Quiet Voice

You know there are times when I feel like a school teacher- forever having to ask LL to use his 'quiet voice' in that particular patient tone teachers employ. Other times all he wants to do is make things in clay*, "just like Daddy." Today was a bit of both with excess noise through the middle and peaceful, creative fun later. As for the morning, that was taken up with learning to swim butterfly stroke.

Although never referred to as "Nana" this apron was one of mum's favourites for the little guy and has proved very useful over the years. Still fits just.















*Real potter's stoneware clay, not plastercine or play-dough. Thankfully at present he's not too fussed about getting it fired.

Ceramics

I've just uploaded images of my three latest pots, here. You'll need to find your way to the end of the album, at around page 15 but please take a look and let me know what you think.















Also today LL called me with two pieces of news: he's done well in his swimming class, passed the current level and will move up a class after Easter; and also he's had another tooth fall out. I'm not sure which in his mind is more important but I suspect the Tooth Fairy might have something to do with it LOL.

Elsewhere, the Royals have been doing well recently. They're now firmly in third, only two points off second place.

26 Feb Middlesbrough 0 - 2 Reading
3 Mar Millwall 1 - 2 Reading
6 Mar Reading 1 - 0 Portsmouth

Toy Story Too

Today's adventures included:

• Swimming at the outdoor heated pool.
• Performing a couple of small science experiments.
• Building some new Lego* vehicles.
• Settling in to watch Toy Story 2 on video (prior to a possible cinema visit).
• Making (and sharing) popcorn.
• Practising cycling proficiency. 
• Meeting two Dalmatians, one of whom was very "barky," the other quite placid.
• Being cheeky lol.

Phew.



Leicester 1 - 2 Reading


*Other toy building block products are available but they're probably not that good.

Whoops!

Instead of swimming we spent a good chunk of Saturday in Accident and Emergency, the rest feeling sorry for ourselves.

In his excitement, Little Lad went flying on some concrete flagstones and bashed his head. He doesn't normally complain too much when he falls, thank goodness, but on this occasion he was in a lot of pain and made sure we all knew. One x-ray, a nurse, doctor and consultant later he was pronounced fit to go home: no fractures just a penny sized area on his forehead where the tissue got compressed against his skull.

So now he has an impressive bruise to go with the spots. LOL.

Pox!

Yep- that's Little Lad having finally caught Chicken Pox from one of his pals no doubt.

Poor boy, you've got to feel sorry for him although to be fair he's not complaining. In fact his opening words to me were "Daddy I've got Chicken Pox. Look at my spots!" He seems to be incredibly proud of them and just as full of energy and mischief as ever I'm pleased to say. I had it in my early teens and recall being as miserable as sin, as they say. Since it's now the start of the school exam season, I'm thankful he's caught it now at age four and won't have to suffer later on when it could really have an impact on his studies etc.

Sadly that does mean we won't be able to go swimming for a week or so which is a real shame. Last Saturday's class was meant to have been his last but there were problems with the pool (again) and class was postponed. I can but hope the problems continue for a couple more weeks so we can get that last all important swim in when he's better. Is that being unfair and selfish towards the other kids and parents? I guess it is but if the roles were reversed I reckon each parent would be thinking along the same lines.

On a related note the open air pool just up the road opened recently for the season, which will be from now through to mid/late September depending on the weather. They keep this heated at a constant 22 degrees Celsius (around 72 deg F). Lovely. I might just drop in for a few lengths of an evening after visiting Little Lad. Now there's a thought.

Hump Day

Mum had a consultation this morning. She's returned home with four tattooed target marks on her back! She starts her new course of radiotherapy this Friday afternoon. Not sure at this stage how many or how frequently.

I got to help out at Little Lad's Preschool this morning. What fun! Making Teas and Coffees for the staff and cold drinks for around 20 kids. Oh yeah and model making with Play Dough, building Train tracks, painting and helping with dressing up. Afterwards the two of us went swimming and then lunch. The afternoon was a little quieter with some quality sitting still and a visit to look at the animals at a local Garden Centre.

Groundhog Day!

So what was I just saying about Spring being round the next corner? It was -2 degrees Celsius (about 28 F) when I stepped outside at 7.45 this morning, with thick ice on my car as well. Brrrr!

What exactly was I doing out on a Saturday at that hour? Well apart from being my contact day with Little Lad, we do swim lessons at 8.30 each week. At his level it's a small group of around 6 kids, with a parent in the water with their young 'un, plus the tutor. We both love it and it's a great time for us to have fun, while he learns some vital skills. He's been doing this since he was about 6 months believe it or not, so confidence in the water is high. These days he can jump in from the side and swim unassisted to me in the centre of the pool, without arm bands and then swim on to the other side. He then turns, kicks off, swims back to me in the centre and on to the other side. Considering he only turned four the other weekend, that's pretty good. Can you tell I'm proud of his ability in the water? I have no doubt if ever he fell in, he'd know what to do to get to safety.

Afterwards it's breakfast and then playtime. We do some drawing or painting and then go out for a walk, often with the intention of feeding the ducks, swans and geese.

Of late he's chosen to invite my parents along as well, which is really nice for all of us. There's a small lake near us that is very well populated with foul. You know the usual mix of Mute Swans, Canada Geese and Mallards but also this pair. About 10-15 years ago a pair of Egyptian Geese where introduced to one of the local lakes. Breeding pairs can now be found at several lakes in this area. This pair seem a little confused though. You see to their left the brown and white spec? Think it's a little early for babies and (sadly) I'm not surprised there's only one. They often seem to produce between 4 and 6, I guess the others didn't make it. Either way Little Lad loved seeing them and throwing some bread. Good fun had by all, I think.

I've just read that Punxsutawney Phil (http://www.groundhog.org) has proclaimed another 6 weeks of Winter. Thinking back to first thing this morning, it sure feels like that might be the case. Anyway Happy Groundhog Day everyone!

Sunshine & Swimming

Looks like the sun has decided to put in an appearance this week. Welcome back- it's been a while!

I think also I may be able to restart swimming lessons with Little Lad in September. They had severe problems with the pool they were using back in December last year. After a couple of false starts, where the pool was OK for a couple of weeks then out of action for several, it seems all is up and running. Can't wait to get back in the water with him. Not so sure about the early starts on a Saturday though.

Swimming

Chaos at baby swim classes today.

Last Saturday our teacher told us she couldn't make it today but that another teacher we had previously had would stand-in. Seems however, the stand-in couldn't make it so instead we had the stand-in's stand-in! With me so far? All OK on paper except this one had never been to the pool before and had got lost.

She arrived with only 15 mins of our session to go. Added to that it was the first day on the job for the security guard and he hadn't realised it was his job to unlock the pool. Poor guy probably thought he was going to get an ear full for having left us all standing outside. It was a nice morning.

By the time we were all ready, the seesion only had 5 mins to go, so to avoid the subsequent classes being put back half an hour we combined with the next group. Bit of a squeeze in the pool but worth it.