Most children can be temporarily pacified when given a toy of some description. A squeaky Rhino can provide hours of distraction. Some toys may even lead to obsessions and may never be prised from those tight little hands, not even for Jelly Tots. The little lad however is quite unique. Small toys that are supposed to create 'toddler relief' are flung in the most impossible of places. Currently, there is a small rubber 'Triceratops' lodged on the outer Bastions of the Citadel in Victoria, Gozo. A 'Sponge Bob Square Pants' ball is over the wall at Mdina, and there is a yellow 'Noddy' car at the bottom of the lift shaft of our residence. The problem is that as a frustrated 'Superhero Daddy' I am unable to approach these misplaced tests of fearless retrieval. The Bastions at Victoria and Mdina were built to keep the invading Turks out. Attempts to scale the walls will result in certain failure and, no doubt, a touch of boiling oil to boot. The lift shaft, with the scenario of a good crushing clear in my mind, represents a far more possible opportunity...

The wild child is talking much more and developing his sense of humour. He is a gold medal winner at his recent school sport Fun Day, (I think they may have all been given one) and able to tell the difference between yellow, orange and blue! (mmm) He has also started to say his name and age when asked and can name people in photographs. I'm reading 'Beers of the World' to him but don't think he really appreciates the gravitas!




An excitable lad in the Park