Suddenly He's BabyBoy4...

I say suddenly, but it's taken me ages to write this tale.

(So Grandparents, you have not missed a birthday, panic not).

However BabyBoy3 turning four came as a bit of a shock.

Not so much that he was four. I can read a calendar. I was there at the birth (eating biscuits with the midwives and guzzling tea WHILST Mrs. Amazing was being amazing and an absolute legend, and actually doing real magic of creating a person from her body, for the third time, the hat trick!).

I knew BabyBoy3 was soon to be plus one, i.e. BabyBoy4.

(Despite being told not to jump on the bed...

The birthday excitement was too much for BabyBoy3/4

Ow.)

Still SHEESH!

It was quite a shock when it finally hit home that he was four.

To think that all my babies had grown up and the toddler years, the nappy years, all those joyous and weird and pooey wonderful days were done. It was quite a jolt to the noggin.

The tipping point in my wibbly wobbly mind was his birthday party.

We had been brave and done the party at home again...

Right, that's all the knives, guns, shotguns, nukes, missiles, swords, daggers, breakables, fragiles, hot things, cold things, poisonous things, toxic things, stuff that gets stuck to your clothes and is a right pain to wash off, secret things and tiny things that are really collectable so that they don't go '''missing'''

Mrs. Amazing: 'So you started with Boy11's room then?'

Uh huh <Takes off full nuclear suit>

Miss7's room next...

<Opens Miss7's door>

<Sparkles and glitter waft out>

<Enters cautiously, but is quickly hog-tied in devious trap>

We did think about hiring someone for the party.

Or booking a room and then hiring someone. But then I remembered that all costs crap loads of money. And actually a small gang of four old's, surrounded by their parents, probably weren't going to cause Team Parent (yay!) to much trouble.

We've done it twice before. We have two elder children. We've earned our stripes.

We can do this.

[Both lying broken and battered two hours later]

Mrs. Amazing: 'Urhghhh... Soooo tired...pass the wine...'

<Is slugging wine from bottle>

<Empties bottle, gets another>

Mrs. Amazing: 'When you're done... any chocolate?'

<Points as is slugging>

Mrs. Amazing: 'You've eaten five bars already???'

<Is slugging but manages to nod>

And we did.

We did it. The party was awesome fun! BabyBoy4 had a really good time, and it was lovely to watch him play with his friends. Who are all quite, quite, mad, but lovely and fun and happy. They were all so sweet.

BabyBoy4 loved every moment of it and we got to be involved with it all. Brilliant.

Boy10 helped out. Miss7 helped too. BabyBoy4 could not have felt more loved.

Good.

There was an issue.

A confusion over the theme of the party. Which was a bit of a problem.

When I spoke to BabyBoy3 he clearly wanted a pirate themed party. But when Team Parent (yay!) met to discuss the party, Mrs. Amazing revealed BabyBoy3 had requested a Frog themed party. Obvs. We arm wrestled for it.

Frog party it was.

And the Cake as by Mrs. Amazing was awesome.

(When we were out and Grandma was over babysitting…

She gave BabyBoy4 a whole frog to eat…

They are solid icing…

<Gives you a look>)

BabyBoy3's 4th birthday.

Was the most eagerly awaited birthday I have ever know (except the Queens as we all got a day off). BabyBoy3 asked for ages about when his birthday was. Months and months we were asked about his birthday and when it was...

BabyBoy3: 'Is it tomorrow?'

No mate, months away...

BabyBoy3: 'Is it tomorrow tomorrow?'

No. Mooooooonths away...

BabyBoy3: 'No, no. Is it lots of tomorrow tomorrows?'

Kind of... Look you see how it's cold and dark out?

BabyBoy3: <Smiles as very lost>

Well when the sun comes out, it's close to your birthday

[Next day sun denying all seasonal expectations, comes out]

BabyBoy3: 'YAY! It's my birthday!!!' <Does in your face dance, which he learnt from me Boy11>

Right... No... When I said it was when the sun comes out...

[There are tears]

The other two.

Looked forward to their birthdays, sure. Every year, as is the tradition.

