There really is only so much you can do with a little lad in this heat. This little lad possesses very sensitive skin and these temperatures will have him 'Bien Cuit' before he knows what it means. So early mornings and late afternoons TheO is let out to play. One of his favourite places, regrettably attached to a fast-food chain, is a plastic tower with slides. A few well placed matches and I think it could take care of the entire restaurant!

With an old chum over from the UK, TheO has been spoiled. Walks out have ensured that there is an extra pair of hands to catch him as he slides down over the precipice and into the flowerbed! However, as the good lady points out, old chums visiting = hangovers! How true.



TheO ponders the placement of his incendiary device!

The last weekend of June has zipped past, alas too far away from the muddy fields of Somerset to attend the recent music festival held there. The good lady and I had attended the event back in 2005 when TheO was just a 15 week speck. It rained then too. And when we went the year before. The little lad celebrated the occasion with Poncho and 'Lightning McQueen' camping chair on the beach. No rain. No dubious toilets (not that he would need these) & no live bands. I was however fondly reminded of that long struggle to find a spot, this time weighed down with everything from multicoloured umbrellas to spare flippers!! Don't you just love the summer...



What do you mean The Who aren't coming? what kinda gig is this...

So with most of the Grandparents and some of the Godparents in attendance, TheO was introduced into the Catholic church. I hope it treats him well, if indeed he wishes to get involved. I have passed his name to the Inquisition and think he will enjoy the 'Comfy Chair'

Father Christopher Galdes conducted the baptism in English at Church of St. Francis of Assisi, Qawra. I was a little wary however when TheO was given a lit candle. A very nice present I thought as visions of The Towering Inferno raced around my mind!



Mischief in mind!!

The good lady had told me to organise a high tea at somewhere 'classy', so after the fire brigade had arrived at the church, we all escaped to the Radisson Hotel at Golden Sands. TheO had plenty of fun running around with his chums, leaving those older than 12 to knock back gallons of tea and a buffet vast enough to feed a wedding party. The waitress in the white dress was rubbish though!



The little lad manages to make a break for it...

As the day came to a close, the sun setting over the bay, TheO nesting and looking for sleep, we prepared to do the whole thing again at a different venue. The Maltese don't do things by halves, and TheO's 'Nanna & Nanoo' love to entertain. More relatives!?! I do miss the Stella you know!



The Good lady uses TheO as a comfy cushion, not expected!

TheO's appointment with higher orders approaches. More worryingly, so too are some of the relatives, venturing to sunny St Paul's Bay for a few days respite as well as a christening. This has caused an outbreak of 'in-law hysteria' which can get quite serious if left unattended. Not one for being attentive, I am trying to sort everything out 'Condoleezza Rice' stylee but know a difficult scenario when encountered. I think we need more Gin for the occasion.

So to the little lad! He now shouts 'ciao bella' to anybody who will listen, and this is followed by blowing kisses. He must get this from the good lady, as he takes so long leaving a shop with all his goodbyes! Favourite film is now Cars. He always knows the bit when Mack nearly falls asleep!!



TheO adds some 'Roo Bars' for extra Truck effect CaChow!!

TheO has spent the last few days at home. He has managed to develop a nasty cough and a cache of mucus that he can only have been secretly storing since birth. The local Doctor has prescribed everything possible, however this may be something to do with his ownership of the local Pharmacy. Personally, I can't see how corn plasters will help his chest!

As always we move forward, we have planned his 'proper' christening in a local church. Agreed date is 16/06/2007 @ 16:30. It will be a short Mass followed by TheO's visit to the Font! The local church where this will happen is by Richard England, a modern architect with a thing, it would seem, for Dali!

As the little lad had been at home a bit more, the good lady has invested in some educational plastic to keep him busy. His 'laptop' can keep him really busy for about 3 minutes. I am currently teaching him to say 'No Wi-Fi Daddy'



It slowly dawns on TheO that Mummy didn't buy him a Mac! tsk

TheO has been telling me about the building that is being pulled down opposite the in-laws. Three guys, one hard hat and a big drill. He was a bit concerned that the project was so badly planned that the whole thing would collapse on some hapless Latvian. He was right and it did, but onto a crane drivers cabin. The young mans 'old man' was there to get a published picture exclusive! Unbelievably no one was hurt! (badly)



Maltese Jenga in action, woops, not that one Mr Vella!

The temperature has increased even further as well as the little lads IQ! He is now smart enough to protest when we take him for 'playtime' at the germ factory, and able to identify animals on sight, woo-woo = dog, quack = duck, moo = cow, sssssssss = snake etc He has also learnt to blow rasberries, I think this has a special meaning though…



TheO scours the post for his Nobel prize notification.