Sophie

In addition to 3 hours of preschool every morning, Sophie does a toddler group once a week at Scarlett's old school. A toddler group is when the little ones all play in the preschool environment, but the mums have to hang about and chat about child rearing experiences.
Afterwards we often go to the bluffs so Sophie can practice her football skils.

more photos of Zuma beach

November 1st 09, the last day (so far) we went to the beach. We sort of went in the water, but it was really cold so it was a quick dip.

brunch with CQ

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We went to the Inn of the Seventh Ray in the canyon outside Malibu. It was a very pretty spot next to a tiny river. CQ had the poached eggs on bean stew (very tasty in case you were in doubt) and Mummy had the wild mushroom and rocket flat bread. Yum. Afterwards we headed on to Zuma beach for some sun and wave action.

Halloween night itself

Santa Monica beach with CQ

Day before Halloween, it was pretty nice. Not quite warm enough to swim but good sun bathing weather.

Halloween stuff

Scarlett's impression of the Scream painting

Getting ready for the Halloween parade at school

Her teacher in an M&M costume

Auntie Clare's visit

late October beach weekend

glam kittens

Early morning over Lake Casitas

Toasting marshmallows and trying to make smores

The Camping Experience

Mummy thought it would be fun to go camping. Of course, she had never had much fun camping before so throwing 2 little grubbies into the mix... WELL.
All in all it was pretty ok/nice. Damning with faint praise: but the setting was beautiful, the weather perfect (a hot October weekend) and we went with another very nice family.

It was a new tent but it only took about an hour and half to put up. Scarlett and Sophie had little folding chairs which they put up, sat on, and from the comfort of which, directed the adults. "hurry up", "no not there", "is it done yet", "this is taking ages".

The place was Lake Casitas, outside Ojai, north of Los Angeles.

Mummy was happy to go home as she had not slept a wink. Campers on neighboring pitches had had a bit of sauce and snored like troopers. It was snore-tastic. Sophie woke up a number of times, and in the end Mummy gave up and got up at 6am. Errrgh