answers on a post card

Is it a plane? Is it a bird? I will leave you to guess what happened.....

Fantastic teacher told all the girls that homework was to enjoy the sun and get outside to play. So uniform still on we grabbed the mutt and climbed over into the fields at the back of the garden.


it is a wonderful life!

annual trip to Fortnums & Masons

for some time now, I've been meaning to blog about our annual trip into London for new shoes, theatre and the highlight.....Fortnum and Mason's Ice Cream Parlour!  We have to prepare in advance as anticipation is high and tummies need to be empty. From the moment we walk past a "fancy pants" footman into the dazzling food hall, my 6 year old starts to squeal with excitement. We have to drag her past all the cake and chocolate displays and head straight to the stairs. My "sophisticated" 8 year old tries to appear "cool" as she hops on one foot hoping for that table she loves, near the window, (she's usually indulged).

Choosing from the menu takes for ever. Of course the sandwich choice is quick and clear, but Oh, Oh Oh choosing ice creams!!!!!!! I sit back with a glass of wine (it is a treat) and let them deliberate, consult, deliberate some more and then finally order. The ice creams are brought with just the right amount of pomp and ceremony, then silence descends. 

We always find time to explore the shop afterwards and to see the clock chime and all that goes with that. Then a quick dash to Trafalger Square before heading to Covent Garden and The Royal Opera House (once a year remember!).

it's a wonderful life.....

making, baking and generally creating

I have finally admitted to myself that my children do not play with toys, well, hardly ever. Ironic as we run an online toy shop heh? Actually, as part of this "taking a good look at myself and family" process, have realised that this does show itself in the stock we hold. Our "toys" are very much about make believe, exploring and creating. Of course not all, but it definitely leans in those directions.

We are far happier being outside or all together at the kitchen table than in a playroom. The girls' favourite Xmas presents were mini sewing machines and a new note pad and pen cause mass excitement.

They don't "get" collecting Sylvanian Animals, but will play Harry Potter with two wooden "wands" for whole afternoons. The garden is for building dens on the trampoline, or collecting petals and leaves for potions and lotions. Bedrooms are for creeping to and working out codes for spy games, or for reading and sleeping in. Jigsaws and games are "only if Mummy and Daddy really want to play".  Walks are "scavenger hunts" and time to practice singing rounds. Menagerie of pets help the ongoing "Vet Rescue"  adventure and the television is for watching old family movies on dvd (Candleshoe a current favourite).

So, when friends come to play, we have to make sure they are happy with this, which usually results in scone making or marble painting.... or both! You see it's not everybody's cup of tea, but for us;
it's a wonderful life!

living in a village

this is my view as I'm typing away and catching up on admin. The move from central London was difficult for me. I loved the hustle and bustle and Primrose Hill was like a village marooned in the centre of a big city. The "push" came from the North London schools available for us. All at the top of any "Good School" list, but highly competitive and mainly selective.

My oldest daughter is an August baby and had speech problems when tiny. She is naturally modest and shy and "failed" entry tests at 3 years old. The state schools were oversubscribed with large class sizes and we panicked. Buckinghamshire has an amazing record for good education and this was the "pull". We didn't get it right first time and moved to a suburb which had all the problems of London (no parking, high house prices etc) and none of it's benefits (for us). The school was similar too and my daughter was pretty much written off!

We sorted the school out first and the girls are now at "Malory Towers" (they are day girls as boarding option not for us!). When I say "Malory Towers", I mean it. Enid Blyton's children were at the school and she based many of the stories on it. We even have the tower! My girls skip into school each day and are both doing so well, which of course is a huge tick in our family box.

Next came me and I've found my happiness at last. We moved at the end of August to a house built in 1600's with an AGA and a beautiful garden. We are surrounded by fields full of horses and blackberry bushes and the village occupants are warm and inclusive. Sadly, we are only renting whilst we try and work out what the next step is, but don't think we'll stray far.

We are very lucky (and broke!) and have managed to keep hold of our London flat. Who knows, when the children are "all growed up", we may end up back there and enjoying the theatres and museums once more. But for now.....
"it's a wonderful life!"

