A Footballing First

Well, it took a while, but yesterday, Rowan became the first Wallace boy to accompany me to a football match. Rowan and I were the 2 in the 912 who went along to watch the Championship (first division to you and me) relegation battle between Alloa and St. Mirren at a blustery Indodrill Stadium in Alloa. With both teams having replaced their managers within the previous week after poor seasons to date, the game was never going to be a classic, but a goal in each half from the Buddies sealed the points.

Rowan has shown a modest interest in the sport this past year, mostly because his classmates play and talk about it all the time. To his credit, he was patient throughout a moderate match played on artificial turf but notably didn't cheer when the first goal went in and contrived to miss the second goal as he'd gone off to the toilet! Still, he was happy with his square sausage on a roll and a few fruit polos. It reminded me of my first match back on a sunny August afternoon in 1972, again following St. Mirren's relegation from the top flight, when I sat on the grass bank at the top of the Caledonian St End of what was then the vast, crumbling oval of Love St, the Buddies' erstwhile home. That day St. Mirren ran out 5-1 winners over Brechin City and my induction into a life of supporting also-rans was complete. Time will tell if Rowan repeats his trip to see another match with me, but it was good to have his company yesterday. Maybe Santa will bring him a pair of football boots after all.

A sleepy little town

I was long overdue a visit west so I headed off on Friday with Rowan and Angus in tow, after the usual morning spent packing, to see Dorothy in Paisley en route to heading over to Millport. Dorothy was looking well, having passed her 80th birthday last year. Rowan and Angus were suitably well behaved, although Angus did nearly knock Dorothy over when he rushed at her as we were saying goodbye after a walk across Brodie Park to the playpark. Rowan was delighted to discover Dorothy's Nintendo DS. That kept him occupied for half the visit!

We did a brief tour around Glenburn by car. The last of the tenements have now been removed from Grampian Avenue meaning that the landscape of my childhood is now a very odd one, with strings of terraced houses separated by broad green spaces. At least they have grassed over the gap sites but it is fascinating to see the path from Skye Cresecent shops standing in isolation where once it cut between tenements and lock-ups. I asked Rowan if he would find it strange to come back to Swanston Terrace with his children to point it out to them, but that someone else would be living there. I could see him coming to terms with the idea until he gave one of his sage nods and agreed "that would be weird."

It was chilly on the ferry across from Largs to the Cumbrae Slip. Angus was excited as we docked and the door laid down to let us drive on to the island. We came over Ferry Road which affords a lovely view down over Millport to the Wee Cumbrae and beyond to Bute and Arran. Dusk was approaching as we arrived at our rented flat, 24 Stuart Street, top floor above the Ritz Cafe. Having lugged the stuff up the stairs (the wee two aren't renowned for their ability to shift baggage, although Angus can manage a fair weight in his muckle paws) we went for an evening stroll along the deserted prom and threw some stones in the sea at Newton Beach. There was some snow clinging to the slopes of Arran's mountains and the profile of the Wee Cumbrae was as familiar as ever.

After dinner and telly I finally settled the boys down. They were sharing a double bed while I was in a sleeping bag on the bed settee. Millport was like a ghost town, a fact echoed by the lonely caterwaulings from the George Hotel karaoke as the evening wore on. Saturday dawned grey and grim, with the last remains of a band of rain lingering over the Firth of Clyde and a stiff breeze blowing. We had a late breakfast, watched the seals on the Eileans through the binoculars, then eventually wrapped up and battled our way along the sea front to Kames Bay. The boys ran about the crazy golf, were curious about the Crocodile Rock and had to be warned off the rocks which were slick with algae and rain. We cut back along the back streets "It's a sleepy little town" declared Rowan. He decided that one dwelling "looked like a vampire house" just before a curious wailing rose on the air from it. Rowan's eyes widened and we scuttled on!

After lunch we walked round to West Bay to see May and James. Alison was there too. I hadn't see her since Dad's funeral, over sixteen years ago. May broke a couple of ribs last week but is still looking well and James still has his spark of humour despite being pretty much housebound these days. He's getting more deaf and his lungs and heart aren't great but he still had a smile on his face. Rowan read most of the time but then he and Angus took to wrestling on the carpet in the hall which was not conducive to a lengthy visit.

Fortunately they had a diversion just a few doors away. The Best girls, Emily and Rachel, were staying with their gran, Lorna, at number 15. Rachel is in Rowan's class at school and Finn is in the same class as Emily. It was dry overhead but still overcast, damp and cold, but the boys and girls had a great time playing in the West Bay play park. We went inside for some indoors play while I had a cup of tea and a chat with Lorna. Angus and Emily went down to the little beach then the girls showed the boys an old World War II cannon on the edge of the playing field. By now, Rowan was running about without a coat on, despite it being cold. It was an enjoyable afternoon with no rush to go anywhere or do anything other than play.

As it started to get dark we bade our farewells and walked back round to our flat for tea and telly. Angus was much quicker to get to sleep after a day of fresh air and no naps! Rowan continued his reading rampage, piling through Beast Quest books at a rate of one an hour or quicker. It's great to see.

Sunday morning was a marked contrast to Saturday, the sun dancing on the sea as the tide began to recede from its dawn high water mark. The flat we were in had a lovely view across the Eileans in the bay to Hunterston (well, power stations do spoil a view somewhat) and down to Portencross. The chairs by the window were just the spot for a leisurely cup of tea. I packed up and washed up then we went a short distance to the rocks below the crazy golf. Rowan impressed by climbing the four to five metre wall that I once froze on as a teenager (I climbed it before Rowan, just to prove to myself I still could!) then, as I was taking a photo of him, I felt my feet slipping away on the rock. I tried to re-adjust but had to step on to wetter rocks and more seaweed. My legs went from under me and I sprawled on my back. I was fortunate that I landed on a flat, but damp, rock. How I didn't break my camera, my wrist or crack my head or damage my back I don't know, although I suspect I did sprain a thumb as my hand is rather tender today.

