Tescos here I come. Another day, another shopping trip. I love going shopping with M. M loves to take me.
I knew she was going. I heard her ask D if he could look after me. He couldn’t. He rushed to his computer and said he was doing some urgent work. Sometimes I think she doesn’t want to take me but that can’t be right. I am a very useful shopper.
So M and I went off to the big shop. What fun.
I saw the security man as I went in. I’ve met him before. And the ladies at the customer services desk. And even the manager. I know them all. I think of them as friends.
I waved at the security man. He gave me a little wave back. He looked nervous. Maybe he was having a bad day. Too many burgers stealing the sausages.
M put me in the trolley. In the seat. If you can call it that. These seats are not made for toddlers. They are too hard and there is no padding. If they were comfy, I might have had a snooze. But they are not and I didn’t. There is no way toddlers are going to sleep in those seats. And what are we meant to do? There is no TV or book or crayoning set. Nothing. All I can do is stare at M's tummy or help M shop.
I saw a shop assistant. I haven’t seen her before. I smile at her. She smiles back.
I stay in the seat for the first aisle. It is a bit dull. I cruise past nappies, toothpaste and stuff like that.
Then we start the real shopping. Shelves with jars, bottles and bags. Lots of great shapes and colours. And most are just within reach.
I pick the high things off the shelf and put them in the trolley. I don’t need M to tell me what to pick. I know what we need. M sometimes picks things out of the trolley and puts them back. She forgets what we need.
I get bored in the seat. I climb out. I walk by the trolley. I can see things better. I look for green things. M is very keen on green things. I can usually find three or four before M notices.
I spot something in the row next door. I rush off. I grab the pack and head back for the trolley. But the trolley has gone walkabout. Never mind. I spot another pack on the row next door. It is better than the first so I put the first one back on a shelf. It stands out a bit.
I wonder where M is but not for long. There’s lots for me to do. I pick another bag. And one more. I could do with the trolley. I put one bag on the floor. And another quite close. And one a bit further away. Then I spot another bag and head for it. I take it from the shelf. It is hard work shopping. I decide to have a rest. There is a step across the aisle. I wander over. It has things on it. But not for long. I push them off and sit down. Amongst the boxes and bags of tea.
The nice assistant spots me. She comes over, picks me up and takes me on a trolley hunt. We find it with M attached. M looks worried. The shopping can’t have been going well. At least I am back to help.
M put me back in the seat. I check the trolley. To see what we’ve bought. There are somethings we don’t want. It’s a challenge to reach them but I manage it. I would place them on the shelves but I can’t reach. So I drop them. Some people shop till they drop. I shop to drop.
Our trolley steers round my bags. I would have picked them up but you don’t really want bags when they have been on the floor. I look over at the tea section. There are boxes all over the place. Tescos should keep their shop tidier.
I add some extras to the trolley. A nice surprise for M at the check out. I remember the little things she’s forgotten. I would remember the big things but they are too heavy.
M accelerates past the sweets. She can’t have seen them. I shout and then a scream. She stops, recognises her mistake and we go back for a few packets. We head off. I grab a few more.
I spot the crisps. Another shout and scream and the crisps are in the back ready to go.
We head for the till. “I can’t cope anymore” M says. I don’t know what she means.
I wait while M unloads the trolley at the till. She’s busy so I have to entertain myself. I wander off looking for those last minute items which make the difference between an average shop and a really good shop. I find an orange. But I drop it and it runs away. I give chase. It rolls near the stack of beans. I go to get it and nudge the beans. I look at the beans. The beans look at me. One wobbles, falls and chases the orange. It makes quite a noise for a can of beans. I look up. The security man is stood there. He looks grumpy. I smile. I give him the orange and then the can of beans.
I see the nice assistant again. My new friend. She picks me up. I take the orange back from the security man. He can keep the beans. It might make him happy. Beans means fun. The assistant takes me to see the customer service people. I always like to see them before I go home. I don’t know how she knew.
“I see Anna is here again” the manager says. All my friends in one place. Then I hear my name over the speaker. “Will Anna’s mum please collect her again?”
M arrives with the shopping. Her cheeks are red. She keeps on saying sorry. I don’t know what she’s done but it must be bad. I leave with her and turn and wave to the staff. I smile at the security man. As I go, a smile crosses his face. M and I head home. Both happy after another good shop.
Tuesday, 4 December 2007
Sunday, 25 November 2007
LittleJohn's big day - M the God-mother
It was Little John’s big day. I was invited. I am his special friend. The rest of the family tagged along. M said she was God. She hasn’t mentioned it before. I don’t think she is. Unless she works part-time. When God goes shopping or reads a book.
M put on a smart outfit. I didn’t think it was very godly but I didn’t say anything. She washed her hair. God used anti-dandruff shampoo.
We went to a church. There were lots of colourful paintings on the wall. They looked expensive. There were rows of wooden benches with a padded plank in front of them. They should have spent more on the seating and less on the pictures. There were funny windows. You couldn’t see through them. Someone had coloured them in. There were a few crosses at the front. Emma asked if I could see the noughts but they were hiding from me.
The church was full. Either they were paid to come or there was lunch afterwards.
I was the only toddler, except for Little John. Maybe only two toddlers are allowed in at a time. Like at the newsagents.
Little John was at the front. Having a snooze in his mother’s arms. He was wearing a blue outfit which looked good. But it was a touch tight around his tummy. He needs to dance a bit more and eat a bit less. His hair was longer. It was blonde. He must have been left out in the sun. He looked like his dad. Poor Little John.
The service started. M went to the front with some other people. They all looked smart. Maybe they knew they were in the presence of God. M smiled. Someone said M was a good-mother. I don’t think so.
Little John just slept. There was a man in a black dress. He spoke a lot. Mainly about Little John. I was surprised. Little John is only small and there’s not much to say about him. He doesn’t even dance. But the dress man kept talking.
After his talk, the dress man made a cross sign on Little John’s forehead. Little John snored a bit louder. He was then wrapped in a shawl. He must have been cold. He snored again.
Then the man got some water from a bowl. I don’t know what he was playing at but he poured it over Little John’s head. I was surprised by Little John’s dad. He saw what the man was doing and did nothing. I was on my way to complain but D stopped me. Amazingly Little John didn’t mind. The water woke him up. He looked at the man in the dress. I could see him thinking “why are you pouring water on my head”, why are all these people here, never mind lunch soon”. He rolled over and went back to sleep.
The service went on a bit. I walked along the plank. There was someone kneeling on it which was a bit annoying. They soon moved. I didn’t fall off the plank. Except once, when I knocked the hymn book on the floor. It can’t have made much noise as it didn’t wake Little John. There were some children sat in front of me. I poked them in the back. They looked round and scowled at me. I smiled back. They scowled some more. Some children are no fun.
I went looking for friendlier faces. I headed down the aisle towards the back of church. There was another dress at the back near the door. I went back to my seat.
Then the singing started. There was only one song. I couldn’t find a hymn book. D had one so I took his. The others had nearly finished by the time I started singing. I over-ran the end. By quite a bit. I’d started so I’d finish. But the dress man was looking at me. So I only sang a few lines more. And the odd little bit, later when he wasn’t looking.
The service was over. Little John woke up. He must have known it was time for lunch. We all headed off. Back to Little John’s house for lunch. There was food and drink.
The dress man came. He sat in the corner drinking wine. I saw the children I had poked. They had warmed up and were much more fun. They were running around and screaming. They had leant their mum their scowling faces.
Someone asked M if she was a god-mother. She said she was. I am very confused. How can she be God and God’s mother. If she is God’s mother, Edward may be God. I don’t think so.
Little John’s Dad said he wanted to say a few words. People wanted him to say a few words. He said more than a few words. He cried a bit which made the speech longer. I don’t know why he cried. I didn’t see anyone poke him. He said he was proud of Little John. He should be proud of him. Little John can snore really well and his clothes nearly fit. He may even learn to dance one day.
A bit later people started to leave. The scowling woman left with her poked children. We left the dress man asleep in a corner, snoring with Little John. M took us home. She looked tired. It must be hard work being God.
M put on a smart outfit. I didn’t think it was very godly but I didn’t say anything. She washed her hair. God used anti-dandruff shampoo.
We went to a church. There were lots of colourful paintings on the wall. They looked expensive. There were rows of wooden benches with a padded plank in front of them. They should have spent more on the seating and less on the pictures. There were funny windows. You couldn’t see through them. Someone had coloured them in. There were a few crosses at the front. Emma asked if I could see the noughts but they were hiding from me.
The church was full. Either they were paid to come or there was lunch afterwards.
I was the only toddler, except for Little John. Maybe only two toddlers are allowed in at a time. Like at the newsagents.
Little John was at the front. Having a snooze in his mother’s arms. He was wearing a blue outfit which looked good. But it was a touch tight around his tummy. He needs to dance a bit more and eat a bit less. His hair was longer. It was blonde. He must have been left out in the sun. He looked like his dad. Poor Little John.
The service started. M went to the front with some other people. They all looked smart. Maybe they knew they were in the presence of God. M smiled. Someone said M was a good-mother. I don’t think so.
Little John just slept. There was a man in a black dress. He spoke a lot. Mainly about Little John. I was surprised. Little John is only small and there’s not much to say about him. He doesn’t even dance. But the dress man kept talking.
After his talk, the dress man made a cross sign on Little John’s forehead. Little John snored a bit louder. He was then wrapped in a shawl. He must have been cold. He snored again.
Then the man got some water from a bowl. I don’t know what he was playing at but he poured it over Little John’s head. I was surprised by Little John’s dad. He saw what the man was doing and did nothing. I was on my way to complain but D stopped me. Amazingly Little John didn’t mind. The water woke him up. He looked at the man in the dress. I could see him thinking “why are you pouring water on my head”, why are all these people here, never mind lunch soon”. He rolled over and went back to sleep.
The service went on a bit. I walked along the plank. There was someone kneeling on it which was a bit annoying. They soon moved. I didn’t fall off the plank. Except once, when I knocked the hymn book on the floor. It can’t have made much noise as it didn’t wake Little John. There were some children sat in front of me. I poked them in the back. They looked round and scowled at me. I smiled back. They scowled some more. Some children are no fun.
I went looking for friendlier faces. I headed down the aisle towards the back of church. There was another dress at the back near the door. I went back to my seat.
