New school apron for Mimi

Have made this out of a bit of scrap fabric left over from a teepee order. It's got a pocket and a little hoop to hang a wooden spoon. Modelled beautifully by Mimi.

That's it now. School stationery bought, new lunch boxes purchased, we have new school shoes/trainers and homework is a couple of paragraphs short of completion. Phew!

Stop Press: Cakes enjoys non football related activity

Here's my boy doing a bit of art and craft and loving it. Don't think this is going to be a regular occurrence but I'm chuffed to have lured him away from the Play Station, football cards and his football for half an hour.

Mimi on the other hand will need to have the felt tip pens surgically removed from her paws. She has decorated a small rain forest's worth of A4 paper. Trouble is, I don't like to throw any of it away. I love the fact that she has her own little take on things in an abstract/border line weird kind of way.

Have got some friends visiting tomorrow, so will get the kids to help bake a lemon cake later.

Yippee for family holidays with friends

Let's get some comments about the weather out of the way. Yes, the Clifton curse struck again. It's August for goodness sake, where was the sun!!!

Anyway, the Cliftons and the Warrens managed a fun break in Weymouth. The kids had a ball racing from one caravan to the other and really enjoyed having their best mates around. David and Lorraine were perfect company, as per usual, however we now know that Nick and Lorraine should not compete against each other competitively!!!!

The rain held off for most of the day when we had a large gathering of Bossoms, Cliftons and Warrens on beautiful Sandbank beach. The kids braved the sea, body boarding and jumping waves and we all enjoyed a fabulous game of cricket on the sand.

Thanks to Uncle Martin for recommending Tyenham - what a wonderful little village that was - and what an exciting drive through MOD territory to get there. Blown up tanks and all.

Dr Green is hooked on fossil hunting. The kids enjoyed it too. Well done to Daniel Spaniel for finding the most amazing intact amonite on Charmouth beach. The hubby is green with envy.

Had some lovely meals out - we did the obligatory trip to the Smugglers Inn, always a fave. Had a few nice evenings in the Mash and Barrell terrace and a real giggle most nights in the caravan with the gang.

Thanks everyone for a really enjoyable holiday. x