Time marches on....

It turns out that I haven't been hamming it up and it has actually been a very cold spring-the coldest in 50 yrs apparently. In hindsight, not the best year to move into a house without central heating. Still, happily we have made friends with some folks with a wood so our stocks for next year look much more promising and the customary 8th layer of clothing may be able to be shelved for the next cold snap?

Well- they also say we are now in Summer, so I have high hopes that the world will get it's act together and warm up a touch. Today has been lovely, allowing for a birthday party of extreem house envy in the next village watching the sun glimmer over the estury and the kids playing in the fields- all very 'Darling Buds'. I returned to a rather clingy daughter and a bath of cat poo, but was determined to only let this blight my day for a short period. Laurie has got increasingly fussy with food recently so I decided to get him more involved in the cooking and we made salmon kebabs for tea-Both kids made their own which was a bit hairy for the under 2's especially, but no limbs lost and dinner eaten so a big success. I have to finish up my Blackcurrant sorbet in a moment so all things considered. have had quite a Nigella afternoon.

Mum and Dad have been away and recently commented on the change in the kids in such a short time. It got me thinking. Laurie can now write his name, sort of, using dot guides and will write whole sentances (totally illegible) and be able to tell you what they say. He has also taught himself to read (make things up) and does so in a such a convincing tone I havent the heart to correct him. It turns out he can also now read road signs 'Mummy that means no big red cars and no little black cars' and my current favourite ' Mummy that means no boomerang throwing as it might come and hit you on the head'. Looking at the signage it was quite a logical conclusion. Mol is determined to copy her brother with everything which can be a bit dangerous and tiring but does mean her speech is excellent for one so wee. She's full of blonde curls and big blue eyes at the moment but think she's going to be a real challenge in a few years.