Alan Dapré blogs on ‘Toddler Playdar’

Posted on April 21, 2012 by admin

There we were last week – driving through Stirling to look at toddler beds and discounted Denbyware (like you do) – when a voice pipes up. ‘Oooooh – look. A playground. I have never seen that one before. Is it new? I must go to it. Now. Stop the car!’

Please bear in mind that our daughter had already spent two hours in Kings Park, having a picnic and a great time on the wooden play equipment. Needless to say, we carried on and the air was filled with plaintive cries. A sip of my Irn-Bru quietened things but left me with a should I have done that? ‘bad dad’ feeling. Still, at least it was sugar-free.

Further on, there was a curious squeak from the back, and an excited voice cooed, ‘Ooooooh what’s that? A different playground?’ True enough, but this one was miles away down in a dip and virtually hidden by trees. She could barely see out the window but still managed to spot it.

Since that day, our wee human radar has demonstrated an uncanny knack of spotting playgrounds. Once, as we trundled through Dalry, she exclaimed, ‘Aha. Over there. A n-e-w playground. I must play on it.’

I exchanged a glance with Mum and we counted silently.
‘I must go to that playground,’ our wee girl added, in her bossiest voice.
‘And we must go to the big shops,’ Mum said quietly.
‘We don’t neeeeed to go to the big shops.’
‘Okay? What do we neeeeed to do?’ I asked, stirring a bit.
‘Go back to my lovely new playground.’

It didn’t happen. Instead there was a short burst of the grumps and silence.

Yesterday we passed through Fairlie. A small, rather insignificant play park was up ahead, a short walk from the main road. Would it be spotted? Isla had never commented on it before. Three. Two. One.

‘What’s that Daddy?’
‘What’s what?’
‘That playground. I have never seen that one ever.’
‘It’s been there a while.’
‘I need to play on it.’
‘Why don’t you wait until we get home and you can play on the one near our house.’
‘But I’ve been on that one, already!’

So there you have it. Our daughter is a human Playdar. She operates with 100% accuracy at a range of two hundred metres. I am not sure how this incredible skill can be utilised for the benefit of Planet Earth. Maybe it can’t. But it shows that three year olds possess super observational skills and fantastic memories. And I am sure they have other powers too, like X-Ray Vision. Every time I try and smuggle a packet of Maltesers into the house it is instantly detected by Isla.

They do say that each successive generation has thousands more neurone links in the brain and therefore will be cleverer than the last, as this conversation shows.

‘Can I go to the playground?’
‘It’s raining.’
‘But it’s always raining.’
‘You’re in scotland.’
‘But I will never go to a playground again.’
‘You will – just wait til it is sunny.’
‘It is sunny at the playground.’
”Is it?’
‘Yes. Let’s go there and you will see.’

So not only can she detect playgrounds, she detects weather patterns over them too.
The mind boggles.

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Writer Alan Dapré reviews Google+

Posted on April 20, 2012 by admin

Over the past few months, I’ve fallen out of love with Social Networks. They have become simply a means to an end – for contacting distant friends and family. I have several gripes with social networking. The first is that site members often have different agendas so one person might be very political and brandish their beliefs, while another just wants to brandish some newly knitted gloves. Can lead to trouble. Secondly, Social Networks are increasingly linked to dubious marketing, data manipulation and generating wealth for the people really in charge (sadly not me or you).

So why try Google + ? Well, those nice people at Mumsnet have asked me to have a go. And I need to diminish the monopoly that Facebook has on my life. That said, Google can be frustrating too. While writing my first ibook – Cuddle Muddle – out June 2012, I googled “pandas” and was annoyingly limited to just a hundred or so images out of 16 million (Most available pics were stock images requiring payment for use).

