I spent six hours trying to catch my supper. Lost one, when I wasn't concentrating — didn't strike fast enough, and it had gone. Lost another just when I was getting dusk, on a daddy long legs. I could see them constantly sharking at the surface, taking buzzers, probably, so I tried everything, and decided to see if I could tempt them with something big an juicy, but as I struck, my knot gave away.

There's one. And it totally ignores everything I test out on it.

A day in the park. As usual Bradley takes off hell for leather and we have to catch up. He loves going down hills. Soon, time to take off those stablisers.

Today, Esme learnt to skid, and Bradley tried to climb the big spider web climbing frame. Much bigger than the one in Aberdare Park.

Telford Town Park's version is much, much bigger.

Amanda went nuts again and bought a water slide, since our car paddling pool has sprung a leak.

First down was Bradley, who lay on the slide, unimpressed with the water spraying over the top of him, and waited to move, thinking that he'd be moved, automatically.

Then, Tom our neighbour, showed him how to do it. From then on all hell broke lose.

Amanda tries to get Bradley moving before he knew he had to run at it.

As first Es Pes comes down carefully. This doesn't last long.

That's an excited dance Bradley's doing.

Now, does he want a pee with all this excitement?

During the holidays (last week) Esme decided to have a birthday for Baby Anabel (or was that Baby Cho-cho?)

She wrapped some toys up in toilet paper, and demanded that we bake a cake. Now, my cooking days are long gone, and I was never very adventurous with baking anyway. I decline. In truth, I'm really not into the mess kiddies baking makes.

Hours later, and much badgering, I find myself in the Coop, looking at the cakes. I persuade her that a pre made one would be better, and we can cover it with icing and other sprinkle bits. Bradley insists that he wants some baking/making to do as well. So I end up with some Scooby Snacks, which involve baking, anyway.

The weekend in Wales involved two birthday parties, I think this is where the idea came from.

The unwrapping. I persuaded her to paint the boring looking bog roll wrapping, with splashed paint.

Teddy's coming to the party, so may as well be in on the unwrapping.

That's a good false smile, Brad.

Esme does the final check over the party spread. Can we start?

Yes, let's get tucked in, after singing Happy Birthday and blowing out the candles five times.

Brad points to his Scooby Snacks.

Shop bought cake covered in three colours of icing sugar, and plenty of sprinkles.

Bradley was sent home from school the next day, for having the squits. Maybe it was these cakes. I ate one, Esme didn't have any, Bradley ate quite a few.