Another warm day today which meant the afternoon in the garden, tidying up. Kieron would usually get involved in one way or the other. At the end of the garden is Kieron's bench where, as I've mentioned before, he sits to play on his DS or PSP out of the sun's glare. That's if he's not sitting on the shed roof. The flagstones underneath the bench were slippery with moss and algae so I got out the pressure washer. This, in Kieron's hands, becomes an AK47 with him killing off the Taliban ( I know...politically incorrect, but hey, this is about Kieron) and shouting "KABOOM!" whenever they are zapped.
Holding branches as I cut them down, begging me to let him have a go. Which I would, although panicking constantly that he'll saw through an artery or a finger. Distracted by dead ladybirds, Kieron gives me a chance to do the more dangerous stuff as he trots off to bury them with a little eulogy and crocodile tears to the sound of a cartoon "boo hoo hoo".
Food beckoning, I can be assured that Kieron will dine on crisp sandwiches and a chocolate bar as I carry on what is now becoming an arduous task.
Kieron usually surprises me with a mug of coffee so we sit on the decking, me with coffee, him with tea and put the world to rights. This stands for "can I have an ice cream off the ice cream man please?".
Sure enough, about 3 o'clock the familiar jingle sounds and Kieron and I try to work out which road parallel to ours the van is and he runs off to get some money out of my purse and sits on the front wall outside, talking to the little girls next door who are on the same mission. Kieron's version of chatting to these girls is designed to show off his superiority as Nicola is 1.5 years younger and Chloe is 6 months younger. Machismo kicks in as he talks of how he's been chopping down trees and shooting an AK47. Unfortunately, Kieron has met his match with tomboy Nicola and she does her own bragging.
Ice cream in hand, saving a little for me, Kieron wanders back in relishing the taste of ice cream eaten with disgustingly dirty hands.
Final job...fill the rubble sacks ready for the tip and Kieron sets to with a will, half falling in them himself. Job done, car loaded, tired but conscious that we've done well, we lock the sheds, Kieron has a final splosh with the hosepipe and we head indoors.
When the ice cream van came past today I wondered if the girls next door were outside waiting and if they were, would the ice cream man ask where their mate was?
Sunday, 27 March 2011
Sunday, 20 March 2011
Planting
Due to a warm weekend, I've been working in the garden. Last year I was late getting my seeds in as we were due to go on holiday 3 weeks after Easter and I didn't want to burden my neighbour with cats AND seedlings.We didn't go and the seeds didn't get done either. This weekend I bravely sorted out the shed and got started.
Spring 2009, I bought new greenhouse staging which needed assembling. Kieron's fingers are the ideal size to spin the tiny nuts and bolts and we sat on my raised bed: him spinning, me tightening with spanners, chatting through the trellis with my neighbour. Afterwards, Kieron helped me put everything in place in the greenhouse.
Kieron decided to start growing his own plants. I gave him a bulb of garlic and he separated the cloves and pushed them into soil which he'd already put into pots. We labelled and watered them and popped them in the greenhouse.
Courgettes next, to cries of "YUK!!!" and the boredom started to set in. Off Kieron went to sit on the shed roof and he watched me carry on, talking to me all the time. Within a few days, Kieron was asking how his garlic was and when the first shoots appeared he was impressed enough to ask about the courgettes and I had to identify everything else that was starting to grow.
As the tomatoes made their leafy appearance, Kieron's little fingers helped again, by gently lifting out the seedlings with a lolly stick and putting them into individual pots. He learnt how to make holes in the compost with a stick to ease the plants in, gave up and shoved in his finger instead.He watered religiously every night...every inch of grass, every pot of flowers, every vegetable and every pot in the greenhouse. He would ask me to water him and giggled with delight at his 'accidental' soakings. He would turn the hose pipe on his hair and spike it up, knowing that I wouldn't scold him. Windows got soaked as did the chairs and table on the decking and the cats. He hauled the watering can to the end of the garden, sloshing it as he went to water the smaller seedlings, coming indoors with soggy trainers and joggers.
Ladybirds were bathed and drowning spiders rescued. Squelchy puddles appeared on the lawn and the cats became disgruntled.
