Simone - for you sweetie. Your poor bugger, sick kids are hard at the best of times but with 3 kids and 2 sick, you must be exhausted!!! Vent as much as you like, it makes you feel better and will be here if you need to chat. I hope the boys get better soon and hopefully Anneliese won't get it.

Rory - carrot isn't the nicest of veg (esp mashed), I think I'd screw my face up too LOL!!! Have you tried pumpkin? They say because it is slightly sweeter the bubbas love it or pototoe (probably just as bland as rice cereal and you could make a mash with breastmilk). He is doing great with his solids though.

CC - will definately google! Where do you buy the almond oil and how do you use it? I am looking for anything that works. Sorbolene helps the dry skin but she still gets itchy. I used Pinetarsol today (used for kids with chicken pox) but that didn't seem to do to much. It is hard with only one parent home. I get that too, but DH is only away for the day or night, not for days at a time. It's nice that you miss him and I am sure he misses you and Ally terribly. Hope you roast was yummy!

IK - glad you didn't spend money - there are so many beautiful classic books around. Chelsea has Anne of Green Gables and Little Women - still a few years off reading these though! Glad to hear your sister is doing well. What perfect weather for drying nappies. Tomorrow is going to be a stinker.

Bath - your pudding sounds yummy and I am sure that nice cold beer was well deserved.

On a really sad note - our beautiful great dane Cooper passed away tonight . He was nearly 8 years old and we came home from a evening out and he had died. Poor thing. It looks like he died in his sleep, which I am so relieved about. I really have no idea what to tell Chelsea. We have never had anyone die before, so I don't know what to say - any one who has some ideas please let me know. We are getting him picked up tomorrow morning to be cremated (like our previous great dane) and returned to us in a lovely mahogany box with his name on the front. He can then stay with us forever.