Proud moment

The other day, I got out the book Granne bought for Joseph's birthday. It came with a dry wipe pen and a wipe able surface. I was amazed when he actually traced over the word tractor - amazed!

Spaghetti

The boys love spaghetti and it seems spaghetti loves my boys!

Joseph's bike

I love Joseph's bike. It has made the journey to school much more fun and without whines. We no longer have the debate about which way to go. We can always go the most direct way, over the bridge, past the ducks and onto the nice smooth path because it's great for his bike! It makes the trip home, also much more fun, no whines, no debates just the smooth path, past the ducks, over the bridge and home. The blackberries are still appearing so we have the ritual stop to and from school for 'just two' blackberries, Ben insists he wants one as well, he only gets one as he more often than not spits it back out. I love to see Joseph scooting along and putting his feet on the little ledge and balancing. 

The best thing about Joseph's bike is the adventures we've been on so far, with it. The other week we went to Skipwith Common, why do we not go there more often??? I love it, besides the awful smell of chicken poop in the carpark, the place is amazing. We took the bike, I tried to get Ben to walk but he was not happy about it at all and kept wailing, arm reaching outwards to be carried, I obliged as much as I could manage.( I think with him being the second child and  my need to have one strapped up, I've made him a little lazy.) The trees were turning, we found  the hebridian sheep and then as we went deeper into the forest we found this ...

 so of course the boys got stuck into the dirt track and did some of this ...

and this...

and ended up looking like this...

Ben looking like a member of  'Kiss'

and just to add to the Rockstar look, let's pinch Mummy's glasses!!

After a great time we headed back up the long path, Ben began to whine for a carry again, my mind became slightly over animated and highly suspicious of a parked car (I text Nathan the registration number just in case we went missing??!) Anyway it was a lovely afternoon, enhanced by the presence of Joseph's bike. I look forward to all the adventures we'll have together.

(A few days later we went to the Drax Nature trail - most remember to post about this too sometime)

Squeezing out the last drop of summer

Wayhoo - love the fact that the end of September brought with it a heat wave!!  We jumped at the opportunity to get outside and lap up the last of the summer rays. 29 degrees on the 1st of October - loved it.

Wednesday we went to Cawood park with some of Joseph's class mates for a picnic. It was nice being with everyone, however the highlight for me was taking Joseph and Ben over to the bike ramps. Joseph rides his bike to school now and I think it may have taken over from 'Red' as the favourite birthday present  It has made the walk to school much more fun and there is no whining about being tired. Presently we have to stop and pick 'two' blackberries from the bush on the way to and from school!! Anyway back to the bike ramps. It did occur to me as we made our way over that it may not be the best idea to let him go on them, one of the mums did query whether he'd be OK. But I'd already suggested it to him and his mind was now set. I need not have worried - he was fab!! He whizzed down them no problem.

 'Look at my cool moves Mum'

'Do you like my cool moves Mum?'

'Take a picture Mum....can I see?............Aww that's cute!'  (love it!!!)

That night when he said his prayers, he said: Dear Heavenly Father, thank you that Jesus loves us, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. This warmed my heart. I love the fact that he knows he is loved and that he knows that he's cute!!

Joseph turned FOUR!!!

Monday 12th September  - Pizza Hut tea on the actual day. Ben was extremely hyper, like crazy and Nathan ended up taking him back to the car, leaving Joseph and I for some 'Mum n Son time.' Joseph loved the fact that he got 'Red' the fire engine from Cars.

Thursday - Recieved his main birthday present - a bike :) It's a balance bike, so no pedals. The idea being that you just concentrate on learning how to balance first.

Saturday - It was cold, wet and windy. The picnic idea was benched. We went on the steam train from Keighley to Haworth. Granne, Grandad, Grandma and Grandad, Aunty Gemma, Aunty Alice, Uncle Richard and Ashley, Jack and Isabelle came along too. The wetaher had cheered up slightly until we got off at Haworth when the heavens opened and it totally threw it down for the hour and quarter we were there. It didn't dampen Joseph's spirit he was happy to run around in the rain, running up and down the bridge. back to Granne's for a indoor picnic, hot chocolate and lots of treats. I was very pleased no I'd even say proud of the birthday cake. the pinata cake was a success and you loved the fact there were sweets inside. Next time I will make sure that I use Cadbury's. 

Joseph was thrilled with all his gifts. Ben by this point was totally over it being Joseph's birthday, he had received his presents over three different days and enough was enough!!! It made me laugh that if you asked Joseph what he received for his birthday, he wouldn't mention his bike, he tell you about 'Red!'

Joseph

Joseph turned four this month. In some ways it's easy to think 'where has the time gone?' and then in other ways it feels like we've been on this parent journey for a lot longer! 

Joseph, I am so grateful to be your mum. You fill my life with light, energy and it has to be said lots of noise (I am not complaining!) You are so quick, you don't miss a trick! You love to laugh and be happy, it's a trait that's been noticeable in you from a very young age (Daddy blessed you that you would be so). If you hurt yourself you'd cry, but only for the briefest time because  in essence you want to be happy. Sometimes it's hard for you because you have definite ideas about what will make you happy and we as parents don't play ball! In those times you have also shown a great prowess in 'pester power' It's true you can be like a dog with a bone. We pray that you will be determined for doing good as you grow up. I love to hear you laugh, you have a gorgeous giggle.Today you went into nursery covering your face with your helmet and giggled wide mouthed and head thrown back, as Mrs Rogers guessed who it was. I also love to hear you sing - your voice is lovely, my favourite has to be when you sing' why did you let it go, cause it bit my finger so. Which finger did it bite, this little finger on my right (at this point you point to your thumb!) Other favourites are : 5 current buns and 'Dunner, Dunner, Dunner' from Lightening McQueen. When the music is playing you can't help but move, you love to shake you hips and move your booty, it's really cute though not quite appropriate during the Mormon Tabernacle Choir singing at conference!! 

At the moment you're asking where things come from

'Mummy where does corn come from?' You sounded totally disbelieving when I told you it came from a plant, and when I explained that a 'banato' also came from a plant - well that

had you giggling!!

Joseph you know who you are. You've always had this essence about you, that you knew you were special and people would want to speak to you. I always want you to feel this way because you are so special. Your first night I held you wrapped up in a blanket perched on my knee and the spirit I felt was so strong. I knew without doubt that you'd just come from Heavenly Father, that He loved you so much, you were special to Him, he'd miss you and he needed me to watch over you, love you and keep you close to Him. To have this responsibility is nothing but a blessing in my life.

I love you, my little man. Happy fourth birthday.

Love Mummy xxxx