I Always Knew You Would Be Trouble

Ever since you came along little man, you have enabled me to find new ways to get myself in trouble. When I say enabled me... I mean YOU. To explain what I mean by this I am going to have to share a few of the most recent stories, and when I say stories... I mean recent events. Events that have taken place. Situations that YOU have orchestrated. 

Over the May half term we spent the week in Crete, it was a holiday we had all been really looking forward to. A chance to unwind and push aside the mundane responsibilities of everyday life. It meant a week of no school, no pulling our hair out over getting out of the house on time, or trying to coerce you into reading (in other words attempting to get blood to come out of a stone!). It was a week spent by the pool with lots of laughter. 

Of course it wasn't all that straight cut little Leo, I mean we both know that without a little drama we would have been in for a very boring week. The first spout of drama came in the form of Mummy (and yourself Leo) forgetting your rather famous comfort blanket and new little friend Sheep. The moment of realisation struck like a bolt of lightening as we drove out of Worcestershire. I knew I had to tell you before you asked for it later that day, I knew you were going to be angry, but being upfront and honest with you was definitely the right thing to do. Suffice to say you were angry. Very angry. So angry in fact that you refused to talk to me for the entire hour and a half ride to the airport, you couldn't even bring yourself to look at me! However when that was behind us, you were so grown up about the entire situation, and you went the whole week without both of your comforters for the first time in history! 

You were so well behaved for the entirety of the flight, you shone so bright on the transfer to the hotel, and you were an absolute joy to be around. Everyone thought so, in fact even when you were being mischievous you were far from naughty. This brings me to the story I wanted to tell you, we had just finished dinner, and as always you and Josh had hopped up as soon as you had finished and headed straight out to the park. It was no problem, we could see you the entire time. I followed you out as we were all planning on taking a stroll down to the beach front to take in some fresh air. 

The hotel was situated on a rather large slope, and parked on that slope were 2 or 3 golf buggies. The hotel used them to get loads around the many different rooms you see. Of course to two little boys (of course I mean yourself and Josh little man..) this was the greatest thing in the entire world. I mean there was nothing stopping either of you climbing inside...

So there you both were, you in the front and Josh in the back. I stood there and watched you both pretending to drive the carts around the establishment. Suddenly I heard a loud *CLICK* and watched as you removed your hand off the hand break. It was as though everything suddenly transformed into slow motion. The cart veered backwards and before I knew what I was doing. I had assembled the superhero positon and had automatically grabbed hold of the golf buggy to stop it verandaring off down the slope!

In hind sight I didn't know whether or not I could hold the cart. It could have just as easily knocked me flying. We were very lucky, and I was so glad I could hold the cart into position and instruct you both to hop back out. It all happened so quickly, and you were both out and on solid ground again in a matter of seconds. I however was still stood in a squat like position with both arms supporting the runaway golf cart. I was there until Heather saw the commotion from the top of the hill, she bounded down and I told her that she needed to pop the handbrake back into position as I could't move until it was secured again.

Both of you boys thought you were going to be in big trouble, but it really was just a silly mistake, and really these things should have been locked up in the first place. Once everyone was safe and the cart was secure, I couldn't help but chuckle about the ordeal. I couldn't have even written it if I had tried. and what a story for your 18th birthday... That time you and your nephew tried to steal a golf cart. 

Although you have informed me that you weren't trying to steal it. You only wanted to borrow it for a ride, and you had fully intended to return it...

I couldn't help smile about your mischievous adventure that evening, and when I called Daddy that night to tell him what you had been up to that day, you couldn't ignore the chuckle that ensued down the phone. You could almost hear the Cheshire cat smile that I could in-vision spreading over the whole of his face and making his eyes twinkle. 

There is absolutely no mistaking who's son you are little man, I know for a fact that Daddy was just like you back in the day. 

I always knew you were going to be trouble.

A big ball of squishy beautiful trouble.

