I'm typing this very gingerly today. My hands are so raw I feel like Freddie Krueger gave me a high five.
To explain (probably best I do) I need to recount the events of last night. It was my turn to collect Luca from nursery, so after the usual stock car rally-esque experience of driving through rush hour traffic to Inverurie I made it with seconds to spare (I play the "Mission Impossible" soundtrack on the car stereo as I get near). Luca grinned at a tetchy and perspiring Dad as I walked in and showed his affection by inadvertantly headbutting me as I picked him up.
After a quick trip home for tea ("Luca no eat soup, Luca wants chocolate") we took Sima down to a local park for a runaround. It also made a nice change away from Luca's burgeoning television addiction.
I'm not sure who burned off the most energy, the demented puppy or the Duracell toddler. Luca must have been on the vodka and red bull at nursery again as he was completely unstoppable as he charged around the park. We were there for over half an hour and he didn't stop running once.
The "drama" occurred when I decided it was time to get the wee man home. As we walked toward the edge of the park he had a naughty moment and started running toward the busy road. I hesitated for a second before realising he was showing no signs of stopping. Blind panic took over as I sprinted full pelt toward him - he was 20 yards ahead with onlly 5 yards left until he hit the road. I broke Usain Bolts record as I caught him up only to find my relief at this instantly replaced by a secondary panic. As I tried to slow down and grab him the ground gave way underneath my feet and I watched, almost in slow motion, as both legs left the ground. Luca became a blur behind me as my back side hit the floor, followed quickly by my hands. My forward momentum took me out onto the busy road as my hands desperately tried to grip the pavement. Thankfully I was able to stop and drag myself back onto the pavement just before the next batch of traffic zoomed past.
As I sat on the pavement inspecting my bloodied and shaking hands Luca sauntered up beside me. His game of running toward the road had ended when his Dad did his "drunk Superman" impression. He looked at me wincing, put his hand on my shoulder and announced "Daddy's got an owey"
After learning a few new swear words from his Dad we made our way back into the park where he, rather sweetly to be fair, sat alongside me as I tried to remove the worst of the grit and stones from the inside of my hand.
It was at this point he heard noises coming from the adjacent football pitch. "What's that noise Daddy?" he enquired. "Football" I muttered, "You don't like football". "Luca likes football" he retorted. I stared quizzically at him, remembering all the times he's whined at me when I've put "Sky Sports" on the TV. "OK then" I eventually said "Do you want to go and watch?". "Yes, lets go!" he shouted before grabbing the sorest part of my hand and dragging me toward the sound of the game.
Unbelievably he loved it. We were there for quite some time and he watched the match intently. "Come on" he shouted frequently (I think he heard one of the coaches shout this) "Score!". He actually seems to understand the point of the game too, as he excitedly (and without prompting) shouted "Goal!" when the team in red scored.
I don't think his Mum was too pleased as we returned home long after his bedtime. He regaled her with his experience as she tried to calm him down for bed. Thankfully he'd charmed her by the time his head went down to sleep, so we settled down with a nice movie - "The Killing Room". A rather nasty phsychological horror, and as the title suggested it (like Ronseal) did exactly what it said on the tin.
**Useless fact of the day - A female ferret can die if she goes into heat and cannot find a mate**
Wednesday, 30 September 2009
Monday, 28 September 2009
Monday 28th September 2009
Merry Christmas in 12 weeks time!
As the festive season rapidly approaches so does the inclemental weather. My gloves and wooly hat got an airing as I dragged the shivering dogs to the park before work this morning. Most surprisingly though was the change in visibility - for the first time since last winter it was still dark as we sauntered up the road. This seemed to play the most havoc with Sima who somehow got herself lost in the middle of a public park! Isis and I stood and watched her desperately scuttle round in circles looking for us. My Mr Magoo-alike puppy may struggle through what will predictably be a cold, dark and dank Scottish winter.
Thankfully the weather wasn't quite as dull on Friday and Saturday night as Carole and I ventured on respective nights out. Good fun, although my night was a little odd. Is it just me or do people seem to become ever more eccentric after the age of 30?
Luca offered little respite to his weary parents however. It appears he has found a reliable drug dealer as it can only be cocaine that's keeping him as buzzed as he presently is. He's a real livewire just now, and although very obedient seems to be testing us just now. The word "Why?" has reached his vocaularly and he's using it with great abandon.
