Phyl's Blog

I was always fascinated by language. Even before I was taught any French or German at school, I used to spend my weekends at my grandparent...

There's nothing quite as acerbic as a smaller sibling! Anna bounced down wearing this T-shirt earlier. Amaia read it slowly, shook h...

Today Thomas and Amaia went out rollerblading together. Amaia is just learning so wanted me to take photos. Afterwards, as I was upload...

I should probably get round to blogging my holiday (in instalments, for posterity) at some point before it is next summer, but I'm just ...

In the ten years I spent breastfeeding my five, I never once had to sit on a toilet but I spent a lot of time rehearsing in my head what I...

I think my other half once referred to me as a bit of a militant atheist... I like to think of myself as a happy one, rather than a militan...

So we somehow got onto the subject of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles the other day... Amaia announced excitedly: Oh, I know what they ar...

I should probably write something about Brexit but I haven't a clue where to start and it depends on my mood whether you get 1) an an...

So there I was lying in the bath minding my own business this morning when Anna burst in. Obviously Daddy being interviewed on Danish TV...

Marine le Pen shared on social media:  « Victoire de la liberté ! Comme je le demande depuis des années, il faut maintenant le même référend...

I've never thought of myself as being married to an immigrant. I don't think I have ever even thought about the word immigrant ...

Retaking (more or less) a photo after a passage of time can be very sweet. Here are Anna and Thomas, first in April 08, then in June 16... ...

(Overheard after school today...) Charlotte: What did you have for lunch today, Amaia?  Amaia: Duckling Charlotte: Duckling??? ...

I'll just leave this with you! Gulp! (Have a look at the gallery on this page too)

Sometimes, usually in fact, life with five kids is fairly harmonious... very occasionally though, little tiffs can occur... tonight was on...

About two years ago I bought a sprig of broom in a pot - it was literally one stalk and cost about £1-49. I planted it in front of my front ...

Apparently it is ten years ago today that I joined blogger. I have more kids now, a different job, a different home and a different husba...

I'm beginning to suspect my daughter has inherited her parents' love of school PE! The conversation in the car went like this: ...

Anna: You know those wishing wells, mum, where you throw in money and make a wish? Me: Yes - like the one we saw at Edinburgh zoo last ...

As I was getting dressed this morning I could hear my wee-est three discussing whether or not they 'had it all'. Having just returne...