Archie Archer Chick-tastic

I've just cleaned Archie (who is now twelve days old,) and Mummy Hen's coop and run. I transferred them to a holding run while I worked; a perfect opportunity to snuggle Archie. He's gorgeously warm and peeps loudly when I take him from mum even for just a few seconds but is blissfully happy when I deposit mum back beside him again.

He has a new game, he hops up on to her back and she gives him little rides around the run before tipping him off again. Hilarious to watch, hope you can see him from my kitchen window.

My own chicks are at a sleepover tonight, the 6yo's first. He's blasé and therefore I'm OK too, happy that he's happy.

To take our minds off the abandoned nest we, the parentals, are off for a Chinese meal. Freedom for one night is so sweet, but then I want my babies back please...... Dinner with hubby is so rare these days, I'm so looking forward to it.

Running a few errands in Ludlow today was wonderful. The town was Dickensian, cloaked in a gentle fog. I thought I'd stepped back in time passing the book binder store front with its panelled bay windows and ancient machinery within. Sometimes I draw up in the car at the traffic lights, often for longer than I should, just so I can watch these craftsmen and women, busy repairing leather-bound volumes.

All the butchers have their game hanging in the street now too; cock pheasants hang their heads, vibrant feathers wasted on shoppers. If I didn't know how good they tasted, I might feel sorry for them. I ordered a good sized turkey for next week, my nod to Thanksgiving, I've a lot to feel thankful for.

I'm locking up my daughter..my son..the kittens..the chickens...etc..

My daughter the 7yo positively leapt from her bed this morning. She dressed without being asked, fed the cats, brushed her hair and washed her teeth all without a murmur of dissention. I watched her like a hawk desperate for her to make a mistake. She had two bowls of cereal without spilling the milk and then, ah ha! just as I thought I had her, she wilfully took her bowl and spoon to the utility room and put it in the dishwasher. (Huh?) I was gutted.

It was a mighty shame there were no infringements to the rules of behaviour, I was itching to ground her, desperate to send her to her room, to punish her, to retract earlier promises made. I feel these psycho-mum tendencies purely because after school tonight she is not coming home! She is on her first ever sleep-over. Noooooooooooooooo!!!!!

I've met the parents, they’re lovely. So I'm stuffed, there is no earthly reason why she shouldn't go, except the fact that I'm pathetic.

I did try to scupper the sleep-over yesterday, saying 'Won't you miss Mummy and Daddy?'
She was very tactful 'I will miss you,’ she said, ‘but I'll just give you extra love on Saturday when I see you.'
I then stooped a bit low.....'The kittens will be really sad, they’ll reeeeeeally miss you...'
She hesitated at this one but taking a big breath she gathered all her strength and magnanimously suggested that her 5yo brother would be there for them until she returned home. Damn.

In the bath she told me her innermost fears;
'Will A's mother have food?'
'Probably not,' was on the tip of my tongue but I swallowed that down and assured her that there would be food, a big pizza had been suggested.
'Only we're having a midnight feast and I'd like you to pack some foods that I like. Some crackers, tomatoes, cheese, a carrot.....' Oh My God I've raised a Saint!

Bless.

Her bag weighed 4 ton this morning, hope A's mum is a weight-lifter. Better still maybe she'll call me on my mobile and say the 7yo can't come as she can't fit her and her bag in the car.....must go, I'm off to charge my mobile to make sure I don't miss that call.....actually I'm just wondering if I should I text her and let her know that daughter had diarrhoea about 4 years ago....