We're packing it in for the Isle Of Wight!

The Isle of Wight was a tonic. I feel rested and recharged, but quite depressed to be back in all honesty. Here's a couple of pics

Our flat was airy, simple but with plenty of stunning views!

The IOW has lots of cliffs. You spend time climbing plenty of these..

I don't recall seeing a sunset so vibrant as we did during our stay. The reds, oranges, mauves, turquoises were a marvel to look at. Obviously the photos never do things justice, natch.

The place is beautiful, the pace of life is something I could really do with right now. London seems cramped and hectic in comparison, everyone in a frantic rush getting to where the need to be. I get the impression the idea of moving has been in E's mind for a while before she ambushed me with it. My initial reaction was 'No!!!' but the more I chew over the idea the more it appeals.

More to come on this in the next few weeks. I'll be getting my thoughts in order so we can plan properly. I think E wants to move on the next ferry crossing, and looking at our pokey little house I cant entirely disagree with her!

A.

In the garden with li'l Blue Eyes

Diz enjoys some summer sunshine - Aug 2013

It didnt last long though. Those brilliant skies and bright sunshine have been replaced with concrete grey autumn vibes and rain. Lots of rain.. My mojo has fled with the warmth and I dream of hibernation in a warm, cozy cave.. or a holiday... if someone has some spare air fare and a sunlounger by a pool, please let me know.

 

Still, D continues to lighten up my day. 18 months old on Wednesday, she gets cuter and funnier every day. Even the tantrums are still cute (I wonder how long that lasts?) and I [mostly] have sympathy with her tears when she is upset. Is that normal??? Maybe it'll change by her teenage years....

 

Anyway, the family are away. I am at home with the cat and my To Do List for company. You know what it's like though. All those chores that need fixing get left when something more tempting comes calling. Like cricket on the radio. Or some really fascinating documentaries on the Internet. I would be writing a novel here on the dangers of procrastination but I'll get around to it tomorrow....

 

The kiddies have been a challenge at work recently. It seems they are ready to fly the nest to their 'Big Schools' and get more restless by the day. The laughs still come though, a four year old's sense of observation can sometimes be just as sharp as an adults with amusing results. I was discussing the Cebeebies show 'Magic Hands' with B the other day and he went to great lengths impersonating a deaf presenter signing. With hands fluttering like a tic tac man and tongue flapping like someone being electrocuted, he gave me the best laugh in weeks.

Diz and the 'terrible twos'

It seems she's entered them a few months early...

All those little things in the house she didn't notice? She does now. Cupboards are opened, cutlery ends up in places it shouldnt. In short, anything not nailed down has an invitation to be found in a new home.... it's just the way it goes I guess...

The sweet little girl we once knew now knows what she wants. And lets us know her disappointment when she doesn't get it.

D's meek little grumblings have now become lusty howls when a door is closed to her or something is taken from her grasp. It's like having a very angry seagull that starts calling out with minimal provocation. You'll hear sounds of contented bath play then suddenly pained screams break out. On closer inspection Diz will have chucked a toy out of the bath and be staring down at it. Tears streaming down the cheeks and a bereaved expression on the face.  

No supermarket faceplants yet (she can't walk unaided yet, thankfully), but she is growing into a feisty little girl who will hold her own in the world. And I can't wait to see how she grows up.

Still, she has her mother's and big bro's charm which impresses family and friends alike. At our wedding D was passed from friend to friend during the day like a prized pet for stroking and fussing over. She kept a sweet demeanour the whole day and didn't grumble even once. This weekend we visited my cousins and Diz was 'entertained' by a tween coterie who treated her with adulation most babies would tire of pretty quick. My daughter smiled sweetly and seemed to enjoy every moment of it.

So, tolerant little angel or pocket rocket? How will Diz turn out??

A.

The British Army enjoyed a trip in the old days..

More musings on being 'dad' and what I do.

Rushing off the chocolate ice-cream...seriously

17 months on and living with D is getting easier. More draining and chaotic, yes - but easier nonetheless. I remember in the earliest days after she arrived home from the hospital, wearily standing over her slumbering form like it was an unexploded bomb. Diz suffered from colic badly when tiny and most nights would howl herself into exhausted sleep about midnight. I'd be afraid that stepping on the wrong floorboard would be enough to trigger her but thankfully slumber proved to be deep. Most of the time that is..

Nowadays she is more little girl than wild animal. She laughs, stacks blocks and draws like the best of them. She sings and dances and does all those things that make Mum and Dad love her more than anything else in the world. Seriously, those who don't have kids will be stunned at the depth of affection that your own little ones draw from you. I certainly was, and continue to be till this day...

Meanwhile at work, I'll be losing the older kids to their schools at the start of September. I'll really miss them. I marvel at childrens' authenticity which is a pleasure compared to some jaded adult company you will encounter. After working in an office where women would spend most of the day moaning and eating snacks I have no regrets in what I do. The most challenging facet of working with my kids is negotiating with them fairly. It'd be easy to tell them to 'shut up!' or 'do as your told!' but I'd be doing none of us any favours. 

Would be out of a job sharpish too, I reckon!

A.

Asteroids dreams and what you do to your kids.

As a rule, I don't remember my dreams any more. That was until a couple of nights ago:

I am out in central London with a group of friends. We see a meteor flaming across the sky which impacts the ground nearby. The ground shakes and angry grey clouds start streaming in our direction. I remember feeling underwhelmed at this and slowly walk in the opposite direction to escape. Trouble is, another meteor appears in the sky and my demise seems covered from both directions! Once again, I am not too bothered at this and wake up soon after.

The dream dictionaries have an interesting take on what an 'asteroid' signifies. It's all symbolic, like something out of a David Lynch movie apparently. Dreammoods.com reckons: 

To see an asteroid in your dream represents a spiritual message from above.  You are about to be enlightened with some knowledge. Alternatively, it signifies a brainstorming of ideas and thoughts.  If the asteroid hits the earth, then it indicates that your idealistic notions are deteriorating or being shattered apart 

 Do I have an epiphany coming? Heck, do I have two epiphanies coming!??

In home news I realise that saying things to my kids for sh*ts and giggles can be counter-productive. I often ask X to do favours for me which he does willingly. Often though I offer him my 'love and respect' as payment. He is a fan of the tangible things in life and is seldom impressed by such an offer. On our walk in to school one morning I grab him one of those mini yogurt drinks for the journey. I tell him I have a surprise as we go out the door:

X: Is it a yogurt drink.... [pauses thoughtfully and adds] or your love and respect?

Me: Which one would you prefer?

X: The yogurt drink.

Either I am winding X up a little too much of late or I've devalued my affections in his mind. It makes me more mindful of how a parent can mess up their kids if they don't tread carefully. I'll try to be more mindful in future!

A.

One sore behind later..

I sit very carefully as I write this. Last thursday was operation day, and one pilonidal sinus removal later I'm still in a woozy haze. The nice hospital people plied me with some antibiotics and very handy painkillers and I've spent a few days on the couch watching Lost. Yesterday I had my bandages changed and drain removed, leaving me with what I can only call a 'Frankensteinian' operation wound at the top of my bottom. You gotta admire the neat and even workmanship but it even Diz made a grave comment when we all had a look last night.. something along the lines of 'Oh my God' in toddler speak...

The stitches are in till July 25th but the result is still nowhere close to these ones.