The start of year 3

Leo is now in year 3, where did that time go? 

It almost feels like we get comfortable with the class and teacher and then BAM, another year has rolled around and the change is on the horizon again. 

I know that we are supposed to roll with the punches and welcome change, and I know that the children are meant to be the ones who dread the return of school... But I can't help the feeling in the pit of my stomach that materialises at the 'back to school' thought.

Let me explain why. 

Leo has always found school hard. He has overcome more than his fair share of hurdles, and do you know what? He does me proud each and every single day. But those hurdles continue to throw themselves into Leo's path, with each year at school and the demands and expectations of him becoming more, I worry about what the coming year will bring. 

At 7 Leo can see a difference between himself and some of the other children, he knows that he finds the day to day tasks that much more difficult, and that in itself is hard to bare witness too. 

The summer has highlighted a couple of avenues that I feel I need to explore for Leo, but right now I feel that to voice what those concerns are, may just lead to me prematurely putting a label on that dear boy of mine, so until those mountains can be climbed... I am just going to leave it there, and hope that I can share more in the coming months. 

Now don't get me wrong, I am not opposed to having an official diagnosis, but until it is that, official. I don't want to use any terminology that could be incorrect, because I don't think throwing these words around should be taken lightly.

For me Year 3 just seems slightly more daunting, because that means when this year is up he will be going into year 4, and then after that the very final year at this particular school, and this thought scares me so much. It scares me more than it would scare the average parent, it's not just a concern of a new school, new teachers and children, it's a deep set worry that he is going to find this even more difficult.

I guess now he is getting older too I am also concerned about overstepping my place, so some things may always have to be kept back somewhat.

Despite my concerns, September 4th rolled around, the summer holidays had once again vanished in the very blink of an eye, and I found myself walking up to the school gates just as I did on that very first day 3 years ago, only this time Leo is not holding my hand and probably never will on the school run again. On this day he confidently walked in through the gates and ran off to find his friends.

The first few days seem to have gone well and we are getting back into a routine, but I am already counting down the weeks until the half term break rolls around so that we can enjoy the Autumn weather and hopefully get out and about. 

Until next time....

Ready to learn

Leo has been back at school a month now, although it has to be said that it feels like so much longer. We have settled back into a routine, which is in fact a whole new one since we are now in our own home together, and this new set up is proving to be really helping that beautiful boy of mine, he's flourishing in a way that makes my heart sing.

In 4 weeks the little boy who never wanted to sit and read to me, reads each evening without any fights or any upset, his eyes sparkle when you cheer him on and praise him, and he just keeps going until he reaches the very last page. The little boy who didn't ever want to practice his writing, loves to show me the new letters and words he is learning to put together, he smiles as he perfects the technique and marvels at the markings he has made on his art easel. The same little boy who used to stay by my side in the school playground now parades himself around with the other children like an aeroplane.

They are just simple things to outsiders looking in, because these are all things that their children did in their reception year, but Leo didn't. In Leo's reception year he was classed as being globally delayed, and we had to jump through hoops just to even keep his attention on the task at hand. This new school term he is a completely different child, it's as though a switch has been flicked inside his head, and he's suddenly ready for school and he's ready to learn. 

When I got back home with Leo last night, I checked his reading record just as I always would. I opened it up and had a look at the notes that the teacher makes about how Leo has read at school that day. The words almost jumped off the page at me 'Leo read this really well. Leo made his sentence!'. The book was called 'The Play', and it's got some longer sentences than he is used too, so to see that he has not only given it a try, but read it really well was like all my Birthday's coming at once. 

Leo read the book twice last night, once to me and then later on to his Daddy when he arrived. We both sat there listening to our little boy reading. Really reading. Hearing how his voice flowed as the words left his lips, watching the expressions that danced across his face was just beautiful. 

When you have a child who is behind the other children, you grow a thicker skin. Parent's evenings, teacher meetings and educational psychologists all drumming it into you that your child is not achieving the same milestones as other children his age, it penetrates your skin like a knife and it cuts deep, really deep. It hurts and you really have to fight back those crocodile tears and save face to just get through those meetings. I have become so used to hearing what Leo can't do, I am always so taken a back when I hear positive feedback. Not because I don't think Leo is worthy of it, but because I am so used to hearing the concerns and worries, that now when I hear positive and encouraging feedback, I feel like my heart could burst.