This weekend, I took no joy in planting. I did it to grow plants for Kieron's patch of garden, around the bench where he sits every summer, out of the glare of the sun reflecting on his PSP. I sowed antirrhinum as he likes playing with their 'bunny ears' and thought of the silence in my garden. I caressed the greenhouse staging in wonderment that he helped assemble it. I sat on the raised bed and cried.
Spring 2009, I bought new greenhouse staging which needed assembling. Kieron's fingers are the ideal size to spin the tiny nuts and bolts and we sat on my raised bed: him spinning, me tightening with spanners, chatting through the trellis with my neighbour. Afterwards, Kieron helped me put everything in place in the greenhouse.
Kieron decided to start growing his own plants. I gave him a bulb of garlic and he separated the cloves and pushed them into soil which he'd already put into pots. We labelled and watered them and popped them in the greenhouse.
Courgettes next, to cries of "YUK!!!" and the boredom started to set in. Off Kieron went to sit on the shed roof and he watched me carry on, talking to me all the time. Within a few days, Kieron was asking how his garlic was and when the first shoots appeared he was impressed enough to ask about the courgettes and I had to identify everything else that was starting to grow.
Ladybirds were bathed and drowning spiders rescued. Squelchy puddles appeared on the lawn and the cats became disgruntled.
This weekend, I took no joy in planting. I did it to grow plants for Kieron's patch of garden, around the bench where he sits every summer, out of the glare of the sun reflecting on his PSP. I sowed antirrhinum as he likes playing with their 'bunny ears' and thought of the silence in my garden. I caressed the greenhouse staging in wonderment that he helped assemble it. I sat on the raised bed and cried.
Sunday, 13 March 2011
WOW
I was heading to the supermarket today, driving along the seafront. There were crowds standing and watching beach buggies racing up and down as well as a funfair. It took me back to this time last year when I was doing exactly the same thing.
Lat year, I did the shopping and went home to ask Kieron if he wanted to go and watch. He didn't, which was a bit of a relief as unlike today, it was cold and windy. The reason Kieron didn't want to go was World of Warcraft. Kieron loves WOW (as those in the know call it). He dominates mealtimes with tales of battles fought and won or lost.
Callum introduced him to it as whatever Callum did, Kieron had to copy as he hero worshipped him.
WOW is a game of mystical creatures, played internationally amongst predominantly young males.
I would monitor Kieron closely. always aware of cyber bullying and grooming, although Kieron constantly reassures me that his 'mates' are cool. So WOW became Kieron's passion. Every spare moment was spent on the computer alternating with Callum for the Xbox and more mystical battles in their realms of fantasy.
Runescape also became one of Kieron's passions, although to a lesser extent and conversations were peppered with tales of his battles and characters. As a mere mortal, these went way over my head and mealtimes had a background rumble of "Kieron, talk about something else, pleeeease".
Kieron discovered that our local game shop sold the figures to go with the game and saved up his pocket money to buy them. He spoke of them as if he personally knew them, although I suppose in a way he did as he spent as much time as I would allow playing WOW. Blood Elf, Arthas, Lich Pin the most powerful force, and many more.
Kieron would draw the characters, often copying old art work of his brother's, endowing these mystical warriors with chain saws for arms and ball and chains whirling around their heads. He used the characters as facebook profile pictures and downloaded 'cheats' to advance his battles. He became extremely proficient at using a computer, with typing skills that would impress a secretary. But Kieron could separate this fantasy world from the real one.
I hope that he is now meeting these characters in his new world. Talking to Orca or whoever his favourite character is today. I hope Kieron is winnng his mystical battles against fierce creatures as I continue to fight against mine.
Lat year, I did the shopping and went home to ask Kieron if he wanted to go and watch. He didn't, which was a bit of a relief as unlike today, it was cold and windy. The reason Kieron didn't want to go was World of Warcraft. Kieron loves WOW (as those in the know call it). He dominates mealtimes with tales of battles fought and won or lost.
Callum introduced him to it as whatever Callum did, Kieron had to copy as he hero worshipped him.
WOW is a game of mystical creatures, played internationally amongst predominantly young males.
I would monitor Kieron closely. always aware of cyber bullying and grooming, although Kieron constantly reassures me that his 'mates' are cool. So WOW became Kieron's passion. Every spare moment was spent on the computer alternating with Callum for the Xbox and more mystical battles in their realms of fantasy.Runescape also became one of Kieron's passions, although to a lesser extent and conversations were peppered with tales of his battles and characters. As a mere mortal, these went way over my head and mealtimes had a background rumble of "Kieron, talk about something else, pleeeease".
