Here is the new addition in our house:
He is the most mischievous kitten I have met and is currently residing somewhere inside my piano - I have no clue where or how, but it's true. Tiger Tonks is his name. He is so cuddly. Aside from when I have spent hours editing a client's work, he casually hops across my laptop, trampling on delete-delete-delete, for a laugh.
So first day back at school today after the Chrisumerism break for my Big Pixie, who is now a whopping six-year-old. She was so excited to see her friends again and was up early (well, 07.30, but that is early in our house). The beautiful little weirdo.
She won a prize at the end of last term, for the child who had done the most book reviews. My swotty little mushroom did 47, which is not surprising as her head is in a book continually. She has been placed on an enrichment programme for high-achieving children, so they are constantly providing interesting tasks for her to take part in. The latest is a Dragon's Den-style challenge to build and design a moving toy. I hate to say it, but she is totally built for school.
She is also teaching me how to play chess. Honestly, I'm freakin' lost. She is like a sponge, soaking up information and regurgitating it at the most appropriate times. Which is good, because my memory is shocking. "Now, mummy, let me explain how you move your prawns..." Ugh. My head hurt after an hour of instruction.
Small Pixie is doing incredibly well too, and is the most playful thing. We've been away staying with good friends and she was the sweetest child, unlike her older sister who cannot cope with any sort of sleep deprivation and turns into a moaning Mary. Lots of late nights, but we really enjoyed our time away.
Small Pixie is a entirely different child: she has no interest in anything other than play; is content to make cupcakes in her wooden kitchen and couldn't give a shit if she knows her colours or alphabet. Which is a huge relief after the bombardment of questions the Big Pixie has thrown our way. I'm glad our two girls are polar opposites.
We've just booked a holiday with the above-mentioned friends, to a Gite outside Paris - I'm so excited to visit the Louvre and the cellar tours we've planned. It might make up for me missing the NYC Marathon this year :( I'm thinking of the Dublin Marathon in Oct '11 to compensate, and do NYC next year when I can afford it!
Lots of 10k and 16k races lined up. And a bit of a juicing fast for a few weeks until I shed my festive pot belly that has appeared (probably from a cakey fest and few sessions with Jack Daniels).
So Happy New Year, enjoy the fresh new feeling of 2012 and aim high.
xxx