"Luca, eat your pasta"
"Why?"
"Because it's good for you"
"Why?"
"Because it is! Anyway, if you don't finish it you won't get your yoghurt"
"Why?"
And so on, you probably get the picture. The worst part is the slightly demented grin he gives as he delivers his line - he knows he's winding you up and takes great pleasure in doing so.
Luca's also started to test his own physicality more which gratifyingly is more satisfying. He's always been very cautious ("Look Mummy, Luca's being careful" being an oft repeated line) but he seems to throw himself about with less regard for his safety now.
And I'm happy with this? I'm a bad dad.
Luca jumps and bounces from ever increasing heights now, and clambers over his parents like a monkey. The former is amusing mainly due to the slight delay he shows on landing as he checks he hasn't hurt himself (!), although the latter offers more consternation. I love it and have evolved the grappling into a slight variation on Pro Wrestling but his Mum has more trouble. She hurt her back recently, and this allied with his burgeoning weight (I think he and his Uncle Ross are having a contest) means she regularly calls out in pain while desperately trying to offload our human sack of potatoes onto me!
I forgot to mention something last week. Not like me, I know, but on Wednesday when I told him we were going to Banchory to see his Granny Jo he excitedly blurted out "And Uncle Craig and Aunt Kelly?". He looked rather sad when he realised they wouldn't be there.
True story. Apart from the fact he actually said "Unk Caig and Ant Kewwy" but close enough.
I must pass an honourable mention to the horror movie we watched last night. It was called "Wrong Turn 2" and for those with any enthusiasm for gore-fests it must come highly recommended. In the many years I've now know Carole I've rarely seen her affacted by them. This one proved a step too far as she turned to me at movie end and declared "I feel really quite queasy now"
**Useless fact of the day - Recent fossil finds in Alaska and Australia are raising questions about how the dinosaurs could have survived winters near the North and South Poles**
As the festive season rapidly approaches so does the inclemental weather. My gloves and wooly hat got an airing as I dragged the shivering dogs to the park before work this morning. Most surprisingly though was the change in visibility - for the first time since last winter it was still dark as we sauntered up the road. This seemed to play the most havoc with Sima who somehow got herself lost in the middle of a public park! Isis and I stood and watched her desperately scuttle round in circles looking for us. My Mr Magoo-alike puppy may struggle through what will predictably be a cold, dark and dank Scottish winter.
Thankfully the weather wasn't quite as dull on Friday and Saturday night as Carole and I ventured on respective nights out. Good fun, although my night was a little odd. Is it just me or do people seem to become ever more eccentric after the age of 30?
Luca offered little respite to his weary parents however. It appears he has found a reliable drug dealer as it can only be cocaine that's keeping him as buzzed as he presently is. He's a real livewire just now, and although very obedient seems to be testing us just now. The word "Why?" has reached his vocaularly and he's using it with great abandon.
"Luca, eat your pasta"
"Why?"
"Because it's good for you"
"Why?"
"Because it is! Anyway, if you don't finish it you won't get your yoghurt"
"Why?"
And so on, you probably get the picture. The worst part is the slightly demented grin he gives as he delivers his line - he knows he's winding you up and takes great pleasure in doing so.
Luca's also started to test his own physicality more which gratifyingly is more satisfying. He's always been very cautious ("Look Mummy, Luca's being careful" being an oft repeated line) but he seems to throw himself about with less regard for his safety now.
And I'm happy with this? I'm a bad dad.
Luca jumps and bounces from ever increasing heights now, and clambers over his parents like a monkey. The former is amusing mainly due to the slight delay he shows on landing as he checks he hasn't hurt himself (!), although the latter offers more consternation. I love it and have evolved the grappling into a slight variation on Pro Wrestling but his Mum has more trouble. She hurt her back recently, and this allied with his burgeoning weight (I think he and his Uncle Ross are having a contest) means she regularly calls out in pain while desperately trying to offload our human sack of potatoes onto me!
I forgot to mention something last week. Not like me, I know, but on Wednesday when I told him we were going to Banchory to see his Granny Jo he excitedly blurted out "And Uncle Craig and Aunt Kelly?". He looked rather sad when he realised they wouldn't be there.