I was talking to the head teacher of Leo's school yesterday, as I haven't really heard anything since Leo has gone back to school, I didn't know whether they were seeing the same changes in him that I was, I didn't know if they could see him really trying his hardest. The conversation was a positive one, and they too can see that Leo is suddenly taking flight. They can suddenly see the willingness to learn, and they are grabbing the opportunity with both hands. Just like we are at home. 

They are talking about letting Leo spend a few mornings in reception, just to help him catch up with his peers a little more. Now that he is actively absorbing information it will be beneficial for him to go over some of the lessons from last year. I am so happy that he is getting the opportunity to catch up, and I cannot be more thankful to the school for all that they have done for Leo.

We have implemented so much at home and I am always trying to find ways to make learning fun for Leo. I think the biggest change for us, and the biggest factor that has encouraged Leo to give learning his best shot is a mixture of things. We have given Leo the time, to ready himself, we have purchased fun learning aids such as the easel, we now live in a quiet home just the Two of us, where we can spend quality time without any disruptions. We have reward charts in place and at the end of this month, if Leo carries on doing the very best he can, we are purchasing him his treat. 

I made a promise to Leo before he returned back to school at the end of the summer holiday's. I told him that if he really tried his hardest and allowed me to help him, I would find the biggest Nerf Gun I could get my hands on for him. This incentive has really driven him, and as he has fulfilled his end of the bargain, I most certainly have to make good on my promise and deliver.

Incentives seem to really drive Leo to try, so I am going to make sure that we keep setting these exciting goals for him, and in turn he will not only reap the rewards of learning, but he will get a treat from Mummy and Daddy too.

Dyslexic?

Learning has always been a path laced with hurdles for Leo. It's something he has struggled with, it is something that I have struggled helping him with. It's a topic I have shared in my little piece of cyber space over the years, because it hasn't been easy, when your child falls behind you blame yourself. You take everything that people say to you as a personal criticism. It's as though they are telling you that you have failed your child, that you are failing as a parent. 

Of course that is not what they are saying, but when people speak about your child, it's about as personal as it gets. Leo was a late talker, he has been behind his peers since 18 months old so it's not really any surprise to me, that he is now behind at school. He spent last year behind, and the main concern at that point was that his speech would not be up to scratch for school, but you should hear him now! 

Something clicked and all the words just came to him, and today he is a complete chatter box, and to everyone's surprise it's not Leo's speech that is holding him back.

Within the first couple of weeks of school, the first concerns were raised. I went along to the parent/teacher meeting and I wasn't shocked or taken a back by what was said. I know my boy, I know his capabilities and I know his traits. I know when he doesn't want to do something and I know when he can't do something. He will use all the excuses under the sun 'im tired, im poorly' if it's something that doesn't tickle his fancy, and if he can't do something he will sit there and go silent. 

Let me tell you a little something about my blue eyed boy. Leo is funny, cheeky, mischievious and curious, he cracks jokes that make me laugh so hard I cry. He's innocent and long may that continue, but Leo is lazy too, and it materialises in things that he doesn't want to do. For instance when Leo dresses himself, he would quite happily lie there and let you get him dressed, but now he's at school and P.E. happens on a weekly basis he has no choice but to conform. You always know it's been P.E. at school when he rocks out at 3:15pm with his polo shirt on inside out, and his trousers so high that his boxers have ridden up around his waist. 

He has tried though, and that's all I can ask.

Last week I attended parent's evening and although on a whole it was a positive experience, again it highlighted that Leo is not where the other children are, not where he should be. Leo is a good boy, he doesn't disrupt the class, he tries. They said that he tries, but he does struggle, He struggles with reading, he struggles with writing, he struggles with patterns. He forgets things meaning that they have to go back over old ground with Leo to make sure that it has sunk in, they can feel like he has grasped something and move on to something different, only for them to re-visit the previous topic and find out that he can no longer remember how to do it.

It's funny though, because Leo's memory is so sharp. He can remember things about places we visited years ago, and aspects that I have long since forgotten, The school can see that Leo is learning, they can see him developing, but despite this he is struggling. He is behind. 

The conversation with Leo's teacher continued and although I cannot re-call the exact way the sentence was presented, it was something along the lines of 'Leo fits in with reception but whether this is the right place for him long term I don't know.' That to me highlights that they feel there is an underlying problem that needs addressing. Nothing has been mentioned or hinted at, but it's something I have been thinking about ever since. There has to be a reason that Leo struggles the way that he does. He's a smart boy, other things just click, but then school and academically something holds him back. 

