post-blogs

Emma’s Fostering Blog. Another rejection I feel like I have failed with Craig. When Craig 14 yrs. came to us...

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Emma's Fostering Blog. Dinner September - Charlie is 7 and I’m beginning to establish a good routine and boundaries, but...

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Alice - Fostering Blog Friday. I am not sure why I thought getting pets for the children was a good...

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Alice - Fostering Blog Sunday After all the preparations this week Christmas Eve has finally arrived. We have a few...

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Foster Care Blog Thursday It is always slightly chaotic in the run up to Christmas. This year the children broke...

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Thursday's Fostering Blog We are fast approaching half term. It has been one of those half terms that has felt...

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Sunday's Fostering Blog There are many times in life when you feel like you are juggling too many balls and...

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Thursday's Fostering Blog We are fast approaching half term. It has been one of those half terms that has felt...

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Sunday's Fostering Blog There are many times in life when you feel like you are juggling too many balls and...

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Friday's Fostering Blog Today we had the LAC (Looked After Child) Review for Alice. These are six monthly reviews held...

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Thursday's Fostering Blog This has turned out to be one of those crazy weeks which seems to be getting out...

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Saturday's Fostering Blog Here is a piece of advice for you - never take children with you to Ikea if...

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Monday's Fostering Blog There are some days I just know aren’t going to go so well. I can pick up...

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Thursday's Fostering Blog So we are well and truly in to the new school term which means now the new...

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Tuesday's Fostering Blog Today has been one of those really frustrating days you know those days where you have a...

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Friday's Fostering Blog We made it! We made it through the week - and just about it one piece. And...

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Monday's Fostering Blog So this is the first full week of all three kids being back at school. I do...

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Tuesday's Fostering Blog Alice is back at school today, Lauren and Annie have a teacher training day - so I...

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Monday's Fostering Blog The three girls all start back to school this week. Alice our foster daughter is going into...

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Monday's Fostering Blog We are making most of the bank holiday today. Charlie was working all day yesterday, so we...

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Saturday's Fostering Blog We decided not to bring the big Motability car away this week, after all we didn't need...

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Tuesday's Fostering Blog Although we have now been away for three days I don't think we ever really switch off...

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Saturday's Fostering Blog Fostering a child with additional needs like Alice can sometimes take its toll on family life. We...

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Wednesday's Fostering Blog While we were away our post had accumulated. Our cat sitter had kindly put it all in...

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Monday's Fostering Blog After a day at home, the events of last weeks camping seem to fade in our memories....

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Wednesday's Fostering Blog Today has not been a good day. We did not realise when we erected the tent that...

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Monday's Fostering Blog Well, I began the week with the sentiment of not really liking camping. After three days of...

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Saturday's Fostering Blog So we are actually off camping today. After checking the weather forecast we decided that we would...

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Friday's Fostering Blog Against my better judgement we are going camping this weekend. We are camping for six nights -...

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Tuesday's Fostering Blog It is the last day of the school year. We have been counting down the number of...

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Monday's Fostering Blog On Monday evening we went to Lauren’s end of year play. We had arranged to get a...

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Monday's Fostering Blog I have just got back from the Annie’s high school awards ceremony. I had been under very...

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Saturday's Fostering Blog On Saturday we planned a barbecue at our house to celebrate mine and Charlie’s birthday. We both...

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Friday's Fostering Blog Today is Transition Day! This means that every one at the girls primary school gets to go...

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Monday's Fostering Blog As we head towards the end of the school term things are starting to get very busy...

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Sunday's Fostering Blog It has been one of those busy weekends where we have definitely felt like a taxi service....

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Monday's Fostering Blog After nearly five months of assessments, it was concluded that Alice does not have Autism Spectrum Disorder...

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Friday's Fostering Blog Despite some of the wet weather we have had this month, we have enjoyed some lovely days...

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Wednesday's Fostering Blog There are many appointments which have to take place during the school day. As a rule, wherever...

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Wednesday's Fostering Blog There are some days where I am just so pleased that Alice cannot yet tell the time....

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Monday's Fostering Blog So the half term holiday is over already and it's back to school today. Our hearts sank...

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Tuesday's Fostering Blog Alice has been back from our friends for two days and it is like she has never...

