Latest Posts
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The Muffin Nabber
Leave a CommentI had a shared moment with a stranger this morning over a muffin. There we were enjoying a not serene but close’ish coffee with the kids, when he swooped. Nabbed an orange and cranberry muffin and was gone.
Fiendish Fred was his name and muffins are his game. Fred’s mum was embarrassed and apologetic… “What for?” I said, “We have one too…” She knew at a glance what I meant. Social norms, dos and don’ts are not Rose’s strong point either.
This week we have been on our annual visit to Centerparcs, not for the snobs amongst you, but for our family and 1.4 million others last year, an inspired winter holiday. Swimming and bike riding everyday, Rose and Ned’s activity version of ice cream parlour and sweet shop rolled into one!
Fred’s family come for the same reasons we do, no stigma, no judgement, Fred likes the way the ‘Holiday House’ looks the same every year. His mum is relieved to find somewhere with well organised and inclusive fun, just like I am.
As I say, not for the snobs amongst you, but if you have a child or grown up with a disability Centerparcs is an understanding destination. Or if you wanted to produce a documentary on tattoos the tropical swimming paradise is research heaven.
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You are what you post
Leave a CommentI’ve just retuned from a fantastic day with a few hundred other ‘BlogHers’ at the Mumsnet BlogFest 2012. They put on a real treat for us all… especially Caitlin Moran – we love that girrrrrl.
I came away with some great tips and ideas. Here are my top ten from the day:
Write and create, have candour, be a conduit, offer reflection, frankness, irreverence and humour, go easy on opinion, instead ask a question, and finally remember ‘joyfulness’.
I even ended up in the pics on their Facebook page, now that I was not prepared for – oh well.
Thanks again all at Mumsnet.
Hx
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Radio Silence…
Leave a CommentI have to apologise for the radio silence of late…
I am in the fretful and scary place of negotiation over my daughter’s education. I cannot say more for fear of compromising her case.
I literally feel paralysed and unable to write – it is preoccupying my every thought.
If you believe in the power of thoughts and prayers, now is the time to send them our way, my friends.
Hx
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The joy and pain of play dates
2 CommentsI have a love-hate relationship with play dates…
If it wasn’t for the wonderful support from my gorgeous friends, I would have given up on them a long time ago. So, first my thanks to all of you who make them happen for Ned and Rosy.
We are not the easiest clan to have over or come to ours – Rosy’s rather enthusiastic style is a little too much sometimes. She can be very cuddly and want to be in the thick of it or seem to float off in her own world.
I find it really hard to see her behaving so differently, making friends is hard for her and that breaks my heart. But I know we have to do play dates if we are going to give her the social skills for life that she needs.
When she is enjoying herself appropriately with her guests like she did on Wednesday this week, I could kiss you all and I know we can shoot for the moon!
Thank you Lauren and my dear friends…
Hannah xx
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“No such thing as disability, just difference.”
2 CommentsThe Twittersphere has been alive with the momentous achievements of Paralympians on a truely world stage for the first time. We have the ‘media’ to thank for it – mainstream and social… This sort of coverage would not have been possible before.
‘Normalising difference’ is the other side of athletes, journalists, organisers, emergancy services, spectators and volunteers efforts this summer. We have seen people for themselves, not the sum of the parts they do or don’t have.
As the lovely @lizdawes tweeted, “There’s no such thing as disability, just difference. These people are not flawed versions of themselves. They are themselves.”
I am proud to be in a family of difference; an individual, special and really alive family. However hard the journey, the Paralympics have proved anything is possible… Rosy you’ll prove me right, I just know your spirit will take you further than any of us can even dream of.
Michael Caine sums it up, “The Olympics and Paralympics! They really blew the bloody doors off!”
Remember to hit the Follow link if you like looking at the rosy side of life with me.
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Back to school …
1 CommentCan I start by saying, however unfashionably, I’m not looking forward to the littlies going back to school. We’ve had a fab summer and the good weather seems to be back just in time for the start of term.
I think I may just have found the perfect school shoes for her! They are cute (she won’t wear boring black – the behaviour problems just aren’t worth it), have a patent toe (she wears leather out), they do up with velcro (she cant manage buckles or laces), they are in a narrow width (what ever happened to fitting for length and width?) and they are in her size (so often velcro stops at size 10/28 – fine if your kid doesn’t have fine motor problems – mine does…). Here’s a pic… sooo lovely!
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Good for the soul if not the beauty sleep
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Early mornings do have their redeeming features
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Clippesby Hall at dawn
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Nothing fancy, but Norfolk at its best…
2 CommentsA week, just a week but, what a week? We have had a fabulous time, an adventure, a wild old time, the weather, the company and the beaches… You just can’t beat it… Norfolk.
Picking a holiday destination with a special needs child is a little tricky to say the least. You need to think safety but some freedom, adventure but accessible, entertaining enough to offer something resembling respite, understanding companions and of course no unforeseen complications!
Hmm… The winning formula, well Clippesby Hall in North Norfolk just about does it.
I’ll happily take other recommendations; I’m always on the look out, but I’ve been so impressed. It’s friendly, suits every budget – camping, caravans or holiday cottage.
Heated swimming pool, two kids’ play areas, pub for the chaps, coffee shop for the lovely ladies, fresh croissant and bread to order, wifi, utterly gorgeous scented walled garden.
Ok, there’s a bit of pub quiz and kid’s disco action, but so what, get over it!
We’ve explored too, here’s the list to put into Google; Bewilderwood, Horsey, Winterton, Gt Yarmouth, boats on the Broads, it goes on.
We’ve made it work – give it a go with your special ones.
