Things kids say ...

Imagine if you will a crowded football stadium to the left of you the Garibaldi brigade, 1970's thermos firmly clamped to their hand, the widest set of flares ever ( one flap of those and a South Polynesian Island is wiped out in a hurricane called Barbie )

To the right of you is Mr Shouty ... sweary man .. nothing can shock him or could it .

You are know stroking your imaginary beard aren't you?.




You know how it is you are at your local football match when you take a child .. one that has seen Soccer AM and won't for the love of God  what ever deity you pray to . And you child just won't Shut Up.

You have the "Mum I am hungry ..."


"Need toilet NOW" whilst exhibiting dance moves the Bee Gees would be proud of.

Then the toe curling comments come and there is no escape you are in the middle of the aisle trapped between Garibaldi brigade and Mr Shouty man...

"Mum As we are Derby we are the Rams..."chirps the innocent one of doom.

"Yes Darling" basking in the warm glow of the proud Mummy moment.

"If we were a bunch of cats..."


At this point I am mouthing the words No ... Too late.

" We'd be a bunch of pussies" at full eye piercing shrill child voice.

Last I saw as I dragged took him for some chips post haste was the Garibaldi brigade were tapping Mr Shouty man on the back who was  chocking on his sausage role.

Bless his little cotton socks.

The motion of emotion

The motion of emotion is a rather  curious affair sometimes you see something that sweeps you up or read something that takes your breath away and for me this morning it was this Makaton Post from Downside Up.


I can not stress how important Makaton was to myself and my son when he wasn't talking which you can about why here , to see him initially struggling because  he wasn't talking is heart breaking. I truly longed for those tantrums screaming " I want " over a chocolate bar, instead of the screaming ab dabs that made no sense to me but obviously they did to my son at that moment in time.

Prepositional language putting the car in the garage.

The key to Early years speech therapy though is early intervention which was initially hard for me ,you can read all about here. I am so grateful for the fact that my son was given early speech therapy part of which consisting of teaching him Makaton. A good nursery school is half the battle in Early years Speech therapy and help with special needs.

A good nursery is essential for a Early years Special needs Child.

"Can you put your finger on the television ?"

One of the key things he was taught within Makaton was the signs in conjunction with prepositional language  "Left" "Right" "Over" "under" and so forth. Once this was established We were able to incorporate the prepositional language into our everyday activities such as buying a chocolate bar which was met with sign for in.

Incorprating the word 'On' into dads pyhsio for his back

And with Makaton comes the ability to communicate with the world around you .....

When you read Downside ups post you and you must ! pay attention to paragraphs 6 & 7 as this was especially true for myself as the Makaton did ease his frustration.


You read find all about Makaton complete with all the excellant resources.

Beauty : Gallery

That say that Beauty is in the eye of the beholder .. I beheld this sight and its a beautiful image that will stay with me for the rest of my life.

Swap Shop V Tiswas

I have to say I was a Swap shop sort of a girl. I loved  adored the program it was the highlight of my very otherwise hum drum week. Cool kids watched it .. and those who actually got to swap something walked on hallowed ground.

I once got through because my Grand dad worked for BT and he used to work his magic , yet despite this I was once on the list to talk to Peter Davidson  and he was giving away Fungus and the Bogeyman books.

Now this is going to sound really snobby but I wasn't allowed to watched Tiswas to my parents it was common , uncouth and kids who wore they nasty nylon T-shirts with Superman on it watched it.

 I have to admit watching clips of it now it drives me as quite bonkers and not entirely politically correct. Who knows I can't judge something really unless I have watched it religiously.

Swap shop was hosted by the legend on the mirco phone Noel Edmonds if you only remember him from " Deal or No Deal " then quite frankly you haven't lived and , please don't darken my door step.

Sawp shop started at 9.30 Noel Edmonds was joined by John Craven ( his crazy jumpers ) I didn't have a colour TV my world was black and white till 1986 so the mind drug tripping colours didn't bother me. Also joining the fun was Keith Chegwin and Maggie Philbin.

And with this  religion was Swap shop Mothers knew better than to drag their children out on a Saturday Morning for the obligatory visit to Timothy Whites.

Was I too middle class ?

Would I be SO differant a person now if I had watched Tiswas ?

Mix it up

Make the ordinary extraordinary and mix your camera angles up !

Olympic Satdium

Rarrr British Museum

Can you see is the Olympic Stadium.

Light bulb moment.