Happy today, but zombie tired. Off with my MJ to the Hokey Pokey for a cheeseburger breakfast, lots off coffee and making plans. Then off to toys r us to investigate presents for the bairns.

Then collected the children from school. Home and a couple of hours of playing a video game with Jack. We were lying on the floor piloting Star Wars racer things, and little Genny stood on me and used me as climbing frame until we embarked on various shrieky monster games with Kate and 4 year old Jenny joining in.

More diva wars with Kate being Queen of the Mermaids and Genny being Queen of the Dolphins. It transpired that the Queen of the Mermaids had suspicions about the Queen of the Dolphins, and accused her of stealing gameboys. Falsely as it happened as I found it under a chair.

Decided to eat out at a little Italian place we'd been to before in Comack. Big food, and as far as the kids were concerned it was an excellent choice being near the big pet store. Spent some time there looking at ferrets, rats, spiders etc. Began a detailed, hour-long conversation about fish varieties with Kate. All happily home and watched the Peanuts Christmas special on video, which MJ and me seemed to enjoy more than the kids.