Kieron discovered that our local game shop sold the figures to go with the game and saved up his pocket money to buy them. He spoke of them as if he personally knew them, although I suppose in a way he did as he spent as much time as I would allow playing WOW. Blood Elf, Arthas, Lich Pin the most powerful force, and many more.
Kieron would draw the characters, often copying old art work of his brother's, endowing these mystical warriors with chain saws for arms and ball and chains whirling around their heads. He used the characters as facebook profile pictures and downloaded 'cheats' to advance his battles. He became extremely proficient at using a computer, with typing skills that would impress a secretary. But Kieron could separate this fantasy world from the real one.
I hope that he is now meeting these characters in his new world. Talking to Orca or whoever his favourite character is today. I hope Kieron is winnng his mystical battles against fierce creatures as I continue to fight against mine.
Sunday, 6 March 2011
Mice, frogs and birds
I saw a mouse in my lounge yesterday. I needed Kieron to get rid of it for me. He seems to have an affinity with wildlife and is the regular rescuer of mice, frogs and birds brought in by the cats. He tenderly catches them and mice and frogs are carried to a patch of grass opposite our house, out of reach of our cats who never cross the road. Birds are released into the air with a flourish and a ducking of the head in case they hit him with their wings.
Kieron is used to the sound of "mouse/frog/bird...KIERON!" accompanied by a typically female climbing onto chairs by his sister and me.
He stalks the creature like a cat does and gently pounces and scoops it up. "Kieron's got you darling" he croons before padding outside, usually half-dressed and barefoot.
On one occasion he was helped by Jade's boyfriend who handed him the mouse, which Kieron promptly dropped by accident and he went into a panic that he may have hurt it. With supreme gentleness, he caught it again and carried it to freedom.
Birds are the worst. Kieron knows that I can't bear them so becomes my knight in shining armour, equipped with a tea towel to throw over it.
Autumn 2009, a larger bird than usual was dragged through the cat flap. It broke free and flew up onto a high window in my conservatory. Kieron responded as usual and ran down the stairs in his dressing gown, grabbing a tea towel from me. Standing on a chair and leaning forwarded he threw the towel over the bird which by then had assumed ostrich-like proportions in my head.
Bird caught, he lovingly picked it up cradled in the towel and started wandering around aimlessly with it. "What shall I do with it?" he asked, clearly concerned that the moment he let go he would be attacked.
Kieron was reassured that if he took it outside as usual, it would be so relieved to live to fly another day that it wouldn't turn on him. So a few seconds later he released it without harm.
If we woke in the morning to a casualty, again it's always Kieron who covers the remains with tissues and puts them in a bag, while Jade and I do the squeamish bit.Even if entrails have got stuck to the floor, he valiantly scrapes them up and deals with it all for us.
For a long time after Kieron's accident, the cats stopped bringing in gifts for their pack leader. They knew that he wasn't there. But a few months ago they started again. I hate having to dispose of the mangled remains left behind. Not because I feel sad that they have died, but because Kieron should be running downstairs to do it for me.
Yesterday's mouse was rescued by Jade's boyfriend and carried over to the grass opposite. Where unlike my son, it will live to play another day.
Kieron is used to the sound of "mouse/frog/bird...KIERON!" accompanied by a typically female climbing onto chairs by his sister and me.
He stalks the creature like a cat does and gently pounces and scoops it up. "Kieron's got you darling" he croons before padding outside, usually half-dressed and barefoot.
On one occasion he was helped by Jade's boyfriend who handed him the mouse, which Kieron promptly dropped by accident and he went into a panic that he may have hurt it. With supreme gentleness, he caught it again and carried it to freedom.
Birds are the worst. Kieron knows that I can't bear them so becomes my knight in shining armour, equipped with a tea towel to throw over it.
Autumn 2009, a larger bird than usual was dragged through the cat flap. It broke free and flew up onto a high window in my conservatory. Kieron responded as usual and ran down the stairs in his dressing gown, grabbing a tea towel from me. Standing on a chair and leaning forwarded he threw the towel over the bird which by then had assumed ostrich-like proportions in my head.