I turned to google and just started having a read about learning difficulties, I started to read more into Dyslexia, and straight away I started ticking the indicator boxes that related to Leo which I have shared below: 

- Your child is not picking up the pre- reading and writing skills as expected 

Leo is behind in his reading and his writing. He recognises his name, he can spell it out and he can at times write it down for you. He goes forward but then he goes backwards again.

- Your child's speech development has/is been delayed 

Leo had speech therapy spanning over last year, and slowly but surely his vocabulary has exploded. Today they boy I see before me speaks about anything and everything, some of the words he comes out with just astound me.

- Your child shows no interest in print - Leo likes to have stories read to them, we have just started reading Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone and he is loving it, but when it comes to Leo reading to me, he is not interested and ever day is a constant battle. 

- Your child seems especially tired after a day at school

 Leo is exhausted after a day at school, and I am not just talking a little bit sleepy, he is so tired and it doesn't take long for his mood to deteriorate. A typical afternoon following the school day will see Leo come home and cuddle up with his much loved blanket on the sofa, He just needs time to sit there in silence and not do anything. I get him into bed for 6:30pm on a school night where I read to him for half an hour before he goes to bed at 7pm. School comment on a regular basis how tired Leo is during the day. Leo blinks heavily and this was another cause for their concern, but I have had Leo's eyes tested and he's absolutely fine. I can't realistically get Leo to bed any earlier than I do at the moment, and the demand of the school day is certainly taking it's toll.

- Poor concentration and is easily distracted

This is something I have always noticed with Leo, unless it is something he wants to be doing, you will never get all of his attention. You can sit and do something with him and he will turn off, you can see his eyes glaze over in front of you. His interest is easily lead astray and it's a mission to keep him at the table let alone co-operating with what you are doing. 9 times out of 10 Leo will completely shut down and refuse to even try with me, and not only is this hindering his learning, it's incredibly frustrating for me.

- Your child cannot remember a sequence of instructions and they have a poor sense of direction

- Has a poor standard of written work compared with oral ability.

- Is persistently confused by letters which look similar, particularly b/d

- Fails to recognise familiar words.

- Late to establish a dominant hand

This is something that has been mentioned to me for a long time. 'Leo is still switching hands regularly'. At one point everyone was convinced that he was going to be a lefty, but then he switched back to his Right hand. The school have said that he still doesn't have a dominant hand today.

- Sequencing problems.

I know I am grasping at straws and that 4 years old is too early for a diagnosis, but if there is something underlying that is holding Leo back for any reason what so ever. I want measures in place to help him achieve his potential. In a way having an actual reason for Leo learning differently, at a slower pace than other children would be a relief. At times I feel like I have to justify the way Leo learns to people that I shouldn't even think twice about, but when you just want the best for your child, you do it anyway because your his Mum and you want to protect him from anything and anyone that you feel causes a threat.

I myself struggled as a child. I attended the very school Leo is at today. I struggled primarily with Mathematics, and to this day I am completely rubbish, I was told as a child I had Dyscalculia, a learning difficulty that affects arithmetical calculations, and although it was never documented, and I never received any additional support through my later school years, I came out the other end. 

As I think back to my worst subject at school, Maths... I remember the humiliation that I used to endure every single lesson. I sat in fear of being picked on the spot with a problem that I knew I was either going to take ages to think about, or not even be able to answer. My hate for Maths never went away, at Middle School I would feign illness just before or during that lesson just so I could escape and go home to avoid embarrassment. I hated it, and it was soon picked up by my Mother who called a meeting with my Mathematics teacher and my little sickness stunt was rumbled, resulting in me having to attend every class.

It wasn't that I was stupid, it was just something I struggled with. It's something to this very day that I struggle with. Give me a calculator and i'm fine, I use a calculator for everything because I don't trust my mental arithmetic. I hid it away from everyone because I didn't want them to think I was different to them, I didn't want them to think I was stupid, that I wasn't capable. I didn't want them not to like me. I didn't want the teachers to send in support for me because I was embarrassed, the thought of having some sort of teaching aid coming with me to class filled me with dread. Looking back I know that sounds silly, but even as a child you think about how people perceive you, and we all know that children can be harsh at times.

