For nearly two weeks, we’ve been looking after our niblings, a seven-year-old niece and a little fella who’s just turned four. That’s his dinosaur birthday cake in the photo. It’s been wonderful caring for them so their parents could enjoy their holiday, and we’ve (husband and I) learned loads. Especially about going on beach and forest walks, and watching them play. They love digging in the sand and splashing in the waves. Their routine is great too: we wake up early, have breakfast, wash and get them dressed, and then find something fun to keep them occupied during their holiday at ours. Preparing dinner has been interesting too. They always ask, “What’s for pudding?” which is a staple in England after dinner. Before nine, they get dressed for bed, brush their teeth, and we read them a bedtime story. The only downside has been the weather. Multiple yellow weather warnings kept rolling in during their stay, but tablets, TV, and Hot Wheels cars bought from Aldi kept them entertained. Their parents arrive tonight to pick them up and bring them home, and I’ll be saluting them because ‘their kids are alright’!

Auto-generated description: A realistic Tyrannosaurus rex model with sharp teeth and bright yellow eyes is positioned near a few round, textured objects.