Every rose has a thorn

I got 'bitten' by a rose bush today.

I was being a bit naughty on our return from the park, and ran away from mum as we walked into the driveway. I don't often run around in the front yard because that's where the roses are, and they are there because I run around in the backyard. But for a reason known only to myself I decided to walk, not on the path between the two rose beds, but in the garden bed itself!

Mum extracted me before any damage was done, but later on when I was getting ready for my bath mum found a little scratch on my arm. She explained that it was from the roses and that I really can't be running around near them.

Cool moon

Mum and I went outside to get the washing off the line this afternoon. Because it's winter it's getting dark early, and when I looked in the sky I noticed a very shiny thing.

"oooh, ooooh" I said, pointing upwards.

"That's the moon" said mum.

"Cool moon" I replied.

We watched the moon for a while and then came inside.

Dad got home from work and mum told him about the astronomy lesson. He picked me up and we headed outside for another look. He pointed out some stars, but it was the moon that captured my attention.

Another second birthday party

We went to a birthday party this afternoon. Olive's!

They had lollies and chips and soft drink, and best of all, cake!

Mum and dad were careful I didn't crash the blowing out of the candles, but they needn't have worried, I stood back and watched the whole show, and clapped when everyone sang 'happy birthday'.

It took me a while to get to sleep last night which may be related to my intake of lollies and chips and soft drink!

Running solo

It was cold and a little bit wet today.

Dad and I decided to brave the elements for a quick run outside. I wore my raincoat.

I wanted company today, and grizzled whenever mum or dad did their jobs, but I did enjoy trying to help them install some smoke alarms.

I found my groove after my daytime sleep.

Before tea, while dad was on the computer and mum was getting dinner organised, I spent about half an hour arranging and rearranging my crayons on the coffee table.

After dinner, I ran. All by myself. Usually I prefer someone to run with me, usually in front, so I can chase them.

But tonight I'd stand at the wall, yell "RUN!" and then run to the table. Then I'd turn around, yell "RUN!" and run back.

Shower? Check!

I have finally conquered my fear of the shower.

I didn't have a bath last night so this morning, mum asked me if I'd like to have a shower.

I replied with an enthusiastic 'okay!'

Mum still wasn't convinced because in the past I've always been quite enthusiastic until it comes to the moment of actually getting into the shower.

But this morning, I was ready.

Mum kept my socks on so I wouldn't slip over, and I had a great time getting all wet.

In fact, even after she turned off the water and told me it was time to get out, I still wanted to stay in.

We think we might give baths a miss for the next little while and stick with showers.

Pockets

I discovered my pockets today.

They're great for putting things in.

My things.

It started when mum put a tissue in my pocket. And then I realised I could put cool things in there.

Like cars. And fridge magnets.

And little rocks and twigs from the backyard.

Last swim for winter

I might be noisy and a bit crazy some of the time, but I can be a very sensitive little boy when the situation calls for it.

Today, my swimming teacher was very sad during our lesson. Mum whispered to me that, if I got the chance, it might be a good idea to give Brooke a little kiss or a cuddle. About five minutes later, when it was my turn to swim with Brooke, I put my arms around her neck and gave her a big kiss on the cheek. Then, during my second turn, I gave her another big cuddle. Mum was very proud of me and Brooke got a bit teary when she hugged me back, but it also cheered her up.

Another important thing to mention about swimming today is that I did the best kicking I've ever done. Mum thinks I've finally realised that kicking makes big splashes and splashing is a very fun thing for me. And at the end of the lesson, I not only ran across the mat, I sang a song while I did it. Everyone laughed.

That's it for swimming lessons for me for a whole term. We think it's too cold to swim in winter.

Harvey, run?

Today was the last playgroup day before the holidays.

I'll miss the kids.

This morning when mum said it was time to put my shoes on to go to playgroup, I jumped up and said 'kids?' When mum said yes, we'd see the kids, I put my hands in the air and yelled 'yay'!