The one with the leavers assembly

It's been a funny old year, one that has involved speech therapy, development concerns from outside elements and then watching as Leo came along in leaps and bounds, entirely in his own time. 

At the end of July Leo finished his time at nursery, a coming of age moment. A day that was both sad and exciting, a day full of smiles and memories that we will always treasure. We had been invited along to the school that Leo will be attending in a matter of weeks, an assembly had been put together by the nursery as it is set within the school premises. 

I love that the school and nursery is attached, it has helped make this massive transition so much easier, and Leo doesn't seem to have any concerns over the next chapter of his life. We weren't certain we were going to be able to attend the assembly as Leo had been poorly just after arriving at nursery the day before, and of course there is a 48 hour period after a child has last been sick before they can return to the school environment. To say I was disappointed was a massive understatement to say the least. I wanted Leo to experience this, because in the years to come he is going to look back on the photos and the memories of that day, he will see how much the children have grown, how he has changed and evolved. I wanted him to have that because I don't. 

I moved around as a child, so the children I attended nursery with, the children I first went to school with, they are all strangers to me. High School however is a different story, and over 10 years since leaving, I am still friendly and still see many of them. I was always a little envious of the children who knew each other from those very early days, and when a Facebook photo appeared in my timeline I would always look for me, only to discover that it was before we moved here. I wanted Leo to be one of the children who was in those memories.

Nursery cleared us to come in for the half hour assembly as Leo wasn't under the weather and hadn't been sick again. I was over the moon, I was going to get to see everything that Leo had done and put together.

They sang songs and danced about, Leo looked a little un-sure but he joined in. A far cry from the child he once was where he refused to do anything like that (just like his Mummy!). It was so amazing to watch him, this little person who was now stepping outside his comfort zone. Outside that box he had once been so firmly placed in and joining in. I sat there beaming from ear to ear the entire time, and that smile only got bigger when he was asked to stand up and announce to the entire audience of parents what he wanted to be when he was older. He took the picture he had painted, that was actually really well put together. That along with him announcing 'I want to be a race car driver' Just made my beaming smile grow ten fold.

The nursery leaders awarded all the children with their own individual awards, and it made me really appreciative to just how well these amazing ladies actually knew all of the children within their care. There were awards for who was most likely to be famous, most likely to be a singer, most happy all of the time... And I already knew what Leo's was going to be before they even called his name out. Leo was awarded the train award, for being the little boy who is ALWAYS found to be playing with trains. I had to giggle at the fact they had actually ran with this, when once upon a time they were concerned about Leo's love (or obsession) with the objects... But a long with everyone else they have seen that Leo is just a little boy who likes to accomplish things at his own pace, and in his own time. Leo is just a little boy with a big love for trains, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that.

The nursery wrapped up the very special assembly and invited parents to try the food served in the school hall that the children had the option to have from September. Boy have school meals come on a lot since my day, and I think it's going to be a great way of broadening Leo's taste palette.

We collected Leo's school bag with a number of goodies inside, and that was the start of the summer holiday's. 

I cannot believe that in a matter of a few weeks, my little boy will be starting school.

My Four Year Old

Almost 4 weeks after Leo's birthday, I am still finding it hard to believe that I have a FOUR year old. When did he suddenly get so big, and so grown up? It's been a busy few weeks, and life with a Four year old is so much fun. All of a sudden he's an actual little boy, not a baby. Not a toddler, a little boy, who walks, talks, and even starts school in September. As if I wasn't finding it hard enough to digest that my baby is Four..He's now starting school in a matter of weeks!

My four year old is funny. So very funny. Not a day goes by where he doesn't have me chuckling away at something he does, or more often than not something he says. According to Leo there are certain songs I can't sing along with, because they are 'boy songs'. It's amazing how young they are before the context of gender roles comes into play. Although having said that, when he is zooming around on Mario Kart with Mario at the helm..It's Peaches Pink car that he covets the most, yet he hates Pink...Because 'It's for girls!'.