Then the singing started. There was only one song. I couldn’t find a hymn book. D had one so I took his. The others had nearly finished by the time I started singing. I over-ran the end. By quite a bit. I’d started so I’d finish. But the dress man was looking at me. So I only sang a few lines more. And the odd little bit, later when he wasn’t looking.
The service was over. Little John woke up. He must have known it was time for lunch. We all headed off. Back to Little John’s house for lunch. There was food and drink.
The dress man came. He sat in the corner drinking wine. I saw the children I had poked. They had warmed up and were much more fun. They were running around and screaming. They had leant their mum their scowling faces.
Someone asked M if she was a god-mother. She said she was. I am very confused. How can she be God and God’s mother. If she is God’s mother, Edward may be God. I don’t think so.
Little John’s Dad said he wanted to say a few words. People wanted him to say a few words. He said more than a few words. He cried a bit which made the speech longer. I don’t know why he cried. I didn’t see anyone poke him. He said he was proud of Little John. He should be proud of him. Little John can snore really well and his clothes nearly fit. He may even learn to dance one day.
A bit later people started to leave. The scowling woman left with her poked children. We left the dress man asleep in a corner, snoring with Little John. M took us home. She looked tired. It must be hard work being God.
Monday, 8 October 2007
Morning time
D was covering his face with white foam. He does it every morning. He was in the bathroom wearing his pyjamas. I was dressed and ready to go. I went next door and got his watch. I took it to him. I handed it up to him. He thanked me. I went next door again and got his shoe. It was a brown shoe. I took it to him. He looked puzzled. I put it on the floor. I went next door again. I got his other shoe. It was a black shoe. I took it to him. D cleaned the foam from his face. He didn’t put his shoes on. Maybe he was staying in.
I went back into my bedroom. I saw the Amazing Mr Wobble. He wobbles but never falls down. He was sat there as usual. I walloped him. He wobbled but didn’t fall down.
I went downstairs and went outside. Biscuit was out there. I shouted doggy, doggy. She didn’t come. I don’t know why. I thought she liked having her tail pulled.
I went to the chickens. I lifted the flap on the nesting box. There was a chicken sat there. She soon moved when I reached in. She left an egg behind. It was hot. Freshly cooked. I didn’t have my egg cup with me but I started to peel it. It hadn’t boiled for long enough. It was all runny. It went on my fingers. And then on my dungarees.
I went back inside. D was dressed, ready for work. He had his suit on. He wasn’t wearing the shoes I brought for him. I was a bit upset but didn’t say anything. I went to give him a hug goodbye. I put my arms round his leg. I squeezed. “Bye bye” I said. I waved to him as he left. The back of his suit trousers were yellow like my dungarees. D will be pleased that we have matching trousrs.
I went back into my bedroom. I saw the Amazing Mr Wobble. He wobbles but never falls down. He was sat there as usual. I walloped him. He wobbled but didn’t fall down.
I went downstairs and went outside. Biscuit was out there. I shouted doggy, doggy. She didn’t come. I don’t know why. I thought she liked having her tail pulled.
I went to the chickens. I lifted the flap on the nesting box. There was a chicken sat there. She soon moved when I reached in. She left an egg behind. It was hot. Freshly cooked. I didn’t have my egg cup with me but I started to peel it. It hadn’t boiled for long enough. It was all runny. It went on my fingers. And then on my dungarees.
I went back inside. D was dressed, ready for work. He had his suit on. He wasn’t wearing the shoes I brought for him. I was a bit upset but didn’t say anything. I went to give him a hug goodbye. I put my arms round his leg. I squeezed. “Bye bye” I said. I waved to him as he left. The back of his suit trousers were yellow like my dungarees. D will be pleased that we have matching trousrs.
Tuesday, 25 September 2007
Books
I like books. I keep them by the sofa in the sitting room. I look at them often. Not normally by myself. Books are to be shared.
I read with M or D. IWhen I feel like a read I go and collect them. I take them into the sitting room and head for the sofa. I pick up a book and clamber on to the sofa. They know what’s coming. A nice little read. Sometimes they have gone before we start. So I have to fetch them again or start shouting “mummy” or “daddy” or “Emma”. I shout Emma because it’s easy and she always comes.
When they arrive, I park by the cushion, straighten my top and pat the sofa a couple of times. They sit down and the reading starts.
My favourite book is hairy maclary and zacahry quack. It’a about a dog and duck. It has lots of pictures. I point at hairy and say “doggy”. I like to flick through the book. I sometimes start in the middle, sometimes at the back. I read forwards or backwards depending on my mood. When I read from back to front D says I must be japanese. I think I might be as I eat noodles.
I can't get enough of hairy maclary. Once I’ve finished I start the book all over again. I always spot something new. Like hairy maclary. And the story is always different. That’s the good thing about books. They are never the same. So we can all read them again and again.
My other favourite book is Hey I love you. It’s about two mice and a big cat. The big mouse forgot to tell the little mouse he loved him. So the little mouse follows the big mouse. The little mouse goes miles before he catches the big mouse. The little mouse is silly. He should have sent a text. There is a big cat who tries to catch the mice. He wants to eat them. He must be very hungry as he never catches them.
I read before I go to bed. Sometimes I like a nice read in the middle of the night. At 3 in the morning I have a “must read” moment. I shout for M or D. They always come. After I’ve shouted a while. We get up and go downstairs and read hairy maclary a few times. Once is never enough. Then we both go back to bed. Having had a nice read. And a nice break from our beds. Sometimes I do feel a bit tired in the morning. M never is. She’s always up and about. Ready to start the washing and clean the house. All the better for a good read during the night.
I read with M or D. IWhen I feel like a read I go and collect them. I take them into the sitting room and head for the sofa. I pick up a book and clamber on to the sofa. They know what’s coming. A nice little read. Sometimes they have gone before we start. So I have to fetch them again or start shouting “mummy” or “daddy” or “Emma”. I shout Emma because it’s easy and she always comes.
When they arrive, I park by the cushion, straighten my top and pat the sofa a couple of times. They sit down and the reading starts.
My favourite book is hairy maclary and zacahry quack. It’a about a dog and duck. It has lots of pictures. I point at hairy and say “doggy”. I like to flick through the book. I sometimes start in the middle, sometimes at the back. I read forwards or backwards depending on my mood. When I read from back to front D says I must be japanese. I think I might be as I eat noodles.
I can't get enough of hairy maclary. Once I’ve finished I start the book all over again. I always spot something new. Like hairy maclary. And the story is always different. That’s the good thing about books. They are never the same. So we can all read them again and again.
My other favourite book is Hey I love you. It’s about two mice and a big cat. The big mouse forgot to tell the little mouse he loved him. So the little mouse follows the big mouse. The little mouse goes miles before he catches the big mouse. The little mouse is silly. He should have sent a text. There is a big cat who tries to catch the mice. He wants to eat them. He must be very hungry as he never catches them.
I read before I go to bed. Sometimes I like a nice read in the middle of the night. At 3 in the morning I have a “must read” moment. I shout for M or D. They always come. After I’ve shouted a while. We get up and go downstairs and read hairy maclary a few times. Once is never enough. Then we both go back to bed. Having had a nice read. And a nice break from our beds. Sometimes I do feel a bit tired in the morning. M never is. She’s always up and about. Ready to start the washing and clean the house. All the better for a good read during the night.
Wednesday, 12 September 2007
G's birthday
It's G's birthday today. He's gone away to celebrate. He's away for a month. It must be a special birthday. He's 14.
We sent him some presents. We all posed for a photo with a big sign saying happy birthday. I didn't want to at first. I wasn't looking my best. So I looked the other way. I thought the photos had finished so I looked round again. M took another. I was not pleased. I have my reputation to protect and mince down my front and spaghetti in my hair does not help.
Still I like G and I hope he has a happy birthday. It will be nice to see him again. I miss the big lump.
We sent him some presents. We all posed for a photo with a big sign saying happy birthday. I didn't want to at first. I wasn't looking my best. So I looked the other way. I thought the photos had finished so I looked round again. M took another. I was not pleased. I have my reputation to protect and mince down my front and spaghetti in my hair does not help.
Still I like G and I hope he has a happy birthday. It will be nice to see him again. I miss the big lump.
Thursday, 6 September 2007
Wellies
I do like wellies. I have a blue pair. They are really smart. They go with my pyjamas and sun hat.
I use my wellies when I go outside. M says I should. My wellies are always with me in the garden.
I need wellies as the chickens have nettles as neighbours. I don’t like nettles. They pickle me. If the nettles come close, I hit them with a welly. Sometimes I wear the wellies. Then I dance on the nettles. But only when there are birds singing. I can’t nettle dance without music.
I also have a yellow pair of wellies. They are parked in the cloakroom. They are too big at the moment. I am waiting for my feet to grow or the wellies to shrink. They are quite old so they should be shrinking soon. They used to be Timothy’s wellies. They have his name inside. Timothy is a friend of mine. His mummy gave me his wellies. Maybe because he had been writing in them. I don’t think his mummy likes Timothy. He must be getting really pickled without his wellies.
I use my wellies when I go outside. M says I should. My wellies are always with me in the garden.
I need wellies as the chickens have nettles as neighbours. I don’t like nettles. They pickle me. If the nettles come close, I hit them with a welly. Sometimes I wear the wellies. Then I dance on the nettles. But only when there are birds singing. I can’t nettle dance without music.
I also have a yellow pair of wellies. They are parked in the cloakroom. They are too big at the moment. I am waiting for my feet to grow or the wellies to shrink. They are quite old so they should be shrinking soon. They used to be Timothy’s wellies. They have his name inside. Timothy is a friend of mine. His mummy gave me his wellies. Maybe because he had been writing in them. I don’t think his mummy likes Timothy. He must be getting really pickled without his wellies.
Tuesday, 4 September 2007
Wasp invasion
We’ve had a lot of visitors recently. They were not invited. They either flew in from abroad or came from Selby. It was a plague of wasps. There were only a few to begin with. They set up home under the tiles by Em’s window. That was fine but word got around. More wasps kept coming. Their brothers and sisters arrived and their cousins and their cousins’s cousins.
Soon there were thousands of wasps all living by Em’s window. They were not good neighbours. They flew round all day and night. They never went to bed. There was not enough room for them behind the tiles. They buzzed around outside.