We packed the last of the gear in the car, the boys had an ice lolly from the Ritz Cafe, we wandered around the block and up the Old Pier, then got in the car. I drove the long way round to the ferry, up the west coast of Greater Cumbrae with its views across to Kilchattan Bay, Arran and Kintyre beyond. Rowan was disappointed not to see Indian Rock (I think it was overgrown) but was singing lots of songs about Pooh Bear and was in a great mood. Angus was also pretty lively. I think they enjoyed their "venture" as Angus called it. We missed the 3.30 sailing so I drove up to the Glaid Stane at the top of the island. It's a fine point from which to view the Firth of Clyde: north to Inverkip and the Holy Loch and Kyles of Bute and south to the Wee Cumbrae and Arran.

From there we were homeward bound, crossing on the 4pm ferry and arriving home at 5.45pm in time for tea. A great wee break "doon ra' wattir!"

Rowan Rowan Redbreist

Rowan was picked as one of the three representatives of his class to recite the J.K.Annand poen "Robin Robin Redbreist" but didn't quite make the final cut. That didn't matter to us though because it was great to see him confidently deliver the short poem in the Scots tongue, despite him still being a little unclear in his enunciation of "r". He was taking every opportunity to recite it in front of any gathering in the house, bringing a tear to the eye of several Pampered Chef ladies! It was good to see him concentrate on something. He does have good memory, that is evident in the speed with which he is taking to reading, but his inability to stay still and give you attention and appear to have understood what you are saying and act upon it, is a cause for concern, especially if he continues to behave that way in class.

All the Wallace boys were in the MacPherson clan at school, which was part of the Growing Confident Kids programme at Pentland. There were four clans, with members from each class. They had Highland Games type events, were learning songs and dances and all things Scottish. There was a showcase event with lots of things on all over the school. Sharon went along to see it. Finn continues to get a lot more homework than Sean, which Finn finds frustrating. He doesn't enjoy the word side of things, spelling and making up sentences. Usually this ends in tantrums and tears. He enjoys his maths and his reading is great (as is his joined-up writing) but he just cannot seem to settle into writing a few creative (or even basic) sentences without a long rigmarole. He finished "The Enchanted Wood" this week which is by far his longest book to date, so he was quite rightly proud of that achievement. Sean continues to cycle though the Harry Potter tales despite my efforts to get him to branch out. He's read some of them four times now.

Rowan is five

Hot on the heels of Sean's birthday comes the be-dimpled boy's birthday. We held a joint family birthday lunch out at Swanston Golf Club on Saturday, after Sean and Finn had completed their golf lesson and Sharon had an unsuccessful trip to Loanhead where the swimming pool was closed. Still, we had a nice lunch and the boys pretty much behaved themselves. Sharon was busy in the afternoon so I had to be the homework boss. Finn has a lot of homework compared to Sean, which usually leads to tantrums and fights. He persevered this time and was doing some excellent joined up writing. Rowan meanwhile is reading very well. It can be hard to determine if he is reading from memory or actually blending his sounds to read the words but either way he's coming on in leaps and bounds.

Sunday was his both his birthday and his party day. He has been looking forward to being five for some time, as he anticipates that a whole new world of possibilities will open up to him now he's five. Like paying on the bus. Sadly, on the day itself, he was a bit subdued by a tummy bug, possibly the same one that seems to have been hanging about the Wallace household for the best part of the last month. At his party, at The Kabin in Loanhead, shared with Toby Francis, he played at hiding under the table, but that was really just Rowan's way of trying to escape from the hubbub, which isn't like him. Usually he likes to run with the pack, nosing his way into everything that's going on. He came out of the soft play too, unlike Angus, who was lathered in sweat. A couple of Rowan's friends complained that "his little brother was hitting them." Basher returns! Finn was at the party but Sean saw sense in avoiding a plague of five year olds and spent the afternoon at Alex's house instead. The party was enjoyed by all, despite Rowan's lack of participation. Later that evening he was complaining more of a sore stomach and got out his bed late for a little supper and a cuddle from his Mammy.

In the morning he opened his presents and had a second go in the evening after his party. With Rowan the enjoyment is usual in the opening and unwrapping and tearing rather than the presents themselves. He got a Vectron Wave from us which was pretty rubbish, to be honest, and doesn't seem to work. He got lots of play figures, some Mega Bloks, a Moshi Monsters gift pack, some money and a couple of tops.

So, not the greatest of fifth birthdays for the King of the Dimples. Here's hoping he recovers soon and really starts to enjoy being a big five year old boy.

Birthday girl

Rowan was very sick in the middle of the night going into Monday, which is very unusual for him. Sharon didn't get much sleep at all as she went into the spare bed with him but he was retching every half hour or so, having been sick all over the bathroom floor before that. He recovered gradually over the course of Monday, having bedded down on the couch and got a marathon dose of TV, which can only have been to his liking. No-one else came down with anything as the week progressed, thankfully. Rowan's hygiene leaves a lot to be desired at times so whether he's picked something up or infected himself remains open to debate.

We're arranging Rowan's party for The Kabin, a new soft-play and general community resource in Loanhead. It seems a nice place and well-priced too. Sharon took the boys there and on the way out inadvertantly pressed the fire alarm instead of the door release button. The staff didn't know how to switch it off. As Sharon drove off she saw a fire engine heading towards the building...

