New clothes for Mimi

Mum and I have had a lovely day shopping for holiday clothes for Mimi in Bas Vegas. Very successful. She now has an entire gorgeous new wardrobe - thank you mum!!!

The tiler is coming tomorrow to tile the kitchen. Then it's more or less finished. I'll post pictures so that you can see Dr Green's handywork.

Will go swimming tomorrow - well, that's the intention at the moment. Must have a last minute push to squeeze into that tankini as not long to go now.  Am committed to doing 1 hour full-on exercise every day from now until the holiday. Also, no booze or chocolate/cake during the week. HOW VERY DULL!!

Busy sewing

Not much time for blogging recently. Have been busy catching up on some of the sewing jobs I didn't get a chance to do before the Easter hols. I have now made a couple of cushions and some bits for my sister's bedroom (see photo). Also, have made Mimi a dress which doesn't look at all bad (blowing my own trumpet, yes, but I'm chuffed to bits with the result - even though she blends in with the curtains now!!!)

Had a very busy weekend. Cakes had a fab time sailing for four hours down at Old Leigh on Saturday, then on to the Cubs 'Renewal of Promise' (camp fire and songs) on Sunday. Mimi had an attempt at a sleepover on Saturday evening but got cold feet and was returned to us in her PJs at midnight. 

Looking forward to seeing the In Laws at the weekend!

Kids kept busy

Mimi and Cakes have had a full on entertainment programme this holiday. Yesterday, Cakes went with Grandma to the cinema to see Escape to Witch Mountain which he absolutely loved. It's a remake of a film that I went to see as a little girl (and, yes, it was a talkie!).

At the weekend we met Rachel The Sister In Law at the War Museum in South London. Mimi is covering WW 2 evacuees this coming term so she's now armed with lots of facts. Must go back to the museum as we missed the 'in the trenches' and 'blitz' experiences.

Cakes has been out with the cubs today for 5 hours - trekking across fields and building fires. Even cooked his own lunch and had a face full of charcoal to prove it. Exactly what little boys should be doing. Next weekend he's down in Old Leigh for the initial part of his sailing badge.

I've been out in the garden for most of the day, shifting stones from one end of the garden to the other. Dr Green has built a rather large flower bed which we will use to grow even more vegetables and flowers to cut for indoors. Photos to follow soon.

The kids are off to friends' houses tomorrow so I will fit in a quick dash to the shops for party/holidays clothes.

Belated Happy Anniversary wishes to David and Judy. X

We've all been to the zoo today, zoo today

What a beautiful day weatherwise. We've just spent 4 and a half hours at Colchester Zoo and everyone's had the best time.

Attached is a clip of Mimi's version of the "compare the market " advert. She's got it down to a fine art.

The chocolate brownie diet...

... is going well. Am also really enjoying Cajun Squirrel crisps (Cake's favourite at the mo). As you may have gathered Fat Fighters is off the menu this week. It would be more of a 'waddle of shame' than a 'walk'.

Anyhow, we have booked a week's holiday in Spain for June! HOORAH!!!! Can't wait to warm up around the pool and do very little apart from play with the kids and indulge. Maybe lovely Sister In Law Rachel could come and house/chicken sit(?).

Dr Green is out tonight on a stag night. This involves (aside from the very obvious throwing up tomorrow morning) a trip around the Circle Line, disembarking at 14 stops and drinking a pint at each!!!! Claire Bear and I have a trip to Ikea planned for tomorrow so will leave him to suffer on the sofa in peace.

Have made Cakes an outfit for Greek day at school tomorrow - although it looks more Casper the Ghost than Zorba. Will post a photo in the morning if I remember.

Feeling frazzled!

Am just tucking into a nice glass of red, along with some chocolate cake that I baked earlier. Purely medicinal. I'm feeling quite worn out (need more calories) but a bit wired (just so much to think about).

As usual, too much on the agenda today. Have been food shopping, baking, sewing blinds, entertaining friends and kids, childminding, school parent interview and the usual housework/washing etc etc. Need to slob on the sofa now and switch brain off for a while.

A week sunbathing in the Canary Islands sounds ideal at the mo. However, Dr Green has a week off in the Easter break so we'll probably continue the mad run around with trips to London, museums and National Trust properties. (Photo is of the kids last Easter. We found some great little coves in Dorset, tucked away from the main beaches).

Once the garden is sorted and it warms up, think I'll get the kids to school, slump on a sun bed and start reading all the books that are piled up in the study. Heaven!!

Bulbs, blossom, bl**dy foxes, blinds and beamers

The spring bulbs are out and there's tonnes of blossom on the plum trees so it's about time I ventured into the garden to start the great Spring tidy up. Enough faffing around with the vegetable patch and chickens, I need to get stuck into a bit of garden maintainence.

Also, we didn't put the kids toys away last summer so they have taken root on the football pitch and are now covered in fox wee (NICE!!!). Maybe I'll leave it for Dr Green.

Have just finished making my little sister's bedroom curtains. Next step is a blind for her en-suite. I'll post pictures when it's done as it's a really nice floral Laura Ashley fabric.

Have not had a chance to drive the beamer today, however, we are off to Cake's tutor later so Mimi and I will don the shades and go for a cruise to Sainsbury (and, yes, that's about as exciting as it gets for us!!!!)