***

I am hearing good things about Google+ such as the group video chat, so it’s time to get my profile up and running. Not a good start. I type ‘Google+’ into Google but can’t see it. So I type ‘Google plus’ and up comes a link to plus.google.com. I am surprised to see a page pop up with my name already there. This must be because I use gmail. I now click on a blue ‘Upgrade’ button, having unticked a box that offers me personalised ads. No. No. And no. It’s bad enough on Facebook where I frequently get ads targeting my male pattern baldness.

Note: Google+ won’t let me upgrade until I put in my full date of birth.

I am taken to Stage Two – ‘Add People’ – on a page where I have to invite people I know. I already see the name of someone who I don’t want to invite. Google+ seems to be raiding my contacts list from Gmail. I click on ten friends who may want to join then ‘Continue’. I am faced with icons of Groups, People and Pages such as … The Stig, Top Gear and Baftas – all things I have searched for previously on Google or posted about on YouTube, so perhaps that’s why they appear.

I click to Follow ‘Technology’ and add YouTube. I get a popup window explaining that I am adding people to a circle and they can add me if they like. Er. Am I being thick here? What people? I thought I was just adding some interesting iconic image thingies. Somewhat confused, I add ‘Entertainment’.

A cheeky pop up says ‘You might be lonely …’ and invites me to add more people to my Circles. Not now. My real-life daughter needs picking up from actual Nursery soon.

I go back to my profile page and decide to SNAP A PHOTO. I give Google+ permission to use my webcam then I take a dreadful pic where I impersonate a boiled egg with glasses. Time to cancel and snap again. This time everything crashes and I am told my webcam is not detected. After a few tries I give up and upload an old pic of me looking more human and less hard-boiled.

I am now at Stage Three of profile building – where I am encouraged to ‘Be Awesome’. I awesomely type in that I am a self-employed children’s writer and add where I awesomely live.

Now I click finish and get to see a short movie of Google+ features, such as ‘hang out with friends’, ‘see what the world is talking about’, and ‘tell my story’ on my profile page. All very Facebook but much glossier. I am tiring fast and decide to come back later to review my progress.

Later.
This is a bit like being at a surprise party where the surprise is I have no friends. I am able to see what is trending in ‘Technology’ and ‘Entertainment’ and get to read comments by Celebs I do know but don’t actually know. Keen for some action, I click to video chat with a friend but he is offline.

I have to say, the interface and look of Google+ is so much better than Facebook which comes across as dated and clunky. I sit wishing I had active friends on here. I understand the principle of Circles now, and have ones set up for Friends, Family, Acquaintances, Technology and Following … with the option to create more. Google+ is starting to make sense. I play one of its Games, after reading the privacy notes. By playing I am sharing my profile and name with the developer to (cough) help them design better social games. Some games allow me to partner up with another player and all those involved can see and interact with each other. This is fascinating but I am motivated to change my profile to tighten up who can see me.

Back on my profile I add a Tagline to encapsulate my awesomeness in one sentence, and an Introduction which does the same thing in a paragraph. I like the idea of adding Bragging Rights – mine is to say I’ve been to the Teletubby set and eaten plastic Tubby Toast …

I attempt a Hangout – which requires installation of GoogleVoice&Video. I click on the download and it installs, but should I be letting more Google onto my personal computer. After an easy install, I see my baldy head. Basically this is a glorified web chat with multiple users. Unfortunately my multiple users are all offline. Looks good though and I am keen to explore conferencing with up to 9 friends at the same time.

So what now? I go to ‘Explore’ and add image thingies of ‘Sports’ and ‘Politics’. It is good to know that I can get into a robust political debate with strangers without offending anyone online for a gentle chat about the price of Iced Gems. I read three posts shared by major UK politicians but they all come across as awkward propaganda statements … I sense they are not used to these online networking sites yet. Nor am I.

Google+ has potential to reboot Social Networking but it requires a move from the likes of Facebook. Not easy after several years of being locked in there – Facebook’s Timeline is a clever way of bringing past online experiences back to me. Do I want to lose that info or freeze it forever?