It was Sharon's birthday yesterday. Lesley and Stuart came over to mind the boys while we headed through to Glasgow to the Firebird, a (supposedly) gluten-free restaurant near Kelvingrove Art Gallery to meet the Wilsons times two. The place smelt suspiciously of paraffin and could give no guarantees about the "gluten-freeness" of the main courses - they could only vouch for the pasta and pizza dishes (which I would normally avoid as these are dishes I could do at home). The food was decent enough, although I do find pizza rather boring, and it was good to meet up with Jane, Philip, Alison and David. We went on to a pub briefly afterwards before cracking back through to Edinburgh.

Full days for Rowan

Rowan can be a bundle of energy at the best of times but when he gets excited then it's a bit like releasing a spinning top in a chicken coop. And boy, was he excited this week. After the Monday holiday, he was going to school for the full day and that meant staying for lunches. He was certainly a giddy kipper heading off with his lunchbox in his bag and, so far, hasn't forgotten to bring any tubs or spoons home. It's a lot of work now in the evenings, especially on a Wednesday night when I'm usually making my lunch, Angus's lunch and dinner for nursery and three lunches for the schoolboys. It takes a while!

Rowan was also excited at the prospect of going to after school club with his big brothers on Thursday, although that seems to have been less of an event than he hoped it might be. By Friday, he was very tired and, on returning from school at lunchtime, dozed off on his bed while Sharon was making the lunch. "I can't believe you woke me from my sleep!" was the wail, accompanied by the usual battery of Rowan sobs and big tears.

Lesley and Stuart minded the boys on Friday night while Sharon took me out to Thai Lemongrass. We were accompanied by Hannah and Gav. The meal was a thankyou from the ladies to the husbands for putting up with their Great North Run training demands.The food, as ever, was very tasty. I tried to steer clear of anything too spicy as I'm really trying to keep an eye on what I'm eating just now to see if there is anything upsetting my gastric balance.

Having not been able to run in Newcastle, Sharon had a run of eating out instead. She was up in Perth to meet Sally for tapas then the next night finally caught up with (world champ once more) Katherine Grainger and Rachael Woolf in their old stomping ground of Gordon's Trattoria. On the Saturday it was me doing the cooking, for the Patersons, as we had them round for dinner. As cook, I didn't feel the fayre matched up with the amount of time taken to prepare it. Plus Sharon and I had a day where we seemed to be continually at the odds with the boys, as is often the case when the weather outside is poor and the boys keep asking if they can do this, that and the other and we say no. On Sunday we let them do what they wanted for most of the time, which comprised playing Harry Potter on the Wii.

We did venture out in the afternoon for a runabout in Kings Park, Dalkeith. I was the one who did myself a mischief, slipping on the greasy astroturf as I kicked the football and slamming to the ground. I lay for a good 30 seconds, hardly able to move, having clattered my back and neck before limping stiffly back to join the others who hadn't seem my demise. Too old for football!

The wee two

From Sharon today: Angus is The Bear...who refuses to sleep! Couldn't get him down again today. "Angus no sleep, no rest in bed, ok?" That started from Sainsburys and lasted the whole way home. Talk about stubborn! He is currently sat watching tv with a blanket around him, and is looking sleepy so hope he dozes off for a few minutes even. [He didn't. Got so sleepy he had to have a bath before tea to waken him up. A similar thing happened on Saturday where he dozed off on the kitchen table waiting for his lunch. All these early mornings are catching up with him. If only he'd learn and stay in bed till after 7, which he did for once this morning.]

Got Rowan's brown glasses fixed this morning [a regular occurrence]. Angus also has worms, so have had that delight and the associated 4 dirty nappies already today.

This morning at breakfast Sharon commented on the sunflowers we have growing behind the herbs in our "kitchen" garden. Rowan announced it was "sunproof". When we asked him what that meant he said "it was protected from the sun, just like waterproof. Raincoats were waterproof to protect you from getting wet. And bulletproof suits protected you from bullets." It always comes back to superheroes with Rowan. He can be a bright boy at times but often hides it well by appearing not to listen. When asked how he was getting on in class, Mrs. Cooke replied with the enigmatic "his smile will get him far." True, but there comes a point where you see through the dimples and the twinkling eyes and he needs to concentrate, listen and act on what he is being told to do. Especially at swimming lessons, for example.

Rowan had Charlie for a play last week and was at Charlie's today after school. We're keen for him to develop new friends within his class. There's definitely a Gormley in him though, as he has no problem striking up friendships wherever he goes. Even at the Goblin Ha' on Sunday he was playing with a boy his own age. Long may his gregariousness continue.

Rowan is a big P1 boy

Rowan has been fairly excited at the prospect of starting school. With Rowan this often manifests itself as an over-enthusiastic giddiness, not listening to a word we're saying and increased physicality with those around him. He was showing signs of that earlier in the week as the holidays drew to a predictably damp close with heavy rain once more at the start of the week. Sharon took the boys for their en masse haircuts on Monday and by Wednesday morning we had three schoolboys dressed and ready to go.

Rowan didn't actually need to be dressed as he wasn't starting till the afternoon, but there was no denying his desire to fit the part as he posed for his photos with Sean and Finn by the front door. Sharon drove them all down to the school. Sean and Finn have effectively swapped sides of the school building. Sean is starting in P5 with Mrs Cameron and Finn is going into P3 with Mr Peach. Finn's class has stayed exactly the same as last year whereas Sean is reunited with some of his old classmates that were in P4/5 last session.