MATILDA THE MUSICAL!

Friday evening I picked the girls up from school a little early and drove to Stratford Upon Avon. We had tickets for the RSC's MATILDA. The reviews have been amazing and the production is SOLD OUT. (I bought the tickets way way back before we moved last year). In a previous life, I've seen a lot of theatre and even more children's theatre (work and actor friends), but I can easily say, without ANY hesitation that this is the best of the best!

For a start, parking outside THE DIRTY DUCK/BLACK SWAN brought on fits of giggles. Toffee Apple muffins in the cafe added to the mood of jollity before we even took to our seats. The set took all the girls' attention as they tried to find words in lettered building blocks.

The show starts with a stage full of talented children singing and dancing (which is a bit of a shock). Our interest was captured and we barely blinked for the next two and a half hours. It is a very clever adaptation. It could have so easily become pantomime but always held back just enough. The girl who played Matilda was outstanding and brought an intensity and "stillness" to the role. Yes, liberties are taken with the story, but I think Mr Dahl may well have approved as it kept to his unique style of storytelling. There is a particularly magical scene using swings and a surprise "cabaret" turn during the interval, but I don't want to give away too much!

There is a rumour that it is to transfer to the West End and I strongly urge you to sign up for the RSC's email alerts and buy tickets quickly.....

"it's a wonderful life"

bang bang chitty chitty

Rural life is really suiting us all and we feel settled for the first time, since waving goodbye to city life. This weekend a Vintage Car Rally went through our village and we hosted a drinks party to celebrate. The cars were due around 11pm and even in the rain, (substantial alcohol consumption probably helped?), we were outside waving flags and cheering as they whizzed past. There were supposed to be 39 and we saw around 15, so guessing some got lost!

At one point I did wonder if we were secretly being filmed for the next Midsommer Murders (shot here in the Chilterns), as we seemed to make a perfect cast. Luckily no crime was actually committed and everyone got on famously.

We also have my husband's family here from Hong Kong, so the house  was eccentrically decorated with Union Jack Bunting and flags, alongside Chinese New Year banners and lanterns. We had a slow roast pork joint and homemade "baked beans" and finished with delicious biscotti made by a guest. The girls (for the very first time) joined in until midnight and looked very fetching in Xmas skirts and anoraks!

There was even a mention of a street/village party for THE ROYAL WEDDING.....

"it's a wonderful life!"

run rabbit run rabbit run run run

So, Christmas is over and it's back to school tomorrow. New Year only just waking up and I'm getting pressure from the girls for new pets, (Rabbits and Guinea Pigs) and pressure from suppliers for Spring orders!

A fellow "Tweeter" has just seen chocolate eggs in her local supermarket, probably next to half price mince pies! Today we received big orders for our bunny products. Are we now all supposed to be planning for Easter?


I'm just as guilty with this forever looking forward. Spending hours pouring over holiday brochures and booking theatre tickets for Open Air Theatres.  Maybe  a good New Year's Resolution, would be to slow down, stop rushing and enjoy the here and now?
"it's a wonderful life...."

cats and dogs

our cat and dog bowls and mugs are back in stock. These were a surprise Christmas "hit" and we sold many as presents for much loved pets. The mugs were also bought as "going home" presents, filled with sweeties in a  cellophane bag tied with ribbons.

Our mutt and two pesky pussies have the bowls, although as our mutt is on the small side, the food is a bit lost inside. It's more Labrador size and I wish we had a smaller version. We may change and use it as a water bowl as this can never be too big!


"it's a wonderful life"

apres ski!

We've taken the girls skiing for the first time. With good advice we set off for Tignes, which is so high up, we were guaranteed good snow. (It was also so high up, I couldn't breathe for the first two days!). The girl were booked into ski school all day and as they were the only children there (their school breaks up very early), they had a wonderful instructor all for themselves. They were on the slopes for 6 hours a day and we couldn't persuade them to take an afternoon off. However, they fell asleep during supper most evenings!

