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One-child families

Episode 34 - The Tearoom moves to New England

998 replies

beanandspud · 22/09/2012 23:25

At this time of year New England is famous for its glorious foliage as billions of leaves change from green to a kaleidoscope of colours. The air is crisp and cool ? perfect for hiking, biking or a drive along back roads, where farm stands are piled high with crunchy apples and orange pumpkins.

Everyone is welcome. There are tea, cakes and wine aplenty so pull up a comfortable chair and join us.

The usual rule applies - no fisticuffs please!

OP posts:
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beanandspud · 22/09/2012 23:29

Welcome to the New England tearoom. The kettle is on and Mellors is making sure that everyone has what they need.

OP posts:
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UniS · 22/09/2012 23:34

Thank you Bean. good whisking us away there. loving the fall colour.

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JugglingWithPossibilities · 22/09/2012 23:38

How about a stack of pancakes with maple syrup, and a nice cuppa Brew, of finest Boston tea ? Snap to it, Mellors ! And bring me my lovely shawl would you, there's a good chap ? - these autumn nights are getting quite chilly !

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Jacksmania · 23/09/2012 00:15


What lovely fall foliage! Gorgeous at sunset.

I must say Mellors improves the view even more :o


Welcome, Juggling (if you're a newcomer). If you're a namechanger, I'm being dim because I don't recognize you that may be because I'm not in the Tea Room as often as I wish I could be.

It's definitely Wineo'clock here. Anyone else?


Scout -- massive (((((((((((((((((((HUGS))))))))))))))))))) for you. Grrrrrrr. :(
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JugglingWithPossibilities · 23/09/2012 09:58

Ah, Hi Jacksmania ...

I just wandered in here the other morning - with my two DC's - without thoroughly reading the terms and conditions of the establishment Wink

  • I see Mellors has been told to only admit one, well behaved child, with each family, and doesn't really encourage war-ing siblings like my two Wink


But we just snuck in under his radar anyway whilst behaving nicely for 5 mins
lured by the smells of stacks of pancakes with maple syrup and other goodies.

Lovely to meet you all in any case Smile

Have name changed a bit recently going into the Olympics and afterwards, but you'll find I'm always Juggling with something ... possibly goes with the territory if you have more than one !

May linger a while if Mellor doesn't kick me out as I could do with some peace and quiet sometimes !
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mistlethrush · 23/09/2012 12:33

Juggling - whilst most of us have onlies - one of us is expecting a second soon (how many more weeks now Thumb????)(eeek!!!) and some people have two anyway... so as long as you're tolerant of those of us with only one and the resultant complaints about the comments of teachers on occasion etc, you're very welcome!

Went to a different bike shop today where mc (that's mistlechick, Juggling, he's my ds who is 7.5) happily rode round the shop on a 24" wheeled bike and could happily fit on a small 26 except that his knees came up a bit far when he cycled (backwards) whilst it was being held... Need to find out the weight of the 24" though as it was possibly quite a bit.

Dog is feeling depressed because we're not talking her out for a walk because of her limp. She's going to see the vet again on Monday and possibly staying in for an xray.

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JugglingWithPossibilities · 23/09/2012 12:54

Thanks for not kicking me out mistlethrush I have been a teacher at times too but perhaps I'd better keep that quiet ? Wink

DS has decided he wants a fancy modern pogo stick for his birthday. We think he's going for the complete collection of non-petrol propelled means of transport Smile

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mistlethrush · 23/09/2012 14:58

Well as long as you don't look down your nose and say.. 'yes, that's what we expect from an only child. You must make sure that you arrange play dates after school and at the weekends' for a child who makes friends easily, is popular with both sexes, and you can drop at a summer sports camp knowing no one and will have sorted out a gang to play with for the week before lunch on the Monday, you'll do fine. There are a couple of other teachers here too to keep you company!

I'm sure you have the same problem but with comments about 'youngest' children or 'oldest' children.... Grin

I'm busy writing my report at the moment (as you can see!!!)

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JugglingWithPossibilities · 23/09/2012 15:25

Your mc sounds really like my ds mistlethrush - maybe just the sociable type ?

though secretly I am a little proud as well, and sounds like you are proud of yours too ?

I'm working as a pre-school practitioner these days - or "a teacher of 3 year olds" as ds puts it (so, not a "proper" teacher - and promise not to say annoying things about onlies)

Good luck with the report - we've got secondary school application process to tackle for ds this month so I think I know a bit how you feel with school related stress plus ds got himself in trouble last week for using his karate skills at the wrong moment and I had to go see the head Hmm (raised eyebrow !)

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Jacksmania · 23/09/2012 15:29


Morning

Is there any coffee?

Hi Mistle... How can MC be 7.5 already? Shock
That means this Tea Room has been going for about... FOUR YEARS!!!!
Wow.

Juggling, two or more are allowed. We had a mum of twins visiting briefly when I used to crash the Multiples threads because I have a friend on there.
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Jacksmania · 23/09/2012 15:30

DH just brought me coffee in bed (7:30 am here).

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Jacksmania · 23/09/2012 15:30

:)

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mistlethrush · 23/09/2012 15:40

Yes, its astounding that he's 7.5 already. And he could fit on a 26" bike (which is adult sized!!!!)

