About a month ago we gave up reading bedtime stories to the boys and just let them hop into bed with their own books; the end of an era. I am torn between sorrow and joy.
Michael
Bump
I was summoned to the school during the week because Michael had fallen and got a big bump on the back of his head and his brother and another child had then (accidentally, due to momentum, I understand) run over his face and he also had a bloody nose. Oh he was woeful. But he is now entirely recovered. Partly because he got to spraypaint his sister’s old pink bike. The excitement! Photo to follow once we have put on a second coat. It’s just one thrill after another around here.
More Record Keeping
Daniel finally learnt to cycle at the weekend. Hurrah now we can all cycle. Daniel needs a little more work: he can go and he can stop but he can’t start. We are going to spray paint his sister’s old pink (I knew that colour was a mistake) bike for him.
Michael meanwhile goes from strength to strength and cycled with me to the polling station on Saturday (constitutional referendum on which two thirds of the population decided not to bother voting) and with his father to the park on Sunday.
The Princess continues her impressive prayer reading at mass. She is very pleased with herself. Meanwhile at school, they asked me whether I am doing any extra-curricular activities to “stretch her”. Do you think reading at mass is likely to count?
Last Weekend
I took the children to Cork last weekend. We went to Charles Fort again and Michael said bitterly, “Why oh why do we have to go here every time we come to Cork?” Because it’s nice and I can get in free with my heritage card. And also, Daniel got to drink hot chocolate through a straw at the Bulman. Are these not reasons enough?
Medikidz!
The boys are rather taken with a series of books called “Medikidz” which they found in the library. A group of superheroes explain various medical conditions. The texts are, I understand, medically accurate but very dull. Nevertheless, the boys are captivated. So far we have covered childhood obesity, autism, breast cancer and brain tumours. And there are lots more where those came from. I find it all mildly disturbing. Daniel said to me the other evening, “I have a headache, do you think it could be a brain tumour?” Then at the weekend I overhead him telling my brother that there are 12 different kinds of brain tumours. Oh dear.
Stay Focussed
Part 1
Mr. Waffle: Michael, if you had a time machine and could go back to any time, when would you go to?
Michael: To when the dinosaurs were wiped out.
Mr. Waffle: That’s a good idea because no one knows why they were wiped out although there are lots of theories.
Michael: Yes and because no one knows why they were wiped out, if I came back with that information, I could sell it for a lot of money and then I could buy an x-box.
Part 2
Michael: I know how to get my x-box.
Me: How’s that?
Michael: There’s a competition in the Beano to win an x-box.
Me (diffidently): I suppose, other children might enter also. And I think you need to phone from the UK..
Michael: Weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Part 3
Michael: I know how to get a free x-box.
Mr. Waffle: How’s that Michael?
Michael: Get it from Santa!
Even, if Santa fails to deliver, savings continue to mount up.
