Hi, it's daughter again. I have decided I quite like this column-writing lark.

Anyway, I need to keep out of the way. Mum and Dad are busy trying to carry lots of pebbles, which have been delivered to the outside of the front of the house.

They are carrying them in buckets down to the end of the back garden, where they are constructing a pebbled patio area.

There are three tonnes of pebbles altogether, which means it is taking them some hours to do it all.

I did help for a bit but it was too hard work for teenagers and I was worried I might break a nail or something.

This would, of course, be really serious, especially as I spent hours yesterday applying my new chrome-effect nail varnish.

I did try to sneak into the living room for a rest and to watch Nickelodeon on TV but Mum found me and switched the TV off while muttering about "family responsibilities" and "being big enough to help the adults these days".

Anyway, I said I was going to get changed and have managed to successfully escape any further notice by staying upstairs.

I feel my assistance is better rendered in the form of constructive criticism and help with choosing things like the new bench and big blue plant pots which Mum and I got last weekend.

We also got some really cool plants, although I couldn't talk Mum into buying the totally brilliant palm tree that would look really cool on the patio.

It was about £500, which Mum said was too much and she couldn't afford it.

I don't know why she didn't just write a cheque.

I thought that was what grown-ups did when they didn't have any money.

I can't wait until I'm old enough to get a chequebook.

Then I can go shopping every weekend, even when I am totally broke.

Anyway, the holidays continue.

Haven't done anything terribly exciting so far, although we did go to London shopping one weekend and that was quite good fun.

It was supposed to be to buy me some new school uniform because Mum had missed the uniform-selling day at school last month before we broke up.

I think she missed it because the letter telling her about it was in the bottom of my school bag but then I can't be expected to remember everything, can I?

After we had done the boring uniform shopping bit (I mean, who can get excited about a new green tracksuit?), we went round some of the more interesting shops and I spent some of my car boot sale profits on some new clothes, which, of course, I needed.

Mum made some sarcastic remarks about being surprised I had actually remembered to bring my purse with me for once.

I don't know what she meant - I am always happy to contribute.

This weekend we are going to take Sam the dog to a Scrufts dog show.

I am entering him into the handsomest dog and best trick categories.

I have been trying to teach him some new tricks in preparation but Mum said I was just confusing him and we should stick to the one trick, sitting and shaking paws, that he knows best.

I am sure he could learn much more than that in the next two days but I may have to carry out any additional training in secret.

I will let you know how he gets on.

Mum and Dad appear to have finished carrying the pebbles through and laying the patio area now.

I can see them sitting in chairs, having a rest.

I had better go and join them so I can point out a few bits they have missed.