I never want Leo to feel embarrassed or scared of going to school. I want him to continue to enjoy it. I don't want him to worry about what the other children will think if he can't answer a question. I want to protect him, because I have been there, and I never want him to feel so scared of being picked out to answer a question that his tummy does cartwheels inside like he is in the throws of a game of Russian Roulette.

Leo is a bright, clever little boy. He just takes a little longer, he just takes his good sweet time. This is what he has always done. This is perhaps his chosen path, and it is my job to help him navigate his way along, bumps and all. I don't care how long it takes Leo to learn, as long as he IS learning, as long as he keeps going, no matter how much time he takes, as long as he is still going forward, as long as he is HAPPY. 

That is ALL that matters.

Leo Starts School

Times are fleeting, years pass, people grow. I have always been aware of these things. It's just life. Last night I knowingly tucked my little man into bed and snuggled him down, I knew that this was the last night like this...Ever.

The last night I would ever do this for my pre-schooler anyway..

Today my not so little Leo awoke bright and early for his very first day at school. He was up and about before the alarm had even gone off, raring to get ready. His excitement was contagious as he wolfed down his Weetos and second helping of toast. He was eager to get his shiny new school uniform on, but I had decided this would have to wait until breakfast was completely cleared away to at least prevent any stained clothes before he even arrived at school...

I lay out his uniform, it was all so new and inviting and I cast my mind back to my first day at school all of those years ago. It was no wonder he was bouncing off the walls with the utter most of excitement. 

Leo stood before me completely kitted out in his new school uniform, and right before my eyes he grew. He grew tenfold within a few seconds of slipping into the attire that he will proudly wear for the next 6 years of his life. It was like he aged physically and emotionally at the same time, he looked older and suddenly, he sounded older, so much wiser than his 4 years.

As he pranced around the room telling me how much he loved his uniform, I couldn't help but smile. I had never seen him so made up with an outfit before, and I think he realised right there and then that he really was growing up. He declared his love for his 'strong trousers' and his 'big boy shoes' and we made our way out of the door (of course not before an impromptu photo shoot!)

We arrived at school and he bounced instead of walked. He skipped and he hopped, the excitement igniting in his eyes sparkling brighter and brighter as we made our way through the school gates for his very first day. 

I had been a little surprised at how excited Leo was by the entire affair after he had spent all summer telling me how he wasn't going to be going to school. He didn't seem nervous, not at all, not even a little bit. I suddenly felt an overwhelming sense of pride. It had only been months before that people were concerned about how Leo may not be ready for school. 

Now just look at him.

Look at him proving them all wrong and excelling.

Look at him.

The bell rang and children began to conform to instructions as the teacher arrived in the play ground. A lovely lady who I knew was going to teach and care for my special boy. A lady that he was already looking up to and respecting. 

Leo held my hand and we walked into his classroom, where there were children with a mixture of reactions to the special day. Some children cried, some parents cried, some laughed and played. It was a real mixture of emotions for everyone and at times it didn't feel real. 

There were no tears from Leo, he handed in his book bag, put away his lunch box and made his way to the train box (of course he did!). It was here that I pulled him in and gave him the biggest hug. Wished him an amazing first day and told him that I would be back to collect him in a few hours, and that we would head over to McDonald's for a first day treat when he finished.

With that he pulled me back in for a bigger hug and I made my way out of the door, glancing back over my shoulder I saw just how grown up my baby boy had become.

The hours flew by and before I knew it I was back at the gates collecting my big boy after his very first day. I walked slowly into the playground trying to source where my little man was in the crowd of children all running around in identical outfits. I couldn't see him straight away, and then I saw him stood perplexed, staring right at me. His little bottom lip quivering. I am pretty certain that it was only because he saw me and was exhausted after such an exhilarating day, now more than ready to come home.

He did declare that he wasn't going to be back again tomorrow...But I am sure that he will be absolutely fine. 

Of course now it begins, I ask how his day was and I don't get a response. He looks at me and doesn't want to talk about the busy day that we both know that he has had, but what he has learned remains a mystery. 

Tonight we settled down into bed and we read the book 'Can I play in the Mud' that had been sent home from school, and I tucked in my school boy ready for another busy day tomorrow.

Welcome to the school years. 

Where has the time gone?

