Newness.

Simply, the progression of my Son's development is truly awe inspiring. I mean, just in this past week he has decided that he can now do almost anything on his own. It's incredible to see the determination on his little face as he ponders how to open the variety packet of cereal. This usually involves him biting the cardboard off and struggling for a few minutes with the plastic bag containing the 'Coco-pops monkey' as he says. But he is also learning his limitations. After a short time, he'll look up and ask for your help.

And trust me, at 5:30 in the morning, you don't want to just go ahead and open the last packet of cereal that he has his heart set on opening or at least trying to open, it is a recipe for a Tantrum.

I think it is a simple and yet remarkable step in his development.

I bought him a junior trampoline yesterday because after a couple of weeks of him asking, 'Goin out to buy my trampoline Daddy yeah!' with a suggestive nod and some repetition, I finally gave in. We have implemented a star chart at home which has been so affirming of how good he really is, but ultimately he deserves it all.


He is so good with his speech too and we have recently started regular trips to the library. It is a rewarding experience because not only is he learning the social conventions of the library, the function of the library but he it is the expansive imagination, he sits there with a book and 'reads' and when I say read, I mean that he makes up the majority of the story.

However having said this, he'll look at the picture and talk about the picture, if there is a sad face or shocked face or snow or anything, he makes the links and creates some form of story.

Benjamin has a very good friend Lý from across the street and nine times out of ten, they always eat tea or dinner together, Malan and Arni have gone back to visit home for a month and they Skyped yesterday morning. It was amazing as the first thing they did was shout 'BAAAA' at each other, it kinda like a private joke they have and every now and again throughout the video convo they just said things like 'BAAA' and 'Ga ga' I think its the fact that they know its baby talk they do it because afterwards they both laugh hysterically.

Anyway after the Skype Benjamin was incredibly Hyper, started running around and shouting about Lý and we told him they were on holiday he went through this motion 'Lý is on holiday on an aeroplane in they sky Daddy' and then said the same for Arni and Malan. And as he slowly worked himself into a even bigger Hyper mood (And yes this is possible) we took him to the Park.

He has a Thomas the Tank Engine scooter that he can now use correctly and although he can steer and push along at the same time it is still a slow process, if its a straight line then there isn't a problem but he has grasped the idea that he needs to steer and is getting to grips with it quite quickly I think.


I hope you find this update useful Nani and Grandma

Take Care

Love and Hugs.

Progress.

On Thursday I got my synopsis back. It was a strong mark quantifying in at a 1st degree standard. I know there is still some work to be done on it but I think that for a second draft it stood well. I have also met with my class tutor to discuss my final submission material a three thousand word piece of fiction or a novel section.

It is interesting that she says that all the plots she read were potentially publishable and those higher graded ones even more so. It does give me some motivation to push further and write more of the novel however I have an exam looming in May and another two big assignments.

I have already written my final submission piece and find that all I need to do is parse the language to the appropriate audience. This is by no means an easy feat as I have edited and edited to get to the point I am at now. I think this is something that will be gradually achieved. I have a print out and I'm going to substitute words here and there for some simpler ones. It can also serve as one of my drafts.

Poetry is a little more freelance. Yet it has to be focused on the techniques we have acquired throughout the module from the reading and writing exercises. The final submission is 5 poems showing a variety of techniques. Firstly the Collage technique associated with Allen Fisher. Secondly Attributive Structure and Thirdly a 'Found' poem.

I have yet to write the final two. When I have though I will upload them here.

I'm currently reading lots of historical fiction, The Gargoyle's Andrew Davidson, Boudica Dreaming the Eagle Manda Scott and The Last Kingdom Bernard Cornwell.

I will give you a succinct review next time I post.

Until next time.

Our Future.

So, if you're a student at universtiy you'll know the Summer is here and that doesn't leave very long left of the term. I have literally two months left and then were finished until September. I feel quite excited about it really because there are so many opportunities to snatch up. Even though for me its not parties and alcohol abuse (Don't get me wrong there will be alcohol but in moderate quantities) I have been blessed with a wonderful family to share it with.

Starting with a short city break planned in early/mid June for me and the wife and a whole summer full of fun activities planned for my little man. I will be regularly updating my blog with details and a few pictures of the days out etc (The majority will be on FB) and we have a fair few planned.

Firstly my only exam is on the 17th May but the wife has three in that week and three in the week prior to that, Law must be pretty hard is all I can say. Yet Benjamin is in Nursery until the 20th to make sure everything is sufficiently ready for our excursions. I have never really 'properly' blogged so everything is relatively new to me.

Currently days out that we have planned are:

Chester Zoo
Jorvic Viking Centre (In York)
A trip to Hayfield
Thomas Land in Drayton Manor
Blackpool Sealife Centre
A trip to the beach

These are the major ones but there will be bowling, swimming, cinema and picnics sprinkled in between.

But I feel like I have been swept up in the chaos of life recently. We got married in January and God know how much I love my family but I haven't really gotten to spend much 'real' time with them due to Uni classes and all the extra work and reading. I've completed an assignment today and hope to get the next one finished on monday or tuesday as I have lessons on both those days that require seminar work. So I am going to spend the Summer with my lovely wife and wonderful son enjoying our freedom as much as possible and taking lots and lots of pictures to document it all.

For that, I am buying a new Camera, a Canon 1000D one that will take sharp pictures and is easily usuable for a beginner.

I'll keep you all posted, Esp Nanni and Grandma x