A quiet weekend

I have bought a fabulous farm from a cherry tree shop. For those who are new to my blog, cherry tree shops are charity shops. I just call them "cherry tree", as it's something my mum, my sister and I always say.

Anyway the farm is originally from the Early Learning Centre and I got it from Help The Aged for £4.50. It is brilliant and the kids have been keeping very quiet and not hassling me as much while they build the farm and sort out the animals. Giving me free time to blog!

It has loads more animals but the Prince keeps knocking them over and throwing them around his room!

There are more buildings to set up too but I cant be jiggered today

Other news this weekend is that I won an Ebay bid for two duplicate rabbit comforters. Those of you who have followed my blog for a bit may remember the Prince lost his beloved "Noo Noo" (which he'd had since birth and took EVERYWHERE) while in Whitstable several weeks back.

Well, we already had one replacement but it took a while for the second Noo Noo to be accepted. Then I saw a pair on Ebay for £4.99  and I was thrilled. They arrived yesterday. I've washed them and rubbed them against his older one and already done a swap over so that eventually they will all be old and smelly (why do kids love their toys like this, utterly vile if you ask me).

The Prince eyed up Noo Noo suspiciously (after I did the surreptitious swap) and I glossed over it saying I 'd quickly washed him and didn't he look lovely and almost like new? How come two-year-olds are so astute?

I'd also written a story for the local rag in Whitstable in the hope that someone would find the original Noo Noo and return him , but alas, so far it was all in vain. But he got good coverage including a mention on the front page (underneath stories of crime, accidents and vandalism it said "Have you seen Noo Noo?" as if he was Britain's most wanted...) Then he got half a page inside!


We'd had one false sighting a couple of weeks ago and the news editor of the Whitstable Times called to inform me that someone had phoned her as they'd seen an elderly couple place something that look like Noo Noo on a bench outside a charity shop. When I called the charity shop, I got as far as "Hello, my son has lost his rabbit..." and she interrupted me and said "Oh you must be talking about Noo Noo? I think everyone is looking for him, I've already been trawling the streets! I will call you if he ever turns up."

Sadly he wasn't on that bench and has never been found.

But amazing kindness in a seaside town.  And here we go, these duplicate beauties came through the post box yesterday. FAR more welcome twins than Jedward.

"Hello, I'm Noo Noo, and he's Noo Noo and together we are NOO NOO!!"

Spot the older replacement, seriously in need of a wash

Oh ok, I'll move on from Noo Noo now (wonder how many followers I just lost)

The Princess made a frittata for lunch yesterday and did a great job, bless her. We had a lovely afternoon just cooking, stewing apples from our trees and chatting while the boys did the gardening. Autumn is well and truly here, it's time for loads of baking and much raking of leaves.

"Would you like a cherry pie, son?" and this was the response above!

Messing up himself and his father

It's the first weekend where we have just been at home and taken it nice and easy for absolutely ages. Family time is so important isn't it? The husband had this weekend off and it's been lovely. We had a curry and wine last night and watched TV and we have a DVD to watch after dinner tonight. Blue Valentine I think it's called. Anyone seen it?

Tomorrow is the last "proper" day of the school hols as I am at work on Tues and then the Princess starts junior school on Wednesday. I've just ironed all her new uniform, labelled it and we're ready to start a brand new term. Summer went so fast. Sad really, I love the sun.

Aussie memories

The dear husband and I have eaten our own weight (mine is considerable at present, thanks to evil iron tablets which have caused "trouble", shall I say in my belly) in thai curry tonight. And wine. All very delish.

We watched a depressing film called Samson & Delilah, about Aboriginal teenagers who escape to the big city, all with dire consequences.

It reminded me of our time travelling around Oz. There were times when we were broke. So poor we lived on oranges and peanut butter sandwiches. We lived in a two-man dome tent for three months solid. Sometimes we were so skint we couldn't even afford to pitch up at a proper campsite, so would pull over on the road. Some nights I craved the comfort of a bed, a room which was bigger than our canvas hang-out, a comfortable night's sleep. But we got used to it.

It seems like a dream now. The adventures, the excitement, the worry, the danger, but we stayed strong (somehow!) through it all.

I remember watching the Aboriginals when we were out there in the middle of the Australian outback, wondering why so many of them had turned to drink. This film was very poignant, very real. I could almost smell the red earth, feel the intense sun beating down on our backs, swatting off the determined flies.

It has made us grateful for what we have.

Glad to have got that off my chest (again, a considerable size, but can't blame the iron tablets for that).

Bought this funny little toy for the Prince from Oxfam for £2.99. It's solid wood and I think I love it more than he does.

"Home James"

"Oh look, we must be at the Safari Park, Gladys"

Oh dear. Someone with teething issues enjoyed this passenger...

"Yes dear, can we help you?"

Anyone know what the writing translates as?

It's now 11.30pm and we have the Princess's leavers' assembly in the morning. Have a packed lunch to make, shower and hair wash to do, and not cleared up from tonight .Oh dear. Morning won't be the most positive affair....