Try, try again!

Days out used to be a nightmare with Diddles when he was 3/4, he was like an overgrown very irritated toddler but now that he is 5, it is like something has clicked and he has new interests emerging all the time! We brought him bowling for the second time ever yesterday and he was so focused and absolutely loved that he could be involved in the game. He was so excited and yet still patiently waited for his turn to come around ( and there were 5 other people to take turns). "Patiently" and "waited" are not words I would usually have near a sentence with his name in it! It is great to see an interest that is not computer game related or TV related. He got a real thrill from bowling and even managed a spare or two! 

We also brought the boys to a kids amusement center afterward and he got on the bumper boats with his Dad. After refusing only once and then ten minutes later he realised it was safe and said "I want boats please". This seems to be a pattern with him, he always refuses once then goes to mull over the concept for a while and gives in to his curiosity. So it seems the protest is only fear of the unknown.

On summer holidays last year we realised he was a real water baby! I can not swim. I never learned and I am very ashamed of that fact. Me being a true Piscean and all! I am a wimp but I really am trying to conquer the fear, My brother has been trying to teach me on holidays over the last two years. I always seem to think I'm drowning when my head goes under the water I panic and end up swallowing a litre of chlorine (blech!) I'll never stop trying until I get it! 

But Diddles AMAZED us in the water. I actually could not believe how fearless he was. He put on his little life jacket and either jumped into the pool or carefully walked down the steps (depending on the mood), then he proceeded to swim the whole length and breadth of the pool, a lot of the time in the Deep end. He actually taught himself to swim. Needless to say he slept better on that holiday then he ever has!

  Madman has been really benefiting from all the DIY speech therapy I have been doing at home. He has not stopped yapping, Talk about complete opposites as toddlers! The only time he's quiet is if he knows he is up to no good or stuffing his gorgeous little face. He is the biggest flirt, a regular little Casanova, every female, be it Police woman or cashier in a 10 mile radius gets a really loud "Hiiiiiiiii", a wave and a huge (almost toothily) smile. He is a little character in the making. He even has the most Macho walk I have ever seen on a one year old! MAD but in a great way. The only references to Toddlerdom we have had are those of his Autie brother so this is all new for us! He never fails to make you smile!

Deep in meaningful conversation in a pub! (He's definitely starting early)