I arrived back from work just in time to begin the walk with Rowan, Sharon and Angus (in his buggy) down to the school. When asked how he felt about starting school, Rowan's reply was "Happy!" And he was happy as we walked down, him chatting away about all the superhero and super power stuff that fills his head. We got to the school in good time and Rowan was immediately off playing, so much so that he nearly missed going in with the rest of the afternoon intake of P1's! Listen, Rowan!

Sean and Finn were in different P1 classrooms and Rowan is in a different one again, although he does have the same teacher that Sean had, Mrs. Cooke. From being tardy through the door he was almost first in his seat, immediately taking up his pencil to begin colouring the picture in front of him. He was sitting next to Charlie and at a table, and indeed, in a class, populated with familiar faces from pre-school. He settled in quickly, with barely a look up as we left him in the classroom. On our return at three he was gone, having ran out past Mrs. Cooke to play up in the playground with his pal Ross, who is in a different class. He certainly seemed comfortable in Pentland and the two years spent at pre-school have obviously prepared him well for the environment.

After school I took him and Angus up to Buckstone Park for a run around. Rowan immediately struck up a friendship with a boy who was there, showing once again how adept he is at getting on with things and just getting involved rather than humming and hawing on the outside. He could be the one in the family who takes after Sharon with the people skills!

Red Nose Day

We're just back from a short weekend break at Wellsfield Farm near Denny. It may be less than an hour away from our house but at least it's a change of scene and the lodge we were staying in was extremely well equipped. We brought the two camp beds along so that Sean and Finn could sleep in the living room, lined up behind the couch which was their "headboard" while Sharon and I sat and read (or played chess against the computer - I need to do something that isn't work-related to keep my brain cells moving). This worked out remarkably well.

We arrived on the Friday evening, after Sean had completed his skiing lesson. It was good to see him fairly flying down the slopes at Hillend and enjoying it. We didn't know it at the time, as I left with Sean, Phoebe and Lewis, but another of Sean's friends fell badly just 20m from the end of the run and broke his femur so badly it required a four hour operation and a metal plate insertion. I was talking to Blair's dad, Charlie, just minutes before. We were discussing how neither of us really fancied skiiing due to the risk of injury.

Friday was Red Nose Day for Comic Relief, the highlight of which was the "gunking" of three teachers at the school. Sean and Finn had made T-shirts with "Gunk Miss Collier/Mrs Mathieson" but neither of their teachers underwent the ordeal.

Sunday turned out to be red nose day for Rowan, however, as he maintained his record of being the Wallace child most likely to end up in hospital by doing a face plant off a cannon at Stirling Castle. All we heard was a loud slap, presumably of hands, rather than face, on the slabs but he bashed his nose and mouth sufficiently to produce a lot of blood. Memories of Mallorca last April. He hardly has a nose to speak of, which is why his glasses aren't doing much of a job as they are forever near the tip of his nose, and the way he's carrying on he'll have a boxer's nose by the time he's a teenager.

Credit to Rowan though, his powers of recovery are remarkable. Sharon took him off to the cafe to get some ice for his lip but after she had a couple of sips of coffee he was complaining. "Why am I here? I want to go and play with my brothers!" Soon he was back in the thick of it, climbing the rocky outcrop within the castle walls. Stirling Castle is great fun for the boys with bits for climbing, running about in and generally exploring. There was a guided tour going on that sounded interesting too.

Rowan was also first to take up the challenge of pony riding. There is a livery at Wellsfield Farm. Having walked past the stables on the Friday evening as we went on a stroll to get our bearings, Rowan was keen to take up Sharon's offer of pony riding. On the Saturday afternoon, after we'd had a pleasant drive up the Carron Valley and a picnic at Callender, he got his hard hat on and sat astride a little black pony called Molly to be led up the hill on a twenty minute ride. Rowan had his super dimpled smile to the fore, delighted to be trying something new and a bit risky. That's one of the areas he differs so much from his brothers - he's a risk taker!

Sean and Finn, having helped with the grooming of a horse on the Saturday evening, were convinced to join Rowan for a Sunday morning ride. Rowan was relegated to a tiny pony called Milly, Finn took his place on Molly and Sean lorded it on a taller pony called Minnie. They all seemed to enjoy it. It was hardly Cheltenham Gold Cup pace but it gave them a chance to do something different.

The only down side of the trip was Sharon having a punishing sore throat and me having to start fasting on Sunday for a hospital trip on Monday. Aside from that, Wellsfield Farm is somewhere we'd like to return to.

Rowan gets even

As of today, Angus is the odd one out, literally. He is the only odd numbered age in the house and will remain that way for the next five months until I join him. Because today Rowan is four!

Being third in line means Rowan's birthday celebrations are inevitably lower key than Sean's and Finn's. When you're reading this years later Rowan, it's not because we love you any less! Angus will probably be thrown a few candles and an address book and told to get on with it himself! Nana and Papa came over for Rowan's birthday which he really liked. His main present today, which seems to have gone down very well, is a big Buzz Lightyear who has subsequently accompanied Rowan everywhere in the house. He also got a Wall-E "operation" type game and a pair of Batman pyjamas from us and magnetic shapes from Edel & Alan (& Barry). Sharon took him out in the early afternoon to do a bit of shopping and he was full of chat (it's rare for Rowan not to have a few words at hand) as they made their way round Sainsburys, picking out his Smarties birthday cake and some pizzas for his birthday tea.

