One Day More...

Last night after one or two too many glasses of vino I decided that I wanted my eldest son to grow up to be a West End star.
As you do.

As my friend who had joined me in the consumption of said wine burst into a version of 'Empty Chairs at Empty Tables' I was actually starting to feel emotional.

No, it's fair to say her version of the Les Mis classic was not going to win her a place on The Voice (soz mate). The menfolk were mortified to be sat at the same table as us.
However in my useless, cannot drink, silly state I was actually genuinely picturing my boy on stage in twenty years time belting out One Day More.

It has made me think about how lovely it is that our kids have got a world of opportunity ahead of them.

Of course as a good parent I am supposed to say that I don't care what career path they take as long as they are happy.

Screw that though, here is a list of completely acceptable occupations for my boys when they grow up:

- Obviously theatre/singing/acting are paths I would greatly encourage.

- I wouldn't have an issue with them choosing to be sporting superstars. My preferred sports would be Athletics, swimming, cycling, rowing, or tennis.

- Medical professional. I would especially encourage the youngest to go down this route given the amazing people that saved his life.

- Prime minister. I'm not so sure about this but the boys' Nanan decided this when the eldest was born.

The list goes on but I don't want to put the boys under any pressure.

Sharing the love...

Mostly due to my general love of all things sweet and choclatey there is plenty of Mummy to share.

My boys do not agree.

It has become a battle of gladiatorial proportions.

The littlest one is almost always in our bed first in the mornings.
When he hears his brothers footsteps approaching he pounces on me, sprawling himself as widely as possible so as to not expose an inch of mummy flesh that his brother could cuddle up to.

Any attempt to steal a cuddle with the older boy results in a tantrum and usually an assault on older brother from the little one. Said older brother then proceeds to act like it is the end of the world and turns on the fake tears and ten minutes of whining usually follows.

At first I thought this possessive behaviour from baby boy was quite cute.
I have now decided for my own health and safety (I swear these boys grow an inch every day) that I must put a stop to said violent behaviour.

My other half uses any excuse to produce a well organised spreadsheet.

I am tempted to ask him to create a mummy cuddle spreadsheet.

If it is not your allotted time, you must not throw a tantrum, you must not attack your sibling and you must not whine.

I will put said spreadsheet on the fridge and if you break the rules your on the naughty step.

I'm not massively convinced.

'Shitbreak'

Everyday, without fail, as we turn the corner on to our street on our way back from school in the afternoon I hear the same words...

"Mummy, I need a poo."

The end of the afternoon school run has become so stressful because a code brown is guaranteed.

We all end up legging it down our street, me pushing the buggy at super speed. The big lad leading the pack looking like one of those speed walkers as he desperately holds everything in.

I have tried to explain that he ought to go to the loo at the end of the school day.

He says he doesn't need it then.

I just think the lavatory facilities obviously aren't up to his high standards.

For those of you that have seen American Pie you will understand the shitbreak reference.

Footsteps

Recently I have realised how much we take some things for granted.

Our littlest man is finding his feet.

It has been a while coming.

Every day his confidence with walking grows.
He throws his arms up in absolute triumph and bounds towards you with the biggest grin on his face.

Steps are wonderful but as it happens bouncing and stomping are equally thrilling.

Whether it be a hokey cokey, a sleepy bunny, a dingle dangle scarecrow, a jelly on a plate, a trampoline or generally being as happy as you know it, a good bounce and foot stomp never goes a miss.

When our little man was two months old and at Glenfield hospital a wonderful play co-ordinator (one of the many amazing and invaluable members of staff at Glenfield) took his footprints and made us a wonderful picture.

I have shared this before and it was one of the readings we had at little man's naming ceremony.
The words mean even more now...

Someday I'll jump through puddles,
Take a stroll or run a race.
Someday I'll walk across a street,
Or maybe walk in space.

Someday I'll scale a mountain,
Or I'll join a ballet corps.
Someday I'll walk a tightrope,
Or explore the ocean floor.

Someday these feet will do some things,
That only heaven knows,
But for today they're happy
Just to wiggle all their toes.

I have been reminded recently, one way or another, of the pain we felt when we had to contemplate that we might lose our little boy.

Now he is walking and talking.
I am quickly reminded again of how wonderful life can be.

Happy Mummy's Day

I think this has been my favourite Mother's Day since becoming a Mummy almost five years ago.

The weekend started with a night out with some of the other Mum's from my son's class at school.

Last time we made the mistake of going out on a school night. It's fair to say there were a few mum's wearing sunglasses with sore heads on the school run the morning after.

This time there was no mad morning organising to be done which made the night even better.

Some random gentleman bought our table two bottles of bubbly which started the night off perfectly.

The eldest boy was confused when he got up Saturday morning to see me having a lie in. I could see panic in his little face as he recalled there was some occassion coming up. He said "what do I say Mummy...happy valentines day?" 

He was relieved when I told him Mother's Day was not until the day after.

I was treated this morning to a show put on by the toddler...

What more can a Mummy ask for!

It was 'watching week' at swimming today so we got to see how much progress the big lad has made with his swimming. 

We were very impressed.

It has basically been a day full of very proud mummy moments.

Thankfully the parental's have returned from their jolly (completely rude of them to take a holiday) so after swimming we landed at theirs.

The boys, along with their much loved cousin made lots of noise and caused lots of chaos!

Our littlest one decided to completely show off and out of nowhere was walking more than ever before and shouting and singing at the top of his voice!

I have never seen him so excited.

Lots of fun.

Happy Mother's Day to all the Mum's. 

Slugs, snails and puppy dog tails...

That's what little boys are made of.

I quote...

Toddler: "I wish I had wings Mummy"

Me: "Ahh that would be lovely sweetheart, where would you go?"

Toddler: "I would go to London and scare everyone and poo on their heads."

So basically my eldest son has a beef with London and aspires to be a dirty pigeon.
Who knew.

We are almost coming to the end of half term.
It has been a revelation in terms of the realisation that our eldest boy is rapidly changing before our eyes.

I am convinced he is becoming one of those boys that at least one or more of the following applies too...

- Neighbours loathe them. They are utterly convinced they wear pit boots to run up and down the stairs the thousand times they do a day.

- Other members of the public curse under their breath when they plonk themselves and their lanky legs on the seat behind them on the bus.

- Old dears used to remark upon how cute they were in the supermarket trolly. They now tut at them walking down each aisle telling members of their family that they are 'smelly poo heads' or 'nose bogies.'


I might be able to squeeze another couple of years out of the boy before he becomes completely engrossed in the grossness that is being a little boy.

He still has to have his special blanket on his pillow at night.

He is still partial to a verse or two of 'daisy' when he is tired or feeling a bit sorry for himself.

I am still mostly 'Mummy' and not 'Mum.'

I will make the most of those little things while they last!

Hmmm...

Toddler quote of the day...

"What is sperm?"

Thanks 'Octonauts and the Sperm Whale!'

Daddy replied, "ask your mum."

I panicked and replied "I don't know, eat your supper."

I don't think I would win mum of the year with that response.