Who shall we send? The Elder?

Before we locked up for the night we had greased the bird hanger so Mr Chipmunk couldn't climb and then put two bricks, a chunk of wood and a big stick on the compost bin to stop the Raccoon getting in. Bad photo but it was dark. It did stop him though. However this morning, the chipmunk could climb the hanger. Moo and I thought that maybe he climbed up and down that many times that he wiped the grease off. Bet he was having a right chuckle!

Moo, Huffle and I played cards last night on our new table. It performed perfectly. I haven't yet used the footstool (moo currently has her lazy legs on it!).

Moo and Smallest spent the morning playing. Jigsaws, dominos, Lotto, Lego games. I managed to get some cleaning and tidying done. Smallest was very well behaved. Moo was too. We drove to the library because it was very very hot and humid. The air con is still on in the house so when you step outside it is stifling. We coloured, drew and then chose books, chatted to Nan who gave us some BBQ tips and recipes.

Moo felt she had played for long enough this morning so gave herself ten minutes to read a magazine.

Smallest coloured in the Canadian Flag for Canada Day which is next weekend

Then we drove to a town close by for lunch. We stopped at a lovely little cafe we have been in before with Moo and with Grandma and Grandad.

Smallest and Moo had grilled cheese sandwich and I had a lovely Roast Veg and Goats Cheese panini - simply delicious.

We seemed to stay in there for ages and decided to finish with an ice cream (because we hadn't taken Moo for one yet and she has been here a week). We popped into the wool shop and found out when classes and knitting groups were. They have a group for me every Friday morning. I am going to go after the summer. How exciting. They don't have any crochet groups yet!

This was their window display. The flag was knitted. I wonder if I can knit a Union Jack?

We got back into the car to go home.

OMG. It was so hot.

We sat on the porch in the sweltering but shaded heat. I crocheted. Smallest played on his DS. Moo read her magazine. Small came home and we played Monopoly Deal.

We decided to make Pizza as there was a storm brewing. I thought BBQ'ing might not be a good idea. Maybe tomorrow! Moo put the washing on the line.

Then the clouds came. Then the Thunder came. Big huge claps of thunder. Then the lightning. The washing came in and we watched the rain fall. Great big heavy rain. The water butt overflowed again. The boys made their own pizza and I put them in the oven with Moo's Jacket Potato. Then we had a power cut.

Huffle came home with his new England flag that the Sports and Social Club bought him.

The boys didn't even notice the power had gone off and yet Small had his DS plugged in to charge!

We kept the pizzas and potato in the oven and hoped the heat would cook them. They did eventually. I had promised that the boys could eat in front of the TV. Smallest asked "why aren't we eating with the TV on?". Because there is no electricity!!! "oh yes!" he said!

Huffle was supposed to be litter picking tonight for charity (a bit like Boy George except he did it because he was a naughty boy) but when Huffle noticed the storm, he decided he did not want to be yielding a metal stick in the storm.

Mine and Huffle's pizza did not get to the oven before the power cut so we decided to barbecue them much to Huffle's disgust. (he is not a great fan of the storms and could think of nothing worse than to be barbecueing in the rain, thunder and lightning!).

We lit lots of candles and sent Moo out in the rain to check the pizzas. I said she could borrow my Wellies in case she got hit by lightning. Huffle and I decided the eldest in the family was more dispensable grounded!! However, she did burn the Pizzas. Silly Moo.

The power came back on. We all cheered and the boys ran around blowing out the candles.

We had a visit from a neighbour who lives kind of at the back of us (not that you can see his house!). He seemed very nice and wanted to welcome us and warn us of the dangers of the pond between his and our house. Apparently a two year old girl died a few days ago in a similar pond about half an hours drive from us. Scary. The boys don't play there but we will talk to them about it anyway.

Moo didn't sleep well last night so Small has swapped his bed with her airbed tonight. Smallest wants to sleep on it tomorrow. I promised the boys they could share a room tomorrow as long as they weren't too silly for too long!

We have booked a family holiday when Moo has gone (not wishing her away!). She told us she had spoken to the airline and extended her holiday so that she could come with us! Huffle said "now don't be hasty". She was tricking (as the boys would say!).

We have also decided to go away for a couple of days (just Huffle and I) while Moo is here. (her idea). Not booked yet but definitely going.

I have booked the pool man to open the pool. He will come late next week.

I have booked the boys in for swimming lessons during the summer Hols. They will go everyday for one week. Different! It will be in a ladies home pool in the Hamlet!