A small selection of friends arrived at 4pm: Duncan and Sandy and two ladies, Emma and (girl) Finn. Boy Finn was predictably highly strung as the youngsters ran about playing, and threw a tantrum or two despite the fact it wasn't his party. Rowan seems delighted to be four (and he has been building up to it for a while now, expecting all sorts of wonderful talents to befall him, such as being able to play games on the Wii) and blew out the candles on his cake with gusto. He has turned down the whingeing a notch or two the past month and we can only hope he steadily starts to act a bit more "grown up" when he's asked to do something that he disagrees with, like finish his dinner or help tidy up, rather than turn the lip and do the Rowan the Red face that I first saw in glorious technicolour (well, red anyway) about twenty minutes after his birth and have witnessed most days since. The house would be much quieter without Rowan's vocal and boisterous interventions and we might have a chance to sit and watch TV without him treating us as a living climbing frame, but it wouldn't be the Wallace family without Rowany-Bo in the mix. Happy birthday, dimple boy!

The Incorrigible Rowan!

I have to add this as I know I'll forget it again. We were on our way to school to pick up the boys. Rowan hopped into the car and sat in his seat. I was putting Angus in the car seat, and was explaining to Rowan how he would have to start learning how to do his own seat belt as he was big enough now. He looked at me, gave me a very Gallic shrug, both palms facing skyward, and said "I'm a boy, I'm three years old, I'm only human".

I'm still chuckling now, just thinking about it. He used the word "repairing" the other day talking about his lego spacecraft he'd built, and when Ian asked him what it meant, he said "well, I fixed it!". His vocab for a three year old is quite staggering sometimes. God knows he uses enough bloody words on a daily basis! That's the Joe Gormley gene!

Ash Cloud

Suddenly the Eyjafjallajokull volcano is a big name, and not just in the Scrabble sense. As the weekend wore on and the text messages and BBC news built up, it became apparent that first Marie and Michael wouldn't be flying back to Dublin on the Sunday and then we wouldn't be returning to Newcastle on the Monday. On the Friday, Sharon, Marie, Rowan and I walked into C'an Picafort in search of the rather small market. Rowan was in fine fettle, chatting all the way there and back and seemingly well over his bad fall at Port d'Alcudia. He was funny at the Jamaican Bar, where he had to stand on a chair to get to the top of the straw on his strawberry drink. For once he was quiet, needing all his breath to suck up his juice! In the absence of other toys, the boys have been obsessing about the iPod, especially the "Boys Like Girls" playlist I compiled for them before we left. Rowan has been singing "Skater Boy," Finn "I Wish I Was a Punk Rocker," and Sean anything that requires heartfelt rendering. Angus has been cruising about the furniture but is getting a bit fed up of being penned in the living space as we cannot allow him out to the hall because of the open nature of the staircase.

On Saturday we returned to Pollensa en masse in search of the Fiera de Abril de Pollensa, a local fiesta. We got into the Restaurant Macondo just as it opened and weren't disappointed on our return. The Argentinian girl running the place was surprised to see us back with four children in tow, claiming she thought we were like honeymooners when we had been in on Wednesday! We had been celebrating the tenth anniversary of our engagement that day. For a mere €44 we had another fine feast between the seven of us (Angus brought his own). Rowan and Finn put away big bowls of bolognaise while the rest of us tucked into cod and ribs. The boys explored a nearby playpark while Marie and Michael explored a local wine-tasting then, after a wander round the main square, we returned to the tented fair and accompanying amusements.

There was a free session on the car rides and Rowan exploited it to the full. By the time we left later in the evening, Rowan had been on ten of the eleven vehicles, making up for all those times we deny him the pleasure outside supermarkets! The only word to describe the look on his face was "glee," his dimples drilling holes in his cheeks as he sat behind the wheels or astride the motor bikes on the up and down circuit. Sean was bawling as he shared the first ride with Rowan, despite being the oldest child on there. He clamed down to have another few shots but Finn just didn't fancy it at all. Rowan even went on the mini big wheel, pure delight on his face as he was hoisted high above us all. The others went on the bouncy shark which had a moving mouth that "ate" the children and allowed them to slide down the gullet. Rowan was less enamoured with that one, mainly because he couldn't climb up and hang on as well as Sean and Finn. There was a local Mallorquin band playing in the tent and, judging by the look of the long bar laid out, it had the makings of a long and potentially messy evening if you were staying in Pollensa. We weren't and had children to mind so sadly had to pack up and head for home, Rowan howling at having to leave the amusements behind. I know how he felt!

Yesterday, Sharon and Michael headed to Alcudia in search of an Internet cafe and found free access at the library where they booked a flight to Shannon for Friday. Unfortunately, Sharon had a run-in with a foul-mouthed waiter that rather spoilt her day. I was at the house playing with the boys. We brought small balls with us and are having great fun playing "multi-ball" in the space in front of the garage: kicking the balls against the walls and each other and throwing them up on to the balcony to catch them when they roll back down.

With our flight confirmed as cancelled last night we didn't have to pack but Sharon and I headed up to Palma today anyway, to check things out at the airport and extend the car hire. There's talk of the British Navy sending ships to northern Spain but I don't fancy attempting a return by ferry and overland across Europe so we're staying put. There's no-one due in the house, we've negotiated a €100 per night extension and I was able to book a flight for eight days hence so we'll just have to sit it out and hope the cloud lifts and flights resume. I'm hoping that there will be spaces available on flights next weekend as there must be people who didn't get out this weekend who were due to fly back next weekend but aren't here. However, it'll take a few days for the booking systems to reflect this. Sharon and I did a shop in the Carrefour hypermarket before returning to C'an Picafort but resisted the temptation to buy a pig's head or ears!

Bud and bird

"I have a Kiwi bud on my T-shirt," announced Rowan today. "Bud?" asked his mammy. "No, bud!" exclaimed Rowan. "But you said bud," Sharon pointed out. "I said bud not bud!" reiterated Rowan.

