A winner

After her bath, Mia put on her new 'Dora the Explorer' T-shirt and her ballet skirt (over her pyjamas) on condition she take them off before going to bed (as agreed before her bath). She came up to me and told me she wanted to be Cinderella, "Did you know," I asked her, "that Cinderella has a mean and nasty Mum and two very ugly sisters??" She nodded, sincerely. "Would you like me to be the horrible, mean old Mum?". More nodding. "OK" I said, with a frown on my brow and a snarl in my voice, "YOUNG LADY, have you made your bed?". Off she went, returning minutes later quietly seeking the next mean-mummy request. "PUT ALL YOUR TOYS AWAY this INSTANT!" bellowed the mean mum. Meek and mild MiaCinderella dutifully picked up and put away all the bits and pieces that were scattered around the house and under the couch.
At this point Ben came out of the shower wondering what the bellowing was about. Very soon his one eyebrow was raised and he said softly "I think we're onto a winner here..."
When the mean old mum had run out of orders, she magically transformed into the fairy godmother, who magically turned Cinderella's clothes into a beautiful Dora T-shirt and Pretty Pink Ballet Skirt...worthy of any royal ball. However, the fairy godmother needed to find some suitable pink and fluffy slippers to accompany this outfit, so off they tiptoed to the bedroom to find said slippers, which Cinderella gladly wore. (UNbelievable!)
While I was preparing Joshka(the ugly sister)'s bottle, I magically turned into the Prince at the Ball who was lamenting the fact that he could not find a suitable princess with A Dora the Explorer T-shirt or ballet skirt, when, ASTOUNDINGLY, she appeared by my side. I handed the bottle to the other, bigger, ugly sister to feed the smaller one, while I danced with my Cinderella princess. Around and around we went, enchanted with each other. Very soon it was approaching midnight and she had to run away, losing a pink, fluffy slipper as she went. I picked up the slipper, holding it close to my chest, wondering out aloud what could have happened to my beautiful princess?
Naturally, the prince embarked upon an expodition to find who fitted the pink slipper. Could it be this wee foot of this little ugly sister? Too small of course. Could it be the foot of this big ugly sister? WAY too big. But wait! Who can that vision of beauty be emerging from behind the chair!? Surely SHE will fit this soft, fluffy, pink slipper? YES! It IS my Cinderella! We hug and dance around the lounge and...
LIVE HAPPILY EVER AFTER. The end.
Teeth time! BEDTIME!
Mia wanted to play again and again, but we insisted that once a night is enough. I put them to bed, singing my usual (ba ba black sheep, twinkle twinkle little star, frere Jacques, Silent Night etc) while Ben prepared dinner outside on the BBQ for the 2 of us. They went down well and I felt good. It just shows how much can be achieved with 'make believe'!

Mr Whippy

We've just had a beautiful sunny morning - crisp and clear. I took the children to the lakeside where Mia was lucky enough to ride 'Louise' the pony, while I walked around next to her, letting Joshka hold the rope and 'lead' the pony. Louise is the oldest and the matriarch of all the ponies (about 6?) so I knew I could do it by myself with no worries. 'Casper' on the other hand, is the sprightliest and fastest of all, needing his head to be held low, lest he bolt off in excitment. Mia made the choice - either the train ride or some food from the shop or the pony ride. Turns out my daughter has expensive taste! Never mind, it was lovely to be outside in the sun and in beautiful surroundings. We walked to the lakefront (a few metres) where some Asian tourists were feeding the black swans some bread. (We would never do something as irresponsible as that!) It made good viewing for the children and it was a great nature lesson too. We saw three new CYGNETS which tied in nicely with the book we have just returned to the library about baby animals. Geese, ducks, black swans, their cygnets and seagulls. And a helicopter. And a plane. Of course the mini (money making) train too. So all in all a great morning out. No grizzling when my 2 ponies had to get in the car to return home for the baby pony's sleep. ALL GOOD.

I've just heard the first MR WHIPPY of the summer! Oh bring on the sunshine and good times!
(The weather, true to the song "four seasons in one day" has turned and I am shivering here in my office. It'll be raining shortly. Luckily I've already brought in the washing.)