Long jump

Here are Aidan and Isabelle competing in the long jump. Each has two name tags and numbers attached to their backs (Aidan is competitor 1, Isabelle competitor 2). The start line is indicated by individual pieces of paper.

A present for Daddy

Birthday build up

It's Brendon's birthday soon, so the children are starting to think about what we may like to do. I asked Aidan what he might like to get Daddy:

"Daddy would like a gun from toyworld!"
"I think you would like a gun from toyworld, but what would Daddy like?"
"No, I think he really wants a gun from toyworld".
"Maybe some beer? Chocolate?"
"A gun! From toyworld!"

Aidan was also very impressed with Brendon's soon-to-be new age:

Relative: "And do you know how old Daddy will be?"
Brendon: "Fourteen!"
Aidan: "Fourteen! Wooooah! [as if this was SO OLD!] Then you'll be almost dying!"

The cake has also been discussed, with chocolate emerging as the clear favourite. The children are also warming to the idea of a treasure hunt.

Conversations with a toddler

As we left the house, I greeted the neighbour's dog.

Orla: Cat!
Me: Dog.
O: Cat
Me: Woof woof dog
O: Woof woof cat
Me: Woof woof dog, miaow miaow cat
O: Woof woof cat. Cat

This could probably have gone on for hours.

It reminded me of Willowbank, when Orla excitedly pointed at the capuchin monkeys saying "cat! cat!". How do you explain to a one year old that, yes, it is furry, and the right colour and size, and has a tail and a small head and is walking on all fours, but no it's not actually a cat?

Bounce bounce bounce

Nothing is cuter than toddler dancing.

Night milk

Orla has been very keen on increased night feeds lately - which unsurprisingly, I have been resisting! Her main method of persuasion has been sitting up and wailing, which is somewhat effective. Sometimes she refines her technique, rotating 180 degrees and thrashing about. The rotation is important - it puts heads and feet in close proximity.

Last night she refined her technique still further, by sitting on my head and wailing.

If nothing else, this was bound to get my attention.

Meat is good

1. Mince patties in burgers, shop-bought.
2. Falafel patties in burgers, shop-bought, hand-shaped.
3. Vegan homemade baked bean burgers.
4. Vegan homemade chickpea burgers.

"I like the dark ones Mummy that are not home made".

Happy Mothers' Day

y

The letter y is missing off my keyboard. I am still able to type it due to devious cut and paste technology.

It is amazing how often I need to use the letter y. Thank goodness it's not the e that is missing.

This is what happens when you allow your baby to watch Hi-5 at the computer. Orla bounces up and down highly excited, so it is hardly surprising that the inevitable crash occurred.

I'm sure it will turn up somewhere, sometime.

In the meantime, my typing speed is somewhat impaired.

And crazy things are happening to my fonts.....

Contents of a small boy's pocket

a.k.a. "look what just about went through the wash!".

Biscuits

One of our holiday activities was icing Girl Guide biscuits. Here are some of the results. The little hands you can see waiting to grab a biscuit are Orla's.