M called the wasp man. He arrived in riot gear wearing a hat and mask. He knew about wasps. He said he had to kill the Queen. M didn't seem to mind. He injected some white stuff into the hole behind the tiles. The wasps were not pleased. They buzzed around big time but then packed up and left.
I don’t know if the Queen died. I hope she didn’t. I wanted to meet her next time we went to London.
Soon there were thousands of wasps all living by Em’s window. They were not good neighbours. They flew round all day and night. They never went to bed. There was not enough room for them behind the tiles. They buzzed around outside.
M called the wasp man. He arrived in riot gear wearing a hat and mask. He knew about wasps. He said he had to kill the Queen. M didn't seem to mind. He injected some white stuff into the hole behind the tiles. The wasps were not pleased. They buzzed around big time but then packed up and left.
I don’t know if the Queen died. I hope she didn’t. I wanted to meet her next time we went to London.
Chicken pox
I was sent home from nursery the other day. They rang for D to collect me. I’m not sure what I had done. I hadn’t been very naughty. I had knocked Ben over but it was an accident. Both times. Ben is very small. Everyone knocks Ben over. The nursery would be empty if you got sent home for knocking Ben over.
When D arrived one of the helpers chatted to him. I heard her say I’d been spotted. I must have been spotted pushing Ben. D didn’t seem too annoyed.
When I arrived home M was waiting. I thought I was in big trouble but M wasn’t annoyed either. She did take all my clothes off and had a good look at me. There were some spots. They must have come from my spotted top. She looked at my hands. I was worried there might be marks from my Ben pushing. But there was nothing to see.
M told D that the Chicken pox had arrived. I haven’t seen it. But I was out when the postman called.
I have been banned from nursery. I have to stay at home.
I don’t have many visitors. Little J was going to come for a barbeque but he didn’t come. He’ll have been very hungry. We ate his sausages.
I can’t find the chicken pox. I have looked in all the rooms. I asked the chickens about it. They seemed coy but said nothing. The quails couldn't help either.
I spend my time drawing. I’m a pen pusher now. Not a Ben pusher.
M says I’m back at nursery tomorrow. I’m looking forward to it. There’s still no sign of the chicken pox. I’ll ask Ben if he knows about it. If he doesn't, I'll give him a little push just to jog his memory.
When D arrived one of the helpers chatted to him. I heard her say I’d been spotted. I must have been spotted pushing Ben. D didn’t seem too annoyed.
When I arrived home M was waiting. I thought I was in big trouble but M wasn’t annoyed either. She did take all my clothes off and had a good look at me. There were some spots. They must have come from my spotted top. She looked at my hands. I was worried there might be marks from my Ben pushing. But there was nothing to see.
M told D that the Chicken pox had arrived. I haven’t seen it. But I was out when the postman called.
I have been banned from nursery. I have to stay at home.
I don’t have many visitors. Little J was going to come for a barbeque but he didn’t come. He’ll have been very hungry. We ate his sausages.
I can’t find the chicken pox. I have looked in all the rooms. I asked the chickens about it. They seemed coy but said nothing. The quails couldn't help either.
I spend my time drawing. I’m a pen pusher now. Not a Ben pusher.
M says I’m back at nursery tomorrow. I’m looking forward to it. There’s still no sign of the chicken pox. I’ll ask Ben if he knows about it. If he doesn't, I'll give him a little push just to jog his memory.
Wednesday, 15 August 2007
Trumpet
G blows his own trumpet. He plays lots of tunes. He doesn't play the Archers yet. But he's only been playing for 5 years.
I watch him play. I dance a bit. I go right up to the trumpet and look inside. I can hear the music but I can’t see it. I think G hides it from me. He’s naughty like that.
I watch him play. I dance a bit. I go right up to the trumpet and look inside. I can hear the music but I can’t see it. I think G hides it from me. He’s naughty like that.
Tuesday, 7 August 2007
Trouble
G was baiting D. He poked him. D ignored G. G poked D again. D ignored him. I looked at G. He had evil in his eyes and wickedness in his tummy. I hit him hard with my hand. It didn’t hurt G. It did hurt my pointing finger. I shrieked. D turned to G and told him off. The evil one had to sit still. His poking finger sat on his lap. My pointing finger and me sat on D’s lap.
Sunday, 29 July 2007
cakes
I am off for a week. My potty and I and potty family are off to Madeira. I have been told the cakes are very good. I am going on a cake fest. I may paddle a bit but only to give the cake maker time to bake. He's going to be very busy.
Wednesday, 25 July 2007
Egg problems
There is a problem with the chickens and the quails.
The chickens are laying three eggs a day. There are four of them. I am not sure if one doesn’t lay or if they are on shift work. Maybe they eat full time but lay part-time. I am trying to discover the truth. I have stared at them a lot. They are not giving much away. My pointing finger isn’t working. They all look guilty. They may all be guilty. But then I am not sure. They all look innocent as well. I will keep watching who goes to the laying box and who doesn't.
There is the same problem with the quails. They are laying three eggs a day. There are four of them. Three girls and one boy. The boy is not laying eggs. I know that. I have watched him closely. He also bullies the girls. He is always jumping on their backs. It’s not fair. Three girls working and one boy messing around. I have marked his card. He’d better start laying soon or else.
The chickens are laying three eggs a day. There are four of them. I am not sure if one doesn’t lay or if they are on shift work. Maybe they eat full time but lay part-time. I am trying to discover the truth. I have stared at them a lot. They are not giving much away. My pointing finger isn’t working. They all look guilty. They may all be guilty. But then I am not sure. They all look innocent as well. I will keep watching who goes to the laying box and who doesn't.
There is the same problem with the quails. They are laying three eggs a day. There are four of them. Three girls and one boy. The boy is not laying eggs. I know that. I have watched him closely. He also bullies the girls. He is always jumping on their backs. It’s not fair. Three girls working and one boy messing around. I have marked his card. He’d better start laying soon or else.
Friday, 20 July 2007
Le Tour de France
G and I like Le Tour. He watches it every day. I watch it now and again. If I can’t play with the onions.
The tour visits lots of countries. France is too small to have the whole race. It started in London. I don't think the Queen went. She was too busy with the BBC. The tour also went to Belgium. But not for long. There’s not much to do in Belgium. I’m not sure if the race is going to Spain (or Burkina Faso). You can’t go everywhere on a three week trip.
The race goes all over France. It starts at the top, goes down the bottom and back to the top. They should miss out the bottom bit where the big bumps are. I don’t know why they don’t miss out the middle bit as well. It would be much quicker.
The race is on for 3 weeks. D says it gives the French something to watch while at work. It looks the same every day. Except sometimes they throw in a hill to make it seem hard. Or a crash to make it seem exciting. Or another town so it looks like they go to different places.
There are lots of teams. G says they come from all over the world. The Discovery Channel comes from America. I don’t know what the Americans watch while the Channel is in France. They have won in the past. Mr Armstrong won. It was not surprising. If you can walk on the moon you can win cycle races.
The French let other people win. They are good like that. The Americans would be upset if they didn’t win now and again. Having spent so much money on the air fare. The French are a bit too kind. They always let others win.
There are lots of teams. I like credit agricole. They have a nice green and white top. T-mobile wear my shade of pink. I like some riders. Pereiro has a nice name. And Rasmussen. He wins sometimes. Even though he has an ugly jumper. There are some British riders. They help make up the numbers.
G saw the tour last year. He was on holiday. It went past his house. He waited for hours. Then loads of cars, bikes and police raced past. Lots of sound. Lots of noise. Lots of gifts: key-rings, hats and pens. Then the bikes arrived. Helmets passed by. Whish. Then gone. Everyone went home. G said the tour was very dangerous. He got hit by a flying key ring.
G wants to ride the tour. M is keen. He’ll be away for 3 weeks. I don’t think he would like it. Cycling for days. No cake stops. No eating ice creams. No “I think I’ll just stop for a little while”. G couldn’t ride this year. He says it’s a drug free tour. He had calpol a few days ago.
I like watching the race. It makes me want to cycle more. I always bring M when I cycle. I have a seat on the back of her bike. She does some of the work. But I do my bit. Balancing and sleeping is not easy.
The end of the race is the best. In the last few yards, the big people begin to try. They pedal very fast. They nearly crash. One of them wins. They look pleased. They forget it’s only a cycle race. Mind you if they win they might get the polka dot jumper. Even I would cycle for that. I wouldn’t want the yellow jumper. It doesn’t have spots.
The tour visits lots of countries. France is too small to have the whole race. It started in London. I don't think the Queen went. She was too busy with the BBC. The tour also went to Belgium. But not for long. There’s not much to do in Belgium. I’m not sure if the race is going to Spain (or Burkina Faso). You can’t go everywhere on a three week trip.
The race goes all over France. It starts at the top, goes down the bottom and back to the top. They should miss out the bottom bit where the big bumps are. I don’t know why they don’t miss out the middle bit as well. It would be much quicker.
The race is on for 3 weeks. D says it gives the French something to watch while at work. It looks the same every day. Except sometimes they throw in a hill to make it seem hard. Or a crash to make it seem exciting. Or another town so it looks like they go to different places.
There are lots of teams. G says they come from all over the world. The Discovery Channel comes from America. I don’t know what the Americans watch while the Channel is in France. They have won in the past. Mr Armstrong won. It was not surprising. If you can walk on the moon you can win cycle races.
The French let other people win. They are good like that. The Americans would be upset if they didn’t win now and again. Having spent so much money on the air fare. The French are a bit too kind. They always let others win.
There are lots of teams. I like credit agricole. They have a nice green and white top. T-mobile wear my shade of pink. I like some riders. Pereiro has a nice name. And Rasmussen. He wins sometimes. Even though he has an ugly jumper. There are some British riders. They help make up the numbers.
G saw the tour last year. He was on holiday. It went past his house. He waited for hours. Then loads of cars, bikes and police raced past. Lots of sound. Lots of noise. Lots of gifts: key-rings, hats and pens. Then the bikes arrived. Helmets passed by. Whish. Then gone. Everyone went home. G said the tour was very dangerous. He got hit by a flying key ring.