The Imminent School Days

 

4 years ago I was pregnant. I was expecting a bouncing baby boy, and the weeks were flying by as I busied myself with everything I had to buy for the arrival of my teeny tiny newborn. Time was a blur, but I told myself that once he was here, I would have chance to catch my breath and the whirlwind in which I was circling around in would relent and time would stand still.

 

Of course Leo arrived and time did everything but slow down. Week by week he grew, he started to smile, laugh and become his own little person. He captured my heart and became my very reason for living. I dedicated all that I am to my mischievous and beautiful boy, and as the weeks turned into months, and the months turned into years, the time never did relent.

 

Leo started nursery and slowly but surely settled in, we encountered hurdles along the way but together we over came everything that tried to stop us in our tracks. We spent days together enjoying all that we were, he had become my right arm and my very best friend. The months continued to fly by and before I knew it I had a 3 year old on my hands. An actual 3 year old who was now more a pre-schooler than a toddler, and those baby days and night feeds were now just a distant memory.

 

Suddenly the time had come to start thinking about SCHOOLS! Yes schools! Somehow that little boy I had cradled in my arms, lay on my chest and burped on my lap was at the age I needed to relinquish him to outside teaching and experiences that I couldn't always be a part of. 

 

I knew exactly where I wanted Leo to go, and as the nursery he attends is based in the school grounds, I was determined that he would be attending. It's a beautiful village school and having been there myself back in the day, and having some of the very same teachers still teaching there that taught me, I knew many years ago where I wanted him to take those very first steps into education.

 

 

Of course when these applications went in, September 2015 still seemed to be so far away, a sun blazing on the very tip of the horizon, and not an imminent sunrise about to fire into the sky. But here we are in April, 4 and a bit months away to when my newly 4 year old will be starting his very first day in Reception at First School.

 

Last night at midnight I sat there refreshing the applications page, impatiently waiting to see if Leo had been offered a place at our school of choice. Midnight arrived and suddenly there was confirmation that Leo had indeed been granted a place at school for this coming September. It was all really happening.

 

I have such mixed feelings about Leo starting school, part of my thinks that it is going to do him the world of good, and the other half thinks that he is still so young and that he really will be one of the youngest in his year. Being a June baby he is at the younger end of the year, and even now there is a big difference between his over all appearance to some of the older children that are nearing the age of 5. Then I shake myself and realise that he is going to be absolutely fine, he's resilient and strong. Nothing is going to stop him or hold him back. I won't let it.

 

 

My biggest fear is handing over my baby boy on that very first day. Watching him walk into the classroom in his school uniform and leaving him in a class of 30 children, because once that has happened everything is going to change forever. What if someone is mean to him? What if he falls and needs me? What if he doesn't like it? What if he is bullied? What if he falls behind? There are so many 'what if's' buzzing around my head...

 

Once Leo has started school, he is going to grow up so quickly. He will learn new words, new meanings, life lessons. He will have outside influences that were never there before, he will grow up ten fold in a few short weeks. He will learn amazing things and some not so amazing things, and the next four years are going to be completely different to our first. It will never be the same... ever again. No longer will we have our exclusive Mummy and Leo time, days spent in the park and strolling around the town just the two of us, sipping Costa's by the river.

 

He will be at school.

 

 

These last 4 years have just completely flown. They have been the most amazing, exhilarating and emotional years of my life. Leo has learnt and grown so much, and I really do have to accept that my baby boy has grown up into a beautiful and kind little boy, and he is going to achieve so many amazing things over the coming years. It has been a learning curve for both Leo and I, because just as much as he has been learning about the ways of the world, I have had to learn about him, and being a Mum! I have made mistakes and I am by no means perfect, but when I look at Leo and his smiling Blue eyes, I know I got something right. I got him right.

 

In September I will be placing my trust in the hands of his teacher, I will be watching him take a step back from me and a step towards her. I myself will be taking a reluctant step back as he grows up a little bit more right in front of my eyes, and accepting that time will never slow down. It will only hurtle on, and our worlds are going to change forever.

 

 

Mr Tumbles Tablet Review

Everyone with toddler's has seen CBeebies something special at one point in their child television experience. Mr Tumble very quickly became one of Leo's favourite shows, and to be honest it was something that I was happy for him to have on. I have always done a little bit of signing with Leo, not a lot but it gave him a way to communicate with me before he had the words to tell me. Even today he signs for milk, and I liked that Mr Tumble may teach him a few more signs along the way.