My four year old is clever, and he knows it. He knows things that I didn't even realise he knew. We have been practicing our letters somewhat recently, only through fun games usually involving Mario and Luigi.. They are his absolute superheroes at this moment in time, and thanks to them he now recognises the letters M and L straight away. While we were looking at DVDs in Tesco recently Leo pointed at the Shaun the Sheep DVD and picked out the 'M' of the word 'Movie'. I almost choked on my Caramel Cappuccino he caught me that much off guard. 'M for Mario Mummy!' he shouted. The amazing thing is he recognises the letter for a number of words beginning with 'M', which of course is pretty great as this is the year my little man is going to learn to read!

My four year old has a love for adventure, and after our recent holiday to Tunisia he has been determined to return. Unfortunately due to everything that has happened in the country recently it hasn't been a possibility. He's picked up that something awful has happened through the news, he knows that a bad man has hurt lots of people. He doesn't understand how and why this has scarpered our plans to return however. It was just yesterday that Leo told me that he wants to go back, he wants to see his friends and party in the hotel bar again like before. Of course I explained that one day we would take him back, but at the moment no one is out there because of everything that happened. His reply? Well.. Obviously I am just being mean and 'I'm not your friend now Mummy! I want to go back to Tunisia!' was the only fitting answer he could muster.

My four year old loves to get outside, he loves to run, hop, jump and skip and scoot. Scooting is one of his passions, and not a day goes by over the summer months where he doesn't take one of his prized possessions out to play. He never ceases to amaze me with the control he exudes over his scooting, from the movement to the handling, he really is a proper little skater boy. All he needs now are a pair of Heelys to really complete his look!

He loves to keep me on my toes, and he loves popping the roof on the Mini, turning up the music far to loud and playing his current favourite song. 'Life is Life' blasts from the speakers as we drive along the road turning heads...All the while I can't help but smile as I see Leo bopping along and singing as loud as his little voice will let him. 'Life is Life, na na na!' he sings at the same time demanding 'I want it nosier! A little more, a little more!' when the volume isn't to his satisfaction.

My four year old is my entire world, and I am especially excited for the new challenges that are heading our way this year. I love that he is still a complete and utter Mummy's boy, and there is nothing better than snuggling up together for a movie night under the duvet with a big bag of popcorn, and of course a whole array of naughty treats! While we were away Leo actually shouted at a man who asked to dance with me. He ran over and broke up the two step within seconds. My little body guard.

He's growing up so quickly, and school is going to age him entirely. As soon as he puts on that uniform for the first time, he is going to be a school boy.

And I know he is so very ready for it.

Leo's Fourth Birthday

4 years ago Leo arrived.

Life as I knew it had changed forever. 

I was responsible for a small person, and it was now my job to shape and mold him into a gentle and caring young man. To show him the ways of the world, to teach him manners and feed his hunger to learn. It's the biggest responsibility I could have ever taken on and it has been so incredibly rewarding, even at the most challenging of times.

As I look back over the last 4 years I can't help but smile at how he has excelled and the things he has achieved as he has transitioned into the beautiful boy that he is today.

We spent a beautiful day together on the 27th June for his Fourth birthday. It was a day of gifts, giggles and family time. Games of Mario Kart on Leo's shiny new Nintendo Wii U, where Leo thrived on beating family members as he whizzed past showing us all that he meant business!

For Leo this was the first year that he understood the true nature of having a birthday. He knew it was something to look forward to and he knew that he was going to be spoiled. Leo had told me early on that this year he wanted a Thomas cake, and that was what I had been planning for the last few months. In my head absolutely everything was going be Thomas the Tank Engine. Until of course he discovered Super Mario and decided that actually...A Mario Kart cake was much more up his street. Yes my then almost FOUR year old was all about Mario..

Suffice to say that coming up with a new cake in my mind that I would be able to do justice for my special boy was a whole other story. I would usually attempt a practice cake a few weeks before hand... But this year there was just no time. So the night before Leo's big day was yet another year that I stayed up late, of course not as late as I did on that very same night all of those years ago! 

