one step at a time.

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Pack Holiday is over - phew - I'm TIRED!!

We got back yesterday afternoon after a wet weekend at Loch Lomond.

This was our pack's first ever (since I've been involved at least) solo pack holiday. No test for the Guiders, and 16 Brownies from our unit.

Friday night went quite smoothly. They arrived, unpacked, we ran through some rules, then they made a huge poster with stars and colouring sheet aliens, planets etc.

The Guiders marked out constellations in chalk on a huge black piece of paper, then the girls stuck stars on the chalk dots to make the constellations. We then filled in the gaps before trying to work out where the constellations were.

Saturday began well with the usual breakfast, inspection, points etc then a walk to Loch Lomond. The afternoon, however, was a wash-out. On the campsite there were 14 tents full of Guides who were set for a very wet and windy weekend. I think one camp went home early.

As I said in my last post, I'd brought HUNDREDS of space-themed craft ideas. I hadn't thought we could possibly run out, but we were right down to the emergency plans by the end of Saturday!

This craft worked really well - Alien party hats.  One of the girls added her own twist, and put the eye on the back of her head.  It made me laugh!  (can't get the picture to rotate & save - sorry).



Bedtime was funny - they all asked to go to bed early!  That'll be because they didn't sleep much on Friday night and were up at 5.30am on Saturday (they weren't out of bed - but I had to go in to tell them to go back to sleep at 5.30).

Sunday was a bit better, because the rain was lighter and we could get the girls in their waterproofs, wellies for some outdoor play. We even had the odd 20 minute burst of sunshine!

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Brownie Pack Holiday!

This weekend we are off on pack holiday (Thankfully I'm feeling so much better!!!).

Our theme is Space, and so far we have done some alien pictures (chalk on black card) which a very helpful Mum laminated this week. It took her an hour! We will use these as placemats on the holiday.

We are going to Loch Lomond. It's beautiful, but we've predicted bad weather. The kids'll be fine - they'll all have wellies and waterproofs and we will still go out and about. I have lots of indoor activities on standby too: fimo magnets, alien headdresses, masks, flying saucers, meteorites... loads of stuff.

I'll tell you about it when we get home.

Friday, May 13, 2011

Health

For several months I've been concerned, because (how to put this delicately so as not to embarrass anyone) I've been 'up on the blocks' (thanks to Mrs S's December son for that analogy) for 4 months without much of a break. A few days off at most.

After 3 months I went to the docs. Of course it should have been sooner. Really I should have gone years ago when I became aware that my cycle was a bit weird.

Anyway, with the Royal Wedding and the other bank holidays it was weeks til I got the results.

The result is that my hormones are wrong (probably due to polycystic ovaries) and I am now on a medically-required diet. They won't treat the symptom until I lose a lot of weight.

SO... life is now about counting points and checking calories/fat.

On one hand I know I should have done this anyway (and had started half-heartedly dieting weeks ago), but on the other hand I am angry that I don't have a choice and angry that the treatment is witheld.

Thus far it has been quite fun, but when it comes to the next 69hr working week it might be less enjoyable to plan and prepare healthy meals.

I will just have to work it out when it comes.

Next week will be a bit of a trial run at that, as it's Brownie pack holiday next weekend and I can't get any time off work to prepare for it... late night shopping trips and a mid-week dash to Loch Lomond will test my willpower.