Yesterday was my Birthday. At my age, when you become old and jaded, Birthday's aren't that exciting but there is a vague hope that the day might go relatively smoothly. Not so! As is usual in our household, things never go to plan and the day was really disappointing. Michael kicked off early on, as everyone was apparently sitting in the wrong seats in the car (we were joined by Grandma and Grandad). He spent the next hour thumping Grandma in the car and telling her to go away. Elise then decided that this was a good game and not wanting to be left out thought that she would join in too (very loudly!). Our day trip to Longleat went OK but Michael insisted on being in charge all the time. He also has no concept about getting lost so kept on running off which is really hard when you are in such a busy environment. Elise wasn't so bad apart from the fact that she was quite oppositional at times and decided to scream her head off occasionally, including when John was standing with her at the very top of a play tower in full view of The World. She was also very wobbly and at one point stumbled into an old lady (isn't it always) whose loud hurrumph did not help the mood of the day.

All in all it was a really stressful time and it was one of those days where  patience was tested to the limit. I don't know why but they both get into the mode where whatever you say to them they completely ignore so the whole parenting thing is a bit of a waste of time. The frustrating thing too is that they both have absolutely no comprehension that they are being naughty so whatever you say is fruitless.

It sounds an awful thing to say but yesterday was one of those days where I just yearned to be 'normal'. All I wanted to do was to have a nice day and instead it turned out to be a big hassle and stress. I know that there is nothing that we can really do to change this, but wouldn't it be nice just for once? Perhaps next year…