reading

And just to prove how much we love Judith Kerr books here , Gus is getting in a spot of reading.

He is an absolute joy. He motors around the couch and looks out of the window. A lot.

And is so pleased with the tub of 2nd hand blocks I picked up from the NCT Nearly New Sale on Saturday. The sale happens twice a year - a mammoth but well-organised event in Harpenden. I always sell and help out. Around 500 people through the door and an amazing £16 500 taken at tills - 30% raised for NCT. Wow.

gruffalo walk... more pics

gruffalo walk 2009

Back by popular demand, the NCT Harpenden and District event was a great success. This time almost 20 families headed off into the deep, dark wood for a leisurely stroll.

This year, we had TWO gruffalos (Freddie and Harry) courtesy of some adapted furry waistcoats (I stitched paper-stuffed horns onto the hoods and stapled purple prickles to the back).

The craft was really simple and suited the slightly younger age of this year's children.

I had made some 'G' clay pendants (left from another NCT event!) and they were threaded with paper leaves and real leaves onto a stretchy plastic cord.

I found these cords for a pound at the 'lifestyle' shop in Bury Park, Luton. Bury Park is a real treasure trove of the unexpected. There are Asian fabric shops with wonderful embroidered pieces, and unusual grocery stores, plus every plastic storage item you'll ever need. Park up and have a wander, we had an outing with Mum yesterday before she headed back to London.