4 posts tagged “kids”

So there we were waiting the hours that have to pass between the time when you check in for a international flight and when the plane actually takes off.

Now as nice as the departures section of OR Tambo is, doing it with two extremely tired children is not to be recommended. Charlotte was well behaved but Devon, as soon as his attention was captured by an item, be it a display of chocolates in duty free, an aeroplane or a truck traversing the runway he was fixed to the spot. Neither promises of greater treasures down the road or threats of finding a naughty chair. stair or spot in the airport would move the little fellow from his chosen spot. And if you were to threaten to leave him behind he quietly lay down on the floor. Not screaming hysterically, until I picked him up though.

Eventually we made it to the gate and we could relax a bit as a nice old Mancunian entertained both Charlotte and Devon while we waited for the plane.

Eventually we boarded and considering that this was their first time flying both were well behaved.

Schipol was great, as far as airports can be great and eventually we hit Dublin airport.

We sailed through customs and immigration and found Zoe. Leigh and the boys outside waiting for us.

A quick detour to McDonalds and we were soon on our way in 2 cars from the airport to Port Laoise.

The have that TV programme "Kids say the darndest things" and the other night I got a personal performance from my almost 4-year old daughter.
For all her cuteness she has a knack, as all children do, of picking up comments and sayings after hearing them from 100m in a crowded shopping mall and repeating them word for word at a later date. One day she breaks out into song: "Don't ya wish your girlfriend was hot like me..." and there I was in hysterics on the floor and just for laughs I join in and get told "No daddy only girls not boys." and she learned that from one of her classmates at pre-school.

So two nights ago Kim was off at another interminable work function and I was home alone with the kids. Devon was already asleep and even though it was way past Charlotte's bedtime she was putting together a Barbie puzzle and clearly enjoying herself so I let her carry on. After the third time and the latest episode of Numb3rs was finished it was time for bed. So all very nicely I break the news to her, but she wants to do the puzzle again and as the adult in this relationship I know she will keep on going "One more time daddy" until the clock strikes midnight so I put my foot down, gently and start packing the puzzle.
On cue the tears start welling up in her eyes and she say: "Daddy, you've ruined my life, you've ruined my life!"
I know that at this point I really should have sent her to the naughty chair but I was doubled over in laughter and almost rolling on the floor.

I thought this was only supposed to happen in the teenage years, but I have been wrong before and I guess I will be again.

My three year old daughter comes back from creche last week and starts talking about her boyfriend. Now considering her age you can imagine that I was quite interested in finding out who this mystery boy might be.
She luckily didn't hold out for long under intensive interrogation and I soon had the name of the boy.
A few days later I asked her again and she gave me the name of a different boy. When pressed to find out what happened to the boy she had told us about a few days ago, she says "he was my boyfriend yesterday."
Then in her bag the next day was an invitation for the first boy's birthday party. Luckily it seems that they have kissed and made up and he is now her boyfriend again. So tomorrow's birthday party should be a kindergarten version of Meet the Parents.
I just wonder if we will turn out to be the Fokkers or the Byrnes'.