He is going through another developmental stage that is really noticeable. Lots of hormones, interested in his body, taking more interest in what he wears and his image. Also, his body language is changing. Here he is chatting up a three year old.
At the start of the hols I took the boys to the Science museum. They were very taken with the space section and this spacesuit, in particular. Just the name 'Buzz Aldrin' has them in fits of giggles lately.
Gregor was dying to show Alastair the poo flushing down the loo and we were here for 20 minutes taking turns to flush, then wait for the sistern to fill up again. They both get lots of mileage out of their ever expanding repertoire of toilet humour - favourite of which is announcing 'I fort' whenever they fart. We used to say 'bottom popper'! Don't know whether to tell Gregor the proper word or wait for the playground to sort that one out, or continue to let them get on with it. I suppose it should be expected, also because we are toilet training Alastair at the moment.
He's getting there. After 5 years of being in nappies it's quite a relief to have such sensations, I imagine. With Gregor around as a constant and relevant role model he has quickly ditched the potty and likes to wee straight into the loo now, with a proud 'I done' and clapping hands after each time.
Alastair has really begun to blossom this holiday. It's as if his brain has been able to overcome a lot more of the basics, and now we are enjoying more connections. He still clearly has global development delay and many special needs, but his speech has come on tremendously, as have his fine and gross motor skills. This experience at the science museum was testament to his progress. Even six months ago he wouldn't have wanted to try very much and would be making pleas to leave.
He coped well with the sensory overload that is inevitable with a trip in London compared to our less urban beach life. We liked this ad.
With Allie my niece with us we were able to fit in a short trip to Spitalfields to meet up with some old friends from Prague days in a cafe.
Here's Rob stopping off in London before clinching a deal in the US, hungover and half blind, but explaining the mechanisms of a fridge to an interested Gregor (and me!)
My friend Suzanne cycled over for a coffee and met Adam for the first time.
We dropped Allie off back in Ipswich and had a play with brother Will on the swing. This area used to be Ipswich airport, but 10 years ago the council voted to close it down and build houses. 39 years ago my dad flew off from here with me in a small plane for a short trip to Oxford and back. Apparently I cried all the way.
