Welcome to the madhouse!!!

My gums have been bleeding for the past couple of weeks and now look like they're receding so I thought I'd better go to the dentist's to check it out. I shouldn't think it's anything too bad because last time I went to see him (which was, admittedly, probably over 3 years ago !!!) he told me it was a "provocation" (wind-up) going to see him with teeth that clean !

Anyway, I popped along the road to the surgery, rang the bell and went in to the receptionist's bit. She said "it'll be in April, OK?" so I explained the problem and asked if there was anything sooner. She said "I'll go and see the dentist" and wandered off. Two minutes later, she was back with a prescription for : three bottles of mouthwash, three boxes of antibiotics, two boxes of anti-inflammatories and two boxes of pain-relief tablets (although I told her there was no pain whatsoever). All of that and I didn't even open my mouth !!! She wasn't even going to give me an appointment until I said it would probably be a good idea so I'll be going back on the 1st March.

When I got home and had a quick tot up, I've got TEN tablets to take and three mouthwashes to do every day for the next ten days ... and I absolutely must take the tablets in the middle of a meal (to avoid stomach upsets apparently) so it looks like that's knocked my diet on the head for the next couple of weeks. (Great timing as me and Sophie made butterfly cakes last night !!!)

Since the xmas holidays, it's been tears at bedtime most nights because Sophie didn't want to go to school the next day. I thought it was just a case of getting back into the routine but she kept telling me more and more stories about a little kid in her class called Stanislas (I can name him, I shouldn't think he'll come on here !!)

First of all it was "Stanislas took my drawing" then "Stanislas pushed me" or pulled my hair or trod on my foot and didn't say sorry. Then it was "Stanislas took my biscuit" and "Stanislas pinched my hairslide". It finally got up to "Stanislas kicked me" and "Stanislas punched me in the playground" and then she came home with blood on her sleeve (I can't blame it ALL on Stanislas, it was another kid that made her nose bleed !) so I went to see the teacher (who is also the headmistress).

I told Sophie I'd go and see her at hometime and she obviously told her teacher in advance because as soon as she saw me at the door, she pointed at a little boy and said "It's him and I don't know what else to do with him, he's already getting punished every day as it is" ! Then his mum turned up and overheard and said "He's the same at home, I don't know what to do any more, I think I'll take him to the doctor'" and burst into tears. That was on Monday and since then, Stanislas is still being naughty at school but Sophie seems happier so it must have done some good.

When I get round to scanning Sophie's school photo (which means clearing the pile of junk off the scanner first !!!), you'll have to try to guess which one is Stanislas !!!

Well on arrival in England on the 23rd December, she may have only had two teeth and two about to appear ... now she's got a gobfull ! I can't even count them any more because there isn't a safe gummy bit to put your finger so it doesn't get bitten !!!

And as usual, Sophie doesn't want to feel left out !!!

Ah, twiddling her ear and sucking her thumb. That's all folks, definite signs of sleepiness !!!

Vicky's been here for a fortnight now and apart from the very first night, when she was obviously trying to make a good first impression, she's done Number Ones and Number Twos somewhere in the house EVERY SINGLE DAY and most days more than once. Sophie thinks it's a good game and runs around looking for them going "Vicky's done a poo under the table" and "Mum, I've found the wee, it's in the kitchen this time" !!! But in three weeks, I'mm off for a fortnight (again !!!) and it'll be intensive house-training time !

Her naughtiest thing so far has been scoffing a WHOLE layer of Ferrero Rocher chocolates ... but it was actually quite impressive because she had to open the door to the front room, climb on a chair and from there on to the table, open the box of chocs, throw them around until each individual wrapper came off ! It must have been great fun as they were scattered all over the room (and I reclaimed one that I found down the back of the armchair !!)

Luckily she's extremely affectionate and great with the girls so she's not in trouble for too long!

Her "Sorry for the poo in the kitchen, don't be mad at me" face !

Such a big tongue for a small dog !

The neighbours have probably never heard of Big Cook Little Cook so I bet they'll be phoning up the Animal Protection people, telling them about some strange English woman cooking up weird stuff for her kids. Although they do eat frogs legs and snails ... !!!

Here she is (sorry, I got sidetracked and forgot to post a pic last week !!!) Our new dog who was called Victoire and spoke French when she arrived last week but who is now known as Vicky and answers to English !!!

Sophie doing the same face with Juliette !!! ...

Certainly seems longer than a week ago anyway ... but I looked at the calendar yesterday and noticed that I'm on holiday again in 5 weeks !!!