Today we went to the Teddy Bears Picnic which is an event for families and children, packed with information stalls where kids can usually do something like messy play or colouring for free. A few bouncy castles cost 20p a go, and there were even some farm animals. Of interest to me was the National Childminders Association stall because I am working towards becoming a childminder, and the National Childbirth Trust, because I know those people. Met some old new friends again. Must remember to stay in touch. I was a bit disappointed by the Mobile Toy Library. They had a good selection of toys for different age ranges, but most of it quite basic. I mean blocks, beads, shapes… They had packs as well with things like a story book and some puppets and play ideas to go with it, but let’s face it, most of those kind of things are well worth buying and a lot of it, you’d already have if you’ve got enough kids. They do sell craft materials at wholesale prices which might be worth investigating.

The kids saw a dinosour and gathered balloons and a goodie bag, went on the bouncy castle painted some pictures and saw some farm animals, and Ilias got to do some karate. When he turns five, he can go to the karate club (if we can spare 4-5 pounds a week that is). He did like it, and the boy who was holding the pillow for him to kick said he was very good. We think it might be nice for Ilias to learn how and when and who it is ok to hit and kick. The instructor said they instill it in the children. One of the little ones had come to the lesson and said “I didn’t hit grandma this week, because I know if I do I can never come back here again!” Ilias was shy about hitting and kicking at first… he must have thought it was a set-up and he’d get into trouble. But once he was convinced it really was allowed, he loved it.

After that we popped over to the playground in the same park (Valentines Park in Ilford) which was surprisingly nice. I’ve had some pretty disappointing playgrounds in my neighbourhood so far. Kids good and tired when we got home.

Thor had some nasty experiences on the 12th and the 16th of June. I took him to the GP’s office, where he was (as usual) surrounded by sweet ladies dressed in white feeling broody and smiling at him… when suddenly one of them stabbed him with a needle! Twice!!!! Right in both thighs. Poor boy. But now he’s protected against a whole list of diseases.

Only days later, he had to go to the children’s clinic to get the BCG vaccine, another injection which is for tuberculosis. It is supposed to hurt a lot and turn into a sore and eventually leave a scar, but he didn’t seem to have any trouble whatsoever. Now I have to contact the clinic to let them know he hasn’t scarred. Funny though. He hasn’t got the best skin really. Gets nappy rash in disposable nappies but not in cloth ones, and he gets dry spots on his arms just like I have. But apparently he is completely immune against tuberculosis. Come to think of it, he hasn’t really been ill much, even though he’s in contact with Ilias who goes to nursery. Must be all that amazing breastmilk he’s eating!

The following played out while reading a book with Ilias.

Ilias: Look bananas. I must count them. It’s one… two… two bananas.

Parents: Yes that is a pair of bananas.

Ilias: Noooo, that’s not pears. That is two bananas.

Parents: Two of someting is a pair. So these two bananas is a pair of bananas.

Ilias: But it’s not pears, it’s two bananas.

After a lot of laughter Ilias decided we where joking and told us we where silly. I guess this is a great example of the classic English problem of words looking or sounding the same.

B.t.w. Ilias still doesn’t get the concept of a pair but he has a while before he is due for that kind of math.