Chickens in a box

Woken up this morning at 5.30am by William, who curled up into my back, wouldn't speak a word and refused to go back to his own bed. He wouldn't eat anything for breakfast no matter how much we coaxed and cajoled and hid himself under the table for the duration. Typically, it was the one day that I'd arranged to go Christmas wreath-making with Sonya, something that had been in the diary for weeks. I was really looking forward to it and had arranged for the boys to go this extra day to nursery so I could make the morning. Not sure William was genuinely ill, I was blisteringly unsympathetic. Finally, after he projectile vomited his Ribena onto the bathroom floor, I realised I was being horrible and he was genuinely ill. Then to add insult to injury James threw Rabbit into the vomit.....you can imagine the rest... What to do? I felt so selfish, but really wanted to make my wreath, and in my heart of hearts I knew I should keep William at home. Eventually I compromised, W...

Re: typo in previous post; should have been 'its'. See what happens when you get overtired? Ashamed.

Marbles are my latest reward scheme; everytime the boys do something good they get a new one, and everytime they're naughty I take one away. When the jar is full, we go to the toy shop and they can choose something small (rubber lizards are only 30p and the current favourite). Alas today both have lost marbles, after over-tiredness set in and so did the histrionics. A happy, busy day, but my patience is at it's lowest ebb around 5.30 so dealing with furious children in a calm way is exceptionally hard. I'm afraid lobbing Rabbit in William's direction helped relieve my frustration slightly, although simultaneously served to inflame his temper....funny. In hindsight. It's very hard to remain serene at all times, but I really do try.

I am knackered, no really, more than I usually am. This is down to just one small factor that answers to the name of James (or Jim-Bob). He's decided to wake up every night between 1am and 5am, totter into our bedroom and demand 'cuddle Mummy!' Being nice (and knackered), I have, to date, acquiesed. But enough is enough and this constant interruption to my beauty sleep could be tolerated no longer. This morning's 'cuddle ME!' was late, 5am and an outraged James descended swiftly into hitching shrieks when he realised he'd been thwarted. In the dark, sub-zero temperatures of the early morning I tried to appeal to my furious child, explaining that Mummy and Daddy needed to sleep too. He wasn't having any of it. Reinforcements were called, Eddie's technique was to bundle James unceremoniously back into bed and pull the door to. Shrieks turned to cries; cries turned to sobs; sobs turned to the odd gasp and sniffle before the poor child finally ga...

I'm finding it very hard to relax. At the moment I've got quite a bit of free time, but if I sit down and read/sleep/watch a film then I start to feel terribly guilty and think about all the housework I could/should be doing. Alas actually moving from the sofa/armchair/bed then becomes a battle between one part of my brain telling me to get up and do something constructive, and the other half trying to convince me not to bother. Today despite a morning's Christmas shopping followed by BodyPump I could only manage 30 minutes of 'Twilight' before forcing myself to get up and do the ironing. Having finished, it's a choice between cleaning the silver or writing this. No contest.

Women are like waves, or so it's been said. Up one minute and then they come crashing down the next. I conform absolutely to this stereotypical synopsis of the female condition; supermum/domestic goddess/gym babe one day and a miserable, fat, pale failure the next. An increasingly cold, dark, wet November does little to help things when you're in a trough, but luckily I have Eddie who's been trying really hard to cheer me up. Yesterday he treated me to a hair cut in an actual salon (have been getting it done at home for the past few months due to budget cuts/lack of clients). V exciting and I had a great idea for how I wanted to come out with a sleek chestnut bob. I didn't. Instead, I came out looking like Dannii Minogue on a bad day. The day went from bad to worse when a horrified William asked me to "put my old hair back on." Eventually Eddie came home from work and I burst into tears. All credit to him for attempting to be nice, but this is Eddie we...

Eddie bottling up his cache of cider. We're told our eyesight will return after a couple of days.

Finding myself in between projects I decided to dip a toe in the world of retail and host a handbag party. How hard could it be to have a few friends round for lunch and flog some fabulous italian bags at the same time...? As you've probably already worked out, this selling malarky is a hell of a lot harder than you think, and after a morning setting up the room and preparing the drinks/canapes I was already knackered. But it was a lovely lunch and everyone enjoyed themselves, Diane set up a nail bar in the snug and did manicures for us all too which worked really well - and I did actually manage to sell some of the stock (which was a relief). By 4.30 everyone had gone and the dishwasher was on overdrive, as was I - just time to whip off the wrap dress and heels, get back into my usual uniform of jeans + fleece and pick up the boys. I've never been a natural sales person, never wanted to be - but post-party I have a new found respect for people in the retail business. It...

