You’ll see from my last blog that we didn’t go to Greenbelt. But we have been to a family fun afternoon, a new play cafe (you know we love them!), the Hub, the indoor fun fair (if we went to the quiet session, which we did, I dread to think what the loud session must be like!), the Princess party at Blackstock Market, the Gaza march in town and When You Wish Studio for a morning with Elsa. Busy busy!

In and amongst all the late summer fun, it’s been a week of nursery settling in sessions, trying on new uniforms and getting to grips with various apps and payment platforms for the different childcare arrangements that begin next week.

To say I have mixed feelings would be an understatement. One day, I’m sneaking into church after coffee in the Hub and skipping down the aisle, so ready and excited to be back. On another day, I’m driving away from Aidan at his settling in session, shedding a tear or two. Where has my baby boy gone?

When Soph was smaller, I would cry on the last night of every holiday. I always had such a nice time with her that I’d wonder if I’d done the right thing going back to work at all. And then I’d remember that I’m a much better Mum because I do something I love. I think I’m experiencing a very big, very extreme version of that.

All of that being said, just when I think I’ve got the hang of looking after the two of them together, one of them throws me a curve ball. Today was Tiny Tuesday Stay and Play with Elsa. Basically, it was crafts, toys and songs with a wonderful lady dressed up as Elsa.

As Sophia sat next to Elsa for her photo, in the time it took me to whip my phone out of my pocket and take two snaps, Aidan had got to the playdough table and, unbeknown to me, put some in his mouth. I picked him up and we walked away. I glanced at him and could tell something was wrong. He wasn’t choking, but something wasn’t right in the way he was breathing and moving his mouth. He was breating, but I patted his back firmly anyway, and nothing changed. I happened to catch a glimpse of the roof of his mouth and saw blue. I quickly put my fingers in and scooped it out, flicking it on the floor.

The only person impacted by this experience is me. The difference between taking a photo of your daughter with her hero and removing playdough from the roof of your squirming son’s mouth is quite startling, and it happened in a matter of seconds. Everyone else was fine. Me? I needed to take some deep breaths!

What Sophia said: I’m going to take the service!

What Aidan said: Dagdagdagdag when talking about his Daddy.

More next time x