Sibling rivalry

Night after night I have to split these warring factions up. Ohh the life of a Daddy.

Little Adults

Adage or cliche some may muse but it is also fact that they do 'grow up so quick'.
Euey is 5 and asked me today why the water didn't fall down out of the sky straight away if its heavier than air.
Aoife is 3 and a significant half but plans my day out while doing a 30 piece jigsaw puzzle and running numerous other projects all at once. Not to mention the running commentary of the aforementioned tasks.
Finn is 16 months and brought George the cat biscuits this morning and grunted and pointed at the cat bowl to remind her to feed the poor cat.
Wish I could answer all Euan's questions, follow all of Aoife's instructions and pre-empt Finn's concerns. But alas at times I feel like a little boy.

Belly full of laughs

Dinner was hilarious tonight. The five of us were sitting around the table eating a very nutritious meal of sausage rolls with tomato sauce. Except Aoife, she had tomato sauce with sausage rolls, not a subtle difference if you had witnessed the banquet. The fun was initiated by the introduction of a bottle of very cold and very fizzy mineral water. Doesn't sound like a prop that would bring the house down but it did.
We passed it around the table wino style and Finn took the initiative. He seemed to be taking it in his stride, but it was a false start, a second later his face crunched up from chin to tip of nose and his eyes ballooned. It subsided as quickly as it started but it lasted long enough to have everyone at the table convulsing with laughter. Aoife went next and made sure she at least matched Finn's reaction. This time Finn led the chorus of laughter. Euey followed with his theatrics which again had everyone going but especially Finn. I had a crack and received an equally decent response, again championed by the tickled Finn. But the crescendo came from left field. While George has a finely tuned wit that keeps us all on our toes she is not famous for her slapstick. So when she pulled off a marvelous facial distortion, upon sipping the fizzy, Finn nearly stopped breathing he was laughing so much. His face, shoulders and body were convulsing as he leaned back and glanced around the table at everyone else's reactions. He had us in stitches and we just fed off each other till it hurt so good. Oh what a bellyful we survived tonight.

The magic is back

My Christmas feeling has returned. The joy I felt as a child was profound. My early memories are almost transcendental and certainly musical. I remember looking out my bedroom window on a crispy cold night, stars, on que, shining bright. I must have been humming silent night at the time 'cause it permeates my memory. I recall my Uncle Ger coming into the room and asking me "did ya hear the sleigh on the roof" My heart stopped, but all is well it started again. It was a magical moment or I at least remember it as such, so I guess that's real enough.
I haven't felt like I've been in this mystical zone for a while. It's not that I've fallen out of love with my Christmas it's just I haven't been spellbound for a spell, until now.
Euey and Aoife have really gotten into it this year, their excitement truly is palpable. They love the songs even when I sing them. They have even stopped pouting and are being good for goodness sake. Euey has mastered the countdown, only 6 days to go and Aoife has had a momentous crack at the vocals of numerous carols, including "Santa wears a red suit he's a communist". Shocking really, I blame the parents. They assisted, in varying degrees, in the letters to Santa too.
I love the way they love it and have no qualms in admitting my vicarious pleasure in this season of goodwill.
I truly can't wait for christmas this year, so much so, I can hear my heart going pitter patter pitter patter boom. Or is that just the sound, of expectant, little tiny feet!

Look at me Daddy

At 2 years 11 months Aoife has got to the catwalk stage. When I dress her in the mornings SHE will choose the clothes, parade the clothes, look for my reaction, keep or discard the clothes regardless of my reaction and begin the process again. She loves it and I must admit she looks great when she twirls around in purple shoes, black tights, flowery skirt and orange Thomas the Tank Engine t-shirt. However, it can be a little challenging when George and the boys are in the car in 40 degree heat depending on my diplomatic skills to get our little girl out the door quickly. Delicate task to rush the process while making her feel un-rushed and convinced she is the most beautifully dressed girl in the whole world. Don't know if I pulled it off but she was smiling when we joined the others in the mobile sauna. Won't go into whether the smile was reciprocated by the occupants of the car.

So what I'm a rock star

Well that's how it feels when I get in from a long days work. One of the many beautiful rewards of fatherhood. Today when I walked through the door Finn's 9 month old legs almost propelled him 3 meters across the room out of our friend Tina's arms. If it wasn't for her finely honed cat like reactions (mother of 5 year old twins)he would have experienced his first face plant. Aoife came running from my right and Koala locked my leg squealing Daddy Daddy. Euan came from my left and said in a low growling tone Daddddy and sucker punched me in the gut before giving me a bone crushing hug. Loved it. Waited for a similar show of exuberance from George but alas her coy smile was a touch more subtle and much appreciated after the initial assaults and attempted assaults upon my person. Warhol was right we all have our 15 minutes.

Here there, and everywhere

We are moving house again and yesterday Tina kindly offered to bundle Euey and Aoife with Wil and Olive for the night to expedite our move. We said let it be. Well it's been a hard days night but we've had lots of help. I miss them. Even though I am still living the bedtime routine vicariously through Tina via the medium of texts.
A little bit of twist and shout a lot of "I'm thirsty" "Euey needs a poo" "We all need a poo" "We'll wait and play in the kitchen while Euey poos". Next Aoife is on the throne Tina tells us that Aoife is up to plop number five. Its a tough job but all you need is love to get through. Next time we'll probably make it a day tripper cause Euey just told Tim "I'd like to see my Mum and Dad now". I miss you too Euey and I want to hold your hand too. Well goodnight kids. It's taken me 30Min's to write this as Tina has been updating me. Not fast enough to be a paperback writer I'd wager. Well Tina reckons Aoife has gotten older and more defiant since the last visit, hope it doesn't end in revolution. I've got a feeling Tina will be feeling dizzy miss lizzy by the time she goes to bed, till then do you want to know a secret? I'm not guilty of losing my mind. I've just been having a little fun with a little help from my friends. Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da in the Octopus's garden thats where you'll find said friends.

Night kids


P.S. I love you