The day I nearly caught a deer by Henry the dog

well not quite, but by the look of Henry's face it was an experience that will live with him for a while. I was sat outside in the last few rays of sun, when out of the corner of my eye I saw the white flash of Henry hurtling up the garden. As I turned to look I realised that there was a young male deer running straight for me with the dog in hot pursuit. Quite beautifully, the deer took a right hand turn and galloped away from me. He leapt over the fence into next door's garden, but not before Henry had actually put on the accelerator and was catching him up. Henry sat stoically at the fence knowing when he was beaten. He then sat right in the middle of the garden looking first at where the deer had come from and yearningly towards where it had gone. If there was a thought bubble above his head I am sure it would say 'bloody hell, nearly caught that!'

This week we have had the fantastic news that both the boys have won class prizes. I am so glad that we moved them to this school and obviously it has paid off and they love it there. They both had book tokens to buy a precious book with (to be inscribed and presented to them at prize giving no less!!) We spent Saturday morning in a great bookshop choosing the right class of book...A has gone for 'Our Island History' a heavyweight tome following the history of Britain from Romans to Victoria - and Charlie...he has the Enclylopedia of Mr Men! As my Dad would have said ' well done, well done!'

Today Alf had a birthday party which was a circus workshop with a guy eating fire and lying on nails. He thought it was wonderful and definately heard the 'dont try this at home' message loud and clear. I took Chas to the new park - a brilliant Childrens dream of swings, slides, pirate ship and water...we met the world and their wife there - my cousin, 3 members of his class and even my friend's little girls out for a day with their gran and grandad. Home for the footie though and whilst both boys are up late cheering for Spain, I thought I would take advantage and write this. I will learn to like it!!!

Henry is now zonked out next to me, dreaming of the one that got away...

another day, another deer

Toof

Alf has spent all day in front of the bathroom mirror quietly wobbling his tooth. I could not bear to watch as it was swinging around in his mouth and then finally at 5pm his perseverance paid off and out it came! A lovely big front tooth to match the one on the bottom he had already lost. Chas is beside himself that he may have over 720 days til he too can lose some teeth...but consoles himself with the fact that the very next one Alf loses he will be allowed to put under the pillow for the fairy. So proud we have taught them to share so well!

Our twin guests came yesterday for a sleepover, now aged 6 they were run ragged by me. First the massive indoor climbing frame for 2 hours, then my mum's to play on the swings and finally and hour and a half in the park playing on the new ship and swings before returning home for Doctor Who. My mission paid off and by 8.30pm there was not a peep from them! J and I had to sleep on the sofa bed - oh my god the word bed should not be allowed under trade description...more like a sofa plank. Rather tired this morning!

J took the children for a spin in Jack's bucket. Poor old Jack has been out of action for a few weeks, but has had a complete health check and repair by the wonderful Colin. A finer gentleman you could not meet. He has everything known to man to do with tractors in his little red van and spends hours lovingly getting the old boys going again. He used to work at the factory that once upon a time made Jack, he was there when Jack was sent out into the world for the first time and so I think he may feel that they are friends of old.

When we began the process of buying here - about a year ago now - Alf had been learning about Monet at school. The shed became known as 'Monet's Garden' by the boys as when we visited, bringing the lads with us for the first time, the river was full of massive lily pads. About a week ago they finally floated to the top of the river for this year and Monet is back...

Have I told you we have curtains in the bedroom!!! No more waking up with the sun and rather taken with the ability to sleep in the dark....how novel...

All tuckered out.

reclaiming my story

Have come home to discover the impossible has happened...the interweb is working once more and i can finally scribble again...

so apolgies that blogging today is a bit like buses, but writing all this down has become a slight OCD for me.

what can i tell you..

Alf has been presented with 2 trophies footie today - one for playing a full season and one for most improved player. My sister once won a cup from a man called Percy Verance so maybe the winning streak carries on with my boy. Bless his heart he had them in bed for me to see when I came home and once shown ceremonially kissed them before placing them by his bed for him to see as soon as he wakes up.

Another thing that tickled my fancy today is what Chinese star signs we all are...I am delighted to announce I am a Monkey, J appears as a horse, and the lads are Snake and Sheep...fancy looking www.holymtn.com/astrology/year.htm - another way to see the dynamic of the family C...

Happy horoscopes....

Bella beckoned!

and broadband broke...alliteration at the beginning - not bad eh must be feeling the wordsmith.

The sun finally arrived just in time for the boys' half term holiday and we headed down to the caravan for rest, relaxation and RAIN! We had the most wonderful 10 days, especially when it poured down and Jeff got 8 little boys all dressed in wetsuits to play rugby on the field in the rain. They had a ball sliding around the place.

The shed remains much as we left it, although it has been spring cleaned. We were worried that by removing some of the dust and mud we may have removed what was keeping the structure standing, but he is obviously made of stronger stuff than we imagined.

We are waiting for the diggers to come back to finish the last 1/4 of the garden, they have been held at bay for the past couple of weeks while we have been away, but hope to return next week to polish it off. Already the garden looks better and the good news is that we have not flooded no matter what the season has thrown at us.

Big Blue John the car finally gave up the ghost and we have had to retire him...but never one to miss an opportunity to make something - I came home from work to discover that Jeff has cut the roof off the back of the car (a Renault espace) and turned him into a truck! The boys jumped into the back held on like the 'A Team' and were driven around the land laughing and joking... We have a new half van/half car and in true family fashion he has been named. I am afraid the name calling was not massively inventive as once again Charlie won the day and he is called 'big blue john - the second'. I suppose if it is not broken you don't need to fix it!

Finally, very exciting news - the basin has been plumbed in the bathroom! No more brushing my teeth at the ktchen sink or watching people stare at the basin as the water they have turned on puddles onto the bathroom floor. Little things...

All happy and harmonious