Vicky’s cake

Ella and Nathaniel played well together last night. They told us about their on-going pet negotiations. They have to be kind to each other for a year and so far are 3 months in. The deal is if the mange a year they’ll get a dog (their aim), but if only 10 months are managed it will be a rabbit, only 8 months a hamster and 6 months a goldfish. When they didn’t settle down at bedtime Mr C said all they were likely to get was the skeleton of a goldfish. “grand - dad!!! Gross!”

Their mum is catching up with friends in London so their dad arrived for lunch, as his #2 daughter and the boys. Phil is in Belfast at a 40th birthday, and visiting his parents. We had a nice lunch together and the children played well. They were miners which seemed to involve breaking stones with any hammers and mallets we could find.

The blip is them about to tackle their Auntie Vicky’s would-have-been 51 cake. They are such a joy though it is so sad they never knew her.

Luke took his two back for parties and #2 daughter and boys are staying for the night. She and I are having a glass of fizz as the boys and Mr C are in the woods. James is making a den for a slow worm.