Btw, there is a Google+ mobile app that can be downloaded onto a phone – alas mine is as old as Bruce Forsyth’s jokes and tells me the app can’t be supported.

All in all, this Social Networking malarkey boils down to clever manipulation of you and me. A friend, who is a shrewd businessman, once told me to remember that profit is the bottom line of a business. My data is there to be used and sold, and in return I hope to get an engaging online experience. If I don’t want that I don’t have to get involved …

To click or not to click? That is the question.

I am a member of the Mumsnet Blogging Network, a group of parent bloggers picked by Mumsnet to review products, services, events and brands. I have not paid for the product or to attend an event. I have editorial control and retain full editorial integrity.

www.mumsnet.com/bloggers-network

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I think therefore iBook

Posted on March 26, 2012 by admin

Well, the e-book writing odyssey continues. I know I can make one using Word & Sigil then Calibre – to get Kindle mobi or epub versions. But I am more interested in creating a visually stimulating children’s book. I think that is where the iBook Author scores highly. I have had a play and it is rather similar to the website building software I used to create my site. Phew. Also I have a lot of experience with Photoshop and there are some similarities there.

I like the ease of using iBook Author, but there are some issues.
1) I cannot preview my book-in-progress on my iMac as I do not have an iPad to link up – so I am resorting to borrowing a neighbour’s gadget.
2) Exporting to Calibre makes the layout a mess – in fact, the only thing that plays it ok is an iPad. Apparently .iBook is a .epub file but one that has been made to only work with Apple devices.
3) The market for children’s books is uncharted on the ibooks platform – plus everything tends to get lumped in as one so it is hard to search for any given book.
4)The templates do not fit well with a picture children’s book – so they need to be pared down to basics. It helps to be creative with the TOC and thumbnails – so they do not distract from the story or give the narrative away.

Anyway, I have barely started so I will add more about how I am getting on as I, er, get on. In the meantime, I have been reading a useful book which has tips on how to work from home. Never easy (practically impossible) I have found, especially with a three year old vying for attention. Granny is a godsend!

The eBook is called ‘How to Run a Work from Home Business When You Have Small Children’ – here is my review. By the way, I have no affiliation to this, I just liked what I read.

“Life for parents is always hectic and demanding and requires considerable patience, humour and organisation. Celina Lucas has written a compact book crammed with insight and helpful advice for parents. She shares her own experiences and laces them with practical thoughts on how to run a business from home.

It is easy to identify with the key topics under scrutiny. The section on being more organised struck a chord but plenty of tips and suggestions are offered up on a range of work start-up issues. This book aims to get you thinking more practically about your own situation and how best to run a home based business. Celina provides links to more detailed facts and advice, such as a free 7 day eCourse.

‘How to Run a Work from Home Business When You Have Small Children’ is geared mainly for mothers who are looking to get back into a viable working routine; it strives to encourage a proper balance between the need to support one’s children, yet earn money. As a stay at home Dad I was able to see the similarities with my life, and specific advice for Dads would definitely be welcome in any future edition.

It was refreshing to read statements such as ‘When you have childcare … Accept that you’re not going to get much done.’ This book is not about going on a guilt trip, but getting a business going. It is a supportive, compact and honest assessment of what can be done with a young family.

Best of all, the points are made clearly and concisely so by the end you should feel motivated and keen to try something new.

A refreshing read to refresh your career.”

Now I had better get on and do some working from home – once I’ve made a cup of tea and found some Malted Milk biscuits before my daughter eats them all.

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Aye Write 2012 – Mark Billingham, Chris Brookmyre

Posted on March 17, 2012 by admin

I went along to the Mitchell Library in Glasgow last night to be entertained by Mark Billingham & Chris Brookmyre, whose event was advertised as one with strong language, very strong language and a funny story about a chicken. My wife had booked the tickets and I had not read the warning or poster blurb so I was expecting to get the usual read throughs and wry stories. Mark Billingham had appeared in Chipping Norton with Ian Rankin and was an able and witty conversationist and brought the best out of his colleague. We enjoyed that event a few years back.

