Where did the holidays go? Back in July, six weeks seemed like a long time. Here we are, over halfway through August and the days have just rushed by. Well they have for me, at least. My small boy has taken to asking his sister if she's going back to school now, so I think time ticks more slowly for him!

We decided to divide and conquer for the last two days. Mr Old Bag had a couple of interviews in the London area, so he took The Girl Wonder down to his parents in Watford overnight and my little man and me stayed home. We've missed the other half of our family, but we've had a lovely snuggly cuddly couple of days. He is such a cuddly boy - he especially enjoyed snuggling up under the blankets in my bed after he woke up this morning, so much so that he dropped off again and we both got another half hour.

Now we need to plan a reverse operation, girly time for me and The Girl and boy fun for the other two. (And possibly even some Mr and Mrs time, if we can rope in an obliging grandparent...)

My new bag

Sewing for myself

I had some spotted and striped fabrics tucked away, ready to become 'my bag' at some undetermined future date. Then I stumbled on a gorgeous heavyweight fabric I had stashed and my new handbag is all cut up, ready to sew. I am going to the Festival of Quilts at the NEC on Saturday so I am planning to have it ready to fill with a big pile of spends for all the lovely fabric that will be on sale.

Black and white

I finally gave in to my urge to make some black and white gift bags. I splurged at the fabric shop (thank you very much to the lovely people at Top Stitch Fabrics in Wisbech*) and spent a lovely afternoon playing with all the lovely black and white prints. I also got a really cute little stamp to make the smart gift tags.

* What a small world it is - the owner of the shop is married to a man who is in the same class as my mum in primary school (60 miles away from where he lives now).

A proper school girl now

It doesn't seem possible. My little girl has finished her first year at school. When she goes back in September she will be in Year 1 - proper school, no longer reception class. She still loves school as much as she did the first day and is very excited about getting a new teacher. Me? I am proud of my independent, enthusiastic, smart little 'big' girl and I grab the cuddles when I can :D

Beach bums

That's what we've been for the last five days. The Girl Wonder finished school for the summer last Tuesday and on Wednesday we headed for the beach. How lucky were we with the weather? We spent the whole time on the beach (Wells, Norfolk) and had the best time splashing, digging, running, paddling, giggling, eating sand-sandwiches... the perfect escape.

Presenting...

... Herbert Buggles and The Girl Wonder, for one day only, in the incredible, the marvellous, the fantastic... SHOW! They practised (upstairs, theoretically in secret, but we could most definitely hear them), they discussed, they practised some more. Then they instructed us that it was time and we obediently sat on the sofa to watch THE SHOW. Herbert stuck mostly with his tambo-drum, but The Girl Wonder went through most of the instruments in the basket. They both played with enormous enthusiasm. A good time was had by all!