Half Term Horrors

We have visiting Guinea pigs 2/3 times a year when family go away and they are delightful.
As they can't bring the big hutch we keep them in a large wire folding hutch in the conservatory. They are so excited when one of us goes in in the morning and they are very vocal. We really miss them when they go home. Keeping them indoors does involve a lot of cleaning out as they get wiffy but that also means more interaction with them which they seem to enjoy.

Castafiore guinea pigs are smaller than rabbits and more compact - when they are picked up their legs don't splay around the way rabbits' do. They fit onto a child's lap better for cuddles, which they seem to love if they have been handled frequently since birth.

Have had my two granddaughters since Saturday last week. 10 and 8. They go home tomorrow. Tried to keep them busy. Had an hour's activity at the local library on Monday, drawing and a story. Tuesday we took my dog for a lovely walk in the field. Girls adore him. Wednesday it was raining so we had a day of indoor games. Thursday we went to the zoo and had a picnic. Friday wet again so could only do indoor activities which included baking and hide and seek. Today we're going to the cinema and mummy arrives later to stay the night and take them home tomorrow. Enjoyable but very tiring.

I love Nando's....

We took ours to Five Guys for lunch one day, and Jamie's (Jamie Oliver) the next. Excellent food for all at both. You need to choose more carefully.

Willow500 thanks for the rabbit idea - could be a good way to start.

Health warning- Don't go to IKEA for lunch in half term

Riverwalk thanks for the info re H&M...nearest in Norwich ....hoping she dosent ant any more for a while ..once was enough

Castafiore I was terrified of dogs when I was that age - one had jumped up at me when I was younger and frightened me. I remained that way until I was 9 when we lived next door to a pet shop and two furry bundles of fluff were in the window (those were the days when pet shops did that!) I cried and cried until my parents gave in an bought one for me. Never looked back. That might be a way to help or start her off with a small rabbit - all children should know the unconditional love of a pet.

Had 7 year-old DGG here today - she loves playing card games and painting, is very imaginative, helpful, and generally good company. But there is an odd negative - she is frightened of cats, and so our poor visiting cat Molly had to stay outside, not understanding why. (She belongs to a neighbour, but spends a lot of time with us, and we are officially feeding her this week, as her owner is away.) DGD is also terrified of dogs - became tearful and panicky when we went out for a walk across the fields and a dog came anywhere near - I had to pick her up and carry her. This is all very odd, because when she was younger she loved playing with our beautiful cat George, who sadly died when our DGD was 4. We don't know of any incident where she has been attacked or menaced by a cat or dog, and we fear that not only is she is destined to miss out on all the pleasures of being around animals, but that this excessive fear will cut her off from a lot of quite normal activities. She is not fearful in general - it's just cats and dogs. Any ideas?

My 13 year old DGS has been with me since Monday morning. He has been no trouble at all. We have had a few outings. Visited his new baby cousin and had lots of lovely chats. He has spent a lot of time making and painting War Hammer figures. The local food shops have had a good week as he never stops eating ! So unfair to me as he is tall and skinny.

I'd love to have some GC to stay but we live too far apart. Two of them are skiing in Italy with DS1 and DiL. Photographs arrive by Whatsapp. The other family seem to be managing with days out. My oldest GD, now adult, used to spend a lot of time with me, frequently baking in my kitchen or designing greetings cards on my computer. When we went shopping, she was my fashion adviser. She and her half brother used to make a beeline for the cakes in Tesco! There was no chance of losing them as I knew where they would be.

I don't know whether to be sad or glad as we have not been asked to have the dgc this half term. They usually come for at least one day during the week. I suspect they have got too old and prefer to do their own thing.

Same here I have my three all and under 7. Been to tha park and a long walk. The mud was horrendous. Chicken nuggets with Tom sauce then yogurt for afters. Not too bad. We've played pairs a great favourite. The car track is set up Their mummy is having trouble with her back, it's getting worse. I can hear the pain in her voice. Today while the two youngest were playing the oldest girl came and stuggled up to me on a bench and confinded " my mummy's got a sore back. Yesterday I went into her bedroom and found my mummy crying. I cuddled her and gave her a massage. Is my mummy ever going to get better nanna I did my best to reassure her. I'm not sure that their mummy is going to get better any time soon. I've got two of them till four or five the oldest ones staying the weekend. No housework done this weekend me thinks

Have dgc as we speak, having promised to take them to park, in spite of freezing, driving wind and rain they insisted on going. They ( aged 7 @ 3 ) don't seem to feel it. I am frozen!!!!

Shopping with any child over the age of about 7 is hell.
The eye rolls when you like something and the unsuitable ones they just love. Oh no!!

DTE is there an H&M near you - they are very trendy, inexpensive, and go up to a 18/20.

At least you got to eat something Teetime

Yesterday I took GD up/on the Millennium Wheel - her first time and about my 5th. Queue not too bad.

We then walked along the South Bank in search of lunch - big mistake at 13.00 during half-term everywhere was packed to the gunwales, pushchairs everywhere. Wagamama had queue round the block, Strada had a few empty tables but experiencing 'kitchen troubles' and so not allowing any more in!

So we crossed over Hungerford Bridge and got the tube home. GD insisted we call into the local Co-op to buy her favourite cake (Grandma doesn't bake ) Mr Kipling slices which have lurid pink and yellow icing and are as sweet as heck.

By the time we got home I was bursting to go to the loo and just made it!

GD has just left with her grandad (my ex) to return to Somerset and all is now peaceful in my world. Just how much of that Pop channel can a young girl watch? It's all princesses and barbies leaping and dancing around and very pink!

All good fun.

we have a big new yours in kings lynn but was full of casual stuff,but some lovely things for nanny when I get some money left for myself Nina

downtoearth
For future reference Yours Clothing to modern larger styles.
No horrors for me thankfully.

even happier thought no shoe zone or plimsoles though..

With last few days of being a 16teen-ager,who hates dresses and lives in leggings and trainers,after walking round the many shops finding something suitable for her more than ample proportions,we traipsed every where,she was disheartened and grumpy,my feet where killing me,looking for something young fashionable,and that was bigger than covering for a stick insect,we found sucess in primark with something that didnt break the bank...town was heaving with mayhem....happy teenager who also got to choose a pandora ring as a surprise for her birthday tommorrow,and one happy nanny who didnt have to sit through the trial of JD sports choosing yet more trainers...which is a horror story all on its own..

LOL oh that did make me laugh ..... ours - or more truthfully Grampys was the trip to the movies !

DGD -9, DGS -6 and first timer DGS3- 4.

Grampy hates the choice of movie. The length of time ( and cost of) purchasing the chosen sweet of choice - pick and mix ! Negotiating with the terrorists --umm Grandchildren over coke or no coke .

Herding them into the cinema after ascertaining if anyone needs the toilet.

Coats off , getting seated, 2 need the toilet. Grampy takes them, comes back, gets seated. The other one needs to go !

The difficulty in remembering their indoor voices.

Changing seats at least once during the performance and probably another trip to the toilets. All the other grandparents nodding in sympathy as you squeeze past yet again.

Totally worth it to hear three childrens belly laughs.