Rowan definitely can't roll his R's yet. As a consequence, we can tease him as described above. Other amusing couplets include "park" and "pahk" and "dark" and "dahk" and "girl" and "gull." This game partly stems from me mimicking Gordon Barnes doing his "caught" and "court" and "sauce" and "source" routine, where, in his Norfolk-oringated accent, both words sound the same. The boys seem to find this amusing for now (as they do whenever I put on an accent): no doubt it'll be an embarassment to them in years to come!

Both Rowan and Angus were on antibiotics this week after a visit to the doctor confirmed Angus definitely had a chest infection (he's been purring like a cat) and Rowan possibly had one. Neither has had a swine flu jab as their appointment was cancelled at the last minute. There seems to have been a litany of coughs and tummy bugs this winter. Only Sean has risen above it all.

We were out with the Fletchers last night for dinner at Iglu and a brief drink in Kays Bar. Very brief, as we were stuffed after dinner. I managed not to have the wild boar burger (Euan did and reported it fine), opting for the fishcakes and hake instead while Sharon had the chicken parfait and Moroccan vegetarian dish.

Sean and Finn went to school dressed up for the ever popular World Book Day. Sean was dressed as Willie Wonka while Finn was the Wizard of Oz (despite having never read, or been read, the story). It was far easier getting them dressed and out the door than is normally the case, with Finn asking at 8.15 when it was time to go to school!

Angus has managed some "proper" crawling but is more mobile hauling himself about in dolphin kick mode. He has two teeth through now and gets to a point in the afternoon where all he wants to do is stand. Occasionally he pulls himself up against small chairs or the Lego box and then cries as he gets stuck. Hold him by the hands and he has the mechanics of walknig sussed but it'll be a while before the balance and control comes with it. Meanwhile we're having to move all potties, bins and other items of devastation to a suitable height out of his reach!

Nights out

With the boys having had their respective Christmas parties, it was time for Sharon and I to have some festive fun of our own. Sharon was out with her book group on Sunday, a long lunch in Gusto in George St which lasted into the evening. We went out together to Dusit (at last!) on Monday night for a Thai meal. Very tasty but neither of us would have rated it above Thai Lemongrass so Scotland The Best's "best Thai in town" epithet didn't quite fit for us. It was a very chilly evening as the snow which arrived towards the end of last week has refused to shift, leaving our road rather treacherous. We enjoyed a warming drink in the fantastically decorated Dome. Sharon had never been inside it at Christmas. If there's one place to go in Edinburgh at Christmas time then The Dome is it! Last night I went out for a few drinks with Euan Fletcher and Fiona's brother Gordon. We had a good natter seated by the bar in Clositers before catching the bus home. It's good to get out!

I have been reading a library book called "Exploring Space" to Finn and Rowan. Rowan, as he does, likes to repeat things. The moon was still up this morning in the blue sky. Rowan drew this to Sharon's attention then nodded sagely the way only he can. "The world revolving slowly the day," was his pronouncement as to why the moon should still be in the sky.

Active kids

Sean has started going to Beavers on a Friday night. At the moment it seems like an interesting diversion for him and is just another place where he can play games and do arts and crafts type stuff as far as he is concerned but we'll see if he sticks at it once the darker nights roll in. Ross is going too. Ross was round for a sleepover last Saturday night so I took all five children to Morningside Park for a play which was a fair achievement in its own right. Rowan, as ever wanting to be pushed higher and higher on the swing, leaned forward when the swing was at its highest backward point and almost toppled out to the ground. Fortunately he was in a swing with a bar so recovered with just a severe jolt rather than broken bones. But if he says to you, "I nearly fell out the swing at Morningside Pawrk [sic]. Daddy pushed me too high", then you now have my side of the events. Apart from swinging ever higher ("I'm going slowler Daddy, push me!"), Rowan likes to repeat things as if to confirm them in his head. Hence when I sing him songs at bedtime I am duly informed, "Mummy not sing songs for me" which originates from one evening of denial rather than Sharon adopting a long-standing no-singing policy.

The boys enjoyed watching Bolt on DVD then before Ross was picked up I took the four biggest down to Vogrie Park for a walk in the woods and a play in the "playpawrk". Rowan did well on the walk but was fairly whingeing at the distance covered and I was having to use the line "if you want to do things with big boys you have to act like a bigger boy" which is a bit harsh given he's not yet three but he's too heavy to carry any distance. Talking of reinforced memories, Sean once again recalled eating (pumpkin) soup in the cafe at Vogrie House when the fire alarm went off and he had to go outside eating his bread. He was just Rowan's age at the time.

Sean and Finn have both earned big stickers at swimming, with lessons having resumed. Sean was very pleased with himself for doing a proper dive in. Finn has been working on using his arms at the backstroke. Neither of them are keen on doing anything particularly active outside the house though. Both are less than enthusiastic about attending the whimsically-named "ball sports" after school on a Thursday. They prefer imaginative play indoors, with Rowan a willing aide, and can occupy themselves for long stretches with only a few minor skirmishes when they're playing well. Sharon and I would like to see them more active outdoors, and I'm usually keen to get them out and running about at a playpark of a weekend. The "running game" is still a favourite, with me directing them to run around things and perform activities. They also like games where I chase them but with my knee, groin and elbow all dodgy and my asthma playing up, I'm less keen on that!

No more spot of bother

Monday was the day of reckoning for Rowan's "spot" which has been an ever present on his chin since the early part of last year. It was identified as a pilomatrixoma ("a benign appendageal tumor") earlier this year and today I took him along to the Sick Kids Hospital to have it removed. We had to leave the house early, parked the car at Greenbank and caught a No. 5 bus to Marchmont. Rowan was able to spot the 5 on the bus and enjoyed the novelty of sitting next to me looking out the window. We walked (well I carried Rowan most of the way) down to the RHSC to get there for 0800. Once up to the ward, Rowan was weighed and made a beeline for the toys at the end of the ward. he wasn't too happy about having to get his jammies on and less happy about the cream that went on the back of his hands but was soon back at the toys as a variety of nurses, anaesthetists and surgeons milled about, inspecting their patients for the day.

