Writer's block. It's my only excuse! Explaining this to TheO & Louyn gets a mixed reaction of little understanding or a demand for a Bakugan brawl! If I spent my time updating your news and not flicking expensive and complex pieces of plastic around to a rule book built in China, I might have more time...

Much has gone on since the 6th birthday party. TheO has now started his Summer term at school after the family break in Gozo. Learning to compute mathematics and tell the time comes with a parental cost. No longer 'in a minute' when I really mean twenty , 10 Cola bottles when there are only three, ten Euros and only ten Cents. I must take care in what I now promise! It is really amazing to watch him grow and develop, expanding his thought process which he regrettably demonstrates by negotiating the return of Cartoon Network. (as if)

Louyn coming along leaps and bounds! Words are still coming slowly but now more frequent and unexpectedly. He'll shout 'PASTA' when he sees spaghetti for dinner. Easter was nightmare in this respect as he only said 'CHOC' every 2 minutes or just 'MORE' He is also getting bigger, heavier to carry and too strong for the in-laws to deal with when it comes to running away and stealing 'Figola' from larger children.



Boys at Calypso Cave, Gozo...no longer a cave since it collapsed last week eh!

The little lad celebrated his sixth birthday at Malta Bird Park with a small flock of friends!
Sporting a makeshift Zelda Link costume, a fab time was had by all, rounded off with Sean and the Puppet Show!



Happy Birthday little man!!

I can only blame the large void of space between this and the last entry on demanding family! Working from home seems to have it's disadvantages and thrusts unrequested roles that, if I had the money, I would pay somebody else to do. TheO & Louyn have become a formidable entity. Together they have created the roles for me (that I don't have the money to pay someone to do) of redecorator, gadget electrician, stuffed toy ('sleep with me daddy!') Mr. Kipling , space rocket and climbing frame. Such are the joys! The household has also welcomed in two Kittens. Ash (as in Ash Ketchum) and Spot are 5 & 6 weeks and are currently shredding the Sofa and carpet, choosing to ignore toy mice, scratch poles and tinsel! They have however made full use of the litter tray!

TheO is now coming to the end of the first term at school. His travels to class on the private bus have educated him in single finger hand gestures and the prolific work of Slim Shady. It really good to know that he gets a broad education!! Growing ever faster and turning into quite the young man. He is already showing the subtle signs of rock stardom. Currently demanding the entire range of Lego Hero Factory Villains and Heroes and awaiting deliveries from Santa. Very excited to be spending the holidays in the UK visiting 'Mum.'

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TheO models for the next 'gig'

Louyn persists still with long conversations that nobody really understands. Seems to understand much of what is going on, but maintains his legible embargo! Massively into The Wigglels, performing all the actions and gestures but a little afraid of the Octopus! We have worked out that his shouting is merely the mimicking of Donald Duck. Well that's alright then! Luckily the outlaws didn't have Goofy cartoons! Perhaps some high end BBC dramas are necessary to rectify this!



Speech on the slide...

It seems strange, after such a long summer break, to be revisiting old routes. Full of traffic, 'danger red' mini buses, and the aged question of 'what is the quickest way?' TheO has started back at school and it won't be longer before his younger sibling joins him. Now with two children at private school, I am left to wonder how many kidneys I can sell on Ebay. Now in Grade two, the oldest young man is happy to be back with his friends and looks forward to his brother attending pre-nursery. A duo to be reckoned with! I await the reports of racketeering, extortion and demanding sandwiches with menace.

The last few weeks of the summer were rounded off with a short break in the South of France., staying in a chalet just outside of Frejus., the camp site boasted several swimming pools, water flumes and daily children's animation. Perhaps I could revisit Melville's classic and make some headway. Sadly, the only animation was 'daddy' following orders and tracking Louyn round the deep end. The organised fun and games had finished the week before. The family also managed a visit to Monte Carlo to see how the affluent live and a visit to the Aquarium, as well as a trip to Nimes!

TheO just emerging from the Spiderman infatuation. I remain nervous as I await the next big thing. As DNA modification by Spider was not possible, much to the little lads disappointment, downloading Super Hero Squad seemed the only way to break the lull. Job done! The 5.5 'age' has brought with it the confusion of emotions, an evolving minefield of 'feelings' and 'thoughts' that need to be dealt with in all their complexity. It has been suggested that I play more roughly with my first born, dressing as Dr Octopus might be a good start. This I dismiss totally, preferring Electro as an arch villain!

Louyn continues to grow but refuses to talk about it. Infact he doesn't really talk, it's just garbling. The lights are most certainly on, but he seems to be using some kind of scrambling device to communicate. Perhaps I expect too much for a 2 year old. Sure that he is getting there, I await the moment he instructs me to stop feeding him Baileys



Sugar time...

Amusing your children with mobile phone gadgetry can have serious implications on your airtime, phone usage, life and eventual happiness! This is no overstatement. The first born expressed an interest in the cartoon Spiderman, this led to the acquisition of a Spiderman Game for my Nokia N8. Big mistake! Ever since this 'bad move' I am constantly harassed for use of my communication devise, asked to 'help' at difficult levels and subject to reprimanding by the good lady for spoiling the potential grey matter in the developing child. It has also fueled a latent infatuation with the web spinning Super Hero to the extent that TheO now dresses as Spiderman most days, demanding anything spotted bearing the Marvel heroes image. Plates, posters, even Spiderman perfume. It wouldn't be so bad if the latest addition didn't also squeeze in a request for Pingu, an emergency calming measure to engage and distract from boredom when restaurant time was needed. I can now only use my phone as an alarm clock. This I hear most mornings ringing in TheO's room, despite having left it next to my bed. Mmmm!



Not even Angry Birds can distract the web slinger!

Louyn progresses and is on the cusp of intelligent speech with an array of words (almost) added daily to the vocabulary! Perhaps Pingu is not the best linguistic role model to introduce, but certainly we get a very definable 'Honk Honk' whenever the little chap is feeling mischievous. At the terrible two stage, he does have some moments, but no more than his big brother did, or perhaps has! Currently very much into mobile communication devices, hitting things with a stick, drawing on walls and feeding the Rabbit using the 'scatter seed' method. Also, it must be noted that he loves to have his picture taken, despite the London sultry look.



A relaxed Lou hanging out!

Summer is well and truly here. Tourists abound the streets and children run amuck as if they don't have school to attend, which of course they don't! That's why they invented Summer School! Three weeks should be time enough to enjoy swimming, walking and picking up stuff of the floor till the respite alleviates a gasping for quiet time! It's a fantastic time to enjoy all the island has to offer at this scorching period. The family has moved to the Qawra flat for a short 'pretend' holiday to be close to the sea and beaches, whilst attempting normal relations with work.

TheO has had massive adventures with a new inflatable boat! So large it barley fits into the car, the only option is to inflate at the beach. I am now verbally promised to six 'try dives' and a return visit to the gift shop to buy everything! My lungs act as compulsive negotiators! As the little lad falls off the side (of the boat) with mask and snorkel, mastered eventually, I am reminded of Cousteau. "Perhaps we name her Calypso" I remark. Too late, already under!

Louyn is inflating nicely despite his determined demand for a liquid diet! Whilst this could be a genetic demand, his is of a bovine variety. It seems to be problematic to get him to consume anything other than a liquid dairy derivative. However, close to talking, I'm sure he has requested I slip a scotch into his semi-skimmed! Such a determined and switched on chap. He is convinced that everything he says should be understood, looking at me with utter bewilderment, my face blank 'sorry, what was that?'



They were really having fun untill I requested a picture!