Met up with my cousin David and an old friend Robert last week.
I stay in semi regular contact with David, but I hadn’t seen Robert for years.
I’ve always found it funny that people revert to the person they were, when meeting old friends.
When I spend time with friends I’ve had since I was twelve; I behave like a twelve year old. (Mostly.)
When I spend time with people I’ve met as an adult; I behave as an adult.
This is slowly changing, but the truth is still there.
I’ve known Robert since I was sixteen. He was competitive and sometimes overbearing and he hasn’t changed much. Still it was a genuine joy to see him, because he is also still generous and warm hearted.
I hope I see him again soon.

Last Saturday we took the children to see a matinee performance of Raymond Briggs’ ‘Fungus the Bogey man’ at the ‘Art depot’ in Finchley.
I’d never read the book, as the little I knew about it put me off.
‘Disgusting monster does disgusting things.’
I’ve never been a fan of flatulence and bogey jokes.
Still we went and it was actually pretty good.
The premise being, 'don't judge a book by it's cover'.
The six member cast were all surprisingly talented actors and musicians.
Despite myself, I would recommend it.

My wife has this winter tradition.
She insists we all go ice-skating.
Originally it was at Somerset House but now it can be any central London venue, as so many of them have popped up in recent years.
My eldest now is a pretty accomplished skater.
I can stay on my feet/skates despite my stiff-as-a-board back.
My two youngest were allowed on the ice for the first time.
My five year old daughter was her typical self: Grimly determined that she was going to prove herself ‘absolutely independent’ and not actually only five years old at all.
She’s always been physically able and learned to balance almost immediately.
Propulsion was a problem, but that was my job. (At least this time.)
My boy on the other hand…
He’s only three, but will shriek with fear over the most mundane things: jumpers over his head, dogs (despite us having one) etc.
He, perversely, couldn’t wait to get on the ice. So much so, that when I proffered my hand to take him on, he leapt at me.
I went down like a ton of bricks. Although I was able to hold on to him, one of his skates somehow managed to fly off his foot.
My eldest retrieved it for me.
Undeterred, he was madly eager to get back out there.
I tried to take him gently around but he was having none of it.
Grinning like a loon with his legs whizzing around like a Tex Avery cartoon character.
I was basically holding a living ‘cuisinart’ by one arm while trying to maintain my balance with the other.
My eldest saved they day, by staying with me and taking some of the strain.
I was proud of all three of my children, but especially my eldest.
What of my wife?
She doesn’t skate!

My youngest daughter was in her first nativity play yesterday.
No real part; just one of the chorus.
She was sweet and lovely and managed to remember all the words to the songs.
I was slightly concerned with the non-religious sideways theme though.
No mention of Jesus or God.
What really upset me though, was that some of the parents considered it fine to stand up and take photographs or videos.
OK if they were at the back.
Not so great when they are blocking the view of those behind!

My house needed some work. OK, lots of work.
One of the things that was upsetting my wife was the unimpeded view through the windows of our neighbours house from ours.
We built a fence.
On our land.
They complained aggressively to/at my wife.
I went to see them in the evening.
They whined and begged me to reduce it.
I spoke to the builders and my wife.
I went to see them the next evening.
I offered to replace the top foot of fence with trellis.
Initially they seemed to be pleased with my consolatory offer but then they started to get aggressive.
The man isn’t particularly frightening and at six foot tall, I’m not easily intimidated.
Still, it’s very annoying.

I was dog-tired this weekend from constant running about for wife and assorted children.
At one point I just sat with my head resting in one hand.
Although I’ve always been aware of my odd anatomy, I was still surprised by the fit.
My hands are enormous and my head quite small relative to the rest of me.
I found it funny how my left hand could encompass my entire face.

My eldest daughter won an ‘outstanding academic achievement’ award in her school this year. The prize giving was today but an important job had to be done at work.
Work/Money has to come first, but my daughters disappointed face didn’t make me feel great about myself this morning.

My eldest child just had her birthday.
She wanted a laptop computer for her school work.
What's wrong with a pencil and paper?
Apparently everyone and their dog has one nowadays.
Expensive, but at least she's happy.

My eldest daughter designed the ball gown in her school production of ‘My Fair Lady’, and as a reward, she was given two tickets for the Saturday performance.
It was amazing. The three leads were as good as any professional and deserved further plaudits as they were all girls, two of whom were playing older men.
The dress was lovely and we both thoroughly enjoyed the play.
My daughter was disappointed that her name wasn’t on the programme, but we knew she designed it and that was enough.

We're having the back patio re-cemented as it was crumbling dangerously.
The builders had just finished the long side strip beside the house when one of our cats (Poppy) returned.
It ambled to the side gate when one of the younger builders spotted it.
"Hey cat!" quickly followed by a "Nooooooo!".
The builder had tried to grab the cat and Poppy, startled, fled in the one direction the builder didn't want her to go.
Tiny paw prints sunk into the freshly laid cement.
The young builders friends heard his shouts and came running to his aid.
The cat seeing them coming, turns and heads back towards the front.
Then confronted by the original young builder, panics and runs in erratic circles until finally leaping for the fence.