Ill boys

Eye on the ball

Well I have got behind haven't I?  My excuse - lots of birthday parties, both boys being ill and trying to restyle the house ready to be put back on the market.

Party season is now drawing to a close, last one is tomorrow, Tom is well again and Matt is on the mend (it takes him much longer to get over things than Tom).  The house is (I think) almost unrecognisable - the lounge and the downstairs bedroom have had a huge makeover, most of the pictures are in new frames, the whole place has had a spring clean, there have been numerous trips to the tip, and many many things have been given away.  There is definitely less clutter and after a 8 hour cleaning marathon on Monday, I am determined to keep it clean and clutter free, cleaning and clearing as I go rather than let it build up.  We will see how long the 'new Nik' lasts!

Anyway, as I said, both boys have been ill.  This started with Tom two weeks ago.  He was invited to a make your own pizza party at Pizza Hut.  When he woke up he wasn't himself (got into bed with us in the morning, snuggled down and didn't want to do books or lark around as he usually does).  He ate his breakfast but was a little subdued.  We took him to the party, he was OK to start with, then got grumpy and then started to cry and couldn't stop.  He had a fever so we made our excuses and left early.  Tom was asleep before we left the car park.  He then slept for about 3 hours (good for us as we got loads done with house)  He perked up a little in the afternoon, ate his dinner and then went to bed after a shot of Calpol.

Fangs

Sunday we could tell he wasn't well as his eyes didn't look good.  Once again he didn't play in the morning and just got into bed and snuggled up with us.  He ate breakfast, had a shot of Calpol and then we suggested a trip to Cosford which cheered him up.  Away we went and even though he wasn't well, he had a good time, especially in the 'fun n flight' area where his favourite airplane cargo dropping exhibit was working.  We then went to Codsall Station for a fish finger sandwich which he managed, and then he fell asleep on the drive home and slept for another 3 hours.  He then managed a roast dinner in the evening before going to bed.

Monday he looked much better, so we did our usual routine - playgroup and Asda.  I did get a nap out of him though which of course was great for me.

Tuesday he woke up with 'ill eyes' again.  I asked him if he wanted to go to nursery and he said yes, so I took him along and told them to give me a call if he went down hill.  He stayed the course, but slept for 2 hours on getting home.  Same happened on Wednesday.

Thursday he had turned a corner, woke up with clear eyes and was a looney in the morning - hurray.  We went to Jungleland as usual and he did really well, his confidence has really grown since the two party weekend and I found I was actually able to talk to some of the mums rather than spending all my time with a clingy boy - hurray (again)!

Friday we went to gymnastics as usual and then a quick trip to Ikea for meatballs and to spend even more money (sigh)! Then to piggies playbarn to meet up with Daisy and Simon for a good play.  Tom stayed the course so was obviously much better.

John Deere (after his tantrum!)

Matt in the meantime was rapidly going downhill.  He now had the ill eyes and really wasn't looking good at all.  We had planned to meet up with Jude in Oswestry on Saturday, so Tom and I went, leaving Matt behind.  We met up at Gillham's - home of Matt's favourite sausage rolls but where they also do lots of other lovely food (stilton, caramelised onion and mushroom panini - which was very VERY good) and cheese on toast for the boy (which he wouldn't eat).  Actually Tom didn't have a very good day at all - he was grumpy and disobedient for most of it which wasn't great.  On the way back we popped into Attingham Park for a run around.  They had some new toy John Deere tractor ride on toys which Tom took to immediately.  Unfortunately, other children were playing with them so I got a full on tantrum (fun, fun, fun!)  When one finally became free we discovered that his legs were too short and not powerful enough to ride it properly - not great because he stubbornly refused to accept that he couldn't ride it properly and instead dragged it around the courtyard.  Eventually he saw that I was speaking sense and opted for a smaller version which he played on for a while.  We then went to the playground and then went home to a puffy eyed Daddy.  Macaroni cheese was requested (comfort food) proving that Matt wasn't well - good for all of us though as we all LOVE macaroni cheese.

Sunday we had another grumpy day.  Matt was grumpy as he was still ill, and Tom was grumpy because he wasn't 100% either.  We took Tom's bike and he loved it to start with but suddenly he got tired and he cried and cried.  This made Matt even grumpier - not a good combination so we came home asap had lunch, Tom had a nap and Matt a lie down.  The afternoon was a little better - the boys made peace with each other and played quite nicely (phew!)

The rest of the week was pretty normal apart from Matt being ill (he's still not right now, although much better!)  Monday Tom went into nursery for a whole day so I could attack the house - as usual time flew and although I gave it my best shot I didn't get it finished - it is amazing how much dirt you can find when you are looking for it.  Tom came back full of energy and full of attitude (is this what happens when they are away for the whole day - not good for April onwards when he gets his funding).  In fact he was really hard to handle for the whole week - I got more tantrums and grumpiness  this week than I have ever got before - found him very hard work - including a full screaming, punching & kicking tantrum in Asda - I had to put him under my arm and leave, take him home and send him to his bedroom and deny him his favourite DVD and train clips for the rest of the day.  Oh hum, he was slightly better on Thursday and Friday - but he had mini tantrums both those days.

Well done Tom

Saturday - we had a very good day - best day of the week.  We took him for a haircut in the morning - he had to wait an hour for his turn and then trotted over to the chair, sat on the booster attachment suffered having his hair sprayed with water and sat still whilst Mick cut it.  I wouldn't say he enjoyed it, but he did really well, moved his head when needed and was polite.  Matt and I were really really proud (and it means that I am now surplus to requirements - a trip to the barbers will now be a boys' outing)  We then went into Wellington for lunch, did some shopping (only place where I can get a good selection of cake ribbons) and then some shopping for the house (big bargain - got some bedside tables reduced from £40 to £12.50).  Tom fell asleep in the car on the way home so we put him to bed, carried on with the house (will it ever end) then an afternoon playing with trains followed by lamb chops (another bargain from Wellington) and bed.