My 1950s lad

Twice a week Albug goes to an after school club in the village. The owner collects Trouble Monkey and his classmates, sticks them in her minibus and they head off to the nursery-cum-holiday club. The staff are great. Friendly and welcoming but also real. They love the kids and their job but they also know little people can be monsters and need to be told when misbehaving. There are days when I turn up and they seem even more exhausted with the world than I do and considering they spend 12 hours a day with toddlers and primary school children I have no problem with that. The nursery club is a child's dream. Toys are everywhere. Literally everywhere. Mark's OCD side can't quite cope with it and you know that if he has to do pick up he will be in and out as quick as is humanly possible. As can clearly be seen with the state of my study, I'm not so particular. The children are happy, healthy and safe and that's all either of us are after.

Anyway, that was a lot of scene setting for a very short story. When I turned up today the manager greeted me with "hello, your son made me laugh so much today." An ominous start to any story. It turns out that today another one of Albug's classmates was going to the after school club. Normally it's just him and one other boy but today the manager was treated to an extra 5 year old. When Albs realised this boy would be joining them he beckoned the manger over and had her crouching in front of him so he could whisper in his ear. And what did he say? "That boy's quite bothersome."

Bothersome?? Where does this lad get his vocabulary? He keeps insisting I'm raising a ninja but turns out I've got a 1950s public school boy in the house.

Truth be told when I saw who he was referring to I thought he'd actually been quite generous in his description. Master Bothersome being engaged in tug of war with a book against a little boy known for his delicate nature at pick up time. What a charmer. But still, Albs, bothersome. Who knows who he got that word from but long may the excellent vocabulary continue

My huggle bubble

In the past few weeks George has learnt to hug. Not just to curl into a ball against you or to tuck in his arms and snuggle against your shoulder but to really hug. To put both arms around your neck and grip tight like you imagine a monkey doing.

As his language continues to grow, "huggle" has also been added to the list of words we are treated to daily. "Mummy huggle, mummy huggle, up" followed by a huge hug from my little man is the best feeling in the world. Perfect food for the soul. And, lucky for us, one he is sharing with Mark and I on a daily basis.

The world seems full of posts about how hard parenting is. Parenthood and challenge seem to be interchangeable words. Yes, it has its moments but hugs with your baby more than tips the balance. Life is good.