He is very sociable and will talk to anybody. We used to adopt grandparents as we walked around the park (they were somewhat bemused). Normally the problem is trying to get him to not tell our/ his complete life story... What age is your DS?

What sort of karate is he doing? Ds loves his - he's doing a non-contact version and has got to green stripe (although he could apparently have done his brown grading at the end of the summer, but really doesn't know his form well enough)

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JugglingWithPossibilities · 23/09/2012 17:01

My DS is 10 & probably not quite as chatty as yours but extremely sociable in a cool, boy, sort of way. For example when we bought his new skate-board helmet yesterday he had two older boys in the shop asking him where he goes for his s-boarding and recommending their place to him. Also we go away for trips with a group of friends and I don't see him from beginning to end as all the other (mainly slightly older) kids just take him under their wing and he hangs out with them. Generally we don't see the DC's for dust once we arrive at the hostels !
He got his black belt in karate just before he was 10 (easier to do with some schools of karate than others I gather) Also plays the trumpet !

< ponders, what other boasts can I think of Grin - loves his Mum, gives me some great hugs Smile >

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Scout19075 · 23/09/2012 21:28

We're talking about the possibility of being in the US for a month. A month! At least three weeks of that would be at home/with my parents.

After last year I'm afraid to get hope but I so desperately want to go home.

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Scout19075 · 23/09/2012 21:37

I'm so cold. I put Toddler in his next-size-up because last year's were starting to be too snug by the end of the season feety fleecey pjs tonight. I wish I had a pair. Toddler looked very long in the new size (though they were a bit saggy in the leg/bum but they usually are because he's all torso).

It's wet here. I don't mind chilly but I don't like wet -- I won't be warm again until the summer. Sad

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oxeye · 23/09/2012 22:55

hello my dears! Nice tea room Bean
welcome Juggling! I have been here since the birth of the first tea room, about 4 + bit years ago now!
I don't post much but like to keep up

I have one DS who is now 6 and, weirdly, turn out to have been at school with Thumb. I am not a teacher Grin

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mistlethrush · 23/09/2012 23:12


Scout - I hope that the visit comes off (at a nice time of the year over there!!!)

Juggling - ds is still at the 'very' chatty stage - and now knows it! Losing some 'golden time' because of it is one of those things that gets shrugged off now... He is on the precocious side too.. to the extent that he was riding a bike in the bike shop with complete confidence around the very narrow walkway (not designed for bike riding!!!!)
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ComeIntoTheGardenMaud · 23/09/2012 23:39

Four years already? Wow!

Welcome, Juggling.

::general and promiscuous bosom-claspage::

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mistlethrush · 24/09/2012 09:10

BTW, Juggling - just because the tearoom's being going 4 years now, we're not at all exclusive and are very happy for people to join us. Particularly if they bring cake. Or homemade Icecream. Or alcohol. Whilst a lot of water has gone under the bridge you can always ask what on earth someone's on about if its not clear. Some might assume that there's quiche on offer here - but I've never seen it and we tend to opt for soup at lunchtime - much healthier and easier to do a big potful to share.

Talking of which, I've brought DIY hot and sour soup to make for lunch at the office... I shall let you know how it goes!

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CMOTDibbler · 24/09/2012 09:16

It is manky here, and I feel yuck. Have moved into the wristwarmers UniS made me and my fleece mittens from JM as my body has declared it to be cold.
I'm doing leek and potato soup for lunch, so will pop back later

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Scout19075 · 24/09/2012 11:57

Gah. I hate the cold and wet. It's one of those days I'd stay inside and hibernate but I promised Toddler we'd go to the indoor/outdoor active activity today and he's been pestering asking all morning if it was time to go yet. Unfortunately MrScout has the car so I have to trek us to the other side of town in the rain. Goodness knows where my raingear is -- I think it's packed away with all of my other Guiding & camping stuff. Bah!

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mistlethrush · 24/09/2012 14:59

Scout have you got one of those all-in-one waterproofs for toddler? We always had them when mc was little - and they were superb (apart from when potty training!!!). MC has, before now, fallen face down in a puddle whilst wearing one. The only bit that ended up wet was a really small triangle up at the neck. Add a ladybird umbrella to complete the rigout and you have your own mini walking mushroom. Which is enough to bring a smile on even the most wet and grey days.

Add a bit of puddle jumping and you'll both be feeling better for it.

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Scout19075 · 24/09/2012 15:59

MT, yes, Toddler has the all-in-ones. Well, right now his are two-piece -- coveralls and then a rain jacket. He won't walk in his willies so when we go puddle jumping I put him in his crocs (with socks) and then dry his feet/warm & dry socks after. Toddler's rain coveralls stay in the nappy bag. It's my gear I can't find. Sad

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Banderchang · 24/09/2012 16:15

Afternoon ladies, may I join you? I've lurked for some time, but am finally taking the plunge and saying hello :) I have one DS aged 3 and a half. He's an only by choice and we are very happy with our little family of three.

Not many of our friends in RL have just one, so it's nice to find a group of people who (mainly) have onlies. Are yours mostly pre-school or older?

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