In between jobs and teetering between manic NCT action (coffee mornings/halloween parties/cheese and wine) and honing my body into perfection (yeah right...). Last week felt utterly manic, a whirlwind of social activity, school runs, catering and hours and hours spent either tidying the house or washing up. Alas I'm now left with mountains of laundry and a set of minging bathrooms all requiring my attention. With half-term upon us and no clients, have retreated into my shell, donned a particularly nasty pair of tracksuit bottoms and my trusty slippers and am preparing to launch myself into the housework. Well, in a minute maybe, after I've checked Facebook....and written a couple of emails...could go another coffee too.....need a wee....ho hum...

It died. NEVER again. I am sticking to mammals in future, bring on the dog!

Mothers are difficult people to employ. So many businesses can't get their heads around flexible working. Surely if you make yourself available via iPhone/laptop etc and do your work to a high standard, on time and on budget it shouldn't matter where or when that work is done? The problem is that it does matter. It matters a lot. Companies like 'bums on seats;' to be able to physically see the people they employ. This was a problem when I went back to work after having William, even working 1/2 a day out of 5 from home proved such an issue that I ended up having to come in for that 1/2 day rather than working remotely. Sometimes I wonder if I'll ever be able to go back to the corporate world I know so well and love being a part of. You cannot have it all. You cannot raise your children yourself and expect to be able to come back to work on a flexible basis, to the same standard you did before becoming a mother. I do see that it's difficult for compani...

William, " I like poos." Me, "Why?" William, "That's coz, I like the sticky bits."

With her doting Godmother. Fweet!

The secret to living next to a school, is to avoid the parents at all costs. Today I surpassed myself... Mission - take children swimming. 15.00 Leave house with seconds to spare, chelsea tractors converging from all sides 15.20. Arrive pool (via alternative, cross-country route avoiding all educational facilities). Secure prime parent/child space (due to all parents still collecting offspring from school) 15.35. Enter pool. 1 other Mum swimming with small child 16.05. Parents have now collected offspring and head for water. Large children leap into pool and hog all available flotation devices 16.06. Exit pool. 16.30. Arrive home to a deserted village feeling smug 16.35. Mission II- cook tea and persuade children to eat it....

Children at nursery this morning so I hit the gym for an hour (20 minute run, 15 minute bike followed by weights). Back home in time to clean all the bathrooms and have a shower. Off to pick up James via the dry cleaners to drop off Eddie's suit. Scoop up JimBob and then off to Little Sunflowers for William. Home. Beans and cheese on toast with Will then both boys to bed (William was very quiet at nursery and said he felt very tired). Christmas puddings on to steam - for 8 hours. Put the washing on the line, write all James' thank you cards, wake the boys, post the cards. Home. Snakes and ladders, the boys bounce on the trampoline while I bring the washing in. CBeebies. Fish fingers, brocolli and crispy potatoes on the go as I'm ironing and watching the puddings. Eddie home. Bath, bed. I finish the ironing while Eddie cooks. Pasta arrabiata (sp?) in front of EastEnders. Washing up. Blog. 45 minutes until the puddings are done. Electric blanket set to '...

Home again after a wonderful fortnight in Cap Coz, Brittany. The sun shone every day (except one) and we spent our time beachcombing, swimming and enjoying the beauty of the place and its incredible seafood. Thank God this year we packed the stock pot and the crab actually fitted inside it.... As ever at the end of any holiday you're 'ready' to come home, but after 3 days of laundry it seemed like a dim and distant memory. Firmly back into the swing now, the boys are at nursery - for a bit longer this time to give me a chance to do a bit more work. Now I have to find some clients! Must stay confident and optimistic that good things will come my way if I just stay focused and don't lose heart. In the meantime it's James' birthday in 2 days so I'm starting work on a trampoline cake to go with his main pressie! I cannot believe my baby is going to be 2....yesterday he marched into our bedroom at 06.30 as per usual, announcing 'I'm awake' (lest ...

