This week's catch-up

Had a fantastic week. Looked after Billie-jean and Jimmy last Tuesday night. Ended up going to their house, because Jimmy fell asleep on the couch, Billie-jean woke up wanting a feed, Abi was trying to cook tea and Ben arrived home late. They got off okay in the end though and went to see Shrek 3. Said it wasn't as good as 1 or 2, but was all right. Had a lovely time with the babies.

Then we got to see them again on Saturday night. Ended up having Neil & Shirley, John & Sharon, Jane & Ian, Ben & Abi, Jimmy & Billie-jean, Sarah & Ben, Cate, Tom, Jack and us there! I had to re-arrange the lounge and set seats out like the movies. We ate heaps of Indian takeaways and nibbles, drank lots of red wine and sang along to the songs on the DVD. Was a great night, Jimmy stayed up (so did Billie-jean) and the last lot left at about 11.30pm.

Jimmy started kindergarten today, and Billie-jean gave Abi her first smile and a few goos. So it was a very momentus day.

Oh, by the way, we may have to take a different bottle of wine away with us. A few weeks ago we opened a 1997 Te Mata Coleraine when we had some special friends around, and it was horrible. Couldn't drink it. Philip took it to his friend the wine writer the next day, and he said he'd heard that for a couple of years in the mid ninties the wines were not up to scratch. They had a different wine-maker who wasn't anywhere near at the same level as the earlier one. Says they're excellent again now. But it was very disappointing, and a bit embarassing. Our friends had brought the most delicious bottle of Tom which was like nectar ... and then we served them the vinegar :-( Did not go well with the Beef Wellington!

Took mum to Becoming Jane yesterday which she loved (and so did I). We are both (all) so looking forward to catching up with you and Abby on Sunday. CAN'T WAIT!!