We played with bubbles at playgroup today. I ran around and jumped up and down to catch them. Then I decided I would like to run around. But no one else was running around and I didn't want to do it by myself. So I went up to Harvey and said, 'Harvey, run?' He said ok and we started running around. Pretty soon all the kids were joining in and we had some races.

I love running around.

Catch teddy

Grandma and I made up a really cool game today. We called it 'catch teddy' and we played by throwing a teddy back and forth to each other.

I had a great time and it kept me entertained for more than half an hour. I kept calling the teddy 'Minnie' but it wasn't my teddy, Manny, he was at home in my bed.

Grandma told mum I got very good at the game and that by the end I was able to catch the teddy without dropping it.

We also played with playdough today.

I also ate lots of mandarins.

Three, to be exact.

I cried when Grandma wouldn't let me have a fourth. It was rainy today so we didn't get to go and visit Nana or go to the park, even though I reminded Grandma about both, several times.

My own grace

I said Grace today, all by myself. First at breakfast.

I put my hands together, squeezed my eyes shut and prayed.

Mum and dad weren't quite sure what I was saying, but they recognised the emphatic 'amen' at the end.

Then at dinner at Grandma and Grandad's, I said Grace again. This time I mentioned 'God' as well as the amen at the end.

We went to Grandma and Grandad's church today. They don't have Tiny Treasures. They have Cubby House instead. It's much the same thing. Mum told dad it was exactly the same, in the sense that when she came to get me I was still in the lap of the person she had left me with in the beginning.

Today we also went to Andy and Wendy's house for lunch. Max the dog had been banished from the house for having wet feet. I had to say my hellos through the glass door. But I was very happy to sit up at the table with the grown-up's, without my booster seat, and with a proper knife and fork and cup. I felt very grown-up. And the highlight of the afternoon was playing Guitar Hero. Andy played the bass, dad played the guitar and I played the drums. (The drums were'nt plugged in, but I wasn't to know)

Birthday shopping

It's dad's birthday today.

Our plan was to go to the beach and do a spot of shopping in the Big Smoke.

The traffic was bad, but I was a pretty good little traveller, and we met up with aunty Lyndall at the shops. We had some donuts, and I scored a new pullover jumper and a couple of T-shirts.

We eventually got to the beach, and found that all the wild weather they've been having had washed a lot of the sand away - there wasn't much beach left to stroll on, and I wasn't really in the mood for getting sandy feet. I walked around on the balls of my feet to keep the sand off!

After that we had some fish and chips and drove home.

Orange is the new banana

(which was the new strawberry)

Ever since I first got into solids, I loved eating fruit.

My first favourite fruits were strawberries and kiwi fruit.

Then I moved onto grapes.

And then bananas.

At Grandma's I eat lots of mandarins.

And at home now, my favourite fruit is a naval orange.

In fact, when mum gave me a choice between a bikkie and an orange, I chose the orange!

And I may have eaten more than one today...

Trucks and percussion

Dad and I had a big long visit to the park.

On our way there we had to wait for the traffic. There were lots of trucks. Dad thought it was the perfect opportunity to teach me the international sign for getting truck drivers to blow their horn.

We sat at the side of the road doing the 'beepbeep' sign (as I called it) until one truckie obliged. Dad was so excited he gave me a high five, and congratulated the both of us for such cleverness.

When we got home I had a big ong sleep and woke up to find mum in the kitchen.

she set me up with a couple of pots and spoons and was very impressed with my percussion skills. I'd hit the pots twice, then I'd hit the spoons together. I kept this beat going for quite some time.

Diving in

Today was back-to-swimming day.

I've missed the last four weeks because of an ear infection and a cold and (I suspect) mum's reluctance to get cold and wet in the middle of winter.

Mum was a bit worried about how I would go, since I haven't liked my baths for a couple weeks.

