Testing times
Apr30

Testing times

Once a week, usually on a Sunday, sometimes on a Saturday (we don’t like to be too predictable) we encourage our kids to eat something different. We’re not talking swordfish or venison, asparagus, or even broccoli. We’re talking about a few slices of carrot, a couple of green beans, a veggie lasagne or a mild chicken curry. We put the food on their plates, give them a bit of encouragement, maybe nag them a bit, and...

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Superman
Apr29

Superman

All of a sudden, I seem to be married to Superman. And I am very grateful. Living with Superman means I am living in a tidier, more organised house. The Car which was taking up so much of his time is finished and has gone away for testing. It’s been gone for over two weeks and it looks like it’ll be gone for another week or more. So my husband has free time! The time pre-Car he would have spent working or watching telly he...

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Stinging nettles and pasta trees
Apr26

Stinging nettles and pasta trees

Here’s another selection of my kids’ more unusual questions, encompassing weeds, extreme weather and smelly classrooms. Among other things… LG age 5: Do people plant stinging nettles? LG age 5: Will weeds turn into stinging nettles? B1 age 9 3/4: Have you ever been in an earthquake? LG age 5 1/4: What if if was chucking it down and you were in a flat and the flat broke and you got soaked? B1 age 10: Mummy, are you...

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Stroppy
Apr26

Stroppy

My beloved girl has always been a little bit high maintenance. But her demands for milk and juice and her need to have her socks perfectly straight have always been more than compensated for by her helpful, loving nature, her sunny smile and her enthusiasm and persistence in everything she does. But in the last few weeks we have seen a different side to her. A side we’re, sadly, not so keen on. High maintenance is becoming...

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Weather
Apr25

Weather

So we’re heading for the coldest May in 100 years? Looking out of the window or, God forbid, going OUTSIDE in this late April deluge, that isn’t blimmin’ surprising. And is it true that the British really are the only nation to talk about the weather?! Personally, I’m obsessed with the weather. I don’t think I ever go a day without mentioning it. It’s always either miraculous or awful. There’s...

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