"in whom we trust"

Lucy is my god daughter. She is naturally beautiful (very "Kate Winslet"), kind, loving, funny clever and annoyingly practical. My daughters worship her, my husband leaves his "grumpy" face at work, when she is with us, the dog transfers loyalty as soon as she appears and I love her so much it hurts! At, very nearly, 17 years old we feel "privileged" that she seems to happily spend time with us, especially as she has such an active and interesting life ( SO jealous)!

Trust is a funny old thing. You can't buy it and you can't force it. I trust Lucy with my children. From teaching them to cross rivers to guiding them through their "tricky" little problems, I trust her. She was the first person we told when we found out I was pregnant and she is the first person I turn to, when I need to thrash out new ideas.  I believe she trusts me too and ..... "it's a wonderful life"

PS I'm just out of shot in this photograph, wearing a fleece, hat, scarf and gloves. What is it about teenagers that apparently keeps them warmer than the rest of us?????

off piste

The girls had their first ski lesson last weekend and LOVED it. Sadly, we aren't flying off at half term or even Easter, but many friends are and school is holding a second hand ski wear sale, so we are in the mood! I thought I'd had enough of snow and set off in a bit of a grump (Sunday mornings should be about lie ins!), however, it was amazing seeing them so excited as they put on skis for the first time and toodled off happily with their little groups. The funniest sight was when a very new "grown up" went "off piste" and ploughed into the five year olds, knocking them over one by one like dominoes. No one was hurt and everybody was laughing and my littlest champion learned, there and then to put a lost ski back on! The next lesson is booked for the end of the month and I'm busy trawling through my Esprit brochures, hoping for a last minute miracle deal.....

castles and dragons

I've recently bought some new bed linen for the girls and saw The White Company's "knights and dragons" range for boys. We are SO all the rage, with our locking castle money box, stretchy dragons, knights in a tube etc. Are we becoming trend leaders ?

the alchamist

Having just settled myself down with my afternoon tea and biscuit, the doorbell rang. Standing in front of me was 'my oh so gorgeous' god son, popping in to see me before heading off for his gap year trip to South America. Like some old granny grateful for attention, my whole spirit lifted, as he talked about old times and adventures  awaiting. I found myself staring at him as he urged me to read "The Alchamist" and to not be afraid of change and "taking a risk". We drank coffee (seemed more "cool" than offering tea) and just caught up. I know I've said it before, but...it IS a wonderful life!

THANK YOU

We take such care  packing and posting out our orders and  hope, that the lucky recipients are thrilled with their new toys. So, a big thank you for this photograph of a bold chivalrous knight and his faithful....pumpkin?

"just one more chapter"

We have been reading Pippi Longstocking and the girls just giggle constantly, begging for "just one more chapter". I am ridiculously overwhelmed with angst for this poor strange little girl living all alone, but my offspring delight in the pleasures of living a life without grown up rules. The sheer anarchy of eating whatever you want, going to bed whenever you like and sharing a house with a monkey and a horse, just sends shivers of excitement down their spines! Twice I have found them trying to sleep the wrong way round in bed and the pleas for more pets to add to our menagerie have driven me potty.....BUT, the sequel has been ordered and I can barely wait for it to arrive, as I know these special times of sharing a story will, one day disappear. Until then.... "it's a wonderful life"

"snow crocodiles"

Happy New Snowy Year.

We're feeling strangely guilty, as we sent our Christmas cards out this year with the seasonal message "let it snow, let it snow, let it snow".

Actually, it is beautiful here in Chesham Bois. The woods around us are positively Narnian and the fields are full of children tobogganing and building snowmen. Our local Thai restaurant managed to build a snow crocodile outside their store, which raised many a wintery smile from locals, dragging sledges to fill with supplies from "Marks Expensives".

I am supposed to be planning for all the trade toy shows starting next week, but find snow falling mildly distracting, not to mention husband (who I love and adore) and the children, who have been forced to stay at home by this unusual weather.....