But what of last night? The language was fruity enough for two audience members to soon leave, having inexplicably stayed for a ten minute intro where they were warned that swearing was the order of the day, er, night. I have a tendency to swear, usually when doing DIY, so I won’t be a hypocrite here. I decided to sit back and let the comic mayhem unfold. Mark is an experienced stand up comedian and this showed – his delivery was easy, warm and very funny. Chris seemed to be nervous initially but supported by his friend he came up with a host of great stories, delivered in a laconic yet pithy Scottish way. Never have I head the word ‘klunge’ delivered to such funny effect.

One section involved the authors reading out e-mails from disgruntled readers, sorry, stalkers. Some were strange and unsettling – particularly those from Chris’s mailbox. Mark had to fend off a barrage of criticism from ‘Fred’ – a member of a mysterious association who took no pleasure in ripping apart and recycling MB’s work. Why? Because of the swearing. Mark apparently should know better and really should not be subjecting his family to such foul language. A defence was ably mounted – chiefly that swearing is used for dramatic effect by certain authors and reflects real life. Also – it can be funny. Throughout the show, Chris and Mark fired off swear words in context, adding and punctuating their anecdotes. I laughed my head off at the reworked extracts from famous novels such as Jane Eyre. ‘Reader, I married the (add rudest word you know)’.

Personally, I felt it was all in good fun, and the audience seemed to agree. We were all far more well behaved than the two writers onstage, mainly because we had been given some brilliant stories about heckles and warned ours would need to be as funny. Mark described one heckle featuring Kirk Douglas’s son – it was hilarious – worth paying the £8 admission fee in itself, but not worth ruining here.

We left, learning nothing about the two authors’ new books, but we went and bought them anyway. Flogging books did not seem to have been the point. It was all about letting us laugh and think (and groan) – entertained by stories about nightmare Book festivals and chickens. I will never go into a bookshop toilet again without picturing a moist Gallus Gallus Domesticus.

Away from the stage, MB was charming as he signed his books. His main character – DI Tom Thorne – features in gritty stories which have a low key humour, which contrasts with MB’s vibrant, very funny onstage personality. Just shows that he has depth. If you don’t agree he won’t give a f%$$ – well, maybe 15.

Check MB & CB out. Brilliant writers, brilliant two man show. It wasn’t big but it was clever.

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Shaggy Dog Story No 1

Posted on March 14, 2012 by admin

If you have checked out my website recently you may have come across the photo of my office. The best thing about it is my wee daughter standing there smiling sweetly, wondering why Dad is taking pictures of his office. Especially when he is fed up of the colour – a boring beige or dull magnolia, or lukewarm tea, or the colour of a scummy bath.

Long have I hesitated to decorate fearing what lay beneath the paintings and posters. I remember hurriedly putting things on the wall, and in my haste adding to the holes that were already there – the walls are riddled – scene of a Scottish St. Valentine’s Day Massacre.

On my way from dropping my daughter off at Nursery I was struck by a strong and strange urge to drive straight on, rather than turn home. Almost in a trance I ended up at HomeBase and wandered around the paint aisle, thinking that Farrow & Ball paints would transform the room. Indeed they might, but at a cost. A small tin was £25, larger £38 – but of course the only large tins in the colour I wanted were noticeably absent. There was a huge stack of assorted Greys …

One of my pet hates is Dulux, due to the watery paints that take several coats and those terrible ads featuring a shaggy dog – usually set in a lighthouse, and implying that the paints will last in extreme weather. In reality, my walls in my previous house lasted as long as it took to wash the brushes. Dogs are actually quite destructive and mine would happily smear grease along one wall until it shone like a … er, lighthouse.