So you buy a couple of goldfish, bung 'em in a tank and Bob's your uncle.....not so. First, you have to 'cycle' your tank with a number of different potions before they'll even consider giving you a fish. When I finally managed to get it right - 6 weeks later - fish no 1 (Marty) was dead within a week. Not the greatest start but fish no 2 (Nemo) seemed OK so we decided to persevere and find him a new friend. More water issues, no more fish. Another 3 weeks of faffing around with potions in the water and we were finally allowed fish no 3 (Little Marty). Attempting to pass him off as the original was an utter failure so we ended up agreeing that the orignal Marty had gone to hospital and this went down well. He lasted a week. Embarressed, I ended up going to a new fish shop to try to avoid a reputation as a murderer of fish. After yet another water test I felt utterly neurotic and went home with fish no 4 (Big Fat Marty). Shortly afterwards our incumbant, Nemo...

No idea. Poor Will was burning up last night with a temperature of 39 + and spent most of today in bed. After huge amounts of sleep and Calpol he seems to be on the mend but we've no idea what's wrong. They say that if you get flu it'll be Swine Flu...but then again it could just be some random virus. God knows. Hopefully tomorrow he'll feel better. Then it'll be either James, Eddie or I who'll be next. G.R.E.A.T.

Am now 36. How on earth....? Eddie surpassed himself by giving me the pair of yellow wedges I have been longing for April (see 20/4 blog entry) and I spent a very quiet morning sans enfants relaxing at the gym with Heat and Americano followed by pilates. Then home for cakes, coffee, champagne and children. Great fun and all topped off with a Szechuan feast with the Greens. I couldn't have asked for more. The next day was the Big Day, William and James went to stay with the Greens while Eddie and I headed down to East Dean for Lindsey and Mark's wedding. A beautiful day, very romantic and of course a fabulous party! Food to die for and wine that just kept on coming....then cocktails...and a nightcap... 6.30am the next day and my bodyclock kicks in along with an irresistable pull back to the children. Fortunately I did feel marginally less hideous after a full fry-up, tea and a post-breakfast power nap. We eventually made it home to find that James had surpassed himself, and mad...

Trapped! Grace and Will in the net. Fantastic to see Sarah and the girls after a year in Australia, we both felt quite choked up to see each other again. You cannot put a price on 25 years of friendship. The children have all grown so much and it was wonderful to have us all sitting round the table together for the first time. Roll on next year when they're back home and we'll be able to spend more happy summer days together. The Fatboy rocks. The only way to eat rasberries. In the meantime the weather has taken a turn for the worse and I'm praying that the summer isn't over already. Will has broken up from pre-school and the boys are both throwing marbles round the house while I rack my brains thinking of things to do. To be honest it's often better just to let them get on with it. Idle parenting - love it. Mattie loses one of his audience. And always the spectre of swine flu now lurks in the background. I'm just hoping that if we're going to get it, it...

I am on a ROLL! Talk about life being like a bus stop, you wait forever and then 3 come along at once (is that right?) So.....I have a night out with the NCT ladieees, dinner a glass of wine and monster gossip, putting the world to rights. Then....Bjorn again at the race course. ABBA-tastic. Every single song a winner and despite the rain we belted out every one at the top of our voices. I loved it. And finally....Lindsey's hen in Brighton on the Saturday. Great fun and I never want to see a glass of Rose as long as I live. On 3 hours sleep to say that Sunday was a struggle is an understatement, but somehow we made it home and after a long soak in the bath with 'The Man Who Made Husbands Jealous,' I was safely tucked up and fast asleep by 9.30pm. We oldies have a tough time keeping up!

The weather is unbelievable, temperatures in the 30s everyday, sticky and hot at night. A true sun worshipper even I'm struggling, feeling so tired, lethargic and scratchy. The boys are brilliant but I am swimming in treacle. It doesn't help that I wake up at 4am most mornings. Today it went like this: 4am - Molly pukes at top of the stairs (she came in especially) 4.20am - finish clearing up sick 4.30am - birds start tweeting at full volume 5.00am - James throws water cup out of bed, howls until I get it back for him 5.30am - ask Eddie if he awake. 'No', says Eddie. 5.32am - sleep 7.00am - woken by irate Will pointing out I should stop sleeping and wipe his bottom

Impossible. Even working two days a month now, takes its toll; squeezing in an hour here and an hour there. Since having the children I have found it hard to find a balance between their needs and mine. I went back to work full-time after we had William and was miserable, I missed him so much, leaving him at nursery for 4 1/2 days a week. Then when the weekend finally came round all I did was rush around trying to catch up with the shopping/housework etc. Rush, rush, rush and no time to enjoy being a mother. I ended up having to make a decision - career or children. It wasn't hard and I have never regretted it. Sometimes, like today, when I feel like I'm running to stand still, trying to get through a mountain of ironing and other exceptionally dull jobs while the children whinge and fight with each other, I wonder what on earth I'm doing. But they bring me so much happiness, watching them when they're together (like today, William feeding James bites of his ap...

