It's been a while

So let's start with some photos. 

Hooray for photographer friends and free collage apps. 

Walking home from town on a dark cool evening is made pretty special by the company of a small boy dashing along with his eyes on the sky calling out 'Hey moon, wait up!'

It is your turn now,
you waited, you were patient.
The time has come,
for us to polish you.
We will transform your inner pearl
into a house of fire.
You're a gold mine.
Did you know that,
hidden in the dirt of the earth?
It is your turn now,
to be placed in fire.
Let us cremate your impurities.

Rumi

In lieu of memory

'Do you remember what you did when you were a baby?'

'Mmm, I didn't like grass.' [his father told him that last week]

'Anything else?'

'Not really playing.'

----

'You're the best thing that's ever happened to me.'

'You're welcome.'

Thank you

'Thank you, Mummy,' he says, heading down the stairs.

'For what, darling?'

'For myself.'

Busy garden days

Spring!

When what falls from the sky is dry and pink and much more fun than the cold wet stuff.

Where did you come from?

So, we ask small boy, where did you come from?

'Italian' he answers (he's half-Italian)

But before that?

'99p shop' (his favourite shop - all those cars!)

Before the 99p shop...

'Home'

And before you were here?

'Sleeping'

Indeed.

Reading

He's loved books since he was able to sit up unaided, but it's looking like my 2-and-a-bit year old is definitely following in the footsteps of his readaholic mother. Tonight, reading 'Baby Bear, Baby Bear, what do you see?', he waited til I'd finished reading and then said 'Teo do it.' He then proceeded to turn page after page, pausing and saying 'What see?' at each page.

Snow

Son, two years old, tentatively walking through snow in our garden. Spots snow on top of his shoes - 'oh no! oh no!', crying etc.

So he's half-Australian (semi-tropical Australian, not snowy Victorian, but I'm full Australian and even I say 'wtf child!? '

The nursery praises his 'advanced language' and good manners, but I get this:

'Away, Mama.'
'You want me to go away?'
'Far away.'

Working

So, as a part-time working mother, I find myself envious of the social lives of both mothers who are at home full-time, and women working full-time. But I know it would be worse if I worked full-time!

Parenting fail

Tolerating...

My little non-walker (almost, almost!) hasn't had much need for shoes in the 19 months of his life so far. Or much tolerance, but he's now wearing these cool soft shoes sent by his friends Nicholas, Teresa and Dan very willingly indeed! Treesie, they are well scratched up - a good sign!

No respect for Australia's native animals

Wondering why the cockatoo looks rather shocked, and the kangaroo vaguely pleased? The cockatoo used to have two feet and a whole wing, while Kanga and her joey have so far escaped the Jaws of Toddler.

Well done Mattie boy. Reconsidering letting you loose in Australia Zoo later this year.

Bookworm

Upon arriving home from nursery and being freed from the restraints of his buggy (after bedtime, mind you), Matteo heads for the lounge and buries himself in a book.

I did not even think to hope that when Matteo was only 18 months old, sometimes we would catch each other's eye and both burst out laughing.

This kid is just gifted with so much joy. He could probably use a little help with the spoonwork though...

Spring has well and truly sprung...

(and now it's almost summer)

So I guess we are his real parents

He has his daddy's ears, down to the finest detail. And one tiny circular indentation on the top of each ear, just like me.

Why I love my son's nursery

Apart from all the practical stuff like it being in the grounds of where I work, reasonable fees, great staff etc etc etc...

I dropped him off one day last week and opened the door to the 'baby room' (3-18 months) to find all the older babies sitting in little chairs in little rows with a big alphabet chart in front of them, and the staff singing the alphabet song. The kids all had shakers or bells or noisemakers of one kind or another and were having a ball.

I wish I'd had my camera. Even though I would have to get the permission of about a zillion parents to post it here, you need to see how adorable a tiny little class of tiny little students is!