I was so pleased with the finished cake (A separate post on how I actually made this will be going live very soon!), it had taken hours, there were moments that I wished I had just paid to have one made, but when this cake was presented before me, complete and ready for Leo the following morning I just wanted to give myself a massive high five, and I may have even fist pumped the air!

With the cake ready, I now had to make sure that absolutely everything was in place for the morning when Leo came down stairs. I made a little hideaway in between the nook in the sofa, covered it with a sheet and placed all of his cards and gifts inside, then it was just a case of filling it with number four balloons! 

The next morning Leo didn't wake up as early as I had expected him, it was almost 9am by the time he catapulted into my bedroom and announced that it was now his birthday and we MUST now get up and go downstairs. Of course you don't argue with birthday boys (Or Leo full stop as a general rule of thumb!). As we marched down the stairs with speed, Leo stopped dead in his tracks! There before him was a birthday banner, and this only fueled his mission to get downstairs. 

He marched like a man on a mission, what he thought was waiting for him I will never know, but he knew something exciting was unfolding. It took seconds for him to scout out the room and find his present treasure trove. 'Mummy! There's presents in here!' He announced, or I should say squealed. Diving in head first he pulled out his finds, of course they were all fittingly wrapped in Mario paper!

Mummy and Daddy had treated Leo to a Nintendo Wii U, we thought it would be a nice treat to enjoy as a family, and of course we had to make sure that our budding racer had his own copy of the new Mario Kart 8 to go along with it. 

Leo now even has his very own Mario hat! The boy was ready for his special day.

When the excitement of presents had died down and breakfast was settling, I decided to pull a surprise from the car. We were borrowing a rather exciting 16 foot Water Slide for Leo's big day, and with the weather being on side we were looking forward to getting into the garden and having a play!

Leo had been really looking forward to me bringing home one of the water slides to play with, and to be honest I had shared his enthusiasm! What I would have done for one of these back in my childhood, kids today quite simply don't know how good they have it!

The slide was so easy to set up, it was just a case of laying it flat, plugging the fan into the mains and of course attaching it to the inflatable, filling the included water weights and securing them either side so that there are no toppling incidents...and boom! Time to play!

Leo and his cousin wasted no time at all getting the water out, it was a mild day but I think they soon regretted just how much water they had invested in those first few moments. There was teeth chattering and a few tears, until of course Leo discovered the water cannon! This quickly became Leo's favourite part of the water slide, as it enabled him to shoot Josh with water and stay dry himself, the plan was flawed from the beginning however, and soon Josh had seized control leaving the birthday boy regretting the initial soaking!

This slide is pretty epic to say the least, the size of it (I could have gone down myself if I wasn't absolutely to chicken by the thought of the cold water!), the included hosing that you simply have to attach with Velcro, it means that there is always a constant stream of water! If your childhoods were anything like mine...A water slide was your typical garden slide with tarpaulin draped strategically at the bottom...and a hose. Of course what would happen is, you would shoot down the slide at speed... fly off the tarpaulin and feel your landing... Or if you were feeling a little more adventurous...the slide would be placed in the paddling pool (Usually popping the pool I hasten to add!)...But it was fun while it lasted. 

The 16ft Water Slide is everything you need for fun in the sun and even boasts a splash pool, making this model a summer's day necessity.

As you can see both of the boys were so pleased with their afternoon of fun and games. The water slide really helped us celebrate Leo's Fourth birthday in style and just looking back at these memories we made, I know it's not going to be a day either of them forget in a hurry!. 

The slide was played with on and off all afternoon and well into the evening, and Leo's favourite time with it was when he was all on his own, climbing up and sliding down after it had all been dried off. Watching him climb and play about with such ease really did highlight just how grown up he now is. Those baby days are so far behind us now, but I am completely and utterly besotted with the little boy he has become. 

