So it's back to school tomorrow.

This summer has been pretty mundane if I'm being honest. We had a few highlights - camping was one. It was a really good trip but was only for three nights. Then we went to London for dinner, show and hotel which was lovely but again, just one night.

I have loved having the kids around. Although it has to be said that I am becoming more and more convinced that my eldest is becoming more and more suicidal (his goading of me and appalling attitude is just far too frequent to be a natural progression of adolescence) so that's something to watch out for.

E has continued her general routine of being poorly and thus poor sleep, well for a few days (good sleep), then teething (poor sleep), then well for a few days (good sleep), then poorly again... And so the cycle continues. She's on the cusp of walking and I think that too may be messing with her sleep. I do wonder if perhaps the leaking shower from above her room has something to do with her getting poorly so often - there's a constant wet patch on her ceiling and it smells very damp in there. We redid the sealant yesterday but it remains to be seen if this has had an impact on her health.

S had brought a whole new depth and meaning to that old line from the Oxo (or was it Bisto?) advert of days gone by: "My mummy says, when I grow up I'm going to be a proper little madam!". She has sported such lines as "you just sprayed water all over me you moron" and "no Daddy, I'm not pants, just the boss" when hubby dared call her "bossy pants". She has this poise about her that just speaks volumes. Words fail me when trying to illustrate that for anyone who may read this - I think the quote above just sums it up! It's funny. I've never been particularly girlie and yet my eldest daughter is very much so - definitely a girlie girl. I can see her becoming very catty too so will have to keep an eye out!

M is just M. I think it's the age but she is such fun right now. Some of the things she comes out with just crack me up and she epitomizes the whole concept of "cheeky"! She's got this big round face that just reiterates her whole character and she is so entertaining. She is learning new ways every day of winding her older sister up and that is infuriating. Poor S can't seem to ignore her and M takes full advantage. I'm very curious as to how E will fit into the dynamics of this little duo when she's old enough.

So as from tomorrow we have normal life restored and routine will once again have a place in this house. Part of me has longed for this day but a larger part is saddened that it is so close.