One-on-one time

My young boy is the youngest of three. It seems he feels the need to make a noise in life; he wants to be noticed. So very often I observe that if he isn't getting the attention that he needs, he creates a fuss or does something to make a statement.
Monday, I had the opportunity to give my boy some undivided 'mummy time', I relish such moments and so does he. In a one-on-one situation my boy pulls out all the stops and behaves impeccably, he's a dream child!

He wants to be near me, to experience my love and the cuddles that I enjoy freely giving....

He wants to be helpful....yesterday the first thing that the boy gave his attention to upon rising was 'The troughs....I have to break the ice on the troughs!'

Cutting kindling for the fire without being asked!

The boy wanted to bake...he had a cookie kit that he'd won at a party last year (gosh are those kits dull!), but it gave him the opportunity to do everything himself and claim ownership of the finished goodies which he shares as he sees fit.

I love watching how carefully Fen works. Great attention to detail.

He tried to mend a broken plate that fell from the drainer and crashed on the floor. Initially he stuck the plate together with tape but today he moved on to Super glue - thankfully avoiding sticking his fingers in the process.

My boy experimented with his electronics kit. He loves making circuits and yesterday he was experimenting firstly by dropping his Rara onto the spinning disc to see what would happen and secondly he tried the motor to see what effect it would have on his banana! I had to suggest other means of torturing the banana to avoid burning out the motor!

Today my boy made me literally laugh out loud! We had a family eye test and as we pulled into the parking area my boy announced his plans to trick the optician with his third eye. Hmmmm!!! Upon closer inspection, it was apparent that the child had brought a self adhesive stick on eye with him and positioned it on the bridge of his nose directly between is own eyes. Upon entering the examination room, the boy hopped into the chair to go first and when questioned as to if he had any problems he admitted that he did. He isn't able to see in the dark! I'm not sure what the optician  thought but he didn't seem to share Fen's enthusiasm! We on the other hand, had to bite hard to control our giggles. That's eight year old boys for you!

Leaving home

My boy decided he was leaving home today......

Quite out of the blue whilst travelling home from Miss P's class, the young man decided quite convincingly that today was the day!
Miss P wasn't on top form today and as a result I suggested that she take it easy for the afternoon; perhaps pop off to bed for a while to rest and recuperate. This was not music to Fen's ears.

'You don't suggest I go to bed when I'm ill'.

Me: 'Well you aren't ill often and when you are I do actually allow you to lie on the sofa or stay in bed'.

So it was decided. The moment we entered the house Fen began packing his rucksack. Oranges, a bag of food for the dog, a sleeping mat......

I questioned whether he would be back for tea? 'No' was the response!

Five minutes later adorned in cameo gear, he headed out (with the dog) without even saying goodbye!

He's the tiny dot in the distance.......

Hmmmm!

So that's it then!

It wasn't long before I was saying to myself 'What if he really doesn't come home?'
Images of conversations with the police sprang to mind...how do I explain that I just let him go and didn't even try to stop him?

I remember falling out with my own mother. I would spend hours (or so it seemed) packing up my worldly possessions into my doll's pram and heading off into the drive. Of course, I would hide behind a neighbours car and wait and hope that mum would miss me. She didn't usually come out and after a while I would give up and head back inside and unpack the whole damn thing. There would be cuddles too of course.

Five or so minutes later there was a shallow little knock on the door. My boy was home! He threw down his rucksack, shouted 'You don't care about me' and stormed upstairs!
I gently called up to see if he would like me to bring him a cheese toasty and some hot chocolate. He did.

All was resolved after that point. I made a special effort to reassure him that I do love him and he's very special and I sat with him for an hour or so crocheting and chatting whilst he ate lunch and coloured a picture.

Note to self:- Little boys (and girls) do need reminding that you love them and some sympathetic TLC also doesn't go amiss! :-)