19th August, I can't believe it!  It only seems like a week or so ago that the girls finished up playgroup for Summer yet it seems like an eternity since Peter and I celebrated our wedding anniversary which was only the day after, doesn't the mind do funny things!!

 

I've hardly blogged recently, for those that want the lovely story (and also very fictitious, please read on, if you want the honest, warts and all truth scroll to bottom!).

 

We've been so busy having fun in the wonderful Summer sun.  We've had an exciting trip somewhere or an activity to do each day.  The girls have behaved wonderfully and I wish we had another 7 weeks break together!  The house is wonderfully tidy and all the laundry is both washed, iron and most importantly, put away - hurrah!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It's been a very crappy week or so, the girls have been fighting and if one of them behaves, the other one starts antagonising the other so the fighting starts.  The times (and there have been a lot!) where I've given them my undivided attention and we've done something that they enjoy like playdough, baking, reading stories, being outside etc, they are good for the duration but as soon as we stop and I dare go and do something else, like make a coffee, go to the loo, quickly check emails etc they revert back to misbehaving, it's been very frustrating and upsetting.   The weather has been awful as well, it feels as though we've by-passed Summer and gone from Spring straight to a mild Autumn!  I think that has contributed to the mood this week.  I find it hard to be inside all day and NOT tidy or do jobs that need doing.  If it's just drizzle, I really try to get the girls outside (there was a gap in the downpours around 1530-1700 today so I got the girls and myself wet-weather proofed and took them out for a walk down the lane and spent some time with a neighbour which was nice) but it's been so wild that it really hasn't been possible.

 

I have really loved having the girls at home with me (honestly!) and not being constrained by others' schedules, however I am looking forward now to the start of term when I hope the regular routine will help bring order back to our/my life!  On a very, very positive note, I would like to express my pride in Martha.  She has now been out of nappies (excluding night-time) for a week and has spent the last 2 days accident free!!  I am so proud of her achievement, I just need to try now to get her to a) put her pants on and b) stop undressing completely each time she uses the loo!!

I was upset yesterday to learn of the death of Craig Jones at Brands Hatch.  Not only was he so young at 23, but incredibly talented and a really nice person.  The motorsport world has lost a lot of its members over the past few years, it's so sad when I hear of yet another loss.  R.I.P Jonesy, you will be missed.

 

 

Today we picked up my friend Kath and took the girls to visit the nearby village of Ripley.  Ripley is a very olde worldly little place with beautiful cottages, stonework, Church, castle and inn, not to mention one of the best ice-cream shops in the world!!  I didn't check beforehand (which as a bit silly of me!) so we discovered that Ripley Farmyard was closed, however we headed straight for the tearoom where we ordered toasted teacakes, scones, hot chocolates, coffee and apple juice.  Martha spent most of the time wandering around the table or playing with the tablecloths, whilst Lauren sat very well and enjoyed the treat.  Afterwards, we went into the gift shop and as it was pouring down, I was reminded that Lauren needed some new wellies which we promptly purchased along with some white musk incense sticks, holder, dog finger puppet fcr Martha and some Ladybird books for their ever expanding library. 

 

Martha loves books and is now in a bedtime routine of storytime with myself, teeth, then, storytime alone in bed with lamp.  She normally falls asleep within 30 minutes and she really enjoys the quiet time.

We had quite a lazy Sunday and it was wonderful to be able to join Jan, Nigel, Emily, Lucy & Georgie in York for the Ghost Trail of York! The girls enjoyed seeing their cousins too which was lovely.  Martha spent most of the tour either being chased, chasing or undoing Jan's shoelaces! I'm going to make an effort to get the girls out some more in public in an effort to acclimatise them to the situation!!