ALEX is a scarecow in his school play and, after a few weeks of stressing about his costume, we've finally got it cracked. He's got an old checked shirt with a wooden rod through it to keep his arms straight, a hat, a scarf and a rope belt.
Personally I think he looks more tramp than scarecrow, but he seems happy enough.
After a week of agonising about how to make the costume and finally putting the finishing touches to it, my friend told me the Compass Theatre in Ickenham had a massive wardrobe department and hired out costumes and props out for fancy dress.
She'd hired the finishing touches to a fabulous kid's Victorian costume, complete with top hat, for less than £5. Now she tells me!
So if you're not handy with a needle and thread or you haven't got the time or inclination to create a costume for the school play, you might want to check out the Compass by calling 01895 673 200.
I've had a bit of a crazy week. I've been getting Sunshine magazine off to press and sorting out final arrangements for Party in the Park. The magazine is available all over Hillingdon this week, so make sure you pick up your copy as this issue has a voucher for a free hot drink from the wonderful Café in the Park at Rickmansworth Aquadrome.
It's in libraries, shops, doctors' surgeries and both shopping centre info desks in Uxbridge, or you can call the Families Information Service on 0800 0734 800 and they will post you one.
But the most stressful part was another birthday. The big four-oh is looming fast and I'm trying not to think about it too much. To celebrate, I went to see the new Sex and the City film; I think I must have been the only mum in Hillingdon not to have seen it yet, as everyone I know has already been out for a girlie night to watch it. I thought it was brilliant - the clothes, the hairstyles, the shoes - it was two and a half hours of unadulterated girlie heaven!
The Sex and the City girls look just amazing as they always have and they inspired me to get back on the wagon with my diet. I've been eating rubbish during the past few weeks and have been putting the pounds back on.
My birthday present from my other half was a Wii Fit, a brilliant invention as an add-on to our Nintendo Wii. It looks like a 'step' from a step class but it's far cleverer. It weighs you, works out your BMI and then gives you exercises to do, from yoga and hula hoops to ski jumping!
It's great fun and if I could just get the rest of the family off it for five minutes, it might just help in my quest to get in shape.
* Cathy is editor of Sunshine, the community magazine for families living in Hillingdon. cathy@sunshinemagazine.co.uk
