23rd March
Feel less than optimistic about home learning, as we are told to call it. Vicky's teachers have pronounced her A Little Dear but recall similar sentiments from Mademoiselle and saw little evidence of this quality at home. Have received missive from Vicky's school to say "we will be providing home learning materials, please check the school website".
So far I have uncovered one link to four reading books. Fear this will by no means be sufficient judging by previous reading diary indicating that The Little Dear reads at least one early reader a day. Fears allayed by early afternoon when Vicky has entirely refused to read anything beyond the first page of one book. Vicky has, instead, demanded endless games of Ludo, and Robin is mysteriously busy. Sigh deeply and oblige, but on the proviso that she reads a second page of her reading book before we play another game.
Robin claims he has nothing to do but on further investigation find a Maths assignment, an English test and a science project that asks him to create a volcano with easily available materials at home. Am not sure where these materials will come from (Cook has forbidden the use of her bicarb). Answer comes there none.
Robert has promised he will Do His Duty and take on Maths (I do feel I somehow missed the natural ability for numbers that he seems to have. Wonder if it is unfeminine to have a facility for numbers. Wonder if I am unpatriotic to my sex to think this). Vicky counts the forks at lunch (query: why are there always more forks than knives in the silver drawer? Make mental note to search for knives) and Robert declares Well Done and appears to feel the matter is closed.
Suggest a Splendid Walk. Discover this is the best way of ensuring I have peace to write. Instead of writing, I make lists for Cook of what to ask the milkman to deliver (as the milkman is Coming Up Trumps and has promised to continue to deliver). Vainly hope he may be able to bring flour. Cook tells me the milkman Doesn't Do Flour, and there isn't any to be had in any case.
Robert offers to take the children for a walk, but this offer appears to be about as substantial as his promise to Do Maths. The milkman has not yet delivered any of the promised delights, so it is Cold Roast for dinner.
Note that both children are now enthusiastic at washing their hands. Attempt to speculate on how years of reminders at home has failed to instil this habit despite reminders before every meal. Decide speculation useless, unless the reason is linked to Mademoiselle's characterisation of Vicky as Charmante. Recall with some satisfaction the perfect behaviour of Robin's school friends while visiting when their parents appear careworn and harassed upon retrieving them. Feel sure there is a proverb in there, if only I could recall it.
At bedtime, Vicky charmingly asks "Mummie, if you die from the virus, can I have your silver hairbrush". Desire to quash such morbid thoughts battles with feeling of dread. Settle for "Off to bed now", which has always proved to be a useless direction, I find, but an alternative does not present itself.
Wish I could visit Rose, as was planned for tomorrow evening. Telephone calls are emphatically NOT as satisfactory.