OOPS!!

We are now in the habit of feeding Bear's water addiction by going swimming on a Tuesday and Wednesday after school. Scrumpy just adores going too so it's a great night out as we stop off for chips in the cafe on the way home.

Last week we had a disaster I'm afraid to say of my making. Some how we managed to leave the house two kids, two carers one parent and a stack of bags only to get to the changing room to find we had managed to leave Bear's costume behind. It's pool side changing cubicles. The whole leisure centre knew Bear was not happy. I ran back to reception to ask if they had any costume in lost property or to buy - receptionist had a look but came up distressed and empty handed. While we were trying to figure out a way of getting round the missing costume issue - was pants and vest an option?? Bear was trying to limbo under the cubicle door naked. She was going in the pool, costume or not. Thankfully she is now too big to get under the door but she was giving it a good go.

Just when I was really starting to panic one of the poolside team went for a hunt around and came back proudly brandishing a suitable costume. He'd actually gone to find some shorts and was so pleased with himself to have found a costume. The smile that Bear gave him was reward enough.

This isn't the first time I have been moved by our leisure centre staff going the extra bit. We've been the only people in the pool in a disabled session and they've put water features on for us and run the flume. Just for us, to see my girls smile. That is special, and never will it be taken for granted and always will it be appreciated.

Ginger Twits venture outside....

and back in again at a rapid rate!

Thinking Bruce and Tim needed to get more stimulation and, more importantly, off my kitchen table I tried to get them outside for a bit today. To start with, my big bad barn cats ran for the safety of their hidey hole in the coffee table when I opened the patio door, so following this flying start I grabbed Bruce and took him out. He was singularly unimpressed and showed it by scuttling back in the moment I put him down on the grass. Tim, being a girl, was more adventurous and got further out only to be beaten up by the birds. I had to rescue her from under the water butt. I think my fears of the birds getting attacked by the cats have been laid to rest.

So, we will try again tomorrow but in the mean time, if anyone has any good tips about training a stupid cat or two that paws belong on the floor or outside I'd be most grateful.

Don't expect to hear from me....

well, not for a bit anyway! Burst pipe at school means MINIMUM extra two days holiday, my house is definitely post Christmas and I have a stack of jobs to do.

After that? You might get lucky before I sit down with my new book! Santa brought me Lottery by Patricia Wood and Look Me in the Eye by John Elder Robison so following the post holiday shake down that'll be me, nose in book and a big fat do not disturb sign above my head.