Today is pancake day (picture 2), or should I say, Shrove Tuesday. It's a time to eat pancakes with lemon and sugar with friends, even though they are used to something very different in terms of what a 'pancake' is!

Today was also the day the reptile man came to the Vineyard Childcare centre and Reuben had a tantrum because he couldn't hold each animal when he wanted to, which then meant we had to leave because his wailing, poor chap, was upsetting the animals! It was quite a sad morning for him and a sadder time for me when I realised that this tantrum business is getting to be a habit! How to handle it. Hmmmm... Must read up a bit.

I also went to Pilates for the first time in 3 weeks and it was a bit of a shock to the system. It's amazing and shocking how quickly your body goes out of shape!

Tomorrow I am braving the cold and walking with my dear friend round the park. Some good exercise for the body, soul and mind. 

Today I am enjoying listening to a 'listen again' Agatha Christie mystery on BBC radio 7 online. I love listening to plays on the radio. They are reminiscent of my childhood and cooking cakes whilst listening to plays (on radio 4 though as radio 7 didn't exist then!) on the weekends.

I also met my first 'special agent' today whilst doing a reference for a friend who wants to work in government. He showed me his badge and everything - very exciting!

Today I am loving: Reuben's absolute love of sticks and tapping (he's too little to properly bash yet) things with them. He is such a little boy!

Two things on my mind today:

1. What is the difference between 'evaporated cane juice' and regular sugar? (seriously)

2. I am SO excited that (for some reason) it is 70 degrees outside and I have hung washing up outside, albeit on a clothes rack thing, for the 1st time this year and since being here. It is hidden from view (so as to not upset the neighbourhood association, and blowing happily in the wind. I am very happy.

PS Reuben is totally fine today!

The joys of being a mum...

Today Reuben has a tummy bug (following on from the one he had over the weekend driving 12 hours to New Hampshire and on the way home too). 

This morning he was sick all over the entire contents of a basket of clean laundry (that I had just pulled out of the drier) which I had emptied all over the floor to quickly find him some new clothes as he had just pooed all over his other ones.

Ho hum...

Two exciting things in the world of Reuben:

1. his new best playmate and toy is Gary. Gary is a red-skinned little potato that Tom has drawn a face on and which Reuben appears to be very attached to (he carries it round in his hand or my ladle). He calls is something which sounds like 'Gary', hence the name we have given to it and to which Reuben now responds ("Reuben, where's Gary?" - and he goes and finds it). Unbelievably cute and VERY funny

2. We bought him his first pair of proper shoes (following the soggy cold feet snow incident). A new era begins. He likes them and stomped like a monster for a while whilst getting used to them but is now back to normal).

Pictures to follow when we get them uploaded...