Tire slashing and theft

This week we have had the negative side of living in central London shoved right in our faces. On Thursday night one of the tires on our car was slashed and then yesterday as I queued outside our local fishmongers my bag was snatched from our baby's buggy. Tire slashing is senseless, and snatching a bag from a pushchair - how low can you go? Aside from the fact that I had just taken out £100 from the cashpoint, I was most upset by the loss of O's things, and the thought that they would just be dumped somewhere once my purse had been rifled. A cute Petit Bateau hat and mitten set, her juice cup, Winnie the Pooh toy, box of biscuits, little car and banana were in the bag, standard fare for any mum out and about with her toddler, but they are her things and precious and it smarts me to think of them being taken. I lost my Orla Kiely purse and cards, a brand new!!! just out of the box Benefit compact, Burts Bees lipgloss and my gloves. I felt very angry and annoyed that I hadn't been paying more attention but ringing the police made me feel much better as he said that I shouldn't have to be paying attention, it's totally wrong that I can't stand in the fish queue and chat with my gorgeous girl, catch up with neighbours and take my time without worrying about where my bag is. So thank you Mr Policeman. There is a CCTV camera right outside the shop so whoever did it may be on camera. And if anyone spots a black and white patterned fabric Katvig tote bag dumped in the vicinity of the Essex Road, it's mine and I'd be grateful to have it back.

But thankfully we had some lovely friends and their adorable children coming to stay and they made us all feel so much better. O had a ball, and was actually shaking with excitement that they had brought their dog with them and she was staying the night at our house! Much, much shrieking ensued! And it was wonderful to hear our little house filled with sound of chuckles from 3 wonderful small people under the age of 4. We had top deck trip on a double decker bus, a lunch and a mooch around the Southbank. I love the Southbank. It's so atmospheric to be down by the river, taking in the various styles of architecture, the book stalls in front of the BFI, the boats, the twinkly lights in the trees and the different people going by. It's one of my favourite walks and I do think the regeneration work has improved it, especially for families. And one of these days M and I will go there on our own and drink cocktails in Skylon, hold hands and admire the view.

Once the littlies were in bed we kicked off with Kir Royales and salted almonds while I cooked seabass with potatoes and wild mushrooms, then chocolate pots and amaretti biscuits. Much wine drinking and catching up until the early hours meant a few sore heads when the fun kicked off again this morning, but nothing that some freshly baked granola muffins (I love the opportunity to play the domestic goddess!) and virgin marys couldn't fix before heading off for a walk in Victoria Park and feeding the ducks.

We may have to consider buying a dog I think!

Then we had lunch here, rotisserie whole chicken served at the table with all the trimmings. We had 3 very tired children by this point and were slightly worried that we were in major meltdown territory but all 3 behaved beautifully. So I sit here feeling tired and very contented in spite of our bad luck. So lovely to spend time with old friends and see our children become friends too.