As detailed in the previous entry below, there are plans afoot to visit our antipodean relatives down-under for Christmas. This has caused a frenzy of activity within the household. Even 'Mum" may be jumping on board. The good lady has committed further time to her commercial activities with a new job on a TV programme, thus leaving me to slowly evolve into a more 'hands on' parent, which is funny, not!

The little lad is back at his school, but this is also causing some angst! He was the youngest last year and due to a technicality , is the oldest this year. He now wonders round his classroom telling other, smaller children 'I'm the daddy' It's not clear where he learnt this. When the the terror tot is not running his extortion racket(s), he has been known to be watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse at home. My expensive Italian designer coffee table has become his podium to do the 'Hot-Dog" dance. It's also the launch pad to the heights of the sky when watching Justice League, a cartoon that will distort and ruin any chance of a normal childhood.

It must also be noted the changeable habits of the good lady. Despite a routine etched in concrete, there is a developing pattern of fatigue and unreasonable requests, particularly for food. When a small packet of biscuits were reported missing from a local 'work' cupboard, the little lady was strangely quiet. For those in the 'know' I'm taking her to be checked out!



TheO enlists with the Justice League, with a little help from a bad comp!

With the week in Gozo now behind us, The little lad can now only reflect on the highlights. He will certainly miss the temporarily adopted cat, the hammock in the courtyard and the chilly, but clean swimming pool! Naming the residence 'Pete Pan's House' we have now been told by the youngster to save up and buy one!

Despite TheO being 'cool' with mum, he demanded he fly back to England with the matriarch, insisting that he would miss neither of his parents! The woe's of disappointment still echo the departure halls at Luqa.

As one would imagine, being able to swim can often come in handy, particularly on an island in the Mediterranean. The good lady has thus enlisted him in a 'Learn to Swim' course at a local pool. The little lad did very well! Jumping in, going underwater, spurting jets of water at his instructor. We were indeed proud. I am told there are plans for a visit to a bigger island. However it's on a need to know basis and I only have to pay for it.

Currently watching Rory, the Racing Car and a sudden interest in Winnie the Pooh.



With a little practice, I'm sure there is no Ocean that can't be crossed!

All week, TheO has continued to flex his memory skills. 'Mum" is coming over to visit, and an excitable young man can't wait. 'Mums coming, Mums coming' he tells everyone. They share confused glances with the good lady! I have managed to secure an elegant 'farmhouse' residence in Gozo for the week where we can all have an undeserved break. TheO will be kept busy with the pool whilst the grown ups unwind. This is not a good time for the September rains to arrive however! Fingers crossed.

As summer school is long gone and normal school is not starting till October, the little lad has been sharing a Nanny with a good friend. It has given the good lady some time to write, possibly to her solicitor, and TheO some great adventures. The boredom can be particularly painful! After all, they do say 'the devil makes work for idle hands!'

The little lad is still obsessed with Ben Tennyson and his Omnitrix, which seems to be waterproof, luckily! He will not forget his (lost) Pete Pan sword and has now adopted a piece of wood which bears a similar shape. More plasters I fear. Still watching Kung Fu Panda and showing little interest in Winnie The Poo! Also singing the opening bars of Mamma Mia by Abba, although of course I don't have a copy of it!



TheO demands I strap on the Omnitrix!

Don't be fooled. Grandparents and friends who say 'don't worry, they will forget all about it by morning' are clearly insane or have never had dealings with children. TheO's mental retention ability would make Dr Bruno Furst look like an amateur. The little lad asks the whereabouts of his 'Pete Pan Sword' almost every day. This was lost by the outlaws (who shall remain nameless) some three weeks ago. This may have something to do with his request to cut off Nana's head!! This whine is normally followed by an inquiry for his 'Ben 10 Watch' bought on Amazon, posted by 'Mum' from England, and has still not arrived. This was also three weeks ago.

As the summer draws to a close, we managed a boat trip round the islands. TheO managed to stay onboard and chew his friends prized Thomas the Tank Engine toys. This may well be another visit to the on-line store! Currently watching Kung Fu Panda, playing the Guitar and still creating a fuss when brushing his teeth!



Not very Pirate like, but on a gangplank aaarrr...

TheO has recently developed birthday issues. Any birthday party he attends, even his mothers, he will inevitably claim, at the top of his voice 'My Birthday!' He normally saves it for when the cake is making it's grand entrance with lighted candles. Small children pause to sing Happy Birthday, only then will the little lad pipe up with his fake claim. Even worse, he has been known to do the whole thing with his Maltese accent. It's horrifying! I'm convinced it's because we made such a poor effort for his 2nd.



The little lad wonders where Nana's clothes have gone

Even if Eliza's party was slightly marred, the good lady was smart enough to drop him with the outlaws for her birthday weekend, allowing a quick break at The Excelsior Hotel in Valletta. Capitalising on the use of the late check out and a massive pool, TheO and all turned out for a memorable days burning by the hotel pool! The boys confidence with swimming is exceptional. The little lad now enjoys 'jumping in' and 'pushing in' his Ma & Pa. He has even 'gone underwater' His jumping has even grown to encompass 'dry' jumping, and by that, I don't mean with the Cheerleaders! He is a keen regular at the Trampolining centre on the seafront, and yes, it is quite safe!!



TheO as Tigger

It has been difficult to explain to a demanding infant quite why his blog has not been updated over the last few weeks. Avoiding the rigorous questioning from the little lad, I have managed to confuse him with stories of his recent trip over Europe. Tall tales of an overnight stop in Troyes! A fantastic old town with much history and a merry go-round that kept the little lad busy for nearly an hour, and it wasn't even working!



Car trouble, fortunately not on the Autostrada...

I also try a distracting account of arriving in Genevre, Switzerland, a place so amazing, they sell Beedies in petrol stations. I remind him of the massive food fair and live music, topped off with a trip on the big wheel. A birds eye view of lake Genevre and the fountain at night. He seems unforgiving!

My camping yarn from Lake Maggiore in Italy reminds him of cold water and Madeline's blow-up Jet Ski, yet when I mention the cabin outside Florence, I see him thinking of his mummies trip to Dolce & Gabbana, a look of fiscal concern comes over him.



Lake Maggiore, TheO is hiding underwater...

Despite the details of his overnight boat trip from Civitavecchia to Palermo, I can see that he is really not buying any of these distraction techniques. It's not until I mention daddies birthday at Isola Bella in Taormina and 'THAT' dinner at Casa Perrotta that things start to change. After tales of Etna's lava flowing from the crater, the young mans eyes glaze over, turning to me with Sugar like eyes, 'Daddy, you're fired!'



TheO at Isola Bella , again...