Went on a school trip type expedition with S and her family to Pizza Express after swimming this evening - 3 adults, 5 children and a baby. No need for the First Aid box this time as no-one shut the loo door on their finger. The baby threw doughballs on the floor, grabbed at the pizza, and discovered a liking for Chocolate Fudge Cake. We are going to be in trouble tomorrow however, as late bedtimes are frowned upon on schoolnights by the teachers. But hey, it's nearly Christmas, Sunderland lost 3-nil last night so Dear Husband needed cheering up, and S's husband is 'working' in Dublin for a week. We suspect he's moonlighting as a Guiness taster, just don't tell S!!

It's definately Christmas - DD1, her best friend and I spent what seemed like the entire weekend in Safeways singing carols with the Brownies. Thank you very much to Safeways who provided juice and cakes afterwards, which almost made up for the embarrasment of failing to reach the top notes in 'Silent Night' and miscalculating the quantity of 'Glorias' in 'Ding Dong Merrily on High'. But at least my Brownie pack turned up in double figures unlike the others. I must have terrified them into it on Thursday when I had my first attempt at being Brown Owl. It was a very stressful evening, they all chattered and ignored me except when I shouted. Perhaps I didn't inherit the Teacher's Voice of Authority after all. Fair attempt, Smat, must try harder next time.