So today I lost the battle of which cuddly toy was coming with us to the shops. And, as predicted, she got fed up of carrying Emily Elephant within minutes, so that vital job has fallen to me. My “I told you so” is falling on deaf ears. She’s not bothered. She’s had her own way, and has managed to avoid the natural consequence of having to lug round an elephant that’s almost as big as she is. And me? Anything for a relatively stress free browse round the shops.

I choose my battles. This isn’t one of them.

The eagle eyed amongst you will have spotted a smaller Emily Elephant tucked up inside the bigger one’s dress. This was my main reason for not arguing about the relative merits of bringing the little one out instead of the big one.

“Baby Emily Elephant is in Mummy Emily Elephant’s tummy because she hasn’t been borned yet. And when the baby is born, the mummy will need to look after her so we have to bring the mummy because she can’t go without her baby.”

It would have been heartless to separate them really, and I’m all heart.