Words

Littlest one has learned "me"!

Toddler's latest struggle

"Oh I can't wait, mama, I've got no patience!" [For the two minutes to get home]

I get that! 😍

Wisdom from a three year old

Three year old son: "Power from the mind."

Me: "Yes, it does come from the mind. Where did you get that from?"

Son: "From the power brick that I found in the woods a long, long time ago."

Me: "Ok..."

Into the Wild

Salt fish curry, plantain, onion pakoras, mango chutney, teas, cookies, coconut water, bubbles, bluebells, campfires, hanging hearts, dream catchers, trees, fields, green, picnic mats, camping food, chilli seeds, sunshine, bare feet, five rhythms dance, baby sling sleeping while dancing, baby sling feeding, shiatsu, shoulder rides, chickpea and spinach curry, chalk carving, trampolines, hay bale play, acoustic music, cosy tents, sofa and blankets, tea tent, cushions on the floor, appreciation, gratitude, all one, expanding boundaries, shifting comfort zones, freedom, laughter, friendship, love, simple pleasures.

Literally not a pumpkin

Me: Goodnight, my little pumpkin. [Almost asleep]

Son: Why did you call me a pumpkin, mama? I'm not fat and orange.

Me: No, you're not. It's just a nice thing to say...

Son: But I don't have seeds in me. I have blood and bones. I'm not a pumpkin.

Me: No, you're not a pumpkin...Silly mama... [No-one almost asleep now]

Chatterings of a 3.5 year old

"I know what I know, mama, remember? Don't tell me or ask me, remember? I'm talking to you, mama. Daddy, not you, I'm talking to mama!"

...as he is meant to be falling asleep in the car...

Release of the bee

The boy found an almost dead bee and was very distressed that he might die. After much caring, with water, flowers and finally sugar water, Mr Bee came back to life and was liberated the next day when the sun was up. The boy was very happy, to say the least, and extremely proud that we'd saved Mr Bee.

Toddler comprehension of the men of the cloth

My son: Dada and dadi aren't muslins, mama, that's just silly!

Me: 'm' for mama at the end, not 'n' for naughty!

(Trying to explain difference between Catholic and Baptist churches and why the Baptist one isn't Baka's church, led on to an attempt at explaining religion...which switched to his other grandparents. We didn't attempt atheist and agnostic.)

Silver linings of rather stormy clouds

Stormy clouds have come and gone (hopefully).

Silver linings: I had snuggles with both kids before bed, I had an hour in the middle of the night to appreciate my beautiful daughter, I slept on leopard print, I have eaten some yummy and filling food in the last 24 hours, I love my mama, my husband makes me laugh and feel loved. I am lucky.

New stuff

Me: do you want more milk or have you finished?

One year old (clear as a bell): finished. [Walks off, hands in the air, and investigates the toy box]

First word after mama, da (daddy), and ba (Baka). Some approximation of yes (deh) and no, but that one is less clear - she tends to utilise shouting random sounds if she's unhappy. She's also taken to putting her hand over her mouth when coughing, even in her sleep, and both hands over her eyes when crying. 😍