I came out of the store ten minutes later bearing 5 litres of light reflecting paint which I was convinced would brighten up the dull office. I had somehow bought myself a vibrant shade, a shade far removed from the heritage green I had originally sought out. The bored but friendly shop assistant had pinned the tin down before I could check what was mixed, and she only opened it up with some reluctance. The resulting glow reminded me of what was sitting in our local Power Station – a sickly radioactive green.

I drove home wondering why I had not refused to buy the damn tin on account of it not being anything like the colour I chose, and the fact it cost more than a big tin of F&B. Oh, and it was Dulux too.

Fast forward six hours and the room is three-quarters there. Unfortunately each time I smear the paint on with a pad, I end up smearing it off too. Half a packet of chocolate biscuits later and I dig out an old roller. At last the stuff begins to go on better. By the time my wife is home the walls are done – and I am done too.

At that moment, Isla walks in and glances about. ‘It’s light green,’ she says with surprise. I remind her that it is one of her favourite colours. I am also about to remind there that the paint is wet when she leans back … and I now have a little girl shape on the wall.

Eleven hours after I started, the job is done … and I sit at my desk, glad that the scuff marks and holes are no more. And now I have no distractions it is about time that I start writing again. Well, it would be but actually the hall looks terribly dingy …

Two minutes later I am in the pub –
well, it’s better than watching paint dry.

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The story so far …

Posted on March 8, 2012 by admin

Well, I have a great idea for a new book. This one I feel would work well on the Apple ibooks format but I also am keen to try to create a book for the kindle e-ink reader and possibly the Kindle Fire. The problem is that the learning curve for all this is pretty steep. I don’t just want to throw something together or have it badly formatted. The advice I have collated on the tinternet is mixed and not all that reliable.

The latest iAuthor software should be a breeze to use but there is the slight issue of having to register for a US tax id once my book is ready and I want it sold by Apple. This is despite the fact that the UK and US have a longstanding tax treaty. So Apple will hold back the tax and I will either have to jump through hoops to get stuff signed by the US consulate in London or Edinburgh, then get it all verified etc. Or I will have to claim the tax back from the UK taxpayer which does not seem fair, plus it’s a long wait. Something like that.

Of course, I am rather jumping the gun here. I will need to write and illustrate my book and try to get it into a format for the Kindle too. The latest is the KF8 format for the KindleFire. I own an e-ink reader so I’d prefer to start by creating a book for that. So … I need to create an e-pub book and get it into the mobi format. I guess, after a LOT of reading and experimenting, that Sigil and Calibre will be the programs to use if I want a decent book at the end. This has meant an upgrade from Leopard to Snow Leopard on my iMac, and some additional gigs of memory.

I have found the whole process rather frustrating and not very accessible for a professional author. Ok, I could pay someone to knock an e-book up but I have my pride, and a need to keep my hard earned cash for a rainy day. Authors have a lot of rainy days.

In the next week or so I will create some content – for a cracking wee picture book that combines fun, humour and energy. Just to see what can be done. I like a challenge. Not sure if I will have as much time as I would like, as my daughter is not in full-time nursery and I still want to be there for her, not just sit Isla in front of The Octonauts all day.

Still, if the book ever gets out there in its many and varied formats there may be a pay day which will certainly benefit the wee one. She might even get that bike she is after. And I might get a holiday. Or maybe we will both get an ice-cream from the van that stops outside at seven each evening. Here’s hoping.

Better get writing.

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Toe bleed or not toe bleed

Posted on February 25, 2012 by admin

Today is dull, uninteresting, overcast and most welcome. Yesterday was full of incident and I am glad to see the back of it. It all started to go wrong when I got out of bed first thing to let the dog out – I stumbled to close the gate and smacked my right little toe on the stone wall render. Looking down, I saw the toenail and a clump of toe swinging like an open door in the breeze. After hopping about for a bandage the kitchen resembled a splatter movie. At that moment, my daughter came into the kitchen and I had to hide my discomfort and squished toe before she became upset. Only two days earlier, Isla had trapped her fingers in a firedoor at the local softplay after the soft-close door decided it wanted to be a fast-close door instead. A trip to the local surgery ensued and she was lucky to get away with severe bruising and a fright. We have read several books about Maisy Mouse and Peppa Pig – very positive stories about visiting hospital – and they helped keep Isla calm.