Good question. Actually quite alot - I've got my first freelance job for starters, working on PR for a company in Newbury. And although I'm thrilled, it's actually very daunting and I realise how much confidence I've lost by being out of work for nearly 2 years. Added to that of course I'm now not only under my own steam, but doing something I haven't worked on for nearly 9 years. So. No pressure then. But it's all good and my rusty little brain is beginning to get into gear a little bit. Rather than vegging in front of dross on TV of an evening I find myself researching forward features! Now I want coverage and that's the tricky part. At the end of the day it's down to column inches and it would be such a ego boost for both myself and my new client to have some coverage. Agonising over actually having to communicate with a journalist all weekend I was ready to go this morning, psyched up and all set. Could I get online? NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO...

I have a new Goddaughter! Isn't she sweet?! So tiny and a complete angel - I am over the moon.

I have just spent 1 1/2 hours putting James back into bed over, and over, and over again. Why did I think taking the side off his cot was a good idea? Infuratingly, he seemed to think this was absolutely hilarious and the crosser I got, the more he laughed. Unable to stand anymore I stormed out to the garage and returned with a spanner. Don't worry, the baby is fine - but is now barricaded into his room with the stairgate. Sod SuperNanny, desperate mothers call for desperate measures. I am waiting for my heart rate to return to something vaguely resembling normal....it may take some time.

Collapsed into bed at 1am this morning after a brilliant evening with friends, alas the downside of great nights is always the 6.30am starts....but after a Berrocca and some paracetamol life didn't look so bleak and I got started on the carnage that was our house. On a rainy, cold, hungover, Sunday morning Eddie held the winning ticket; he'd promised to take William to the cinema for the first time. The two of them set off to watch Madgascar; Escape to Africa (the first film being William's favourite) and half an hour later a text confirmed that they were armed with popcorn and Pepsi; William's cup runneth over. Moi? Stuck with a miserable James whinging for Daddy. He is adorable, but so high maintenance - especially having had little sleep, my patience wasn't what it usually is. However we've decided the time has come to give James his freedom and remove the side of his cot. At first he didn't quite understand what it meant, but it didn't take long...

With Eddie away in South Africa all week the boys and I took a road trip up Norf to see Saffi, Mark and Fleur in their new pad in Lincolnshire. Such a beautiful place, their house looks out on a stretch of lawn and then a huge, perfectly groomed polo pitch. Idyllic. I even had a chance to stick and ball on a beautiful black mare called The Duchess, a real confidence boost and it reminded me how much I'd missed them all. Alas the trip was not without its drama; this time in the shape of William's first really serious asthma attack. If I think about it, things started to kick off as soon as he went to bed, and by 2am he was coughing so much I went out to the car to get his duvet (which I'd packed just in case). By morning he was in a complete state; unable to breathe and terrified, which of course made things worse. He cried and cried and after trying all the inhalers I'd brought, I was at my wits end. Eventually we put him in a warm bath hoping that the humidity would he...

Too much to think about this morning; getting the boys ready for nursery, polo and then back home again in time to make school at 1pm. A tall order but I was determined to be ultra-organised. Managed the lot and even an extra trip to Tesco and Azzuza for coffees before heading off to Binfield Heath via Sonya's. Alas psyched myself out again after being run off with the previous lesson and just couldn't get my act together. Ended up swapping with Sonya and actually having a much better time on a gentle pony who just carted me along. Better for the confidence but another dent to the ego. Rushed home ready to leap into the shower and head over the the school when I suddenly realised I didn't have my house keys. Turned the car upside-down trying to find them and was just about to call every stop I'd made all morning when I suddenly noticed a text from Cate.... ....deep breath... ....to tell me I'd left them IN THE DOOR. THE OPEN DOOR. OF OUR HOUSE. I still feel sick. Ca...

Today we headed off to the Crofton Beam Engines, a bit trucker I guess, but you can't beat a cuppa and custard cream on a sunny day; watching the trains whizzing by and drinking in the atmosphere. With Eddie en route to Joburg, I am shrinking into my bubble; ultra-tidy, ultra-healthy....ultra-quiet! Still, lots on next week with polo on Tuesday and then our road-trip up norf to find out if Lincolnshire really exists. Exciting!