But BabyBoy3 was really excited about it. Months and months before it was going happen.

I blame Miss7 for constantly reminding him his birthday was soon, but not too soon.

But hey that's the fun of having siblings in your life.

<Coughs> fun.

Anyhoo...

Here's my amusing list of things about BabyBoy3 that in future I'll look back on and blackmail him about with a smile and a tear in my heart as my little dude has grown into a big boy.

<Vomits>

As normal I shall avoiding all the obvious stuff, like he's awesome, he's nice and just give you juicy Matt and Luke goss...

1. BabyBoy3 blocks the toilet up the most.

No he isn't a bear. He doesn't block it like that.

Instead BabyBoy3 is extremely generous with the toilet paper he uses. Every time.

We no longer watch him as he does it on his own. And as this is the third child Team Parent (yay!) have taught to wipe.

Just the fact he does it fills up with happiness and joy. So nice NOT to be involved in all the business anymore.

Yet the mornings I've dragged myself out of bed, stomped to my throne, only to find a basin full of water.

Well there's been a lot.

Twice I have found a whole roll wedge down there.

Brilliant.

2. BabyBoy3 is the master of apologies

Or I am the biggest sucker to that little boy...

BabyBoy3: 'Sorwe Daddy. Sorwe Daddy' <Saddest little cute 'I've learnt my lesson totes' face>

That's OK dude... Just try to avoid it next time...

BabyBoy3: <Biggest eyes you ever seen>

Have a cuddle

BabyBoy3: <Cuddles me>

You want a present?

BabyBoy3: <Nods>

3. BabyBoy3 can't play Mario Kart

Oh sure this isn't a world breaker. It's not the end of the world.

Really it's not going to stop him in life in anyway.

And yet... As I watch him play. He really can't do it. The brain connections that say wall-avoid just are not there. Bash bash bash into the wall he goes. I'd like him to be better. Ah well, give him time.

Still it doesn't stop him demanding to play every now and then...

So dude what ya wanna do?

BabyBoy3: 'Car racing game!!!' <Bounces about>

But you suck? You sure? It always makes you cross and bored?

BabyBoy3: 'BRRRRRMMMMM' <Gets gaming cushions>

Fine...

4. Our song has changed.

If you read this blog enough you may well have noticed that me and BabyBoy3, have a song.

(Which I still ain't telling you what it is). That I sing to him as I put him to bed every night.

Recently he declared that our song is no longer wanted. -I wept for hours.-

Not wanting to let go of this special bond I had very carefully set up. I changed tack and asked him what song he would like to sing instead.

And then I had the genius idea that I could teach him the words of a song, and how to sing it at the same. A three year old that could sing in tune, what a blessing that would be!

A Disney favourite was chosen (I still ain't saying) and that's what we sing together, slowly so he can learn it, every night.

He loves it almost as much as I do.

5. You can call him Spider-Boy now.

And Buzz Lightyear. And BatBoy. And Robin. And <Giggles> Woody. Basically whatever he is wearing you can now call him.

Which may not sound like much. But for the past three and a lot years you would be told off by BabyBoy3 for that kind of outrageous comment...

<Is looking at BabyBoy3 dressed as Batman> Hey Batman!

BabyBoy3: 'THAT'S NOT MY NAME. I'M BABYBOY3!'

OK mate... <Runs>

My fierce, bonkers, little spider-boy.

A post shared by Tales from the... Dad Side! (@talesfromthedadside3) on Aug 6, 2018 at 9:40am PDT

6. It's Daddy! YAY!

No one is happier to see me arrive home than BabyBoy3. No one.

If I could bottle this bit of BabyBoy3 I would, and keep it forever. He actually says yay too.

Outloud. Yay.

When BabyBoy3 hears me come home, he leaps up from whatever he is doing, and runs to the door to see me. Even if it's just to shout 'Come see Daddy' and then he legs it off again.

It's possibly the best feeling to have someone so excited you're home. And I shall revel in it whilst it lasts. As the others? … Not so much anymore...

I'm home!

