Books [1]

This week I have been mostly reading Jodi Picoult.

Noddy and Friends

Today we went to Harewood to see Noddy. The characters in the photos are Sly and Gobbo, who are, it has to be said, fairly sinister looking, especially to an almost three year old. These two managed to reduce Laura to a shaking, sobbing wreck, just by her looking at them! We tried to cheer her up with a ride on the merry-go-round, but she had to be removed half way through. Dady won her a rather garish unicorn toy, which worked for a minute, but eventually she had to be carried from the scene, weeping into my shoulder, while saying "I want to go home. I don't ever, ever want to come here again".

Luckily, all was not lost. She brightened up at the mention of lunch in the cafe, a trip to the bird garden (always a favourite), and of course, the usual "..ice-cream before we go home.."
 

Then, on Thursday night, she is back in our room, but this time it's mummy's make up bag! (oh yes....a very girlie girl, my daughter). Out comes the (Clarins) foundation and my favourite make up brush. The foundation is then painted on (a) the duvet cover, (b) the cast iron fireplace, (c) two books, (d) the end of the pine bed and (e) the wall. Oh...did I mention the carpet too? Exhausted by her activities she makes herself a little makeshift bed on the landing, and goes to sleep. (see photos below)
Naive mummy says - "No, we will not fix a lock on our bedroom door. I will explain to Laura how naughty she has been. I will reason with her." Laura agrees ahe has been naughty, and promises not to go into mummy and daddy's room again, if they aren't already in there.

Sunday night......Laura is caught on the landing with my Book Journal in hand. Now, she could have been browsing it for recommendations for a good read. However, mummy ain't quite so naive now. The bolt has gone on the door, and I have convinced myself that in years to come I will look fondly on all the childish scribbles in my journal...maybe.

Anyway, not actually linked to her nocturnal adventures, we are moving her bedroom down to the next floor over the next month or so. She has chosen pink for the walls.

Back pages of the bad book

So, on Tuesday evening, after she had been put to bed, Laura went into our bedroom and helped herself to two pots of nail varnish, some nail varnish remover and some cotton wool. After applying said varnish to her nails (see photo above) she clearly got bored with such a girlie activity and then emptied both bottles of varnish and the remover into the glasses of water we'd foolishly left behind. Just for good measure she painted a bit of purple on the window sill and on daddy's bedside cabinet. She then went to bed. 

And Laura's first Chinese meal. 

Whoops - forgot to mention the Morris Dancers (!) 

Easter with the Sayers

On Easter saturday we went to Lyme Park in Cheshire to meet up with Jane & John Sayers, and their two lovely boys - Thomas & Josh. Jane and I lived together when we were studying at Manchester Poly. We hadn't actually seen each other for something like 12 years. Wehad a great picnic and did almost all of the treasure trail (!). A mooch around the shop and then home, after arranging our next meeting in October - hopefully we will entertain the Sayers in Harrogate. 

Trial and error

First post while I try to work out how to use this!