Time, it's slipping, slipping

It's Monday night of the August Bank Holiday, which means that we don't have another break until Christmas. It usually feels like it's all downhill from here - rushing into autumn, then Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. Whoosh! We've been blessed with some pretty impressive weather this weekend, after a week that amounted to nothing more than soggy drizzle and cold air. Yuck. So much for August being our month of summer redemption. It didn't happen, but perhaps this is a late fizz. I'm not complaining.

Keith's been away for 3 weeks out of the last 4 and it's been incredibly hard. I think that so often people pretend that they're coping so well with being a mum, and that their little darling is no effort at all. What a lie! On Thursday morning, I got up, changed Zack's nappy and then sobbed my heart out because it was so hard doing it alone. How do single mums cope?

We took him for his 2nd haircut on Saturday and I was sad to see him come home - my little toddler had gone, and come back a boy. I can now see how his head is growing and changing. I miss the lovely locks so won't be cutting it this short in a hurry.


He's demonstrating the early stages of an imagination which is charming... he walks his duck along the edge of the bath while having a long conversation with it, and we had to wrap the toy lamb up in a blanket on Wednesday. He understands so much of what we say and will now take instructions, eg. 'fetch x', 'put y', etc. But of course cannot understand when I say 'no touching' or 'leave y alone'. Heh heh, cute and smart to boot.

He is ever the talkative tot, and seems to enunciate his "bye bye"s more clearly each day. Bye-bye is being used on everyone and in every situation at the moment. Thankfully people are pretty accommodating and reciprocate with a wave and a 'bye bye' in return. We met up with Anokye and Ellie on Friday, and Anokye is moving ahead in leaps and bounds - he mimics everything Ellie says - which I think is amazing for a 16 and a half month old.


We went to Hyde Park to enjoy the sunshine and Zack loved all the people and the Diana Memorial fountain. It's a great spot with lots of fenced in space, the only negative is the stupid security guards walking around telling people not to stand on the fountain (which you have to do, so that you can put your feet in it - that's legal. Doh!), and not to walk in the water. Aargh! Only in England ! But, there's nothing like running water to entertain little people, so I'm sure we'll go again.

Zack is teething again, so it's back to nasty nappies, sore ears, Calpol and a temperature. I hope this tooth cuts quickly.
My mum arrives in a week's time, and I'm so chuffed that Zack is at a delightful stage in anticipation of her arrival. May it all go smoothly.

p.s. No news on the TV repair. I'll have to call again tomorrow.

Pee + electronics = the end

Well, it was bound to happen sooner or later. Zack was running around the lounge without a nappy on before dinner because he has nasty nappy rash, and while I was in the bathroom sorting out laundry, our little fireman decided that he would take a leak on the hi-fi equipment. Usually if he takes a leak on the floor, there's the tell-tale puddle, but when I came into the lounge all I could smell was burning plastic. Sadly, the box with the most holes got it - the TV receiver. I unplugged all three boxes (TV, satellite and DVD player) and aired them, even turned the TV box upside down and left it for hours then used the hairdryer. But no luck - it is dead. So no TV for me this week while Keith's away. I'm going to be a real internet junkie & book reader.

And for your viewing pleasure... Zack and his new xylophone

the uncle is in the building

We picked Andy up from the airport this morning just after 8am, and then drove through to Esher to a wonderful spot for PYO - it's called Garson's Farm and they have acres of fresh fruit, veg and flowers to pick. All you have to do is turn up - the containers are provided. We picked a punnet full of raspberries and Zack must've eaten a heap more, indiscriminately. Sadly the blackberries were all ruined on the vine (not sure what got them), so we left with only broad beans and the raspberries.



Zack has taken to Andy with gusto - there are squeals of laughter and lots of hugs and attention. I was asked at bath-time : "What is too much splashing?". Which, I think, says it all.
Only downside at the moment is all the blowing of raspberries - very slobbery and the spit flies everywhere. Again - a thousand repetitions of 'no spitting'. Ho hum.
This afternoon we loaded Zack onto my bike, into his seat with helmet tightly fastened. I cycled while Andy ran, and Zack managed to stay awake for about 55% of the event. On the way home his head was lolling and he'd collapsed so much that his little helmet was rubbing on my seat as I peddled. It drew "ah bless" responses from watching motorists.

Ah Bless !

ps. Keith has bought more of the same shoes in NYC - in a bigger size. Next task is to get the young man a haircut. He is sorely in need of one.