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Friday's Fostering Blog So I decided it was not a good idea to hold my breath when waiting for Social...

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Wednesday's Fostering Blog The SENCo from Alice's school took the decision today to cancel Alice's PEP (a meeting that happens...

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Monday's Fostering Blog It is fair to say that we have had a tough few weeks with Alice's behaviour getting...

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Saturday's Fostering Blog Today we met some friends at Legoland for the day.  We left before 8 o’clock so that...

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Saturday's Fostering Blog Today we had a much needed respite break. Alice went to our friends for the day while...

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Monday's Fostering Blog Going to the hairdressers is always a bit of a drama. Alice loves all the attention she...

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Thursday's Fostering Blog One issue we have faced many times is getting childcare for Alice. Anyone who looks after her...

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Friday's Fostering Blog Fed up with seeing the deluge of Easter eggs and Easter chocolate bunnies etc. we have decided...

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Thursday's Fostering Blog This morning, I have got two meetings with social workers. The first meeting is with my agency...

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Monday's Fostering Blog I have really mixed feelings about swimming lessons.  On the one hand it is amazing to see...

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Fridays Fostering Blog Today Alice has gone to the local theme park with the local disabled club. We have organised...

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Wednesday's Fostering Blog It seems to have been an Easter holiday of two halves. Last week was full of challenging...

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Tuesday's Fostering Blog It had been a quiet and fairly uneventful start to the week away. We were staying in...

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Friday's Fostering Blog The children finish school today for the Easter holidays.  It has been a long term and we...

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Sunday's Fostering Blog It's Mother's Day today! There is always that very small glimpse in the back of your mind...

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Friday's Fostering Blog After another couple of days in hospital Charlie’s pain was under control and he was discharged.  It...

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Tuesday's Fostering Blog I didn't sleep a wink over night.  When I arrived at the hospital in the morning I...

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Sunday's Fostering Blog It started out as quite an ordinary weekend. The usual activities took place throughout the weekend.  Charlie...

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Monday's Foster Carers Blog Today I had a meeting organised with my independent fostering agency to review our current situation....

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Saturday's Foster Carers Blog We have just come to the end of an exhausting week.   For the first time, Annie...

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Wednesday's Fostering Blog So this evening we have Alice's Looked After Child Medical. It has been postponed twice already and...

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Monday's Fostering Blog So it’s back to school today. We are relieved to get the routine back for Alice -...

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Wednesday's Fostering Blog Every so often we have multiple appointments on one day. Fortunately they don't happen very often but...

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Sunday's Fostering Blog We have just got back from a weekend in London.  Some time ago, I had booked Alice...

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Wednesday's Fostering Blog Alice has gone to a disabled activity day today.  One of the activities she is doing is...

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Monday's Fostering Blog Today is the first day of our half term holiday.  It has felt like it has been...

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Saturday's Fostering Blog We went to visit some friends today who we haven't seen since they moved to London 18...

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Thursday's Fostering Blog We have been fostering Alice for over four years. A year into fostering we were asked to...

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Monday's Fostering Blog Today was another one of those mornings I would rather forget.  It is a week until half...

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Saturday's Foster Care Blog Charlie’s brother and sister-in-law came to visit this week.  We don't get to see them very...

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Saturday's Fostering Blog After what has been a very long week we were all very much looking forward to a...

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Friday's Fostering Blog It has been one of those weeks that seems to have gone on for ever.  Nothing has...

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Saturday's Fostering Blog Today has been a hectic day.  Alice has started going to a Saturday club for disabled children. ...

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Sunday's Fostering Blog Today we went to visit some friends who have recently moved down to the Cotswolds. It is...

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Sunday's Fostering Blog Today Alice went to an ice-skating party. She does not get invited to many parties. I have...

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Friday's Fostering Blog I am pleased to report that we have had a pretty uneventful week.  Following last weeks birthday...

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Saturday's Fostering Blog Today is Alice’s birthday. The day did not start too well. Her bowels have not opened for...

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Wednesday's Fostering Blog After a challenging few days we are relieved that today the children have gone back to school. ...

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Friday's Foster Care Blog Things have definitely been bubbling under the surface for Alice since she broke up from school...

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Sunday's Foster Care Blog Christmas Day has always been an interesting experience since Alice has been with us. We try...