True story. Apart from the fact he actually said "Unk Caig and Ant Kewwy" but close enough.
I must pass an honourable mention to the horror movie we watched last night. It was called "Wrong Turn 2" and for those with any enthusiasm for gore-fests it must come highly recommended. In the many years I've now know Carole I've rarely seen her affacted by them. This one proved a step too far as she turned to me at movie end and declared "I feel really quite queasy now"
**Useless fact of the day - Recent fossil finds in Alaska and Australia are raising questions about how the dinosaurs could have survived winters near the North and South Poles**
Wednesday, 23 September 2009
Thursday 24th September 2009
Just a selection of photo's today, some taken over the last day or two while others when Grandma Liz was here. Below each is what Luca was (possibly) thinking at the time.
"Luca's got too much sugar inside. Can you see I'm excited? Can you? CAN YOU?"
"Luca's going to thrust his hand into the middle of the cake"
"Luca needs munchies now...."
"Daddy, what's constipation?"
"Luca's hands were cold. Much better now"
Talking of his winkie (I will stop referring to it after this, I promise) his potty training is going through a rather variable period. He had an accident at his Granny Jo's yesterday which left us with a pleasantly aroma'd poo glued to the seat of his white Iggle Piggle pants. Contrarily, at home he's almost perfect and even often sits on the toilet instead of his potty too.
Indeed, we're now even at the stage where I'm trying to train him to pee while standing up. Admittedly though, the word trying is all important. He stands and watches intently as I demonstrate but as yet is objecting to attempting it himself. "Daddy's having a wee!" he'll exclaim excitedly, "Splash down in the toilet". "Would Luca like to try?" I'll ask after finishing. "No" he'll reply immediately every time while giving me that glare he's replicated from his Mother......
**Useless fact of the day - A manned rocket can reach the moon in less time than it used to take to travel the length of England by stagecoach**
"Luca's got too much sugar inside. Can you see I'm excited? Can you? CAN YOU?"
"Luca's going to thrust his hand into the middle of the cake"
"Luca needs munchies now...."
"Daddy, what's constipation?"
"Luca's hands were cold. Much better now"
I know I shouldn't have mentioned where his hands are, but at least it's proof positive (if any was needed) that he's no longer a baby but a young boy.....
Talking of his winkie (I will stop referring to it after this, I promise) his potty training is going through a rather variable period. He had an accident at his Granny Jo's yesterday which left us with a pleasantly aroma'd poo glued to the seat of his white Iggle Piggle pants. Contrarily, at home he's almost perfect and even often sits on the toilet instead of his potty too.
Indeed, we're now even at the stage where I'm trying to train him to pee while standing up. Admittedly though, the word trying is all important. He stands and watches intently as I demonstrate but as yet is objecting to attempting it himself. "Daddy's having a wee!" he'll exclaim excitedly, "Splash down in the toilet". "Would Luca like to try?" I'll ask after finishing. "No" he'll reply immediately every time while giving me that glare he's replicated from his Mother......
**Useless fact of the day - A manned rocket can reach the moon in less time than it used to take to travel the length of England by stagecoach**
Monday, 21 September 2009
Monday 21st September 2009
What have I forgotten to do since my last blog? Add photo's. I'm sorry, and indeed our digital camera's are liteally overflowing with Luca grins and grimaces.
The latter being more prevalent obviously.....
His face is calming quite rapidly after the latest laser treatment, and I suspect this session will show the greatest improvement yet. Indeed, even in the 5 days since the operation he's evolved from "cheetah" to "pseudolithos miguirtinus"
Sorry, was that a bit vague? Pseudolithos miguirtinus is a plant that has very faint spots on it's inner and outer corolla. Although I doubt when Luca looks in the mirror he'll now say "Luca's a pseudolithos miguirtinus"
He's been a good boy though. I picked him up from his Granny and Granda's house on Friday night, and as I hadn't seen him for a couple of days fully expected a warm welcome. Yes, I am delusional.
We bid a brief adieu to Granny and an (unsurprisingly) fast asleep Uncle Ross before driving home. My hopes of listening to the weekend football preview on the radio as we made our way along the windy roads was rendered impossible. Shorty insisted on exercising his vocal chords, so rather than find out who was playing in goals for Aberdeen the following day I instead found out that this old man gave his dog a bone.
