Cabin Fever

Finally managed to get the children out of the house today now that they and I am well enough. We managed an hour's gardening this morning - didnt achieve a great deal but the fresh air was lovely. They all enjoyed hacking at the lavendar and I am sure it will recover in the spring! This afternoon we took George for a walk - this treat is normally reserved for John as George pulls so much I worry he will pull me or the children over. Decided though that Tom may be old enough to try taking a bit more responsiblilty for him and he really enjoyed being in charge of the lead.
To start with George ran off with Tom dragged behind him crying until he finally gave up and let go of the lead - Sophie caught George (good old Sophie!!) and we calmed Tom down and he tried again trying to be calmer this time and reminding George not to pull - worked a bit better.

Then Sophie decided to have a try and she did brilliantly - really calm and in control so George responded the same - she even managed to let ben have a go and helped him control George. We met some nice people walking dogs and a toddler in a buggy who loved George oh and a miserable old man on a bike who nearly knocked us down and didnt even say thanks when I got everyone out of the way for him - it is a narrow country lane with no pavements and loads of dog poo on the verges so quite where he expected us to walk I don't know.

I even got a chance to have a play with the camera in preparation for my daily photos this year - all in all a great walk but the moment we got back in the bickering started again - aaaaarrrrggghhhh!