Duncan's Birthday.. and other stuff

Well Duncan turned 30 last week so we have had a week of celebrations! Last Saturday Duncan and I went out for a drink with his friends to celebrate - it was the first time we have been out together since having Amelia!!! Mum and Dad came round to babysit and off out we went - I felt very strange at first, like something was missing (Amelia & Lucy!) but was fine in the pub and we had a really good time. Dad picked me up at a respectable hour and the men went on for a curry and when we got home I learned Amelia had woken up. Was she upset Mummy and Daddy wern't there?? Oh no. She was over the moon and very impressed that Nanny Green was there!

On his actual birthday we went to London Zoo. Its smaller than Colchester Zoo but this suited us as Amelia insisted on walking most of the time and Lucy didnt want to be in the buggy either and we forgot the sling so we had very tired arms when we got home. There is quite a lot of stuff there and as its smaller, you are very close. We saw lots of monkeys, lions, tigers, meercats and the aquariums and insect houses are so impressive. But the highlight was the gorillas, they came out to eat just as we got to their enclosure and all that is between you and them is a big window (I am assuming it is fairly unbreakable!!) and they can walk above you in walkways, so above us most of the time was the new 20 stone male gorilla they have bought in, a few meters above our heads, looking down at us. Amazing.

Amelia however, preferred the statues of the gorillas, especially the mummy and baby ones and also didnt want to leave a little tree house in the childrens section. Its ridiculous really, I am glad Duncan and I enjoyed it as much as we did cos Amelia is easy to please with some lunch, a tree house and gorilla statue! The journey home was a nightmare though - taking nearly 3 hours. Both girls were stars though, especially Lucy as she hadnt really been able to crawl around all day - had been carried or asleep in a pushchair or car for most of it.

We also had a little party for him yesterday - just both our families here, a bit of BBQ on the chinmea (or, as it turned out, on the actual BBQ as it would have taken too long to use the chimnea!!) and some fireworks! I had been wondering how Amelia & Lucy would fare with them - we had seen some from indoors around bonfire night and I had told Amelia how loud they would be. Well she loved them! More More she was shouting!! Lucy was not so keen, she didnt like the initial whoosh as they took off - so we actually played indoors while pyromaniac duncan did his fireworks!

Last night I awoke to Amelia crying out, almost sobbing. I went in there and she was beside herself, 'I wanted that Nana (banana)' and I realised she was half dreaming, so I said 'Well you can have the nana darling'

She replied 'Its Lucys'

'She will share'

'But I wanted them breadsticks'

'You can have the breadsticks'

'They are Lucys'

'Lucy will share them with you'

'She cant - they are hers!'

and this went on for a good 10 minutes until she fell back asleep, it was so wierd. This morning I asked her if she remembered and she said 'yes - I wanted Lucys breadstick, but I didnt snatch them' - now how good is that?? Even in her dreams!!!

However today we went round the whole of Tescos with her denying she needed a wee - she hadnt been all morning. I should have just taken her and made her go.... because after I got both girls in the car, packed the shopping in the boot (in the pouring rain) and put my key in the ignition she announced 'I neeeeeeeed a wee'. I asked if she could wait. She could not. So I said 'Well you will have to sit on Mummy's knees and go in the car park'. She thought about it and beamed 'Yes Please, like a dog.'

She was so impressed with herself afterwards. How disgusting!!!

Amelia-ism of the day

'Mummy, why have you put that shoe polish on your eyes?'

It was eye liner - shows how long it is since I have worn make up - and how badly I clearly apply it!!!!!!!!!!!!