And the relaxation has started a-plenty. Little Madam has jetted off somewhere hot and sunny with my parents and my boys are in bed. I’ve got a glass of rather nice pink plonk and Katie Melua on the iPod. Bliss!

I’m making the most of it, because in about 3 weeks time I’ll be clobbered with several squillion GCSE exam papers to plough my way through, and they make you start believing that having all of your fingernails pulled out by a baboon with a pair of pliers would be preferable. However, the money at the end is nice, and seeing as I’ve spent it already, I don’t have much excuse for complaints really!

It looks like we’re going to be able to jiggle some of our respite care as well, and rather than getting a couple of hours on alternate Saturday afternoons, we’ll get a babysitter one night a month for the hubby and I to have some couple time together. We’re seizing the idea with relish, and have already booked tickets to see Kate Rubsy in September. Knowing our luck, social services will turn round and say they were just winding us up. Personally, I’m salivating right now at the idea of having dinner out, or going to the pub - or (perish the thought) being able to socialise with friends. Now there’s a novel idea.