Boy11: <Eyelids flicker in recognition, barely>

Miss7: 'Hey Daddy' <Doesn't move>

Mrs. Amazing: 'Hi. Bye. They're all yours' <Runs out of the house>

BabyBoy3: 'DADDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDY!' <Runs at me and hugs me>

<Has high voice> Dude! A bit more carefully next time. Lovely to see you!

<Walks off John Wayne style, eyes watering>

Wouldn't trade it.

7. BabyBoy3 is our most hitty child.

It's fine as he's got tiny little hands and no damage can be done. Still.

His kicks can pack a wallop though. Wincey wallop if you're not careful.

It's a mixture of him being very excited about everything in life, and him having very little spacial awareness.

It's also totally my fault.

As the Ninja training I do comes up a fair bit at home. I go once a week.

Sometimes I show him. We all watch Dragon Ball Z (which I am sure doesn't help). And although I did the exact same with Boy11 and showed him everything Ninja-ey I did.

I also had a lot more time back then. And I've kind of skipped over the part where I said to Boy11 a lot: you don't do any of this to your friends and family.

My bad! (I think BabyBoy4 rocks).

8. BabyBoy3 moves furniture.

The other two didn't do this.

Some mornings we try and go into BabyBoy3's room and well you can't.

As he's moved the bed in front of the door. Or the bed is sideways. His lamp is knocked on the floor. There's normally toys strewn everywhere and walking anywhere in the room is totes unsafe for any of Team Parent (yay!).

It's normally a morning thing he does whilst he waits for us to all wake up, and then wakes us all up at 6am anyway.

As for what time he gets up to do his furniture rearranging...

I shudder to think.

<Shudders>
See.

9. BabyBoy3 disagrees with Team Parents (yay!) bedtimes for him.

He doesn't wail. He shout. He doesn't cry.

Sometimes he lays there singing to himself, or playing with toys in his bed.

Other times runs about and steals stuff from Boy11's room. Or Miss7's. Or our room.

It's like living with a magpie.

And it's not as though he’s quiet about it, THUD THUD go his little feet across the ceiling as Team Parent (yay!) turn the tele up and pretend he's fast asleep....

You go

Mrs. Amazing: 'I don't want to'

He just hides under his covers when I go up, and giggles

Mrs. Amazing: 'He just hugs and kisses me and tells me lots of things'

Arm wrestle? Oh no... wait... Mario Kart contest instead!

[After]

Damn it! <Trudges upstairs to find BabyBoy3 moving all my clothes into his room>

10. BabyBoy3 is still the happiest little fella ever.

OK probably not ever. But compared to the other two. He's well ahead.

I am really, really, really, glad that BabyBoy3 still has this about him. I wrote about it on his third birthday. At the time wondering if it was just because he was young and little and hella cute. A bit of me worried that as he grew up his wonderful attitude to life would slowly be stripped away. BUT IT HASN'T!

He's still the happy go-lucky dude he's always been. He just seems to be happy to be here, existing. Which is something I shall always aspire to.

BabyBoy3 you were utterly brilliant. Thank you.

I can’t wait for more matey.

X

(BabyBoy3: ‘Can I eat my lunch in my den?’

… Hmmm… Yeah!

I see no problem with that!

[Later, whilst cleaning sofa]

... I see problems with that...

She's Seven...

It's not much of a change.

Six to seven. It's only one day that elapses. Which seems very easy and very manageable.

No need for having a bit of a moment as Team Parent (yay!) made birthday plans for Miss6. <Sobs>

But despite my wish to stop time and keep Miss6 forever. The latest version of Miss6 arrived.

The upgrade. The new improved model.

Miss7...

Miss7: 'Brilliant! I'm seven! What can I do now?'

Miss7: 'What new skills do I get? Any powers yet?'

Er... You get the power of better concentration! <Tries to make it sound fun>

Miss7: <Is not convinced> '...and...'

Er... You get to manage your temper and emotions better! Yay!

Miss7: 'What, like Boy10 does?'

Fair point... er... you got new shoes with wheels in them (Heelys)! Yay!

