Sol and Ruby at Christmas 22

A few long hours later Sol and Ruby got the call to say they were now Granny and Granpa ! Everyone went to the hospital. Spotty was wondering where he had put the baby manual, he had been meaning to read it for months. Stripey felt like she needed to sleep for a week. Ruby smiled, two polytunnels for the allotment and a lovely little granddaughter. It was the best Christmas ever !

Sol and Ruby at Christmas 20

There was a hive of activity in the house. Ruby was recovering nicely and baking in the kitchen with Nerys. There was just a slight worry, where were Spotty and Stripey ? They were due to come this afternoon, but she hadn't heard anything from them.

Sol and Ruby at Christmas 17

Meep and Munch were still staring at each other when Obie arrived carrying Spit, Bertie, the fieldmice and a load of old books. Bertie was feeling a bit sick as the mice had made him chew his way through the middle of the books, and now they were enacting a very cunning plan to replace the lost Christmas branch. Obie had retreated to Sol's shed with a nice packet of frozen oven chips.

Secret Story 11

Come to think of it, putting Clipboard's cousin Reginald in charge of the cake wasn't such a good idea. He's already quality controlled several of the icing flowers, fortunately round the back...

Secret story 10

The Mice had found Meep's secret stash of old fairground bunting to make their outfits, and as you can see they are very proud of them. Stripey's great Aunt knitted the jumpers for the boys, on sewing pins, very tricky...

Little Bun's makeovers 12

It turns out that this little Shrew has a fine tenor singing voice so it was obvious, he had to join a Barber Shop quartet. 

Little Bun's makeovers 11

I'm not even going to speculate on the gender of this little Shrew from Africa. It would seem that Little Bun decides. 

Underwater Adventures 14

Here's the whole scene...it's so busy under there !

Underwater Adventures 9

The sea horses were a little unsure about giving the mice a lift, but Clipboard assured them they were in safe hands and in no way would they use all the saddles and harnesses they had brought with them...

Flamenco Meeces

The mice were really enjoying the dancing, even Clipboard, whose dress was made of two cupcake cases.

The inventor Mice

The inventor Mice

Left to right :

Muscles, Squirt, Millie, Clipboard

Afterword

Minimeep had just finished reading The Evolution and History of Spottyland when Stripey said it was bedtime. Bertie bookworm eyed the volume, it looked really tasty. And so, the adventures continue...

Day 34

It is thought that by the Squeakoscene era (50,000 years ago) most of the inhabitants of Spottyland had begun evolving into their modern forms. We have already met the Proto Squirrel, here is a Sabre Toothed cat, an Eastern Small Fox, a giant field mouse, a Short Eared Rabbit,  and a fanged hedgehog. Fangs and sabre teeth were fashion accessories only.

The 100 day project

I'm going to take part in @elleluna 's #the100dayproject . It starts tomorrow and by way of introduction, here's Minimeep reading the book we will be looking at. The illustrated evolution and history of #spottyland  Including many colourful characters and wondrous things. Written in 1902 by Horace Singlebloom. 

A peaceful interlude...

Everyone was nice and clean now, Henry O'Hare had nearly finished hosing down the house and Spotty was talking berets to the field mice. 

On being an artist 4

Stripey eventually got Spotty to look out of the window. 

On being an artist part 3

Stripey looked out at what was going on in the garden with a certain amount of trepidation. Meep was just a bit concerned about the fact that she hadn't found any berets small enough for the field mice, otherwise they were ready. 

On being an artist part 2

Meep was getting miffed now. Spotty had been printing stupid Lino cuts for hours now and wasn't paying any attention to her. 

Unhedged !

Stripey wrapped Meep up in a nice blanket once she'd cleaned and bandaged Meep's cuts and grazes. Spotty made a nice cup of tea and little Bun brought over some cup cakes while the field mice said they were very, very sorry. Squirrel was glad to have his climbing gear back. So all's well in Spotty land...for now !

Stuck part 2

Spotty was absolutely furious with the field mice after he pulled the smouldering boots off Meep. Meep herself was still dazed. At least her feet were nice and warm, but she did wonder why Stripey was trying to pull her arms out of their sockets.