Bird caught, he lovingly picked it up cradled in the towel and started wandering around aimlessly with it. "What shall I do with it?" he asked, clearly concerned that the moment he let go he would be attacked.
Kieron was reassured that if he took it outside as usual, it would be so relieved to live to fly another day that it wouldn't turn on him. So a few seconds later he released it without harm.
If we woke in the morning to a casualty, again it's always Kieron who covers the remains with tissues and puts them in a bag, while Jade and I do the squeamish bit.Even if entrails have got stuck to the floor, he valiantly scrapes them up and deals with it all for us.
For a long time after Kieron's accident, the cats stopped bringing in gifts for their pack leader. They knew that he wasn't there. But a few months ago they started again. I hate having to dispose of the mangled remains left behind. Not because I feel sad that they have died, but because Kieron should be running downstairs to do it for me.
Yesterday's mouse was rescued by Jade's boyfriend and carried over to the grass opposite. Where unlike my son, it will live to play another day.
Tuesday, 1 March 2011
France
Tomorrow I'm going to France for the day with my daughter. The last time Kieron went was January 2009. It was slightly rough so we were all dosed up as I've had many ferry trips with seasick kids. Jade, Kieron and I (Callum was at school) sat in one of the bars with hot chocolate for them and coffee for me.
Kieron and Jade were in hysterics at the antics of a couple sitting near us and kept suggesting that they "get a room". Although I struggled at first to keep a straight face, Kieron's kissy kissy noises and howls of glee defeated me and I decided that the only way to control Kieron was to spend money on him in the on board sweetshop. After all, what better way to quieten a hyper child than with sugar.However, Kieron being Kieron, he decided on a baguette...with his own money.
Jade's Godparents live in Calais, so we generally paid a visit to them. On this occasion, we were shocked to see Denise, the Godmother had aged. A shrunken, wizened old lady, reminiscent of the crone in Hansel and Gretel greeted us. Kieron was fearful and stayed beside me all the time. Jade and I were sad to see how this lovely, gentle lady had changed since our last visit.
Kieron was polite and subdued, completely unlike himself and clearly pleased to leave.
We went to Cite Europe and dragged Kieron round the shops, although he cheered up when food was mentioned. Off to the food hall and discussions on what to have started...."what's in this?", "would I like that?"
"I'll have pizza, I think". Before choosing yet another baguette.We struggled to find a seat, so sat at a 2 seater, with Kieron starting off on my lap, deciding he was far too old to stay there, so squatting on the floor. A nice lady at the next table moved her bags and gave up a chair for him with a smile and received a "merci" from Kieron, who was practicing his French most of the day.
Back to the shops and the bargaining began....."can I have this?", "can I have that?".....arghhhhh. Shopping with a 9 year old who knows how to bat those thick dark lashes and smile like a trainee Casanova. Irresistible.
Kieron and Jade were in hysterics at the antics of a couple sitting near us and kept suggesting that they "get a room". Although I struggled at first to keep a straight face, Kieron's kissy kissy noises and howls of glee defeated me and I decided that the only way to control Kieron was to spend money on him in the on board sweetshop. After all, what better way to quieten a hyper child than with sugar.However, Kieron being Kieron, he decided on a baguette...with his own money.
Jade's Godparents live in Calais, so we generally paid a visit to them. On this occasion, we were shocked to see Denise, the Godmother had aged. A shrunken, wizened old lady, reminiscent of the crone in Hansel and Gretel greeted us. Kieron was fearful and stayed beside me all the time. Jade and I were sad to see how this lovely, gentle lady had changed since our last visit.
Kieron was polite and subdued, completely unlike himself and clearly pleased to leave.
We went to Cite Europe and dragged Kieron round the shops, although he cheered up when food was mentioned. Off to the food hall and discussions on what to have started...."what's in this?", "would I like that?"
"I'll have pizza, I think". Before choosing yet another baguette.We struggled to find a seat, so sat at a 2 seater, with Kieron starting off on my lap, deciding he was far too old to stay there, so squatting on the floor. A nice lady at the next table moved her bags and gave up a chair for him with a smile and received a "merci" from Kieron, who was practicing his French most of the day.
Back to the shops and the bargaining began....."can I have this?", "can I have that?".....arghhhhh. Shopping with a 9 year old who knows how to bat those thick dark lashes and smile like a trainee Casanova. Irresistible.
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