Saturday 2nd August 2008
The time has come for Tim to leave us. Rather than drive all the way back to Mum's and endure the drive back down to Devon again – which wiped me out last year – he has decided to take the train to visit his best friends in Milton Keynes then travel to Heathrow via Mum's. He has to get back to Hampshire to collect the luggage we left there and will also take the bulk of our shopping with him.
So I get to keep the car, which is essential in Devon. It also means I will have to deal with handing it back to the hire firm. But I'll cross that bridge later.
Anticipating a major meltdown from Rhiannon I have a Cunning Plan (yes, another one – I'm still not entirely convinced the Very Special Sneaky Surprise will happen for reasons that will become clear tomorrow…!)
For a while now, Rhiannon has been saying for quite some time she wants her hair cut. At first I was sceptical as she's always wanted "Princess Hair", but she kept going on about it so she obviously meant it. Her hair is extremely fine and wispy and will never be the long, golden curls she dreams of. Also, I think a shorter cut will suit her immensely. I heartily agree with her decision, but have been pretending I don't want her to have it cut, as I think this will be the perfect distraction to Daddy's leaving. Clever huh?!
We drop Tim off at Exeter St David's station in the morning and just as Rhiannon's tantrums and tears start, I said "So, shall we go and get your hair cut then?"
Instant success! Off to Toni and Guys we go and Rhiannon ended up with an absolutely gorgeous chin-length bob. She looked stunning and so grown up.
But I completely forgot to take a picture of her on the day it was done I was so busy trying to keep her mind off Daddy not being there. This one is after about a month of growth.
We did a bit of shopping. I caved and bought her a Nintendo DS - purely with an ulterior motive; the thought of having a super-hyper child on the 12 hour flight back to Tokyo is daunting to say the least. So I hope this gadget will alleviate her constant chatter. Then went out for a girly dinner and home to watch a movie.
BIG surprise for her tomorrow – I hope.