G wants to ride the tour. M is keen. He’ll be away for 3 weeks. I don’t think he would like it. Cycling for days. No cake stops. No eating ice creams. No “I think I’ll just stop for a little while”. G couldn’t ride this year. He says it’s a drug free tour. He had calpol a few days ago.
I like watching the race. It makes me want to cycle more. I always bring M when I cycle. I have a seat on the back of her bike. She does some of the work. But I do my bit. Balancing and sleeping is not easy.
The end of the race is the best. In the last few yards, the big people begin to try. They pedal very fast. They nearly crash. One of them wins. They look pleased. They forget it’s only a cycle race. Mind you if they win they might get the polka dot jumper. Even I would cycle for that. I wouldn’t want the yellow jumper. It doesn’t have spots.
The race
E was in a big race. I went to watch with D and G. It was raining. But then it is summer. I was wearing my spotted coat.
There was a big crowd. They must have known E was running. We sat in the stand. We watched others run. They were warming the track for E.
There was a tent in the crowd. It looked like my coat but with different coloured spots. It was sat on a seat watching.
I saw someone jumping over a pole. They kept on knocking it off. They should have gone under. There was plenty of room.
Someone else was throwing a big ball. They spun round, yelled and threw it. It didn’t go very far. It didn’t bounce either. It’s a shame they didn’t have a proper ball.
Someone else was throwing a long pole. I’m glad M wasn’t here. She would have told them off.
There was a sand pit. Much bigger than mine but it was short of bits and pieces. There were no spades or buckets. There were flags but they were small and not very colourful. A man was playing in the sand. He had a tape with him and a board. He kept measuring the sand and writing things down. He had to stop as big people kept jumping in. I felt sorry for him. It is hard enough building a castle without having sand jumpers.
It was time for E’s race. He lined up with some other boys. They were big. E is small. A man fired a gun. I don’t know where the bullet went but I am glad I ducked. It must have scared the boys. They started running. Some went fast. They must have been really scared. E went slow. He wasn’t scared. E doesn’t scare easily.
The race took a long time. They kept going round the same track again and again. It was a funny thing to do. One time they came round I thought E would stop. It had started to rain and we had his coat. But he kept going. He was overtaking boys like D overtakes cars on the motorway. But with less fuss.
Someone rang a bell. No-one stopped. E started to run even faster. He was running his fastest. He went really fast past the stand. Everyone clapped. He overtook one more boy just before the line. He didn’t win. The most scared had already finished.
The race was over and it was home time. E was tired. He shouldn't have run so far. I saw the man in the sand pit. He was still measuring. He still hadn’t started building. I saw the tent. It got in a car and went home.
There was a big crowd. They must have known E was running. We sat in the stand. We watched others run. They were warming the track for E.
There was a tent in the crowd. It looked like my coat but with different coloured spots. It was sat on a seat watching.
I saw someone jumping over a pole. They kept on knocking it off. They should have gone under. There was plenty of room.
Someone else was throwing a big ball. They spun round, yelled and threw it. It didn’t go very far. It didn’t bounce either. It’s a shame they didn’t have a proper ball.
Someone else was throwing a long pole. I’m glad M wasn’t here. She would have told them off.
There was a sand pit. Much bigger than mine but it was short of bits and pieces. There were no spades or buckets. There were flags but they were small and not very colourful. A man was playing in the sand. He had a tape with him and a board. He kept measuring the sand and writing things down. He had to stop as big people kept jumping in. I felt sorry for him. It is hard enough building a castle without having sand jumpers.
It was time for E’s race. He lined up with some other boys. They were big. E is small. A man fired a gun. I don’t know where the bullet went but I am glad I ducked. It must have scared the boys. They started running. Some went fast. They must have been really scared. E went slow. He wasn’t scared. E doesn’t scare easily.
The race took a long time. They kept going round the same track again and again. It was a funny thing to do. One time they came round I thought E would stop. It had started to rain and we had his coat. But he kept going. He was overtaking boys like D overtakes cars on the motorway. But with less fuss.
Someone rang a bell. No-one stopped. E started to run even faster. He was running his fastest. He went really fast past the stand. Everyone clapped. He overtook one more boy just before the line. He didn’t win. The most scared had already finished.
The race was over and it was home time. E was tired. He shouldn't have run so far. I saw the man in the sand pit. He was still measuring. He still hadn’t started building. I saw the tent. It got in a car and went home.
Tuesday, 17 July 2007
Counting Visitors
I am now counting visitors. The last time I tried to count I ran out of fingers. I had to use my toes. When I reached 30 I had real problems.
I may reach 30. My friend in Burkina may visit again. And Little John. And maybe J, maybe...
I may reach 30. My friend in Burkina may visit again. And Little John. And maybe J, maybe...
Monday, 16 July 2007
Peas and Queues
I am a very polite girl. I always say "yes pease". I also nod my head. If I say "no" I shake my head. Sometimes I panic and shake and nod. I do get a bit confused.
I still point. My pointing finger works well. It helps to tell my shake from my nod. M says pointing is rude but I'm not going to stop. It works and my pointing finger is too young to retire.
I do get a lot of peas for dinner. M must have bought too many. They are always sitting on my plate. In a line. One behind the other. Looking at me. M says I should mind my p's and q's. I don't know what she's on about.
I still point. My pointing finger works well. It helps to tell my shake from my nod. M says pointing is rude but I'm not going to stop. It works and my pointing finger is too young to retire.
I do get a lot of peas for dinner. M must have bought too many. They are always sitting on my plate. In a line. One behind the other. Looking at me. M says I should mind my p's and q's. I don't know what she's on about.
A good friend
I have a friend in Burkina Faso. I am not sure where it is. It sounds a long way away. Maybe in Lancashire. He sent me an e-mail. It was very nice of him. He wants to send me money. He has £28 million which he has kept for me. I could buy a dress with that. He will send me the money if I send him my bank details and passport number. I have a passport but no bank. He may not be happy. I am writing back to him. I will thank him for the money. I don’t want it all. It wouldn’t fit in my dungaree pocket. I will ask him for £10. He can keep the rest until I am bigger. Then we can meet and go dancing. I’ll ask if Little John can join us. He’ll know the way to Burkina Faso.
Thursday, 5 July 2007
Zebras
I have to find new things to play with. I found the coal bucket. I played with the coal. I smudged coal over my face. I looked like a zebra. I played football with a piece of coal. You could see how straight my kicking was. Lines like toilet rolls coloured the carpet.
I went outside to say hello to the quails. They were playing in their pen. It has a wooden top on it. I played some music for them. I banged on their roof. And sang a bit.
I looked into the pen. The quails were right at the back. By the box. I was suprised that they could hear the music from there. They looked at me. And then rushed behind the box. That’s where they lay their eggs. Maybe they had some urgent laying to do. One peeped out. I smiled. She went back behind the box.
I went to see M. She’ll like my zebra face and my zebra stripes on the carpet. She likes zebras.
I went outside to say hello to the quails. They were playing in their pen. It has a wooden top on it. I played some music for them. I banged on their roof. And sang a bit.
I looked into the pen. The quails were right at the back. By the box. I was suprised that they could hear the music from there. They looked at me. And then rushed behind the box. That’s where they lay their eggs. Maybe they had some urgent laying to do. One peeped out. I smiled. She went back behind the box.
I went to see M. She’ll like my zebra face and my zebra stripes on the carpet. She likes zebras.
Monday, 2 July 2007
Party time
We all went to R’s house. They were having a big party. They have a big house. With lots of trees in their garden.
There was a bouncy castle. It rained. It always does when the bouncy castle turns up.
There was a disco in the barn. I went over. I danced. There was a machine which made bubbles. I was the only one dancing, except for the bubbles. Everyone else was eating or bouncing. There was also a smoke machine. It made smoke like candles. The dance floor was foggy at times. I got worried. My dancing feet went missing. Luckily they came back when the fog cleared.
I was hungry after the dancing. I found the food. The table was my height. I helped myself. Sausages first. Then I spotted the grapes. Nobody else was eating them so I thought I’d better finish them off. Most had gone when D took me away.
Little John was there. He’s stretched a bit since I last saw him. His hair still needs combing. His mum said that he likes to dance. I think she was just saying it. He never went on the dance floor.
I went back to the disco. On the way I saw the trees. They were dancing. I had another quick dance with the bubbles. Then it was cake time. Another birthday cake. But not a proper one. It didn’t have any smarties. And the cake only had a few candles. Yet they have such a big house.
We all sang happy birthday. The others got it wrong at the end. They said R instead of B. And R’s mum forgot to cover the cake with a tea towel.
Everyone had some cake. I had a quick bite. But I had the grapes to finish off.
I had one last dance before home. The eating had finished so there were a lot of dancers. It got a bit dangerous. Too may big people bouncing round. It was time for me to go. The bubbles had left earlier. All the grapes had gone. And the serious dancing was over.
There was a bouncy castle. It rained. It always does when the bouncy castle turns up.
There was a disco in the barn. I went over. I danced. There was a machine which made bubbles. I was the only one dancing, except for the bubbles. Everyone else was eating or bouncing. There was also a smoke machine. It made smoke like candles. The dance floor was foggy at times. I got worried. My dancing feet went missing. Luckily they came back when the fog cleared.
I was hungry after the dancing. I found the food. The table was my height. I helped myself. Sausages first. Then I spotted the grapes. Nobody else was eating them so I thought I’d better finish them off. Most had gone when D took me away.
Little John was there. He’s stretched a bit since I last saw him. His hair still needs combing. His mum said that he likes to dance. I think she was just saying it. He never went on the dance floor.
I went back to the disco. On the way I saw the trees. They were dancing. I had another quick dance with the bubbles. Then it was cake time. Another birthday cake. But not a proper one. It didn’t have any smarties. And the cake only had a few candles. Yet they have such a big house.
We all sang happy birthday. The others got it wrong at the end. They said R instead of B. And R’s mum forgot to cover the cake with a tea towel.
Everyone had some cake. I had a quick bite. But I had the grapes to finish off.
I had one last dance before home. The eating had finished so there were a lot of dancers. It got a bit dangerous. Too may big people bouncing round. It was time for me to go. The bubbles had left earlier. All the grapes had gone. And the serious dancing was over.
Changes
Things have changed a bit.
There are no toilet rolls in the bathroom. The toilet roll holder is empty. I saw a roll snoozing on the window ledge. Too high for me. No art today.
