The darkest hour is several hours before dawn

And Rob saw most of them. He spent 5-7 am approx napping on the sofa while Emer did whatever it is Emer does at these times. Then Linnea woke screaming and howling and I took her into my bed where she sobbed for ages, and once she was calmed down Emer came up to me, and I soothed her down to sleep, and Rob made me coffee and tucked Linnea up on the sofa with the telly (er).

She's still there.

Yesterday evening at the market was very exciting for both of them - face-painting and bobbing for apples and dressing up and whathaveyou - so I expect that's most of the problem. They got to bed unbelievably late, too.

Today I need to finish getting the guest room ready for my mother, which means dusting, tidying, hoovering, and making up the bed. Then I need to clear the girls' room so they have a pleasant place to play and sleep, which is easier than it might otherwise be. Then I need to, er, loads of stuff.

I need to check the weather forecast and see if I can hang the rest of the laundry. There's still snow on things outside; in the shade, it's about 1.5" deep. That's ok for laundry, but rain wouldn't be. It was almost dry before yesterday afternoon's rain.

Brr

Had shower, did hair, dressed in underwear, long socks, knitted top, wool jumper, jeans, knee-high fleece-lined boots, fingerless cycling gloves. Went into the snow to hang laundry, which included wrenching pegs from a frozen heap on the table, then breaking the ice off so they could be opened.

Emer has woken again and is refreshed; Linnea is still fairly miserable on the sofa. I phoned my mother to warn her about the temperature.

To do

( detailed list )