Halloween

Tara had been counting down to Halloween since....last Halloween.

She was excited all day, inspite of the pouring, incessant rain. At 6:30 pm, wrapped up warm, she stepped out with The Husband in her ghost costume with her Disney basket and pink wellies, to go trick or treating in the rain. This year was different. People opened doors and gave a coin or some sweets. This year also saw the little ones out at around 6:30 pm, (nice and early), and the absence of teenagers pounding on doors after 9:00 pm. I wondered why? Whatever the reason it felt nice

I reciprocated and handed out sweets to many little ones, their excited faces wet in the rain but happy, priceless smiles shone through. Tara returned with her basket of sweets, content and wet.

There were many Monsters out and about today, but none compared to the worst of the lot - me. I am a prisoner to my rage and snappiness. Ten or so days to my period and I am an out of control freak. The Husband's constant connection to his various gadgets, from twitter to his ipad have been my trigger point this time. I wanted half term to be about family, with each other in the real sense but I cannot get past all the icrap surrounding our lives these days. It brings me to boiling point to see him glued to some device every minute of the day. It's a modern addiction and I can't stand it.

Pretty Pink earrings

It was a quick and easy dual ear piercing. Tara is now proudly displaying tiny pink earrings. She wanted the Hello Kitty ones but I said she had to have a discreet pair for school. I know what's on her next birthday list though.

More than the actual piercing it is the after care that is making me nervous. Moving and turning the ear rings so they don't have build up and cause infection is not something I look forward to to three times a day. The whole process takes around six weeks. After this Tara has to keep her earrings on for 6 months to ensure the hole does not close up.

So with Saturday behind us I was hoping to get on with a happy family half term week. It's not going to plan and I am quite sad.

My PMS has kicked in big time and I find myself unable to control my irritability and snapping. This was fuelled by The Husband who came back from work with a sulk and a distinct lack of enthusiasm for any family activity. That is one thing that gets to me, and PMS not helping it's been a disastrous few days.

Poor Tara, poor Husband and poor me :-(

It's the dreaded Saturday today..

Well "dreaded Saturday" for me actually. Tara is over the moon.

Later today I am taking Tara in to get both ears pierced. I am frightened beyond belief, but Tara is excited. Maybe she doesn't realize the full scale of what exactly transpires in having her ears done. Or maybe as a Mum inflicting discomfort (limited discomfort I am told) voluntarily on my flesh and blood is making me ill with anxiety.

All the people Ive spoken to (including little children) have said it's no big deal and the pain is short and  bearable, but I'm still not relaxed about it. It's got to be done at some point so now is as good a time as any. The Husband is home for the week, I've already booked a doctor's appointment in advance should something go wrong, and Tara is excited at the prospect of going back to school with "real" ear-rings.

So once Tara is back from her classmate's party we're off!! Wish me luck!! 

Half Term sleep

The best kind of sleep is half term sleep. No alarm clocks, just good old sleep..for all of us...hmmmm.... Snuggled up in her duvet Tara woke up with a silly smile as she sleepily said, "There's no hurry today...it's half term!" We lay back and cuddled for a few minutes more and then the day began.

Of course after that it was back to back stuff to do. I gave in around mid day and allowed her to watch a Barbie movie. There's something about movies and Tara. She is Focus personified when she watches movies and does not expect any interaction or participation from me. In fact she prefers I say nothing at all as she immerses herself in the plot. You could even believe she wasn't in the house.

While I am a strong advocate of limited television and technology in Tara's life, I also believe that school holidays are a time to relax the rules a bit. The novelty of a movie, unsceduled and accompanied by some snacks is hard to beat!

Itchy Teeth?

Tara has been cranky and has been having little accidents all over the house today. Every time I turn to do sometging I hear an "OW!!" as Tara has bumped her head on a wall or a table for the hundredth time. On top of all this she has been complaining of "itchy teeth" for the last few days. I know her permanent teeth have started coming through and she has a wobbly tooth too, but I haven't heard of anyone complaining of itchy teeth before.

Growing up is not easy business :-(

I wish I could make things easier....or at least figure out what "itchy teeth" means.