Having a blast

The boy done good today. Not only did the ol’ man manage to drag the quad bike up the path ready for its jet wash, but he oversaw the laying of the turves round at Pete and Dawn’s and played Lego with Freddie for a good hour just before tea-time.

Paul and Harriet had a party to go to. While on a phone call to Paul yesterday, Freddie piped up to interrupt the conversation and said, “Grandma? Can I come and sleepover at your house?” Of course the answer was yes. The babysitting plan for the Sutton Sleaths had been shelved, so we weren’t doing anything – much to the relief of the Kenilworth Sleaths, who had wondered what the heck they were going to do with Freddie if we couldn’t babysit.

The house and garden wasn’t particularly Freddie-friendly, with piles of this and that everywhere, so this morning I tidied the garden up, removing any dangerous tools and items that could be tripped over, and moved larger items to a better home so that Freddie would have space to run about if he wanted.

We had a bite to eat once I’d finished my garden chores and then we wandered up the road to Pete and Dawn’s. John was assigned the job of overseer to Peter and the lads who were laying the lawn. He was well-qualified for the job. It entailed sitting in a chair and waving his stick about, pointing out where they’d gone wrong and what to do about it.

I, on the other hand, scuttled indoors because there was a baby about. While Ben was laying the lawn, Liz was in the lounge with baby Arthur. And, in fact, John reckoned that was the only reason he’d come to visit too.

Arthur was a delight. Oh, and to help Lizzie out occasionally, I offered to hold him while she got the pram in, or made a cup of tea, or went to take photos of how the lawn-laying was going, or…well, for any flimsy reason really. He was lovely and snuggly and had the most wicked little grin. I thoroughly enjoyed myself. Grandma Dawn didn’t get a look in today while I was there….. good thing we didn’t stay long, otherwise she might have had to fight me for a hold of her grandson, he was so gorgeous.

We left the Cross family residence about three-thirty to get back in time for Fred-Fred arriving, which he duly did about half an hour later. He fairly burst through the door and flung himself into my arms and gave me a massive hug. Don’t mind if I do.

And there we were. Playing and giggling and imagining and reading and eating and drinking and chatting and hugging…..and…. well, you name it we seemed to do it – except go out in the garden after all. Maybe tomorrow.

I am not sure what I was doing, but Freddie said he’d like to go upstairs to play so John followed him up and there they sat, for over an hour, in total contentment together playing with the Lego. I followed on too, but my contribution was limited to lying on the bed, closing my eyes and doing some meditating, only to be roused occasionally to find a specific piece of Lego that Freddie was after, while John and he played. It was delightful.

After tea, it was bath-time for Freddie and a bed-time story, which he relished and enjoyed joining in with. He wasn’t totally droopy-eyed and was awake enough to stroke the Rio, the cat, when he came in meowing for his supper. Freddie was thrilled to have petted the cat – this is a first. The cats normally run away from the children, for fear of being mauled, but Freddie has learned the gentle touch now.

The day was rounded off by a short visit from Paul and Harriet on their way home from the party. We weren’t expecting them but what a delightful surprise. They stayed for a cuppa and a little natter before they went home. Made my day.

All in all, today has been a blast. From beginning to end, it’s been a pleasure. I think even John has enjoyed himself today, too, although he is still hauling Puffing Billy around with him. To the extent now that the family are beginning to take the mickey and call him Darth Vader…..

On the COVID front, 5,765 people tested positive for the virus today and 13 died in the community. No hospital figures today.

Take care everyone. God bless.