Flat Feet

Today started at 5am as Girl woke and took us all with her. This meant that we were all tired and argueing within hours. This was not a good start as Wife had a train to catch to meet Granny in London for a day out.

Thankfully things calmed down a bit before she left and as Girl set about sellotaping all the recycling together to make a train we said goodbye to her. The little ones and I then created some sleep star reward charts to try and encourage some lie ins before I bribed them with sweets to get ready and out of the house to swim.

Boy was looking forward to seeing Girl swim, but on the way to he fell asleep and so had to spend the lesson zonked in my arms before waking at the very end, missing all the fun. We then went to the park cafe for lunch where we were photoed for their website before heading to the park for a run around.

After the park there was still too much of the day left so we popped home to get Boy's ball and drop off the wet stuff. We then popped to the shops but it did not take long to realise how cold it was getting and the rain showers didn't help. So we headed for home with a promise of a toy from the dubious charity shop.

At dubious charity shop the little ones got busy playing in the toy junk0sphere that is held within it quickly as a couple of older ladies wandered round to look at wool. I suddenly noticed a horid smell. Thinking one of the ladies was a bit windy I headed towards the little ones. I then realised the smell got worse the nearer I got to Boy, in particularly his back.

It appears that the excitement of a pink rocking horse was too much. The added rocking motion then had clearly sent the excitement vertically up his back. I managed a quick clean above the nappy before lifting Boy (making sure to only make contact with dryness) with one hand, and the buggy with the other and demanding Girl get moving behind me.

Eventually Girl came out screaming about a toy hoover that she could not possibly leave behind. After some debate about Boy's overexcitement and the fact that the shop not only would not have facilities to change him but also would probably not be as hygenic as the alleyway we had found she rescinded about the hoover.

We then returned to the shop where the kids were reminded to pick a cheap, suitable toy each. Boy at first appeared with the biggest Action Man I have ever seem whilst Girl headed in the direction of a tub of nudey dolls. As usual Girl was told that if the feet were unrealistic (i.e. not flat and made to only wear high heels) she would not be able to have one. This trick has always worked till now and the house has been Barbieless for it.

However today she found one with normal feet so she was allowed it, it even had tattoos. We selected an outfit for it, of which Girl then lost the trousers in seconds. Whilst on trouser hunt Girl had to be reminded constantly to stop playing with other toys and get on the look out for doll trousers, at which point she found Spiderman which Boy (now a lot lighter) made a direct swap for with the Action man.

We then went home to where Girl spent the evening with her new doll and Boy ignored Spiderman, chosing to put on some winter gloves to make pretend cakes in the pretend oven continuously.

Then at Bathtime both doll and Spidey joined in before both being taken to bed. Incredibly both Boy and Girl had a good bedtime and both were asleep quickly and calmly, a whole twenty minutes before Wife got home, making me look more good than lucky. Maybe the star charts are working?