Things were so excited being in the mines. All three held tight to their hard hats (Things 1&2: red, Thing 3: pink) and made their way through the barely lit twists and turns that are the ancient mines. Thing 1 wondered about the fact he was under the ground. Thing 2 ran back and forth informing me she'd found rocks. Thing 3 ran her hands over the stone and occasionally stopped in order to lick it. We had fun!

We soon headed back to the hotel and I then left Thing dad with Things 1 and sleeping 3 and took Thing 2 out to browse the shops. We had been gone about 15 minutes before I received a phone call from Thing dad informing me that Thing 3 had awoken and was refusing to stop crying. We ran back and collected the crying Thing 3 and took her back out with us.

All too soon, it was time to return to the hotel and get ready for our evening meal. As it was Thing granny and Thing grandad's golden wedding anniversary, we had to get downstairs earlier than planned in order to place set and the like; not an easily planned feat with three Things to deal with! But, we managed, and it was a lovely evening, with beautiful food served in The Imperial Hotel's award winning restaurant, Chantrey's. I highly recommend it! Even the Things loved it and they are fussy eaters! (The free colouring books that they were given may have helped!). I have to admit, I did wolf my meal down as Thing 3 had decided to take mealtimes as the best time to cry and tant,until picked up and then practise the 'Thing fling' (pushing backwards in your arms and practically unbalancing you) until you walk around jiggling and rocking her about. Although, I can't complain too much, as her naughtiness did lead me to meet the manager of the hotel,who was most pleasant, introduced himself and asked after the 'Things'.

After coffee, we returned to the room, full and tired and sad that we were to leave for home the following day. ... At least we could get a good nights sleep in those lovely hotel beds....

Three Things in a hotel

Back home at Thing Central, as I sit and eat a rather lacklustre "dinner" of take-away soggy pizza and chips (haven't the energy to cook), I find myself reflecting on the last couple of days; Thing Central has stood quiet and empty and Three Things have been causing chaos in Llandudno, N.Wales.

It was touch and go all of last week as to whether we would be going to Wales, all or partially, in consideration of the Things' pox. It was decided late on Thursday that's we would indeed be going, following a trip to both the Drs and local hospital and receiving an all clear with regard to the Things' contagiousness. They'd also perked up a bit by Thursday and so the unanimous vote was to head Wales-way the following morning.

Friday morning was madness! To say I'd packed mine and all three Things' clothes about a fortnight ago, I still seemed to have a mountain of jobs to get done on Friday before we left! There were toiletries to pack, and countless snacks for the journey to be organised; Bottles and nappies, not to mention getting all three Things dressed and clean. We eventually
set off at something nearing 11am (for those who know me, I don't do late in the day travelling! If I'd had my way, we'd have been in Llandudno for breakfast time!).

We made good progress, considering we had to run a few errands on our way out and were in Llandudno a little before 1pm. This suited us fine as check-in wasn't until 2. By the time we arrived, both girl things had succumbed to the relaxing movement that is a car journey, and were softly snoring in the back. Thing 1 had talked for practically the entire journey (never have I wished for a soundproof partition between front and back of vehicle more than I did at weekend), and continued to talk away as Things' dad skilfully manoeuvred the car into a parking space nowhere near big enough to fit said car.

Once parked up, Thing 1 giddily jumped from his seat and clambered into the front, where he plonked himself on my knee and re-took up his endless chatter. I was understandably relieved once the Things' paternal grandparents (whose Golden wedding anniversary was the reason for the weekend trip) arrived and took a bouncing Thing 1 up to reception with them, to check in, whilst I roused the still sleeping girls.
Thing 2 was tremendously excited to be at the 'Hoteyl', understandably so, as it was their first ever hotel stay, and was eager to see the room.

We were allocated a suite, and were surprised to find that we were also lucky enough to have a sea view; Three things bounded around excitedly, looking in drawers, exploring the bathroom, licking the walls and generally being Thing-like. Thing 3's entire face lit up as she was lifted to see out of the window and she giggled at the view.

A swift unload of the luggage and unpack later, I left Things' dad to get some rest after the drive and myself, all three Things and Things' granny went for a walk along the prom and on the pier.
We ended up in the arcade and then had to stop every couple of seconds along the pier so that Thing 1 could look through the gaps in the boards to "see what is down there!" (The sea?!)
Eventually we meandered back to the family friendly hotel (The Imperial) if anyone was wondering, and headed room way and changed our clothes .

Feeling fresh and invigorated, we bounded down to the dining room. The Things behaved surprisingly well, the staff tolerated the Things surprisingly well and the food was absolutely amazing! Yum! A day in Llandudno, staying at The Imperial hotel, is pretty hard to match!

Yes! 3 Things poxed.... She says, sitting here with a crying Thing 2 and a just gone to sleep Thing 3

Christmas? Birthdays? What are they in comparison to 'pox' day? The excitement on Thing 2's little face this morning as she discovered she did indeed have chickenpox, is indescribable.
Alas, she was back into the 'in-crowd'; no longer left out; the pack of Things were again in union; She had the pox! She was so proud and kept lifting her top to count 'how many now?'.

