Thought I'd make a quick entry to update you all on how things are going - I am doing well sticking to my no nonsense routine generally, though having a cold and lack of sleep hasn't helped much, but I am slowly getting back on top of my housework, and reminding my children who is in charge  I have ended up putting a travel cot up for my 1 year old bless her and she has taken to it well, I try not to "over use" it but it's handy for when I need to be in another room, sorting washing, changing beds, even schooling etc. And the older children are very good at playing with her while she is in it, I think it makes her feel safe too.

As for reading, well I've given up on hooked on phonics for my eldest dd (7) and gone back to Teach your child to read in 100 easy lessons, I think it's better for her, she's certainly working hard with me and I think because there is a kinda system that suits her better it's working so far, we're going away next week and I'm planning on taking the book with us to keep up the consistency, hopefully she'll be reading independantly by christmas - thats the goal anyway.  I'm keeping my ds on hooked on phonics but as he's only 5 I'm concentrating more on my dd at the moment.

Anyway I'm off to do more packing - hope the weather improves for us