Sumer is ycomen in

A busy weekend

A Saturday party in the local church hall for Sophie's 4th birthday, a Sunday party across town in PARC for Emily's 4th, interspersed by a visit of Lydia, Joel, Deb and Gary to us for Saturday night and Sunday brunch. An absolutely lovely time during each of these events! Interesting was Angharad's reaction to the clown who performed at the first party. He came on in normal clothes, slowly putting on the kit and nose, whilst having a series of 'disasters' (legs falling off his table, tellings things to 'stay' that then would move, boxes falling flat, etc.). The other kids' reaction to these disasters was ribald laughter; Angharad was upset. Each time the clown told an object to 'stay' Angharad would look at it, point her finger and say 'stay' too. Each time it moved/jumped or whatever, Angharad got more and more upset. Eventually she cried and had to sit on my lap for reassurance.

Angharad  certainly plays 'with' rather than just 'alongside' her age-peers now. But it remains hard for her to be fully interactive and equal because she cannot yet use words sufficiently adeptly to respond to or direct events. When other kids visit her here this is better but still an issue. However, when adults play with her she is directive and responsive and in control. I suspect this is because adults are more responsive to her needs and subtly react so as to allow her to maintain control, whereas kids might give up, get cross or simply go off on their own.

"She's her father's daughter all right!"

Thus spake Nikki on entering the kitchen to find that Angharad had just emptied out her bucket of Play Dough onto the mat. It wasn't that she'd tipped it up and dropped the contents on the floor. Nik was taken by the fact that, untutored and unguided, Angharad pulled each piece out in turn and then lined them up according to size and function. Ordered, tidy and functional. Now Angharad's dad, your correspondent, may not truly qualify as worthy of any of those adjectives. But, at a surface level at least, I was once known as being miles tidier than either of my two younger sisters at home; and I am just a tad structured and methodical; and when I was seconded to the Welsh Office, - the heart of the civil service, which taught the world bureaucracy, my peers did call me 'The Library' 'cos I could always summon the relevant fact, article, detail or whatever. (I'm not always sure that they were being complimentary. Strange that.) My saving grace is that all that goes out the window when I follow one of my hunches, urges or whims. Still, I am glad to see that The Girl has inherited natural common sense ;)

Pictured below are the empty Play Dough buckets and two quickly-taken snaps of Angharad's ordered world.

A good Friday

We've been opening presents all week. Fair dos to Angharad, who has not rushed into doing it all at once but has shown restraint. It's meant that she's been able to enjoy each gift in turn. It's wonderful, the kindness of friends and family. Without exception, everyone has made and/or given Angharad cards and gifts that they've obviously thought about, ones they've thought Angharad would find specific pleasure in. Thanks will be winging away more formally soon enough, but this was just to convey a more general and no less heartfelt 'thank you' to everyone who has helped make this such a lovely week for Angharad. I attach two snaps to catch the mood - Angharad in Peppa Pig hat and shades (thanks Sofia!), that fair tickled her pink, this morning!

And one of Angharad in Fairy cozzie (thanks Pat and Paul) and hair-tie finger and toe-adornments (thanks Halen)!

Here's Princess Angharad with her tiara and every princess's must-have poodle taking a walk (thanks Caitlin!).

Here is Angharad enjoying her new bicycle bell (thanks John), tiara (diolch Caitlin), and pom-poms (you chose wisely Charlie!)

And here is Angharad indulging in a little home economics, courtesy of and thanks to Elena and Sophia!

Angharad's 4th birthday!

What a lovely party! Our thanks to all who helped  in its preparation and execution and, most of all, to everyone who turned-up and made Angharad's afternoon so special.From start to finish we all had a fine time. The food was varied, healthy and enjoyable both, the venue was safe and every inch of it was used. Angharad was the first in the gym and the last off it. There were very few tears from anyone and loads of laughter. The cake was ordered from M&S and we collected it on Friday. We put it away on a chair, in its box with its transparent lid, in the coldest room in the house, the conservatory. Then we locked the conservatory. (As we have to do the front and back doors now else ACE carries her step-box to the doors and opens them.) I heard a loud yell from Nik, who had allowed Angharad off her leash for a milisecond; Angharad had unlocked the door and sat on the cake. Luckily, as the pics attets, it survived but the panda bears and elephants got a little squished for all that!

More parties (ongoing...)

This will be updated regularly over the next few weeks. First a few snaps from Aby's and Amy's party last week, then some from Stephen's do. Then snaps from other parties as they arise. We'll start a separate post for Angharad's parties with friends and family on her actual birthday.

The next two snaps come from Lilia's party (shared with her older brother, Seth) and Annie and Lena's party. The former had a wonderful 'disco' which was nicely aimed at ages 4 through 7 and his details are attched too (I reckon this guy could cover all ages and occasions from tots to adult parties). Angharad had her first-ever face-paint (a butterfly, for the record! The latter was held at Parc indoor/outdoor adventure play facility. Our first time there and it was very impressive.

Easter bonnets

We had Angharad's annual review meeeting with the School Head, SENCO, Nursery teacher, SNHV and S&LT in the last week. We all agreed that the recommendation to the LEA (its a day for acronyms, a.p.o.l.s!) would be that Angharad remain at Marlborough and attend its Infants School from September 2010, maintaining links with her current peers as they enter Reception Class, but attending the Specialised Resource Unit where she will benefit from improved ratio of teacher:pupil ratios and specialised support to reflect her particular learning needs. We hope that the LEA will agree.

Anyways, its Easter Bonnets and Bows time today with a Parade to which parents are invited before the class breaks up for its two-week easter break. I think Angharad now has five birthday parties to attend in this priod, starting with her own which will be held at Ants in Ya Pants on Newport Road (http://www.antsplaycentre.co.uk/) on Sat. 27th March. On her actual birthday family and other close friends will be visiting her at home.

A few snaps are attached, with more to be added later!