Leo was really pleased to discover that our next task as KD Mumbassadors was to play hard with the new Mr Tumble's Tablet. Now it will come as no surprise to fans of the Something Special Show, to discover that this tablet is very bright and instantly draws you in to play with it.

The tablet features fun activities to encourage learning, all aided by the very bubbly Mr Tumble. What I really like is how they have actually used Justin Fletcher's voice for the tablet, there is nothing more frustrating than when they pull in some stranger to voice over the toys for that associated program or film...I was very pleased to hear Justin's voice when we first turned the tablet on.

The tablet it's self is touch sensitive and is sensitive enough for Leo to tap to get the desired sound. Leo likes it as it is a nice comparison to Mummy's iPad

There are 6 different games to play on the tablet, each of the activities require you to listen to Mr Tumbles instruction and then find the appropriate answer on the tablet.

- Find - The find activity is Mr Tumble telling you to find different items, such as 'Find Granddad Tumble or find the number 5'. 

- Colours - The colours activity asks you to find items distingushed by their colour, such as 'Can you find the spotted objetct, or can you find a spotty object'

- Quiz - The quiz activity asks a series of different questions and as with the other games you have to locate the answers on the tablet. There are questions such as 'How many Blue Balloons do you see and can you find something to put on your head?' The quiz is something that requires thought and knowledge and I know that it is a little beyond Leo at the moment. 

- Challenge - In the challenge activity Mr Tumble asks you to follow a series of instructions such as 'Mr Tumble is looking for the Yellow Spotty bag, can you find Mr Tumble' Once you have found Mr Tumble you are given a second command 'Can you find the Yellow Spotty bag?'.

- Follow me - Challenges the player to find each of the items Mr Tumble calls out, once you find them he gives you a new item to find.

- Funny Sounds - When pressed a random sound is presented, there are about 3 or 4 different sounds available.

Leo really likes the Mr Tumble Tablet, it is something that gets a lot of use while we are out in the car. Leo likes the pictures and the sounds that come through and he knows that it is Mr Tumble. Although Leo enjoys playing with it, he is not yet playing the individual activities as he is only 2 and hasn't quite got the knowledge just yet, but with that point aside it is a bright, fun toy that challenges him as he learns.

Mr Tumbles Tablet retails at around £19.99 and provides a fun central point for learning numbers, objects and communication.

Disclaimer: We were sent Mr Tumbles Tablet for the purpose of this review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are completely honest and my own.

A Boy's Best Friend

We are just over a month in since Tigger, our Bengal Kitten moved in.

We have had 5 weeks together, getting to know each other. 

All the while we have been keeping a watchful eye on the toddler...

and the kitten.

Trying to work out how they will get along, 

how they will behave towards one another.

Leo spent the first couple of weeks completely over the moon excited, 

excited that a CAT was living in his home.

The excitement was expressed in many ways, chasing poor Tigger around as he darted here and there, playing with the kitten toys as Tig's jumped high into the air, and then there's even the excitement on Tigger's behalf as he chased Leo around the house.

One thing has become immediately apparent in these 5 weeks,

and that is that both Leo and Tigger are BIG TROUBLE.

Tigger follows Leo around like a shadow, getting involved with all of Leo's games. 

Leo follows Tigger around and try's to crawl along the back of the sofa, climb onto his wooden play kitchen and even climb up the cat tree!

These two are going to be the very best of friends.

I put Leo to bed the other evening, tucked him in just like I always do. 

I then retreated downstairs with the baby monitor and began to do the evening chores.

Then... I heard laughter. Leo's laughter coming through the baby monitor, 

not the sounds of a sleeping baby that's for sure.

I wondered what on earth could be so funny?

Then I saw the answer to my question in the form of a pair of glowing eyes, 

gleaming at me on the infrared camera. 

Cat's eyes.

Tigger had managed to jump into Leo's cot and thus caused all of the infectious chuckles. 

He was jumping all around just making Leo chuckle that little bit more.

I worried that Leo may get scratched and thought I should retrieve him quickly.

But I stood there watching the baby monitor.

Eventually I retrieved him, Leo was so excited about the kitten's adventure in his room.

There had been no accidental scratches in all of the excitement. 

In fact Tigger seems to be incredible with Leo for the most part, 

it's just me and Luke that get the excited scratches.

In 5 weeks we have had one accidental scratch, and Leo didn't even cry.

He did however get his very first plaster as the scratch fell right where his sandals do up.