The post lady knocked on to deliver a parcel; Thing 2 proudly announced that she had 'chicken pots', whilst lifting her top to show them off.

Sadly, all wasn't so happy for little Thing 3. She spent last night waking every hour, crying, itching and feeling generally under the weather. This morning we both looked like we'd pulled an all-nighter.... Oh, we had in fact done just so....
She is covered head to toe, including pox amongst her eyelashes. So today I took the executive decision to obtain one of those elusive Drs appointments.
I phoned from the time the surgery opened until about a half an hour after opening time... Continually it was an engaged line and then, it just kept cutting off.
I did the legally obligated school run of thing 1 and once I got back I roused the husband and Things 2 & 3 and we drove down to the Drs. I went in; greeted by mrs Brash, the receptionist, who brashly informed me that the phone lines were open and, after a wee bit of brash cohesion, mrs Brash came up with a midday appointment with the head practitioner.

We headed home, Thing 2 pranced about a bit, dressed herself in her Drs outfit and 'treated' herself for chickenpox (apparently modern day treatment is bashing your own knee with a reflex hammer countless times and then listening to your own big toe using a stethoscope).

We headed back to the surgery for the allotted 12pm appointment ... Signed ourselves in with Mrs Brash as the automated system was out of order (in five years I've seen it work once). Thing 3 did well in the 'I'm poorly, so I'm resisting the urge to body slide on the wonderfully polished surgery floor even though its killing me inside not to' stakes . The only bit of rebellion was her launching of a trainer at the surgery notice board announcing; what we did in 2012, with photos, dating back to 2010 (damn you digital photo date adding).
After what seemed like a lifetime (five minutes) we were called in. Dr D agreed, it's pretty severe and we are now referred to the local hospital for the smallest Thing to have her eyes checked thanks to the eyelid pox.

Thing 2 remained smug and proud until about half an hour ago, when she awoke crying and being grumpy. It took a fair amount of convincing for her to take Calpol; including myself taking a spoonful (yum!) to show her it was yummy. I would've rather avoided having to try it . I had to convince Thing 3 to take her two medicines by trying them first myself... This sort of scenario makes me wonder; is it just me?! Or how many parents are unknowingly walking about under the influence of a misguided 'yet another' intake of 5ml of cherry calpol?! Bunch of druggy parents! Or maybe it's just me... But cherry calpol .... Doesn't half taste good!!!

Return of the pox... Much to Thing 2's dismay

'When I'm bigger, I will get chickenpox because I'm bigger'
Thing 2, age 3

After a couple of days of having a big,spotty, brother, Thing 2 had become quite attached to the thought of getting chickenpox. She had begun to see it as a sign of being more grown up.

Every morning since Thing 1 announced with pride that he had chickenpox, Thing 2 has woken me with the instruction to look at her back and search her for chickenpox... To no avail.

This morning was no different. My attention was demanded to look at her and check for the spots. No spots visible.
This afternoon was a different matter though...Thing 3 had a rough afternoon. Crying and not able to get comfy. Finally, after munching on mud in the garden, she found the land of nod. When she awoke, she screamed and shouted. Flung herself about and caused chaos.
I checked her back; two chickenpox. I showed Thing 1 and he ran to tell Thing 2.
Thing 2 then marched into the room,hands on hips, demanding proof of this revelation. I showed her, she sulked momentarily. Feet were stamped, that dreaded phrase; 'it's not fair!' Was uttered.

But then, she settled most happily into mother hen role; asserting that 'only big sisters can give calpol to little sisters'. Thing 3 wholeheartedly agreed by point blank refusing my attempt to administer medication, but gleefully taking it when offered to her by Thing 2.
Thing 2 then fussed over the littlest Thing and tucked her into her doll's wooden cradle.

Two down and one to go..... But what is it they say? Two out of three ain't bad!!!

Chickenpox, chicken spots, dot-to-dots

'Mum! I've got chicken spots'
Thing 1, age 5

'Mummy! Thing 1's got dot-to-dots!'
Thing 2, age 3


This is how I was awoken this morning. I have never seen more pride in a small being as I saw in Thing 1 as he attempted to count his spots including those on his back. Thing 2 took over and announced that there was most definitely more than one hundred.... On his back alone. There wasn't .... At first count there were about 11 on his back. However, by the end of the day there were 42. That's not just a guess.... I was made to play 'count the spots' every hour or so.

Thing 2 has been persistently checking her own body and that of Thing 3 looking for chickenpox .... She's resigned herself that she will get them when she's "bigger" ... Now there's something to look forward to!

I on the other hand am hoping all hope that the girl Things get chickenpox this coming week.... Countdown to weekend away in Wales .... Twelve days .... They have to have it over and done with by then! We have FREE pool access!!!