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Friday's Foster Care Blog In the business of this Christmas week - both for family and Charlie’s job - we...

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Thursday's Foster Care Blog After a few quiet days at home not feeling 100 per cent, I need to return...

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Friday's Foster Care Blog With Harriet still under the weather, I am grateful that I work mostly from home so...

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Tuesday's Foster Care Blog Harriet has not been well this week. So this is Charlie taking a turn and writing...

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Monday's Foster Care Blog Today marks the start of the last week of school and the beginning of a week...

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Friday's Foster Care Blog To coincide with Charlie finishing two weeks of Jury Service and the end of three days...

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Wednesday's Foster Care Blog As the temperature is dropping this week, it does not feel like the best time to...

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Monday's Fostering Blog We have been driving a hire car for last six weeks while we have been waiting for...

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Monday's Fostering Blog Today is the start of two weeks that Charlie will be completing Jury Service at the local...

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Saturday's Fostering Blog Alice was discharged only a few days ago from the Children's Hospital and now I can't help...

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Saturday's Blog It has been an interesting few days since Alice was discharged from the Children’s Hospital. It has felt...

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Thursday's Blog Today is day 8 in hospital with Alice.  Yesterday we were all so excited to be given the...

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Monday Blog Today marks five days here at the hospital. It feels like she has made little progress. Alice is...

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Saturday Blog Alice, having had bladder surgery earlier in the week, has been at the local children’s hospital for three...

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Wednesday Blog So this morning we have travelled in to our local children's hospital for Alice's bladder surgery. This will...

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Monday Fostering Blog Halloween. It has been advertised in pretty much every shop I have seen over the last two...

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Wednesday's Blog After a few days break we are heading back up the motorway to meet Louise and Alice.  Alice...

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Monday's Blog It’s amazing when you can get away from the hum drum of daily life that routine can so...

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Friday Blog Today is a Teacher Training Day for Alice and Lauren. Unfortunately schools do not co-ordinate in our area...

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Tuesday Blog This week we have mostly been trying to sort out all the many issues that arise when your...

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Thursday Fostering Blog Today was definitely not a day we were expecting. And this time it was nothing to do...

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Monday 17th October Blog While at a fostering conference recently I came across a company called Madlug (https://madlug.com). It is...

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Tuesday 4th October Blog Today we had Alice’s first PEP (Pupil Education Plan) meeting in her new school. Every looked...

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Saturday 3rd October Blog On Saturday I took Alice to the Home For Good Summit held in Oxford. Home For...

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Friday 23rd Sept I have recently become friends with a lady called Sue. We met at a local support group...

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Monday 19th Sept Well that is a weekend I would like to forget. Alice has been in meltdown for most...

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17th September Fostering Blog Shocking news - we woke up today with a teenager in the house. It’s Annie’s birthday...

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14th September Fostering Blog Alice finally started her new school last week. Although we moved in May and her school...

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10th September Blog Today was one of those days I wish I could erase from the calendar. It started off...

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5th September Blog While my friend Susie and her daughter Abi from America have been staying we have had Lauren...

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Wednesday 24th August After a long night in the hotel room, we met our friends in the restaurant for breakfast....

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Tuesday 23rd August When Charlie turned 40 at the beginning of the summer all he wanted to do to celebrate...

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August 2016 Today we have to get Annie over to the other side of the city to where we used...

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August Well this week saw the return of a familiar friend of ours - tonsillitis.  Lauren had come back from...

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Tuesday 9th August After a week of fairly low key activities we have been saving the best day out until...

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Sunday 7th August As finances have been a little tight over the last two years while Charlie has been studying...

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26th July One of the (few) good things about camping is our awesome tent. When we started fostering, we had...

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23rd July At last - the summer holidays are here! And today….we are going camping! Camping does not come naturally...

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14th July 2016 Today we all woke up super early. Whilst Annie has been leaving the house to walk to...

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11th July 2016 So after what seems like an eternity of a weekend, the result day of Lauren’s appeal is...

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Friday 8th July Blog So this is the week of meetings! This afternoon Charlie and I head to the local...

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Wednesday 6th July Blog So today we have our first TAC (Team around the Child) meeting for Alice.  The Inclusion...