A trip to A&E was required and, amazingly, I was in and out within an hour and a half, thanks to Ayrshire’s decision to employ Nurse Practitioners. Mine was professional, courteous and all smiles as she jabbed my poor toe twice with painkillers and set about cutting off the offending squished tissue. Not pleasant but someone has to do it. I hobbled out, glad no one was waiting with a more serious injury. An injured little toe is not what I see as typical A&E material – but the nurse was clear that I was wise to visit. I was tempted to ask for the offcut – you know, to go under my pillow in case there’s a little known and rather bored Toe Fairy desperate for some night shift work.

Arriving home, Isla was taken by my wife to Nursery. An hour later and she was brought back, er, with chickenpox. We had failed to see the telltale signs (chiefly because Kate was earlier busy mopping up my blood and I was busy … moping).

So now Isla and her dad are stuck indoors.

She can’t go out because of the pox and I can’t go out because walking and driving is a bit difficult and not advisable while I have stitches in. What a great day, eh?

Still, we have been doing lots of jigsaws and reading a heap of books. Favourite book at the moment is Winnie in Winter, and we were lucky enough to have a lot of freebies recently sent to us by Korky Paul – the inspirational and quirky illustrator of Winnie. I think a current top ten of our favourite kids’ books is due on this website so here goes …

Winnie in Winter
Angry Arthur
The Tickle Book
The Gruffalo
Maisy Goes to the Library
Daddy Pig’s Old Chair
Goldilocks and the Three Bears
The Gingerbread Man
A Squash and a Squeeze
Father Christmas Needs A Wee

Come to think of it, so do I ;)

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“The Finders” – out now

Posted on February 12, 2012 by admin

Really delighted to get my hands on a hard copy of ‘The Finders’, published recently by Heinemann. The textured cover is suitably dramatic and I have inserted a dedication to my daughter and wife. Isla’s nickname is Tiger – somewhat dubiously derived from the rock song ‘Eye Of The Tiger‘ … Isla The Tiger.

"The Finders"

Kate is into heavy metal and so I wrote ‘This play is dedicated to Isla Rose Dapré, a wee tiger with a big roar. And Kate, who makes our world rock!’

It is great to be able to acknowledge family and friends in books as they provide a lot of support during the writing process. Not many jobs allow this – when I was teaching I didn’t scrawl on the board at the end of the lesson ‘This lesson is dedicated to my friend who made me dinner last night so I had time to plan it.’ I suppose, airline staff thank the crew after a flight. Not quite the same.

I have other stories out with publishers and maybe I’ll get another chance to dedicate my work to someone. In the meantime I’ll dedicate this blog – and any future ones – to you, for kindly taking the time and trouble to read my scribbled musings :)

That sure takes some dedication!

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Pandering to a cold? Not likely.

Posted on December 21, 2011 by admin

Two years ago on this day I felt unwell and ended up in hospital on a drip with suspected swine flu and meningitis symptoms. Took me until Feb to recover. Today I have a head cold and I’m ordering myself not to mope as it could be a lot worse. Kate was down with nasty flu symptoms all last week and I’m certainly not in that league. Still, I don’t usually feel like lounging in bed all day. Instead I am lounging in front of this computer while Isla is given free rein of the tv remote – Maisy Mouse, Kipper – who cares as long as I can slob about and not think too hard.

