Morning has broken: July 2011

Saturday, 30 July 2011

A Good Heart

At the end of last term, Eric brought home his first school report.
We waited to open it until Daddy came home, then the three of us sat together on the sofa and read about his progress.
He's doing fine. Keeping pace with the schoolwork, and even a little ahead in maths. Most importantly, he's trying hard, and all the comments mentioned his enthusiasm and good manners.
Parent-teacher-child interviews were next. Jumps thought it was all rather a laugh for kindergarten, but I tried to take it seriously, asking about his behaviours and abilities. Mrs Worthy answered all my questions thoroughly, in a way that showed she really knew Eric well.
Then she said something that made me feel that we both had exactly the same goals for Eric this year, and that he's in just the right place.
"He's a nice little boy, with a good heart", she said. "And that's the most important thing."
She's right. It is.
We're delighted with his progress -- at school and in every other way.

Wednesday, 27 July 2011

Baby Swap

Mum and I set off this morning for a baby "swap" morning at a community centre -- Jumps asked if we could come home with one that would sleep through the night! (Adam's back to his old tricks.)

It wasn't to swap babies, of course, just children's clothes and toys.
I took a bag of 20 outgrown items, and came home with a xylaphone for Adam, Dr Seuss books, baby shoes, a lunchbox (brand new), and several tracksuit tops and trousers for both my boys. No money spent, less landfill, and a new wardrobe and plenty to play with.
Fantastic!

Monday, 25 July 2011

On my Table

The garden's become a mire -- we've had a week of steady rain -- and the most I can do outside at the moment -- without having a mud bath -- is to squelch up to the chickens and back.
It's lovely, then, that the bulbs I planted several weeks ago in two terracotta pots have begun to bloom.
I layered them in the potting mix -- big daffs at the bottom, then jonquils, ranunculas and freesias in ascending layers. The jonquils have been the first to bloom, but there are plenty of leaves and buds appearing below. Hopefully it will soon make a lovely show.

And hopefully we'll soon have some sun.

Saturday, 23 July 2011

And Someone Else Turned 47 ...

Unimaginable ... I'm married to an old man (or so I tease him).
He still looks good, though. Not a day over 35.

This was a special party -- all organised by a little boy who thinks his Daddy is the best in the world. He asked Granny to buy streamers and balloons, directed Papa as to where they should be hung, and baked the cake with Grandma. He also made his Dad a birthday crown, and a sweet card with pictures of bicycle riders on it: "Since I like it when Daddy and I ride bikes together".
Today he's gone into the city with his Dad and Grandma. Jumps has to organise an electrician at the flat, Grandma has a 50th wedding anniversary to attend, and Eric will visit Rory (Thanks for having him, Mags). It's been raining for a week straight, so it is marvellous that he can have a change of scenery. Baby and I have some bits and pieces to do at home and a visit into the shops -- but I should fit in tea and a book in bed for an hour sometime!

Friday, 22 July 2011

Meanwhile, Someone Turned One ...

How did we ever get by without this lovely little person in our lives?

At one Adam is a bright-eyed, happy little boy who loves music and company.

He is always busy ... banging on pots and pans is a favourite game, as is pushing a washing basket along the floor with his toys in it. He'll happily roll a ball to anyone for ages, laughing and shouting "'Ray!" with his hands held above his head every now and then.
Adam can also sit quietly, paging through books, watching "the Night Garden" with great concentration at Granny's house, or methodically emptying everything out of Eric's underwear drawer onto the floor!
He loves to be outside, and now that the verandah has been enclosed it's just like a giant playpen, and I let him out to potter happily whenever the weather's nice. He'll often call out to me at intervals, and as long as I call back he's satisfied to stay where he is and continue playing.
He'd like to be in garden more, but on hands and knees he soon gets into a state, and he puts everything into his mouth, so it's not very practical right now. That said, he adores his bath -- especially when Eric gets in with him -- splashing and drinking from a plastic cup for as long as you'll let him stay in.
Adam says "Up!" very clearly, as well as "Hello", "'Ray!", "Ba(ll)", "Bu(s)" and "Mum, mum".
He's healthy and shiny eyed, and will eat almost anything we give him. He went through a phase of eating two oranges at a sitting, but that seems to have passed now, and pieces of orange quickly end up on the floor. Eric hates to watch him eat, as Adam likes to feed himself, and makes such a mess! If he doesn't like anything, he loves to throw it from a height and watch it fall down.
He's still crawling but will walk holding your hands, and has started to stand along -- just for a few seconds at a time before landing -- bump! -- on his bottom.
Since it was holidays over his birthday we had a small party with all the cousins and grown-ups in the family. There were funny hats and a banner, singing and a cake. Adam wasn't sure what to make of it all ...