Keeping two children of different ages occupied is a real art.

Over the Bank Holiday weekend we're taking Emily and Matthew to Chester Zoo.

We've had annual passes since Emily was a baby and she absolutely loves going there. Now that Matthew's on the scene, she, being the thoughtful big sister that she is, wants to introduce her little brother to the sights, sounds (and smells!) of the zoo.

I'm also taking Emily to the cinema for the first time (she's four), giving Louise some time at home to get some jobs done (looking after Matthew, of course).

I'm looking forward to the trip as much as Emily is, as cinema visits are something of a rarity these days.

I really want to see The Bourne Ultimatum, but I think Emily's a wee bit young for it.

So, I've been scanning the special kids' showings they do at the Odeon, and I've plumped for Open Season, an animated feature about a bear in America who enlists the help of a young girl to escape the barrels of hunters' rifles.

Sounds fun.

Emily and I have been having long discussions about the popcorn we're going to munch on during the film.

I've yet to explain to her cinema etiquette, such as not talking during the movie, or crunching too loudly on the popcorn.

I'm sure everything will go fine... (If not, you may read in the pages of the Warrington Guardian next week of the father ejected from the Odeon cinema. Watch this space.)