h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

O.K. so wish me luck. Eldest daughter and husband are off for a romantic four days in Paris - aaaaahh!

Granny, however, is looking after 5 year old Pebbles and 3 year old Bam-Bam for them! Need I say more?

Pebbles has already drawn up her (extensive) itinerary of "things to do with Granny", whilst Bam-Bam is only interested in what, and when, he will eat, and whether Granny is going to be able to read the signs of him wanting the loo, because he keeps forgetting!!!!!!!(sigh)

I pick him up from playschool at noon on Friday and her up from school 3 hours later and Mum and Dad do not get home until 1800 Monday evening. I think MacDonalds may figure in Friday nights events, that should up my popularity rating - after that I shall be playing it by ear, although Pebbles has announced that she would like a roast lamb dinner on Sunday! (Bam-Bam doesn't like lamb)

If you have a deity that you think answers your prayers, could you have a word for me over the weekend. I'm going to need all the help I can get.

I am going now.... and I may be some time..........

Take care, all of you, UG

I'm sure you'll be fine - but knackered.

Thanks, disorganised one! And you're probably right - but it's a long time since I've done the "parent" thing!

How are your fostering plans going?

Take care UG

Well they haven't thrown us out yet.... We've had a couple of visits, and we've got some training sessions lined up for the next 8 weeks.

Oh and I've been asked to put into writing why I'm doing this.

HI UG,i am sure that you'll be absolutely fine...apart from been shattered!!I always found that a nice video worked wonders when we got past the reading to them bit,and never underestimate the power of crayons and paper..It is an idea to keep a close eye on the walls though Making masks is a time consuming recreation if you're in need of a to help you stay awake too!!I'm sure you'll thoroughly enjoy the weekend,and think about all the extra ,s and s you'll get.
McKAY.to you too,i hope your worthwhile venture goes well for you.

Hi Folks One of our Grandkids just loves watching the Adverts on TV Its true!! as soon as they come on she goes into atrance

So guess what I taped??? Yep! one whole hour of adverts So when we have her for a day, its...................plain sailing
Smudger

Hi Smudger, Smurfles,

You're not going to believe this, but I have actually managed to find my way to hootoo via my daughter's computer - and all by myself!!

First day has gone reasonably well. Bam-Bam got upset when his Mum rang tonight and promptly burst in to loud and noisy sobs, setting Pebbles off at the same time.

I cuddled them both, but the sobs from Bam-Bam just got louder and it seemed that I would not be able to comfort him - until I raised my voice slightly above his wailing and said that my little toe had been trying to talk to me for ages and couldn't make me hear because of the noise!

The sobs stopped instantly and were replaced by uncontrollable giggles!! We did have another couple of more minor outbursts of tears, but he went to sleep as good as gold and it is now 0025 and I have not heard a sound from either of them since their heads touched the pillows. I don't expect this situation to last past 0530 this morning!!

Off to Birdworld for the day tomorrow after a foray around Sainsburys for picnic fodder, Sunday lunch and the wherewithall to make pizzas for Sunday tea.

I am shattered and about to crawl into bed - but how much sleep that will entail I don't know.

Keep in touch with that deity - it seems to be working so far

Take care, UG

you just have to keep sane until Monday! Good luck and have a good rest afterwards. Do you get CBeebies TV...I find that works to give you a short break leaves for later.

Hi Tabitca!

It's later and and are going down a treat!

Birdworld - fine, remembering to poo in the toilet - not so good!! Bam-Bam still hasn't got the hang of this facet of progress towards independence. Urine - yes, poo - no!

They gave me a hard time at bed time, but they were VERY tired after the day. I put Bam-Bam to bed first and let Pebbles come downstairs for another 15 minutes, mainly to give Bam-Bam a chance to get to sleep before Pebbles starts crooning herself to sleep - all very musical.

Took Pebbles up to bed, to find Bam-Bam sitting amidst the whole of his book library on the bed asking if it was morning!! When told no, he promptly burst into tears and wanted Mummy - which set Pebbles off!!

Half a box of Kleenex later, two drinks, a changed nappy and a lot of cuddling and I think they are both in the land of nod now - mind you, I thought that an hour ago!

Only another 45 hours and 9 minutes to go!

Seriously, it was a very good day and they thoroughly enjoyed themselves. All the picnic went, 3 bottles of drink each, many pigs, sheep, goats and cows have been stroked, fed and cooed over, many birds admired, and a flock of penguins danced somersaults in the glass sided tank to their great delight.

I'm off to ...bed....soo...,

Take care, UG

And Sunday's not been so bad either, although Pebbles really tested me all afternoon, taking me to the third request every time before she did as she was told!

Managed to rock Bam-Bam off for a sleep after lunch, which made him a much sunnier child for the rest of the day. Had the added side effect of giving him an extra burst of energy, so Granny spent a lot of time playing hide-and-seek and "catch me if you can", which did neither knees, dignity nor constitution any good whatsoever, but, so what, I thoroughly enjoyed myself.

Pebbles is off to school tomorrow, so I have Bam-Bam to myself for 6 hours and intend to go on a "playground crawl", visiting all those childrens playgrounds in the local area that I have only driven past and never entered. That should tire him out enough to have a nap later in the afternoon, to be bright and un-grumpy for the return of his Mum and Dad at 7 o'clock tomorrow evening.

Yawning again now, so must be going

Back to normal in 24 hours time ....

Take care UG

aawwww,a good job UG,and admirable stamina considering how you were a while since.i am very fortunate that i went through all this before my roles were reversed,and now they argue who's to push me.Today i played hit the water bomb with the bat...much more condusive to staying dry if you can run ,but it was warm,so i dried out well!!!Just shows what you can do from a sitting position.Hope you sleep well,and aren't up too early.xx

Hi Folks, I took a loan of Mk2s scooter today to go to the shops

Just one of them not so mobile days

Anyway it was great!!!it can nip along, Ifelt a bit "silly" at first, but then I realised that no one seemed to be staring at me, so I felt a bit better about it!!!!
Smudger.