Saturday was quiet, Carole went to her class while Luca and I took a stroll into town. He loves this, as do I as it wears the hyperactive tasmanian devil out a little. By the time we caught a bus home (his legs eventually gave up on him) his head was starting to wobble somewhat.
On Sunday we had to skip Church as I had to go to work. Not the best timing either, as I was sick that morning - looks like I've caught a little of what the dogs had. Around mid-morning Luca came upstairs and proceeded to force me out of bed. "Wake up Daddy" he hollered while standing two inches from my face "It's time to get up Daddy". I began to rouse myself before hurriedly quickening the pace when he announced "Luca's going to bounce on Daddy now"
After a quick moan and search for sympathy (none were forthcoming) I drove to the office with Sima as my companion. Luca's previously come in with me but wasn't greatly keen on the surroundings. Thankfully my tasks were brief and I was able to get home quickly, from where I fell asleep in front of the football on TV. Luca's nap was well timed and he joined me in the land of nod while Carole spent the afternoon online completing a job application.
The role Carole's going for is still within Aberdeenshire Council and is actually for the job she used to do before Luca came along. The online system seems to be full of bugs though, and as such I could hear Carole muttering "Sugar" and "Flips sake" over and over. At least I think that's what she was saying......
Finally, as promised to Lucy when I met her online on Facebook on Saturday, I will set up the camera on the computer again. Although I can't guarantee you'll see Luca on this. With the PC being in the loft Luca is highly reluctant to venture up as "there's dinosaurs up there"
**Useless fact of the day - The oldest known dinosaurs stretch back 230 million years**
The latter being more prevalent obviously.....
His face is calming quite rapidly after the latest laser treatment, and I suspect this session will show the greatest improvement yet. Indeed, even in the 5 days since the operation he's evolved from "cheetah" to "pseudolithos miguirtinus"
Sorry, was that a bit vague? Pseudolithos miguirtinus is a plant that has very faint spots on it's inner and outer corolla. Although I doubt when Luca looks in the mirror he'll now say "Luca's a pseudolithos miguirtinus"
He's been a good boy though. I picked him up from his Granny and Granda's house on Friday night, and as I hadn't seen him for a couple of days fully expected a warm welcome. Yes, I am delusional.
We bid a brief adieu to Granny and an (unsurprisingly) fast asleep Uncle Ross before driving home. My hopes of listening to the weekend football preview on the radio as we made our way along the windy roads was rendered impossible. Shorty insisted on exercising his vocal chords, so rather than find out who was playing in goals for Aberdeen the following day I instead found out that this old man gave his dog a bone.
Saturday was quiet, Carole went to her class while Luca and I took a stroll into town. He loves this, as do I as it wears the hyperactive tasmanian devil out a little. By the time we caught a bus home (his legs eventually gave up on him) his head was starting to wobble somewhat.
On Sunday we had to skip Church as I had to go to work. Not the best timing either, as I was sick that morning - looks like I've caught a little of what the dogs had. Around mid-morning Luca came upstairs and proceeded to force me out of bed. "Wake up Daddy" he hollered while standing two inches from my face "It's time to get up Daddy". I began to rouse myself before hurriedly quickening the pace when he announced "Luca's going to bounce on Daddy now"
After a quick moan and search for sympathy (none were forthcoming) I drove to the office with Sima as my companion. Luca's previously come in with me but wasn't greatly keen on the surroundings. Thankfully my tasks were brief and I was able to get home quickly, from where I fell asleep in front of the football on TV. Luca's nap was well timed and he joined me in the land of nod while Carole spent the afternoon online completing a job application.
The role Carole's going for is still within Aberdeenshire Council and is actually for the job she used to do before Luca came along. The online system seems to be full of bugs though, and as such I could hear Carole muttering "Sugar" and "Flips sake" over and over. At least I think that's what she was saying......
Finally, as promised to Lucy when I met her online on Facebook on Saturday, I will set up the camera on the computer again. Although I can't guarantee you'll see Luca on this. With the PC being in the loft Luca is highly reluctant to venture up as "there's dinosaurs up there"
**Useless fact of the day - The oldest known dinosaurs stretch back 230 million years**
Wednesday, 16 September 2009
Wednesday 16th September 2009
No photo's, these will follow later today or tomorrow. At present I'm just jotting details of Luca's hospital appointment from yesterday while it's fresh in my mind.
