But why Mummy?

'"George was a giant, the scruffiest giant in town, he always wore the same pair of old brown sandals and same old patched up gown."'

"Why Mummy?"

"Er, because they were his clothes"

"'I wish I wasn't the scruffiest giant in town' said George sadly."'

"Why Mummy?"

"Well, he didn't want to be scruffy darling, he wanted to be smart"

"But why did he want to be smart?"

"Because it's nice to be smart.  "One day George noticed a new shop.."

"But why is it nice Mummy?"

"It just is Eliza, now do you want me to read you this story?"

"Yes please"

"Okay, "he went into the shop and bought, a new tie, a new pair of trousers, a new shirt, some new socks."

"With diamonds up the sides!"

"Yes, and some new shoes."

"But they did rub didn't they Mummy."

"Yes, they did, that's why he gave them to the mice."

We eventually finish this epic tale.  Julia Donaldson is wonderful, but on the 600th time of reading even The Smartest Giant in Town loses it's appeal.  Particularly when the illustrator uses so many beautiful details, like a random snail near the fox who's sleeping the giant's sock (what's the snail's name Mummy?  Erm, Bert Eliza.  Why?  Because that's what his mummy called him).  

The bedtime routine wouldn't be complete without the bedtime story stalling tactics.  Tonight I read only 5, but believe me some nights I have repeated "Farmer Duck", "Monkey Puzzle" and "Peepo" about 10 million times and frankly, I'd settle for Spot the Dog.  Kids stories these days are just so brilliant and there's so much choice, that children just want more and more. 

It won't be long before Tilly wants bedtime stories.  I can see it now.  15 renditions of Farmer Duck for her, followed by 25 Charlie and Lola's for Eliza.  I have to say, and this is heretic I know, I cannot stand reading Charlie and Lola.  The grammar is appalling and very difficult to read out loud when tired.  So there.  

Last night of my holiday.  My 'staycation' as I believe staying at home is known (by some).  I have loved being at home with my girls.  Even in their most tantrummy nightmarish moments, I've felt fulfilled.  Weird aren't I?  

The lovely Henrietta Pretty who writes a witty blog called 'Marketing to Milk' says in her Twitter profile, that she gave up work to look after her kids after realising 'you can't have it all'.  

I think she had a point.