Shane

So I finally got to meet this lovely lady! Diana I have known for years... we often bump into each other at Barnes Fairs or the like.

She's just super... felt like we'd met many times before... her and Diana chatted with the Joyous one in Joeys on Skype... what a lovely afternoon!!!.

Watershed : Indigo Girls ... my favourite song of theirs.

Easter

Easter was just lovely!

It started early with the kids... we made Easter cards, and bags, to take home. We had a treasure hunt in the garden, and Milly the bunny happened to move in next door too, which was great! We feed her carrots every day.

Iris made us these lovely Easter mobiles above, she is so creative and talented my friend.

On Easter Sunday we awoke early, had an egg hunt (yes, there we were, 3 ADULTS, searching for eggs!), went to church, came home and had a braai. Twas a tad chilly, but good fun... and we got to use our new braai for the first time.

Older kids in buggys?

I read a really interesting article.. and have to say I agree... I am astonished when I see older kids - often with dummies in too... being wheeled around... like the parents don't want them to grow up...?

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/...id=59889&tsp=1

What are your thoughts?

We're Sinking!

Do you expect more?

Do you expect childminders/teachers to be moral people, with high values?

I do.

Not only within the confines of the contracted, working week, whilst working with mindees, but as a way of life... always. Good role models.

How can a bigot be a childminder?
How can a racist be a childminder?

Not only are they giving their mindees skewed ideas about society and the world, but surely, by their very behaviour and beliefs, they are going against EYFS... 'all inclusion' etc. ...?

It's bad enough if a parent passes their low value ideals onto their own kids..... never mind a childminder.

So, what do you do when you are shocked to see a childminder with these mannerisms/beliefs/condoning such... swearing/bigoted/racist/rude etc...? Do you say nothing? Do you say something to them?

Pride and Prejudice (McFadden/Knightly version)... Kiss controversy...

The Western (Wailing) Wall, Jerusalem

Our trip to Israel and Palestine with mum was splendid. More than we anticipated even. It is so moving.

The bustling markets, friendly people, dust, in-your-face differences in religion, ugly huge wall separating two peoples, sadness, joy, juicy oranges, old world architecture, fabulous and intricate history and religious symbolism, misunderstanding and understanding... it has everything and more.

Old City of Jerusalem at night

We wandered the cobbled streets of the Old Jerusalem at night, taking it all in. Graffitii, cobbles, archways, ancient drawings, ancient stone, history.

1st night in Jerusalem's Old City

We had lovely, frank chats with Jews, Palestinian Muslims, Palestinian Christians, British people living and working there... we made some dear friends, who we will always remember. We finally met Gila and hubby, Heime, in the modern part of Jerusalem.

Mum being with us made it all the more special. It's been a dream of hers always, to come to Israel... and when we decided to go, we took her with us... she came to London from South Africa, then onto Tel Aviv, with us.