After a fitful nights sleep caused by the puppy diarrhea-ing under the bed as we slept - trust me, you haven't lived until you've been awoken by the aroma of a sick dogs wet poo - we got up early to pack Luca full of food in preparation for the long day ahead. As any surgery dictates the patient can't eat 6 hours before we tried to entice him to eat as much as possible.
Of course, Luca's natural contrary ways meant he ate like a sparrow. Toast? "No like". Eggs? "No want". Cereal? "No Daddy, Luca's watching telly now"
We eventually loaded the worlds bossiest toddler into the car and made tracks for Livingston Hospital. The radio got little use throughout as Luca's Charlie & Lola and Bill Oddie storybook CD's took precedence. I think they may be "lost" before our next journey.
We arrived in perfect time for our appointment only to be faced with the grimly familiar tale that they were running behind schedule. Fortunately Luca's older woman was already there, a 6 year old by the name of Tiegan. We've met her and her parents at previous sessions, and Luca rather enjoys her attentions - sly old dog
Eventually we got called in, and Luca was laid down on a bed to be put to sleep. He's previously sat atop our knee's but (as he tells us often) he's a big boy now!
We had barely taken our seats back in the waiting room before we were called back through. The surgery itself only takes a minute or so, but usually the gas has him knocked out for about 15 minutes. However, he must have woken within a minute or two of the surgery ending! He was bouncing when I went through to see him, even much more than normally. I had to grip him tightly until his Mum got through. His head was lolling around and he couldn't stand but was still desperate to run and play!
Thankfully he'd calmed a little by the time we got back to the car and essentially spent the entire return journey eating. Sandwich, banana, coconut bar, jelly sweets, chocolate, crisps, another banana.....He eventually turned to me (I sat in the back seats with him) and said "Luca's got a sore tummy"
"Never" I replied
He zonked out for the last hour of the journey with a chocolate coloured face and grumbling belly, finally allowing Carole and I to take stock. His face isn't as badly affected this time as the previous two sessions, and there's a chance our next appointment could be the last. For that one we'll have a meeting with the surgeon to discuss the results. There's even a chance they may not operate on him. We'll take the experts advice, but the final choice will be ours. I'll have to take into account what his face looks like at that point, as well as whether Carole can take any more too. His Mum naturally finds it difficult.
Luca, however, is as laid back as an upside down turtle. He looked at himself in the mirror as he brushed his teeth last night. A smile crept up those cheeks as he glanced up at me and proudly declared "Luca's a cheetah again!"
As promised I will post photo's later and won't forget as per normal.
Forget what?
**Useless fact of the day 1 - Luca's going to miss his Aunt Kelly and Uncle Craig and doesn't want them to live in Australia**
**Useless fact of the day 2 - Guilt trips are always best served with the assistance of children**
After a fitful nights sleep caused by the puppy diarrhea-ing under the bed as we slept - trust me, you haven't lived until you've been awoken by the aroma of a sick dogs wet poo - we got up early to pack Luca full of food in preparation for the long day ahead. As any surgery dictates the patient can't eat 6 hours before we tried to entice him to eat as much as possible.
Of course, Luca's natural contrary ways meant he ate like a sparrow. Toast? "No like". Eggs? "No want". Cereal? "No Daddy, Luca's watching telly now"
We eventually loaded the worlds bossiest toddler into the car and made tracks for Livingston Hospital. The radio got little use throughout as Luca's Charlie & Lola and Bill Oddie storybook CD's took precedence. I think they may be "lost" before our next journey.
We arrived in perfect time for our appointment only to be faced with the grimly familiar tale that they were running behind schedule. Fortunately Luca's older woman was already there, a 6 year old by the name of Tiegan. We've met her and her parents at previous sessions, and Luca rather enjoys her attentions - sly old dog
Eventually we got called in, and Luca was laid down on a bed to be put to sleep. He's previously sat atop our knee's but (as he tells us often) he's a big boy now!
We had barely taken our seats back in the waiting room before we were called back through. The surgery itself only takes a minute or so, but usually the gas has him knocked out for about 15 minutes. However, he must have woken within a minute or two of the surgery ending! He was bouncing when I went through to see him, even much more than normally. I had to grip him tightly until his Mum got through. His head was lolling around and he couldn't stand but was still desperate to run and play!
