A Day Off
Today I had a day off from parenting. Michael is writing a blog entry for the weekend so I am also getting a day off from blogging. There is a lot of pressure from Granny to keep news of the grandchildren flowing across the Indian Ocean. The 3 month separation of the grandparents was the inspiration for writing this blog. At least an audience of 2 interested people was guaranteed.

Today our nanny Lizzie (aka "Busy Lizzie" or "The Craft Nanny") looked after Ben and Ella for the day while Simon was at preschool. She also picked him up at preschool which is not an insignificant feat as it involves getting all 3 children in and out of the car and in and out of the preschool. In the meantime I drove to Bowral with my friend Lisa to attend a literary lunch with her Mum and some friends at a Bowral winery with the author Salley Vickers. See http://www.salleyvickers.com/ I haven't actually read her new book but did enjoy one of her earlier books - Mr Golightly's Holiday.

The lunch itself was a bit disappointing as it was really just canapes and wine although the wine was very nice. Sally Vickers was an entertaining speaker and it was a glorious day to be out in the country with the mainly female retirees. I also met a woman who had sent her children to the Steiner school associated with Simon's preschool so it was really interesting to speak to her about the school. One of her children relished the environment and wants to send her children to a Steiner school in London whereas her boy did not have such a positive experience. Apparently the teacher did not like him and in the Steiner system you have the same teacher for 12 years so if you don't get on its probably a long 12 years.

It was nice to spend 3 hours or so in the car with Lisa and talk without interruption. Of course we mainly talked about kids but at least there were no kids around. We just have a few more days with the nanny before I return to work and things will be even busier than they already are. Lizzie comes one day a week at the moment and she'll move to 2 when I go back to work. Next week Michael is taking a day off when Lizzie comes and we will spend a day together by ourselves.