I was a bit clingy at first and didn't want to put my head under the water. I deliberately threw my ball only a little way in front of me so I wouldn't have to swim far to get it. But I finally warmed up, just in time for the mat.

Fortunately I seemed to forget my usual 'trick' of crawling across the mat because, this time, for the first time, I ran!

Looking hot, but not the good kind of hot

Everyone thought I was a bit sick today at playgroup.

I was grumpy because I wanted to play outside on the slide.

But I was also a bit hot.

The other mums told my mum I was probably coming down with something.

But mum reckons it was probably me just being worn out from having a big weekend, because I perked up later in the day, and didn't show any more signs of being sick.

I slept for a couple of hours and then we went to the shops.

I love the shops because I have become a little bit obsessed with the Wiggles car ride outside Coles. Mum can always bribe me to go shopping, by telling me that I'll get to have a ride. And she doesn't even put any money in!

Playdough and Dabba

Mum and Dad drove the southern visitors (Uncle David, Aunty Lisa and Oliver) back to the airport today.

And then they spent the day shopping.

Without me.

I didn't care because I got to spend the day with Grandma. As usual, I watched 'Dabba' and then did some washing up. And then Grandma made me some playdough! I thought that was great fun. By the time Mum and Dad came to pick me up, there was playdough all over the kitchen floor, in the carpet and all over me!

Routines

My normal Sunday routine; go to church, go to Tiny Treasures, run around with the other kids after church, fall asleep exhausted as soon as we get home.

Today I followed the routine to the letter.

I had amuch harde rtime going to sleep tonight. Mum decided to leave half way through my bedtime routine (to go to the radio station) and I didn't like it. Two hours, and a good deal of whinging later, mum came back home and I finally went to sleep.

Egg cartons and fancy duds

I spent a good of the morning fascinated by an egg carton. It only makes sense, I love eggs. A lot!

Tonight was uncle Michael's 21st birthday party. I wore my spiffy new jacket. I got lots of comments about how smart I looked.

The party was at grandma and grandad's house, so I made myself at home and had a wonderful time talking to all th epeople and playing with the kids. I ended up staying up quite late, which may have had something to do with the soft drink and the chocolate cake!

Little apprentice

It was excitement central at LLR HQ today because we got all our lights and switches changed.

That meant electricians with drills and toolbelts and ladders. And that meant I was set to be a little apprentice all day.

I may have gotten in the road every now and then, but the two workmen were very nice to me, and even showed me what they were doing, from a safe distance!

I spent quite a bit of time sitting on the bottom rung of the ladder, while they were up changing ceiling lights.

I love being part of the action, especially when there's cool jobs to do!

Three kinds of drink

There are only three types of drink in the world.

Water, Milk and Juice.

Or, as I like to say 'war-daaar' 'mmmmm' and 'joo'.

If it's not water or milk, I call it juice.

Yep, I'm here to make things simple.

I remember Chewie!

Dad and I were playing in my room when he found the plush Star wars toys he bought me a little while back.

At the time he told all their names and we had a play, but that was quite a while ago.

So he was surprised, and very impressed, when I shouted 'Bacca!' when he held up Chewbacca. I also knew which one was the Ewok.

Unfortunately I thought R2D2 was a stormtrooper. In my defense, they are both white, and scaled to the same size, so it's an easy mistake to make.

Anyway, dad says my Star Wars knowledge is pretty good for a little fella.

Ung

When it's time to go to bed I get to choose who will turn off the light.

It's usually been a different stuffed toy for the past few months.

Dad will hold up the toy's arm close to the light switch and turn the light off, much to my delight.

Of all the toys who turned the light off my two favourites were Mannie and 'dabba' (that's what I call Brobee, because he's from the Yo Gabba Gabba TV show).

But my new favourite light turner-offerer is dad's crazy hand. Or as I like to say, 'ung'.

