A World of Adventures

On the spur of the moment this morning we decided to go to Chessington World of Adventures (last time I went was on a Junior School Outing when it was still called Chessington Zoo!).





There were loads of rides that George could go on, and he seemed to enjoy them all - the trucks, Toad's cars, the flying elephants and (my personal favourite) panning for gold - making good use of the sign for "more". And he was completely unphased by the driving through a dark place shooting at things ride - although he did object slightly to having to queue for it and kept trying to sneak in front of people.

A Big Red Shiny Fire Truck

This afternoon George and I did our duty by turning up for the Community Safety Event at our local One o'clock Club. Well, we hadn't had any better offers, and there is normally free stuff to be had, which always pleases me (we got some socket covers, a bag, some pencils and a water bottle - and could have had a soft toy but didn't bother).


The highlight of the afternoon was a visit from the local Fire Brigade, complete with fire engine and hoses. Even George was quite excited, and got to sit inside with the fireman.

A Little More Practice Required

George hasn't yet refined his spoon technique sufficiently to avoid the last minute turn which results in half the food ending up down his top.

But at least it provides fodder for the compulsory "doesn't my child look cute all covered in food" photos.

Boys Will Be Boys

Today George got his first pair of scabby knees - from falling over in our garden. He doesn't seem that bothered about it though, which is just as well since there are bound to be hundreds more ahead.

(Every time I tried to take a photo he put his hands on his knees, so the left knee injury is almost hidden behind his finger!)

It's All in the Genes

I have only just noticed that George sticks his tongue out slightly when he is concentrating on something - which is exactly what I do. It's amazing what you can inherit from your parents!

If you look closely at the photo of him at the Science Museum yesterday you can just see the tip of a little tongue!

Speak Soon?

Today George actually said Mama in a way that suggested he knows what it means! A momentous occasion indeed, after months and months of "Daddy". Although that is still his favourite word, and Daddy has found a new game to amuse himself with. He asks George leading questions like "Who is more fun, George - Mummy or Daddy?" To which George of course replies "Daddy". But I can play him at his own game by asking George "Who do you want to change your very smelly nappy, George - Mummy or Daddy?"

George's signing has also come on apace - although it must be said that some of the signs are quite customised. We now get versions of "dog" and "cat" and "car" and "home" and "pig" and "plane" and even "more" - although I am not sure he has quite grasped what that actually means. Still not being used by him are "drink" and "enough" and "nappy" and "all gone" - so I will try to do those more consistently now he seems to be picking things up so quickly.

And our other recent advance in communication is the shaking of the head - and less frequently nodding. George will shake his head for "no" whenever he is about to do something that he knows he is not supposed to - like touching the buttons on the TV or running off with the remote control. It doesn't stop him doing it but at least it confirms that he understands what we tell him!

Father's Day

The fathers on my side of the family gathered in Brighton today - Grandad, Uncle Steve and of course George's very own Daddy. We had a very British picnic in a Hove seafront square - sitting it out for a while as it got colder and windier, saying "I think the sun is coming out" and playing frisbee in an attempt to keep warm.

Beside the Seaside

Little G and I are down at my parents' place in sunny Bognor Regis for a couple of days while Daddy is away for work.

It turned out to be a lovely day so we headed for the seafront, where I got to satisfy my addiction to "tuppenny falls" at the amusement arcade on the pier, and George got to properly see the sea for the first time. He coped very well walking on the stones (the tide was in, so no sandcastles to be made, unfortunately) and was sensible enough not to attempt paddling.

Signs

George isn't really speaking yet - unless you count "lurdle-lurdle" as a word. He does say "Daddy" but pretty randomly, to refer to any number of unconnected things.

He does, however, understand plenty of what we say, and when he chooses to can follow quite complicated instructions - my favourite is getting him to take his dirty nappy to the bin.

And he has started to communicate using sign language. I have been signing to him for a while now, and he has used the sign for milk pretty regularly - to mean solid food as well as milk. But a couple of months ago he got the hang of "food" and shortly after that added "bird" to his repertoire. The odd thing is that I have been signing "dog" and "duck" for much longer and much more regularly but he seems to be ignoring those.

Today he added a new sign to his repertoire - "book". I only signed it to him for the first time a couple of days ago. He hasn't quite got it perfect, but it is near enough to make him understood and we were both very excited by it.

We are now working on "aeroplane" - his latest obsession - and continue to persevere with "dog" and "cat". And I must try to find out what "bee" is because we have seen quite a few of those in our garden recently.

Picnic in the Park

Today was my birthday and we met up with some friends and family for a picnic in the park. I think a good time was had by all - and it was nice to have plenty of people around to share in the chasing after George duties.