Saturday Snippets

Firstly I would like to wish all our American friends a very happy Mother's Day weekend.  We Brits had our Mother's Day back in March.  I have never been able to understand why there is a difference.  We share the same Father's Day but Mother's Day is totally different.

Yesterday we had the boys all day from 9.30 a.m. until 6.30 p.m.  That gave Becky the opportunity to prepare the house for the Christening tomorrow and also to pick up the cake (more of that later).  It was very hot indeed so it was quite tiring but we spent most of the day in the garden.  There were nappies to change, lunch to be attended to, drinks all around.  We did not take any photos. Because it was so hot the boys had the minimum of clothing on and I feel that those such pictures have no place on the internet for obvious reasons.  Such a shame, but you cannot be too careful.

By the time Becky left and we had cleared away all the toys in the garden and house, got our evening meal and watched our "soaps" I was far too tired to come on the computer.  In fact I fell asleep for the rest of the evening. When I turned on this morning nearly 300 pieces of mail!!!! I will manage as many alerts as I can.

Nathan fed the fish again but this time he filled a container and did it just the way Mike does.  At Christmas we bought him a magic mat so we played a lot with that, Nathan and I.  You fill the pens that are supplied with water and then draw on the white mat.  When the drawings dry out they completely disappear and you start again.  I drew around his hands and feet much to his delight and then he attempted to draw around mine.  I wrote numbers for him and his name and we also used the stencils supplied.  I sang to him and we both did the actions to the songs.  Daniel smiled along the whole time until it got to much for him and he feel asleep in the shade.

Neither of the boys wanted toeat much, probably because it was so hot.  Nathan did manage a huge helping of chocolate/strawberry/vanilla ice-cream though. I was sorely tempted but I resisted.  Mike took some video.  When he played it back Nathan was absolutely fascinated, staring at the screen very intently and when I  appeared on it he turned and pointed at me to acknowledge he  knew that the person on the film was me.

Only one thing marred the day.  Mike had wanted to take them to the playground.  He has, so far, only taken Nathan there. He wanted to get pictures of the boys together.  So I smothered them in factor 50 sunscreen, got them dressed and off he set, armed with his camera.

Ready for the playground ~ this shows  how tall Nathan is and he is not yet two.

When he got there, it was disappointment all around.  Nathan got excited when he saw where they were going.  Mike was stopped by a Grandmother with two little tots.  She asked Mike if he was going into the playground (he could see it was already full). When he said he was, she told him that he would not be able to do so then promptly started to cry. 

The place was full of teenagers, about forty of them. They had taken over all the rides (which are for tots only and therefore totally unsuitable for them) they were kicking footballs around, causing havoc.  This poor woman had been subjected to some very unpleasant abuse.  Mike said he would take her in with him.  When they opened the gate and walked in Mike was also greeted with jeers and abuse. Abuse about his age, remarks about him being with young children.  Very nasty.  He decided to withdraw.  He and the woman waited for a while.  The woman rang the police but they were not really interested saying that they would "try" and get somebody down there later on.  The woman pointed out this would be no good because the ones causing the trouble would be gone by then and so would she as she would have to be back for her daughter to pick up the children.  So, none of the tots got their fun at the playground.  Nathan was upset.  I was furious and so was Mike.

We discussed what to do and after Mike had a cup of tea he set off to the council offices to make an official complaint.  They did take it seriously but whether anything will be done I do not know.  They will not spend the money on having a warden there, a warden with powers who could get the police if necessary.  They just seem to keep on paying out our money to  repair the vandalism and we continue to pay high community charge for very little in return.  I also know from his description of the uniform what school they attend and I am going to write to the headmaster.  I simply do not understand young people of today. So many have no manners, so many are foul-mouthed and nasty. So many have no respect for their elders or for younger children. So many have no respect for the police.  I believe that discipline starts in the home, even more so today when schools are no longer allowed to discipline. Many parents do not care what their children are up to as long as they are out of the way.  It is a sad reflection on our society.

Oh dear, this is turning into a book. I think it is time to wind up for today.  Oh yes, I mentioned the  Christening cake earlier. Becky and Dean had it made by a lady who lives not too far away and she has made a wonderful job of it. Becky kindly sent me some photos which I am sharing with you.

The little bear is so delightful with his tongue sticking out.  His fur looks almost real and so does the nappy, looks just like a proper terry one.  We all agree it is going to be a shame to cut.

However, they will keep the flowers and the plastic nappy pin as mementoes. 

The weather is due to change this afternoon so now I am going to take the daily paper into the garden and enjoy a little peace in the sun.

Have a great weekend, dear readers.