Snow!
Jumping belatedly onto the bandwagon of those in the UK making posts about our unusual amount of snow, I want only to comment that I did indeed (as friends who've seen me in action would only expect) take due advantage of our 2-3 inches of snow by dashing outside with the kids to throw snowballs and build a snowman in the back garden.

The snow was perfect for this, being the variety that sticks together easily but also comes apart easily and without pain when it hits someone. Both kids enjoyed the snow immensely, which is an improvement over last year when Amy was decidedly unimpressed.

Then we jumped in the car to drive over to Phil's parent's place in Southend, just a few miles north and East. In a fit of optimism (and because I'd feel stupid if I didn't and it turned out I should have) I packed the sled, as we definitely had enough snow at home to make use of it if we'd had the time. However the north side of the Thames had received decidedly less snow, and the amount decreased steadily as we approached Southend and it was apparrent that it was a good thing I had warned the kids that we there was no guarantee there would be enough snow at Nanny & Grandad's to use the sled.

I said to Alex "I'm afraid I was right and we won't be able to use the sled after all."
"Don't be afraid Mummy, so long as we're all together and well, that's what's important."
Cue mushy Mummy moment.

In other news Alex has now been abandoned in Southend for 3 days of excessive sugar and television with his grandparents and excessive running around in small circles making even more excessive amounts of noise with his cousins, all 5 of which are in Southend for the 'spring' break.