Thankfully he'd calmed a little by the time we got back to the car and essentially spent the entire return journey eating. Sandwich, banana, coconut bar, jelly sweets, chocolate, crisps, another banana.....He eventually turned to me (I sat in the back seats with him) and said "Luca's got a sore tummy"
"Never" I replied
He zonked out for the last hour of the journey with a chocolate coloured face and grumbling belly, finally allowing Carole and I to take stock. His face isn't as badly affected this time as the previous two sessions, and there's a chance our next appointment could be the last. For that one we'll have a meeting with the surgeon to discuss the results. There's even a chance they may not operate on him. We'll take the experts advice, but the final choice will be ours. I'll have to take into account what his face looks like at that point, as well as whether Carole can take any more too. His Mum naturally finds it difficult.
Luca, however, is as laid back as an upside down turtle. He looked at himself in the mirror as he brushed his teeth last night. A smile crept up those cheeks as he glanced up at me and proudly declared "Luca's a cheetah again!"
As promised I will post photo's later and won't forget as per normal.
Forget what?
**Useless fact of the day 1 - Luca's going to miss his Aunt Kelly and Uncle Craig and doesn't want them to live in Australia**
**Useless fact of the day 2 - Guilt trips are always best served with the assistance of children**
Tuesday, 8 September 2009
Tuesday 8th September 2009
My severe lack of blog related activity of late will be attributed to Liz's stay with us - which ended today. Carole and Luca dropped her off at the train station just after 9am today and she'll (hopefully) be arriving home just as I hit the full stop key.
I think Luca's going to miss her. Almost every morning during her stay he's been up earlier than normal (usually between 6 and 6.30am) and walked out his room to find her. Carole and I continue to pretend to sleep as we hear Grandma's bedroom door being knocked while he booms out "I've had a nice sleep - wake up Grandma"!
Luckily she thinks it's cute (whereas any early awakening is far from cute in my eyes!) and has no objections as he bounds onto her bed with a selection of books to be read. This morning was a prime example. As I stumbled past Grandma's bedroom Luca spotted me and shouted "Did you have a nice sleep Daddy?". I replied to the affirmative and asked if he had too. "I did Daddy, was a good sleep". He then followed this by gripping his Grandma firmly by the shoulder while staring into her eyes and asked "Did you have a good sleep too Grandma?"
You had to be there........
Luca's spent - predictably - much of his time with his Grandma during her stay, although we have felt a little sorry for her on the occasions where she's been under assault (not literally) from both Grandson and Jack Russell. They both can be a little excitable - we perhaps need to stock up on the valium for both mini canine and mini homo-sapien.
Sima - of whom we were previously proud for being the only Jack Russell that doesn't nip - has over the past week developed a tendency to jump up from behind and bite your bottom. Not sore, but our house has become awash with high pitched "ow" noises when she enters these excitable moods.
What have we done while Liz has been here? Other than worn her out? We've taken her on train trips, into Aberdeen, to church, to flower shows, etc, etc. We've also had movie nights most nights accompanied by various burnt meals (I wasn't on form). Some of the films were of similar quality to the meals - the Nicholas Cage thriller "Next", in particular, surely destroyed a good few brain cells with an utterly moronic storyline.
I must clarify, however, the quality of the meals cooked by Carole and Liz. My life won't be worth living if I don't......In all seriousness the remnants of the sponge cake baked by Liz yesterday will without question be devastated by me immediately upon arrival home tonight.
Carole and I also took advantage of the free in-house babysitter on Friday night and abandoned ship for the evening. We ventured into Aberdeen to watch "District 9" at the cinema. Brilliant film on many levels, could be enjoyed as a clever allegory of apartheid or simply enjoyed as a "crash-bang" sci-fi epic. Curiously Carole particularly enjoyed translating all the South African swear words into English for me!
A lot else has happened, but due to my ever burdgeoning Mother-esque memory details would be hazy!
**Useless fact of the day - Astronauts on the first American space station (Skylab) grew 1.5 - 2.25 inches (3.8 - 5.7 centimeters) due to spinal lengthening and straightening as a result of zero gravity**
I think Luca's going to miss her. Almost every morning during her stay he's been up earlier than normal (usually between 6 and 6.30am) and walked out his room to find her. Carole and I continue to pretend to sleep as we hear Grandma's bedroom door being knocked while he booms out "I've had a nice sleep - wake up Grandma"!