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26/06/2016 The Kittens The girls have wanted to get cats for a long time. Over the years we have borrowed...

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20th June Homeschool I am sure that for most people who home-school it has been a choice.  Either a life...

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Friday 20th May 2016 House Move Day 2 So today we actually move. The removal company arrive and make a...

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Thursday 19th May 2016 House Move - Day 1 So finally the day of the big move came.  I had...

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Friday 13th May We have been treating Alice for a stubborn UTI for a couple of months now.  This week...

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Monday 9th May Oh the exciting life I lead!  I have been waiting for a warm and dry day for...

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Thursday 28th April It has definitely been ‘one of those days’! When we move Lauren and Annie are going to...

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Wednesday 27th April Our two eldest daughters, Annie and Lauren, couldn’t be more different. Lauren loves to hug, and has...

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Thursday 14th April So today is D-Day. The Local Education Authority in the area we are moving to, are meeting...

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Wednesday 13th April In preparation for moving we have to get our own house and garden ready for renting out....

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Thursday 7th April This week, while Charlie has been at home, I have driven over a couple of times to...

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Tuesday 5th April There are some weeks when all medical appointments for Alice seem to come together! Today we have...

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31st March 2016 BLOG After a couple of days in the kids group on holiday, the inevitable has happened -...

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28th March 2016 BLOG We are going on holiday with friends for a few days.  They also have similar aged...

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Thursday 24th March If you have a weak stomach or get queazy easily, best to look away now!! Last night...

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Tuesday 22nd March I have just worked out that between the three girls I have just been to the tenth...

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Friday 18th March

We have been to visit Lauren’s godparents for the weekend. It is so lovely visiting old friends who we have known for years. We knew them before we all had children, and we have remained friends even though we don't live in the same area any more.

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There are some days you wish you could erase from the calendar - today is one of those days. We have been waiting to hear from the Local Education Authority (LEA) since Monday for the outcome of the school application we made for Alice for a Special School.

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Wednesday 9th February As well as juggling family life and fostering duties, we have power of attorney for my elderly...

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Sunday 20th February We have been to visit Lauren’s godparents for the weekend.  It is so lovely visiting old friends...

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Friday 4th March Today I realised that my eldest daughter Annie has learned far more from me than I realised. ...

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Tuesday 1st March Opportunity knocks, often at the most unlikely of times, and in the strangest of ways! Charlie got...

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Saturday 27th February In the summer we are moving house.  It is an exciting move for us all.  We are...

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Friday 26th February I love Fridays! Firstly we are almost at the weekend, and secondly it is ‘my day’.  I...

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Saturday 20th February We’ve learnt the value of taking advantage of respite care for Alice. At first we were resistant,...

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Monday 15th February Today is the first day of the half term holidays. This can only mean one thing -...

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The Future is bright - the future is….different? Maybe you remember the classic Orange phone-network advert, trying to convince us...

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Hurrah for mundane, boring Mondays!  Maybe you agree with the Boomtown Rats when they sang “I don’t like Mondays”.  They...

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So it started off as a ‘normal’ school day. So it started off as a ‘normal’ school day. Rushing around...

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Life often feels like a rollercoaster. After the lows, the highs often follow!  We have been reminded over the last...

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As the old BT adverts used to say “It’s good to talk”.  I’m not sure spending the entire day on...

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Thursday 14th January Today has been one of those days when I wish I could go back to bed and...

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Children like Alice Monday 11 January 2016 An apology up front - this blog is going to be jargon-heavy!  Children...

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Alice is prone to melodrama When I grew up, I spent a lot of time around my grandparents, and loved...

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Thursday 7th January Birthday Girl Today its Alice's Birthday.  We have been counting down the number of sleeps since Christmas. ...

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Monday 4th January 2016 Fishing bait Today I felt like Alice had gone fishing.  She cast her line, laden with...

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Christmas Day is here! Sometimes you long for a nice quiet Christmas at home. Sometimes you have no choice in...

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First day of the Christmas holidays begins with Alice having contact with her parents. This is always a difficult day...

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Not quite the weekend we had planned! Our eldest daughter Annie woke up Saturday with tonsils the size of golf...

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We have been here many times before Had quite a hilarious walk up to school with my neighbour this morning...

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