Easy like Sunday morning

Why, Mr Stewart, is that a camera in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?

Nope, it's just a camera, and to prove it scroll down through the compendium of pictures I've taken these past couple of days........

"You know I'm going to have a poo in your shoe for this, don't you?"

What happened next? Did Luca:-

A - Happily and politely shake hands and engage the store Santa in conversation?

Or

B - Spin round and run to the safety that is the back of his Dad's knee's?

"Look at me Dad, I'm pulling an effeminate pose!"

Smug

Every time we pass through the train station Luca insists on waiting for a short while. "Grandma's train might get here soon" he always insists

This was great. Taken earlier today, Luca witnessed his first ever traditional Punch 'N' Judy show. It's weird watching as an adult, you don't actually recognise its demonstration of severe domestic violence when you're an innocent minded tot.....

"Fireenginefireenginefireenginefireenginefireengineffireengine!" This was parked up in Inverurie town centre, and the firemen allowed an incredibly excited Luca to climb aboard - and even sound the sirens. We thought he might just self combust with excitement at this point......

That smile didn't leave his face until quite some time after

Balloon toy. In the mind of a child, if you don't know what it is then what do you do? That's right, you put it on your head

Or just hit Daddy with it

Luca's illness of the last week has almost passed now, and although his hunger hasn't yet returned his energy is slowly creeping back. He's survived (to a moderate extent anyway) a busy weekend, with a discernible decrease in the number of "wig-outs"

Of course some still remain. We made a trip to Aberdeen yesterday in an attempt to purchase new shoes and boots for him (to complain about). As our trip coincided with his Granny and Granda's visit to the cinema (to view the wholly unappealing "The Girl Who Kicked The Hornets Nest") we arranged to meet up for a drink and a bite. All the way there Luca excitedly told me how he was going to "Cuddle Granny Jo and tickle Granda Ian". But did he?

Nope. He cuddled into me throughout like a neglected 3 month old and whined. At least Granda knew how to rouse him slightly. "What's that?" Granda queried, pointing to an item near the cafe's checkout. "Is that chocolate?" a suddenly re-energised voice replied, "For me............."

Today was busier still. Another trip to Aberdeen ensued, this time with the accompaniment of our resident Mum/Wife. A busy morning in the North East's capital city centre included:-

1. Shoe shopping for Luca - Or "run at full pace around the store in odd shoes" as Luca seemed to think

2. Cinema - We saw "Shrek Forever After". Whisper it, but it was actually really good.......

3. Remote control car racing - A demonstration track had been set up inside the Union Square shopping centre. One of the demonstrators made the mistake of allowing Luca to control one of the cars. How much damage can a 4 year old cause in the space of 30 seconds............

4. Punch 'n' Judy show - Or "A guide to domestic violence and petty theft" as it could be renamed. Great fun, but perhaps something that perhaps should have been phased out around the same time as "The Magic Roundabout" and "The Black and White Minstrel Show"..........

5. KFC - Yes, fast food. My stomach will now perform complex gymnastics over the next few days

6. Fire engine - Imagine children on drugs. Even an instance of this still wouldn't adequately describe Luca's excitement levels during this experience

We also somehow shoehorned the entire stockroom of John Lewis into the back of my car. With the number of wedding vouchers so far spent by Carole there, their shareholders will indeed soon enjoy a Very Merry Christmas

**Useless fact of the day - Wikipedia describes Punch from Punch 'n' Judy as a "deformed, child-murdering, wife-beating psychopath who commits appalling act of violence and cruelty upon all those around him and escapes scot-free**