Luckily she thinks it's cute (whereas any early awakening is far from cute in my eyes!) and has no objections as he bounds onto her bed with a selection of books to be read. This morning was a prime example. As I stumbled past Grandma's bedroom Luca spotted me and shouted "Did you have a nice sleep Daddy?". I replied to the affirmative and asked if he had too. "I did Daddy, was a good sleep". He then followed this by gripping his Grandma firmly by the shoulder while staring into her eyes and asked "Did you have a good sleep too Grandma?"
You had to be there........
Luca's spent - predictably - much of his time with his Grandma during her stay, although we have felt a little sorry for her on the occasions where she's been under assault (not literally) from both Grandson and Jack Russell. They both can be a little excitable - we perhaps need to stock up on the valium for both mini canine and mini homo-sapien.
Sima - of whom we were previously proud for being the only Jack Russell that doesn't nip - has over the past week developed a tendency to jump up from behind and bite your bottom. Not sore, but our house has become awash with high pitched "ow" noises when she enters these excitable moods.
What have we done while Liz has been here? Other than worn her out? We've taken her on train trips, into Aberdeen, to church, to flower shows, etc, etc. We've also had movie nights most nights accompanied by various burnt meals (I wasn't on form). Some of the films were of similar quality to the meals - the Nicholas Cage thriller "Next", in particular, surely destroyed a good few brain cells with an utterly moronic storyline.
I must clarify, however, the quality of the meals cooked by Carole and Liz. My life won't be worth living if I don't......In all seriousness the remnants of the sponge cake baked by Liz yesterday will without question be devastated by me immediately upon arrival home tonight.
Carole and I also took advantage of the free in-house babysitter on Friday night and abandoned ship for the evening. We ventured into Aberdeen to watch "District 9" at the cinema. Brilliant film on many levels, could be enjoyed as a clever allegory of apartheid or simply enjoyed as a "crash-bang" sci-fi epic. Curiously Carole particularly enjoyed translating all the South African swear words into English for me!
A lot else has happened, but due to my ever burdgeoning Mother-esque memory details would be hazy!
**Useless fact of the day - Astronauts on the first American space station (Skylab) grew 1.5 - 2.25 inches (3.8 - 5.7 centimeters) due to spinal lengthening and straightening as a result of zero gravity**
Sunday, 6 September 2009
Monday 7th September 2009
A very happy birthday to my little brother today - I know he won't read this so the mention is a little incidental!
I won't write much today, I'll just let the pictures speak for themselves.
"Stop it Grandma, that tickles - no like it!"
"Are you talking to me Grandma? 'Cos I'm not listening, la la la la la la la"
"No Mummy, these are Luca's shoes....."
"You want them back? You take them from me. Do you feel lucky punk? Well, do you?"
Beanz meanz fartz
"I'm not being disobedient if I can't hear you!"
"No-one's watching, I can cuddle my bunny rabbit without losing my Fonz-like cool"
"No Daddy, no photo, you'll show this to my first girlfriend to embarrass me! Bad Daddy - no like you no more......"
I won't write much today, I'll just let the pictures speak for themselves.
"Stop it Grandma, that tickles - no like it!"
"Are you talking to me Grandma? 'Cos I'm not listening, la la la la la la la"
"No Mummy, these are Luca's shoes....."
"You want them back? You take them from me. Do you feel lucky punk? Well, do you?"
Beanz meanz fartz
"I'm not being disobedient if I can't hear you!"
"No-one's watching, I can cuddle my bunny rabbit without losing my Fonz-like cool"
"No Daddy, no photo, you'll show this to my first girlfriend to embarrass me! Bad Daddy - no like you no more......"
**Useless fact of the day - Billions of asteroids float throughout our solar system, and due to the numbers scientists rarely bother trying to track them. However, an asteroid the size of a house would wipe out an entire city, and two asteroids far, far larger than that passed within 100,000 miles of us during the 1990's. To put it in persepective, that distance (in space terms) is so close it's like someone shooting at you and the bullet missing but passing through the sleeve of your shirt. Even more worrying is the fact we weren't aware of either until they'd passed us.....**
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