Meredith Carson... Across the Pond and Back Again...

Know what the best part of a child's birthday party is? It's the moment just after all of the children have left. I don't mean that I didn't enjoy Sophie's fabulous pirate soiree, but the best bit for me was basking in the afterglow. Everyone went home smiling and in one piece, and I realized that we did a really good job! The weather was beautiful, the kids were happy, and everyone seemed to have a genuinely good time. At no time did complete chaos break out. A successful party indeed. I think my favorite thing about the party was the treasure/ scavenger hunt designed by George, and since it was the last item on the agenda, it was, according to all the mommies at school this morning, the thing that all the kids went home talking about. George cleverly designed a series of ancient looking treasure maps which led the children all around our house and garden and eventually to a chest in our living room which contained everyone's goody boxes of pirate treats to tak...

It's oh so quiet here this afternoon. Emma went home with her best friend Lili after school, so I am here on my own with just Sophie...and it's so strangely quiet. Sophie says she is very happy to have a break from her sister, which I can understand. Absence does make the heart grow fonder, and a little peace and quiet is very good for the soul. So since we have this quality time with just the two of us, I have taken the opportunity to chat with Sophie about exactly what she is hoping will go down at her pirate party this weekend. I am still reeling over the fact that all ten of the children she invited have agreed to come. I honestly don't know where I am going to put them all, but at least, after my chat with Sophie, I do know what I am going to feed them and what she wants them all to do. There will be cheese balls, sandwiches, a chocolate layer cake and ice cream, dancing, games, and treasure hunts involved. And afterwards, there will be napping...on my part. St...