Eating

Declan has reached a stage where he'd rather talk, than eat, unless he is particularly hungry. So dinner is becoming a bit of a trial. Sometimes (not always) just as Callum before him, he will agree to eat if given a numerical target - "eat 10 more forkfuls Declan, and then you can leave the table".

Used sparingly, French is an even better motivator. "Can you eat ten forkfuls and count them in French?". Declan will happily do so, proud to show off his language skills. I'm afraid to do it too often, though, in case we have to learn another language just to get him to eat.

Leonardo da Declan

For a while now Declan's writing has been improving but he's insisted on writing right-to-left. Recently it has moved forward again with his letter formation improving. However, now instead of just writing right-to-left (something Cal did too for a while) he's also forming the letters back-to-front - creating perfect mirror writing.

Gordon hits the buffers

After school yesterday we went to Balmoral. The kids had a lovely time on the beach and in the water. As we were late getting back, we decided to have dinner at the local Italian restaurant. While waiting to be served the boys played on the open area beside the tables until Declan (Gordon) was chuffing at speed down the line and headbutted the buffers (bollard). Boy, can that train bleed.

(He's fine now.)

The Museum

One of Cal's presents was a block of plaster with some Egyptian things encased in it. The night before last the boys spend a parentely-heartwarming hour (archaeologists work as a team) excavating the plaster. Having freed the relics, Cal decided they had to be in a museum. The cubby is now an "archaeologicalistic museum" complete with labels. The chairs are now labelled "keeper Callum" and "keeper Declan". Oh, and in case you are wondering, entry is free.

After party

It was lovely this afternoon seeing Callum, Declan, Aidan and Claire all playing happily together (Tommy was far too focussed on the trains for water-throwing to offer a valid distraction; just as Cal would have been at that age). They are all getting on increasingly well together as they age and have memories that last long enogh to make them all familiar to each other.

Party

We had Cal's Birthday party today. 26 children and all seemed to have a good time; Cal certainly did. He had Explorer Emily leading the entertainment, a pyramid cake and a chance to wrap three volunteer fathers in mummy wrapping kits (toilet roll).

I think Cal would have one of these everyday. For his parents once a year seems more than often enough.

Statistics

I've just measured the boys on Callum's birthday. Callum is 109 cm and 18 kilos - which is the 40th percentile for body mass index. Declan is 101 cm and 16.45 kilo - which is the 60th percentile for body mass index.

Teeth brushing

Declan has a new skill; he's the world champion tooth brusher. He's suddenly become very good at brushing his teeth. If he does it himself, he takes a good minute or two and gets every tooth. If I do it for him, he won't let me stop until I've brushed every single bit of his teeth. He'll make me go back and do bits again if he's not satisfied.

Psychology in action

E: "Time to put socks on Callum." [Cal comes to sit in my lap.]
E: "You need to learn to put your socks on by yourself."
C: "When I'm six."
D: [From the couch.]"I can put socks on by myself."
E: Yes, that's because you're an especially clever young man.
C: [Grabbing socks and scuttling to sit by himself.] I can put my own socks on.

Happy Birthday

Callum's turned 5! He's very proud of that fact. He had cupcakes and the class singing Happy Birthday at school, afternoon tea will all four grandparents and Granny Marta, and fish & chips at Balmoral for dinner.

Although I've been telling people he's 5 for a while, it's still a bit of a shock to the system. A few things:

- He's 109cm and 18 kilos
- He's enjoying reading Rainbow Magic books, and has branched out into other chapter books
- His favourite colour is still pink
- He loves airships and still loves trains
- He's such an urban boy that on the weekend he ordered for the whole family at a cafe - "two flat whites and two chocolate milkshakes please"

Exclamations

Callum told me this morning that his exclamation is "bursting lamingtons!".

Two of his favourite characters, Thomas the Tank Engine, and Tintin's Captain Haddock, have idiosyncratic exclamations - "cinders and ashes!" and "thundering typhoons!" respectively. Callum's decided that everyone needs one, so he made up one of his own.

Fairies

Callum and Declan have taken to being fairies, often. Callum (who leads the game) has been building fairyland, complete with fairy castle, fairy houses, fairies, and.... fairy trains. I asked Callum if there were trains in his Rainbow Magic books and he admitted that there weren't. "but I like trains, Jennifer".

I was comparing notes with Jane, mother of Isabel (who has been obsessed with fairies for much longer than Callum), and trains are an innovation in fairy land that Isabel has not yet created.

Spring

We went to Darling Harbour on the weekend with the Gaynor-Vincents, on a day that was suddenly beautiful and warm. Callum and Declan were very excited when the Gaynor-Vincents got on the ferry (our favourite, Charlotte) at Balmain, and Declan, in particular, seemed to have a great time showing off the delights of Darling Harbour to the less experienced Claire.

They played for ages by themselves in the Chinese Gardens cafe (something to do with stones), which was very nice for all adults concerned.

Athletics carnival

Cal had his first athletics carnival this morning. Unfortunately they didn't have a 4-year-old division and he came last and second last in his two races against the 5-year-olds. He was fine with it and was gracious in defeat. He did find all the waiting around in the sun hard to bear though.