An epiphany in Camp Hopsons. I found myself in the shoe department, clutching a pair of beautiful yellow, high, strappy wedges. How I got there, I have no idea. And it hit me - there was no way on Earth I could afford these beautiful shoes. I am officially tired of having no money. The problem is I've committed career suicide and had children. The teaching thing is ticking along, but it's not something I can give enough time to until both boys are at school. Freelancing is the way forward. I'm hoping something will come up soon....in the meantime it's a question of gritting my teeth and scraping by.

A quiet Easter, the highlight of which was an egg hunt I put together. Appalling at drawing, I took pictures of James' smallest rabbit in a variety of locations (Eddie having helpfully pointed out that writing out the clues wouldn't work given that our children are unable to read....and in JimBob's case, talk...) and the boys had to find him. They loved it! Now the 'Easter Bunny' is sharing Rabbit's top spot in William's bed and even got a trip to Little Sods into the bargain.

It's a very special day, because today William swam for the first time ever - no floating jacket/armbands, nothing. Incredible! Especially when you think that only a few weeks ago he wouldn't even get his hair wet, let alone jump in. Pembrokeshire was a definite turning point because the pool there was fantastic and we swam every morning until Will was happy putting his head under the water and taking his floats off in the shallow end. Since then, we've carried on going to Cannons every week and then this morning William just decided he didn't want to wear his jacket anymore, took it off, jumped in and swam to the steps. I couldn't believe my eyes! Even better, the Greens had come too and so were there to share a really special, unique moment. How proud am I?! Words fail me.

After two years pretty much without a break, Eddie treated me to a weekend away in Alfriston in the South Downs while Sue and Jim had the boys. It was the first time we've ever left James but did our best not to fret and had a lovely time drinking and eating as much as possible with an 8 mile yomp along the coast in between. It's amazing how much easier it is to cope with a hangover if you manage to get a decent lie-in. I'd forgotten! Alas our time away didn't come without its price - a sulking James wouldn't let me near him for ages when we first got back, utterly outraged I'd abandoned him. Interestingly Will was the opposite, hugging my knees like a monkey. It's a treat to go away, but wonderful to be back home all together :)

It's Mark and Saffi's last week here before they move up to Lincolnshire, they've become so much part of our lives since we started playing polo this time last year. We had our last proper lesson on Tuesday on a beautiful day - a far cry from the freezing, waterlogged chukkas we used to play only a few short months ago. Life will certainly lose a little bit of its sparkle without them around. Having said that we're also now without a polo teacher so time to take a break from it and see how the land lies in a few weeks time....good for the budget I suppose. Guess I'll have to hit the gym instead :(

Spring is definitely in the air, the evenings are getting lighter, flowers are beginning to bloom and I feel excited and happy about simple things...like not being cold. James is walking everywhere now which makes such a difference to us all. He's a real outdoor man too, so with the weather getting warmer I can bung the boys in the garden to grub about while I pootle around doing whatever I need to do. Fantastic. Last night we went round to some friends to watch the rugby. Unsure of the form, I expected a short visit, heading home in time to put the boys to bed. Not so! Champagne and nibbly bits followed by the most fabulous stew with dumplings, lots of red wine and brownies for pudding. The boys were angels with James snoozing in his buggy until Stout (or Stamp as Will calls him) their Jack Russell woke him up and he spent the remainder of the evening feeding the dog cheese and biscuits under the table, while Will fell asleep on the sofa upstairs surrounded by fairy lights. We eve...

They are a different species. On Wednesday the fair Fleurdy came over to play and couldn't quite take in these two manic, scooting, climbing, jumping, running, tussling boys. Typical men, they upped the ante in the presence of a female and started showing off even more (as if that were possible). Fleur (aged 2) rose to the challenge by fluttering her eyelashes at James whilst graciously allowing William to take her hand and escort her for a guided tour around the house. She has them wrapped around her little finger. The Love Triangle was eventually broken up when Fleurdy had to go home for tea. Considerably unimpressed by being forcibly removed from the fun (adults; for fun read TOTAL chaos), she was eventually appeased by a very small, purple, rubber snake - a gift from two besotted admirers.

It's amazing to think that a few short weeks ago we were snow surfing, and today we walked through a carpet of snow drops. So beautiful. Will was in heaven playing with Mattie (his hero) while JimBob rode along like a prince in the backpack until eventually released into the ajoining cafe for cake and tea. He was NONE too impressed when it dawned on him he actually might have to attempt to walk himself at some point...

