Look out - the rugrats have arrived!

St Hippolyte

The cats have gone into hiding, the sweetie jar has been put out of sight, the valuables and breakables are nowhere to be seen.

This can only mean one thing. Jack, Leo and Riley with their parents in tow have arrived for a weeks visit.

Figgy has taken to his cat basket in our bedroom and hasn't come out all day (he never sleeps in a basket), Misty is under a hedge in the garden, or she was until Leo discovered her hiding place.

Only the neighbours cats seem sadly undisturbed by the heavy footed running, the football being kicked accidentally in their direction and Leo's attentive baby chatter in their faces all day long. Which is a shame really as we had hoped they would disappear when the boys arrived.

Poor Misty is even bothered by baby Riley's demands for milk and winding. She can't cope with the stress of motherhood.

We were going to have a birthday party for Figgy today, he's two years old. But we can't coax him, out of the bedroom, not even for a Whiskas cheesy treat!