Quick off the mark

Zoe had an early shift, so my alarm was set for 6:30. I went downstairs, switched on the lights, and unlocked the front door. It immediately burst open, and in walked Ellie and her friend Natalie. They were so quick off the mark this morning that they had been sitting outside waiting for a couple of minutes. Reflecting on the epithet "there's no peace for the wicked", I greeted them and offered them both a drink before setting about the foul-smelling package that Jasper had left in his litter tray overnight. Litter tray cleared and air freshener liberally sprayed, I finally made my first coffee. I wouldn't allow the girls to go up and disturb Nana, but she pottered downstairs anyway.

Natalie had been having a sleepover with Ellie, hence her presence this morning. She stayed with us until her mum collected her at 9:30. It wasn't chaotic, but it was noisy. I didn't join the call with my cousins this week. Things were a bit too busy as the girls got themselves ready and Ellie gathered her bits for Saturday's swimming lesson.

We drove to the pool in LA. I settled in the café with a coffee while Diane helped Ellie get ready. We watched the lesson progress, and I was very impressed with Ellie's progress. She has a lovely, lazy style for both backstroke and front crawl. She was also very good at the "dolphin" exercise (used in butterfly), keeping her legs tightly together and rippling her body from her middle down to her feet. I think she could do very well if she wants to progress.

After lunch, Ellie wanted to do some painting, so with Nana's help, they painted some intricate shapes from a book of Mandalas. I, meanwhile, had cut some foam board to insert into the hinge side of one of Ellie's bedroom windows. Even though we have had a chap come in and try to adjust the window, there was still a draft. By inserting the foam board, the window is completely sealed and the draft eradicated.

Ellie got bored with the painting and asked if she could go for a walk with me (taking her scooter). Always happy to go for a walk, I grabbed my walking shoes and we set off. It came as no surprise that the first stop was the local park (which she had to herself). After that, we decided to walk around the estate and see who still had Halloween decorations up. We timed it well. No sooner had we got home than it started to rain.

Zoe came along mid-afternoon to collect Ellie. She will be back with us tomorrow (but not quite as early!).