Snow Paint on Floyd

I must have lent the food colouring out, instead poster paints got flung out across the stoep and left a startling splash for days.

White Felt, Sponge HQ

Lets get physical... this is Felt Club with a deadline. Underwater exploration gear is under construction, starting with three layers of fluffy white lambs wool, three teaspoons of lavender soap a square foot mixed with boiling water and then plenty of swoshing motion for some 40 minutes until all fibre is meshed.

Then endless rolling, draining, shrinkage and drying... before the pattern cutting and stitching and one day soon the installation trip north to Gawanus, Brooklyn.

Snow Day No. X

You know the joy is over when no-one wants to get out the sledge and hurtle down towards the pond. A brief bit of the outdoors and we were back indoors to reboot the heating and roll Fantastic Mr Fox - thank heavens for Wes Anderson and George Clooney.

Impressive icicles still add an edge to things though and if hanging under a car are an irresistible petroleum-based snack.

Birthday Doll's House, Phase II

No really the doorways do have to accommodate the plastic meringue skirts and as always, major carpentry projects need to be done in sub-zero conditions to a tight deadline, overseen by a dictatorial designer.

Whale Watching, Virginia Beach

Well the whales had moved on south but instead bounding gracefully through the waves and under the bow of the boat were dolphins and more dolphins... despite the severe chill and my over-riding sense of nausea and the terror of certain death for both children- standing at the front of the boat for every swell - this was amazing and worth it and done with lots of lovely families.

The Aquarium that followed was a contrasting interactive hell of noise and intensity that was totally unlike the vast grey open water and completely distracted from the immense tanks of live fish and strokeable rays and a crocodile! We saw some serious Komodo Dragon action and live gestating shark eggs.

Finally a windswept moment on Sandbridge Beach before a dodgy beach diner, which we later discovered had a claw-grab live lobster catcher game and then the long road home.

The Egyptian Project, 2nd Grade

... and so Horus (the eagle-headed sky god), his crocodile and my Sphinx are in, fired and glossy with glaze, though not tin faience for true historical accuracy. Beneath the family-sawed pyramid are jewels and back home, J's turtle and lion.

Someone else had mummified (!) their baby doll and another built a pyramid in sugar cubes - project learning cheers my soul.

Salon Playdate, Katy Blue

Chewy the Shitzu keeps the girls company as they choose a style and demonstrate the length of fringe they desire. Choc chip cookies and iced water in cocktail glasses all round.