Abi & Izzy - the next 5 years

We've definitely moved into the 'settled children' stage of the holidays, i.e. those final few days before they go back to school when very one is completely in rhythm and there very little intervention required. Over the past 2 weeks the girls have been making the most of the dry, sunny weather and have barely been inside. Last week was a stonking 25 degrees (obviously marking the week after I went back to work...) and between this, and the multiple fun places to pay in the building site that is our garden, they've had a lovely Easter break. Izzy is mainly to be found at the moment in one or other pile of sand / earth / stones as the patio nears completion. She is happiest just sitting and playing mudpies, chatting to herself as she digs a hole or fills one in. Simple things in life! We had to smile as we were watching Sean pointing the new paving, with Izzy sitting next to him companionably chatting away, telling him all about the party she is having next week. Ab

Ahhh, we've had such a nice week off, and over so quickly - always the way. It seems as though it's a case of blink and it's over. I suspect I've written that before.  So while everyone else appeared to be jetting off to sun or snow, we stayed put at home and on reflection I'm glad we did. We managed to get out and get active a lot - walking, cycling, swimming, riding and so on - and we had lots of down time which was very much needed after a few busy weeks at work. One of the reasons we didn't go away was the garden project which is now well under way and looking fab even though it's really just started. The other reason of course is the pupster who couldn't possibly be left for a whole week - what would he do without us?!? We have at least now introduced him to Nanny Di so we have cover when we need it. She took one look at him and stated very clearly "they won't both fit in my house", so future dog sitting will be in situ at our ho