It hasn't all been plain sailing though. 

There have been moments that Leo has lost his temper and lashed out,

sometimes raising his foot as if he intended to kick poor Tig.

In each instance he has been told in no uncertain terms that it wasn't acceptable behavior.

I needn't have worried though, Tigger soon showed Leo how he wouldn't tolerate it.

Tigger wrapped himself around Leo's leg and showed him with his pointy teeth and needle type claws, exactly why you shouldn't take your temper out on a cat.

Of course Leo let out a little squeal and demanded his 'Mumma' be by his side. 

Tigger did it in such a way that there was no scratch, no awchie to kiss better. But it certainly left Leo with a lesson learned at the end of it.

For the most part Leo and Tigger get along like a house on fire. 

They follow each other's lead.

Leo pretends he is a kitten, and crawls around on the floor.

Leo laughs as Tig eats a fly and chases a spider, he laughs when his not so little kitten mis-judges a jump and takes a little tumble.

Leo has perfected his 'meow' so that he can join in the vocal sing song.

And most importantly he is enjoying the experience of having a family pet. 

He is bonding and learning how to behave with an animal. 

He is learning to love his furry friend and I can see them being the very best of friends as they continue their mischievous ways, together.

My Almost 2 Year Old...

My almost 2 year old is growing up so fast.

He runs, he jumps, he sings and he dances.

He bounds, leaps, claps and prances.

He now even feeds the ducks instead of feeding himself.

My almost 2 year old loves and is loved.

He shouts 'Muma' and 'Dada' each and every morning when he wakes.

He holds our hands while we are out and about,

and he even associates certain places with certain people.

My almost 2 year old is a mischievous little man.

He will catch your gaze during you telling him 'no',

and beam the cheekiest pearly white smile. 

He laughs a dirty laugh and knows that he is pushing his luck,

and gives the best huggles and kisses.

My almost 2 year old goes to bed in his cot,

he is not ready to make the transition into a big boy bed just yet.

Each and every night he takes his essentials with him to bed.

His Baa, his Maccapacca and his blankie, accompanied by a cold bottle of milk.

He sleeps all night long these days, only waking if he has a bad dream.

My almost 2 year old can do proper jumps.

He can get both feet well of the ground.

He jumps on the bed, on the sofa and anywhere he can possibly attempt.

He is a proper little froggy.

My almost 2 year old is a proper little boy,

his love for tractors, cars and trains is growing by the day.

He spends his play with his garage and his farm set, learning to play more imaginative games.

He runs off with my car keys and can even open my car door.

He sits in the drivers seat and wiggles the gear stick, while pretending to drive the car.

He turns on the tunes and dances as he goes.

My almost 2 year old is my best friend.

He puts a smile on my face each and every day.

I quite honestly, hand on heart do not know where I would be without him now.

My almost 2 year old is my everything.

He is my yesterday, he is my tomorrow.

He is my future. 

Toddler See, Toddler Do - Week 13

Last Friday, just over a week ago… Leo’s baby cousin made his arrival into the world. All 8lbs 10oz of him.

We took Leo over to meet him last Saturday, at just 1 day old and I was not sure how Leo was going to take to the meeting, being just a baby himself.

There were no fireworks and no real interest at this early stage. In fact Leo did not look overly impressed what so ever, but he did not even blink an eye lid when I had a cuddle with my little nephew.

This week my brother brought baby around to see everyone, and when he cried his tiny newborn cry that is what finally sparked some recognition with Leo. Leo stood and just stared at the noise coming from the car seat, trying to work out what it was and why that noise was happening. But as soon as Joshie stopped crying….Leo’s interest retreated to nothing.

Leo cannot fathom why little Joshie is getting bottles of milk when he isn't and has even tried to climb over to his baby cousin and take away his milk supply, so that he can have it for himself!

Leo's understanding is continuing to develop and I have heard a few new words over the last week. One that really pulled on a heart string was 'Daddy'. He has only said this once but it was definitive and there is no quibbling it. He said it.

I am just waiting for the day that he says 'Mummy' as this is the cutest word in the whole world. At present we still get 'Mum' and I am longing for the extra syllables.

The other word that passed Leo's lips was 'Hello' as he ran full pout from the lounge to the front door as he heard a knocking. As soon as the door opened he released his new word on the un-expected guests standing just outside. They looked really impressed with Leo's extravagant welcome and were soon cooing all over him.