Miss7: 'They are cool... And look what I can do!'

Miss7: <Rolls along a bit, then falls over>

THAT'S AMAZING! YOU ARE BRILLIANT!

<Scoops up big seven year old in my arms, that is actually still quite little and is surprisingly easy to scoop>

Let’s go get you and me some chocolate shall we!

I thought you were really getting it that time!

Miss7: <Is happy>

(Er... You might wanna move the balloon a bit…

Yep! That’s it!!!)

It does feel like a new frontier though.

Everything is about to change. I can just feel in the air. Miss7's relationships to her friends and her family are all about to change. She's becoming more aware of the world around her. My Dad alarms are going off pretty much daily.

They are telling me something. And I think it's pretty simple.

Miss7 isn't such a little girl anymore she's a rampaging monster.

But that's just my thoughts.

Based on the slice of Miss7's life I get to see. I get the weekends. And as I work (I do) 9-5:30 weekdays. Means I get a few hours in the morning with her, and then maybe an hour with her in the evening. Which isn't exactly golden time as Miss7, like her brothers, are knackered out by that time of day. And just want cartoons, maybe warm milk, and a bedtime story.

Being a kid does sounds sweet sometimes...

Hey! Why don't I get a bedtime story?

Mrs. Amazing: 'What?'

The kids get a bedtime story... I like stories... Where's mine?

Mrs. Amazing: 'YOU want a story?' <Rolls up sleeves> 'Right!' <Looks a bit annoyed>

<Regrets asking almost instantly>

Mrs. Amazing: 'Once upon a time, there was a grown man that asked his busy and hard working wife for a bedtime story. And later that night he was beaten to death with HUG, The Ravenous Beast, The Gruffalo and every single Mr. Sodding-man and Little Miss. Annoying books she could find. And the wife lived happily ever after. The End.'

...

...

...

I'm just going to pretend you said no nicely and just go to sleep now...

Mrs. Amazing: 'You do that'

Zzz... <Is secretly reading 'Little Rabbit Foo Foo' under the sheets>

Anyhoo...

So as I hate those blogger birthday lists that get all mushy, and are basically a long lost of why a parent loves their child.

Here's my traditional list of things you probably didn't know about Miss6.

1. Miss6 has mad hiding skills.

Miss6's hiding skills have gone through the roof (they are very good).

She is an absolute master of hiding in plain sight. I think it's something to do with her clothes blending in with all the fabric around the house. <Gives Mrs. Amazing a look>

Recently we all played hide and seek. And whilst Boy10 is a hella genius at squeezing into spaces I don't expect him to able to fit in, Miss6 has surpassed him, hiding skillswise.

Miss6 doesn't do anything complex. She just finds somewhere a bit messy and stays still. Her hair covering her face. Clothes blending in.

And smeg it if I can't find her.

If she didn't giggle and call out 'Cock-coo' I swear I'd never find her.

These very useful skills Miss6 uses on me during bedtime.

I can be following her from the bathroom to her bedroom. A foot behind. Round a corner... and BOOM she's gone. I've lost her.

I look for a while. Get a bit frustrated. Call her name. And then like the Predator coming out of the water.

She appears...

Miss6: 'BOO!'

ARGH! Where did you come from? <Clutches heart>

Miss6: <Crouches down again to demonstrate>

WHAT THE SMEG! WHERE DID YOU GO!!! She's a WITCH!

Of course.

And I am sure Mrs. Amazing will back me up on this.

Miss6's skills at hiding do need to be tempered by my legendary skills at looking for stuff.

I have poor skills...

WHERE THE SMEG IS OUR CAR?

Mrs. Amazing: <Gives me a worried look and just points a foot in front of me>

Mrs. Amazing: 'There'

OH! Right... Thanks... <Mumbles stuff about ninja cars and just gets in>

2. Miss6 sings with headphones on.

I know.

That probably sounds really annoying. And I am sure if it was Boy10 it would be really annoying. In fact I know I've told him not to. As it was really annoying.