Fortunately Rowan was up first so he hopped on his bed and was wheeled down to the surgery. I picked out Dinosaur Roar then we went into pre-theatre where he got a jab in the back of the hand, while I read to him and used the book as a screen, despite him being aware that someone was doing something to his hand and trying to see past the book. He fell asleep very quickly and I was ushered out as he was whisked away into theatre. It's never great seeing one of your children disappear off like that, especially knowing there is always a small element of risk in them going under a general anaesthetic, but you can only trust the doctors to do their job.

I went out and strolled along to Victor Hugo's for a cup of tea while Rowan went under the knife. It's a great neighbourhood delicatessen, reminiscent of the sorts of places that are common in European cities but all too rare in Edinburgh. I was able to while away a contented half hour looking north across the Meadows before wandering back to the RHSC.

Rowan arrived back just after 1000, groggy and irritable, though no more so than he is normally is at the moment if he's had a nap. He took ten minutes or so to settle before falling asleep and then woke again about thirty minutes later keen to have a drink then a yoghurt then some toast and jam. He had a dressing on his chin which quickly became covered in crumbs and jam so it had to be removed revealing the surprisingly long curved scar with six dissolving stitches. Evidently they had to make about an inch long incision to cut out the pilomatrixoma. Hopefully the scar will heal well, though there is a risk of it remaining pink coloured, something which can happen with chin and shoulder scars. The natural curve of the chin should disguise any line as he grows older.

Rowan was trying to pull away the dressing and the plaster that replaced it as it was difficult not to have it sticking to his lower lip. He seemed nonplussed when presented with a mirror to show him the result of "Dr. Spot's" handiwork and was more interested in getting back to watch Cars on the portable DVD player. Eventually he was discharged around 1230 and Sharon came to collect us. He was pleased to see her and gave her a big wave. Of all the boys, he's spent the most time in RHSC, and is the third to have gone under general anaesthetic, something I've managed to avoid till now. I was called into work that afternoon so had to shelve any plans to give Rowan any special treatment, but he did seem content with some Green & Black's white chocolate!

Sing lasagne to the king

Rowan is very quick to pick up a tune. I was getting him ready for bed this evening and he was singing "dum dum dum-dum, bam bam bam-bam" which I recognised as "Lonely Boy", one of the songs on his "list" on the iPod. Sharon said they'd heard it on the radio earlier today. However, he topped that two days ago with "sing lasagne, sing lasagne, sing lasagne to the king of kings!" Sean and Finn had been singing the correct version but he hadn't quite picked it up right! He's currently sporting a black eye from a collision at nursery. Given the speed and recklessness with which he rattles about the house he is forever rapping his head off door jambs, balustrades and the like. He gave the other two a run for their money at the Ratho soft play on Saturday afternoon.

Sharon took Finn out on his "date" on Saturday morning, to spend some time with him before he starts school this week. He chose to go swimming so they went to Bonnyrigg for a splash about then Sharon took him into Edinburgh for a tapas lunch at Cafe Andaluz. He was very much in his element and enjoyed calamari and prawns. They then went to get him some new shoes. When asked what he enjoyed most about his date he told Sharon it was getting to be with her on his own. We underestimate what it means to Finn to get that focus rather than be lumped in with his brothers all the time. No doubt it manifests itself in attention-seeking behaviour at times. Sadly, the opportunities to get one on one time with each of the boys is limited and it's often easier or more convenient for one of us to take them all away while the other gets on with some jobs. At least Finn enjoyed his date with his Mammy.

Sean finally got past the tears and tantrums yesterday evening - "I'll never be able to do this!" - and rode his bike, without stabilisers, 100 yards in Braidburn Valley park. I admit I was getting a bit fed up with his wailings as he kept careering off the path in comic/pathetic style, crashing into long grass and blaming Rowan for wandering in front of his hapless steering efforts, but he was delighted with himself when he finally got a long cycle in without coming to grief. Well done Sean. I won't admit it to you but you'll find out when you read this years later, but I was probably about 12 before I could go a bike, mainly because I never really had the opportunity.

Sharon has mostly recovered from her stay in hospital but is still feeling a little under the weather and, sadly for her, still doesn't have much of an appetite. But we have both been delighted with Angus, who, the last two nights, has slept through from midnight until after 7am. We know he can do it now, so any night feeds will be discouraged from now on.

Hyperdash

Sean has belatedly discovered one of his birthday presents (because I have now put batteries in it): Hyperdash. He and Finn and Rowan had a great time yesterday in the house and on the Green in West Linton, dashing from coloured marker to coloured marker in response to the commands issued by the electronic tagging device that looks like a bit like a plunger. Not only is it good exercise but it's probably good training for having four children, where the voice inside your head is saying: "make packed lunches"; "get the boys dressed"; "off to school"; "check who's picking up"; "do a washing"; "change nappies"; "find Angus...". Unfortunately that game doesn't stop.

Life is hectic and set to be even more so once Marie leaves us tomorrow morning. The crunch time is getting everybody dressed, fed and out the door in the morning. Angus has been fairly good, waking twice a night, but he doesn't wind well and often wakens less than an hour after a feed. He's been a bit topsy-turvy; falling asleep during and right after a feed rather than becoming energised, probably not taking enough as a result and then waking up before he's due a feed because he's hungry. If we can push him towards feeding at 11pm, 3am and 7pm then Sharon will get a bit more rest than she has been getting as he currently typically wakes around 2.30am and 6am.

