Diary of a father - Year 2004
Collected here are the ramblings of a father during those few moments of peace in an otherwise hectic and very enjoyable life as our family travels through his fourth year and her eleventh; and their parents' @#th.
2004
December
Frost, cold nights and yet still rain is prevalent. We enjoy a christmas fair at the local primary school and a Santa train ride. Second time on the train for David and much enjoyed again. His cousin Steven joined him.
Claire impresses David by her performance in the panto and Grandma is in hospital. We have a new three piece suite in the lounge in the hope it will help with his eczema and I must admit it is comfortable (as was the last).
Christmas was enjoyable on the whole. No big expensive presents just some nice little thoughtful gifts. The unusual snow flurry on the day was celebrated by a snowball fight with the neighbours over the road - great! The icy conditions the next day were not so welcome slowing down our visitors journey and causing others around our country more discomfort, if not serious misery.
November
Fireworks get a slight notice but are more of a noise nuisance. His eczema continues to deprive us all off a full uninterrupted night of sleep. He is still wearing his wraps at night. While we had no fireworks, neighbours did and we could enjoy those before turning in.
With the festive season is looming Claire is starting her rehearsals for the school Panto for the last time. She has an important line to deliver this time.
October
And the rain goes on... so we go off to sunny Spain for a week. A much welcome rest and David enjoyed the change, the beach and some swimming. The holiday was very welcome to all. Our journey out was fine, the return one okay, though late as usual. October in Spain is warm during the day and cold at night but not too hot. True some of the other holidayers were there to sun bathe but we were not. We enjoyed the beaches, the pool, the golf, the hills and the break.
September
Summer is over here in Britain. We are making little use of the garden but the surrounding countryside still holds many joys. We have seen newts, frogs, swans, moor hens, rabbits and squirrels.
August
Hot days still mean hot evenings and difficult sleep for all. David is enjoying his frequent trips with his mum down to the pond to feed the ducks.
July
Finally we move into our new house! Takes several weeks to complete the unpacking and longer still to actually put things in their new homes.
June
Mostly spent at my parent's house. Found the joys of the EyeToy. Claire prefers HP3. David is more enamoured with he school playground or splashing about in the local river.
May
New shoes: they always seem to need new shoes and with England being sprinkled with the occasional few hours of sunshine he now has some sandals. And because it is England it also means he is sporting his first trainers.
On a less mundane level Claire reached double figures this month and we celebrate! And Harry Potter III is out at the end of the month.
April
And we get a break from the Dinosaurs! He has moved onto Nemo and then Peter Pan. Claire is doing well on the walking front and her creative writing is impressive. Her lilac bedroom now has a Harry Potter poster on the walk though Hermione is preferred. Her brother meanwhile is managing well, I only have to put him in the carrier on the way back.
Thomas the Tank Engine is back - I think thanks to our trip over Easter to a Thomas the Tank Engine day out in Yorkshire. He got to meet Thomas himself! His train track and videos make regular appearances - even in his bath!
March
And it snows! Isn't the weather in this country wonderful. We have continued our walking and finding out the joys and difficulties. The air is very fresh but cold; except when it is raining of course. David is a bundle of energy despite his broken sleep. We are not coping with it as well as him. And (fanfare) Claire swam 10 metres! Very proud father here. Also this month we saw the famed plague of frogs in our road. They are heading for the local pond, a shrine for amphibians all.
February
Triceratops - he says now. And are we sick of watching Disney's Dinosaur video! He can happily watch it three times a day, every day of the week. He plays on his own now. Claire's spelling is improving. This year we plan to go walking more; serious walking involving hills. We have started to do a few smaller walks in order to build up and make sure we are sensibly prepared and equipped.
January
He asks such lovely questions
What's the matter daddy?
What did you say mummy?
Not got the 'why' question more than once or twice so far. And he is now talking to his toys!
Claire is progressing a lot better with her Harry Potter game; the one based on Chamber of Secrets. The poor devil still has to be wrapped in special bindings every night because of his eczema.
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