It rains today and I leave the house early to lift weights. The rest of the morning is spent doing a small computer chore which ends up taking all day. In the middle, Madeleine and I visit the London Aquarium catching the train to Waterloo- half the fun. She is enthralled by the sharks and rays and loves the "petting tank" where the fish come right up for a feel. Madeleine has her face painted and has no problem approaching strangers to discuss her condition. We return home and the kids compare their afternoons.

I ask Madeleine: "what time is it when Big Ben strikes six times?"
Madeleine: Five?

Me to Madeleine: "Do you know what month it is?"
Her: "One month until we go on holiday."

Playing twenty questions:
Madeleine: "Is it a boy?"
Me: No.
She: Is it girl?
Me: Yes.
She: Does she have straight hair?
She: Does she have curly hair?
She: Is her hair short?
She: Does she wear it in a bobbin?
She: Does she give me treats?
She: Is it Auntie Katie?
Me: Yes.