The day went by far to quickly and with Leo requesting Granny's homemade Chinese feast for his Birthday dinner, we were all ready to devour a banquet fit for a king! Birthday dinner was followed by cake and Happy Birthday! Leo's eyes spoke a thousand words as the sparklers were lit (In my honest opinion...If the cake doesn't take off then it's not a real party!). 

The world is now our oyster, and this age right now is just amazing. Another birthday under our belts, another day full of smiles and one Four year old boy. A Four year old boy due to start school in a matter of months, a caring, beautiful little man that has grown up far to quickly for my liking!

Thank you Toyz World for letting us borrow the water slide for the weekend!

Disclaimer: We borrowed the BeBop Water Slide for the weekend. I have not been compensated for this post. All views and opinions expressed are completely honest and my own. 

The one where you turn FOUR

 

4 years have come to pass and life as we knew it has never been the same. It's been a series of firsts, lessons and spur of the moment decisions. Together we have mapped our movements, synced our routines and created a life together, as Mother and Son.

I have made so many mistakes but you have no idea, of course my momentary lapses in judgement have always been the very best of intentions, but they were my mistakes all the same, but to you I can do no wrong. I am your go to confidant and you are my very best friend through it all. Our fun days out just the two of us cannot be matched, and I adore that one on one quality time with you. Day trips to London or just watching you run around the park, my day is made because it's with you.

I have watched you over the years become the little boy you are today, I have relished every single minute, and today as I watch you turn 4 years old, I am smiling. I'm smiling because I am so proud of you, everything you are, everything you have become, and everything that I know you are going to be.

Your cheeky disposition that has all the right ingredients to have me collapse into fits of the giggles. The random things you say, the even more random things that you DO! Cast your mind back to walking through Covent Garden with me little man, where you announce that you have a wedgie. YES at the top of your voice. By now you have let go of my hand, and in seconds you have wrenched your jeans around your ankles. You are stood beside me with your pants in public view to ABSOLUTELY EVERYBODY! I suddenly realise and begin to help you pull them back up, and the reality is that you have now captured quite an audience. People are smiling and giggling at your mishap and they can't help seeing how endearing you are. After what feels like forever I manage to get you dressed and sort you out, and off we plod on our merry way.

The last few months have seen your personality just explode like fireworks against a nights sky. It was like one night you went to sleep and woke up a confident little boy. That for me was to amazing for words, watching you suddenly going out of your comfort zone and joining in with your peers was incredible. 

Of course with your new found confidence comes a whole host of new scenarios. Usually public scenarios where you initiate conversation with someone or where I run into someone I haven't see for a long time, and you wrap yourself around their legs... And it's only a minute or so later that they realise your with me! 

A few comic sentances you have come out this month are:

'No Mummy! You can't sing this song, it's for BOYS! Not girls!'

*A lady at the train station walks over the bridge and Leo points *Mummy...I want to put her on the train tracks'.

'Mummy I don't like Daisy *points at Daisy...Face palm* She never talks to me anymore'.

'Mummy it's my birthday, I am four and go to big school in September!'

'Mummy you sleep in my bed and I sleep on your arm?'

'More kiss and more cuddles!'

'I big boy and I go to the gym with you!'

'When I go to bed I will get up and go downstairs!'

Just hearing you get the things you want to say out, the way you say things and the over all confidence that you exude is the biggest change since you turned 3 last year. I can remember asking you some questions last year, and watching the video back it just highlights how far you have come.

As you turn Four things are changing in many senses of the word. You are due to start school this September, and I am in the process of returning full time to work, the days we had a week have decreased and we are finding a new sense of normality. 

You will be pleased to know little man that we have kept your weekly photos alive, although they are now monthly as your not changing as rapidly as you once were. It just goes to show how you have put the baby days behind you once and for all, and now you have thrown the toddler days to the wind too. You really are a little boy now, a little boy who is growing up so very quickly and navigating his own way through this crazy world we live in.

Happy birthday beautiful, 

I hope you have a magical day.

Mummy

xxx