There I was pushing Katie on the swing in the park when a lady with two children come over. One went on the other swing while the elder one played on some of the things in the park - various climbing things and slides etc.

 

There is one plaything that is wooden and looks like a steam train engine. It has steps up and a slide down but the front part is just a horizontal hollow tunnel and so a kiddie climbing along it can, in theory, fall out the end. I've never seen it happen (most kids are far too sensible for that*) but it requires a bit of parental vigilance.

 

The lady next to me at the swings spotted that the elder child might reach the end of the funnel and so she rushed over and dived head first into the funnel - this really is quite some feat - speed, bravery and physical flexibility are all required in high doses. It's way beyond what I reckon I could do.

 

Danger averted, she came back over.

 

"Crikey," I said. "I find it challenging enough keeping an eye on one child. I can't imagine what it's like when you've got two."

 

"Oh they're not mine," she said, "I'm their gran."

 

 

* When Urs and I visited the Grand Canyon a few years ago one of the rangers told us that kids never fall off and plunge into the abyss below. They're far too sensible. The only ones who do this are young blokes - late teens, early 20s - who think they're immortal and who get too near the edge posing for photos or trying to look down.

 

Says it all, really.

 

Katie has had four teeth for a while.

 

The fourth one had come through at Easter when we were on hols in the Lake District.

 

But now it looks like numbers five and six are on their way.

 

Could that explain why Katie's not been her usual happy self this evening?

Week 65 and we've broken the 2,500 nappy barrier.

Crikey.

 

End of week 64 and we're at 2,470 nappies.

Looks like Katie is over the worst of the hand, foot and mouth disease that I mentioned in a previous post.

 

It hasn't been fun but she's been a lot more smiley and energetic in the past few days.

Katie's walking is coming on fine.

 

We took her out in the garden today while Urs' mum was visiting.

 

Katie raced up and down on the grass.

 

As usual you hope she lets all her energy out but you end up being the one who is more tired - it's the picking her up and chasing after her that does it.

 

 

 

 

  

 

On our fridge we have a variety of fridge magnets some of which make noises when pressed.

 

Katie likes playing with them, which can be a handy distraction when you're trying to get something done in the kitchen.

 

She's also discovered the washing machine is good for putting things in...

 

 

 

 

 

 

End of week sixty-three and the nappy count has reached 2,428.