Sparkly!

"Mommy," Berry asks, "Who is that lady on our fridge? The one with the red dress?"


. . .

Absence

Six weeks down. We won't talk about how long there is to go...


. . .

Inconsiderate

"Mommy," Berry says, "you know what I really don't like about birds? Is when they DIE, and lie down on the road."

Dead birds have such a nerve.


. . .

Mmmmmojitos

I made these mojitos from scratch – simmered the simple syrup, squeezed the limes, even picked the mint from our garden – and they were fabulous.

I didn't drink all four of them myself, but if I hadn't had guests I might've been tempted. Nathan is usually chief mojito maker, but it looks like this is one of the valuable skills I'm gaining in his absence.

Cheers!

. . .

Not the Chosen One

Berry: Mummy, what if you were a doctor! That would be GREAT if you were a doctor.

Me: Oh! Why?

Berry: If you were a doctor, you would need to go Afghanistan and Daddy could stay home! And I love Daddy."


. . .

Ten years ago

It's ten years to the day since I met Nathan on the way to Italy. I've written about it here...


. . .

Two!

Man-show turned two on Saturday. Two!!

Berry very seriously helped me organise a little Thomas The Train-themed party for him. In the process, I forced myself to start saying Thomas the Train instead of Thomas The Tank Engine, which is what I grew up with.

Our out-of-town guests were Grandpa, Tine, cousin Parker and Woof-Woof (the dog; not his real name) and Man-show was beside himself with excitement despite being woefully sick with a ferocious cold.

"Oh my DOSH!" he shouted when he opened his Handy Manny laptop. "OH MY DOSH!"

It was all pretty marvellous, really.

. . .

That was close

Turns out dragging your feet on your U.S. citizenship application has its advantages. Exhibit A: see above.

Clicked the little box that said "Not a United States citizen" and all the hassle went away. Ahhh.

Brush with the Texas legal system, anyone?

. . .

Well, THAT was unpleasant...

Can I just mention: this is what I looked like exactly two years ago.

It's not right, is it. It's just not right.

. . .

Hello, my lovely....

Look! It's my extremely marvellous mother's day present!

I also got breakfast in bed from Nathan and Berry, and a mimosa which I managed to splash on the sheets while I was admiring the card little Man-show had drawn for me. Sadness.

Berry was extremely excited to have an Occasion and as she cosied up next to me in bed she said, "I'm loving this mother's day with you!" at least three times.

After a while I asked, "Do you want me to come downstairs while you eat breakfast?"

"No, you take your time," she said, all sixteen-like. "It's your day, so you don't have to do anything." She paused. "Except put us in our jarmies. And put us in the bath."

Another pause.

"And clean up."


. . .