All great until half way through the week, when I received a call at the hotel to say my husband was in the Medical Centre. He's badly torn two ligaments either side of his knee, which is not good! Getting home was tricky and now being at home the week before Xmas trickier still, as he can't walk or drive. Good friends have delivered us our tree and we're relying on Ocado to battle their way through the snow with our turkey. I'm trying to be "Florence McNightgown" but am turning into very stroppy wife as he tells anyone who will listen, of his dramatic mountain side rescue......again and again and again! Ho Ho HO!


"it's a wonderful life"

"there's no place like home"

It was "BOOK DAY"  at school a few weeks back and guess who my little home bird went as?

I am a real believer in reading a book before seeing the film/show etc. However, Wizard of Oz has been a firm favourite film for awhile. So, with trepidation, I started to read the book  to my 6 year old. She was entranced from page two and told her teacher "it's much better than the film, with more stories and people". She's right! There are so many more characters and the people from the four corners of Oz have distinct characteristics and home lands. The journey to see the Wonderful Wizard (are you singing?), is more about the personal journey of Dorothy and Co. than just "getting there". We were both sad as Dorothy finally finds her way back to Aunt Em and may read again soon.

The costume (complete with lovely "Miss Gracie" hair bows), may be adapted as "Alice" for next year and at a stretch "Matilda" at some point, so a good buy.

"it's a wonderful life" x

an invitation to Hogwarts

We are huge Harry Potter fans in our family. The girls were thrilled and excited to be invited to a Hogwarts party. Wearing their school uniform and with a few added extra props, they flew off for wizardry fun and frolics.

We've had a strict rule, that they are not allowed to watch the films until they've read the books. My Number One, has read books 1 to 6 and we are going to read the last one together as soon as we finish "Little White Horse" . I'm reading the first instalment to Number Two, but she considers herself an expert already having been "tutored" by her sister.

They "play" HP all the time and sshhh..... wands and owls will be hidden in their stockings this Christmas. Secret Message Pens were given earlier....


"it's a wonderful wizardy life...."

making and baking

we have finally moved and have just about emptied, what seemed like a never ending pile of brown boxes! Meanwhile, we've ended the summer and welcomed autumn with a frenzy of home making and baking .
First off, was delicious morello cherry sauce, made with the cherries growing in a friend's courtyard garden.
This moved effortlessly into plum jam making (our plum tree literally collapsed with the weight of fruit, that grew "overnight" when we were on the Norfolk Broads!).
Plum jam needs scones to soak into, so out came the flour and ancient "Delia" recipe.
Our new house has two generous apple trees, so crumble became the pudding of the month, with plans for "apple schnapps cheesecake". However, apple schnapps on my husband's shopping list, came home as "peach schnapps" ( we are speaking again!), so we have quickly jumped back to summer and found some ripe peaches.......

it's a wonderful life!"

here comes summer.....

only a few more days left of school and I'm busy booking tennis and sailing courses to keep us busy.

We are away next week, sailing (floating?) through the Norfolk Broads. The girls have their "ship's logs" ready and (call me a pessimist),  I have hot water bottles a- ready! "Beloved" and in- laws are traveling up first, with trusty mutt at their side. The girls and I will follow straight after school finishes. We have a pristine copy of The Coot Club and plan to shame the "hullaballoos" in their fancy pants speed boats.

Watch this space for a full report from the Broads...

 "it's a wonderful life"

tooth fairies

We have a cheeky tooth fairy, who leaves naughty messages encouraging the girls to wobble their teeth "even if their mummies tell them not to"! Our 7 year old is a bit behind her friends at school and has only lost two teeth so far. At 5 our youngest checks every day and insists that at least one is "mobile" (dentist speak).

The daisy and mouse fairy post office is proving to be very popular for tooth fairy letters. The tin itself, is so pretty with a posting slot and adorned with flowers. Inside there is everything a good fairyland post mistress would need, including paper clips shaped like toadstools and wands, notepads, envelopes and tiny pixie stamps. We're planning to use an empty tin for our new sweetie jar, although a ladybird house has also been suggested?

"it's a wonderful life...."



