Family Update – May 2017

Where has spring gone? It is way, way too cold for May. I have started wearing my boots again, and I am still wearing a coat. Go on sun, come out already! Here is what my little ones have been up to in the past few weeks. 

Wriggly (2 years 11 months)

· You are getting really shy with strangers and wary of new people. Whenever we go somewhere new, you spend the first 20 minutes looking at your feet. If I can’t see you, you can’t see me…

· I am getting used to your pixie haircut, but I miss your pigtails!

· You keep mentioning my “big tummy” and my “big bum” and you really seem fond of my wobbly tum. You keep stroking it and prodding and saying, “Lovely jelly in your tummy!” Nice… It makes me feel extra special!

· You are the cheekiest toddler I have ever met. You have that twinkle in your eye that shouts, “Mischief!” yet you look like butter wouldn’t melt.

· We travelled to Bournemouth after preschool on Monday, to go and celebrate the 25th anniversary of one of our favourite companies: Organix. I love working with family-friendly businesses that turn my working week into special days and trips with my children.

· We started talking about your third birthday and you want two things: start ballet classes and a zoo party. Noted!

· You are so messy! Wherever you go, you create a path of destruction.

Jumpy (4 years 6 months)

· When we were stuck in traffic on our way to our polling station in Wembley for the French Presidential elections, we had some deep conversations. Completely out of the blue, you asked: “When are we gonna die?” promptly followed by, “We’re all gonna die mummy, aren’t we? Maybe we’ll die by lava. Maybe the lava will make us on fire.” Gosh the workings of a 4-year-old’s brain are a completely mystery! A conversation about death and enjoying life ensued.

· Wriggly, to you: “I want apple juice, I want apple juice!”

You: “I want doesn’t get. Now say please may I have apple juice.”

Wriggly: “Please may I want apple juice.”

You: “Good girl.”

· We were supposed to have your first of four food challenges in hospital last Tuesday, but Beanie was sick, then Crevette and then you. You were very disappointed not to try the cakes I had made for you using eggs, but we have three more food challenges booked for this month: almonds, peanuts and wheat. Exciting times!

· We have had confirmation that you would be in Reception in September in the same infants school as your siblings went to, and I have booked an appointment with your headteacher to discuss your allergies and help her devise an allergy management plan.

Beanie (6 years 7 months)

· You had an ultrasound to check the lump you have had behind your ear for a couple of months. It came out all clear. The three lymph nodes behind your ear are getting smaller and are of normal ‘texture’ and shape so there is nothing to worry about.

· When we were in Ikea, in the soft furnishing aisle, you said the sweetest thing you’ve ever said to me: “I love you to the end of space and back.”

· As we were queuing to vote for the French Presidential elections on Sunday, you asked me, as if it were the only criteria for my choice: “Are you gonna vote for the boy of for the girl?” I wish it were that simple. I was glad you were with me so we could talk about Politics on a simplistic level. We did chat about criteria other than gender afterwards!

·  You were ‘star player’ at football last week. I am in awe of your stamina and proud of you for being so sporty and always prepared to try new things.

· Your anger issues are not showing any signs of being on their way out. I am starting to wonder whether they will ever go. You are so full of anger. I wish I could help you control your rage as it starts bubbling up. Is it something we can tame?

Crevette (8 years 9 months)

I was your ‘plus one’ for the Food Photographer of the Year Awards at the prestigious Mall Gallery a couple of weeks ago. You were one of three finalists in the ‘under 10’ category. You had submitted 3 photos, one of which was shortlisted and then became a finalist. It was a huge event, as over 8,400 photos from 60 countries were submitted this year across all categories. Here are a few of the things you said to me when we were on our way to the awards:

“I am excited.”

“I feel a bit… I want to do it but I do t want to do it as well. I don’t know what it’s like. I’ve never done this before.”

“Do you think I could win?”

“That’s the biggest thing I’ve done in my life!”

I was swelling with pride as we spotted your photo in the exhibition. You came 2nd and your reaction is what makes me proudest. You said you knew the other photo was better than yours (I didn’t think it was) and you would have chosen it as a winner. On our way home, you started talking about what you could do for your entry next year. Resilience rocks! I have just ordered canvas prints of your beautiful photo.

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