There is now a one teddy rule. Only one teddy downstairs at any one time. They must have been naughty. It will be a quiet teddy day.
There is also a no dancing rule. M says no dancing on the high chair. The dance venue is closed. No dancing today.
The onions have moved out. The potatoes left with them. The cupboard is bare. No onions to play with.
There is still work to do. M's work papers are still around. They will look nice in the garden.
There are no toilet rolls in the bathroom. The toilet roll holder is empty. I saw a roll snoozing on the window ledge. Too high for me. No art today.
There is now a one teddy rule. Only one teddy downstairs at any one time. They must have been naughty. It will be a quiet teddy day.
There is also a no dancing rule. M says no dancing on the high chair. The dance venue is closed. No dancing today.
The onions have moved out. The potatoes left with them. The cupboard is bare. No onions to play with.
There is still work to do. M's work papers are still around. They will look nice in the garden.
Tuesday, 26 June 2007
J and the onions
I like onions. They live in a cupboard near the sink. They share housing with the potatoes. I take them out. I carry them round with me. They go where I go. I have one in each hand. Until I get bored and then I have one in one hand. The other rolls away and plays by itself.
Earlier today, I was walking through the house checking teddies. Onion in hand. The doorbell rang. Good news. It was J. He’d called to collect G. I smiled at J. I held up my onion for him. J looked down then looked away. He didn’t smile. He didn’t grin. There was no funny face.
I wanted J to have my onion. A gift from me for him. I held it up for a while. But J didn’t take it. He didn’t look down again. He carried on talking to G. And then to M. Even to Em’s. But not to me.
Shortly after J left. My eyes clouded over. I put J’s onion in my play box. Maybe he will want it when his funny face comes back.
Earlier today, I was walking through the house checking teddies. Onion in hand. The doorbell rang. Good news. It was J. He’d called to collect G. I smiled at J. I held up my onion for him. J looked down then looked away. He didn’t smile. He didn’t grin. There was no funny face.
I wanted J to have my onion. A gift from me for him. I held it up for a while. But J didn’t take it. He didn’t look down again. He carried on talking to G. And then to M. Even to Em’s. But not to me.
Shortly after J left. My eyes clouded over. I put J’s onion in my play box. Maybe he will want it when his funny face comes back.
The return of the quails
The quails are back. I went to the quail shop to collect them.
There were loads of quails. Many sizes. Many shapes. Many colours. But no spotted ones. Well not proper spotted ones. Not like my raincoat.
I couldn’t see my quails. But the man knew where they were. He put them in our box. We drove back home.
The quails were back. They sped into their new home. It’s much bigger than their old home. It has a bigger fence. They won’t be going anywhere without asking M first.
The quails looked different. There was a brown one, only one white one and two were brown and white. They were not the same. Their colour didn’t match. Things were not quite right. I scratched my head. Then I knew. They had changed their feathers or maybe dyed their hair like M.
I looked again. They were smaller than before. But they were running around like they used to. Busy, busy, busy. Rush hour was back. They may be smaller. They were still my quails. They must have shrunk in the rain. My quails were back. I had missed them. As had Biscuit. She sat by them all evening. She kept them safe.
There were loads of quails. Many sizes. Many shapes. Many colours. But no spotted ones. Well not proper spotted ones. Not like my raincoat.
I couldn’t see my quails. But the man knew where they were. He put them in our box. We drove back home.
The quails were back. They sped into their new home. It’s much bigger than their old home. It has a bigger fence. They won’t be going anywhere without asking M first.
The quails looked different. There was a brown one, only one white one and two were brown and white. They were not the same. Their colour didn’t match. Things were not quite right. I scratched my head. Then I knew. They had changed their feathers or maybe dyed their hair like M.
I looked again. They were smaller than before. But they were running around like they used to. Busy, busy, busy. Rush hour was back. They may be smaller. They were still my quails. They must have shrunk in the rain. My quails were back. I had missed them. As had Biscuit. She sat by them all evening. She kept them safe.
School Fete painting
It was the school fete. The brothers went. The sister went. I went.
We arrived. It started to rain. Spots of water spotted my spotted raincoat. The big tent was washed clean. It was a short shower. Then the sun shone.
J was there. With his friends. He said hello. He grinned. One of his best grins.
I bounced on the bouncy castle. Lots of bounces. I had some cake. Lots of cake. I played with friends. Lots of friends. Lots of playing. It was fun.
I went on the hook a duck stall. Ducks were swimming around. I took the stick. I swung at a duck. I whacked one on the head. It sank. I swung for another. I missed. I wobbled and nearly fell in. It was a close thing. I swung again. Another duck sank. I swung for a third. "That's it" the stallholder said. I waited for my prize. But I didn't get one.
A boy came over to me. He was my height. He was very strange. He had a face like a lion. He wanted to play with me. But I don't play with lions.
Another boy wandered over. He had clothes like J. He was as tall as J. His hair was the colour of Js. But he didn't have a funny face. His was blue and gold. I'd never seen a face like it before. The boy looked at me. He grinned. His grin was like J's. But J doesn't have a blue face. He grinned again. He stayed for a while. I started to play with my friends. I saw him standing nearby. He looked sad. Probably because he had a blue face.
The fete lasted all day long. It was a day of sun and smiles. But I didn't see J again. That would have been nice. I wondered where he was. I thought he would say goodbye. I searched for him. All I saw was the boy with the blue face standing by the wall looking at me. By himself. Looking sad.
We arrived. It started to rain. Spots of water spotted my spotted raincoat. The big tent was washed clean. It was a short shower. Then the sun shone.
J was there. With his friends. He said hello. He grinned. One of his best grins.
I bounced on the bouncy castle. Lots of bounces. I had some cake. Lots of cake. I played with friends. Lots of friends. Lots of playing. It was fun.
I went on the hook a duck stall. Ducks were swimming around. I took the stick. I swung at a duck. I whacked one on the head. It sank. I swung for another. I missed. I wobbled and nearly fell in. It was a close thing. I swung again. Another duck sank. I swung for a third. "That's it" the stallholder said. I waited for my prize. But I didn't get one.
A boy came over to me. He was my height. He was very strange. He had a face like a lion. He wanted to play with me. But I don't play with lions.
Another boy wandered over. He had clothes like J. He was as tall as J. His hair was the colour of Js. But he didn't have a funny face. His was blue and gold. I'd never seen a face like it before. The boy looked at me. He grinned. His grin was like J's. But J doesn't have a blue face. He grinned again. He stayed for a while. I started to play with my friends. I saw him standing nearby. He looked sad. Probably because he had a blue face.
The fete lasted all day long. It was a day of sun and smiles. But I didn't see J again. That would have been nice. I wondered where he was. I thought he would say goodbye. I searched for him. All I saw was the boy with the blue face standing by the wall looking at me. By himself. Looking sad.
Monday, 25 June 2007
Busy girl
I am such a busy girl. I have my teddies to look after. They can't stay in my bedroom all day. They need to get out a bit. Have some fun. I take them downstairs. It can take a long time. I have lots of teddies. I place them around the house. I'm only happy if there is a teddy in every room. Usually one at each end. With one in the middle. I move them round. So they don't get bored. There's always a teddy on the move. M helps. She takes them upstairs. Sometimes before they should be there. She's only trying to help. But it's a bit annoying. I have to bring them down again.
I help M with the housework. I lay the table for lunch. I get the cups and plates out of the cupboard. I put them by the table on the floor. I can't reach the table. M often puts them back in the cupboard. She forgets they are needed for dinner. Sometimes we eat in the big room. So I take the cutlery in there. Just in case.
Often M leaves work papers in the kitchen. They should be in her study. I take them there. It's difficult to carry them all. I take them one at a time. Very carefully. They only sometimes get torn. I put them away. In her drawers and under her desk. Nice and tidy. So neat she wouldn't know they were there. If the study door is shut I put them in the bin by the door. If they are magazines they go on the shelf in the hall. Everything in its place.
I do like the toilet rolls. It's such fun running away with them. I criss-cross the hall. Lovely white lines. It looks so pretty. M was busy today so the sitting room looked really good as well. There was toilet paper everywhere. M shrieked when she saw it. I know she was pleased. It looked so good. Although she did become a bit serious. But then art is a serious business. She took me up to my room. She told me to stay there. I think she wanted me to check the teddies. But most of them were still downstairs having fun.
I help M with the housework. I lay the table for lunch. I get the cups and plates out of the cupboard. I put them by the table on the floor. I can't reach the table. M often puts them back in the cupboard. She forgets they are needed for dinner. Sometimes we eat in the big room. So I take the cutlery in there. Just in case.
Often M leaves work papers in the kitchen. They should be in her study. I take them there. It's difficult to carry them all. I take them one at a time. Very carefully. They only sometimes get torn. I put them away. In her drawers and under her desk. Nice and tidy. So neat she wouldn't know they were there. If the study door is shut I put them in the bin by the door. If they are magazines they go on the shelf in the hall. Everything in its place.
I do like the toilet rolls. It's such fun running away with them. I criss-cross the hall. Lovely white lines. It looks so pretty. M was busy today so the sitting room looked really good as well. There was toilet paper everywhere. M shrieked when she saw it. I know she was pleased. It looked so good. Although she did become a bit serious. But then art is a serious business. She took me up to my room. She told me to stay there. I think she wanted me to check the teddies. But most of them were still downstairs having fun.
Sunday, 24 June 2007
The Great Fire
We all went to Great Aunt B's birthday party. She lives in London. She is very, very old. Someone said she was 80 but no one is that old.
Lots of my cousins were there. They are all much taller than me. I was easily the smallest. I tell them apart by their shoes.
The Queen didn't come. I thought she lived in London. She must have been busy. Maybe she was mowing her lawn. It was a dry day.
We played in the garden. British Bulldogs. It was scary at times. My cousins are big. I managed to catch a few of them. I got caught a lot. Now and then I ran so fast I made it to the end of the garden. I thought of Harry. He might have made it to the end. But not as often as me.
The real scary bit was cake time. Cake time isn't normally scary. It's the best time of the day. Today was different. The cake was a big smartie cake. Chocolate covered with more candles than I have ever seen. All the candles were lit. There were a lot of flames. We sang happy birthday. I sang as well. B went to blow out the candles. She blew out one. It relit. She blew out another. It relit. The flames got bigger. She blew again and again but none went out. Other aunties went to help. No one could blow the candles out. The flames got even bigger. M tried to pick the candles off the cake. The flames bit her fingers.
