Well today it is boiling! I don’t have the buggy due to the fact that the normal buggy dumping area (the drive) is full of cement mixers and power tools. I also have a slight problem in that the back garden is full of floor insulation and 4 metre long bits of timber.

So what does one do in that situation? I think such a scenario should be a challenge on the Crystal Maze (or whatever the kids are watching nowadays as we have no tv). I decided to improvise. First I thought we would do a jigsaw. This worked for a while but then Elliott started clawing at the French windows saying ‘side ‘side (outside) then he went and got his hat and shoes and handed them to me. Arthur pointed out he also needed soooooos and Aaaat Aaaaat.

So I checked for noticable spikey objects and anything they could injure themselves on and let them out.

Now a while back Granny Ruthy bought a second hand cot from a Polish couple who were emigrating to Canada. They threw in a whole load of other stuff they couldn’t fit in their luggage. Apart from an extremely disturbing Polish kids book about a giant evil round cheese that tricks a fox most of the stuff was great. The best thing was a toddler outdoor activity trough. It was this that saved the day today. I filled it with water and gave them lots of bits from the kitchen to play with.

Hours of fun.

Though they did manage to get hold of some chalk. The planks of wood are now multicoloured but I don’t think the builders mind…