Phonics, waltzes and birds

Well what a damp and drizzly week it’s been! Today has dawned sunny, if cold, and I’m hoping it’ll stay that way for the weekend as there are two dozen tulip and narcissus bulbs waiting to be planted up at Plot 15.

Bubs started Reception at infants school in September and has been learning phonics. It’s all very different to the way that I was taught to read but it’s fascinating to watch it all come together for Bubs. This week she surprised me by recognising the words rat, hat, cat and pat and sounding them out for me. It won’t be long until she’s reading starter books. I have had a lifelong love of reading and I can’t wait to share some of my favourite childhood books with Bubs.

I’ve just watched last night’s episode of The Fall. Oh. My. Goodness! It was so good. I won’t spoil it for anyone who hasn’t seen it yet but I was literally gasping in shock at the end scenes.

Bubs loves to sing and so do I (although not very well!) and I’ve always sung little rhymes and lullabies to her. Lately she’s been asking me to sing her to sleep like I did when she was a baby. Her favourites are Little Sir Echo and this one by Anna Johnson. I used to sing this to her when she was just a bump and she would kick and wriggle away inside me.

I made a pink raspberry sponge cake for my birthday. There isn’t a photo  because I forgot to take any. I was all caught up in Bubs’ excitement about blowing out my candles. I assure you it was very pink and very yummy.

I’ve also been sewing. I made the robin doorstop that I mentioned in last weeks post. I was in need of a bit of me time and a pick me up yesterday so instead of ironing, or hoovering, or a million and one other chores, I set myself up on the kitchen table with my little blue sewing machine.

Isn’t it sweet! The main body is in fabric from last month’s Habdash box and the rest is bits from my stash. Bubs thinks it looks like a chicken not a robin. Who am I to argue.

I finally bought a new coat for the school run. I’m picky about coats as I am plus size but not very tall and with short arms. Most clothing companies seem to think that if you’re over a size 16 you’re 6 foot tall and have arms like Inspector Gadget. I’m forever having to roll my coat sleeves up.

I finally found the perfect coat in TK Maxx. The sleeves are the right length and it’s warm without being too bulky.

One of our dogs, Evie, is due to have puppies any day now so we’re on bump watch. Fingers crossed I’ll have cute puppy photos to share with you next week!