He wiggles his finger and I laugh and laugh, as it gets closer to the switch I get quite excited. He's been called in the last few nights for this special job, and it makes him laugh too.

I love Irene

I love Irene.

Whenever the mood takes me, I point to the freezer and ask for 'Irene'.

That's what I call ice-cream.

I only discovered it recently.

It is wonderful.

Mum isn't too fussed on me eating ice-cream because she says it's impossible for me to eat it without making a big mess. And we happen to have chocolate ice-cream at the moment.

But I'm happy to take that risk.

Three words

I've been trying all kinds of words lately, but today's game of repetition made everyone laugh.

Dad: "I'"
Me: "I"
Dad: "Love"
Me: "Mummy!"

That preemptive strike earned me big hugs from mum, and whenever we 'play' that game I'll always skip the "love" and go straight to "mummy".

Transportation

Dad and I had a conversation about transportation today.

"Can you say car?" he asked.

"Car" I replied.

"Boat?"

"Boat"

"Bike?"

"BIKE!!" I love bikes!

"Helicopter?"

"Copter"

"Plane?"

"Car"

"Aeroplane?"

"Car"

Yep, planes are cars, but helicopters are copters, that's the way it is.

Time out

I had my first experience of Time Out today.

I'm not talknig about the yummy chocolate bar. I'm talking about being sent to a place when I'm naughty and having to stay there.

I didn't like it.

We had kids over to play and I got a little bit rowdy. Mum told me about Time Out but I kept being rowdy, and so I had to go.

Now, my Time Out place was my room. It's full of fun things. But I did not want to be in my room while all the fun was happening in other rooms.

I eventually cooled down, but I'm keen to not have to go to Time Out again.

'ower

I was in the middle of my bath tonight when dad said it was time to wash my hair. I shook my head, and cried a bit. I don't really like my hair being washed at the moment.

He said 'what would you like?' and I said "ower!"

That's what I call the shower.

So we let the water out of the bath and hopped into the shower, but as soon as the water hit me I started crying.

And then wailing.

It could possibly be the shortest shower on record!

My hair is still not washed.

Boutique 1 vs Post Office 0

Today we were on a mission to buy a present for Aunty Lisa. Mum didn't want to fight the crowds at the main shopping centre, so decided we'd head for the boutique shops in the main street.

That's a bit brave. Small people like me don't really belong in shops like that. But I surprised everyone by being very good. I didn't let go of mum's hand, I didn't touch anything, and I smiled and spoke nicely to all the shop people who fawned all over me and told me what a good boy I was.

We found a present and then it was time to go to the post office. And that's where I left behind the good-little-boy act. I ran off with the parcel and refused to give it back. Mum wasn't very impressed. But she decided to forgive me and let me have a ride in the Wiggles Big Red Car and the ABC Kids van. I chatted about the Wiggles all the way back to the car. I love them.

Peer Pressure

I went to play with my friends Harvey and Olive for a few hours this morning while mum went to uni to do a bit of work. I had a great time. We played 'rock band'. That's where we each have a guitar and pretend we're in a band. I did lots of jumping around. Then it was time for morning tea.

Mum had warned Harvey and Olive's mum that I like to eat all my food with a spoon or fork so when I asked for one to eat my pikelet, she wasn't surprised. But she was surprised that my friends also insisted on a fork. So we all sat up at the table eating pikelets with cutlery!

This Way!

Hanging out with Grandma was a bit different today. Usually on a Monday we'll go to visit Nana and we'll also go to the park to play on the slide and I'll spend some time chasing/feeding ducks.

But today Grandma had a sore back so we didn't get to do any of those things, even though I kept suggesting them. Then Grandma put my shoes on and I got a bit excited about what that might mean. We walked out the front to collect the mail and when I saw that that was as far as Grandma was planning to go, I pulled on her hand and said, "this way!" But I wasn't too disappointed when we had to go back inside, because I got to watch lots of Veggie Tales and I love Bob and Larry very much.