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"