I have just survived my first week of the summer holidays as I write this, and it made me think back to the days when I had James at home, and I was not aware of the school holidays. That seems such a long time ago. I enjoyed those days of playing in the garden, meeting up with my NCT friends and encouraging our babies to socialise.

Now I have a never ending busy diary of activities. Since my last letter, I have been to my son's end of year performance, and school fayre, an outing with Charlotte to Whipsnade Zoo, watched her performance at the End of Year Prom at her pre-school, my nieces wedding, Charlotte's first ballet performance, and a day out at Hop Farm War and Peace show!!!! - phew, sometimes I wonder how I fit it all in. Going to work sometimes is a lot easier.

Charlotte's ballet show was magical. I really enjoyed her 2 minutes on stage. We watched a 2 hour show, but the most memorable bit was her, in her beautiful dress and ballet shoes. Her little friends have wonderful "aargh" factor, which was a good thing as I am not sure they were doing "ballet".

She also had an End of Year Prom, which was a party for all the children, with a performance of songs from those leaving the pre-school. It was lovely to watch the little ones on the stage singing for the last time. Moving on to school is exciting, but also quite an unsettling time for children. I have found with Charlotte that she wants to go, but is also uncertain what it will be like, despite lot's of visits to her new classroom.

James performed very well singing and signing in the Seaside Performance. The children had a seaside day at the school, with paddling pools, sand, games and a "sausage sizzle". They then sang to us all a selection of songs, and as my son's school has a Hearing Impairment unit all the children sign as they sing. This is amazing to watch and the children love doing the actions at the same time.

We are off on holiday soon, to France camping with Canvas Holidays, so I will let you know how it all went in September. We also have a "secret" visit to Disneyland Paris planned for my 40th birthday. The children don't know we are going yet, but I am really looking forward to Charlotte meeting Cinderella!.

Have a great summer holiday and I look forward to catching up with you in September.

Very best wishes,