I was very worried. The candles were starting to burn the smarties. Then an Aunt grabbed a wet tea towel. She threw it on the flames. It must have dried the candles. When she picked up the towel there was only smoke. The flames had left. The cake looked sad. It was wet. The smarties were changing colour. Water was dripping over the chocolate.
I thought the cake had died. But it hadn't. Once it was dried we all had a piece. It tasted nice.
We drove back home. Leaving London behind. It has had a fire before. Some time ago. There were no tea towels then. They must have lost a lot of smartie cakes.
Lots of my cousins were there. They are all much taller than me. I was easily the smallest. I tell them apart by their shoes.
The Queen didn't come. I thought she lived in London. She must have been busy. Maybe she was mowing her lawn. It was a dry day.
We played in the garden. British Bulldogs. It was scary at times. My cousins are big. I managed to catch a few of them. I got caught a lot. Now and then I ran so fast I made it to the end of the garden. I thought of Harry. He might have made it to the end. But not as often as me.
The real scary bit was cake time. Cake time isn't normally scary. It's the best time of the day. Today was different. The cake was a big smartie cake. Chocolate covered with more candles than I have ever seen. All the candles were lit. There were a lot of flames. We sang happy birthday. I sang as well. B went to blow out the candles. She blew out one. It relit. She blew out another. It relit. The flames got bigger. She blew again and again but none went out. Other aunties went to help. No one could blow the candles out. The flames got even bigger. M tried to pick the candles off the cake. The flames bit her fingers.
I was very worried. The candles were starting to burn the smarties. Then an Aunt grabbed a wet tea towel. She threw it on the flames. It must have dried the candles. When she picked up the towel there was only smoke. The flames had left. The cake looked sad. It was wet. The smarties were changing colour. Water was dripping over the chocolate.
I thought the cake had died. But it hadn't. Once it was dried we all had a piece. It tasted nice.
We drove back home. Leaving London behind. It has had a fire before. Some time ago. There were no tea towels then. They must have lost a lot of smartie cakes.
Dressing time
Getting dressed is always fun. M helps me. Otherwise it would be a problem. I would have to wear my PJs all day.
I begin by lying on my back. I get nappied. I sit up. If I can, I go for a little run. Just for exercise. Unless M grabs me first. If she misses me, I race away. She jogs after me. We both get exercise.
Once I am caught we choose my clothes. There aren't many. I wear what is clean and close to where I am. Or cleanish and closeish. Once we have chosen I stand up, turn round and reverse. I park myself on M's knee. She dresses me. When I have my vest on I need another run. If it's my second run of the day M usually stops me. If it is my first run I usually make it to the door.
Once I'm caught again, I reverse back into position. If I am wearing my jeans I always look inside. Just to check no-one is there.
I like my trousers with turn-ups best. They are good for carrying sand. I have some dresses. They are very pretty. I wear them for special events. Like fashion shows. I like my spotted tops. But I don't have many. Time for a trip to the spotted top shop.
I begin by lying on my back. I get nappied. I sit up. If I can, I go for a little run. Just for exercise. Unless M grabs me first. If she misses me, I race away. She jogs after me. We both get exercise.
Once I am caught we choose my clothes. There aren't many. I wear what is clean and close to where I am. Or cleanish and closeish. Once we have chosen I stand up, turn round and reverse. I park myself on M's knee. She dresses me. When I have my vest on I need another run. If it's my second run of the day M usually stops me. If it is my first run I usually make it to the door.
Once I'm caught again, I reverse back into position. If I am wearing my jeans I always look inside. Just to check no-one is there.
I like my trousers with turn-ups best. They are good for carrying sand. I have some dresses. They are very pretty. I wear them for special events. Like fashion shows. I like my spotted tops. But I don't have many. Time for a trip to the spotted top shop.
Tuesday, 19 June 2007
Lucky day
I was in town with M and G. I was in my push chair. We had been buying things for G. I'd seen some nice tops but they didn't have spots on.
We were by the fountain when J bumped into us. He had his funny face with him. He'd been to the cinema with another girl. I didn't mind. We both know what will happen when he is grown-up.
He walked with us for a while. He took my hand. I held his finger. He couldn't stay long. He had to go. It was nice to see him.
When I got home I checked the chickens. There were two eggs again. Still only two chickens earning their dinner. And it rained again yesterday. So the others should have started.
I could have pointed out the non-layers to M. But it had been a good day. I was still thinking of J. I just smiled at them instead. They looked away. We understand each other. One more rainy day and I may not be so kind.
We were by the fountain when J bumped into us. He had his funny face with him. He'd been to the cinema with another girl. I didn't mind. We both know what will happen when he is grown-up.
He walked with us for a while. He took my hand. I held his finger. He couldn't stay long. He had to go. It was nice to see him.
When I got home I checked the chickens. There were two eggs again. Still only two chickens earning their dinner. And it rained again yesterday. So the others should have started.
I could have pointed out the non-layers to M. But it had been a good day. I was still thinking of J. I just smiled at them instead. They looked away. We understand each other. One more rainy day and I may not be so kind.
Friday, 15 June 2007
Wet weather chickens
It rained and rained. The racecourse was puddled. The horses could not run. Too many spots of rain. So no spotted tops. No coloured hats. No visit for me. No work for my pointing finger.
So I went to feed the chickens. They were very wet. They didn't have brolleys. I went with M. She works. I watch.
We had a surprise. I saw them first. I jumped up and down. I pointed. There were two eggs. Their first eggs. Very small eggs. Like quail eggs. Just a bit bigger. Maybe the quails had returned in the night, laid their eggs and left. I don't think so. They would have stayed to see me.
I looked at the chickens. Two of them are working. Two are not. Two looked at me. Two looked away. I know the layers from the players. I didn't tell M. The others will start. Next time it rains. Otherwise there may be more work for my pointing finger.
So I went to feed the chickens. They were very wet. They didn't have brolleys. I went with M. She works. I watch.
We had a surprise. I saw them first. I jumped up and down. I pointed. There were two eggs. Their first eggs. Very small eggs. Like quail eggs. Just a bit bigger. Maybe the quails had returned in the night, laid their eggs and left. I don't think so. They would have stayed to see me.
I looked at the chickens. Two of them are working. Two are not. Two looked at me. Two looked away. I know the layers from the players. I didn't tell M. The others will start. Next time it rains. Otherwise there may be more work for my pointing finger.
Tuesday, 12 June 2007
The harry and the tortoise
It was the day of the big run to raise money for charity. The older ones ran on the racecourse. Luckily, there were no horses around. Otherwise they would have been squashed. The runners not the horses.
The brothers did their bit. They ran fast and went for miles. I thought they weren't coming back. Like the Quails. But they did.
We had a toddler's race. It was in my back garden. On my home track. There was Harry and me. Harry is 2. He was the favourite. He had toddled before but not in my garden.
He started fast. I started slow. He raced round the first corner. I took my first step. He raced round the second corner. I took my second step. He was at the third. Then he fell. Flat on the ground. I picked up speed. His mum picked Harry up. She dusted him down. I was catching up. Corners came and went.
I was in my stride. Toddling flat out. It had never been so easy. I was going so fast. The wind raced past my cheeks. I sped past the duster and the dusted. I was flying. The crowd shouted "go anna, go anna". Quicker and quicker I went. Legs going backwards and forwards. The robin was singing. The chickens clucking. I dived over the finish.
Harry didn't finish. He didn't restart. I gave him some cake. It cheered him up.
I saw Little John. He smiled. Now he knows I can run and dance.
The brothers did their bit. They ran fast and went for miles. I thought they weren't coming back. Like the Quails. But they did.
We had a toddler's race. It was in my back garden. On my home track. There was Harry and me. Harry is 2. He was the favourite. He had toddled before but not in my garden.
He started fast. I started slow. He raced round the first corner. I took my first step. He raced round the second corner. I took my second step. He was at the third. Then he fell. Flat on the ground. I picked up speed. His mum picked Harry up. She dusted him down. I was catching up. Corners came and went.
I was in my stride. Toddling flat out. It had never been so easy. I was going so fast. The wind raced past my cheeks. I sped past the duster and the dusted. I was flying. The crowd shouted "go anna, go anna". Quicker and quicker I went. Legs going backwards and forwards. The robin was singing. The chickens clucking. I dived over the finish.
Harry didn't finish. He didn't restart. I gave him some cake. It cheered him up.
I saw Little John. He smiled. Now he knows I can run and dance.
Friday, 8 June 2007
Music time
It was the school concert. It was in a chapel. God had moved out for the evening. The school had moved in.
I was at the back. I sang a bit. Sometimes with others. Sometimes by myself. There were some pieces that lacked singers. It was lucky I was there.
I danced a bit. Only to the boppy numbers. And in the interval. Some people smiled at me. Others had left their smiles at home. I didn't mind. I just like to dance.
I went down the aisle to the front. I could dance better there. People were pointing at me. I think they liked my dancing. D came and picked me up. He took me to the back. But I hadn't finished dancing yet.
I went back to the front. I joined the musicians. It's easier to dance close to the music. The dance floor was very small. One of the music stands was in the way. I moved it. A musician stopped playing. She must have finished. The others kept playing. I carried on dancing. A man with a stick looked grumpy. He waved it round. He nearly kept up with the music. Then D appeared. The dance floor was very crowded. There was no dancing room for D. Another musician stopped playing and handed me to D. It was nice of her. She could tell D was upset at not dancing.
D carried me all the way outside. A nice long cuddle. I could still hear the music. I would have liked to dance some more but D wanted to play with me. The concert finished. The man with the stick spoke to D. He looked annoyed. I wasn't suprised. It must be upsetting to wave a stick when there is dancing to be done.
I was at the back. I sang a bit. Sometimes with others. Sometimes by myself. There were some pieces that lacked singers. It was lucky I was there.
I danced a bit. Only to the boppy numbers. And in the interval. Some people smiled at me. Others had left their smiles at home. I didn't mind. I just like to dance.
I went down the aisle to the front. I could dance better there. People were pointing at me. I think they liked my dancing. D came and picked me up. He took me to the back. But I hadn't finished dancing yet.
