Little big noise

The littlest member of our household talks the most, shouts the most, jumps about and takes up the most room. She demands the most attention, makes the most mess and argues the most. Her presence is huge.
Because of all this, it is easy to forget she is still just a little 8-year-old. Until you are walking along with a camera and she is cycling alone in front of you, disappearing into the distance with strangers coming towards her. And also when you see her nearly cycle out in front of a bus. Then she seems very, very little indeed.

You can't tell from this photo just how bad the weather was (in fact it almost looks sunny - which it absolutely was not!). We battled wind and rain for a good hour and then headed home. I saw actual yellow leaves today and some even falling, so I'm prepared to admit it may even be a little bit like the very beginning of Autumn here (but with plenty of Summer still hanging on ;) ). Another sign of change was the gathering of the swallows. I think they'll be off soon.

One of my birthday presents on Monday was a garden centre voucher, so I bought myself some flowering bulbs for next year and some garlic. Tess stood in the middle of the shop and insisted she wasn't leaving until we bought her a hamster. Luckily, Tess being Tess, she was soon distracted.

Gemma stayed in her room pretty much all day with a stinking cold (I hope she hasn't shared it), and Joel worked again. He thought he'd finished his holiday job for the year but they keep giving him more days. He's not complaining. He loves earning money.

My sweetcorn has blown over in the wind.
Drat.
My fault: I should have planted it closer together.
Still drat though.


Tomorrow we have an early start and things.

Things.
I hope all the things line up nicely and behave themselves.