Day 1.181: The King, a frock and droll

What a difference a year makes! Last July, inspired by an alternate energy conference near my workplace, I wrote about fuel-cells being the emperor's new clothes (the king's new frock?) due to their dependence on other fuels for the production of their fuel (hydrogen). This year it seems that with the price of oil going up (and up) finally many in the US are ready to consider that there may be a need (and an economic incentive) to investigate alternative fuels - or at least to buy a more fuel-efficient vehicle. Not everyone of course - some are asking the Federal government to release some of their reserve of oil to combat this 'temporary blip' in oil prices. Anyone else think that maybe the rise in demand and the decline in supply could make the increase rather more long lasting than just this summer?

Today E5N1 was back with the friends we were visiting when this picture was taken on the 'Fourth' while the girls went to the opticians. It seems that eye-tests can be fun. Apparently, for some at least, reading charts of letters has been replaced by watching Finding Nemo sometime in the last thirty years. Their eyes are fine and both E5N1 and his schoolgirl babysitters had a great time by all accounts.

All of which may not be very funny, but seeing as you have been doing so well with them - here's another opportunity for you to shine - yes it's pop pun 62 for title watchers (play along and then have another look at the picture): the pathos you can keep for the children (in the street) for the vision.

Day 1.180: Goodbye Laa-Laa, it's ah today

This musical dancing Teletubbies toy has done sterling work over the last five years or so. But just like his 'real' self, this Tinky Winky just couldn't stay on his feet any longer.

Exile #4 has requested that I try to mend it so they (three of them at least) may have some more joy and fun. And this feature goes from strength to strength with so-bad-it's-awful pop pun 61 for title watchers. The wine and the song...have all gone.

Day 1.179: Four tough kids

E5N1 had his 18-month check-up today at the doctors'. After a previous anomalous measurements he is now reverting to form by being small for his age - although happily his body-weight is no longer causing concern. He also had three jabs/shots and was feeling a bit sorry for himself towards the end of the day.

While he was out, Exile #3 and Exile #4 created this stronghold and brought all the books they could find to be inside it with them. Exile #3 then set about reading to Exile #4 - so cute! E5N1 seemed content just to sit on the walls.

I have three children, they're not especially tough, but this is their castle.

Day 1.178 Happy Birthday (chores are over)

... and it was time to go out for the evening. Albaniana very kindly did babysitting duty - including brief pre-bedtime interaction with the girls and a very brief post-bedtime one with the 'baby'.

We went out for dinner at La Serre in Albany. The food and service was impeccable - as you would hope considering we were the only guests in a dining room of at least 30 tables. "Is it always this busy on a Monday night?" "We had two other tables before you arrived." I suppose three tables might just about make it worth their while.

Anyway, we were quite happy to have the place to ourselves and the food was excellent.

So, pop pun #60 for title watchers and once again happy birthday to the near and the dear one (I hope she had fun!).

Day 1.177: Sneaking around

The picture is from yesterday at the Pine Bush. Let me tell you, there is a certain amount of sneaking required to get a decent smiling picture of Exile #3 these days.

This morning saw more sneaking around as I plotted to get the girls out of the house to do something about Exile #2's birthday tomorrow (last minute - me?). We had a reasonable outing (taking E5N1 as well as he decided he didn't need a nap - until we were in the car anyway) - I think that Exile #2 would probably consider a few hours on her own in the house to be a pretty good birthday present in itself.

After lunch the girls disappeared upstairs to 'play'. Actually they were making birthday cards. When she finished Exile #3 came to find me to show me her work. Not wanting to be left out, but not quite realising what was going on, Exile #4 rushed downstairs to give Exile #2 her card. Oops.

At our church gathering this evening we had a cake and sang Happy Birthday - even better, the video cameras were all out of reach, so she can avoid the embarrassment of digital evidence (until tomorrow at least).

For further sneakiness, here is a picture of something else from our walk yesterday - can you see what we saw?