Down came the rain

Now, I'm pretty sure that my kids were born in a country where it rains. A lot. And I'm also fairly certain that they have repeatedly been soggy/wet/drenched (pick a word depending on the season). So you can imagine why I'm a little surprised at their reaction to the rain this year. It's like they've never seen the stuff before. Every heavy shower is 'A Flood' according to The Girl (hmmm, perhaps the story of Noah is having too much influence?) and each (and I do mean each) raindrop is greeted by The Boy's excited "Mummy, Mummy, Mummy, Mummy, Mummy! It's raining!" (this must be said in a Very Important Tone of Voice, as if one is announcing that America will henceforth be getting rid of bonuses to all bankers who earn more than $100,000 per year).

Saturday saw the three of us getting soaked to the skin walking back from a friend's house jumping in puddles and The Girl laughing her head off. Very cute, but I think the novelty will quickly wear off when she's seen it every day for a few years. And I bet she won't be laughing as much when her brother pushes her into a freezing cold Scottish puddle.

Chocolate Wars

I have decided that it’s time to start playing dirty. We have access to the sweet shop once a week and stocks can get a little sparse at times. We get one sweet each per week, but I don’t always eat mine, I save it for when I really NEED chocolate. For a chocolate addict this is no small thing. The Man always eats his on Saturday, he’s such a creature of habit. The problem comes when he gets the chocolate munchies a few days later. His chocolate is long gone. Mine, however, is sitting innocently in the fridge, as tempting as a frosty bottle of water to a man lost in the desert.
It doesn’t take a genius to guess what happens next.
My new ploy is simple. He can’t eat nuts, therefore every single piece of chocolate I buy from now on will have nuts in it. Hazelnuts, almonds, peanuts and walnuts are now my allies in the War Against Chocolate Theft. Even if I never eat the bar having chocolate that he can’t eat will drive him crazy.
And no, I won’t be paying reparations.

The Joy of Shakers

There are a number of things that seem like a good idea at the time, but 10 minutes in to the task you realise you’ve made a huge mistake. This morning the Little Ones and I collected seeds, hundreds and hundreds of seeds. When we got home we raided the ‘Craft Box’ (aka The Depository Of All Empty Containers That Might Come In Useful One Day) for plastic bottles and they have just spent a blissfully peaceful time decorating them. We added the seeds, screwed on the lids and Hey Presto! Shakers! They loved them!
After 30 seconds I have now shut the living room door and barricaded myself in the kitchen on the pretext of cooking lunch. These are not any shakers, these are Super Shakers.
Now where did I leave the paracetamol?

The Battle of the Bees

That’s it, I’ve had enough. Following an invasion of annoyed looking bees I’m getting rid of all of the flowers in the garden and sealing the house more effectively than a nuclear bunker. Call in the troops! Insect spray at the ready! Men with highly toxic chemicals will be welcomed to the fray!
Generally I’m on the side of bees, after all they do make yummy honey, but when a swarm decides to nest in my loft and take turns putting on acrobatic displays in the living room I take umbrage. Actually, it’s not actually the nesting and acrobatics that got to me, although they were a little irritating. It’s more the fact that they decided to do it during The Boy’s afternoon nap (and therefore my peace and quiet), achieved approximately once a week. Some things shall not be tolerated.

Little buzzers.

Never again!

In keeping with the spirit of adventure everyone seems to have here I did White Water Rafting a few months ago. The rafting was great, but I think the 300ft practically vertical walk was a step too far for someone who doesn't like drops. That alone makes it a once in a lifetime experience!

Miracles do happen!

Well, I believe it's been about 16 months since my last post, rubbish by anyone's standards! My Appologies. Thanks to a new, improved internet provider I now have access - hooray!

The last year has had it's fair share of ups and downs, but I believe it will be much better to concentrate on the positive. The Boy has taken to living in the African bush like the proverbial duck to water and gives a spectacular grumpy face if told to stay indoors for one second longer than absolutely necessary. The Girl has developed a highly annoying Scottish/African accent that I'm not so keen on. The Grown Up Boy has discovered that there are football fans everywhere, which keeps him out of mischief, and I am using my 'I should have been a Blue Peter presenter' skills to entertain the various children in my life.

Welcome back! I'm so glad to be doing this again and I hope you enjoy my tales of daring domestic do!