After five days of cloud and rain, I can't be sure, but I think that we're back into the good weather. Still a bit chilly in the shade wearing swimming trunks, but quite a lot like Spring! Both human products are in good health and nurturing satisfactorily. Cold, snot and phlegm free! Complacency breeds it's own surprises however so better get in a bottle of Calpol!



The only tube that's blocked

TheO continues with his Pokémon infatuation, happy to stay 'extended' at school to battle his contemporaries. "I had a great battle with Zac today daddy" he tells me. As I become concerned and search for wounds, I find that Totodile used his water attack to great effect. I put the tourniquet and hyperdermic away!

Louyn continues to delight. The age, the knowing looks and the ease in creating a giggle. He seems to understand most requests, but only manages a deep grunt in reply. Favourite TV is Charlie & Lola, Teletubbies and The Night Garden. At least they are all products of the BBC and don't have HP (health points) and special attacks!



Iced Up!

Shipping is down, the world spirals into a cataclysmic economic downturn. The retail industry needs a boost. A good time for TheO to decide he is a full time Pokemon Trainer. He eats, talks & sleeps little else. Planning quests and catching Pokemon at a vending machine is now a sad reality! 'Gotta catch 'em all' Dam those marketeers!!



TheO says 'Cheers! I'm 5'

The 5th Birthday Party marked his commitment to his current whim with a Cookie Cake featuring the small and yellow Pikachu, washed down with lashings of Pokemon drinks (great idea! Kids parties & E numbers) and a few random chemical based chewables! A good day was had by all despite the skating rink's sudden closure for no reason. Welcome to Malta! Thanks though to the complex manager for the sweetener gift!

The youngest has been under the weather for the last few weeks, spreading his lethal germs to all! However looking forward to the new year, with a great hope it's better than the last. Not too difficult! The children have both returned to full health, refreshing that Louyn no longer needs Dyno-Rod to permit respiration!



Look daddy, no teeth...

A good pal over for a visit which has prompted a flurry of household activity. Pictures now on walls and plants now in pots. Lets hope the absence of a secondary staircase goes un-noticed.

A whole 5 Years old!!

The good lady has decided to take off for a few days. This arranged 'downtime' has left me no choice but to wear an apron, talk to the neighbours and burn everything. The offspring have been slow on the uptake in realising the departure, but I expect the world of mediocre demands to end this evening as we play 'spot the difference'! TheO, I fear, will have the biggest problem! Despite telling him we are going to have a boys week where we will sit around, watch cartoons, drink lemonade and eat doughnuts. I'm sure he will recognise an opportunity for 'expenditure' when he sees one!

Current weather is fantastic with the sun shining more often than not and temperatures in the 20's. This has not however provided an influenza free environment, so coughs and colds continue to dispel any summertime apprehensions. TheO now very much into Pokemon, possibly the most overpriced pieces of plastic available, whilst Louyn is content to play with a shoebox for hours on end. Despite his older brothers love of the Crystal Bucket, his only interest is to turn it off, continually. A mild irritation when compared to removing a spikey Carvanhar (#318) from the soft part of your foot!



Two kids for a few days? a walk in the park...ahem!

I'm now on a formal warning for my lack of posting updates. Both boys irate that friends and relations have been unable to share their progress! I for one have had better employers but hang on to the hope that these two don't call in the receivers!



TheO practices his 100 yard dash!

The passing time since entry below has seen the elder start back at school and the younger stand up (and even take a few steps, although it seems he just can't be arsed to walk) Both have visited Valencia, Spain for a short break. TheO was completely taken with animated, life-size Dinosaurs at the City of Arts and Science and the Aquarium, Sharks and all!!


TheO currently taken with The Last Airbender and Karate lessons, Louyn totally uninterested by the tube, preferring to hang onto a parent.



Louyn adopting a sitting aproach to walking!

The end of August has signalled the end of Summer. This really only means that the're less tourists, that the tourist shops moan because there are less tourists but it's easier to get a sun-lounger on the beach!

Children are still not at school for another four weeks, Summer Clubs have had their closing shows. Distraught parents look harassed and worried at the prospect of entertaining their offspring for next few weeks. The beads of toil often confused with the result of high humidity. But it takes one to know one!

TheO has had an exceptional summer! Making significant progress in his swimming, even donning a mask with an excitable squeal to investigate the sea life! The local school summer club provided us a break and TheO with lessons in Karate and cooking amongst other stuff. An excellent diversion! It does however lay a precedent that will prove a tough act to follow!



TheO pretends his head is stuck!


Louyn Now at the year and quarter mark, is on the verge of walking. Standing upright at any opportunity and taking guided steps, it seems only imminent that he'll be racing round and accessing spaces that we had relaxed about. Despite not following his early pattern of rapid growth, his expansion seems more internal than in height, becoming formidably wriggly. Containing him for a 'change' has become like holding down Geoff Capes, if of course you ever wanted to try that!



A happy, smiling baby! rwt!!