A rampage of under 3's

Is there a collective noun for under 3's?  If not I have created it.  A rampage.  It's what toddlers and babies do.  Like locusts in reverse. They arrive, they assess the ground, then they attack.  They remove everything from every box, basket, bag and anything else you are foolish enough to leave lying around.


They run around before your eyes in a blur of giggles, bruised knees and 'Mummeeeeess'.  It's actually rather incredible to behold.  I have to say I rather like it.  In fact today when my lovely friends Justine and Charlie came to visit with their collective offspring (the rampage of which I speak) we even managed to have the odd full conversation. With beginnings, middles and ends.  Quite remarkable I'm sure you'll agree if you have experience of this age group.

We had a really fantastic day, a proper day of catching up on each other's news, seeing just how much our little babies had grown (I met Justine and Charlie when I had Tilly, we did a refresher NCT course together, best thing I ever did) in the way one can with people who share your pain in terms of parenting.  We formed a very firm friendship and have managed to keep it going, albeit sporadically.

We meet on the last Friday of every month for dinner, so we see each other most months, but having moved to the 'burbs I haven't seen the children for a while.

And it made me happy to see them today. The little tiny babies we had are now around 13 months.  Some are walking, they are toddlers.  Lord, if Tilly starts to walk soon I'll have two toddlers and will have to give them new incredible original pseudonyms.  Maybe they'll be Tilly and Eliza from now on.

But we've all come through so much in that time.  Some way more than others; some have experienced things no one should have to experience.  I hope that in some way us all being there for each other, with the stability of play dates and monthly get togethers has kept some normality in this crazy year.

Right, my own personal rampager is calling me - she went to bed with rabbit, milo and a plastic ice cream cone and plastic toast.   Would not be parted from it.  What can you do?  It was maracas yesterday, so plastic food is quieter by comparison.

Must sort her out before tonight's ridiculous episode of Eastenders.  Can that get any more silly?  What do they take us for -