The kind of attention little man loves!

I have also noticed that Leo is paying more attention to the word 'No'  in recent weeks, and by using a meaningful tone along with this powerful world, he knows I mean business. When I have been telling Leo not to do something, his bottom lip curls over and he then runs off to the nearest hiding place for a little sulk, which is usually behind one of the arm chairs or behind a cabinet. Of course it does not take him long to forgive me and I always go and get him for a little cuddle to let him know that all is forgotten.

Sometimes saying 'No' to Leo will result in a temper tantrum, the kind where you have to make sure he is lay down on the floor for as he goes all floppy so that he can throw himself down in anger. Leo has taken to throwing himself down to sitting and then backwards just to let me know how much he disapproves with me. 

But then there are moments where he is as good as gold, just like when we took him for his very first hair cut last weekend!

What has been really lovely over the past few weeks is that Leo will bring up books to look through with you. He will hand you the book or the toy he is wanting to play with and he will put his arms up to be picked up. Leo will then sit there contently on your lap until he decides that it is time to move onto the next book or toy. 

We have been playing with the shape sorter as this has quickly become one of his favourite toys. He loves to open up the lid and get out all of the coloured shapes and numbers, and he will then try and post them through the holes to put them back inside. He can get pretty frustrated when playing with it but he beams from ear to ear when he get's one right and it goes into the slot!

What have your little one's been up to this week? Any big moments?

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Toddler See, Toddler Do - Week 10 & 11

Sometimes I forget what an affectionate little boy Leo can be. There are times where he will come up to me completely out of the blue and give me a big kiss; this tells me all that I need to know.

On Tuesday when I came home from work for my lunch, Leo was playing around in the front room. Running backwards and forwards, just enjoying himself. I was sat on the floor opening the mail when Leo came towards me, getting closer and closer. I couldn’t fathom what he was trying to do, until he laid a kiss directly on me. With his goal accomplished he turned on his feet and ran back off to play.

This one little action is just the sweetest. He has obviously thought about what he wanted to do and then carried it through and this really just sums up that beautiful little boy of mine.

Leo has discovered another part of his anatomy this week to add to the ever growing list of body parts he can identify when asked too. This week he has become aware of his eyes, and if you ask Leo where his eyes are, he will squeeze his eyes tightly shut.

So we now have the knowledge of the following body parts:

- Head

- Eyes

- Hair

- Teeth

Leo’s comprehension of words continues to grow with each passing week. If you ask Leo ‘where is the light?’ he will point up to the light on the ceiling and now if you ask Leo ‘Where?’ and follow it with the appropriate hand movements, he will mirror the actions back to you and also say ‘where’.

This came about late last week when I was searching high and low for his drink cup. I came back into the kitchen and I asked Leo where it was, and flailed my arms in an ‘I don’t know’ sort of gesture. Leo then said ‘where’ and mimicked the gesture.

Leo is getting to know more and more animal sounds, we mastered cat and ‘meow’ a while ago now, but now Leo can bark like a dog ‘Woof, Woof’ and he is not afraid to make it authentic by lowering his voice and really barking.

The games with Leo continue as always, chase is a favourite at the moment and he anticipates when you are going to go and get him. ‘Ready, Steady, Go!’ Signals my intent to chase him, and as Leo waits, getting ready to run away he will shout ‘Go!’ as he takes off to get away from me.

Leo is now getting to the age where he can play fight with his Daddy, much to Daddy’s delight of course! It is not un-common these days to see Leo climbing all over Luke and the two of them having a great time. I think Luke is loving this age with Leo, as he can now be more hands on with him. The delicate, fragile stage is well and truly over and we have a rearing to go, monster bundle on our hands.

What have you been up to this week?

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Leo's Little Lady

Leo has known his little lady for almost a year now.

There is exactly 19 days between their days of birth,
and looking at them now it is hard to believe.

They have grown together and learnt together, 

and now they happily play together.

They share kisses and innocent secrets.

They communicate in their own special way, just for them to comprehend.
What they say a complete utter mystery to everyone but them.

Taking in the sights and sounds on a adventure to the park,
toddling around on their new found feet.

Peering at the football being kicked back and forth by Two young boys,
eagerly anticipating to get their little hands on it.

Running away from their Mummy's,
 as we both try to keep up with their ecstatic bursts of energy.

A young friendship blossoming as they learn the beautiful ways of the world.

Together...