But for a few reasons Miss6 is not annoying about it.

a) She doesn't do it right in your face whilst your watching your favourite program on tele. Miss6 can just be found walking about the house, playing, singing away.

b) Her volume is just quiet enough. So you can hear it, but it doesn't grate.

c) Her singing is not constant. As Miss6 only seems to know a few lines of a song, chorus obvs.

d) And this is the real seller. There is so much passion and hand gestures when she does sing, it's brilliant. You know how you (and I) dance when a 80's classic comes on? It's that level of passion.

Brilliant.

(You know this doesn't count as swimming?

Miss6: 'I'm watching Octonauts, it's underwater'

Right... <Is confused>)

3. Miss6 can stiiiiiiill only swim 10m.

Which isn't entirely true.

Just last week Miss6 produced her personal best of 12m without drowning. I was so proud.

I take Miss6 swimming once a week, when she's not ill, I'm not ill, and neither of us are busy and Mrs. Amazing is not going out, on a Sunday morning. So probably twenty times last year.

What I sneakily do is watch the swimming teachers already in the pool and copy what they do. So I feel my lessons haven't been completely awful. There's been content.

But for some reason Miss6 hit a wall. 10m, and got no further all year.

Despite the enormous carrot of a brand new swimming badge should she do it, me cheering her massively, and an adult sized milkshake from the milkshake shop (McRonalds)...

LifeGuard: 'Hey! You! I've told you before, no giant inflatable vegetables in the pool!'

<Sticks out tongue> Oh right... Sorry...

<Leaves pool with Miss6 and giant inflatable carrot>

4. Miss6 spills non-spilling bottles of water regularly.

She even has a towel next to her bed for this, I've had words.

I don't doubt Mrs. Amazing has had words too.

Words along the line of 'You're seven! Even your little brother doesn't spill his water at night, what on earth are you doing?',those kind of words.

Of course Miss6 says sorry and she will try really hard not to do it again.

But still. It happens.

5. Miss6 finally won her first ‘Mario Kart’ race.

Which I am very proud of her for.

I’ve no idea what changed. As until recently she drove like a drunken one armed, dwarf, with inner ear issues (badly). Weaving about the road back and forth, until finally getting lost on a one-way track (??).

She went from never actually finishing <Gives you a look> to mostly 3rd, sometimes 2nd, and run and tell Daddy when it happens, BOOM POW! 1st!

I am very proud.

6. Miss6 is faster than you at ‘Head, Shoulder, Knees and Toes’ with actions.

She is. She's hella quick at it.

We had a New Years party. There was a who can do 'Head, Shoulder, Knees and Toes’ with actions, fastest competition. Miss6 beat everyone. Adults too. By a lot.

If you ever need to see H.S.K.&T with actions done at an incredible speed.

You know who to ask. Her manager.

7. Miss6 is fearless with sauces and condiments.

This is in stark contrast to Boy10.

Who refuses food unless it is chips or sandwiches. May consume a roast if he's in the mood, but don’t count on it.

Miss6 in contrast not only tries and likes most food. She also loves all the sauces and condiments Team Parent (yay!) have. Mustard, horseradish, mayo, brown sauce, soy sauce, pickles, chutneys etc... You name, she'll try it.

Bravo Miss6, bravo.

8. Miss6 makes treasure bags at a industrial scale now.

Treasure bags (as mentioned in ‘Bouncy or Not?’) sound lovely don’t they?.

But they're not. No no. They are the bane of Mrs. Amazing's life.

A treasure bag is a bag into which has been put billions of little things.

All from somewhere else. And at first they might all seem unconnected, but Miss6 will have a theme she is rocking that day.

Only problem is that it would've taken Miss6 most of the day collecting these things. It will take Team Parent (yay!) most of the night to put them back. <Grumbles>

Miss6 has increased her production of treasure bags to a new record output.

I came home the other day to find Miss6 loading BabyBoy3 car with at least ten treasure bags. Not little play bags. No.

Full sized bag-for-life bags. Full of crap.

I was pretty miffed.

But that was nothing compared to what Mrs. Amazing would say...

OMFB! <Shakes head> Are all these treasure bags?