"it's a wonderful life...."

story rascals

In another life, I trained as a teacher of phonics. I feel passionately about teaching children to read the right way. So many "fantastic" early readers, surprise parents and teachers by experiencing difficulties from year three onwards. This shows not only in reading, but spelling and comprehension too. Up to the age of about 6 to 7, children have a "memory capacity" which helps them remember word structure. This "memory box" fills and then if the building blocks aren't in place, everything starts to crumble. I could (and probably will one day), write a book about this subject, so will spare you a lecture today!

However, I am jumping with joy about a new pre school class that has just started in Beaconsfield (with plans to expand I hope?).
It is called Story Rascals (great name) and is the brilliant idea of an intelligent, warm, qualified pre school teacher, living locally. The class, or should I say fun and games in a learning environment, encourages parents and nannies to engage with their children, whilst exploring stories and sounds in a creative and exciting way. The teacher varies the format weekly with stories, music, art, tactile play etc. The classes are small, I think about 10 max. and toddlers are allowed to "toddle" freely, although they usually end up where they should be because this is a teacher who knows her art!!!! The message of the group comes from the children; READ WITH ME. PLAY WITH ME. LEARN WITH ME.  Just go along and see for yourself, you won't be disappointed....... it's a wonderful life!

"mouse" in the sink

we took this photo of our "mousey" early one morning when we were all still a bit blurry! Girls couldn't work out how to clean their teeth and husband looked grumpier than usual. I just think for this fat cat , "it's a wonderful life" with daisy and mouse.... 

Major Pettigrew's Last Stand

I've just finished reading a wonderful book; "Major Pettigrew's Last Stand".  I am so in love with  MP, he has taken over from M. Paul, (my first literary heart throb). This witty, cleverly observant, little story reminds me of my love for the suburban countryside and the "Midsommer" villages that surround us here in the Chilterns.
I miss London and sometimes long to be back in the centre of it all, with the museums, galleries, theatres and bridges . I also miss my bohemian city friends, gathered from all four corners of the world. But, with daisy and mouse  and my little family in tow, right now, right here is perfect and as I walked the mutt "in and out the dusty bluebells", this morning, I knew we have "a wonderful life" 

"searching for dorothy"

Saturday nights for us, means chinese takeaway and Andrew Lloyd Webber's "search for dorothy"! The girls and I get nice and comfy, (not too early in case we're frightened by "dr who") and spend an hour or so, choosing our favourite girls, singing the songs and booing the judges. Every week I say "do you know the original slippers were silver" and the girls roll their eyes. Every week we giggle hysterically at the faces Lloyd Webber pulls, and every week my husband sighs deeply throughout the whole show trying to spoil our fun! (We're still cross with him for not letting our mutt audition for TOTO, she would have been SO GOOD!!!!!!). There's one girl, who is the spitting image of Judy Garland's daughter; Liza Minelli, (which nobody ever mentions?), but we think she's too tall. Anyway, for now, "we're off to see the wizard" .......






it's a wonderful life with daisy and mouse ......

cheep cheep

"mummy, I'm vegetarian" was how I was greeted at the school gate today.
Apparently in science, the girls are "growing" chicks from eggs in an incubator. There was an unfortunate incident resulting in eggs being cracked and the contents were then duly examined. We are now officially vegetarian until the hatched chicks leave school!

So, we are now curled up on the sofa eating cheese bagels instead of the planned kedgeree, watching A Little Princess , which we wouldn't normally have time for on a school night..... "it's a wonderful life"

"raindrops keep falling on my head"

we're back from Devon where the weather was somewhat traditional for an English holiday! Easter weekend was a washout , but from then on was glorious and we had lots of time on the beach. As we clambered over rock pools, rode on a steam train and went seal spotting on a small boat, we realised that we do live our family vision for daisy and mouse. We ignored spoon fed tourist attractions and rowdy play grounds, choosing to explore secluded bays and "free" natural attractions. All we needed were wellies , buckets and spades our best friends and a dog !

Back home, we are planning lots of changes for the website, making it simpler to navigate and offering more creative ideas as well as products. We just need the girls back at school to start making it all happen, so watch this space.....