Will Dig Life

On the eve of his big day, it's time for another birthday post... my young sparrow is 8, where's the time gone?  He's all broad shoulders, knobbly knees and shiny big grown-up's front teeth. I watch him grow like a weed as he runs everywhere with his boundless energy (this boy doesn't walk!), freedom-loving and structure-rejecting. His heart is big and so open and vulnerable it's making me feel like mama bear with the need to protect him.  He feels everything so deeply. Joy - "This is the best day of my life!" happens on the regular, also the most infectious high-pitched laugh... but there's equally strong anger, which he's yet to learn how to keep in check, and which sadly often results in him lashing out at those around him. He will tell me he hates me and wants to run away - and an hour later, without any manipulative agenda, he'll tell me I'm the best mum ever and he loves me with all his heart. He just says what he feels at the tim...

Since the kids had to get new passports, which means they had to attend in person at the embassy in London, we made it a family weekend of experiencing the city - the kids have never been! Obligatory London selfie... We had an Airbnb, which had a loft bed in it that the kids immediately claimed as their own... And then we went about our day on Friday - first to the Embassy, then a walk towards the science museum (which was interesting, but didn't hold their attention for long and we didn't enjoy the crowds!) where we found a brilliant play park called the Princess Diana Play Park. Rain or not, the kids weren't deterred and spent a long time enjoying those facilities. A nearly tame squirrel! It was a long day... ... and they were absolutely finished at the end! On Saturday, we visited the Tower of London where we first followed a Yeoman Warder (Beefeater) tour - he was very funny - and then explored the grounds. The ravens were particularly fascinating, and it was hilarious ...