I went back to the front. I joined the musicians. It's easier to dance close to the music. The dance floor was very small. One of the music stands was in the way. I moved it. A musician stopped playing. She must have finished. The others kept playing. I carried on dancing. A man with a stick looked grumpy. He waved it round. He nearly kept up with the music. Then D appeared. The dance floor was very crowded. There was no dancing room for D. Another musician stopped playing and handed me to D. It was nice of her. She could tell D was upset at not dancing.
D carried me all the way outside. A nice long cuddle. I could still hear the music. I would have liked to dance some more but D wanted to play with me. The concert finished. The man with the stick spoke to D. He looked annoyed. I wasn't suprised. It must be upsetting to wave a stick when there is dancing to be done.
Helmet time
I have a helmet. I wear it on M's bike. I ride on the back in my bike seat. You need a helmet when you speed through town.
The boys ride their bikes to school. They have to pedal. I don't pedal. I just sit and watch and wobble. M is quite fast but not as fast as the boys. She needs to train.
I may wear my helmet at home. It keeps my head on. But it is not easy to scratch an itch with a helmet on. It's a difficult choice. Scratch an itch or keep your head on.
The boys ride their bikes to school. They have to pedal. I don't pedal. I just sit and watch and wobble. M is quite fast but not as fast as the boys. She needs to train.
I may wear my helmet at home. It keeps my head on. But it is not easy to scratch an itch with a helmet on. It's a difficult choice. Scratch an itch or keep your head on.
Friday, 1 June 2007
The fashion show
We went to my cousin's show. It was full of art and design. There were lots of things to look at.
There was one picture of lots of chinese dolls. It was missing something. I found a red crayon. I drew a line. It made a big difference. I was still colouring when D grabbed me. But he was pleased. "At least no-one saw you" he said.
There were some cakes and sweets on a plate. They were very colourful. Quite bright for cakes. But they didn't taste good. A bit plasticky.
There were some cushions on the floor. They looked really comfy. They needed more padding. They collapsed when I dived on them.
I spotted some quails in a box. They were not the same colour as my quails. They were a pale white with green feathers on their head. They looked like quails. But they weren't proper quails. Quails aren't pale white. And they live in pens not boxes. Still I like quails . So I picked one up. I carried it for a while. I am not sure when I dropped it.
I saw my cousin's picture. It had lots of things in it. I spotted the chips, the trainers and the car. There were things she had missed out but it was still good.
There was a fashion parade. M knows all about fashion. She watches Ugly Betty.
My cousin was in the parade. Her clothes were a bit small. I could see her legs and her tummy. She had a pretty top. It would look nice on my teddy.
I felt tired. I lay down by a table. I knocked the leg. Only one glass fell. M said it was time to leave. Fashion is fun but I was ready for bed.
There was one picture of lots of chinese dolls. It was missing something. I found a red crayon. I drew a line. It made a big difference. I was still colouring when D grabbed me. But he was pleased. "At least no-one saw you" he said.
There were some cakes and sweets on a plate. They were very colourful. Quite bright for cakes. But they didn't taste good. A bit plasticky.
There were some cushions on the floor. They looked really comfy. They needed more padding. They collapsed when I dived on them.
I spotted some quails in a box. They were not the same colour as my quails. They were a pale white with green feathers on their head. They looked like quails. But they weren't proper quails. Quails aren't pale white. And they live in pens not boxes. Still I like quails . So I picked one up. I carried it for a while. I am not sure when I dropped it.
I saw my cousin's picture. It had lots of things in it. I spotted the chips, the trainers and the car. There were things she had missed out but it was still good.
There was a fashion parade. M knows all about fashion. She watches Ugly Betty.
My cousin was in the parade. Her clothes were a bit small. I could see her legs and her tummy. She had a pretty top. It would look nice on my teddy.
I felt tired. I lay down by a table. I knocked the leg. Only one glass fell. M said it was time to leave. Fashion is fun but I was ready for bed.
Thursday, 31 May 2007
Husbands
We all went to visit our friends, the H's. I like the H's, well I like J actually. He’s the H's son. He’s 13 and is a friend of Gs. I’m going to marry him when he’s older. At the moment he’s a bit too young to marry.
I smile at him. He pulls funny faces. Like everybody else, I want a husband who pulls funny faces. Maybe Little John will be funny when he's older. But I'm not sure. He doesn't even smile yet. Not even when I dance.
I smile at him. He pulls funny faces. Like everybody else, I want a husband who pulls funny faces. Maybe Little John will be funny when he's older. But I'm not sure. He doesn't even smile yet. Not even when I dance.
Tuesday, 29 May 2007
Money
I am rich. I have a child trust fund. The money is mine when I am big. The money will also be bigger. M says I must spend it wisely. Maybe on a car or on a deposit for an address.
I don't need a car. I have my bike. Although it is a little wobbly.
I would like to buy a dress. But I would like a little one now rather than a big one later.
I don't need a car. I have my bike. Although it is a little wobbly.
I would like to buy a dress. But I would like a little one now rather than a big one later.
First kiss
I couldn't hold on to my first kiss any longer. I gave it to M. She deserves it. She looks after me.
My second kiss I gave to Em. She plays with me.
I would have kissed the boy from Tescos but he hasn't found the quails yet.
I haven't kissed D yet. I go to kiss him but turn my head away at the last minute. I'm a bit of a kiss tease.
My second kiss I gave to Em. She plays with me.
I would have kissed the boy from Tescos but he hasn't found the quails yet.
I haven't kissed D yet. I go to kiss him but turn my head away at the last minute. I'm a bit of a kiss tease.
So far so good
I' ve been very lucky so far. G and Em keep warning me. "Anna you're head is falling off" . I grab it with both hands. They laugh. I take my hands away. A few seconds later they shout again. So far I've always caught my head. I'm very lucky to have a brother and sister. They look after me. I would look funny without a head.
Thursday, 24 May 2007
The crash
I had another accident. It wasn't my bike this time. I fell from my high chair. I bumped my head on the way to the floor. It hurt. There was no Biscuit to land on.
I am OK. It was only a little bump. M was naughty. She hadn't put my helmet on. My high chair is old. I think new ones have safety nets.
I am OK. It was only a little bump. M was naughty. She hadn't put my helmet on. My high chair is old. I think new ones have safety nets.
The visit
Little John came to visit. I was looking forward to seeing him. He arrived in his pram. He woke. He fed. He slept. It was as if I wasn't there. No smile. Nothing. Maybe he didn't remember me. It was 4 weeks since we last met. But I did dance for him. How could he forget so quickly. I remember the quails and they left 4 weeks ago.
Thursday, 17 May 2007
Busy day
It was a busy day in the garden. Nearly everyone was there.
I sat on my bike. Until it fell over. Then my bike sat on me. I had to be rescued.
My friend the robin was out playing. Flying around as usual. He lives in the orchard. He moved in when the quails moved out. He is very pretty. His orange tummy was glowing. He kept an eye on things. He looked worried when the bike squashed me.
The quail house stood empty. Where once were quails, now is grass. Weeds growing bigger. The new quails will sort them out.
The sun was shining. I put sand in my turn-ups. I will play with it later in bed. Before I sleep. I will dream of glass, grass, robins and bikes. I will sleep well after a busy day.
M put glass in the greenhouse. It protects the tomato plants. Yesterday G had removed the glass. With a cricket ball. The plants need a roof.
G gave the grass a hair cut. Pay back time for the glass. It's his first time cutting. He got the parting a bit wrong. The grass lines are wobbly.
D cleared the orchard. He made it open plan. Removing brambles and weeds. Now the chickens can watch G breaking glass and M replacing panes. They can see the cricket balls coming.I sat on my bike. Until it fell over. Then my bike sat on me. I had to be rescued.
My friend the robin was out playing. Flying around as usual. He lives in the orchard. He moved in when the quails moved out. He is very pretty. His orange tummy was glowing. He kept an eye on things. He looked worried when the bike squashed me.
The quail house stood empty. Where once were quails, now is grass. Weeds growing bigger. The new quails will sort them out.
The sun was shining. I put sand in my turn-ups. I will play with it later in bed. Before I sleep. I will dream of glass, grass, robins and bikes. I will sleep well after a busy day.
A day at the races
I went to the races today with M and D. I had to pick the horses for D to back. I did well. I picked two winners in the first two races. D was very pleased. Then I had a snooze and missed the next two races. I woke to find the form guide in front of my eyes. "Which one Anna" he said. He looked a bit desperate. I was still dozy. I just pointed. I didn't look for the colours like the robin in the garden. Or the one with the spots like my dungarees. I just pointed.
"Brilliant" said D "That's the same horse as the tip we've been given". D rushed off to the bookies. I should have told him I hadn't studied the form. He came back. He was a bit excited. A friend had joined us. "Show him the horse you have chosen Anna" he said. He held the form guide in front of me. I looked. I pointed. At one, two and then a third horse. "Do you think I should back them" he said. He looked worried. The race started. It finished. My horse was seventh. It was a big field. Seventh was good but not good enough. D was grumpy for the rest of the day. He didn't ask me about the next race. He didn't win either.
There were lots of other toddlers at the racecourse. It was just like nursery. They all had lovely coloured tops and spotty caps. They were lucky. They sat on the horses. I wasn't allowed to. Maybe next time I will get to sit on the horses. I will have to practise my pointing.
"Brilliant" said D "That's the same horse as the tip we've been given". D rushed off to the bookies. I should have told him I hadn't studied the form. He came back. He was a bit excited. A friend had joined us. "Show him the horse you have chosen Anna" he said. He held the form guide in front of me. I looked. I pointed. At one, two and then a third horse. "Do you think I should back them" he said. He looked worried. The race started. It finished. My horse was seventh. It was a big field. Seventh was good but not good enough. D was grumpy for the rest of the day. He didn't ask me about the next race. He didn't win either.
There were lots of other toddlers at the racecourse. It was just like nursery. They all had lovely coloured tops and spotty caps. They were lucky. They sat on the horses. I wasn't allowed to. Maybe next time I will get to sit on the horses. I will have to practise my pointing.
Tuesday, 15 May 2007
Chickens nouveau
The chickens have arrived. I went to collect them with M. There are four of them. I think you buy one and get one and three.
They are not very old or very big. There is a brown one, two grey ones and a white one. They are not as pretty as the quails.
