my boy

My boy is asleep in his pushchair next to me as I'm writing. He fell asleep as we walked back from school. He'd got up at 5.15.

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He was a little bit quiet when we dropped Ella at school. He loves having her about all day to mess about with.

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He's two and so lovely. Leans close in to his Dad at the dinner table, head cocked to the side, and asks: "Daddy - 'appy?" "Happy.""Checks with everyone: "Ella - 'appy? Mummy - 'appy?"

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Goes for some big tantrums. "Nooo!" Not this shirt, not those shoes. I WILL lie on the ground and kick my feet and howl.

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Loves cars (dar) and trams (bam). "Mummy! Loooo! Dar!"

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Golden brown ringlet curls. Hair that's never been cut.

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Big brown eyes. Long lashes.

toot

boy with bean

Rare to go out with one and not two small people. Ella stayed home to help Dad with an important 'secret' project. Jamie came with Mum, Auntie and Nana to ACCA to see The Waterhole, was fed jellybeans and tickled and chased.

one of each

my little brother Jamie

Ella says: I took this photo by myself and it's one of my favourite photos. I like it because he's got wide eyes and the way he's shaped his lips. And he's staring at the camera. I was standing right next to Jamie.

under my desk as I work

boy microwaving

Here are some of things Jamie likes to microwave: little dolls, jewellry, puzzle-pieces, a hat, his milk-cup, rubber animals, plastic food, a chocolate-chip cookie, textas

Wait for me!

boy in motion

see how they treat me?

What a truly expressive boy this is. Cruelly forbidden from interfering with his sister's outdoor cafe - his turns to tell us his thoughts on the sorry state of affairs. A few seconds later he has been seen - acknowledged - his feelings known. He can get back to his work.

where the boy?

At the Pirate Park.

how to paint

Another rainy afternoon, so what about a bit of painting for everyone? This was the first time our boy got into painting and I think the pictures can tell the story. We are talking Max Mess of paint and water for both small painters, plus a very large range of large and small brushes plus various painting tools: spot-maker, line-maker, wedge-thing - all pressed busily into lots of squishy paints. So much for limiting the number of tools out at once. Everything was out, everything being squished and mixed and sloshed about. Pure painting happiness. Sadly Jamie's masterpiece could not be saved - by the end it was a puddle. But Ella's has been remade into a book cover as part of my new book-binding project - will try and get some photos up soon.

Bag Boy

Jamie, sorting through the laundry rack, discovers a shopping bag, pulls it down, and puts it on. Reappears, ready to go, very pleased with himself. Sock on head, shoe in hand.