Entering June

My ballerina in her first Tutu. FI performs in her first proper ballet show at a city centre theatre- dancing to Mary had a little Lamb (!!!) and the pirate dance that she does for her Pre-Primary exam the same week. She loves ballet- don't know whether she really loves it or whether it is because it is the one really girly activity that she does- but we try to get her to two lessons a week ( fortunately they do a membership pricing rather than a per lesson pricing). Shame about the silly mob cap- I gallantly offered to chaperone backstage and am hoping someone will vomit just prior to going on- so I can whip off the mobcaps to use as dishrags!!!

A couple of weeks ago we went on family holiday to North Wales and M succeeded in dragging the older two up Snowdon (up Pyg down Miners)- I was pretty impressed- I did think he was asking a lot of a 4 and a 6 yr old and was rating his chances about 60% . But they have their hats from the summit cafe to prove that they got there. I was just glad to get them back safely- the mummy imagination was on overdrive. M had to swear practically in blood that he wouldn't let them anywhere near Crib Goch- not even to look! Remainder of holiday was lovely- went to a gorgeous National Trust property Plas yn Rhiw- turn of century renovation that I could move into tomorrow- even with the garden toilet! Also popped into Bangor Castle- another favourite- so spectacular. Both of them have made us realise how far our home has moved away from the look that we are so comfortable with- dark wood, ecletic chairs and tapestry heavy fabrics- towards modern furniture- for a variety of reasons- not in the least because we take in other peoples cast offs- because they will 'do' rather than because we like them -or because we need the size of storage- unfortunately beautiful oak wardrobes cannot make the volume of 'stuff' disappear like an Ikea Pax wardrobe can.......

My children are very obsessed with water play at the moment and every opportunity to get wet possible. Which is Ok in good weather.......

On an organisational front I have finally got our menu up and running and we are working our way through. Good points so far is that it is making me get my cook books out and enjoy the process of cooking again- although that has made it more time consuming- possibly off set by reduction in the 'what shall I cook today?' debate. I think I need to accept costs rising- but reviewing some of our food/shopping choices was one of the reasons for reviewing our ways. I am fairly impressed with my HFW River Cottage Everyday book- so far- everything pretty tasty and has worked well and so far not too pricey- but maybe I am picking receipes well for that one.....

Well challenges for this month are probably thinking about potty training TP- as he is hinting it is on the cards and will wee on demand in the potty- so maybe time to introduce pants into the mix. Gosh I can't believe that there may be a point where I don't have a child in daytime nappies..... We also need to start thinking about doing some work on the house again- now we have a daddy back from the depths of an MSc (distinction woohoo! - but still not worth the price on family living- but proud of you!)- so that we can start to think about family next steps......without the house renovation tying us here....