1.  Coffee 

2.  Lunch

3.  Tea

Went out with friends last night; really nice evening at the Beach Caff, a couple of glasses of wine, sat outside in an easterly till 9.30, then light bites late…  talked about children (a little bit,) jobs, men, books and Other People We Know.  And that was after we took the boys to the Yacht Club to talk about the christening… which meant they were in bed late and I was in bed late.  And I was up early, and they slept in.  So I got the first coffee of the day on my own downstairs, picking through the unread newspapers of the last few days. More than just a Best Thing… absolute luxury.

The Man had had text messages from some other friends yesterday evening. This morning he asked me to call them and set something up while he took  Son 1 aged 3 and a half for his swimming lesson.  I’d decided that now Son 2 is 8m, it’s unfair to expect him to sit beside the hot swimming pool while Son 1 has his class.  Much better parenting to keep him at home for activities and quality time with me.  We went shopping.  And he howled and howled.  A very-made-up  in-your-face old lady sympathised with me in the queue in M and S… “He’s very tired,” I said.  “He’s just had enough.”  So, while I was putting the shopping through, she dived round me, crouched beside Son 2 with her nose three inches from his and said “Wassamatta then?”   A sonic boom was expelled from the pram. 

Took Son 2 home, then took Son 1 back into The Town because I’d promised him he could come to the  cake shop to order the christening cake.  And ran into the friends who’d been trying to get hold of The Man last night.  Left Son 1 with them, went back, rounded up The Man, sent hin down to find them, fed Son 2, bought him a jar of baby food and went to join them all for lunch.  Son 1 and their son, who’s 2, were both off their heads with fatigue, which made the whole thing a little too child-centred. Still it was lovely seeing them.     

Made the much-mocked (by me) Annabel Karmel marinated sole in crushed cornflakes for tea.  Son 1 said it was disgusting.  The Man said it was overcooked.  I shouldn’t have substituted spring onions for shallots in the marinade.  Oh well, let’s hope that’s the only mistake I make this year.  I’ve been shattered today, so I went to bed at nine.