You know that nightmare you have where you’re back at primary school and you have to dance in front of the class, and everyone else knows the dance moves and you don’t, and the teacher is dancing too and you don’t want to but you still have to dance, dance, dance, and also you’re naked? … [Read more…]
I stopped breastfeeding a long time ago – back in February when YoungestGirl was 15 months old. She is now not far off her second birthday, so a long, long time ago. So you can imagine my surprise when we were in Aldi Waitrose last week, and she was sitting in the trolley, as usual … [Read more…]
So EldestGirl turned five years old today. Right now, this instant actually, as I have set this post to publish at exactly the time of day she was born: 9.30 a.m. Every birthday, every milestone feels like a landmark: the first solids, the first word, the first steps, the first shoes, the first day at … [Read more…]
I had such good intentions for the school run. I would be – of course – on time, looking stylish and groomed. I didn’t just think I could pull this out of my arse, as “stylish” is absolutely not my usual mode of operation. I did my preparation. I bought some new outfits because it … [Read more…]
EldestGirl started primary school this week. She has had a period of “settling in”, with half-days, and today marks her first full day at school. I think she will be fine. I didn’t really understand the whole “sobbing at the classroom door” thing, either for her or for me. She looked a bit apprehensive but … [Read more…]
The blackberries finished early this year. We picked our share, and have more in the freezer. Blackberry-picking with YoungestGirl is a chore; for every one you manage to get in the pot, you have to put at least three in her gawping mouth, or else the shouting starts. In the meantime, EldestGirl will either prick … [Read more…]
Earlier this week I had the very rare chance to go into town by myself. This was approximately twice as exciting as Christmas Day, as I didn’t have to scour the streets for dropped kerbs for the buggy, steel myself for getting the buggy wheels caught on every narrow aisle, or deal with a meltdown … [Read more…]
I am fairly sure EldestGirl is going to grow up to be a hoarder. She wants to keep everything that ever passes through her sticky little hands – not just the crappy McDonald’s toy (no, of course we never go to McDonald’s) but the Happy Meal box, plus any packaging. Not only does she want to … [Read more…]
Yesterday YoungestGirl was supposed to be getting her second and final chickenpox vaccination. We chose to vaccinate both girls privately; the immunisation isn’t offered as standard on the NHS. We chose to do this for a couple of reasons: firstly chickenpox can be a really, really unpleasant (and in rare cases, fatal) illness, and secondly … [Read more…]
Last week, my friend Mel and I decided we would take our children “somewhere nice”, and hopefully try and fit a conversation in somewhere along the way too. We decided on Willows Farm, who categorically have not paid me for this review. I wish they had. I’m happy to take cash retrospectively. Just let me … [Read more…]
