One of the Dads came today, with a late Birthday/early Christmas gift for my second daughter: A Pink ipod. It's the bees knees, and she is now permanently incommunicado. Due to his visit, my babysitting arrangements fell through so I had to have the little three in school while I attended a meeting. They started in the library, then in with a very kind teacher and ended the afternoon eating jelly in the staff room with The Head something which, I am sure, will be a lifelong memory.

We arrived home to find a small parcel addressed to one of them. It contained an ipod shuffle. Eventually we remembered that she had entered a competition in September. She was reluctant, at first, doubting that she would win but I told her to wish really hard, and then forget all about it. The strategy worked: there are now two young ladies wearing distinctive white head-phones, singing and smiling and swaying.

Still, she has learned how to create abundance, but keeps saying to no-one in particular, "I can't believe I won an ipod shuffle. I'm so lucky!"

They have also chosen some fair trade chocolate bars to take in to thank their babysitters. A memorable day for all!