We have just been at the nursery school to watch the two year olds perform – singing three Christmas songs (after an exhausting party session which involved a bouncy castle). For some reason Isla decided to put on a panda mask – actually it makes sense as we were at Edinburgh Zoo on Monday watching pandas lounge about while the penguins rained down poo from their enclosure. The mask went on as she started to sing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, stayed on for When Santa Got Stuck Up The Chimney and was removed during Jingle Bells. So the video won’t feature that much of her singing. I am impressed however that we are allowed to take video/pics – as long as it doesn’t get onto the net. This is a really sensible approach. Personally, anyone other than Granny, Isla or her parents would probably be bored rigid if they saw what I’d shot. There is only so much pandering to a child one can take.

Isla received a musical toy from Mrs Claus, which freaked Isla out as she looked suspiciously like Isla’s friend John’s nana who she sees regularly. The fact it was her is beside the point. I explained to Isla that Santa is very busy this time of year and enlists the locals to help out. Our wee daughter is not comfortable with adults dressing up – the Easter Bunny sent her screaming from the room. Two years ago she saw another local helper – Mrs Christmas – and Isla burst into tears – Mrs Christmas was however wearing trainers and speaking in a broad Ayrshire accent – ‘I hope all youse wains have been good!’

We were last to leave the hall as Isla decided to have a last bounce on the castle even though it was deflated. One splat later and she was in my arms and only consoled by her teacher giving out some reindeer dust to sprinkle in the garden on Christmas Eve. Now we do get rabbits, the odd fox and lots of squirrels, plus evils crows that have a penchant for scattering our dog’s poos. No reindeer though. Maybe it will work – let’s look on the bright side. Santa will come and give Isla her toys and me a cure for the common cold. We can but hope.

Merry Christmas!

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Happy Birthday My Lovely Daddy

Posted on December 18, 2011 by admin

Yesterday, Isla bursts into the bedroom, springs onto the bed and whispers, ‘Happy Birthday My Lovely Daddy – Shhh – but it’s a seeeecret – I’ve got you a present. Buuut, I’m not going to say what it is. I can open it for you.’ I am soon the proud owner of a cashmere scarf which Kate describes as the bargain of the century – down from £105 to not very much thanks to lovely TK Maxx. In these times of fiscal belt tightening/long scarf cost cutting we have fun trying to get the most for our cash. For her birthday Kate benefited from a great M&S deal in November – and Isla always has an eye for a bargain toy in the local second hand store.

Last Christmas I bought a plush Bob The Builder in there for a pound, because he had a battered boot – obviously Bob had suffered an industrial injury at work, but a quick superglue repair sorted him out. For the past year Bob has been in Isla’s bed every night. But she went to visit Santa a few weeks ago and was given furry Boris the dog. So poor Bob is now abandoned (in her toy tent) aka Toy Story. I am harbouring a tinge of guilt that her recycled pressies from us cost under a fiver last year. Though there were loads new from relatives & friends. I suppose if we added up the cost of toys/comics/clothes we’ve given over the year it would be quite sizeable.

This year, Isla is hankering for something big, wooden and pricy (can you guess?) – I blame this on kids’ tv adverts and the fact that we were playing with one in the Early Learning Centre. She wrote to Santa who has replied that the elves are busy building it and if she is a good girl then he will bring it on Christmas Eve. Maybe he will. Maybe Kate has found another bargain of the century. Heh heh ;)

Back to my birthday – Isla iced a cake first thing with Mum and smothered it in buttons and Jelly Tots (or as she says Jelly Tops). I came into the kitchen to find her catching and eating the drips with her fingers and saying she was busy helping. As Kate and I didn’t fancy chocolate cake for breakfast we all waited for Gran to come over mid-afternoon. Isla was desperate by then to tuck in and after much singing and candle blowing she scoffed it down. So did I. It was light, airy and so delicious I wish I could have homemade birthday cake every day. And the fact it’s made with a sprinkling of love and, er, lovely sprinkles makes it even better.

Wow. I’m forty six.
Nearly half an antique.

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