Relief

Playdough relief while I made pancakes for tea.

Bean played out some elaborate story about fires and rescuing and all sorts, after asking to dig for treasure (glass pebbles) in the black playdough.

Bear ate the glass pebbles until I plied him with grapes.

Bean had chocolate spread pancakes for tea which he demolished with gusto.

Bear can't be bothered with pancakes and grouched until I cut some ham for him. Whoch he ate half of and tipped the rest on the floor.


It has not been the easiest of afternoons. This morning was fine, breakfasted and dressed, the grandparents went home after breakfast, Bear spent a while watching out of the window, then we got ready and went to the supermarket. Bean had been offered a choice of sitting in the trolley, or helping me find what we needed. He did really well, stayed focused (mainly), made people smile with his enthusiasm, remembered what leeks were, discovered what lemons were, found things, counted, carried. Bear ended up being strapped into his seat and bribed with grapes to stop trying to escape. AND we were able to use reward points to pay for half of it. When I got diesel afterwards I stopped at £50 because it was starting to hurt :-/

Bear fell asleep on the way home, predictably. This time I was sensible and fought with the car seat to bring him inside still in his seat - big win, he had a good nap, every time he stirred he rocked himself back to slumber, woke up happy bacause we were there, and Bean got to open his presents from his Auntie Ruth in peace AND play with them!

But the afternoon has been tough. Bear has spent a lot of time looking out of the window. If I asked "where's Grandma Grandad?" he'd climb up at the window and look hopeful. Of course I had nothing planned for tea so ended up cooking pancakes which Bear rejected, and bedtime was almost completely full of idiocy and I almost left them at the stairgate screaming while I went to find earplugs and vodka. But I didn't. I read the bible verse stuck on my fridge, God WILL give me strength: fresh strength comes to those who wait on God, and came back with a prayer for help and a beaker of water for the Bean. And in the end both boys went to sleep peacefully after all. And I even got to have a whole shower, followed by supper, in peace, with no screaming or clinging.

Of course the Bear has stirred again now but I am refreshed and able to cope.

Go to sleep little Bear. I actually feel like doing some crochet this evening before my eyes close of their own accord.