46 Months Old

46 months, just under 4 years. It's a long time, so much can change. So much does change. Little man you have come such a long way, learnt so much and dazzled us beyond belief. Whenever you open your mouth to give us that magical insight into your world, I am so proud. Your using your words, getting your point of view across, and boy do you have a lot to say for yourself these days!

As you got down from dinner the other night you announced 'I to full and fat now Mummy'. Catching me completely off guard. Through the laughter I didn't even think to check your plate to make sure you had actually eaten what you were supposed to. You cite your days of the week, and the first time you did it I almost fell of my chair! Your counting, your colours and your vocabulary is just exploding, all at once like the finale of a extraordinary fireworks display. 

These last few months seem to have seen something click within you, like a new found confidence has blossomed all of a sudden. You are now admittedly a parrot. You copy everything and anything, and hearing your version of Hippopotamus is just the icing on the cake, and not forgetting you coming out with 'be my guest gorgeous' when I asked if I could sit down next to you!

We visited Hatton Country World at the back end of last week, and everyone commented on just how talkative you were, It was so lovely to hear after so many people have told me the complete opposite over the past year and a half. They were right, you really did have a lot to say, and you kept on saying it too! We went over to watch the bird display and the demonstrator told you what a know it all you were, it did make me giggle! If only your speech therapist could see you now eh!

You even got the opportunity to hold an owl, now this really did make your day. I didn't think you would do it, but this alone is yet another example of how you are changing and growing.

In fact this month you have come out with all sorts! Here are a few snippets of our ever growing conversations. 

Leo: 'It's not bedtime yet Mummy, it's still morning outside! Look! Look! Morning!'

Leo; 'I not going to bed yet' 

Me: 'Oh yes you are Mr! I don't care if it's still light outside, it's bedtime Mr Moon!'

Leo: Fine! I'm going to eat my tooth!'

We pass someone with Purple hair only for Leo to express himself very loudly...'Her hair is Purple! I hate it! It's weird!'

My all time favourite question... 'Mummy...Where do you wee from! Your bum!?'

Leo 'I hate Josh's white hair! I love my brown hair!'

Your sudden confidence hasn't gone un-noticed, even nursery have picked up on it! Your development has jumped right up to where it should be, just like I said it would! Way to prove them all wrong little man, I always believed in you and now the rather incredible nursery report shows what I knew all along! I guess that is why I haven't worried about you not wanting to use the toilet for a number two.. You have always waited until bedtime when you know I can't do anything about it! Then last week, completely un-prompted and completely out of the blue, you sat on the toilet and just did it. We were all so proud, and you relished just how positive it all was. Then the next night you did it again, and again! We may have cracked it, but if not then it's just a case of when! 

You are now really looking forward to school, and I cannot believe that it's a mere 12 weeks or so away. Where on earth has the time gone!? This time next month I will have a 4 year old on my hands, and that quite honestly seems ridiculous. You cannot be that old. You just can't! Whether I want to accept it or not though, it's all happening. Your growing up on me and there's absolutely nothing I can do about it. You know what though? Even if I could, I wouldn't, every day I get to know you that little bit more, discover something new about you, and we have some amazing times that we can only enjoy together because you are getting older.

The day we spent scooting as a family only highlighted this further. You took the Storm 90 Y Slider out to the park, and took to the new way of propelling yourself forward like a duck to water. You take everything that life throws at you in your stride, you smile and keep moving forward. I love waking up to that look of pure innocence on your face when you wake up early and sneak into my room for snuggles. You lay so quietly next to me, just watching me sleep. Then you want nothing more than to snuggle and enjoy Cookie Crisp in bed!  

This time next month I expect that I will still be up in the kitchen, doing my best to bake up your fourth birthday cake. You have put demands in for Mario Kart, and I have already got lot's of ideas! 

For now though we are in complete holiday preparation. We are embarking on our very first family holiday as a 3. We are off to Tunisia next Wedneday (3rd June) for the week. You cannot wait to dig a hole on the beach with me, and of course bury Daddy!

Until next month little man...

Happy Adventures..

Planning a fun trip for all the family!

I know I am not alone in thinking of a long car journey... The thought actually makes my heart sink. We have personally experienced a long haul car journey to Europe with Leo, who at the time was just shy of one year old. At times it felt like the trip would never ever end. Lets face it... Kids get bored, they have episodes of car sickness or just become easily irritated... or for that matter irritating! All of these things combined transform into the recipe for a family holiday from hell.

I like to think that with the right amount of planning, all children can enjoy a long road trip anywhere while the parents can sit back and enjoy the view! It’s time to stop seeing the travel as a means between A and B, and start seeing it as part of the holiday!

It'a important to be prepared

We have traveled abroad a handful of times with Leo, within the first 5 months of his life we took a holiday to Tenerife, and despite working myself up to the possibility of it all going pear shaped, it was actually a hell of a lot easier than flying with a 2 year old! This summer we jetted off to Cyprus, a 4.5 hour flight. Flying with a toddler was so much more stressful than flying with a baby in arms... But I had anticipated this and packed a Trunki full of absolutely everything that I knew he would love. Things that I knew would keep him entertained... I may have even invested in a portable DVD player. I do like to opt for a peaceful life.

I packed enough food to feed a Severn nation army, replacement batteries and chargers for gadgets and I think it is even worth thinking ahead to all of the possible medications that you may need to ensure smooth sailing on your journey.

Saving tips and tricks

I speak from experience when I say that sometimes it feels as though you need to spend a small fortune in order to have a really great time. When you are away it is very easy to get lead down the primrose path to greener pastures and part with money when you don't really need to. Realistically this only serves to make you stressed and worried in the long run. 

There are a few things you can do to ensure that you don’t spend over the odds on holiday:

- Making a realistic budget before setting off including food and gas will ensure that you don’t find yourself surprised by the bill at the end. Don’t forget to have enough to cover these essentials as you could find yourself short.

- Eating ‘in’ for two meals a day mean that you can prepare food and ensure that those meals have already been covered. With the money you’ll save, you can then indulge in a fun and delicious meal in a local diner that all the family can enjoy.

Keeping the kids entertained

While some children might be happy with a good book to keep them quiet for the entire trip, most children need more entertainment than this for several hours at a time. Playing games such as ‘I Spy…’ will not only keep them happy, it will also make them feel like part of the trip. Leo is still a litltle young to completely grasp this concept but he loved pointing out the things that he could see when we asked him. This useful entertaining print and play games booklet makes sure the kids have fun on a road trip

Our Trunki full of goodies served us incredibly well on our last trip, and although it didn't put a complete end to the tantrums that follow terrible two year old's around, it certainly mellowed the experience and kept me from pulling my hair out. In fact Leo was even complimented by a number of passengers for being exceptionally well behaved.

In hind sight I think they were just thankful not to have a screaming toddler within their hearing proximity...

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