This afternoon, Ellie had a chat on the phone with two of her favourite friends, and listening to her one-sided conversation was hilarious. It reminded me of something from a Monty Python skit - full of absolute ridiculousness. I can't remember exactly what the conversation was about (something to do with a sleepover), but there was a great deal of giggling involved.

At one point, Ellie was just giggling so hard that she had a little "fluff" which made her laugh even harder. I think the plot of the whole conversation was well and truly lost by this time, as not long after Ellie came to me all dreamily, put her head on my arm and said, "Oh Mummy, I love a good chat with the girls!"

Amen to that, I reckon.

Sometimes, the only thing that gets us girls through a bad day is having a chat with a good friend. Someone else who can make sense of all the hormonal ups and downs, the emotional upheavals, the mothering joys and traumas, the "I really can't be bothered cooking, cleaning, washing, folding, ironing etc blahs", and someone who understands when you confess to eating the entire packet of Tim Tams (testify sister!!!).

Well, tonight I shall be downing a glass of very nice wine as a toast to all my wonderful friends - and praying that Ellie is lucky enough to hold onto her friends and be just as big a joy to them as they are to her.