Josiah had his Start Right sports day this morning. The girls enjoyed watching, and they got to take part in a race at the end as well, as there were a few other older siblings there, so they did a big brothers and sisters’ race. All very enjoyable 
It was also Joe’s last session ever, which in a strange sort of a way I’m quite sad about. It is (as I’ve said before) such a lovely lovely nursery. Anyway, we’ll see them again next term as they’re happy for us to pop in whenever to borrow books, what nice people.
So that wiped out the morning; this afternoon it’s been yet another flat-pack furniture item to put together, didn’t take too long though. We sat around playing gamecube for a while, and then had to go and help Steve out at the garage for an hour or so, during which time both girls did a maths workbook page with me, then real life maths buying bags of crisps in the shop.
Joe and Abbie have both done some reading today – nothing too strenuous, but reading a book and then talking to us about it is star-chart-star-worthy here at the moment, so it is an easy way to gain an extra star on the chart. Much easier than being helpful, getting through a whole day without being stroppy, or remembering to brush your hair and teeth in the morning 
. Anna almost started Terry Pratchett’s Diggers, but then gave up when trying to play me off against Steve didn’t work – he had said three chapters for a star, and she tried asking me to see if I’d give her a star for one chapter, but I said three as well – good thing great minds think alike, eh 
Actually it’s been really interesting to observe the way the different children have responded to these star charts – we don’t always have them around but we’re using them at the moment to work on a few particular issues as well as general reward stuff. Abbie is the one who is particularly motivated to earn stars, and was thrilled to be ahead in the star stakes yesterday. On completion of a row of 10 she earned a fun-size something or other, then the other two suddenly wanted to catch up! Anna can completely take or leave the reward thing, in fact I think she’d rather go out of her way to avoid earning stars because if she did that then it might mean that she was doing something we wanted her to, iyswim. She only caves in for the fun-size chocolate bar. Josiah is somewhere in the middle …
Anyway. Local lot if you’re reading this, I might not make it to group tomorrow, and if I do I won’t be bringing anything, sorry to let the side down. At the last minute I’ve been invited to London for an expenses paid meal plus show, couldn’t turn that down, but it means there are a few things I need to get done tomorrow – sorting out the stuff for the library display being one of them – I was going to do it on Saturday but now will be busy. And I might have to go shopping for something to wear … although I really should leave that until next week when the kids are at Laser Camp, it’s tempting to go and get something for the trip at the weekend!
Ah, Laser Camp. The long awaited week of bliss is drawing very close – Steve and I have been planning our week together. So looking forward to it! The children are as well That is, when they’re not planning my funeral – I think they think I’m going to get blown up in London …
