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.

Wedding Day..or a new anniversary date not to forget!

Weybridge Register Office 27th June

We're back to a semblance of normality today. The presents are opened (your generosity simply humbles me, thank you), E stacks up the surnames on facebook (hopefully she'll stop now at 3!), the washing up left unloved in the sink begs for attention and eyes start turning towards work on Monday. This brings me to a few quick post wedding thoughts:

What a day! Much love and well wishing at the Register Office and the reception after. When the Registrar was doing her thing I could just feel the vibes of positivity coming off those gathered, it was almost tangible. To those who are unmarried, it's a mentally draining gig! I awoke only mildly hungover the morning after but spent the whole day feeling like a conversational vegetable. Heck, a few days on and  I still feel a bit funny.

Today meant a work day so I was hanging out with my kids - they behaved with a decorum I really didn't expect. No outbursts, histrionics, arguments, nothing! Their wedding present to me perhaps, who knows?? I have another week off (operation on Thursday) so hopefully life as usual will return at that point... albeit feeling like a branded bull that is!

Details to come next time,

Alex