Such a fantastic day today, with yet more snow falling overnight it was up to nearly a foot. We set off for Faccombe Hill but it was so icy the car got stuck. The children and I evacuated and headed off to a safe distance to watch Eddie wrestling against the drifts and ice while I yelled instructions. Eventually a 3 point turn did the trick and we finally got to the top of a suitably steep field, poised on our boards for the off. Such great fun, although steering is tricky on boogie boards! Alas Eddie's idea to take Will down the steepest part of the hill at the rate of knots was not his greatest. Losing control at the base of the field, both disappeared in a flurry of snow and when they eventually disentangled themselves and emerged from the drift, William was totally over the whole experience. Much to their relief we plonked the boys on each board and slogged back up to the car where gingerbread men and Ribena helped with the cold and trauma. Alas our snowdrop expedition to Welfo...

James is a nightmare, as Will keeps telling me (probably because I say it a million times a day). He is SO clingy. Not once have I managed to leave him without a full-on James-tastic tantrum; screaming, tears, frantic hitching of chest, snot....Even at Christmas we had hystrionics trying to get through the door of both Grandma and Uncle Jim's houses. I don't think anyone apart from Eddie and I actually managed to pick him up for the whole time we were away for Christmas and he is no better a month on. Last week when we bumped into Sonya after swimming and had a coffee. I had to take William to the loo about 3 times (all that water) and each time James went into meltdown. I got all sorts of funny looks while poor Sonya got lumbered with a screaming, puce child that wouldn't let her near him. The ridiculous thing is that he is the most cuddly baby ever...but just very, very clingy. What am I going to do with him? I'm going to have an outsized right arm from constantly hol...

We took William, James and the Greens (minus Richard who was wrestling with turbulence flying home from the States) to ride on the steam train at Alresford. Such good fun and the most amazingly beautiful day. A fantastic time had by all - with the possible exception of the passengers who'd made the mistake of sitting in our carriage and who subsequently had to cope with the utter chaos created by 5 small children in a confined space...

I cannot believe Will is actually 3, it seems like yesterday Eddie and I spent what felt like a lifetime in Reading hospital trying a variety of methods of baby removal before he finally made his appearance. We had a lovely day, Father came round in this morning bearing pressies and staying for a coffee before we headed off to The Living Rainforest to explore a mini-jungle and all its creepy-crawlies. Then to The Bell for lunch - you cannot go wrong with hot sausage rolls. William clutched his lemonade and was as happy as Larry. A quiet afternoon and then spag bol followed by the World's most chocolatey chocolate cake and several renditions of 'Happy Birthday'!

James took his first steps last night! He let go of the fire guard and managed about 3 steps before hurling himself into my arms using the traditional Slam Dunk approach favoured by both boys. He still prefers to crawl most of the time, but with vocabulary now moving on from 'ga' and 'doo' to 'flower' and even 'chicken', and now this, I am terrbly excited for him. Today is the dreaded MMR but we're very busy seeing friends which is taking my mind off the inevitable. I can't bear taking the children for injections, I always get much more upset than they do and this one is such a biggie. Let's hope James is OK and not too ill afterwards. Shall have yet more Calpol on standby!

1.00am, the Calpol finally wears off and a plaintive cry comes from the direction of William's bedroom; "I want Mummy and Daddy....." Long pause.... "I want my Mother and my Father!" No getting out of that one then. The patient was swiftly removed from his own bed and relocated to a prime spot in-between his dutiful, exhausted parents.

A bit late I know, but I've been in hibernation over Christmas and this is the first time I've turned the computer on in ages. A wonderful Christmas spent in Sussex with everyone. We looked like the Berverly Hillbillies leaving East End with so much stuff rammed into the car that Will had zero leg room and eventually went to sleep in something resembling the lotus postition. It was a magical day; Father Christmas didn't disappoint stuffing Will and James' stockings full of rubber dinosaurs, snakes, bouncy balls, gold coins and other essentials. Later that afternoon Will's face when he opened his trike was a picture - it is definitely very different when you have children to bring the magic of Christmas to life. James did his best to eat as much wrapping as possible but alas ruined his appetite for dinner......We stayed up after the boys went to bed, putting the world to rights before the cards came out. My nemesis (I am TERRIBLE at cards). Time for bed. Boxing Day a...