Mandy Baggot

Yes, being a mum to two children I have to coordinate two birthday parties a year and every year I struggle. This year, on Sunday in fact, my eldest daughter is having her seventh birthday party. The plan was to get out the swimming pool (that should kill 40 mins of the 2 hours) followed by party food (30 mins?) followed by a fairy hunt (tracking down coloured in drawings downloaded from the Rainbow Magic website) a quick bit of musical statues, candle blowing, cake chomping, party bags and then adios! Simple! However, something has happened to scupper these plans - it's going to rain! ARGH!!!

Last year it was cold but dry (ish) so I managed to push the shivering children into the pool and told them to jog about to get warm. I let them come out when they were just getting a tinge of blue, no drama. However this year rain is set to arrive on Thursday and continue through to Sunday. What to do?

This is where you come in! My current plan is to erect two gazebos in the garden and have them musical bumping and pass the parcelling in those but what else are we going to do? Has anyone got any ideas for entertaining 11 children for two hours? All feedback gratefully received!

In other news - I have a shiny new web store on my website! Yes, if you would like to get your hands on the new version paperback copies of Excess All Areas, Breaking the Ice, Knowing You Knowing Me and Strings Attached then just click on the web store and add to your basket! Payments are by Paypal or if you don't have a Paypal account you can just email me direct. Remember the new paperbacks for EAA, BTI and KMKY aren't available on Amazon. Prices are £10 per copy, I will of course sign them to the person of your choice with any dedication you wish, and price includes postage.

Hope you have a great day!

Mandy xx