Mercury's the closest to the sun...

Mr CleanSlate is away this weekend. And as if that's not enough to deal with, the weather has decided to go completely bonkers. I can't seem to leave the house without it totally, torrential downpouring all over us. And No.2 son won't entertain the idea of a coat with a hood. It's not so much that he's anti-hood, more that he has a new favourite coat which happens to have no hood. You see where I'm going....

So, wet.

The photo is No.1 son, he has a new hair cut AND I took him to the opticians to have his glasses straightened. He's clearly delighted that he no longer looks like he's been dragged through a hedge, backwards (he's not looked in a mirror, so he doesn't know he needs to blow his nose - perhaps you won't hold it against him?!). You'd be forgiven for thinking he's eating something, but obviously(!), he's pretending to play a mouth organ. He's channeling Snufkin from the Moomins. Sadly, that phase hasn't yet diminished.

They've actually both been pretty good today, except No.2 son in the barber's chair. He was having none of it and learnt the hard lesson that if you're not good, there's no lolly from the hairdresser. It's a painful world. No.1 son was quite enjoying the situation, but on the way home he endearingly pleaded to be allowed to let him have a lick. Who am I to stand in the way of (rare and fleeting) brotherly cuteness??!

We have a solar system jigsaw (blame Mr CleanSlate) - which became one of our rainy activities this afternoon. You'll be delighted to hear, we also have a solar system song :-) Again, blame resides firmly with Mr CleanSlate! (Earworm sufferers - turn away now!) To the tune of 'Do Re Me' (all together now)- "Mercury's the closest to the sun; Venus: has lots of Greenhouse Gas; Earth: my home, my favourite one. Mars: had water in the past" I know, I'm a geek. There's more ;-) but I'm stopping here. Anyway, we spent the rest of the afternoon with tissue paper, glitter and glue, making our own solar system and singing rather too loudly (one assumes) for our neighbours! Of course, 4 year olds are never happy with the delightful activities you provide. 'The song' just caused more problems, prompting conversations like,
No.1 son: "Why doesn't Mars have water now?"
Me: "Because..... it's all gone now" *hangs head in shame*
No.1 son: "Well, what did Jupiter have in the past?"
Me: "I don't know. Just gas. It's just made of gas. Not a solid surface like earth. You couldn't jump on it *Mummy jumps*, like here on earth"
No.1 son: "Would you get stuck inside Jupiter?"
Me: "Err, no, you'd fall right through?"
No.1 son: "To where?"
Me: "Well, into space, but..."
No.1 son: "Can I go to Jupiter :-)"

Worringly, this conversation follows a remarkably similar pattern to a conversation we had in the barber's about going to Goa.

Anyway, No.2 son wee-ed all over the bathroom floor at bathtime. Not good. He did at least have the decency to be sheepish about it. No.1 son was adamant he should go on the naughty step. it did cross my mind that I could do worse than let my 4 year old discipline my 2 year old, but sadly common sense prevailed.

But, they're asleep :-) My dinner's ready :-) and the red wine forecast (you must have heard it earlier - just after the one no-one listens to, about ships) has already proved accurate :-)