Sharon and I got out briefly on Friday night for the P2 Mums Night Out (I, as the token male, watched the golf on the big telly in the Morningside Glory) and then on Saturday night we dined at Tony's Table, the latest restaurant to be opened by Roti owner Tony Singh. The food was tasty and good value at £20 for 3 courses. Sharon's beef shin with mushrooms was the highlight.

Finn was singing with the rest of the pre-schoolers in the school hall on Friday at the retirement presentation for two of the nursery staff. He's been practising hard for some time. Sharon said he did very well, singing and joining in the actions. Taming Rowan has been a bit of a battle this week as he seems hell bent on refusing to do what he is asked and throwing massive tantrums when he doesn't get his own way. Angus's arrival may have something to do with this but I doubt it; it's just the way Rowan seems to be and he's actually been a good lad towards Angus, if a little awkward as he ends up head-butting him as he tries to give him kisses.

A busy April

The boys are back at school and pre-school now for the summer term. Sean is nearing the end of P2 and Finn will soon be preparing for the step up to P1! We better hang on before these days zoom by at an ever-increasing rate. Mind you, there are days when the boys' bedtime can't come quick enough.

Rowan is quite a handful at the moment, loud, repetitive, insistent and quick to tears when he doesn't get his way. He has made the transition from cot to bed with no bother at all, helped no doubt by his breaking in period of having his increasingly sporadic daytime naps in his "big boy bed." Once he's had his stories, songs and music (Classic FM is played on the stairwell radio for the bedtime benefit of the boys) and is asleep, we have been closing his door so he has a completely dark room. He has been instructed to wait for Sean or Finn to come and get him in the morning when it's wake-up time and barring a couple of early starts in the first few days when he was calling for their attention, he has been heeding that rule. It makes a change for Rowan to take heed of anything.

Sean got his silver merit certificate last week. Finn was making a "sprite" at pre-school yesterday. He planted seeds in a pot and drew a face on the pot. Once the seeds grow it'll be like hair and they'll get to cut it once it gets long. On that topic, the boys all had hair-cuts last week. It makes Sean look younger, Finn smarter and Rowan more grown up. When you see the three of them interacting Rowan certainly holds his own. Watching them brushing their teeth last week I was wondering how I'd got to this point in my life. If you told me ten years ago I'd be married and sitting watching my three lads messing over the toothpaste I would have been very surprised!

It was mayhem last Tuesday morning. Jane from Largs stayed over with her three youngsters as she was part of a Pampered Chef Pampered evening that Sharon was hosting in the house. With six kids aged six and under around the breakfast table it was a relief to escape with Sean to the school! Marie bade farewell after her extended stay, no doubt to go home for a rest from making curtains and cushions and cleaning and keeping an eye on the boys. Sharon and I are very pleased with the sitting room now. We just hope we can keep the room in order and away from the boys' ravages.

I took the Wallace Three to Aberdour on Saturday. We ended up there rather than set out for there but the boys seemed to enjoy the day enough. We picnicked illicitly in the lee of Aberdour Castle then walked a path that ran alongside the railway line. Every passing train elicited great excitement as carriages were counted and speed was noted. After a circular walk collecting leaves, and a snack back at the car, we found a cake shop and then a playpark with a tunnel slide that was the centre of attention, with Rowan determined to go down it even though his brothers had to help him up the platform steps to the top. Lastly we found the smaller of Aberdour's beaches and the boys built a rudimentary sandcastle which they decorated with shells and a seaweed moat. It was good fresh air for them all and gave Sharon some time to herself, although she does feel she's missing out at the moment. She managed a swim with Wendy in our absence.

The Buddies fell at the Scottish Cup semi-final hurdle, losing a goal to Rangers after 74 seconds and eventually going down 3-0. I watched the game recorded on the V+ box which seemed a wise move in retrospect, given the scoreline. Having enjoyed two thrilling Liverpool 4-4 draws on TV in the last two weeks, watching Scottish football was the sporting equivalent of "auld claes and porridge." I've just had my second and last indoor net practice in preparation for the forthcoming cricket season. I bowled and batted OK but, given the timing of Wee Wallace 4, I may have limited opportunity to put them to the test in matches this season.

The Confident Child

I often am amazed at the confidence Rowan exudes, even from a very early age. I remember clearly when he was 13 months old, it was Granny Gormley's anniversary mass and we arrived into the "afters" at Brownsgrove. The house was choc full of people, which would have sent Finn or Sean reaching for the nearest leg of Ian or I in trepidation. In totters Rowany-bo, no bother at all, and within minutes he's eating apple tart and ice-cream from Amelia Kelly's plate!

This morning, we were walking round to nursery, having dropped Sean off to school, and he was chatting to Wendy, his beloved Wendy! As well as being a friend of mine, Wendy is Ross' mum, Ross being Sean's pal. Rowan wanted lifted, which really causes me pain at the moment, so Wendy was trying to gallantly get Rowan to interact with her, and take his mind off being carried. She challenged him to a race. Rowan, normally mad for a wee run on his little legs, sighed, and with the weight of the world seemingly on his shoulders, said "No Wendy, I can't do running the day, I have a very sore leg. I hurt it at breakfast and I have to go to the doctors with my sore leg the day." The child is a mere 2 years and 4 months! This is a completely fabricated story and he passed it off with the gravitas of someone reading the 10 o'clock news!

I wish I had his inner confidence. It will see him far as a child, and onwards through his developing years. That's my Rowany-bo!

Or should I say Rowan Patrick Wallace, as he has now taken to calling himself.