prickly

The kids went out into the garden while I started to make dinner. Digi ran in and said, "I've found a porcupine. Come look! It's a real one!" Now, I'm used to the boy's vivid imagination so I followed him half expecting a pile of leaves or something he had created. He pointed to a pile of leaves but on top of the leaves was a hedgehog. I squeaked with excitement, "Digi it's not a porcupine, it's a hedgehog!"
I ran to get my camera and some gloves.



At first I thought maybe the cats had dragged the poor hedgehog or "Mr Hedgehog" as Digi called him, from his hiding place. As soon as I touched him though, he curled up even tighter and his prickles prickled even more. After a minute or so he started to unfurl and I could see something wasn't quite right with his mouth. He had a gigantic swollen tongue sticking out. Poor Mr Hedgehog was not well. I phoned the local hedgehog hotline aka Nik and asked him to do some quick research. Hedgies are creatures of the night so the fact that he had a gigantic tongue and he was out during the day seemed to be a cry for help. I put him in a basket and called the vet. They have a nurse there who has a special interest in hedgehogs so Nik is currently sitting in the waiting room with two kids and one Mr Hedgehog. He just phoned because the vet asked him if they could help Mr H if we would like to nurse him back to health and then release him. Nik was unsure about this so he rang and told me the kids were calling Mr H OUR hedgehog. I told him we really had no choice and I'd be happy to look after Mr H until he is better. Hopefully he has just taken a bite out of bumblebee or something. Digi said to me before he left, "How many pets do we have now mummy?" I listed 2 cats, 6 fish, and 5 chickens. He said, "and one ladybird." Oh crap. He had brought a ladybird into the house about a week ago and I had told him the ladybird needed food to stay alive. He put some grass in a cup and put it on his work desk. I forgot to let the ladybird back outside so when I went to his desk and took the lid off the cup, I was very surprised to see one live ladybird. Digi seemed fine about me setting it free so it could eat.
Kalila went outside and exclaimed she had found another hedgehog. I had to go look just in case. It was a large piece of moss that had fallen off the roof but if you squinted, it did resemble a hedgehog. So we'll see if we have an extra mouth to feed when Nik gets home. Secretly I'd quite like to look after a hedgehog for a week or two.

In other news, I applied for a grant for Digi and Kalila's pre school and it came through. Heart 103 has given us £2000 and we are spending it on new carpets, paint, a fab set of library furniture, and a bookcase. I'm really really pleased to be able to make a difference to the play group, which is a registered charity. They have been so fantastic with our children and it's nice to boost their morale and let them know how much they are valued in the community.
We were picking out carpets today and they almost went with one called Indigo but it was too dark. I've been on a high since Saturday when I received the letter.

Plus Alan and his handy hands built our chooks an extension. They can't wander the garden unattended as Bam has decided he wants to eat one. He unlocked the cat door and made a beeline for Lester Corncrake. Poor thing escaped luckily. Bam was in my bad books. he can't be trusted around chickens. So now they are safe and happy.



And finally, I got asked to quote for another large job at Wimpole Hall Farm. I do hope I get it. I's like to put this money towards Nik taking a week of Parental Leave. it's the last year he can take unpaid leave for Digi as it only goes up to when a child is 5 years old. It's hard to believe Digi is starting big school in September. Tomorrow he has an hour in the reception classroom at his primary school. he is going to meet the teachers and have a craft activity hour. The parents wait outside! After the Easter break, they will be invited to the library each Thursday for story time with the reception teachers and teaching assistants. They are very good about getting children familiar with the people they will be working with when they make the transition from little to big school.

This week, it's gonna be a good one.