They will not lay eggs for four weeks. D says they have arrived four weeks early. They have time to settle in.
The chickens are living in the orchard. I hope they decide to stay. It was sad when the quails left. Biscuit was being good. She was keeping a close eye on them.
They are not very old or very big. There is a brown one, two grey ones and a white one. They are not as pretty as the quails.
They will not lay eggs for four weeks. D says they have arrived four weeks early. They have time to settle in.
The chickens are living in the orchard. I hope they decide to stay. It was sad when the quails left. Biscuit was being good. She was keeping a close eye on them.
Sunday, 13 May 2007
Kisses
I blow kisses. I don't do kisses. M and D think I should but I don't. I blow a kiss when D goes to work. D always comes closer. He hopes for a kiss. He puts his cheek by my face. Sometimes I rest my head on his cheek. I'm nice like that. Sometimes I rub his cheek with my nose. But only if my nose is itchy or a bit runny. But I don't kiss him. My first kiss is for someone really special. I like D. He has good points. His shoulder is comfy when I need a sleep. But my first kiss is not for him. He will get a later one but not my first.
I saw a boy in Tescos today. He came over to my trolley. He had nice eyes. He had a colourful top. He smiled at me. If he can find the quails, I may give him my first kiss. But only if he finds the quails. He will have to find them quickly. My first kiss is ready to go.
I saw a boy in Tescos today. He came over to my trolley. He had nice eyes. He had a colourful top. He smiled at me. If he can find the quails, I may give him my first kiss. But only if he finds the quails. He will have to find them quickly. My first kiss is ready to go.
Friday, 11 May 2007
Likes and Dislikes
I like games. I play high fives with my brothers and sister. I like hiding behind my hands. I like wearing my potty on my head.
I like my coloured dungarees. I like colouring my dungarees.
I like dancing to the Archers theme tune. I don't like the Archers. They talk too much and sing too little.
I like quails but only the two white ones, the brown one and the half white and brown one. But they have left me. I may not like them much longer. I will have some new friends soon. They're putting their feathers on at the moment. When they arrive we can all dance to the Archers.
I like my coloured dungarees. I like colouring my dungarees.
I like dancing to the Archers theme tune. I don't like the Archers. They talk too much and sing too little.
I like quails but only the two white ones, the brown one and the half white and brown one. But they have left me. I may not like them much longer. I will have some new friends soon. They're putting their feathers on at the moment. When they arrive we can all dance to the Archers.
Thursday, 10 May 2007
Tricky business
Walking is not as easy as I thought. I go from side to side and then down. Then up again. Then side to side. I keep trying. I'm going to go forward soon.
I use crawl for speed. I can see why Biscuit uses four legs. Walking is a tricky business.
I use crawl for speed. I can see why Biscuit uses four legs. Walking is a tricky business.
Chickens arriving
There are chickens coming next week. I don't know how many. I don't know what colour. I think they are just girls. Boys sing too much.
They are going to live in the orchard. Next to the quails house. The quails are still away. I don't think they are coming back.
More quails are arriving soon. They won't be here before the chickens. They must be catching a later train.
They are going to live in the orchard. Next to the quails house. The quails are still away. I don't think they are coming back.
More quails are arriving soon. They won't be here before the chickens. They must be catching a later train.
Saturday, 5 May 2007
Walking
I have decided to walk. There are some advantages. I will be taller than Biscuit. I can carry my milk bottle with my hands. There are some disadvantages. I will have problems fitting under Biscuit's tummy. I may be asked to carry my own bottle.
I have thought about it a lot. Crawling is fine but babies crawl. I'm a toddler. Toddler's walk. So I am going to walk. Here goes. I'm glad I wear padded nappies.
I have thought about it a lot. Crawling is fine but babies crawl. I'm a toddler. Toddler's walk. So I am going to walk. Here goes. I'm glad I wear padded nappies.
Still missing
The quails are still away. Their pen is waiting for them. They either have a very good hiding place or they have missed the bus home.
M and D are talking about getting more quails. When the missing four return their house will be very crowded. They had better come home soon. I might ask G to text them.
M and D are talking about getting more quails. When the missing four return their house will be very crowded. They had better come home soon. I might ask G to text them.
Thursday, 3 May 2007
Potty time
It was potty time. I had finished my food. I went and sat by the potty. M took my nappy off. She went to get some books. I put the potty on my head. I always wear my potty with pride.
Wednesday, 2 May 2007
Biscuit and the quails
I allowed Biscuit to explain things:
Well I came into the garden. Wandered around as normal. Thought I would check the quails. Nothing new there. I always visit them when I'm around. We've had our problems in the past but that's all sorted. They know me. I know them. No problem.
I saw their pen. Bit empty. They must be in their house. Bit strange. Still I checked out the pig sty. Back to the pen. Hole in fence. Quails gone.
I layed down by their pen. They are my friends and they've gone missing. That's not nice.
Well I came into the garden. Wandered around as normal. Thought I would check the quails. Nothing new there. I always visit them when I'm around. We've had our problems in the past but that's all sorted. They know me. I know them. No problem.
I saw their pen. Bit empty. They must be in their house. Bit strange. Still I checked out the pig sty. Back to the pen. Hole in fence. Quails gone.
I layed down by their pen. They are my friends and they've gone missing. That's not nice.
Missing quails
I was at nursery today. When I came home there was a search party in the garden. The quail fence had a gap in it. The four quails had gone. They must have left home in a hurry. Their water and food was there. Their little house was there. The little door to their little house was there. But the quails were not at home.
They must be playing hide and seek. Quails are small and are really good at hiding. But hide and seek is no fun when you're not found. I knew where they would be. I headed for the house. I crawled up three flights of stairs. Into the room with the snooker table. Into the corner under the blanket. But they weren't there. Strange. This is the best hiding place in the house. A few days ago it took M and D ages to find me. But there were no quails.
They must be on holiday. They didn't tell M. They will be in big trouble when they return.
They must be playing hide and seek. Quails are small and are really good at hiding. But hide and seek is no fun when you're not found. I knew where they would be. I headed for the house. I crawled up three flights of stairs. Into the room with the snooker table. Into the corner under the blanket. But they weren't there. Strange. This is the best hiding place in the house. A few days ago it took M and D ages to find me. But there were no quails.
They must be on holiday. They didn't tell M. They will be in big trouble when they return.
Quail sadness
I allowed a parental posting:
Something was wrong. Biscuit was lying by the quail pen instead of inspecting the garden. The pen itself was still. Normally the hurly burley of rush hour would be in full flow. Quails racing around, popping in and out of their house, nibbling food, scavenging the ground and playing.
But not today. The pen was quiet. The garden silent. A blanket of peace had been lowered. Something had changed.
The fencing had been disturbed. Raised from the ground in places, there were large gaps. Big enough for the quails to leave. Big enough for an animal to enter.
The pen was the same but lifeless. The food and water untouched. The little door to the house open. There was no sign of a disturbance. No sign of death. No discarded feathers. No blood. No indication of what had occurred. But all four had gone. The quails had left in the night.
Their maker had claimed them back. They were ours no more. I will miss them.
Something was wrong. Biscuit was lying by the quail pen instead of inspecting the garden. The pen itself was still. Normally the hurly burley of rush hour would be in full flow. Quails racing around, popping in and out of their house, nibbling food, scavenging the ground and playing.
But not today. The pen was quiet. The garden silent. A blanket of peace had been lowered. Something had changed.
The fencing had been disturbed. Raised from the ground in places, there were large gaps. Big enough for the quails to leave. Big enough for an animal to enter.
The pen was the same but lifeless. The food and water untouched. The little door to the house open. There was no sign of a disturbance. No sign of death. No discarded feathers. No blood. No indication of what had occurred. But all four had gone. The quails had left in the night.
Their maker had claimed them back. They were ours no more. I will miss them.
Tuesday, 1 May 2007
Little John
I went to visit Little John. He was available for viewing. He is a week old. He is small. He has lots of hair and blue eyes. His hair was a bit scruffy. He hadn’t combed it.
Little John doesn’t do much. He just looks around. I thought I’d better entertain him. I stood up. I did a jig. I bounced from one leg to the other. I even took a couple of steps. Everyone clapped except Little John. Maybe he’ll grow to like dancing. If not, we may not be friends.
Little John doesn’t do much. He just looks around. I thought I’d better entertain him. I stood up. I did a jig. I bounced from one leg to the other. I even took a couple of steps. Everyone clapped except Little John. Maybe he’ll grow to like dancing. If not, we may not be friends.
Saturday, 28 April 2007
Clapping
I have started to stand up. When I stand up everyone claps so I clap. I quite like clapping. I may walk one day but not yet. I'm going to stick with clapping for a while.
Stair problem
I am mastering the stairs. I race down backwards. I had a problem though. I was about to go down. I manoeuvred my bottom into position and went into reverse but the stairs weren’t there. I think Mummy had moved them. I don’t always trust her.
Friday, 27 April 2007
Talking
I thought about talking today. So far I've done a lot of listening. There are a lot of talkers in my house. E has been very good to me. He's trying to train me. He tells me words but only when M is not around. He doesn't want M to know he's training me. He wants it to be a surprise when I repeat what he says. He has a bet with G about what my first word will be.
They've actually mised the boat. I do say the odd word but I never repeat it. I often call people by their names. They think they hear it. They get terribly excited and ask me to say it again. I never do of course.
I'm not going to talk for a while. Biscuit doesn't talk and she is three.
They've actually mised the boat. I do say the odd word but I never repeat it. I often call people by their names. They think they hear it. They get terribly excited and ask me to say it again. I never do of course.
I'm not going to talk for a while. Biscuit doesn't talk and she is three.
Dangerous dog
I have a dog. Her name is Biscuit. She is brown and big. She was here when I arrived. I think she came with the house. We are friends although not at food time. She bounces around a lot. Up and down, round and round. I don't know why. Her dinner looks really boring. You have to be careful at food time. It's a dangerous time of day. I was knocked over by her tail just yesterday.
Staying up
I had a late night last night. I was playing with my teddies. You know how it is. You start with one teddy. Play with them for a while. Chat, prod, shake. Then on to the next teddy and before you know it’s really late and sleep has left home without you. I was tired for nursery. I really shouldn’t stay up late.
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