Little Miss Madam and the Sunshine Duke

I Hate Lunch

2012-02-01T21:14:00.000Z

It's back to school, and you know what that means, don't you. Lunch. More specifically, lunchboxes. For me it's like a culinary version of the Kyrpton factor. How do you keep them a) well-fed with nutritious stuff while simultaneously b) making them actually fancy eating it and c) keeping it interesting enough so that you don't put them off sandwiches for life? Because it's a long time

Favourite Comment of the Week (Possibly of All Time)

2012-02-01T11:36:00.001Z

We were watching a fat bumble bee bump itself lazily into our patio door. 'Mummy,' said Little Miss. 'When the bee has made his honey how does he carry it to the shops?' Priceless.

Little Girl's Wishes

2012-01-27T17:13:00.000Z

We made daddy some fairy cakes for his birthday. We put candles in, and since there were some left over, we lit them all so that Little Miss could blow one out. Don't forget to make a wish, I said. I already have! she said What did you wish for? I wish I was Tinkerbell when I grow up... ...I wish I had a puppy and a kitten when I'm bigger... ...and hamsters... ...And a hundred babies. A

Why do I have to look pretty, Mummy?

2012-01-21T15:06:00.003Z

I was attempting to pull a brush through the mass of tangles that is my daughter's hair, much to her consternation.'There!' I said, 'Now you look pretty.'She paused. Then looked at me and said:'Why I do I need to look pretty, Mummy?'And I didn't know what to answer, because she doesn't need to look pretty, does she? I don't even know why I said it. I brush her hair because she gets her food all

The Book is Out!

2012-01-05T10:29:00.002Z

Every parent wishes that their children came with their very own instruction manual. Alas, in the absence of such a thing I am very proud to have been able to contribute to Joanne Mallon's excellent book on the minefield that is toddler-rearing. You can get yours here! http://www.amazon.co.uk/Toddlers-Instruction-Surviving-Written-Parents/dp/0956702449/ http://www.amazon.co.uk/

Bedtime

2011-12-11T12:08:00.000Z

Everyone knows that kids hate going to bed. That they'll think of every last possible excuse: I need a wee wee / poo poo / drink / the light's not on enough / the light's too bright / I haven't got my covers on / I'm cold / Ive lost my noo noo/big bear/Richard bear... So you go up and down like a bleedin' yo yo No you do NOT need a wee wee you've only just had one There's a glass of water by

This is how my week is going

2011-12-01T21:31:00.000Z

Exhibit A. My new mug. Next to an ordinary size mug. Exhibit B. New mug filled with what we like to call around here "Mummy's Go-Go Juice" (aka Coffee) The Reason My son has decided, once again, that sleeping through the night is just not for him. And why would he? It's way more fun waking mummy and daddy up four times a night. And at 5 am, can you think of anything more fun than standing

Show and Tell Postcript

2011-11-22T21:09:00.000Z

Exactly 11 weeks since the beginning of term, with a mere three weeks to go until the end of term, I have finally remembered to give the kids their items for the weekly Show and Tell. And this time, I got it right. That's twice in one term. I reckon that's about a D minus, don't you? With a report card comment along the lines of must try harder. I've been wracking my brains for an excuse, but

Comment of the Week

2011-11-15T10:28:00.002Z

"Mummy," she says, hands on hip, head cocked to one side, like she does when she's making a Really Important Point.. "Sometimes I only love you, and sometimes I only love Daddy." Well I guess there's only so much love to go around, huh?

2011-11-08T12:07:00.000Z

As a relatively new parent (I'm only four years into it you know) I've often wondered when that moment will come where your kid becomes smarter than you. You know, the time when they will roll their eyes, sigh exaggeratedly and with all the patronising gusto they can muster go, "no mum, this is how you use it" about any form of technology you can think of. It's a foregone conclusion that,

Why being a toddler is awesome

2011-10-27T21:04:00.001+01:00