Miss6: <Looking proud> 'Yes!'

You're going to die. Look. We have to get this cleared away before your mother gets in and sees... well... this...

<Motions at neatly bagged wrong sorted mess>

... but we've only ten minutes...

Miss: <Is now seeing the problem> <Face goes pale>

There's no other choice... Take this <Passes fake passport>

Your name is now Mungo Bungo and I'll see you two years times when this has all blown over. ... We'll miss you... I love you...

Miss6: <Runs>

Boy10: 'Can I have her LEGO?'

Give it a while...

[A second passes]

Boy10: 'Now?'

9. Miss6 does the press-up & sit-up challenge with me.

A bit random this.

I wanted a way to curb my Christmas waistline issue. As it was November.

And I needed a morning training partner. Boy10 I guessed wouldn't be keen. As it would affect his YouTube watching time.

And I thought well why not with Miss6 <Slaps thigh>. The worst that could happen is that she would become healthy and strong.

Win win.

So the rule is we do one extra repetition every day. We manage four days in a row. We do four reps.

(Note, I did check it was safe for her frame to be doing press-ups and sit-ups. It is).

Our personal best so far is nineteen days in a row.

Which means Miss6 did nineteen press-ups (very iffy ones to be honest), and nineteen sit-ups (very good ones).

I am so damn proud of her for that.

10. Miss6 still does what she wants.

She is not a follower. She is a not sheep.

If she doesn't want to do something, she cares not if others are. Her choices are for her.

Really I wish I could be that free. To just do what I want with worrying what my peers are doing.

Amazing.

Of course this does lead to some 'issues' parenting her...

GET DRESSED!

Miss6 : 'NO!' <Runs, gets even more naked, and hides>

NO! SHE'S DISAPPEARED AGAIN!!!

11. She's quite, quite, mad.

(Go get dressed for a Nerf war! It needs to be protective but look hella cool!

Miss6: 'Tada!

Mission accomplished! <High Fives>

Armed and fabulous darling! <Regrets the heel kick>)

Thank you Miss6 it's been utterly amazing.

A real honour.

I've trepidation about your sevens to be honest. My amazingly bad knowledge of aged seven girls I fear will start working against me very soon. But I am very optimistic as well.
I'm sure it's going to a blast.

And funny. Really funny.

One song sums up Miss6 for me.

It is 'It's Magnificent (She Says)' by the amazing 'Elbow', who I love.

Best you listen rather than read about it.

Take it away Sir Guy...

Goodbye to lovely Miss6 and hello, wotcha, about time, hi, to the amazing and fabulous Miss7!

Long may she reign.

X

Epilogue:

I really did have a bit of moment when planning Miss6's birthday party with Mrs. Amazing.

It just kind of hit home in my head that my little six year girl was suddenly going to be seven.

And seven feels really big and grown up, and I know it's silly to think that.

I love being in her life soooo much. We have so much fun together. And I know as she gets older I'll be less and less involved.

So in that moment as we planned a party. I faltered and it hit me. No actual tears, I would just like to clear that up.

But some serious throat clearing.

But Mrs. Amazing noticed...

Mrs. Amazing: 'You OK?'

<Is squinting> Yeah... Just sad that this part of her life has past, if you know what I mean...

Mrs. Amazing: 'Yeah... but snap out of it we've got eleven...'

Eleven? I thought only eight were coming?

Mrs. Amazing: 'No Miss6 invited more people...'

Really? Shesh...

Mrs. Amazing: 'And we've only an hour before I will crash out to plan the entire party for twelve, themed on a book, none of her friends have ever read'

Mrs. Amazing: <Seriously sups wine>

<Glugs Guinness>

Mrs. Amazing: 'And I doubt us having started drinking is going to help is it?'

<Re-glugs Guinness>

I'm thinking lasers, ropes hanging from the ceiling and a klaxon going off, indoor fireworks, and maybe a shot bar?

Mrs. Amazing: <Moves away my Guinness> '... Very much no'

Right... How about I make Fairy sandwiches?

Mrs. Amazing: <Moves back Guinness> 'Good idea!'

X